The forest was eerily silent except for the sound of dead leaves crunching under the swift feet of three hooded figures cautiously inspecting their surroundings. They were on a mission, a mission that had already gone on for two years, and it was nearly complete.

The one leading held up a hand to signal a stop to the two trailing behind and pulled off its hood. It was a woman, very young to be wearing an Auror's robes. She absent-mindedly swept a loose blonde hair from her eyes with her wand hand.

"Hermione," a male voice behind her whispered carefully, "What is it?"

"Someone is here," Hermione stated matter-of-factly. "Pull off your hoods and you'll be able to feel it."

The two figures standing behind her followed the suggestion, as they had learned over many years to trust Hermione's instincts. The removal of hoods revealed a young man wearing glasses with untidy dark brown hair and another young man with bright red hair.

"I don't feel anything, Harry," the red-haired man whispered to his companion. "Do -"

"Shh!" Hermione interrupted, holding her wand up. Harry and Ron immediately did the same.

It had been two years since the fall of Lord Voldemort and the start of the Wizarding Age known as Pax Magicis. Because of their valor and crucial roles in bringing down the most feared and darkest wizard of all time, Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, and Hermione Granger all received honorable NEWTs in their subjects and were immediately offered positions in the Ministry of Magic's Auror's Office. Harry and Ron accepted this role eagerly, as it had been their career goal when they studied at Hogwart's, but Hermione was more reluctant. She had wanted to work for the Ministry, yes, but more of a law-making role, not law-enforcing, as the plight of house-elves and the prejudice against wizards and witches born with Muggle parents were still fresh on her mind.

"We're not done," Harry had said to convince her. "Death Eaters are still out there."

It was true. Though most supporters of the Lord Voldemort had confessed and turned themselves in, seeing the true destruction of their Dark Lord, a few of the most dangerous had been on the run, making their presence known by unexplainable Muggle "accidents" as well as Ministry infiltrations.

"We wouldn't last a day without you," Ron had pleaded, taking her hand into his own. She had looked away at this point, but she didn't let go of his warm hand. "Just help us until all the Death Eaters are gone. Then you can transfer and help the house-elves all you want."

Hermione smiled then, thinking how thoughtful Ron was, how thoughtful he had always been.. And she agreed.

Now Hermione had assumed the role of the leader in their group, which Harry was more-than-happy to relinquish. She had done surprisingly well as the lead Auror, as her instincts on the Death Eaters' hiding places and habits were nearly always dead-on. But Hermione's dreams still rested in the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, and the capture of these last two Death Eaters would finally signify the end of her Auror career.

Hermione now approached a seemingly dead tree a few feet from where they stood. She couldn't explain it, but there was something about it that pulsated to her, that showed magical presence. Through her Auror training, Hermione had learned the art of Occlumency, and now she penetrated Harry's mind with an image of him stunning the tree.

"Stupefy!"

"Protego!" Hermione yelled immediately as the tree fell. The shield charm formed around herself, Harry, and Ron, ready for any retaliation. But as the tree slammed to the ground, nothing happened.

"Bloody Hell!" started Ron, "I guess you can't be right all the -"

"Look!" Hermione said, pointing at the fallen tree which was now slowly shrinking. Harry held his wand up and slowly approached, standing protectively in front of Hermione. This part, dueling and defense, was his specialty.

The tree continued to shrink and morphed itself to reveal an unconscious girl in dark robes. Harry approached cautiously and reached over quickly to remove her hood. It was a young blonde girl, looking the same age as the Aurors sent to capture her, but she did not look dangerous…

"Are you sure this is the one?" Harry asked Hermione over his shoulder.

"Yes," she replied confidently and began reciting the Death Eater's description, "Blonde, very pretty - "

"Well, they've got that right," Ron mused, turning his head to get a better look. When Hermione sent him a scathing glare, he immediately looked down and found his wand very interesting.

"Very pretty," Hermione continued, though still glaring at Ron, "Slight figure, specialized in Transfiguration, left-handed, carries her wand in her sleeve…"

Harry reached pulled back the girl's left sleeve and suddenly jumped back. He swung his arms back protectively against his friends and yelled the shield charm again, "Protego!"

The magical shield hummed around them as it doubled a layer over Hermione's charm. Ron and Hermione looked questioningly at Harry, but followed his eyes to where he was staring, and then they too jumped back with their wands at the ready.

The girl's sleeve had been pulled up and a wand had fallen out, but on her forearm - deep and dark as when Lord Voldemort was at his most powerful - was the Dark Mark.

"How is it still like that?" Ron whispered. "You-Know, er, Lord Voldemort is dead and gone! We all saw it!"

"I don't know," Harry muttered, recovering from his shock and quickly grabbing the dark witch's wand. He thought briefly about snapping it in two, but decided that was for the Ministry. Their job was to apprehend and bring them in for their trial - nothing more.

"Ava -" a shrill voice rang out above them, but was halted suddenly by a jet of red light. A body fell out from the trees high above them. Ron had his wand up - he had sent the stunning charm wordlessly - his specialty. Ron waved his wand again and the cloaked body went rigid and still.

After a moment of letting their held breaths escape from their bodies, Harry finally spoke. "And who are these Death Eaters again?"

"Quinn Fabray and Amycus Fabray," Hermione recited, "The last two Death Eaters in the world."