She had the distinct impression that she was being followed. That familiar sense of foreboding, which came so often these days, stole over her body. It sent chills up her arms and legs. She closed her fist over the wand in her cloak pocket. Whoever was following her was either magic or Muggle, and she was going to defend herself. Her last run in with Rabastan Lestrange was still quite fresh in her mind. Richard had threatened to put her on house arrest after that little incident. But she'd gotten away. She continued walking at a brisk pace, knowing that whoever it was would probably attack her with her back turned. Back at Hogwarts, she'd been the first in her class to perfect the nonverbal spells; she used that to her advantage as she slowly pulled her wand from her pocket. Homnenum Revelio. The spell revealed Avery, half hidden in the shadows. He greeted her raised wand and hard expression with a sinister grin.

"Nice night for a walk," he said simply.

Lila Carroll's breath was coming in slow, sharp bursts. But she would not betray her fear to him, as he stood there, that indecent smile shining on his face from the bare light being cast by the cold stars overhead. He made no movement towards his own wand. Lila considered him as his eyes traveled over the dark, empty street. He had lost interest in her. What was he planning to do? Who was he waiting for? Maybe she didn't want to know. She could have Disapparated; and yet, he seemed to hold her there with his indifference. She half heard Richard calling her foolish.

Again, she performed another spell, without his knowledge. His wand flew into her free hand. The flicker of a smile betrayed some sort of quiet amusement at her Disarming him.

"Why have you followed me?" she demanded.

"Nice night for a walk," he repeated, his eyes scanning the sky.

She could kill him. He had probably planned the same. It's what anyone in his circle would have done. And yet, she never had it in her to kill. But it did seem much more crueler for her to never return home to Richard and the kids. Either way, she did have his wand, but she wasn't going to return it and simply Disapparate. Perhaps she should keep it? One wandless Death Eater had to do some bit of good. And it bothered her the way he seemed so calm and at ease; Disarmed and slouching against the alleyway wall.

She stunned him. The flash of red light illuminated the tiny square and his lifeless body sank to the ground. Perhaps she could hide his wand; or maybe just take it with her. She'd be able to summon Dumbledore, and maybe they could call a meeting of the Order to discuss these strange events. As she turned away, clutching both wands, a swooshing noise rent the still air, and three hooded figures appeared in the alleyway.

"Expelliarmus!" One of them cried.

The two wands flew from Lila's hand into the outstreched palm of-she waited with bated breath as he removed his hood-Antonin Dolohov. A sinister grin, matching the one of his stunned fellow, twisted his pallid face. His companions removed their hoods as well. Travers and Rabastan.

"Three of you?" she inquired politely. "Three against one. It's not in your nature to play fair, is it?"

"Don't sell yourself so short Lila. You were always too quick," Rabastan whispered. "Even in school."

"Enough." Dolohov regarded her, totally defenseless. "We must do it now."

"But why hurry?" Travers asked lazily. "She has no means of escape. She can run but we will catch her. She can hide, and she will be found. You know Antonin, she cannot fight back." His eyes flickered on Lila's wand. He glanced up at her impassive face. He was smiling as well. "Why rush?"

Dolohov looked impatient. "The Dark Lord will want us to report back immediately. Rabastan, take Avery." He tossed the latter's wand to Rabastan. The other grabbed it, and walked to Avery's body. He pulled him up and Disapparated on the spot.

"It will only take one to do it," Dolohov whispered to Travers.

Lila willed the tears not to fall. Thoughts of Richard, Daniel, Tessa, and Madelaine forced their way into her mind. Here she was, aching for her family, who could have no idea that she was facing her death, while Dolohov and Travers discussed it like the weather.

"Let me," Travers said. He pointed his wand deliberately at Lila's heart. "Any last words?" he mocked. She remained silent; her final act of defiance.

"Avada Kedavra!"

She fell, almost dreamlike, to the ground, as the flash of green light outshone the stars. It was not the same as when she had stunned Avery; hers held a gleaming finality to it.

Doholov and Travers approached the body of the dead Lila Dearborn Carroll. Dolohov let out a harsh laugh and let Lila's wand slip carelessy through his fingers and onto her chest. It was a vulgar movement. Travers shared the laugh and studied her lovely face.

"Mudblood filth," he spat. Casting his wand up above his head, he uttered the Morsmordre spell. The skull rose into the air, glinting evilly in the half light being cast by the sickle moon. The snake protruding from its mouth slithered in the eerie glow of it's light, writhing above Lila's body. The Order should waste no time in locating one of their own, Travers thought with relish.

He and his companion walked up the square, turned on the spot next to an abandoned pub, and vanished.