Chapter 1: Fight or Flight

Green light reflected in her blue eyes as two bursts of it broke through the darkness on the embankment above her. A sick feeling took a hold of her stomach as she cast one last look at the body of her short time lover and long time friend. Turning she broke into a sprint across the rocky terrain, heading for anywhere that was far away from the black robed men. Shielding her face with her hands, Rachel pushed through the thick undergrowth that was surrounding her.

Run; just keep running, her mind screamed as a branch caught on to the side of her zip up sweatshirt, tearing it straight up the left side, they could be after you.

Thick clouds hung in the late night sky covering the full moon that had risen eliminating any light making it almost impossible for her to see where she was running. Barely making it a few yards Rachel heard the leader of the band of men voice break through the frigid night air causing the hairs on the back of her neck stood on end.

"Bring her to me; I want her alive so that I might have the pleasure of killing her myself!"

His scream was answered by the uproar of his followers. There was a simultaneous swish of six cloaks as the predators began to chase after their young prey. The seventeen-year-old girl felt her heart pound harder against her ribs as she heard clothing fluttering all around her in the darkness. With gritted teeth as the pain in her side intensified with each step, she urged her rapidly growing tired body to keep going.

Clambering over the rocks and large tree roots that protruded from the almost frozen ground proved to be a challenge in keeping her footing. Legs burning from running, she willed herself to just keep moving, knowing if she stopped it would certainly mean her death. Her eyes were constantly scanning her surrounding area in hopes of finding any kind of refuge from her attackers. The forest stood empty and dark all around her as the fog rolled in slowly just above the earth. Tears started to mix with the blood and dirt that was smeared on her face, realizing there was nothing but more and more trees around her.

Reaching the top of a small hill Rachel stopped hoping she would be able to spot any signs of life from the high vantage point. The sound of cloth caught in a breeze was not too far behind her, and she knew she had to make a choice right then and there. Turning back to try and help the other girls would mean her doom. At the same time running around getting lost would also lead to her demise.

Please for the love of God, help me; she thought her eyes panning the horizon. Then as if He had heard her helpless prayer, a small flickering light caught her attention about two hundred yards to her right. Without a seconds hesitation she stumbled, practically falling, down the hill toward her hopeful safe house. Half way down she turned around and to her horror saw five men and one woman standing at the crest of the hill. Suppressing a shriek she raced as fast as she could, bolting back into the impenetrable trees of the woods. The cloth sound had finally caught up to her, and now she could hear the voices of her attackers as well.

"We've got you now you dirty muggle," a deep voiced whisper filled her ears.

With a scream she flung her elbow back connecting to someone's jaw. The man roared in anger and clasped onto the bag on her back. Without even breaking her stride Rachel slipped her arms out from the shoulder straps. The man flew backwards with the bag as his only trophy of his catch.

The extra weight of her gear was now gone, Rachel found her running was much smoother and faster. Though it appeared no matter how fast she was the strangers were just as fast perhaps even faster. Fighting her way through the branches she saw the light was now just within in her reach, just a few more seconds and she would be there… alive.

"Crucio!" a woman cried out of the darkness, pointing her wand at her unsuspecting victim. The red light burst from the weapon striking Rachel in the middle of her already sore back causing her to drop to the dirt.

Screaming in agony she struggled to her knees…she wasn't giving up. She has come too far to just roll over and let herself be taken prisoner. Continuing to fight the stabbing sensation throughout her entire body she emitted a growl as she inched along the ground, digging her nails into the hard earth. Finally, after what felt like an eternity the pain faded away as she pulled herself through the threshold of the forest onto the grass. Laying face down, panting, Rachel waited for the strength to keep running to return. Lifting her pounding head slightly her eyes fell upon the blessed light that had brought her through the woods.

It has been from a small fire that crackled in the night beside a cabin in a clearing. But it was what lay behind the cabin that caught the breath in her heaving chest. "Holy shit," she whispered as struggled to her feet admiring the building that was straight from her dreams.

What appeared to be a large castle-like structure clung to the mountainous terrain, its gothic towers rising toward the heavens. Most of the windows were dark, as it was nearly midnight, but a few remained illuminated from within.

A twig snap from behind pulled the teen back into her unfortunate reality. Turning slowly she saw one of the men standing at the threshold of the forest, his metallic mask gleaming in the fire's glow. Elevating his wand he pointed it directly at her, and even though she couldn't see it she knew he was grinning under his mask. "You thought you could escape us little muggle?" he asked in a mocking tone.

A trembling seemed to take possession of her body. "St-stay away from me!" she shrieked, finding her last bit of strength leapt to her feet. Somehow despite the tortures her body had endured she managed to sprint up the path toward the castle. She knew that there were people inside; she just hoped they were the type of people that she wanted to find her. The man in black had just uttered another cruciatous curse when another man slammed into him.

"Not here!" the newcomer scolded.

Growling, Avery's eyes blazed from behind the mask. "What are you doing?! I had her!" he spat throwing off the arm that had sent his spell skyward.

"Have you not noticed where we are?" the man responded locking his blue eyes with his fellow death eater.

"So?!" Avery hissed through gritted teeth.

"The last thing we need it to draw attention to the situation from a certain headmaster. Besides she can't hide in there forever."

Avery knew that he had to agree with him but he was not going to be the one to break it to the dark lord. "You're taking responsibility for this Lucious," he muttered turning his attention at the fleeing girl. "You can run but you can't hide! We'll have you soon enough!" With that both then men flicked their robes as they disappeared in a cloud of black smoke.

Rachel, not seeing the men had vanished, continued her escape. Stumbling up the giant stone stairs she managed to make it to the stone courtyard. On the other end was as set of large wooden doors. It took every ounce of strength left in her physically and emotionally broken frame to race to them. Once there she began to beat her fists against them, not caring how much pain it was causing her.

"Help me!" she screamed her voice echoing off the stone walls that surrounded her. "Please they're going to kill me!"

Her knuckles throbbed and bled as she continued to pound on the door screaming to get anybody's attention. Still the doors remained tightly shut before her, either no one could hear her in the castle or no one cared to answer her pleas. Panting with exhaustion she slumped to her knees letting her head rest against the wood.

"Let . . . me . . . in," she quietly pleaded gently bouncing her forehead off the door.

The night's events finally took their toll on her battered and bruised body as she began to slip into unconsciousness. Just before blacking out she heard the sound of hurried footsteps approaching rapidly.

Let them kill me I deserve it, she thought as she slipped completely under… the horrors she experienced plaguing her subconscious. At last the massive doors swung open causing Rachel's limp body to bounce off the stone floor, face first. There was a surprised gasp by the castle dwellers, who were finally alerted to the unexpected visitor by the headmaster's phoenix.

"It's a child, Albus," the elderly witch cried as she gently touched Rachel's back, and then carefully she rolled her over. The moonlight cast its rays down on the young girl's batter face causing her heart to break. "I…I don't recognize her; she's not one of the students."

Albus Dumbledore raised his eyes from the child and looked out into the night. Even though he hadn't seen it he could sense the dark magic still clinging heavily to the night air.

"I'll bring her inside, Minerva. You go wake up, Poppy," the old wizard said in his calm but firm voice, as he gently picked up the injured girl, cradling her in his arms like a newborn. "Tell her that we appear to have a badly injured muggle that she must tend to immediately."

"A muggle!?" McGonagall asked gently touching the girl's check. "Are you positive?"

"I am fairly certain that she is…otherwise she would be in our student body. And as you already have stated she is not one of the students," he responded not taking his eyes off the stranger in his arms. "Once we have her settled meet me in my office, I think we will have some things we will need to discuss."