It was raining by the time Serena got into the Forest, out of sight of any neighbors and was sure that she could Apparate with out anyone seeing her disappear completely. She leaned against a tree to catch her breath and looked back through the trees at her house in the distance. There were no lights on, no one had noticed that she was gone yet. It wouldn't be until eight o'clock in the morning, when Parrish got up to go to the Ministry that he would find her note, and really Serena hoped she'd be back by then. She walked deeper into the forest and stood still suddenly, concentrating all of her energy on the Malfoy Manson.

The sensation of being squeezed through a tight little tube was sickening, but Serena managed, and when she landed on the wet ground in another forest she nearly slipped on a spot of mud that she landed in. She threw her arm out to catch her balance and managed to grab a tree branch that snapped in two the moment she touched it. She fell to the ground, making more noise then she would have liked and cursed in her head. Adhara would have been ashamed of all the noise she was making.

She leaned against a tree to catch her breath and rubbed her eyes. She shook her head and stood up, rolling her shoulders back and cracking her neck.

Come on Serena, she thought. Pull yourself together.

A weird prickle crawled up her skin—it was not the prickle that warned her of an oncoming premonition, rather the feeling that someone was creeping up behind her. She turned sharply and grabbed the extended arm of a wizard who had been approaching her from behind. He was cloaked, and her fear was that she had stumbled across Darren sooner then she would have liked. She twisted his arm, pulled and turned her body, launching him over her shoulder and onto the ground on his back. As he fell the hood of his cloak fell off and a head of blonde hair was revealed. Serena stood up straight with a gasp as the man jumped up quickly and turned to her. She took a step back out of shock.

"Adhara, what the bloody hell—oh," the man stopped dead mid-sentence and his eyes grew wide at the sight of Serena. "You're not Adhara."

"No," she said sorely. "I'm not." She was greatly offended that anyone would confuse her with her bitchy Aunt, but she supposed the resemblance she shared with Adhara Black was unavoidable.

The twinkle in his eyes was a shocking sight to see. She hadn't seen this man in two weeks, and even then, she had never met him. She had only seen him once in a vision. She recognized him as Cathan.

"How do you know Adhara?"

"I work with her," he said with a bitter tone.

He was much taller then Serena, at least six feet two inches. She felt small standing next to him, which was a big deal for her because very people could intimidate her enough to make her feel small. But despite his strong hostile physic, his eyes and face were calming and gentle.

"I'm seventeen thank you," Serena snapped.

"Doesn't answer my question," he said tucking his wand in the pocket of his cloak. He was making it obvious that he trusted her. "You're Adhara's niece?"

Serena wanted to say, "you're my baby sisters much older fiancé?" but she resisted. She nodded her head slowly to the tall man.

"You're Cathan?" she whispered looking him in the eye.

"And how do you know that?"

Serena smiled, a cunning smile that she didn't know she shared with Adhara.

"I have my ways. Do you honestly think I would come all the way out here not know who'd be creeping around in the forest?"

Cathan looked at Serena for a few seconds, studying her to see if she was serious.

"What are you doing here?"

"I've come for my sister."

"The meeting is for tonight," said Cathan crossing his arms over his chest. "Why are you out here now?"

Serena frowned deeply and glared at Cathan.

"Did Adhara send you out here to watch the woods for when I came out here tonight to get Kendra?" She said with anger.

Cathan shook his head.

"No," he said. "I've been scouting these woods for the last two weeks. I'm looking for a Death Eater who is staying at the Malfoy Manson."

Serena looked at the Auror before her very carefully.

"Do you hunt like Adhara?"

"No," Cathan said flatly.

Serena nodded her head slowly not sure if she believed him or not.

"Well, Cathan, it was a pleasure to meet you," she said. "Now if you will excuse me."

She began to walk away form him, heading for the lit windows in the distance that she assumed to be coming from the Malfoy's Manson.

"Where do you think you're going?" Cathan said turning and looking at her.

She stopped and looked back at him with some annoyance.

"I'm going to get my sister," she said. "They're not expecting me tonight, and Merlin knows that I'm not going to walk into a trap later tonight."

"You may be walking into a trap now," Cathan said as Serena began to walk away. She could hear him following her and her annoyance increased.

"I know that. Why are you following me?"

"I'm going to help you."

"No," she said turning sharply. He had been following her so closely that he ran into her. She put her hand on his chest and pushed him back away from her and glared up at him. "I'm going to do this alone. I will kill you if I have to."

She didn't really mean it, but she hoped that Cathan would take her seriously.

"I think you're bluffing," he said with a charming smile that could have seduced any woman. He took her hand and removed it form his chest slowly. Serena was distracted by his touch to think of a comeback. She pulled her hand out of his grasp quickly and glared at him.

"I don't care what you think," she said. "But if you get in my way I'll hurt you—"

"Spoken like your Aunt."

The words crawled under Serena's skin and pinched a nerve. She stopped for a moment then continued walking away from Cathan.

"Tell me, what's your plan to get into the Manson?"

"I don't know," Serena said not looking back at Cathan.

She kept walking and stopped for a moment when she reached the edge of the forest and saw the long, wide open garden that was behind the Malfoy Manson. She looked around the dark yard and could see a cellar door near the back entrance of the house. She moved forward slowly, creeping towards a bush and stopped behind it. She looked around, deciding how best to get to the cellar door—a quick dash for it, or dodging between bushes?

She glared at Cathan who crotched down next to her.

"How are you going?" he asked.

She looked at him with annoyance. "I'm going to stay behind the assorted shrubs."

Cathan nodded his head with a frank smile. He liked her sarcasm.

"I'll cover your back."

"No," Serena said. "Just…just stay here? Okay?"

Cathan shrugged, and before he could say anything else Serena dashed forward and crotched down behind a tall bush. She took a second then ran up to the next set of flowered bushed in the garden, looking up at the house for a few moments.

There was only one light in a window on the first floor. It was near the back door, and cellar entrance. As Serena watched, she saw someone long and lanky stand up and walk in front of the window. Once the figure had disappeared, she moved quickly up to the next bush. She was only a few feet from the cellar door now. She'd get into the cellar and look for Kendra from there.

Just as Serena was getting ready to dive out form behind the bush, someone tackled her and hit her over the head. A gag was forced over her mouth and she struggled fiercely against the strong body over her. She launched her leg into the air and kicked the attacker in the stomach, sending him falling backwards. Cathan jumped over the nearby bush and tackled the man to the ground; the pair began to struggle with grunts and noise.

Serena pulled the gag off of her face and looked up to the house. The light that had been on the first floor window was out. To her horror a small figure was running across the grass towards where she, Cathan and the attacker were. She recognized the running strut of the figure as Amelia's and cringed.

Serena jumped up and rushed over to Cathan, who had the attacker pinned to the ground. Cathan was holding him by the throat and collar, pressing his body into the soft grass that was under them. Serena could see that Cathan had a bloody lip, and bruises on his neck, she looked down at the attacker to see the damage Cathan had done to him. She snatched the hood of his cloak off and glared down at a very familiar face.

"You," Serena said shocked. It was the semi-handsome man who had attacked her in the basement of her house. He had tried to kidnap her, or kill her for something…he had a horrible scar on his eye, pinching it shut and a horrid blue color because it was still bruises.

"This, Serena," said Cathan catching his breath. "Is Darren."

"We have to go Amelia is coming—"

"Don't move," Amelia's voice snapped from behind Serena. Serena cringed and leaned back into the dirt. She looked at her twin sister with malice and saw the joyful twisted look on Amelia's face. Amelia's wand hand was stiff, pointing her elm wood wand straight at the three on the ground. "Why hello Serena, I didn't really think you'd be this foolish to come ahead of schedule."

"Where is Kendra?"

Amelia ignored Serena's question and looked at Cathan.

"Cathan Crost, I do believe," Amelia said with her girlish charm. "We've never met, I'm Amelia Belle. I'm sorry that we had to meet in such a manner…if you will please release your brother."

Serena looked at Cathan who was frowning deeply.

"Mr. Crost, I will not ask you again," Amelia's tone was firm.

Cathan glanced at Darren, the bloody mess lying on the ground, then Serena, and finally Amelia. He smiled at Amelia.

"I can't do that Amelia," he whispered.

Amelia's body stiffened and she glared at Cathan with fiery eyes.

"I suggest that you do, or I'll kill Serena," Amelia turned her wand directly to Serena and Serena rolled her eyes. She glared at Cathan.

"Would you just let him go and we'll work it out from there?" she snapped at Cathan.

"Be quiet Serena," said Cathan. "You don't know what you're talking about…I've been waiting years to get my hands on Darren—"

"If you get me killed Cathan I'm going to haunt you until—"

"Enough!" Amelia yelled over the two.

"Expelliarmus!" Cathan bellowed snatching his wand and pointing it at Amelia. At the same moment he pulled a mysterious weapon from his belt, hidden under his cloak, and pressed it against Darren's head. Serena stared at the weapon in shock as Amelia stepped back, caught off guard at being disarmed.

"Cathan," Serena said slowly leaning back. She recognized the silver piece as a muggle gun and wasn't clear why Cathan was carrying it. Perhaps he didn't hunt like Adhara at all…perhaps he was worse. "What are you doing?"

"Saving your ass," he said bluntly. He was glaring at Amelia. "If you don't do as I say I'll kill him."

Amelia's lips curved into a twisted smile that made Serena sick.

"Do it," she said.

"Amelia," said Darren in the semisweet voice that Serena recognized. "Will you do what he says? He will kill me."

"I wouldn't put it past him," Amelia grinned. "I'm just wondering what he'll do when you are dead and he had no one else to kill."

Cathan moved the gun from Darren's head to his foot. The gun shot was ear shattering and Serena fell back in the mud cringing and covering her ears. The scream that erupted from Darren was just as ear shattering. Serena could hear his tears and the pulse quickened in her body as her own eyes welled up.

"Amelia!" screamed Darren. "I didn't fuck you for this! Do as he says."

"He hasn't told me to do anything yet," Amelia said tilting her head to the side. She didn't look bothered by Darren's pain and Serena found it greatly inhuman of her—and of Cathan. But as she frowned staring at Darren she remembered that she too had done something similar…she had stabbed him in the thigh to hurt him and get him to talk. He had taken that like a man…but she supposed a stab wound to the thigh was nothing like a bullet ripping through your foot. She covered her mouth with her hand as her insides twisted, watching Darren's foot bleed onto the grass.

I'm no better then Cathan, she thought.

She looked up at Amelia and glared at her with malice; her twin was just standing there, with cold unsympathetic eyes towards Darren.

"Your sympathy is what makes you weak, Serena," said Amelia looking her twin dead in the eye. "Everyone always thought you were the stronger of the two of us…but here we are…and I'm the one standing."

"The only reason why you're standing is because Cathan hasn't blown off your kneecaps yet," Serena snapped. "I'm not weak—"

"You have no emotional control."

"Please," said Cathan softly. "Save your bickering for later. Amelia, you will take Serena inside and retrieve Kendra. The three of you will return here. You will not alert anyone in the house that you are bringing Serena in or that you are taking Kendra out. Serena will have a gun to your back the whole way."

"What?" Serena said looking at Cathan.

Cathan moved his free hand to the back of his belt, where he pulled another gun from his holster. He held it out for Serena to take and her heart skipped a beat. She had never touched a gun before, let alone used it.

"She doesn't have the balls to take it, let alone shoot me if she had to," Amelia said. Cathan hadn't taken his eyes off of Amelia.

"Take the gun Serena."

"I can't," Serena whispered.

"Take the gun."

"No."

Cathan sighed loudly and grabbed her hand, shoving the gun into it.

"You stay here with Darren," he said. "I'll go get your sister."

Cathan stood up and grabbed Amelia's arm, pushing the tip of the gun against her back.

"Let's go," he said. "We'll be back."

Serena watched slowly as they walked away. Her eyes fell on Darren's and she cringed. He was bloody and bruised.

"Stubborn till the end."

"Shut up."

"You'll have to forgive my brother, he's not very good with his people skills," Darren said softly.

"He's really your brother?"

"Twins," he said. "A lot like you and Amelia…completely different, and yet the same."

"I am nothing like Amelia," Serena spat holding the gun in her hand with discomfort. A smile spread across Darren's face and he shrugged.

"She'd die for the cause she believes in, and she'd kill for survival," Darren said. "From what I can tell that's not much different then you."

"I don't believe in killing people because of the genetic history," Serena said firmly. "I've never killed anyone in my life—"

"But you will."

"What?" Serena was surprised by his statement.

"I have foreseen it," he said nodding his head slowly.

Serena glared at Darren's dark face. He was mocking her.

"Shut up," she said jabbing him with the gun. He laughed softly.

"Just like you to think I'm mocking you."

Serena studied him for a long time before she spoke again.

"What did you foresee?"

"I've seen Amelia's death," whispered Darren. "And my own." His dark hazel eyes (so much like Cathan's but without a charming twinkle) were looking directly at Serena's dark blue ones. "I've seen you overcome Death Eaters, and escape the Dark Lord himself." Darren's bloody hand reached out and touched Serena's arm where the Dark Mark was tattooed onto her flesh. "I've seen dark things Serena…I know what it is like to see everyone you care about leave…die…I know what you feel at night when you wake up in cold sweats with head aches…I know…"

Serena was caught off guard by Darren's words and she could think of nothing to say. Her mind was racing faster then she could put the pieces together. Darren was a Seer too…he had foreseen his and Amelia's deaths…he had seen Serena's future…his loved ones dying…what else did he see? Did he actually see Serena kill Amelia?

"Did you see me kill Amelia?"

Darren's eyes left Serena's and he stared up at the dark sky. His lips didn't move and Serena felt anger build in her.

"Tell me!" she snapped. "Do I kill Amelia!?"

Darren looked at Serena.

"I know you've seen it," he said slowly.

"I don't care…in your vision did I kill Amelia?"

"Yes," he said slowly. Serena opened up her mind to invade his to see if he was lying, but was disappointed when she entered his mind and was forced right back out. "You have a strong mind Serena, but I will not let you into my head so easily."

"Why'd you attack me at home?"

Darren blinked.

"I was told to."

"By?"

"The Dark Lord is still after you Serena," Darren whispered. "You'd be foolish to think you were safe."

"That doesn't answer my question."

Darren blinked and looked towards the Manson, though bushes were in the way of his view.

"They're coming," he whispered.

Serena looked over her shoulder and heard quick footsteps coming across the grass. Within minutes, Cathan turned the corner, gripping Amelia's arm tightly and Kendra on the other side of him.

"Serena!" Kendra said falling to her knees next to Serena. She embraced her sister. Serena dropped the gun and hugged Kendra tightly. The next few things happened quickly, almost in a blur.

"Serena no—"

Then there was a gun shot, Kendra screaming and falling onto Serena with blood splattering from her body, another shot fired from Cathan's gun, then a grunt from him and his body collapsing to the ground. Serena sat up slowly, Kendra's body on hers.

"Kendra," she said cupping her sister's cheek. Kendra's eyes fluttered open and Serena looked at her baby sister's shoulder, where blood was oozing from. There was a pool of blood, coming from Darren, merging with the mud and grass. He had been shot in the chest, Serena assumed by Cathan.

Cathan.

She looked up to see Amelia bending over Cathan, picking up his gun. She stood up straight and held her arm out, aiming the gun at Cathan's head.

"No!" Serena said grabbing the dagger in her boot quickly. She threw it at Amelia and it slammed into Amelia's extended wrist, holding the gun. Serena couldn't have had better aim. Amelia let out a blood curdling scream and dropped the gun. She fell to her knees in pain and yanked the knife from her wrist. She took the blade and threw it back at Serena, who caught the tip and sent it sailing back at Amelia. Before Amelia could duck out of the way the dagger slammed into her chest and she fell backwards into the grass.

The silence in the garden was horrifying. Serena blinked as tears filled her eyes and Kendra squeezed her hand. Uncontrollably, Serena began to sob. She had killed her sister…she had killed Amelia…she was a murderer. Everything had happened so quickly…it was over though…even if it had ended differently then she foresaw.

Cathan moved slowly from the ground, sitting up and looking around the grass and dirt. He moved forward towards Kendra, resting in Serena's arms.

"It's alright Serena," he whispered rubbing her cheek and moving his hand down to her neck. He squeezed her shoulder and looked at Kendra. Ripping a piece of cloak off, he tied it around her arm to help control the bleeding. "We have to get you back to the house."

"I killed her," Serena sobbed.

"You did what you had to do," Kendra said looking Serena dead in the eye. "No one is judging you…no one thinks less of you…you did the right thing."

"The world is a better place with out either of them," Cathan said.

Serena's eyes wondered to Darren's body next to them, and then to Amelia's. She closed her eyes tight and gripped her hair, wanting to pull it out desperately. She was like Adhara now. She was a killer…she was an inhumane being…she was a murderer.

"Come on," Cathan said helping Kendra up, who stood fine next to him. She glanced at Amelia's body, but turned her head away quickly. "Up you get, Serena." Cathan took Serena by both of her arms and pulled her up to his feet. He left her side for a moment, leaving her leaning against Kendra to go retrieve Serena's daggers. They couldn't afford to leave anything behind. He looked around the garden nervously as he came back to them. He snatched up his gun from Darren's hand and looked at the girls.

"Come on," he repeated. "We have to get out of here quick."

By the time they got to the woods Serena had calmed down a little. She was silent though, with wide eyes, in an almost shocked state. She sighed when they entered the forest and spoke for the first time in a long while, surprising Kendra and Cathan who had also been silent.

"That's not how it happened in my vision."

"Sometimes things don't always go the way you plan," Cathan said. "I didn't want to kill Darren, but it was between you and him. I thought that you'd be the better of the two. You didn't want to kill Amelia, but it was between her and me…I like to think that you thought I'd be the better of the two. And like Kendra said, no one will think less of you. No one will think that you made the wrong choice, because you didn't. You saved Kendra and my life today, for which I will always be in your debt."

"He's right Serena," said Kendra. "Your visions don't always come true. Sometimes…things just don't work out the way we planned or foresaw them working. It will be alright, I promise. The good thing is that we're safe…and there are two less Death Eaters out there."

Serena said nothing to either of them but nodded her head slowly.

"I think this is far enough," Cathan said looking around and tucking his gun away in his belt for the first time since they left the garden. "Both of you hold onto me. I'll Apparate you back to the house."

Kendra and Serena took hold of each of Cathan's arms and leaned against his large, well built body. As Serena leaned against him in her exhaustion she felt a shiver run through her and a flash of the vision she had seen of Cathan before erupted in her head. She saw him and Kendra lying in the grass and opened her eyes quickly…she didn't want to see that now. A soft feeling washed over her…she knew in the bottom of her heart that Kendra and Cathan were right…she did what she had to…and now there were two Death Eaters gone, and two good people still remaining.