Serena was slightly relieved that there weren't many Death Eater meetings after what happened in the Hogs Head. She was even more relieved to know that Lucius didn't tell Voldemort she hesitated in killing the muggle. Of course, Lucius would have probably gotten just as much punishment as her if he were to find out.
Days turned to weeks as February approached, and Serena found that spending time with Harry, Ron and Hermione was somewhat comforting compared to being alone with her thoughts, which is what she had been used to doing before they had made up. Severus had been avoiding her, which wasn't much of a surprise. He was probably still bothered by the fact that she had joined the Death Eaters, but knowing Severus he was too busy with his own problems to care about what Serena was doing. She had to remind herself that he wasn't a father just yet, and that he didn't have the mind set of one, of course, he didn't really have a fatherly mind set to begin with. She was finally starting to get the hang of being back in class again; Hermione helped her catch up, since Ron didn't have much of a clue as to what was going on.

Even with her friends back, things were starting to get tense with St. Valentine's Day around the corner. She wanted more than anything to go into Hogsmede with Ron, but knew that he wouldn't feel the same way. Then again she also wanted to go with Severus, knowing he wouldn't have anyone to go with. Then again he wouldn't be too partial to the idea, he would think she was taking pity on him. In a way she was, but she also enjoyed his company. It was two days until the trip into Hogsmede and she was already nervous enough about asking Ron. She decided to do it after classes were over, and managed to pull him aside after Herbology.

"Ron, can I talk to you?" she asked.

"Sure, I was just going to ask you something," he said. Serena's heart turned.

"Really? You go first then," she said, her hands shaking nervously.

"I was wondering if you could help me ask Hermione to Hogsmede," She should have known. Sighing, she shook her head.

"What is it?" he asked.

"Nothing, why don't you just ask her?" she said.

"Well, I would, but I'm not very good at that sort of thing," he said.

"You'll never get her to go out with you if you don't just ask her," she said.

"Well, I was wondering if you could do it for me," he said looking hopeful.

"You're hopeless," she said.

"Come on, Serena! Help me out here," he said.

"Trust me, Ron, if you ask her, she'll say yes," she said.

"Really?" he said.

"Of course, I would anyway," she said.

"Great, thanks Serena, I think," he then began walking back up the hill to the castle.

"He is so clueless," she muttered, following him. Now she felt even more horrible. If he did what she told him to do, then they both would get what they wanted, which was each other, and she would be left with no one.

Late that night in the common room, Hermione and Ron were sitting in the back, having a heated discussion, one Serena did not want to overhear. She sat down by Harry in front of the fire and sighed.

"I hate this bloody holiday," she said.

"I would hate it, except I actually have a date," he said smiling.

"Really? Who is it?" she asked.

"Hermione," Serena's jaw dropped.

"You're joking," He shook his head.

"After what you said, about her liking me, I just asked her," What had she done? Now Ron would be crushed.

"I…I think I left my book in the library, I'll be back," she said getting to her feet.

"Okay…," he said looking at her strangely.

Hurrying out of the common room she stopped right outside the portrait of the fat lady. What would happen when Ron found out? Nothing good would come of it that was for sure. Now she felt even more horrible. Would he blame her for what was about to happen? Even if he did, it was more Harry's fault then her own, why would he ask Hermione knowing that Ron liked her? It didn't make any sense. Suddenly the portrait swung open and Serena ducked behind the statue that was nearby. Ron emerged, looking sullen, and slammed his fists against the wall in frustration. Serena sighed, watching as he began walking towards the staircase. She wanted so badly to comfort him, but she knew that right now all he needed was time to himself.

Taking a deep breath she said the password and the portrait swung open, the fat lady looking rather annoyed. It was getting rather late and she knew Ron had to be back within the next few minutes or else get caught out after hours. The common room was less noisy, and Harry was still sitting by the fire, looking confused.

"What's the matter?" she asked him.

"What? Oh nothing," he said, continuing to stare into the fireplace. Serena looked around to see Hermione still sitting where she was, no twirling her quill and concentrating on a book. It almost was if nothing had happened. Students were starting to head up to their respective dormitories as Ron stepped back into the common room. Serena's chest heaved as he looked over at Hermione with pained look on his face. She hated to see him so miserable, but knowing that she could finally ask him to Hogsmede made her feel better about it, though selfish as it was.

After about an hour of silence between the four of them, the other students that occupied the common room left for bed, and Serena took her chance and slipped behind the portrait. She thought it would be a good idea to leave them alone for a bit to sort things out. She was sure Ron was mad at Harry for asking Hermione to Hogsmede, knowing that he had liked her for years. Serena changed into her night clothes and slipped into bed, and soon found herself staring at the ceiling and anxious to know what was going on outside the room.

Moments later she heard the portrait open and Serena sat up to see Hermione, looking flustered.

"I cannot believe him!" she said tossing her bag on her bed and sitting down.

"What happened?" Serena asked.

"We were just sitting there and Ron started making stupid comments about me going with Harry to Hogsmede, and I just told him to drop it, but he wouldn't. It doesn't make any sense, if he cares so much then why didn't he just ask me!" she said.

"He did ask you," she said.

"But it was too late," she said.

"Well, why didn't you just tell Harry you want to go with Ron?" she asked.

"Because…I do want to go with Harry, but I also want to go with Ron. It's not like I can go with both of them, not with the way things are now, we used to be able to do anything together and there not be that thing between us, but now…" she paused, and looked down at the floor. Serena was getting frustrated.

"You can't draw it out, you have to make some sort of decision," she said.

"I don't know if I can," she sighed. Serena threw the blankets back and got out of bed.

"You can't keep leading them on, you know," she said, trying hard to control her frustration.

"I know, you don't have to keep telling me that," she said.

"Well how else are you going to do it if I don't tell you ever time you bring it up?" she said, her voice rising.

"What's the big deal, it's not like it's your problem," she said.

"Of course it's my problem, I have to listen to it from all three of you! I should have some say in this if you come crying to me about it," she said.

"Then I won't bother you with my problems anymore," Hermione said, looking hurt. She had never seen Hermione so worked up over something like this, usually it's about a not so perfect grade or something.

"You call that a problem? To you, failing an essay is a problem, or not being the teachers pet is a problem, but this, this is just you being selfish," she said.

"Me? Selfish? You're one to talk, you always run off never telling anyone where you're going and show up in the dead of night. What's that all about?"
"None of your business,"

"If you're trying to figure out how to get back then we can help you…"

"Who said I wanted to go back in the first place!" Serena couldn't take it anymore. All this sneaking around, hiding secrets about being a Death Eater and liking Ron, she didn't want to have to deal with it.

Suddenly Serena turned her head to see Ron and Harry looking at her and Hermione arguing. She hadn't heard them come in over their shouting, and they looked very confused.

"You…what?" Ron said.

"I don't want to go back," she said.

"You can't be serious, you can't stay here, the balance of time…"

"I don't care, there's nothing for me there," she said interrupting Hermione.

"Are you feeling okay?" Ron asked.

"I'm fine, I'm just not going back. I'll help you but I'm not going with you," she said.

"But…you can't, Dumbledore would never allow it," Harry said.

"You honestly think I care what he has to say? He doesn't own me, he doesn't rule my life," Hermione gasped.

"Serena, what the hell has gotten into you?" Harry said advancing towards her. She didn't know what was coming over her, her mind was clouded with horrible thoughts, from being with the Death Eaters so much. She had grown to hate Dumbledore, and she didn't know why. Was it the power of the Dark Lord?

"What is going on with you? You're hiding something, I can tell," Harry said.

"Like I'd ever tell you," she muttered. "But, I'm your brother, you can tell me anything," he said. Serena just stared at him.

"What about your dad?" Ron asked.

"You don't know what it's like to have a father who hates you, how do you expect me to go back to that?" she said.

"He doesn't hate you," Hermione said.

All of a sudden Serena felt the mark on her arm begin to burn and she reached for it out of pure reflex.

"What's the matter now?" Ron asked.

"Nothing," she said taking in a deep breath.

"Serena…what's the matter with your arm?" Harry said coming towards her again.

"I said nothing!" she shouted, reaching for her wand.

"I'm leaving, so don't try to stop me," she said.

"What are you talking about! It's after midnight, you can't go now," Ron said.

"If you leave we'll tell McGonagall," Hermione said.

"Oh miss tattle-tell to the rescue? Like I care, I'll be out of here before you can reach her," she said, her anger rising. She felt so strange, all she could feel was hatred towards them, and she had no idea where it was coming from. She didn't care about anything except getting back to Voldemort.

"We won't let you leave," Harry said pulling out his own wand. For a few seconds they were facing each other, wands pointed and ready to attack, then Hermione began to cry.

"Please…stop it," she said. As Harry looked over towards her Serena saw an opportunity to get away.

"Impedimenta!" she shouted and Harry was knocked backwards.

She had never run so fast, she had to manage to get out of Hogwarts without getting caught, and she would use any means necessary. She could hear Ron yelling from behind her. As she got to the fourth floor she narrowly missed a stunning spell as she slipped behind the mirror and into the passageway into Hogsmede. She had no idea where she was going, or what she was going to do when she got there. She just knew that someone had to be in the Hogs Head, Lucius visited there frequently. He would know where Voldemort was. She could hear footsteps behind her, and turned to face them.

"Effringo!" Serena shouted, pointed her wand into the darkness of the tunnel. Suddenly the stone ceiling started to crumble and it began to collapse. Serena continued running and looking back to see that her spell had caused the tunnel to seal off. Sighing with relief she opened the trap door. As she climbed out of the hole, she found herself being pulled forcefully into the room by someone.