Sorry it took me a month to update. With Love, Gabe
Serena appeared next to a large flowering bush on the north side of Grimmauld Place. She could see Number 12 across the square, and not to her surprise, there were two men standing next to Number 13, looking up at it curiously. Serena dived behind the closes house and looked around the corner at the men. They hadn't heard her Apparate into the square. She was doing alright so far.
Now she just had to Apparate onto the front step exactly, get into the house and not set off any of the traps that were inside meant to keep Snape out. She frowned at this thought. Remus hadn't told her how to get by the traps. She rubbed her forehead and sighed. She'd deal with that when it came…right now she had to concentrate on that damned door step.
She closed her eyes tight and thought of the doorstep. When she felt the pressure of being squished through a tube, and then the sudden solidity of the ground under her she opened her eyes. Almost losing her footing, she threw out her hand and caught herself, pressing her hand into the doorbell.
Shit! She thought.
She opened the door very slowly as Mrs. Black's shrieks reached her ears. She closed the door quickly and turned, lifting her wand to stop Mrs. Black from screaming.
"Severus Snape?" whispered a voice that sounded so familiar—it was Moody's.
"I'm not Snape," she said to the voice.
Serena gagged and tried to talk, but found that her tongue was rolled up in the back of her throat. She took a step forward and gasped as her tongue untied. She coughed.
"Tongue twisting jinx?" she whispered rubbing her neck.
She raised her wand as something moved in front of her. A dusty cloud like figure appeared before her. She blinked at it in disbelief. It was an ugly, dead looking Albus Dumbledore; he was lifting his wand towards her, ready to strike.
"I didn't kill you," she said with some fear.
The figure exploded into a cloud of dust, and Serena could make out another figure behind it, with its arm extended baring a wand.
"Don't move," said Harry Potter's voice. "Don't, or I will kill you."
"Harry you couldn't kill me if you wanted to," Serena said. "I'm putting my wand down…don't shoot."
She dropped her wand onto the ground slowly and kicked it away from her.
"Come into the light," Harry's voice sounded shaky, a little distressed. Serena sighed and moved slowly into the lamp light. She couldn't help but smile at Harry, seeing Ron and Hermione behind him.
"I'm Serena Surry Belle-Black," she said slowly. "Daughter of Sirius Black, and inheritor of the Seeing gene from my Mother Alice Belle. We met at the Leaky Caldron, when we were thirteen, just after Father had escaped Azkaban. We were childhood playmates Harry. My Mother was murdered by Phinneaus Page in our third year, and I am now in love with Parrish Pennington, Page's son. We stayed in contact this summer using a telephone."
Harry dropped his wand to his side.
"You scared the bloody hell out of us," he said. Hermione had sent a stunning spell to Mrs. Black's portrait and the front room grew quiet.
"I'm sorry," Serena said picking up her wand. "I lost my footing on the front step and hit the bell."
"What are you doing here? Is everything alright?" Ron asked quickly.
"Yes," said Serena. "Well…Remus and I were coming but we got attacked…he said he'd catch up."
Hermione's face fell a little and she looked pale.
"Come upstairs," said Harry turning and walking past the other two up the steps. Serena followed him and the others to the drawing room where they closed the door and sat down. Serena looked around the room, there were sleeping bags spread across the floor, books and some clothes.
"You've all been alright?" Serena whispered.
Harry nodded. He looked grim and tired.
"Fine," he said. "What's up?"
"Remus and I were coming to check on you," Serena shrugged. "I'm still not very sure why they wanted me to come."
"I'm not complaining," Harry smiled at her. Serena couldn't help but smile back at him. She liked to see the green sparkle in his eyes, it gave her hope.
"What's going on out there?" Hermione asked. "We haven't heard any news."
"The Ministry has been taken over by Voldemort," Serena said. "It really is frightening. Things have changed so quickly, but because Voldemort isn't the actual Minister of Magic people haven't really caught on. I haven't left the Burrow since after the wedding."
"Why not?" Harry asked. "Surely not all of you are staying there?"
"Oh, no," Serena shook her head. "Bill and Fleur went to their new home, Remus and Tonks are staying at Tonks's parent's…it's just that our house was burned to the ground when the Death Eaters were searching for you Harry."
"Searching for me?"
"Yes," whispered Serena. "They searched the Burrow up and down for you, and they questioned us…they tortured Parrish hoping to get your whereabouts out of me…but we're all fine. Everyone is fine."
Serena blinked and thought about the visions she had. Was everyone really fine? She shook her head and looked at her three friends.
"We're staying at the Burrow with Father, and Ancile until we can find somewhere else."
"Ancile?" Hermione whispered with a confused look.
"Who's Ancile?" Ron asked.
"Oh," Serena said sitting up straight. She had forgotten. "Ancile is my cousin…Adhara's son."
There was some shocked surprise around the room as Harry, Ron and Hermione looked at Serena with wide eyes.
"That woman is actually capable of reproducing?" Harry said.
Serena smiled.
"I know," she laughed. "I thought the same thing."
"Of course she is," Ron said quickly. "I mean look at her—" He stopped dead mid-sentence as Hermione and Serena gave him nasty looks. His ears turned bright red and Serena looked away from him, crossing her arms over her chest.
"She's my Aunt for Merlin's sake."
"Doesn't mean she's not capable of having sex," Harry whispered.
"Stop," Serena said swing her arms out in a finalizing motion. "I don't want to talk about Adhara's sex life anymore…that is quiet enough thank you."
Both the boys smiled and Hermione slapped the back of Ron's head. He groaned and rubbed it slowly as she took a spot on the floor, sprawled out and reading the book that Dumbledore had left her. Harry looked over at Serena.
"You think Remus's is alright?"
Serena nodded her head.
"Yea," she whispered. "I'm sure he's fine. It was only one Death Eater."
"It only takes one to kill."
Serena frowned.
"No," she said shaking his head mostly to reassure herself. "I have foreseen his death and it's not in an alley fighting a Death Eater."
"What?" Hermione said looking up at her with surprise. Serena frowned. She didn't really want to talk about the battle at Hogwarts that she had foreseen.
"You've foreseen Remus's death?" Ron asked.
Serena nodded.
"Have you warned him?" Harry asked.
"Not yet, no," Serena whispered. "It's not supposed to happen for sometime…I just I haven't figured out how to tell him…he's under a lot of stress right now. I'll warn him, don't worry guys."
Serena rubbed her forehead and sighed into her hands.
"What's the matter?" Harry asked.
"I'm just tired," Serena whispered. "I didn't sleep well last night, and I find that my visions are starting to drain me. Every time I have one I grow weaker and sicker. I didn't think I could make the journey here I felt so ill after my vision last night."
"What did you see?" Hermione asked softly.
Serena frowned.
"I don't really want to talk about it," she whispered and stood up. She moved to the window and looked out into the courtyard. "How long have those two been out there?"
"Two days now I think," Ron said.
Serena nodded her head and turned looking at her friends.
"Is there any food downstairs?"
"A little," Harry said standing up. "Come on, I'll take you down there."
"Thanks," Serena said walking through the drawing room and going into the hall. Harry followed her and closed the door behind him tightly. He was looking at Serena with cautious green eyes. A shutter took Serena's body and she leaned against the wall of the hall feeling Harry's concern pulse through her body like it was her own.
"Serena?" he said quickly as she sighed with some pain. Her whole body seemed to hurt as she felt Harry's emotions. "Is something wrong? Are you going to have a vision?"
"No," Serena whispered. "I'm just…I don't feel well. I need something to eat."
She wasn't sure if she wanted to tell Harry that she was an empath. He was accepting of her premonitions and she didn't doubt that he wouldn't be excepting of her empathy power. Serena just wasn't accepting it herself, she didn't want anyone else to.
"So what's the deal with these visions?" Harry asked once they were in the kitchen. "What makes them different then your other ones?"
"They're just stronger," Serena shrugged. "Voldemort has come to me twice in them. He forces them sometimes…it's weird. He takes over my head and is in my visions….I don't know…"
Serena leaned against the counter and rubbed her head.
"I just want it all to go away. I want it all to be over," she sounded desperate and tired. Harry was staring at her with more concern. He had never heard Serena talk like this. She sounded depressed and completely beaten. She had reached the end of her limit. For a few seconds Harry didn't think she could stand to fight against Voldemort anymore. He feared that she would give into him.
"This war is throwing off my mind set," Serena continued. "It's making my visions go hay-wire. I have visions of people we care about dying every night and then Voldemort invades my mind and I can feel peoples fear and concern. I was thankful just to get out of the house today. Mrs. Weasley's worry was driving me nuts."
"Feel people's fear and concern?" Harry whispered pouring some water into a glass for Serena. "What are you talking about?"
Serena sighed. So much for keeping that to herself. She was starting to lose herself, letting things come out of her mouth when she didn't mean to.
"Harry," she said standing up straight. "I'm an empath….somehow I've developed the ability to feel other people's feelings."
"On the stairs, when you leaned against the wall…"
"I felt your concern for me," Serena said nodding her head. "I've felt your love for Ginny and Cathan's love for Kendra. These feelings sometimes trigger visions, so somehow they're related."
"Well it's good that your mind powers are advancing, isn't it?" Harry said cautiously. "Doesn't that mean that you have better control over them?"
"Maybe."
Serena blinked as she thought about what had happened in the alley when she and Remus had been attacked. She had called her wand to her, just like she had called the knife. Maybe Harry was right, her mind powers were just developing more. She had better control over her mind in some ways…Voldemort was still able to get in…
"Serena?"
"Huh?"
"What do you want to eat?" Harry asked. "Are you sure you're okay? Maybe you should lay down."
"No…I'm fine," Serena forced a smile. "I'll just have a sandwich." Harry nodded and went to the fridge where he pulled out stuff to make a sandwich. She drank the water that he had given her as she watched him make her a sandwich. He looked pale, thin and stressed. Serena frowned. Everyone looked that way these days.
"Do you know when you guys are leaving?"
"As soon as we can," Harry said looking over at her. "I don't think it smart to stay in one place for very long."
Serena nodded.
"I agree."
"Are you coming with us?"
Serena shook her head and she saw a sparkle in Harry's eyes fade.
"No Harry," she said very softly. "My place is not to be hunting for Horcruxes in this war. I'm supposed to be at the front lines, hunting Death Eaters and kicking ass."
"You're not hunting very much from what I can tell," Harry said. "You might as well come with us."
Serena was surprised that he was actually pushing for her to come with him. Usually Harry was the good hero type who wanted to do everything himself so no one else got hurt.
"Harry, as soon as Adhara comes back from her hiding I'm going to hunt with her," Serena said even though she wasn't sure if it was true. "Besides, we need more people to start hunting Death Eaters now that Voldemort has taken over the Ministry."
"You're crazy. You'll be caught."
"No I won't," Serena said. "I know what I'm doing."
"When you hunt them do you kill them?" Harry crossed his arms over his chest after he placed a plate with a sandwich on it in front of her.
"No," Serena said. "I'm not Adhara."
"I think you're turning more into her everyday."
"Shut up," Serena glared at him. "Thanks for the sandwich." She began to eat her food as he glared right back at her.
"What about Amelia?" he said.
Serena stood up straight and threw the sandwich back onto the plate on the counter.
"What about her?" she asked coldly, crossing her arms over her chest. Harry glared at her and shook his head.
"You killed her—"
"I didn't have a choice," Serena snapped. "It was mine and Cathan's lives or hers. The world is a better place with out her Harry. I didn't choose to kill Amelia. I chose to save Cathan, Kendra and myself."
"You sound like your Aunt," Harry snapped. "Or that Cathan Kendra talks about—"
"Well maybe its better that I'm that way!" Serena shouted with out thinking. She frowned and leaned against the counter. There was a lift in her chest, as if something heavy had finally gone away.
"You're twisting it to make it better for you," Harry snapped. "You still killed her whether it was self defense or not! You killed her just like Voldemort would have."
"STOP IT!" Serena bellowed. "STOP IT HARRY!"
Harry seemed surprised by her out burst but continued to glare at her harshly as he leaned back and crossed his arms over his chest.
"I did not kill her like Voldemort would have," she said crossly. "He would have murdered her for the sick joy of seeing her fall. Amelia was threatening me and I saved my life and the lives of people I care about by killing her. I'm not proud of it. I'm not proud of it at all and I will never forgive myself, but I don't need this crap from you Harry. When you're stuck in the same shit I was then you can tell me that I made the wrong choice."
Harry was silent. He shrugged and left the kitchen. Serena sighed and leaned against the counter as tears filled her eyes. She shoved the plate of food out of her way and cried into her arms. Before she could stop herself her anger took control and she picked up the plate and threw it against the kitchen wall. The sandwich went flying, the plate shattered against the wall, and Serena let out a cry of frustration. She sighed at the mess she had made. Throwing the plate hadn't helped her anger. She didn't feel any better.
She moved forward and began to pick up the stray food and glass from the shattered plate. She was bent over on the ground picking up the mess when footsteps could be heard coming down the kitchen steps.
"What happened down here?" asked a voice.
Serena looked up and smiled slightly at Remus who was looking around the kitchen with curious eyes. She let out a sigh, thankful that he had made it to Grimmauld Place alright. Hermione, Ron and Harry had also arrived in the kitchen. Harry said nothing to Serena as she threw the food and glass into the sink and wiped off her hands.
"Nothing," she muttered.
Hermione started a fire in the grate and the kitchen lit more. Serena felt that it gave the room an eerie glow of fake happiness. Everyone was sitting down at the table as Remus pulled out some butterbeers.
"Where'd you get those?"
"Stopped on the way after I ditched the Death Eater."
"Everything's okay then?"
Remus nodded.
"We would have been here sooner but I've had a Death Eater on my tail for three days now," Remus said to the other three who were sitting across from him. "You three came straight here after the wedding?"
"No," said Harry. "Only after a couple of Death Eaters found us in Tottenham Court."
Remus put down his butterbeer quickly and looked at Harry very seriously.
"What?" he asked with large eyes.
Serena listened to her friends' story as she leaned against the counter of the kitchen with her arms folded over her chest. She looked just as surprised as Remus. How the hell had the Death Eaters tracked Harry to Tottenham Court so quickly after Hermione, Ron and him Apparated?
"Tell us what happened after we left the wedding," Harry said quickly to Remus after he had told their story. Remus looked at Serena who blinked slightly.
"You haven't told them anything?"
"No," Serena shook her head. "Not really…I thought it best to wait for you."
Remus nodded his head once and looked back at the other three in front of him.
"Kingsley saved us really," he said. "He gave us enough warning so that most of the guest could get away."
"Were they Death Eaters or Ministry people?" Hermione asked.
"A mixture of both," Remus said rubbing his chin. "They're really the same thing now. There were about a dozen of them total, I think we only came face to face with five or six…" Remus looked at Serena who nodded her head in agreement.
"Amber knocked two of them clear unconscious by sending them down the stairs," Serena smiled a little.
"They didn't know you were at the wedding Harry," Remus said. "Arthur heard a rumor that they tried to torture your whereabouts out of Scrimgeour before they killed him. He didn't betray you if the rumor is true."
"They searched the Burrow top to bottom," said Serena with a soft sigh. "They found Amber and Galen upstairs hiding, that's when she knocked two of them down the stairs."
"They also found the ghoul," Remus said. He glanced at Serena again. "They interrogated those of us who remained at the house. Your family Ron, Serena and her sisters, Parrish…"
"Like I told you Parrish was tortured," Serena whispered.
"They were trying to get information on you Harry," Remus said. "But only the Order knew you were there…no one let anything slip. The same time they crashed the wedding other Death Eaters were busting into houses of Order members all around the country. No deaths thankfully."
"Our house was burned to the ground," Serena said.
"And Dedalus Diggle's house," Remus continued. "They tortured Tonks' family…they're alright though."
"The Death Eaters just got through all those protective charms like that?" Harry asked slightly annoyed.
"What you've got to realize Harry is that the Death Eaters have the Ministry behind them now, in anything they do. They don't have to be concerned about arrest or identification for performing the Unforgivable Curses."
"Are they bothering to give a reason for torturing Harry's whereabouts out of innocent people?" Hermione asked with an edgy voice.
Remus glanced at Serena again and Serena shrugged. He looked away and pulled out a copy of the Daily Prophet that he had stowed in his cloak. He pushed it across the table to Harry who snatched it up and looked it over quickly.
Serena knew that he was looking at a picture of himself on the front page, along with a headline that said he was wanted for Dumbledore's murder. She frowned and rubbed her face.
"You'd have found out sooner or later, and I'd rather have you know," whispered Remus. "I'm very sorry, Harry."
"So they've taken over the paper too?" Hermione gasped.
Remus nodded his head.
"But people realize what's going on right?"
"The coup went very smoothly for Voldemort," said Remus. "The official version of Scrimgeour's murder is that he resigned. He's been replaced by Pius Thicknesse who is under the Imperius Curse."
"Why didn't Voldemort just make himself Minister?" Ron asked.
"He doesn't have to," Serena said. "He is the Minister. Why bother sitting in the Ministry dealing with everyday Ministry work when he can work outside of it and spread his power farther? Thicknesse is just a puppet."
"Many people have deduced what's happened," Remus said. "There has been such a dramatic change in Ministry policy that's its hard to think that Voldemort isn't behind it. People are whispering about it all over the place."
"They're whispering for a reason," Serena said. "No one can trust anyone now. People don't want to put their families and friends in danger by speaking out."
"Voldemort is playing a smart game."
Serena…where are you my pet?
Serena blinked and grabbed the side of the counter to catch her swaying body. She saw Remus look at her and shook her head. She was fine….
Don't hide from me. I will find you. I know you're with Potter and I want him now. Dead….where are you?
Serena cringed as Voldemort's voice invaded her head. She had to get out of here. If he came to her in a vision here in Grimmauld Place he'd know where she was and where Harry was. She had to go.
As her vision blurred and her head became heavy she headed for the steps of the kitchen.
"Serena," said Remus standing up quickly as she stumbled and landed against the wall by the stairs. She took a long breath.
"What's the matter?" Hermione asked in panic.
"I have to go," Serena said. "He's coming to me…if he finds me here…I have to go."
"Voldemort?" Remus asked holding her arm and waist. Serena nodded.
"I just have to get out."
Remus raced her up the stairs to the front door. Before he opened it Serena grabbed his arm.
"Stay with them, fill them in with the rest," she said. "I'll be fine."
"Where will you go?"
"Somewhere," she said. "I can't let him see anywhere we consider safe. For Ancile and Harry."
Remus nodded.
"As soon as it's done come back here," he said sternly. Serena nodded her head as a dizzy spell took her and she leaned against the wall with a sharp gasp, grabbing her head.
Serena…
Voldemort's voice cooed in her head.
"Let me out," she cried. Remus yanked open the door and Serena stumbled onto the front step to Disapparate.