The next morning the group of four left early. The sun was barely rising and Serena was sure that somewhere, Voldemort was wide awake too. Serena put her hands in her jean pockets as she walked across the terrain behind Fordon and Cathan, Adhara leading all of them twenty feet ahead. To her great surprise, Serena felt something in her pocket and carefully pulled it out. She was more then shocked to see a silver ring in her hand. On the ring was a gleaming diamond. Serena's mouth fell open slightly and she gasped.
Cathan looked over his shoulder at her and slowed his pace as Fordon continued. He hadn't heard Serena's out burst. Serena lifted the ring up higher to look at it more closely and Cathan fell into step beside her.
"What's that?"
"I found it in my pocket," Serena whispered. It only took Serena a few moments to remember the last time she had worn these jeans. It had been the day she took her Apparation exam, about two days after Amelia's death…a little over a month ago…Adhara had taken Serena to London to have her exam and then they went to a field where they were supposed to meet a man and woman.
"Parrish slipped it in my pocket the day of my Apparation test."
"May I?" Cathan asked holding out his hand. Serena blinked and handed the ring to him. Serena's body felt a little numb. "It's an engagement ring."
"I know what it is," Serena said crossly looking at Cathan with annoyance. She snatched the ring from him and held it tightly in her hand.
"Well?"
"Well what?"
"Are you going to put it on?"
"Of course I am," Serena whispered with a small smile. "Part of me would like it if Parrish was putting it on my finger."
"Shame you didn't find it sooner."
"Shut up," Serena snipped.
"I'm just surprised he didn't say anything."
"I'm not. How would you feel if your girlfriend didn't say anything to you about the diamond ring you had left in her pocket?"
"Like an idiot for leaving an expensive diamond ring in a girl's pocket."
"Parrish isn't an idiot, and I'm not just some girl to him," said Serena smartly. "That's why he left the ring in my pocket to begin with."
"I suppose I wouldn't understand what it's like to be a fool in love."
"But you want to understand that."
Cathan looked at Serena with raised eyebrows and twinkling eyes.
"What makes you say that?"
Serena frowned slightly.
"Darren says that if you want to find love you'd better hurry up and pull your head out of your ass."
Cathan stopped Serena by taking hold of her arm and looked at her very seriously, putting his hands on his hips and pushing his cloak back showing his guns in a holster.
"What are you talking about?"
"Darren came to me in a vision last night before you arrived," she said quickly. "He said that he was trying to warn me about something…I think he was warning me that Kendra is dying. And he said that if you want to find love you'd better hurry up and pull your head out of your ass. Cathan do you remember when we were on our way home from saving Kendra and I collapsed in the field? I said I felt your love for Kendra. I think you love her…and I don't know what's been going on between you but I think she's dying of a broken heart."
"You don't know what you're talking about," Cathan said. "Darren's dead, Serena."
"I know he is. He came to me in a vision where I was in his realm. We were in the land of the dead…under the White Tent. I think it's some kind of resting place, or spiritual realm…something…there were other dead souls there too. Kendra was there. Darren said she's come in and out before."
"Kendra hasn't died and come back to life."
"Think of how many times she's come close to death though," Serena said quickly. "When she was kidnapped, Merlin only knows what they did to her but she may have been very close to death. She got shot in the gardens and then scarlet fever too. Darren said if she comes to the White Tent again she'll stay there. I don't fully understand it Cathan, but I don't think I'm supposed to. If Kendra has visited a place where the other occupants there are dead I'm pretty sure that means she's dying. And Darren didn't just drop a hint by telling me to give you a message that you need to get your head out of your ass."
Cathan stood up straight and shook his head.
"This is ridiculous."
"No," Serena said grabbing his arm. "It's not. Even if it has nothing to do with you I'm sure that Kendra is in danger and we have to get back to her quickly."
"She leaves for Hogwarts tomorrow," Cathan said.
Serena frowned deeply. There'd be no way for her to get close to Kendra if she was at Hogwarts under the constant watch of Snape and other Death Eaters. She rubbed her forehead.
"We have to go back now," Serena said.
"What about Fordon and Adhara?"
"Don't you think Kendra is a little more important?" Serena asked glaring up at Cathan and crossing her arms over her chest. Cathan didn't say anything but nodded his head.
"Alright," he said. "We'll go."
"Adhara!" Serena yelled moving forward quickly to catch up to Fordon and her aunt.
"Why are you yelling like that?" Adhara said angrily as Serena approached them. "Are you crazy?"
"Probably," said Serena. "Cathan and I have to go to Kendra. We think she's in danger."
"Of what?"
"She's dying."
Adhara raised her eyebrows and glanced at Fordon.
"Did you have a premonition?"
"Yes."
"And what did you see?"
"Kendra's soul under the White Tent."
"The White Tent?" Adhara repeated.
"Yes," Serena nodded. "I don't care if you think I'm crazy. I'm going and Cathan is going with me. We'll be fine."
"And what happens when the Death Eaters find you at the Burrow with your family and the Weasley's?"
"I'll worry about that as soon as I know Kendra is safe."
"She won't be safe with you under the same roof."
"I'll leave then! But I have to go make sure she's okay now."
Adhara rolled her eyes and shook her head.
"Fine, go," Adhara said. "It's not worth arguing over."
Adhara turned on her heel and began to walk away from Serena. Fordon looked after Adhara and then back at Serena.
"Well," he said. "It was good to meet you. I imagine we'll see each other again."
"In this day in age I wouldn't count on it," Serena said. "Bye Fordon."
"Bye."
Serena turned and walked back to Cathan.
"How do you propose we save your sister if she is indeed dying from a broken heart?" he asked as they began to back track the way they had come that morning.
"You have to tell her that you're a jerk and you really do love her. What happened anyways?"
"She just told me she cared about me and I told her the truth."
"Which was?"
"That I cared about her too but anything between us couldn't happen because of our age. She's so young…still in school and I'm…well I'm a great deal older her."
"Only seven years," Serena said. "Let's Apperate please."
Cathan grabbed Serena's arm before she could Apparate.
"This isn't just some ploy to go back and have Parrish slip that ring on your finger is it?"
Serena pulled her arm out of Cathan's hand with a sharp glare. She was annoyed that he would ask such a thing.
"It's not about that at all. Kendra is in danger and really it's your fault. If I didn't think you telling her you loved her was the way to save her I would tell you to stay away from her forever."
"That's probably the best decision really."
"No," Serena shook her head. "It's not. You love her. Even if you don't know it yet."
"And how are you so confident?"
"Because I've felt your deepest feelings, and I've foreseen you asking her to marry you."
"That doesn't make you an expert on my feelings."
"Obviously it does," Serena snipped. "I will see you at the Burrow."
She closed her eyes and thought of the Burrow. The strong pull on her empty stomach made her sick and she wanted to sob with pain as her body was squished from all sides. Her feet hit the ground sharply, and all pressure was released from her body. She got dizzy and almost fell over. She was somewhat surprised when Cathan grabbed her arm and steadied her.
"You're not very good at that are you?" he questioned.
"No," Serena shook her head. "I don't think I'll ever get the hang of it."
"Now how exactly am I supposed to tell Kendra I love her when I don't even know it and your Father is prowling around hating me?"
"I don't know Cathan," Serena snapped. "Why are you asking so many questions? You know you at least care about her. She's dying because you said it could never be."
"I don't want to get her hopes up. I don't want to hurt her or lead her on."
Serena rolled her eyes and began to walk towards the garden gate in front of the Burrow. There was a smile on her face, she was truly happy to be home. Parrish was waiting inside for her. He didn't even know she was coming.
But before Serena even reached the gate a heart wrenching pain shot through the core of her body. She grabbed her heart and fell to her knees as pain erupted in her bones and head.
"Serena?" Cathan said coming closer to her as she withered on the grass.
Serena gasped for breath and saw Kendra in front of her, under the White Tent, in the white dress and veil that she had been wearing before in Serena's other premonition. Serena wanted to scream out at Kendra with confusion. She wasn't dying now…Cathan was here to save her…she wasn't dying. She shouldn't be in the White Tent again…everything was going to be okay.
But then something happened that Serena did not expect. There was an explosion under the White Tent and tables and chairs went flying. People screamed and Kendra crotched down with tears running down her cheeks. She dropped a bouquet of white and pink flowers on the ground and grabbed her ears as another explosion erupted around her.
It was then that Serena realized what was happening.
"Serena!" Someone screamed from far away.
Kendra stood up in the mess of the explosion and turned to see a figure dressed in black at the opening of the tent, where she should have been standing reciting her vows to her absent fiancé. Kendra turned to run, but the dark figure lifted his wand and green light flashed out from the tip. Kendra was caught in the glow and Serena watched in horror as Kendra's body fell to the ground, limp and dead.
Then time seemed to move forward, flashing ahead. It stopped and Serena was standing under the tent. Silence was surrounding her, and Kendra was kneeling at the end of the tent looking down the hill, like she had in Serena's last premonition. Serena turned around sharply to find Darren standing behind her.
"I wasn't clear enough before," he said softly. "Now do you understand?"
"She dies at her wedding?"
Darren nodded his head slowly.
"Then her death isn't for years to come," Serena said confused. "I thought…you made it sound like Cathan was killing her slowly."
"He may be," Darren shrugged. "He's a womanizer and this whole love thing is new to him. It may take years for him to realize that he loves her."
"But she isn't in danger now?" Serena said with angry eyes. She wanted to lash out at Darren. What kind of a game was he playing? Serena lashed out and smacked him straight across the face.
Darren laughed and cupped his pulsing cheek.
"I thought that the forewarning would help you," he said. "You need a lot of time to save the ones you love Serena. Remember, I have foreseen your future…and trust me, its better that you know of Kendra's death now."
"Kendra isn't going to die."
"Death comes to all of us Serena," Darren said dropping his hand from his cheek and putting it in his pockets. "It is not something we can fight. It is a part of life. You can't save everyone."
"Then why did you warn me of her death?"
"To prepare you for it. I don't think that you will handle another sister's death well."
Serena shook her head. She needed to wake up. This was too confusing. She hated this damned gift. It was making her go mentally crazy. Kendra was in danger of dying, but not right now…not for years to come. Darren was confusing her…was he confusing her on purpose?
Serena blinked and looked up at Darren.
"Did you do this so I would leave Adhara and Fordon?"
"No," Darren said. "I thought your sister sitting here in a wedding dress would be enough to say she wasn't in danger today." He motioned to Kendra who was still sitting behind them looking down the hill. "You're losing your senses in your premonitions Serena. You're letting them control you, you're not being resourceful. You're losing yourself. Once you would have been able to see that Kendra appears older in this realm then she is in yours. You would have also noticed that the environment is set up as a wedding—the tables, chairs, tent, flowers, dance floor. You really are losing your touch."
"You shut up. You're just confusing me more."
"Is this vision about Kendra or me?"
Darren smirked.
"You should be able to answer that question on your own."
Serena screamed with frustration and when she opened up her eyes she was not under a White Tent anymore. She was lying in a bed in a room that she had stayed in over past summers.
Serena threw the sheets off of her and made to get out of the bed, but she moved too quickly and a dizzy spell took her. She fell back onto the bed and knocked over the oil lamp on the bed side table. The glass shattered and flames erupted in the oil. Serena searched for her wand and found it in the drawer of the nightstand. When she turned to put out the fire it was already gone. She looked up in surprise and her eyes fell on the dark purple pair of Parrish Pennington. Serena smiled and made to get up, but Parrish was across the room before she could even stand.
He engulfed her in his arms and held her close against his body, as his lips kissed her head. Serena clung to him tightly and tears leaked from her eyes as they embraced. Parrish pulled back and tilted her chin up, looking at her beaming face closely.
"Did you get my flower?" he whispered.
Serena nodded her head and leaned forward kissing Parrish passionately on the lips. He held her close and kissed her slowly in return, the sweetest kiss true love could give after time apart.
"I got something else," Serena said pulling away and putting her hand to her hip. She wasn't wearing jeans though…the ring…where was the ring. Serena moved to the nightstand and pulled open the drawer looking for it franticly.
Parrish smiled a little and held out his hand.
"Is it this, by chance?" he whispered.
Serena turned to him and looked at the diamond engagement ring in his open hand. She beamed and nodded.
"How did you get it?"
"When Cathan brought you in you were still in your vision," he whispered brushing her hair behind her ear and looking her close in the eye. "Mrs. Weasley took care of you. You've been out for two days. I found it in your pocket before she washed your clothes."
"Why didn't you say something about it before?"
"I wasn't sure if you wanted me to say something. And I didn't know if you had found it yet."
"I found it two days ago," Serena whispered. "There was so much going on…I forgot to check my pocket that day you gave it to me."
Parrish nodded and stroked her cheek.
"The only thing that matters is that you did find it."
"Are you going to put it on my finger?" Serena whispered rubbing her nose against Parrish's. He laughed a little and took her hand.
"Yea," he said. "If you're sure you want me too."
"I'm more then sure."
Parrish smiled and slide the ring onto Serena's left ring finger. He kissed her deeply and she wrapped her arms around him. They kissed slowly, smiling and laughing lightly with happiness. Parrish pushed Serena back on the bed and rubbed his body against hers as he kissed her neck. Serena giggled under the love of her life and relaxed just enjoying the feeling of him close to her.
"How is Kendra?"
Parrish rolled onto his side and looked at Serena.
"Fine," he whispered. "She left for Hogwarts yesterday."
Serena sat up and looked at Parrish in disbelief.
"She's left already?"
"Yes," Parrish nodded slowly. He leaned over her and opened the nightstand drawer. He pulled out a sealed envelope and handed it to Serena. "She left this for you."
Serena took the letter slowly with a painful heart. She was more then upset that she had missed Kendra because of her stupid vision. But as she pealed back the seal of the envelope she remembered what Darren had said. Kendra was safe for now. It would not be until her wedding that she died. If she died at all, Serena thought.
Parrish rested his head on the pillow next to Serena as she opened the letter and began to read it. His fingers stroked at her side softly, as if to comfort her.
Dear Serena,
I've missed you very much, even though it's been such a short time we've been a part. Now that I'm away at school it will be even longer before we see each other again. I promise I will write to you as often as I can…or as often as is safe I suppose.
I wanted to thank you for coming to make sure I was alright and not dying. Cathan explained everything to me. I will not lie, Serena, I do care about him a great deal. There is something about him—as dark, murderous and womanizing as he appears—there is still something. It's something good, strong and pure and I want to know more about it. But I would not go so far as to say that I love him, nor would I think he loves me. He has admitted that he cares for me, but it is very inappropriate. I understand where he is coming from and have accepted that.
I am not dying of heart break. I am fairly happy at this moment in time considering everything that is going on and the world of fear we live in. I don't think you need worry about me. Worry about Harry, Hermione and Ron…or even Adhara and the other members of the Order. Please, Serena, do not worry about me.
I love you, please be safe and take good care of Ancile. He has missed you very much since you left.
Love always, your sister,
Kendra.
Serena frowned slightly and folded the letter back up, slipping it away in the drawer. With a sigh, she placed her head on the pillow next to Parrish's and he stroked her hair behind her ear carefully.
"I promise you Serena, Kendra is well," he whispered to appease her.
"I know," Serena whispered. "Darren explained that in the vision I had at the gate. I don't know if it was supposed to be about me more or Kendra…"
"What do you mean?"
"Darren pointed out that I should have known Kendra was not in danger right away," Serena continued quietly. "She looked older then she does today, she was in a wedding dress, and in a tent that suggested she was at a wedding. It never dawned on me that she was going to die in the future, at her wedding. For some reason I took the premonition to be more a warning that something was going to happen now…soon…I don't know…Darren suggested that I'm losing my touch. I'm letting my visions control me and I'm losing myself. I think he feels that's why Voldemort has been able to find me so easily. I've let him find me."
"Did Adhara tell you that we think he's developed some way of taking your powers?"
"Yes. More reason for me to stay on the move and away from the house."
Parrish nodded slowly and touched his fingers to her lips. Slowly his hand danced down her chin and neck, caressing her body with the gentlest touch. Serena closed her eyes against his touch and enjoyed it. She had missed Parrish more then anything. His touch was so beautiful and comforting…she had missed the simplistic comfort he brought her just by listening to her and watching her as she spoke of her issues. He never seemed to doubt her; he always had faith in her…somehow she would make it through.
"I think," he spoke very slowly. "That you have been distracted recently, but these visions with Darren will hopefully put you back on track."
"What is my track?"
"Fighting against Voldemort."
"I'm on the run from Voldemort now…I don't know how much I can fight against him."
"I'm sure you'll find a way," Parrish smiled. He leaned forward and kissed her deeply. Serena kissed him slowly in return, cupping his cheeks in her hands and lying her body close on his. He wrapped his arms around her and held her close.
"Do you want to go downstairs and see your family?"
"Once I've been with you for a while," Serena smiled and kissed Parrish deeply.
"I love you," Parrish smiled at her running his hands over her back.
"I love you more then you could possibly believe," Serena whispered before kissing him on the mouth. Parrish rolled over onto her and pushed her pants down slowly. Serena giggled a little and kissed Parrish as he held her close and slowly they made love.