It was dinner time when Serena and Parrish emerged from the bedroom. When she reached the bottom of the stairs and saw the Weasleys and her family gathered in the kitchen for dinner she dashed to the table and embraced her Father tightly.
Sirius Black stood up and hugged Serena tightly against him. He kissed her forehead and tilted her chin up to look at her.
"Are you alright?"
"Yea," Serena nodded. She looked around the table and was somewhat surprised to see Cathan sitting at the table with the families. "Kendra is fine?"
"I promise you she is safe," whispered Sirius patting Serena's cheek. "As safe as she can be anyways."
Serena frowned slightly and moved over to Amber, hugging her sister tightly.
"Ser-na!" yelled a voice from the other side of the kitchen. Serena looked up and her eyes fell on Ancile, sitting in a booster seat next to Cathan. She couldn't help but smile at him. She waved and walked to him, picking him up out of his booster seat.
"Hey, Ancile," she whispered softly. "I missed you a lot."
Ancile wrapped his small arms around Serena's neck and embraced her tightly, resting his head on her shoulder.
"What is that on your hand?" Mrs. Weasley exclaimed grabbing Serena's left hand and pulling it forward to be seen. The whole kitchen grew quiet and Serena looked up with a smile to Parrish.
"It's a ring," Serena said lifting Ancile on her hip better.
"Well I can see that."
"That's quiet a rock," said Fred on her other side. He looked over at Parrish and then back at Serena. "You must be something special."
"Shut up," Serena said with a laugh.
Sirius smiled and slapped Parrish on the back and shook his hand.
"I was beginning to wonder if you were actually going to ask her," Sirius said with a laugh. "You asked me for permission nearly two months ago."
"It took her awhile to find the ring," Parrish smiled. His eyes met Serena's across the table and she was smiling too. There was a certain sparkle in her eyes that made his heart do back flips. He knew that this is really what he wanted. He wanted to wake up every morning looking into those beautiful dark blue twinkling eyes.
"Well," said Mr. Weasley standing up. "I think that some celebration is in order." He went to a high cabinet and opened it up, pulling out a bottle of champagne and brandy. "George, if you could pour some champagne."
George stood up and helped his father pour the drinks. Amber came over and gave Serena a kiss on the cheek.
"Why didn't you tell me?"
"It just happened," Serena laughed.
Cathan stood up and also hugged her with congratulations. He kissed Serena's cheek and whispered in her ear.
"I spoke with Kendra," he whispered. "Everything is fine."
"What did you tell her?"
"That our paths may meet in the future, but right now we are not meant to be lovers."
Serena nodded her head slowly.
"So you admit that you love her."
"I care for her," Cathan corrected. Serena shrugged.
"In your case it's splitting hairs if you ask me," she said. "I've felt your emotions Cathan."
Cathan shrugged.
"Let's eat dinner," he said and turned away as Parrish came over to Serena with a glass of champagne.
"Thanks," Serena said with a smile. Parrish kissed her forehead.
"You're welcome."
"May I present a toast to Serena and Parrish," said Sirius loudly so the kitchen quieted down a little. "To Serena and Parrish, may your life of happiness begin as this world of darkness around us ends. To Serena and Parrish!" He lifted his glass higher and smiled at Serena brightly.
Serena lifted her glass and mouthed a thank you to her Father.
"To Serena and Parrish!" Everyone said raising their glasses.
Once everyone had a sip of their drink, they sat back down to eat dinner. Serena sat down next to her Ancile and Parrish. The happiness that radiated in the kitchen seemed foreign to Serena and she didn't want it to end. In her heart though, she knew that it would. It would only be a matter of moments before this happiness was destroyed.
As Serena had laid in bed with Parrish a few hours ago, she had realized what Darren had meant that she was losing herself in her visions. She was letting Voldemort chase her around the English country side. She was letting him chase her away from hunting Death Eaters…from stopping his war…he was making her run. Serena had decided for her future with Parrish, and the ring she now wore on her finger, that she had to stop letting Voldemort chase her. She was going to do what she was meant to—she was going to hunt and fight Death Eaters.
"I hate to destroy the happiness that has filled us all," said Sirius calmly from across the table. Serena blinked. Had he been able to read her mind? Did he know that she was thinking about the same thing? "But Serena, what are you going to do now that you're wanted for murder?"
The room grew very quiet and Serena finished chewing her food as she thought of an answer to her Father's question.
"Well," she spoke very softly. "I'm not going to sit her and wait for Death Eaters or Ministry workers to come and find me."
"Voldemort is after you," Sirius's voice was very soft and Serena was sure that he was trying with all his might to not show is frustration. One of his daughters was dead, another stuck at Hogwarts under Voldemort's control, and another on the run for murder.
"I know," Serena said. "But I'm not going to run any more Father. I'm going to leave her to keep the ones I love safe, but I'm not running from him anymore. I have to stand up and fight."
"So you should stay with us," George said. "Stay with Amber and I at our flat. We stay in contact with the Order, you can work with them to bring down Death Eaters."
"Thank you George, but I would like to work on my own."
"And how do you propose doing that?" Sirius said folding his hands together. "You're not fully trained."
"There's no better way then to learn in the field," Serena said.
"I'll stay in contact with her," Cathan whispered. "The Ministry doesn't trust me anymore, but I have contacts inside of it…hell, Serena why don't you stay with me? I can protect her if she needs it." He added the last sentence looking at Sirius as if his protection would comfort Sirius.
"I don't know about that either Cathan," Serena said.
"I think it's a good idea," said Parrish. Serena blinked and looked at him.
"What?"
"He's the closest thing to Adhara you've got," said Parrish. "Why don't you take advantage of him?"
"Yea Serena," Cathan grinned. "Use me."
"I don't mean like that," Parrish said taking Serena's hand.
"Settle down boys," Mr. Weasley said. "Personally, I don't think it's a bad idea Serena. Cathan can protect you and train you more as well. He is still doing the work for the Order that he had been before, hunting and what not—he's taken over for Adhara who had found it necessary to remain on the other side of the country."
"She's staying there?" Serena spat. "With Fordon?"
"Serena," Cathan said in a warning tone. Serena looked at him and fell back in her chair.
"She didn't share details with us for a reason Serena," said Sirius very seriously. "I suggest that you keep what you know to yourself."
Serena nodded her head and brushed her hand through her hair.
"I have a stable hide out Serena," said Cathan. "When we leave here you'll have to disguise yourself, and every time you leave the hide out you'll have to disguise yourself, which may not be a bad thing considering your picture is all over the country."
"I agree," said Sirius with a sigh. "Go with Cathan."
Serena made to argue.
"You don't have to hunt with me," Cathan said. "Only if you want to. It's just somewhere for you to stay."
"Okay," Serena said very slowly. "Fine. But," she looked at Parrish.
"It's a small place I don't think there would be room for more people," Cathan said. Parrish forced a smile.
"I'm fine here," he whispered. "It's not like we can't ever see each other. Cathan comes here all the time. We'll just have to be careful." Parrish stroked her cheek and she smiled at his touch.
"It seems cruel that we be engaged today and then forced apart," Serena said with a sigh.
"Right now it's a cruel world," Sirius said. Serena frowned but nodded her head.
"When will you come to stay with me?" Cathan asked.
"Tomorrow?" Serena said. "I want to stay here a little longer."
Cathan nodded. "That's fine. Molly, you mind if I take the couch tonight?"
"Of course not Cathan," said Mrs. Weasley standing up and beginning to clear the table. "I imagine Parrish and Serena will be in the same room tonight." Serena gave a guilty smile to Parrish who pinched her cheek and Fred coughed loudly. Mrs. Weasley smacked the back of his head.
"It wouldn't hurt you to consider finding someone to settle down with."
Fred laughed.
"I figure I'm not the marrying type Mum," said Fred. "And this way you can tell me and George a part."
Mrs. Weasley shook her head and began the dishes, and Amber stood up to help her. Galen was falling asleep in his booster seat, and George noticed. Ancile was wide awake playing in his mashed potatoes. Every so often his eyes would wonder to Serena, as if he were afraid that she would leave his side again. Serena looked at him twenty minutes after George had taken Galen up and he looked her in the eye.
"Are you tired?"
"No," Ancile said titling his head to the side and closing his eyes for a moment. Serena laughed a little and picked up a napkin to clean him up. Once he was clean she picked him up out of his booster seat.
"Come on," she said. "I think we'll lie down for a little bit."
Serena carried Ancile upstairs to her bedroom and laid him down on the bed that Ginny usually slept in when she was home for the summer. Serena sat on the foot of the bed as Ancile crawled around playing with the pillows. Eventually he laid on his stomach with his head on a pillow and closed his eyes. Serena rubbed his back and his eyes opened, watching her.
"I'm leaving again," she whispered. Ancile blinked at her and Serena swore for a moment that she saw anger his eyes. "I don't want to…but it's safer this way. In case anyone comes here looking for me or you Mom. And if they question about you…well Amber and George lie and say that you're theirs."
Ancile rolled over and looked at her with tired eyes.
"I promise I'm not abandoning you," Serena said. "I'll come home. You are loved."
Ancile closed his eyes and rolled back over onto his stomach, turning his head away from her. Serena laid down next to the baby and to her surprise he cuddled closer to her. Serena stroked his back softly. She leaned down and kissed his forehead, and before long Ancile fell asleep.
The bedroom door opened quietly and Serena was surprised to see her Father walk into the room.
"Can I have a word?"
"Of course," Serena whispered very carefully moving off the bed. She sat down on her bed next to Sirius and looked at him with some concern. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing," he whispered. "I just wanted to speak to you."
"About?" Serena raised her eyebrows.
"I wanted you to know that I'm very happy for you and Parrish. You two deserve each other. You remind me a great deal of your Mother and me. I think you two are going to be very happy."
"Thanks, Daddy," Serena said brushing her hair behind her ear.
"I have faith in you Serena," Sirius whispered. "I know that you've been having a hard time since your sister's death, but I have faith in you. I think you'll fight like hell in this war to help Harry. I'm sure that you'll make it through this alive."
"Daddy," Serena sighed. "I haven't had a chance to speak to anyone about this yet really." Serena held her breath for a moment. "I've foreseen a great battle at Hogwarts, in the summer I think. Lots of people die in it Daddy."
"Like who, Serena?" Sirius whispered.
"Remus, Tonks, Fred, Adhara," Serena whispered. "So many others…members of the Order…and I don't know about you or Parrish. In the vision I can't find either of you."
"Harry?"
"I don't know," Serena shook her head. "I'm not thinking about him in the vision…I'm worried about you and Parrish because I can't find you. I don't think Harry dies at Hogwarts. I think he destroys Voldemort…I'm scared Daddy."
Sirius wrapped Serena in his arms and held her close. He kissed her forehead and soothed her.
"All will be well Serena," he said. "We are survivors. It's in our blood…we will prevail. Do not fear for me or Parrish. We will be fine."
"I think I'll kill you if you die on me again," Serena joked with a small laugh.
"I'm not going anywhere," Sirius smiled and rubbed the tears from her cheeks. "Don't fear such things as death Serena. It comes to all."
"Everyone keeps telling me that," she sighed. "It's not death that I fear. I fear the lost. The pain when you disappeared the first time was unbearable. I felt like I had lost a part of myself. If Parrish were to die…I don't know what I'd do."
"You'll morn, and cherish him for the rest of your life," Sirius said wisely. "The pain never goes away when you lose a loved one, but they always remain with you. It does get better."
"I know," Serena whispered. "If I learned anything from losing Mother that was it." She stood up and went to the dark window, looking out at the summer sky and the sun setting. "It still hurts not having her here with me. I feel that if she were here perhaps I could be stronger."
"She is still with you," whispered Sirius from the bed. "And she still makes you strong. I see her in you everyday I see you Serena. She lives in you…even if you don't look like her."
"I would hear her say sometimes that she saw you in me," Serena said back to her Father. "She never told me directly, probably because she knew how much I hated you when I was younger. But I could always hear her say it under her breath after I did something juvenile, or got someone else in trouble. But she never thought it was a bad thing. She always had faith in you."
Sirius smiled and stood up. He put his hands on Serena's shoulders and squeezed them lightly.
"As I have faith in you, she did and still does," he said. "This gift wouldn't have come to you if you couldn't handle it. You are strong enough for it and for the fighting Adhara has been training you to do."
"I know you don't want me to go."
"I know you don't really have a choice," he said. "And as much as I don't like Cathan, I do trust him. He will take care of you."
"He's not a bad man Daddy. He's a good man."
"We can discuss whether Cathan is a good man some other day," Sirius said with a small laugh. "I just wanted to make sure you're okay."
"Oh yea," Serena shrugged and forced a smile. "I'm fine."
"Like your Mother, Serena, you're a good liar to everyone except those who love you," he said pinching her cheek. He kissed her forehead softly.
"Daddy, has there been word of Harry and the others?"
Sirius frowned slightly.
"No," he shook his head. "Remus left Grimmauld Place in a rage. Harry and him argued."
"About what?" Serena questioned.
Sirius shrugged.
"He wouldn't say. I imagine it has something to do with the fact that Tonks is going to have a child."
Serena nodded looking puzzled and somewhat bothered. She knew that Harry would have argued with Remus about him leaving his child. Remus had seemed so keen on traveling with Serena that she wouldn't have been surprised if he offered to go with Harry, Hermione and Ron. Serena could only imagine what Harry would have said to Remus then.
"Get some rest Surry. You're going to need it," Sirius said taping her waist. "Don't worry about Remus and Harry. They'll be fine."
Serena nodded.
"Good night Daddy."
"Night Surry, sweet dreams."
Serena nodded as Sirius left the bedroom. Serena stood at the window thinking about what he had said for a long time. She was still standing there when Parrish came into the bedroom, closing the door quietly behind him. He came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her smoothly, kissing her ear.
"It's nice out."
"I'd sleep better if I didn't know that somewhere somebody is dying," she whispered. "Because of this war."
"I think we all would," Parrish said. "Come to bed. You look exhausted."
"I don't know if I want to sleep."
Parrish kissed her shoulder softly.
"I'll be here," he whispered. "No matter what happens I'll be here."
Serena turned to him and rested her head on his chest.
"I know," she whispered. He rubbed her back and brushed his fingers through her hair softly.
"I love you Serena," he whispered holding her tight. "I would never abandon you."
Serena smiled and looked up at Parrish, cupping his cheek softly.
"I would never think that of you," she said. She stood on her toes and kissed him passionately.
"Let's get to bed," he said motioning to the bed.
That evening Serena didn't fall asleep right away. She lay in bed wide awake with Parrish wrapped around her. It was not enough that he was with her to make her feel safe in her nightmares. Serena didn't think her nightmares would ever be safe. Even if Voldemort didn't threaten her, she still wouldn't be safe. There was always the risk of never waking up from a premonition, and at that moment as she lay next to Parrish, that was her worst fear.