Tonks changes the shape and color of her nose so it looks like she has hit a glass wall with it.

In the Ford, Chris Isaac's "Wicked Game" is on the CD player

"The world was on fire and no one could save me but you
"It's strange what desire will make foolish people do
"I never dreamed that I'd meet somebody like you
"And I never dreamed that I'd lose somebody like you"

Amanda touches the Ford Anglia down on a straight stretch of road near the Burrow with a bump. Ginny presses the button to make the car visible. Amanda drops the car out of overdrive to prevent an accidental take off.

As they go up the driveway, Amanda and Michelle sense the presence of other immortals as expected. But are all shocked to see two unknown women with Alex Raven and Ceirdwyn.

As they walk toward the Burrow, the new blond takes a huge handgun from a case and tucks it into the small of her back. Michelle, coming from a part of the world which disapproves of guns, especially handguns, has eyes as big as saucers. She looks to Amanda for guidance.

"Amanda…" The woman says in recognition. Amanda gives a slight over courteous smile and nod.

"Molly" The woman says looking for confirmation. Molly nods.

"Then this must be Ginny." She says with warmth. Ginny steps behind her mother and peers out.

"Michelle, I presume." Michelle's knees are weak, but she nods. "Let's you and I take a walk."

Michelle looks to Amanda, then Alex, and then the more nurturing Ceirdwyn for guidance. Alex gives her a nod. Kyra grins a bit, then takes Michelle gently by the arm and starts to walk away.

"Mummy?" Ginny questions.

"She is my guest." Molly cautions.

The blond stops. "She'll be back…in one piece. I'm here for the protection of you and your family." There is a gust of wind. Kyra looks skeptically upwards as the Burrow creaks and groans.

"It is more secure than it looks…or sounds." Alex reassures her.

"If you say so…" Kyra says unconvincingly.

Molly turns to Tonks. "What they do to you?" Tonks changes her face back to normal to ease Molly's distress. Molly smiles seeing Tonks is not injured. "Did they try to bind you with salt?"

Tonks giggles. "Not them, just the other one."

"We caught her spying on your home…and captured her." Alex claims proudly.

"Sort of…" Ceirdwyn qualifies. "She escaped, dragging me with her through something…to… someplace."

"Well, that was informative." Alex mocks.

"Then she brought me back." Ceirdwyn continues ignoring her student.

"And that's when I recaptured her." Alex asserts.

"No…that's when she started threatening me… She was going to drown me…or bury me alive…"

"You were spying… Sneak… Gestapo…" Alex snarls. Tonks sticks her tongue out at her.

"Stop it." Molly puts her maternal foot down. Tonks giggles. "You too." Molly cautions.

"Well… the other one invited me to something tonight…" Tonks concedes.

"See. That's nice…" Molly encourages.

"Unless it is a witch burrrrnnn…." Tonks withers under Molly's stern gaze.

"It isn't." Alex counters with a look of derision. Molly turns her look of disapproval to her.

Ceirdwyn says "It is a ceremony celebrating the change of the season. We thought you and Ginny might go as well."

Kyra walks with Michelle slowly down the driveway. "May I see your sword?" Michelle hands it to her. Kyra takes it and places the blade on Michelle's shoulder. "Never hand over your weapon. I only asked to see it. Now you are not only naïve, you are weaponless."

Michelle and looks down, blushes deeply, and admits "I would not know how to use it anyway."

"If you live long enough, you will learn."

Kyra examines the sword with great appreciation. "Do you know where Amanda keeps her weapon?"

Michelle doesn't want to look like a fool again by blurting out an answer. Also, she fears this knowledge could be used against her mentor. But she doesn't also know, except she keeps her sword, like most, in her coat.

"It is a trick question." Kyra concedes with a grin. "It's between her legs…" Michelle is confused for a moment. Then seeing the glitter of mirth in Kyra's eyes, it hits her. Michelle begins to laugh. Kyra does as well. "She has secondary weapons as well…"

After the laughter dies down. Kyra says "Learning how to manipulate lustful men is a useful skill… so, is learning how to how to crush their fragile pride. But never rely upon those abilities. Rely on your skill with the sword. Hone your skill. Improve it constantly. Your life depends upon it. But, have fun too. A wise old man once said 'We fight to live, not live to fight.' Take time to enjoy life. But there is a price to pay, and that price is practice."

Kyra continues to examine the blade. "How do you like it?"

"I don't know." Michelle admits.

"What does Amanda think?"

Michelle cringes. "She hasn't looked at it."

"Figures…" Kyra takes the sword through a simulated series of blocks and attacks. Michelle is fascinated and humbled. "The balance and weight are exquisite."

"The coat fits you well…suits you too."

"Did you…?"

Kyra smiles. "I contributed." Kyra holds the hilt on her palm with the blade laid back across her forearm. "Did you notice the name?" Michelle shakes her head. Kyra runs her finger along a subtle inlay "Cross… U... L... F… B... E... R... H... T… Cross"

Michelle shakes her head. "What does it mean?"

"It is a word used by this smith to indicate that the sword is made of exceptionally high-quality crucible steel. They were wielded only be exceptional warriors. Archeologists have found some. The ones they found dated from over a two hundred years, so they assumed they had to be produced by a group or guild. They were wrong. There is only one smith… and the time period is fourteen hundred years long…and counting."

Michelle's blood runs cold.

"It takes months to gather the proper materials. If anything goes wrong while making the billet, it is not worthy and can't be used. Hammering the billet takes skill and patience. The structure of the steel must slowly be convinced to become a sword. The temperature must be gauged by its color with a master's eye. It can still all go wrong during the quench. Finally, there are days of sharpening and polishing…"

"This one is unique. It is made more for cutting than thrusting. It is made to be quick but with enough weight to sever a limb even if it would not splinter a shield."

"It is made for a woman…" with a wink, Kyra adds "…or a man with small hands."

Kyra extends the handle to Michelle and Michelle takes it back. Kyra squares herself up with Michelle. Somehow, Michelle senses that it is a sign of respect, that although Michelle knows they are not equals, Kyra is treating her as if she were. Her parents loved her, but never treated her as a child. Duncan saved her, but he treated her as a teacher treats a student. Amanda certainly did not treat her as an equal but rather as a burden. Michelle is honored…and frightened. Michelle tears up with mixed emotions.

"What's the matter?" Kyra asks.

Michelle shrugs. "I don't know." Kyra waits for Michelle to think. "You… don't treat me as a child…"

"How old are you?"

"Eighteen"

"You aren't a child… Most of my life, at eighteen you would be a married woman raising a child."

"But… you… respect me."

"Of course. It is your birthright. It is every human's birthright… But, may God help you if you lose it."

Michelle grasps the responsibility required by and the challenge inherent in that statement. They walk back toward the Burrow in silence. Michelle walks a bit taller.

Kyra and Michelle return. Kyra is momentarily confused by Tonks returning to her former appearance. She thinks perhaps Tonks can create an illusion, or that witches heal fast, and decides not to react.

Arthur arrives with some trepidation at Moody's office. "Sit" Mad-Eye commands. Arthur sits. Moody pours a drink and hands it to Arthur. "Blishen's Firewhiskey?" The words may be a question, but the tone is a command. Arthur takes the shot glass.

Moody's normal eye stares at Arthur. "Your daughter was in the Old One's shop. There are Old Ones buzzing around your home like a squadron of angry bees. My assistant apparated one here by accident, she took her back, but hasn't returned. She may have been killed. Explain."

Arthur puts the firewhiskey on Moody's desk and stands up.

"No,"

"Have they threatened your family?"

"No."

"We can help."

"There is nothing to help."

"Your family is in danger."

"They're not."

"But Tonks…"

"If you sent someone to spy on my family… You put that person in danger."

"So, there is danger…"

"Only if you created it."

"What are they doing?"

Arthur gets a slight brief grin. "They are doing fine."

Moody changes tactics and softens his voice. "Arthur… We know nearly nothing about them. Your daughter has been where none of us has gone and... returned. How? Why?"

"I don't know, but I would guess because she was invited rather than spying."

"We want to debrief her…and Molly."

"No." Moody is rocked by the outright refusal. Seeing it, Arthur adds "Interfere not into the affairs of the Old Ones for they are subtle and dangerous." With a nod, Arthur leaves.

"Walking down the hall, Arthur's nerves return. "That was bad…very bad…" He thinks to himself.