Harry Potter limped slowly into the kitchen of the Burrow; he smiled as Hermione and the Weasleys gasped. "I'm fine," He said, "Just sore and hungry."

"Harry," Hermione whispered, "Look at yourself."

Harry glanced at the mirror, his left eye was blackened, an egg-sized lump covered his right temple, and dried blood covered his face and clothes.

Ginny knocked her chair over as she stood and started for the door, "Where is that…"

Harry grabbed her arm, "Relax Ginny, it's nothing."

"NOTHING!" Ginny bellowed jerking free of Harry's grasp and grabbing the doorknob.

Harry shoved his foot against the door, holding it closed, "Her training is intense, but it's useful."

"Where is she?" Ginny said, peering out the window into the darkened yard, "You've been away all day long."

"She told me to head back here and eat," Harry answered, "She said that she wanted to practice on her own a bit before she went to bed."

"But never ate anything today," Mrs. Weasley said, "Not even breakfast."

Harry shrugged, "She ate an apple when we took a break about noon, but what's for dinner?"

"Onion soup dear," Mrs. Weasley, said, "but it's not ready just yet. Why don't you clean up a bit first, Fred and George left some of their healing potions in their room. I'm sure you'll feel a lot better after a wash."

Harry nodded, and headed deeper into the house. Ginny watched him leave, and quietly slipped out the door into the garden.

She walked swiftly into the darkness, angling toward the paddock, her wand held loosely in her hand. As she neared the paddock, Ginny slowed, creeping silently forward to the edge of the clearing. Rachel sat naked by a roaring fire in the center of the clearing; her clothes were piled neatly at her side. Ginny watched transfixed as the girl plunged her hands into the heart of the flames and pulled the charred carcass of a small creature from it. Without waiting for it to cool, the girl tore a large chunk from the back with her teeth and swallowed it. Careful to make no noise, Ginny slipped back to the Burrow.

Rachel tore the last bit of meat from the rabbit, and began cracking the bones, sucking the hot marrow concealed within. Her hunger sated for the moment, she carried the bones into the trees and left them by a small stream where she paused to wash the blood and grease from her nude body. Smiling, Rachel returned to the fire and using the pile of clothes as a pillow, fell asleep.

The cold woke her hours later, the dew had fallen and a fine mist filled the night. She stood, and stretched, ignoring the hooded figure crouched by her feet. Rachel reached for her clothes, but the figure pulled a wand and one of Rachel's daggers from within the cloak, motioning her back.

"If you move at all, I shall kill you where you stand," the man said.

"I'm impressed," Rachel said calmly, "I never dreamed you'd locate me this fast. Did you enjoy Greece? I'd hoped the Manticore I bribed to attack you would have slowed you a bit more." The man said nothing, so Rachel continued, "Wait, you've been in contact with your master, that's how you knew I was here."

The man nodded, "Yes, one of your victims from last night survived. I'm disappointed, you normally take much more care to kill them all."

"I was unconscious," Rachel said, "Potter is the one who didn't finish things."

"So it is true," the man said, "You've allied yourself with Potter. The Dark Lord was angry enough at you Rachel."

"Well, I don't think he's nearly angry enough Leirs," Rachel said, "I mean, I've been wandering all over Asia and back, for five years, and you're still the only Knight he sends after me."

"I am all the Dark Lord needs to send after you," Leirs said sharply.

"Yeah," Rachel laughed, "You've done such a good job of it, I was in Yokohama nearly six months before you found me."

"Enough of this child, where is Potter?"

"We both know good and well, that I am no child," Rachel said, "You witnessed what my father managed to do, what he created in me. Why do you think he sends you after me?"

"No more games. Where is Potter?" Leirs raised his wand threateningly.

Rachel laughed, "We both know that won't do anything, but if you really want to know, Potter is standing right behind you."

The second Rachel spoke, Harry fired his stunner, but Leirs reacted instantly, apperating to safety, and the spell traveled harmlessly into the trees.

"Are you alright?" Harry asked walking up to her and suddenly blushing as he realized her nudity.

Rachel laughed as Harry turned his back until she'd dressed. "I'm fine," she told him, "but I'm glad you came along just then."

"Who was that?"

"A Death Eater named Leirs," Rachel answered, "He's been trailing me across the world for over a year now. We have to be careful now, he won't have gone far."

"He could return with help," Harry said.

"No, Leirs likes to work alone, but that doesn't mean he hasn't told his master where we are."

"So what do we do about it?" Harry asked.

"We train harder. The stuff you know is good enough for duels, but now you need to prepare for battle."