A/N: Sorry it's a bit short, the next one will be longer. And thanks again to my faithful reviewer!

The word had hardly left her lips when the floor heaved suddenly. Padma's eyes widened, terror enveloping her as the world spun. She gazed into his amused red eyes in helpless horror as around her the room dissolved, colours melting into one another, shapes morphing, light and darkness blending together in a vivid nauseating mess. Padma flung her arms around her head, praying to a God she didn't believe in.

After what felt like weeks, the turmoil subsided. Cautiously, she raised her head and looked around. Tall grey buildings loomed above her, like enormous headstones in a giant's graveyard. The odd Muggle hurried along, dour faces fixed on the ground, eyes screwed up against the light drizzle. Few even bothered to cast a second glance at the young woman huddled in a puddle.

Padma straightened up slowly, ignoring the damp seeping through the thin material. Why had the Dark Lord sent her here? What relevance did this place have for her?

"Padma?"

Padma's stomach lurched and the blood left her face. She turned slowly, ice spreading through her at the sound of that well-known voice.

"Hello, Parvati," she replied, her mask of composure in place once more.

"What are you doing here, and at this time of morning? I thought you were with Mum and Dad!"

Padma didn't bother to attempt to reply, knowing her sister had merely stopped for breath during her eternal monologue. She kept pace alongside her, noting with disgust the new silk robes, money she had no doubt told her parents was for Order business.

"I couldn't sleep, so I just popped out for a bit of air, and—" Parvati babbled.

"How are you getting on?" interrupted Padma.

"Oh, wonderfully," she prattled. "You've no idea how exciting it is to be working with the Chosen One — Harry, that is." Her eyes flickered to Padma for a moment, gauging her reaction. You snake, Padma thought. But you won't get to me this time.

"I haven't talked to Harry in a while," Padma said above her sister's incessant chatter. "Where did you say you were working?"

"Now, Padma!" Parvati giggled. "You know I'm not supposed to tell you that."

They turned off the street into a quiet park. Parvati daintily avoided the clumps of sodden leaves that littered the paths. Padma strode through them, ignoring the slimy touches.

"I was only asking." Her mind raced, trying to identify the fastest way to get the information out of Parvati. "In case I was ever nearby again, and wanted to bring a present from our parents." She hoped this appeal to Parvati's materialism would win through.

"Never just to see me?" Parvati joked. Or was there something behind it, a certain look to her eye…? No; Parvati didn't know the meaning of genuine.

"Of course," Padma lied.

"Well…" Parvati slowed her steps, head turning as uncertainty crossed her pretty face. "I suppose no-one would mind if I told you. I mean, you were in Dumbledore's Army and everything, and you are my sister. After all, it's not like you're a demented Death Eater come to murder us all!" She threw back her head and laughed at the thought, dark hair bouncing and twirling in the cool breeze. Padma chuckled a little too loudly at this.

"Here — it's under a Fidelmus Charm, or something, I have to give you this. You're welcome to come any time, I'm sure."

Padma glanced down at the scrap of parchment offered to her. No. 12 Grimmauld Place. She wasn't sure whether she should be elated or disgusted with herself. Not that it mattered too much; feelings were only on the surface, and were usually more of a hindrance than a help.

"Thanks, Parvati." She looked into her sister's eyes, so like her own, and whispered, "Obliviate."

Parvati's face went slack, her gaze unfocused. Padma lowered her wand slightly, unable to stop her hand from trembling. I just Obliviated Parvati. It worked. The charm worked!

Professor Flitwick would have been proud of her. She had spent the whole summer researching useful spells. This had proved the most difficult, and it had taken her months before she had any sort of command over it. She only hoped she hadn't gone back too far.

She Stunned Parvati quickly and propped her up behind a tree. She had to hurry. If Parvati woke up too soon, that would mean the end for her.