"Unwelcome to Hogwarts"

July 1981, 2 years later

Hard boots struck the damp earth, causing an uproar among the dead grass and soft mud. Two pairs of feet stood on the edge of the black river, watching as the top of the lake shimmered in the sunlight and allowed the odd mermaid to bask near the surface. In the distance, the tentacles of the giant squid could be seen breaking above the surface as the gamekeeper stood knee-deep in the water with an armful of food. The sight would have been peaceful on any other calm summer day... but this day was not calm.

There was urgent business to be attended at the demands of the Dark Lord himself, business which benefited him greatly. And as Serenity made her way to the docks, a sense of nostalgia washed over her. She pursed her lips and glanced back at Juliet, helplessly reminiscing on simpler times- when they had ridden in these boats together.

Reaching the end of the docks, Serenity knelt down beside the farthest boat and reached out her leather-wrapped hand. Resting her palm against the enchanted wood, she felt the curse cast to ward off any unwanted visitors course through her. Rather than throwing her back like it was intended to, Serenity remained where she sat. Pushing her own magic into the small boat, she allowed it to mingle with the curse and make it possible for them to cross the lake safely. As the resistance within her diminished, she let go and turned to her accomplice. Juliet grinned.

"Is it done?" Nodding, Serenity steps down into the boat, diverting her attention away from her. "Nice one, Ren," Juliet complimented as she sat down.

Serenity removed her glove and plunged her pale hand into the humming waters, as she remained leaning over the edge she willed the water to move them faster. Waves tumbled around them, rocking the boat sideways before a wave lifted them gently and carried them a fair distance. Juliet, relaxing across two benches, pouted at Serenity's back.

"Why won't you talk to me?" Serenity glanced over her shoulder, narrowing her eyes at her. There was a knowing look in her gaze, one that told Juliet everything she already knew. Sighing, Juliet threw her head back, the action knocking her fringe into her right eye. "How many times do I have to apologise? We were in hiding! I shouldn't even be here now, the ministry will be on my back the minute they find me."

Neither woman had acknowledged the dimly lit castle looming above them. It held few inhabitants due to the children and staff being on their summer holidays. This was why the Dark Lord had chosen today for them to sort his business- Albus Dumbledore would be unguarded.

It was an advantage for Voldemort, to have Serenity bear the mark of the Death Eaters. That mark meant she- and her powers- belonged to him and were ready at his command. Of course, he could happily use her aunt in her position, should she die, but it was established from a young age that Serenity may well be the most powerful witch of her age- if not alive. And she had proven countless times she could overpower the magical guards around Hogwarts.

Serenity Rier was not destined to be an Auror, no, she was destined for glory, for fame and domination. On the wrong side, she could be fatal... she could be the end of the wizarding world and she knew that well enough.

While the small boat drifted back to the other side of the lake, Serenity glanced up the wide staircase.

"You know Lucius and I could've hidden you. Yet you hid from us for eight years, you got married, Jules!" She sucked in her breath, before lowering her voice so that no one heard. "I'm just saying, an invite would have been nice, or if you told me rather than the Daily Prophet. We were meant to be friends."

Juliet bit her lip, for a moment she looked guilty. Only a moment. She turned on her heels and began taking the steps two at a time, more determined than ever to complete their task. Serenity sighed and followed.

Hogwarts had not changed one bit, sure, it had only been a decade, but this particular staircase had been absent from her life for sixteen years. The last time she'd ascended these stairs she was eleven-years-old and desperate to divert her path away from what was expected of her, now, she was on her way to assassinate the most powerful wizard in the world. She made her steps slow for fear of drawing attention.

Juliet was careless as she bounded the steps two at a time. She had a wild look in her eye as the mark slithered on her forearm between the square sliced from her sleeve; Juliet Law, despite her name, had no respect for wizarding law and excelled in the Dark Lord's ranks while never physically presenting herself. Her covert way of life encouraged the Dark Lord to recruit her onto an espionage mission, especially by his side.

Her stubbornness was what had driven her to the death eaters... and to the entrance to Albus Dumbledore's office as an unwelcome guest. Serenity placed her damp hand against the stone of the proud eagle statue. Even without the password, the eagle moved under the will of her hand and soon enough the staircase began to wind its way upwards.

Juliet bounced giddily on the balls of her feet. Her wand rested in one hand while a silver blade hung loosely in the other.

"We spoke of this day," Juliet whispered down to Serenity as the top step carried her higher and higher, referencing the Dark Lord, "of the day Albus Dumbledore would fall and the Dark Lord rises." She chuckled and raised the blade in admiration. "I never thought I would be there to see it or be the one to cut him down." Serenity remained silent, watching the ground move further away from them. "That is how it will be, right?" Keeping her gaze withdrawn, Serenity merely nods.

Juliet skipped ahead as she flung the door to the Headmaster's office open.

Albus Dumbledore stood in front of his desk, hands placed in front of him as he watched the girls enter. Immediately he recognised what was coming. As Serenity eyed Juliet, she waited for someone to speak, unwilling to be the first.

"Serenity Rier. I had hoped our paths would cross again." Dumbledore descended the steps carefully as he eyed Juliet and the bloodthirsty look in her eye. "I had not expected it to be under such circumstances." As he approached them, Juliet held her weapons out, a snarl on her lips.

"Quiet!" She hissed. "Your words have influenced too many down the wrong path. Today, we will put an end to your influence, your voice and your life." Dumbledore simply tilted his head, his voice remained calm and quiet.

"Are these your words or Voldemort's, Juliet?" The girl frowned and pushed her blade further forward as he stepped closer to them.

"Don't move!"

"Be quiet, Juliet." The voice behind her was certain and loud- louder than she had spoken before. "Be quiet and turn away." Juliet turned away, as she was told, yet she now began to yell.

"You cannot tell me what to do! You've never been loyal to the Dark Lord, yet he keeps you around as his pet. He will not cast you out because you are a threat, he will not be rid of you because you are too good of a tool." The girl stepped closer, brandishing her blade. "What if I was to be rid of you? Right here, right now... what if?" Serenity held her chin high.

"The Dark Lord would have you killed."

"So be it." As she lunged towards her once friend, Juliet was suddenly a woman, Serenity no longer knew, she was the muggle-killing, halfblood torturing death eater that the news could not name. Holding a sharp breath, Serenity watched as she paused the blow as it reached the base of her neck. Snatching the blade from Juliet's grip, Serenity maintained eye contact with the crazed woman.

"So be it." She repeated, taking the blade from beside her throat and watching as the woman fell to the ground. Lifeless. Looking away from Juliet and towards Dumbledore, she noticed the look on his face. It was not pride, he could not be proud of a killer, it was a look that told her she had done the right thing. Nodding towards her in acknowledgement, he wordlessly turned back to his desk and took a seat behind it.

Serenity silently approached him and placed the blade in front of him.

"What will you do now?" The Headmaster wonders as she stands straighter.

"I am an enemy to both sides of the war, I guess all I can do now is run."

"Are you?" He questions. "Are you an enemy to both sides?" She nods.

"I have killed a death eater. I have broken wizarding law and the sisterhood that binds us through the dark mark... I am an enemy to both sides." Dumbledore sighs and shakes his head. 

"There is no proof that you killed Miss Law but, if you truly believe you are my enemy, I didn't see you. I returned to my office to find a young death eater dead on my floor with no clear wounds." He waved his hand dismissively and turned his back to the room.

"Thank you, Headmaster." Dumbledore merely glanced up at the portraits around him.

"Did you hear something?" As the paintings all muttered the 'no's and 'not a thing's, Serenity turned away with a thankful smile and bowed her head. Mustering all of her power within her, she broke through the magic binding Hogwarts and disapparated far away from what she once called 'home'.