The second floor window of the Prewett residence showed that it was one of those days that proved to be the perfect depiction of oxymoronic behaviour. The sun was shining so beautifully outside, the sky as blue as the ocean and the birds flew around with such freedom. Inside the house, however, the tension and fear of the residents was thick and almost suffocating.

"There are more disappearances" Gideon Prewett threw that mornings edition of the daily profit into the middle of the large oak dining table, around which nearly all members of the order were sat, their eyes taking in the latest front page headline. The past few weeks had shown the largest amount of movement from the dark lords followers to date, and the realisation that no-one was safe was slowly beginning to sink in to the minds of the members of the Order of the Phoenix. As much as they wanted to deny the fact, they couldn't. It was just a question of time.

"He's moved onto pure bloods - anyone that isn't a follower." He continued, glancing towards his twin brother, Fabian, who picked up his cue to stand and take the floor.

"The ministry has been infiltrated." A fact they all knew, yet hearing it just made it more real "We're all being subjected to evaluation"

"What does that even mean?" Sirius grabbed the paper, glanced at it momentarily to read the latest list of witches and wizards that were to be mourned, before passing it to Lily, who sat next to him, tears welling up in her eyes. She was growing tired of this sense of imminence. Was she going to have to comfort another member of the Order whose family was in the direct line of fire?

"It means that our blood status and affiliation is beginning to be questioned." Fabian explained, reaching out to place a hand on his sisters shoulder. He was worried about her and how she would take the hit. With her sons so young, and another on the way, he was afraid for them.

"It also means that someone is having an easy time at picking out those who are close to the Order." Gideon added, looking towards his sister as well, tears falling down her face again. Could they do nothing to protect those they loved?

"Are you implying that the Order has been compromised too?" James could not believe what the twins were insinuating.

The twins exchanged a look but did not answer the question directly. It was answer enough for the members of the Order though. It caused an uproar. Everyone had something to say on the subject, suspicious eyes flickered around the room as all assessed who among them could have done such a thing.

"This is exactly what he wants! If we cannot trust each other, this is a lost cause!" Arthur Weasley slammed his hands down on the table and looked from his brothers-in-law to the others at the table

"We are only relaying our thoughts" The twins spoke in unison, before taking their seats

"What do you think, Dumbledore?" Lily's question stopped the chattering members, who all looked towards the Headmaster, who sat in silence at the head of the table, where he had always sat at these meetings.

The Order of the Phoenix had been bubbling as a resistance for almost a decade, since the aged man had founded the secret society. As and when he felt fit, he extended an invitation to those whom he trusted to do what was necessary for the task at hand. To think that he could have been wrong in his instincts and that that meant a direct culpability on his part for the deaths of the families of those that sat at this table, under his command, was heart breaking to say the least. But, despite what people thought, he was not perfect and it was a possibility.

"Veritaserum would do away with any doubt" Edgar Bones stated, taking Dumbledores silence as an opportunity to speak his mind, the anger of his own family loss seeping into his words.

"Yeah, as would torture!" Benny Fenwick responded sarcastically, dismissing the statement made by his fellow Order member "I know you're angry Bones, but Arthur is right, if we start suspecting each other, we really don't stand a chance"

"Then how do you explain it? Huh? They miraculously pick on our families out of luck?" Edgar spat

"It really isn't that difficult to know who the blood traitors are, Edgar" James interjected "We've all been quite open with that fact!" He found his wife's hand underneath the table and grasped it with both hands. Although he was proud of his affiliations, he couldn't help but be afraid of the consequences of such.

"Low profiles and protection. That's what we should be doing!" Marlene McKinnon laid a hand on Edgar's shoulder. Marlene was currently undertaking and internship at the DMLE with his sister, Amelia, who was now obliged to look after their niece, Susan, since the death of their sister , her best friend, just days before. It was not the same loss, but it was loss all the same. All of the members had someone worth fighting for. Edgar's wife and children should be his priority, she thought.

"Maybe if we had someone on the inside?" Cardiac Dearborn, a ministry contracted curse breaker asked the group, causing gasps and muttering from the group as a response.

"Yeah, that sounds easy" Sirius rolled his eyes at the suggestion. Dearborn shot a glare his way, but it was in vain, Sirius cared not to even look at him.

"Well what do you suggest Black? Huh? Just because your family is safe!" Edgar couldn't resist the jibe

"Watch it" Sirius warned, pointing a finger towards the Arithmancer.

"It isn't a terrible idea Sirius" Dorcus Meadows squeaked. Shy, petit and daringly beautiful, Dorcus had recently graduated from Hogwarts and walked straight into the war. Cannon Fodder. That's what she considered herself.

"You volunteering?" Sirius snapped, causing Dorcus to almost cower in her seat. Remus, who sat next to her, placed a hand on her shoulder as he shot a look at Sirius for his harsh tone. Sirius, once more, made sure not to look into the eyes of the man. He cared not to be challenged.

"I'll do it" Silence fell upon the room and all eyes fell upon the young girl that sat quietly on the arm of a large arm chair in the corner of the room. Most members had forgotten that she had even been there, she had never once spoken at these meetings, remaining away from the table, observing the members as they discussed the terrible goings on.

"Rinoa?" Sirius turned to look at the young woman as she pushed herself up and joined him, for the first time at the table. His eyes could not see the surprise in the eyes of his friends at the notion. Why was she doing this?

"It won't be easy for any of you to do it…" She began, her voice calm and soothing "…but they've been trying to recruit me since Hogwarts" She shrugged in a nonchalant manner that put most people on edge. Her movements as she placed her hands on the back of his chair captured the attention of all those who watched. She was a perfect example of a young woman with a pureblood upbringing, moving her fingers delicately around the chair frame, her eyes focused on the headmaster, who had yet to speak a word. "What say you?"

"It doesn't matter what he says" Sirius jumped up and turned towards the woman, whose grip did not loosen from the chair, although it jerked violently at his movement "It's a no!"

"Sirius, sit down!" Lily ordered in just over a whisper. She had seen their interactions previously and knew how terribly volatile they were together. Like Lithium and Water. Inert alone. Devastating when put together.

He ignored her, of course, eyes glaring at the woman known as Rinoa, who simply stared into the grey eyes of the man in front of her, and tilted her head to the side, a small smile appearing on her face. "It's not your decision" She whispered, moving her body slightly to catch Dumbledore's eye once more. "It will be light work for me. Narcissa and Lucius are hosting their annual Halloween banquet tomorrow night. My brother and I have been invited. It will be nothing more than a conversation and - "

"NO!" Sirius grabbed the woman by the shoulders with so much force the chair fell violently to the floor. Had she felt fear or surprise at this act, she did not show it.

"Sirius! Get off her!" Lily screamed, jumping up and trying to pull him off. She was joined by her husband just seconds later, who managed to fulfil her wishes. Sirius was dragged away from Rinoa, kicking and screaming like a child, leaving Lily stood flabbergasted next to the woman, who still showed no emotion.

"Miss Black, you do understand that this is something I cannot ask of you" Rinoa watched as the aged man rose from his seat to address her "It would be a terrible risk to your personal safety…"

"It's lucky that i'm not asking for your permission then isn't it" She replied, finally slipping off her stoic stance. Her hands began to shake a little, something that did not go unnoticed by the female members of the order as they gazed, jealously upon the beautiful rings she wore. "I will go and make the arrangements" She turned without another word, leaving James to occupy Sirius in the corner as he screamed after her. She couldn't let him see the tears that were threatening to escape from her eyes.

"That was unkind" Rinoa watched Remus' figure enter the room she'd claimed as hers at the Prewitt residence and close the door behind him from the vanity table mirror. She ignored the obvious statement he had made and continued to brush her hair. "I would have thought you were more sensitive, Rinoa" she resisted the urge to roll her eyes at the disappointment in his eyes.

"What would you have me do Remus?" She placed the brush down elegantly on the vanity table and caught his eyes in the mirror "Ask for his permission to do something that needs to be done?"

Remus took a seat on the bed, placing his hands delicately between his fingers "Permission, no, but at least have discussed it with him previously." He couldn't help but smile at her. She was beautiful, even when she was angry.

"It would have had the same effect" She stated, raising an eyebrow at him. After all these years she still did not understand how he could be so calm and collected, even when he was engaging with such the volatile being that was Rinoa Black.

"Maybe, but at least he wouldn't have been publicly humiliated" He stood, making his way to stand behind her, keeping his green eyes locked with her grey eyes. She shared both temper and eyes with his best friend, but her eyes were harder to read. Lucky for him he had the pleasure of looking into them every night to try and decipher the secrets hidden behind them.

"You understood" She finally spoke, looking down at her hands, breaking the connection between them.

"Of course i did" He placed his rough hands on her shoulders and squeezed them gently. "I love you" He spoke kindly, leaning down to kiss her hair, taking in the scent of vanilla that he associated with her. "I trust and respect your decisions but you know Sirius does not take surprise well. The front room is still seeping ooze from when he found out Regulus had been recruited." He paused, waiting for her look up up again. She did. "You really should have found a better way to deal with this"

"Have you come here simply to berate me?" Her exasperated tone was one that he was quite used to when talking to this young woman.

"No. I came to say I have to go." With one final squeeze on the shoulders he pushed himself back

"Fine" She made not attempt to move from the rickety stood that she was sat upon. It was the hardest part at the end of these meetings to know that everyone was going to resume their daily lives and that they may not be there to attend the next meeting. Edgar Bones had been right about one thing. If anyone knew they were going to be ok, it was her. No-one would dare make their way into Grimmauld place to hurt the youngest Black. She was safe. However, Remus wasn't. He must have noticed her hesitation because his hand was quickly extended towards her to guide her from her seated position into his arms.

"Rinoa - " He began, as she fell elegantly into his embrace but she did not let him continue. She looked at him, finally meeting his actual eyes and not the reflection.

"Until death do us part?" She whispered, longing and fear glistening over her eyes.

"Until death do us part" and with that he left her, drowning in her thoughts.

Father and mother were in the entrance hall when Sirius and Regulus arrived downstairs. Bellatrix and Rodolphus were there too; the former looking truly murderous, the latter fairly disgruntled. Father looked displeased, but not surprised when the trunk landed beside Sirius with a thump.

"You have made up your mind, I see" he said.

"I have" Sirius replied simply.

"You will regret it one day, boy"

"I'm pretty sure I won't. You see, father, I take no pleasure in killing innocent people. That's a nasty thing to do and people like that always come to a sticky end. It'd rather that not happen to me"

Bellatrix opened her mouth to speak, looking furious, but Sirius silenced her with a flick of his wand. "Don't even start" He told her. "Did these two tell you about trying to kill me, Father?"

"Indeed" Father replied, eyeing the Lestranges coldly. "But the matter has already been dealt with."

"Not well enough" Sirius retorted

"That's not for you to decide" Mother snarled. "Your father warned you, did he not, about the consequences of refusing your cousin's proposition?"

"I believe that he did" Sirius agreed pleasantly. "But the right of refusal is also mine, as it was made to me and not to you"

Father shot Sirius a glare, and then looked at Bellatrix and Rodolphus. "Please wait in the drawing room. I will join you shortly to continue our discussion".

Once they left, Mother unleashed her unrestrained wrath upon Sirius. "Idiot boy!" She shrieked, slapping him soundly across the face. "You have brought dishonour on our family! You have been given this glorious opportunity to serve a most noble cause and you have the gumption to refuse!?"

Sirius staggered back from the blow, losing his footing as his right leg crumpled underneath him. Reg gasped and hurried forward to help him but was stopped by Mother, who thrust a hand into his chest and forced him back. Father just watched.

"I knew you were a worthless whelp the moment you were born" She spat venomously. "And then when you went and got yourself sorted into Gryffindor with all the Mudbloods and blood traitors - well, it is a wonder we have not been murdered already! or worse! accused of being blood traitors ourselves!"

Sirius got to his feet, wincing "I also wonder the same thing quite often" he agreed, biting his lips to keep the gasp of pain from escaping "with a difference in priorities of course" he continued, wiping off the blood that was seeping from his split lip "But as i said, I really don't like to kill innocent people - not that you'd be likely to call yourself truly innocent, would you, mother?"

Father flicked his wand and Sirius felt the impression of a smack land across his back. This time, he could not hold back a gasp.

"Have care with how you speak to your mother, boy" Father said. There was a rough edge to his tone. "If you leave now, you will get nothing" Father cautioned "You will be disinherited; you will be stripped of your heirship of the House of Black and you will lose your position as a beneficiary in your Mother's will, and in mine. Are you sure that is what you want, Sirius?"

"Better to be penniless and honourable that wealthy and dishonourable"

Mother let out a screech of rage. "What do you know about honour, you filthy little blood-traitor?! Shame of my flesh, to think that i have spawned such vermin! No matter, you will be-"

"I know a fucking lot more about honour than you do!" He told her

Mother spluttered, his words effectively ending her rant.

Father began raising his wand towards Sirius to enact the most fitting punishment. "Scour-"

"Father?" His wand still raised, the words did not make it out of his mouth as he turned to look up at the young girl who was stood horrified on the first floor landing.

"Rinoa, dear -" Mother spoke, finally finding her words. She began making her way slowly up the stairs. "The nurse said you should be resting"

"I heard screaming" Rinoa spoke, eyeing the scene below "What's going on?"

"The usual" Sirius began, grabbing his trunk "This family is fucking crazy!"

"You will not use such filthy language as long as you are in my house!" Father warned, his wand pointed directly at his eldest son.

"Which won't be very long, thankfully" Sirius retched and tried to keep from hurling, for the past of blood at the back of his throat was not a pleasant taste.

"You have no-where to go!" said Mother, suddenly finding her angry voice again, as Sirius moved towards the front door, dragging his trunk behind him. "There will be nobody willing to take in the disgraced tatterdemalion castoff of the Blacks!" She eyed his with distaste, lips curled, glance lingering on the ends of his hair; no amount of scrubbing or household spells had managed to tie it of the red tinge which was the aftereffect of the spell Remus had cast during their duel a few weeks ago. Sirius felt a sudden rush of pride for his friend fill his chest. Remus maybe a Halfblood, but he can do better magic that the lot of them put together.

Sirius did not deign to answer her; instead he simply continued his journey out of the front door.

"All right! Leave! Go! You are no son of mine!" Mother yelled

"Sirius?! No!" Rinoa called down to her older brother running down the marble steps, however, she did not make it to the bottom as their Mother grasped hold of her by the waist and pulled her tightly into her. The illness had weakened Rinoa to such an extent that she could not fight off the grasp of her mother as she screamed from her brother to cease his movements, but Sirius simply whittled his trunk around and made for the front door, levitated it down the steps and didn't look back.

"Poetic Justice" Rinoa whispered to herself as she found herself in front of yet another vanity mirror. Yet this one was not tatty with stripping paint as the one she usually sat at the Prewitt residence. No this one was elegant solid silver with a beautifully etched filigree design. Mother had it made especially for her only daughter's fourteenth birthday. Despite her mothers best efforts, it had made no difference to the rift that had grown between them. It had been four years since the vanity table was fitted into her bedroom, now hosting an unopened box with what she could only guess was a some form of expensive jewellery inside it, showing off the pure shallowness of her Mother that Rinoa despised.

"What are you talking about?" Rinoa opened her eyes to see her twin brother stood behind her, a curious look on his face. She smiled as she mimicked her brothers facial expression, seeing a double image of herself in the mirrors reflective surface. Regulus couldn't help but smile at his sister, reaching down to pick up the box and removed the necklace from within. "Mother spent hours searching for this for you" He stated matter-of-factly, un-clasping the link and placing it infant of her face.

"And?" She queried, lifting her hair up off her neck, allowing him to put it on her.

"And, you should be grateful" He caught her eye in the mirror and gave her a knowing look. It was as much a warning as a plea. He did not want any more family dramas in such a public setting. Although since Sirius' departure, Grimmauld Place had been somewhat less turbulent, the relationship between the two female members of the household had elevated the tension somewhat dangerously, and as Rinoa grew, so did her outspoken behaviour, and Regulus did not want to see her get hurt again.

"Reggie, I -" Rinoa began to try and defend herself, but was stopped by her brother finally clasping the necklace around her neck and placing his now free hand upon her mouth

"Just do it." He spoke coolly. "Finish up. We're leaving soon" He removed his hand from her mouth, and traced the side of her face. His fingertips were cold against her warm skin, causing a shiver to shoot down her spine.

She took a moment to look at herself in the mirror before taking her leave to find her brother waiting at the bottom of the marble staircase into the foyer where her mother and father awaited in anticipation.

"You look beautiful my dear" Her father spoke, a genuine smile on his face as he made his way to his daughter, extending his hand towards her to help her down the final steps. She wore a perfectly fitted silver dress, with emerald green lining. The statement her mother was trying to make with this dress was so obvious it almost made the dress seem ugly. Almost. However devious her mother may think she was with her intentions, Rinoa couldn't deny that the dress was truly glamorous with an exquisite design, even if it was more of an advertisement than a dress.

Rinoa was 18 now - a ripe old age for marriage, her Mother had said to her, at breakfast that morning. This comment had not fallen on deaf ears. Both Regulus and their Father had almost spit out their food at the casual way that Walburga Black had exposed her thoughts. Rinoa, however, had simply scoffed and continued to eat, ignoring her mothers words as she expanded on her idea of marrying Rinoa off to some random guy for 'the greater good of the family'. On that note, Rinoa had excused herself from the table and retired to her room, where she contemplated whether she should follow suit and grab her things and run away like Sirius had. But she couldn't. She had volunteered for an assignment and had to follow it through. And for that reason only was she stood in the hall of her childhood residence, faux smile on her face as her mother came up to her and planted two kisses on her cheeks.

"Oh you are a vision" She spoke, her hands clasped together. Rinoa caught her brothers eye as he raised two fingers up to his mouth and pretended to vomit. Her faux smile curled into a genuine one as she stifled the laughter. He did much the same, walking around his mother and extending his arm to his sister.

"We wouldn't want to be late would we, vision?" The laughter fell from her lips as she allowed Regulus to guide her to the fire place, where he grabbed a handful of floo powder from atop the mantle piece.

"It would be rude, would it not?" She replied, her words just as playful as his own. She really loved her brother, even if they did disagree on many of each others life choices. He was over the moon to hear that she had finally decided to contemplate joining the ranks - He had done so earlier in the summer and begged her to do so for 'the honour of the family'. She had down right refused and gone to stay with her cousins. So when she appeared in his room last night, explaining that she had a change of heart - he did not argue. He had missed her. They would do this together - like they always had.

With a jolt they found themselves in the lavish foyer of the Malfoy Manor.

Here goes nothing.