There was cold water dripping on my thigh, waking me to the morning sun that was hiding behind the curtains. I sat up slowly, confused by my nakedness and found that I was lying on the floor of the shower. The water was running with low pressure, washing the skin on my legs and lower torso. I touched my forehead softly, feeling something wet on my flesh. When I looked at my fingers I was only slightly surprised to see blood. I blinked and blue spots flashed before my eyes. I sighed; I must have had a connection with my Father while I was in the shower. I reached up and took hold of the handle bar in the shower, pulling my curvy figure up. I put my head into the weak stream of water and washed the blood off my skin.

When I stepped out of the shower I saw the bathroom door was opened a crack. Pulling a towel around my body I leaned over the sink and looked at the mirror that hung over it. There was a cut on my forehead. I picked up my wand from the counter and tapped it against my head. The cut healed instantly. I smiled slightly and then frowned quickly at the sight of myself in the mirror. I had dark bluish grey circles around my eyes from lake of sleep, and a blue tint to my lips. I must have been under the running water for sometime to be turning blue. Looking at my hands, I found that they were wrinkled from being wet too long. I sighed and held my towel tightly around me as I walked out of the bathroom and down the narrow hall to the only bedroom in the apartment.

The handsome, half naked body of my boyfriend, Sirius Black, lay under the sheets of the bed. The sight of him greeted my eyes as I entered the room. I sighed slightly, I couldn't remember what time it was. I rubbed my head and let my towel drop as I entered the closet. I couldn't even remember getting into the shower that morning.

"I must have hit my head pretty hard," I whispered to myself as I looked through my clothes. I pulled on a pair of jean shorts and a red baby doll tank top. When I came out of the closet Sirius was lying with his eyes open, looking at me.

"Good morning beautiful," he whispered.

"Hi there," I smiled at him. I knelt on the bed and kissed him softly on the lips. "How'd you sleep?"

"Alright," he said. "You?"

"Okay, I guess."

"Cadence," he sat up suddenly. "Why is there blood on your shoulder?"

I frowned and looked down as his fingers touched the blood on my shoulder. I must have missed that in the shower. "I hit my head in the shower."

"What?" he asked confused. "How'd you do that?"

"I think I had a connection to my Father," I shrugged sitting down on the bed next to him. "I can't remember anything before waking up in the shower."

Sirius looked at me with concern and leaned forward, kissing my forehead.

"Are you sure okay? Do you want to go to St. Mungo's?"

"No, I'm fine," I said getting off the bed. "Besides, I have to go to Gabriel's trial today."

"I forgot that was today."

His comment didn't surprise me. I wouldn't imagine that Sirius would remember the day of Gabriel's trial as he was sure to hope that Gabriel was found guilty and sent to Azkaban for the rest of his life. I sighed and went to the dress to put some jewelry on and do my hair. I brushed my hair until it was dry and then tied it half back.

"And that is what you're wearing to court?" he asked with raised eyebrows.

"I'll put a skirt on," I said. "It's just hot right now."

"I opened the windows last night."

"I know," I smiled in the mirror at him. "Are you coming to the trial with me?"

I turned and faced him, leaning back against the dresser.

"Do you want me to?"

"It's completely up to you," I whispered. "I know you don't fancy seeing Gabriel."

"I wouldn't mind seeing him to go Azkaban though," Sirius muttered. I turned around, pretending not to hear what he said about the man who had saved my life numerous times. Sirius saw me turn away and knew he had upset me though because he got out of the bed and came to me. He was only in his boxer shorts, and looked very charming. He kissed my shoulders and rubbed his hands on my hips softly.

"I'm sorry," he whispered.

"You don't owe me the apology," I said back putting an earring in.

Sirius said nothing and left my side. He disappeared into the closet and I tried to relax, as I tightened my grip on the side of the dresser. I felt the floor shake underneath me and shuttered. I closed my eyes and blocked out all of my emotions. If I didn't control them soon the whole room would collapse around Sirius and me.

Sirius poked his head out of the closet and looked at me with raised eyebrows.

"I didn't mean to upset you," he said. I believed what he said, but that didn't mean he didn't mean what he said about Gabriel.

"He saved my life, Sirius," I said trying to control my tone. "The least you could do is be thankful for that."

"I am," Sirius said coming out of the closet and throwing the clean clothes he planned to wear that day on the bed. "But that doesn't mean he's a good person Cadence. One good deed is not enough to cleanse a man of a life time of dark magic."

"He's saved me many times and trained me to be an excellent Auror," I said to Sirius's reflection.

"He trained you to be a Death Eater!" Sirius snapped.

I couldn't tell how many times we had this argument in the last two months since my trial with the anticipation of Gabriel's trial building. You would have thought by now Sirius would have given up and let the situation be, but no…he insisted on reminded me of everything I already knew about Gabriel Quintin and forgiven him for.

I walked by Sirius while saying nothing and changed my clothes so I was suitable for court. I didn't say anything to him as I left the bedroom, and he didn't say anything after me. I was so upset from Sirius and my argument that I left the house early for the trial. It was set to begin at eleven thirty, and as I arrived at the Ministry of Magic from the visitor's entrance I realized how early I was.

I stepped out of the elevator and into the large atrium of the Ministry. I had only been to the Ministry once before, for my own trial, and like before I didn't take the time to observe the atrium like the people around me did. It seemed like every day the atrium changed and required people to look up at it's beautiful glass windows, and ceiling. I had no interest in it.

I checked in at the visitor check-in and had my wand inspected. The security guard looked me up and down in my tight skirt and red tank top blouse. I gave him a nasty look and he immediately stopped starring. As I walked away with my visitor name tagged it dawned on me that perhaps he wasn't starring at my appearance but rather at me because I was Cadence Coleman, Voldemort's daughter.

Since my trial a month and a half ago, I was deemed a famous witch in the eyes of the Wizarding world. I was proven innocent of being a Death Eater, despite my dark parentage. I was thankful for the public being made aware that I wasn't a Death Eater, but people still stared at me like I was the devil incarnate—untrustworthy and dangerous….which maybe they were right. Along with their dirty looks people also called me their hope because if I could over come my Father's evil then we call could. Rumors had spun around that I was the only person who would be able to defeat him, and newspaper articles were printed that I was meant to destroy him and save the whole country from his evil ways.

I tried not to think about the reputation that had been recreated for me since the end of the school year and my trial as I entered he lift to go down to the court rooms.

"Good morning Miss Coleman," said a female voice. I was surprised to be addressed and looked up into the dark eyes of the Minister of Magic, Millicent Bagnold.

"Minister!" I said turning to her and feeling my appearance was shabby in her presents. I tucked my hair behind my ear and straightened my skirt "How are you?"

"Wonderful," she said holding out her hand. "Especially now that I have you on my staff."

I took the Minister's hand and smiled at her. I had been out of school for just about two months and the woman was already offering a job on her staff. The Minister continued to surprise me in more ways then one. She was an incredible woman for taking on the responsibilities of the Ministry as my Father was collecting followers. She was judged unfairly for it, and I'm sure had a lot of pressure on her shoulders, because she was a woman.

"Don't I have to go through Auror training, Minister?" I asked once we released hands.

"Those are all details that we'll discuss when you come by the office," she said with a firm nod of her head. "Of course you will have to be tested, and I'll give you time to prepare for it, but I'm more then confident that you'll be able to pass right now if you had to."

The fact that the Minister of Magic was meeting with me—Voldemort's daughter—was most unnerving to a number of people. But somehow Millicent Bagnold had managed to maintain control over her office and was reassuring the people more and more that she wasn't for You-Know-Who. The image that she presented to the people was a positive one, and it helped the image that the papers had set up for me. I was on their side now, even if I was the daughter of the Dark Lord.

"When should I come to your office, Minister?"

"Let's say next week," she said. "That way you have some time to relax after Mr. Quintin's trial."

I sighed slightly and nodded. "I'd appreciate that."

The woman was very beautiful, and had a positive look about her, but I couldn't help but feel a bit of uneasiness when she was around. She was the kind of woman who had gotten to where she was without kindness on her side. Bagnold was not a woman you would mess with, and she was definitely not one you could completely trust (as you can't trust most politicians).

"Have you seen Mr. Quintin yet?" Bagnold asked me as the lift continued to go lower into the depths of the Ministry.

"No," I whispered. "I haven't seen him since the day before my trial, when they took me from my cell."

I didn't look at the Minister when I spoke. I didn't really want to look at her. I wasn't sure how I felt about being sent to Azkaban, and I wasn't sure how I felt that Millicent Bagnold couldn't get me out of the prison because she wanted to keep her coat tails clean. I understood that she was getting enough pressure on her because she was going to hire me in a few weeks, but that was not an excuse to leave me in prison when she knew very well that I was innocent.

"Is that why you came early?"

"Partially," I lied still not looking at her.

"Cadence," she said my first name softly, which was a surprising tone to hear from her. "I'm sure everything will be fine. Dumbledore has built a strong case defending Gabriel."

"I know," I said finally looking at her. "But that doesn't mean much."

My words were cold, but true. I was thankful that the lift doors opened soon after I spoke. I stepped out into the black bricked hallway and looked around.

"This way," Bagnold said motioning for me to follow her down the hall to the left. I followed behind her slowly, not sure where we were going. We passed only one door before reaching a set of stairs that went to the next floor down. I didn't realize that the lifts didn't go to the court room floor.

"Where are they holding Gabriel?" I asked as we reached the bottom of the stairs.

The Minister didn't need to answer the question. About half way down the hall we had just descended into were Dementors standing before a door. My breath caught in my lungs because of the cold. Bagnold seemed unaffected by the chilly air the Dementors bore with them. She walked briskly forward, leading me down the hall. The Dementors looked at her for a few moments before gliding aside and allowing her access to the door. She opened and entered, and I followed.

My eyes looked around the room and fell on the two people standing in them. Albus Dumbledore met my eyes first, most because he stood out against the other occupant of the room. Dumbledore had long silvery hair and beard that went down to his belly button. Today he was wearing dark blue robes that had white stars printed on them. The stars seemed to sparkle as he moved and I couldn't help but think that with his pointed hat and half moon glasses that he was the stereotypical wizard. My eyes looked past him quickly though to the man who was sitting in a chair.

Gabriel Quintin stood up abruptly at the sight of me, and despite my better judgment I rushed into his arms, embracing him tightly. He felt thinner, he was always so muscular and between my arms and torso I could feel his ribs.

"Cadence," he whispered my name with the deepest pleasure I had ever heard. I hadn't seen him in almost a month and a half, and I wasn't going to lie. I missed him. I missed his crude, harsh comments, his undying affection and his survival work ethic. I kissed his cheek and felt his hands on my cheeks. I took a step away from him as his hands remained on me and smiled up at him.

He was beaming at me. My heart lifted at his dark eyes, they shined the familiar and mysterious purple that I had dreamed about. His face was covered with a dark beard and mustache. It was clear that he hadn't bothered to shave since being in Azkaban, he only tidied up the hair to look presentable for his trial. He was wearing a blue suit that looked fitting on him—although it would have looked better a month and a half ago when he was still well built and not so thin. His face looked thin, but still as dark and handsome as ever.

"You look stunning," he said stepping away from me, holding my hands and looking down at my knee length skirt, and long legs. I was wearing black high heels to match the outfit.

"I'm so happy to see you," I said hugging him again. I stepped back and stroked his bearded cheek. Despite being thinner he was still as strong as he was the day we were caught and put into Azkaban. "Are you alright, holding up okay?"

"Azkaban isn't as bad as they say," he said with a grin. I couldn't tell if he was serious or not, and that was just his charm. I stood on my toes and kissed his cheek again.

"It will be okay," I said to reassure myself more then him. "I'm not going to let them put you away. You're a good man now."

"I appreciate your confidence, Cadence," Gabriel said in his tender voice. "But I don't want you to get your hopes up."

"Why?" I questioned.

"You're still naïve," he said stroking my cheek. He looked to Dumbledore and then the Minister who still stood up the door. "Minister Bagnold, a pleasure, as always, Madame."

Gabriel stepped passed me and greeted the Minister. "Dumbledore and I most certainly appreciate you attending the trial."

"Of course," she said. "I have a great deal of work for you to get to if all goes well."

"I share Miss Coleman's confidence," said Dumbledore to Gabriel. "This will go over well." Dumbledore turned to me. "Are you prepared for your testimony, Miss Coleman?"

"Of course I am," I nodded with a frank smile. I squeezed my hands together and sighed. I was honestly nervous about sitting before the Council again only because this time it was Gabriel's fate that lay in the balance, not mine.

"Alright," Dumbledore said clapping his hands together. "Then let us all remain calm and posed. We don't need any panic attacks to drive the Council to the wrong decision."

Gabriel nodded his head once and returned to me. "Thank you for coming."

"Of course," I smiled up at him. "After all I am the one who got you into this mess."

"Yes, if I hadn't kidnapped you and allowed you to change my heart then I'd still be a very clever well hidden Death Eater who didn't feel anything. Yes, you're right, you are to blame."

I smacked his shoulder and he laughed. "Be gentle with me, I'm so weak."

We both laughed and the Minister coughed lightly to remind us of her presents.

"Tell me of the Order?" Gabriel whispered. "Dumbledore hasn't said much about it."

"We are a failure to my standards," I said to him in a quiet tone. "We capture a few Death Eaters here or there, but nothing to astonishing. And we seem to be losing more members then Death Eaters we're bringing in. We have a meeting next week."

Gabriel nodded. "Dumbledore mentioned that Moody is involved."

"He is," I said. "He's a very interesting man."

"Maybe you'll get to work with him."

I frowned slightly and glanced at the Minister who was in deep conversation with Dumbledore. "I don't know if I want to work here."

Gabriel frowned and shook his head. "That's non-sense. You belong here."

I sighed and didn't press the subject. Today wasn't about me and my future with the Ministry, it was about Gabriel and his future in general.

"You know the Council will ask you about when I kidnapped you," he said.

I nodded. "I'll tell them that you didn't hurt me."

"Just be honest," he said. "Even if it's negative against me. I don't want you to lie to them."

"I'm not going to say something that will send you back to Azkaban, Gabriel," I said sharply.

"You can't lie," Gabriel said. "Your reputation is much more important then if I go back to Azkaban or not."

"Gabriel," said Bagnold. "I'll see you out there. I must go put my Council robes on."

"Thank you, Minister," he said shaking her hand.

"The best to you," she said. "Miss Coleman, always a pleasure."

"You also," I said to her as she left. The woman sent chills through my body. Dumbledore bowed out, saying he'd wait for me in the hall to escort me to the courtroom. I looked back to Gabriel and he gave me a stern look.

"My freedom is not worth yours," he whispered swiftly.

"Gabriel, I've gotten you in enough trouble—"

"I'm being tried for crimes that I committed long before I ever met you Cadence. You are not to blame for any of this, I made the choice to align myself with your Father and I must pay for that."

I sighed and touched his cheek. "I'm so afraid of losing you."

"Are you afraid of losing me because you can't stand to be with out me, or because you're afraid of becoming your own master?"

I glared at him sharply.

"I'm afraid of losing you because I care about you Gabriel, you are my friend and have taught me most of everything I know."

He smiled and nodded his head. "That is what I expected."

"What does that mean?"

"Nothing," he shrugged. "You will never admit any feelings for me other then that of friends, despite clearly wanting more then that."

"You know I love Sirius."

"Only because it is simple and safe to be with him," said Gabriel.

"I don't want to argue about this," I said as the chair Gabriel had been sitting in when I arrived in the room began to shake. Gabriel looked at me sharply.

"You haven't been practicing," he said quickly.

"I've been a little busy with other things!"

"Cadence, when will you understand that your power is something that has to be exercised regularly, it is never something you will completely master and if you don't practice it will only master you."

"I take it all back, I didn't miss you at all," I snapped viciously and the chair fell over from shaking so much. Gabriel sighed and looked to the chair, making it stand back up properly. I turned away from him and faced the wall, not wanting to leave, but not wanting to look at him either.

"I'm sorry," he said coming forward and touching my shoulders. I don't think Gabriel had ever apologized to me before that moment. I turned to him, still frowning.

"I am too," I whispered.

There was a knock at the door and it opened. A man in a suit and robes stepped in, looking fairly annoyed that he had to come into the room.

"The Council of Wizards calls for Gabriel Quintin," he announced.

"Here we go," he said with a smile to me. "I look good in this blue suit right?"

"Yes," I said with a nod. I was thinking in my head that he'd look good in anything, which was true. Even with his weight lose and beard Gabriel was still a head turning. I gave the credit to his eyes because they were dark and it was never clear really what color they were. Some days they were velvety purple, then the next they'd be dark midnight blue, and the day after they'd be sea green. They were entrancing and mysterious, making any woman want to know the secrets behind them. I had known Gabriel for almost three years now and I still didn't know his secrets. The only one I could really think of was that he had fallen in love with a Muggle born witch named Anita and possibly fathered her child. Beyond that, I knew really very little of Gabriel's past.

I watched as he gave me one last smile and then turned following the usher out of the room. He really did look good in that blue suit, it gave him a confidence that could fool any eye because even if I didn't know his secrets I knew how to read him, and he was scared of what the trial would bring. That blue suit was his armor to the world, and he wore it well.