A week later, I was lying on the cold wood floor in the front sitting room of the farm house, staring up at the ceiling as I gasped for breath. My stomach ached from the extensive abdominal work out I had just completed. My work out schedule had become relaxed in the last few months, which I was not proud of. In an attempt to pick up where I left off, I committed myself to five sets of one hundred sit ups in different positions to work each part of my abdomen. Perhaps that was a mistake…

"Why are you working out in the living room?" Gabriel asked.

I titled my head up, so the top of my head was flat on the floor and I was looking at Gabriel upside down as he stood in the cased opening of the living room. He was leaning against the finished wooden frame, looking debonair in his classic grey pin stripped suit. His hands were placed strategically in his pant pockets.

I sighed lightly as I laid my body flat, looking at the ceiling again instead of my breathtaking husband. I bit my bottom lip before I answered him.

"This is all I was planning on doing today," I replied. "Since Benjamin isn't here now, I don't train anymore."

"We could train together."

I rolled over onto my stomach to look at him. He was smiling at me. There was a bright twinkle in his deep blue eyes. It was a sparkle of remembering what it was like to train with me; our bodies tangled and pressed together as sweat rolled down our flesh….

"I said 'train,' Cadence," Gabriel smirked. "Not 'fuck.'"

I smiled at him. "Oh, I know what you said."

"But you're thinking about sex."

"You're not?"

Gabriel beamed as he stood up straight. He took his hands out of his pockets and started to roll his sleeves down. He buttoned his cuffs as he spoke.

"I have to get to work," he said, still smiling. I knew he was thinking about sex now too. I sighed mildly; he was such a tease. He winked at me before he walked down the hall towards the kitchen.

I didn't move for a long while. The tingling ache of lactic acid building in my stomach muscles was enough to keep me on the sitting room floor for the rest of the day. Lying lazily was not an option unfortunately. Shortly after I caught my breath a sharp pecking could be heard on the kitchen window. I eased my way to a sitting position, cringing slightly with pleasure—despite the pain in my muscles, the work out was worth it. This was a good pain; the pain of becoming stronger.

By the time I arrived in the kitchen, Gabriel had already opened the window over the sink and allowed the mail owl to drop a piece of mail on the counter. The owl swooped through the kitchen and perched itself on the curtain rod over the back door. I frowned slightly as I stared at the bird sitting darkly on the naked curtain rod. I was not much of an interior decorator; I never hung long curtains over the back French doors.

"It's for you," Gabriel said casually as he extended the note to me. I took it from him as he poured himself a cup of coffee.

"I don't recognize the owl," I said as I looked down at the brown parchment. I recognized the writing immediately as Harry's. I frowned and tore the wax seal off the folded paper. There were two words scrawled on the inside of the parchment.

Hogsmeade, now.

"It's from Harry," I said surprised.

"How can you tell?"

"I recognize his writing."

"Hogsmeade, now?" Gabriel questioned reading the note. "That seems odd. Why would he need to see you right away?"

I shook my head. "I don't know…but I had better get out there."

Gabriel agreed. "I have to get into the office. You're okay going by yourself?"

"Yes," I whispered with a nod. "I'm sure everything is fine…"

Gabriel smiled at me. He leaned forward and kissed me gently while brushing my loose curls behind my ear. His hand stroked my neck, then traveled behind my shoulders. He massaged my back, right on the spine between my shoulder blades, gently while we continued to kiss. I smiled against his lips while my hands rested on his chest, still clenching Harry's note in my hand. Gabriel's fingers crept up my neck into my hair. He brushed my ponytail, untangling my curls with his fingertips, before pulling my head back lightly. His lips journeyed to my neck, where he kissed and bit playfully.

I sighed with haunted desire, knowing full well what he wanted. My hands glided down his front to his waistline, where his black belt was holding on his pinstriped grey suit pants. He released my hair and grabbed my hands before I could undo his belt. We both smiled at each other, with teased, glazed over eyes full of desire.

"I better get to work," he whispered, despite wanting to stay by my side.

"Yes," I replied. "I need to get to Harry."

I kissed him slowly before pulling away to make my way upstairs. I dressed to travel quickly. I didn't want to waste anytime. Harry's note said now; I had better get out there. As I was changing, I heard the doorbell downstairs ring. I paused for moment and moved to the bedroom door. I pulled it open and listened to hear if Gabriel was moving to get the door. I could hear him coming down the hall from the kitchen. I returned to the room and pulled on a thick knit sweater before grabbing my wand. I dashed out of the room and down the stairs to see who Gabriel was letting into the house.

I stopped abruptly on the staircase to stare at Juniper Quinn Tullius in the foyer. She was standing up straight with her arms folded behind her back as she stared up at Gabriel. Her long blond hair was in a loose braid that fell all the way down to her bottom. The white-blonde color was a distinct contrast from the stark black of her outfit; she was wearing black skinny jeans, that appeared to be spray painted on, and a loose black leather jacket.

"What the hell are you doing here?" I questioned loudly.

Gabriel and Quinn looked up at me surprised.

"I wanted to speak to my father," Quinn replied in her cool tone.

"Gabriel…" I sighed with distress as I marched down the remaining steps.

Gabriel looked at me with indecisive eyes. He wasn't sure if he could trust Quinn or not, but he was torn between what his heart wanted and what his brain warned. He wanted to know his daughter. It would make it much easier to know her if she came to him willingly.

"We can talk at the office," Gabriel said as he looked back at Quinn. "I'm late for work."

"I'm not going to the Ministry," she said with a shake of her head.

"Then walk there with me."

I crossed my arms over my chest, my wand still clenched in my hand, as I watched the two of them. At first glance there looked to be no resemblance between them, but as they stood next to each other, I could see similarities in the curve of their jaw bone, ears and eye shape. Juniper Quinn Tullius may have looked a great deal like her mother, my godmother, but she had a touch of Quintin in her that made her wildly beautiful. She had the same demanding presence and sexual air about her as Gabriel. She was confident, untamed and meritoriously attractive.

Quinn glanced at me with raised eyebrows. "Fine," she conceded. "If we must."

"What is on your mind?" Gabriel asked as he pulled on his cloak.

"I heard a rumor you're looking for me."

I frowned deeply. How would she have known that? Gabriel looked at me with sullen eyes.

"How did you hear that?"

"You should tell your Mr. Snow to be more careful with his contacts."

"What?" I questioned stepping forward towards Quinn. "Benjamin's contact tipped you off?"

"As it turns out, Benjamin's contact is more loyal to me than him," Quinn said sharply. "Let's just call him a mutual friend—we all want the same thing here."

"And what is that?"

"To stop the Chaste from finding Haiden Drake."

I hesitated. It could all be a scheme to gain our trust. Just like Penelope Talon, Quinn could be playing us.

"What interest is it to you what happens to my niece?"

"My interest is to stop Voldemort," Quinn said. "He seems particularly interested in Haiden right now."

"He's interested in every young woman who has been cursed with his blood."

"You don't have to trust me," Quinn retorted picking up on my defensiveness. "But I can help you."

"And our mutual friend?"

Quinn hesitated. "He'll help from where he is at."

"Where exactly is that?"

"In hiding," Quinn snipped. "Can we go now?"

Gabriel frowned, but nodded. "Of course." He looked down at me with a weak smile. He pinched my elbow affectionately. "Be safe."

"You as well," I whispered.

He and Quinn left immediately after that. I didn't have much time to mill over Quinn's sudden appearance. I had to get to Hogsmeade.

I snatched up my cloak and twirled it around my shoulders as I Disapparated. I appeared on the cobblestone of an alley behind The Three Broomsticks. Harry did not say where to meet in his note. I hoped that he would be in the open, waiting for me. I moved around the building, with my hood up.

Hogwarts students were everywhere because of the weekend visit. I wondered if Carrigan was with Harry; I would have to make a point to see her if she was not. I was pleased when I arrived in front of the Three Broomsticks to find Harry with his friends Ron and Hermione.

His green eyes met mine instantly; there was anger burning in them. Something had set him into a right state which made my heart sink. He was in trouble if he called on me…but what sort of trouble was he in?

"Harry," I called as I approached.

"Cadence," he said earnestly. "Thank you for coming."

"What's going on?" I asked. "Hello, Ron, Hermione."

"Hello," Hermione sighed. She seemed annoyed.

"Hi," Ron replied looking indifferent.

"Hey, you three," a female voice called. "Come on there are still tables, let's get out of the cold."

I looked up to see Tonks in the doorframe of the loud pub. She stood up straight when she saw me and stepped out into the chilly snow.

"Cadence, what are you doing here?" she asked quickly. I could sense the fear in her tone. She was afraid I had come bearing bad news.

"I sent for her," Harry said to Tonks. "You won't do anything—"

"Harry," Tonks sighed. "Come on, let's get inside."

"No!" Harry snapped.

"What's going on?" I asked puzzled.

Harry turned to me with hot red cheeks. "Mundungus is nicking Sirius' stuff from Grimmauld Place and no one else seems to think it's a big deal!"

"It is a big deal, Harry," Hermione said quickly. "But there is no need to make a scene. He's gone."

"We should go after him!"

"Harry," I said softly. "It's not Sirius' stuff, it's yours and if you want to press charges, I will be happy to take a statement and file a report right now. But, I can tell you that nothing will be done about it on a Ministry level. There are bigger fish to fry at the moment and you know that."

Harry heaved and turned on his heel, marching into the pub. The rest of us stood in the snow for a moment in awkward silence.

"Come on," I said to them. "Let's go inside."

Ron and Hermione entered first, Tonks leaned close to me as we followed them in. "Any word from Remus?"

"I'm afraid not," I said with a shake of my head.

Tonks nodded and pressed forward into the crowded pub. The place was stuffed full with Hogwarts students, regular patrons and various hags and goblins. I sighed heavily; the place was far too crowded for my taste, but hopefully we wouldn't be overheard in the noisy place. I followed Tonks to the table that the three had taken seats at. Tonks looked around for a moment.

"I'll go get some drinks."

I thanked her before taking my seat. "I do not mean to dismiss your anger, Harry—"

"That's exactly what you're doing."

I frowned. "You know as well as I do that Sirius didn't give a rat's ass about the stuff in that house. He was probably letting Mundungus take it to begin with."

Harry rolled his eyes, but said nothing. His silence told me that he knew I was right, he just didn't want to admit it.

"Let me ask you about something, if I may," I said coolly hoping to change the subject. Harry's eyes met mine, but he said nothing. I took his silence as acknowledgement to continue. "Why do you think Draco Malfoy is a Death Eater?" I asked in a very low tone.

Harry hesitated as he glanced at Ron and Hermione, who both rolled their eyes.

"You think what?" Tonks stammered as she returned with Butterbeers.

"It's not completely irrational," I said quickly.

"Oh, Cadence, please," Hermione sighed. "He's too young."

"Age means nothing to Voldemort, especially if he thinks your family is in debt to him. Malfoy's father failed him. It is completely possible that Draco has been forced to fulfill a debt his father owes."

"It doesn't matter why he's doing it," Harry shook his head. "Just that he is. He's up to something and someone needs to watch him."

"You can't?" I asked.

Harry gave me a weak smile. "I'm doing my best, but it's not easy—especially when everyone around me thinks I'm crazy."

"I don't think you're crazy," Hermione said quickly. "I just think that you're being a bit rash."

Harry rolled his eyes. "Yes, yes, I'm rash all around now, aren't I?" He poked at Hermione who looked close to tears.

"Enough," I snipped. "What has gotten into you two? This is a time when you should have each other's backs—not picking at each other."

"I do have his back," Hermione insisted. "That is why I'm picking at him." She said nothing else and finished drinking her Butterbeer.

I smiled. She was a smart girl.

"Mom!" Carrigan's voice ran behind me with surprise. I turned in my chair to beam at her. As she approached me though, my smile faded. A boy I didn't recognize followed her slowly.

Carrigan kissed my cheek when she arrived at my side. "Hi," she said softly. "Hello everyone. Tonks, how are you?"

"I'm fine, Carrigan," Tonks replied to her younger, distant cousin. "You're looking well."

Carrigan nodded. "I'm doing my best. Mom, what are you doing here?"

"Harry asked for me to visit," I said coolly with a warning glance at my godson. He bit his bottom lip in disapproval. I didn't think it was necessary to inform Carrigan that Mundungus, a man she had physically assaulted a year before, was stealing her deceased father's belongings. I blocked my mind carefully, so she wouldn't pick up on my thoughts either. Where Harry needed to ask for someone's assistance to catch and stop Mundungus, I knew that Carrigan did not. She could take care of the problem herself, and leave nothing behind as evidence.

"Sorry, I didn't mention it," Harry said quickly.

Carrigan nodded her head slowly. She was dress in tight black pants with a maroon sweater on underneath her black leather jacket. Her dark chestnut hair was styled in a tasteful pixie.

"Who is your friend?" I asked.

"This is Samuel," Carrigan said as she motioned to the young man behind her. My assessment of him as a 'boy' was incorrect. He was most certainly a young man. I studied him carefully. He was about six feet tall, and a well built, healthy looking young man. He had a sharp jaw line, was clean shaven, and had curls of blond hair that hung down his forehead and over his ears. He seemed genuinely kind, based on his sun-god appearance, but I knew better than to trust him simply on those cheerful characteristics. "He's a seventh year in Ravenclaw. Slughorn recommended him to tutor me as I am failing potions already."

"Failing?" I questioned sharply.

"Don't worry Ms. Coleman, Carrigan catches on fast," Samuel said as he looked down at her with admiring eyes. "I'll have her up to speed in no time."

"Carrigan, if you needed help with potions, I could have helped you," Hermione said.

"You have enough on your plate," Carrigan said as Samuel pulled up to two chairs for them. "Slughorn wanted me to have a tutor."

"Harry's Prince could have helped you," Ron said. There was a swift pounding noise under the table and Ron bit his bottom lip, so not to groan, as his eyes watered.

"Your Prince, Harry?" I raised my eyebrows.

"My potions book is an old school copy, and the previous owner signed the cover," he shrugged.

"And his name was Prince?"

"Yes," Harry said.

"That's an odd name," Carrigan said.

"No, Nymphadora is an odd name," Tonks said. "Nothing wrong with calling a boy Prince, although it might go straight to his head."

Harry looked down at his Butterbeer bottle for a few moments, as if he were guilty. I smiled knowingly. He wasn't a very good liar, mostly because he couldn't follow through. He had no problem saying the lie, but afterwards, his guilt set in. Harry truly was a pure and good person. His parents would have been proud of that.

"Perhaps we should return to the castle," Harry said. "For dinner, and we have studying."

"Alright," Hermione agreed.

"I'll walk you to the gate," Tonks said as the three teenagers began to stand.

"See you at dinner," Carrigan said with a wave.

I remained sitting, biding good bye to the four as they made their way around the table and towards the door of the pub. Carrigan and Samuel moved around the table, so we could sit more comfortably and hold a conversation.

"Benjamin said he was going to come see you this weekend," I said softly.

"Well, he didn't," Carrigan shrugged.

"Are you still upset with him?"

"Mom, let's not discuss this now," Carrigan said glancing at Samuel.

"Fine," I forced a smile. "Samuel, you're an expert in potions?"

"I don't know about expert Ms. Coleman, but I'm taking private lessons with Slughorn this year because I've taken all of the advanced courses the school offers."

"That's very impressive," I nodded. "Please, call me Cadence."

Samuel smiled and bowed his head. "As you wish."

"You didn't tell me you had a tutor," I said to Carrigan. "How long has this arrangement been going on?"

"Just a week now," Samuel said.

"And you spend time together outside of lessons?"

"Samuel thought it would be nice to get out of the castle while we studied for once. We thought we'd have a drink and study."

"In this crowded place?" I questioned with a smirk.

Before either teen could retort to my wise crack, there was a terrifying, high-pitched scream from outside the pub. The pub silenced instantly, everyone looking to the door and windows to get a glimpse at what happened.

Carrigan jumped out of her chair, taking action immediately.

"It could have been Hermione!" she stammered in worry.

She dashed away from the table before Samuel or I could say a thing. I jumped up, following her without hesitation. I did not look behind me to see if Samuel was following.

When I ran out the pub door, I nearly slammed into Carrigan. Who was stock-still in the snow, staring up at a hovering grey girl, who's mouth and eyes were agape as if she were gasping for breath underwater.

"Who is that?" I questioned in Carrigan's ear.

"Katie Bell."

"What the hell happened?"

Swirls of grey smoke laced around Katie's limbs. I bit my bottom lip as I stepped past Carrigan, trying to get a better look at the girl as she was suspended in the air. Without warning, the teenager dropped from her suspension and crumpled on the ground, like a rag doll.

Harry lurched forward, to help her, but I grabbed his arms, quickly. "No!"

"What the hell, Cadence!?"

"You don't know what's happened to her," I said motioning to a package that was ripped opened and lying next to the girl. "She could have touched something that put a curse on her."

Harry frowned. "We can't just do nothing."

A girl was standing next to Katie Bell, whaling in tears and shock. "Get up the castle, get help. The first person you find."

Harry nodded, and did not need telling twice. He dashed off towards Hogwarts.

"What do you think it is?" Carrigan asked as I stepped towards the package that was lying next to Katie Bell. The poor girl was starting to convulse on the pavement, next to us. She was crying, screaming as if she were being tortured.

Hermione stepped forward cautiously, did not touch her, but tried to calm her.

"What is your name?" I asked taking hold of the sobbing girl's hand. She looked at me in shock, her brown curls bounced as her head quivered.

"Leanne," she sighed.

"Tell me what happened Leanne," I said very calmly.

"We were arguing," she replied as she whipped her cheeks. She looked at Katie every time she screamed, which made it difficult for her to focus on me and my questions. "She was bringing this package back to the castle. I don't know where she got it, but she was acting weird…like she was being controlled."

I frowned. "Like she was under the Imperius Curse?"

Leanne nodded her head.

"What was she doing with the package?"

"I don't know. She kept telling me to mind my business. I grab at the package, but she held on it. I think the wrapping tore and she touched whatever it was!"

Leanne motioned to the torn package that lay on the ground next to Katie's shriveling body.

"Carrigan, take her Leanne to the school," I said looking at my daughter. I immediately turned my attention to the package on the ground next to Katie.

"Ms. Coleman, I wouldn't touch that," Samuel said.

"Samuel, please help Carrigan take Miss Bell's friend to the hospital wing. She's hysterical."

"Go on," Tonks nodded with reassurance.

"But Mom," Carrigan objected while I pulled my scarf off from around my neck.

"Go," I said sternly. "I will come up to the castle when this is taken care of."

Carrigan rolled her eyes and pulled the crying girl up to her feet.

"Come on, Leanne, my Mom will take care of Katie. She'll be fine."

The girl didn't respond, she just sobbed on Carrigan's shoulder as Samuel ushered them away. I watched for a moment as they moved away. Ron and Hermione were still trying to relax, Katie, but to no success. As I watched Carrigan, Samuel and Leanne's shadows disappear into the fog, two new ones emerged barreling towards us on the cobblestone. One was unmistakably Hagrid, the grounds keeper; the other had to be Harry.

The two reached our side within a moment.

"Step back," Hagrid said. He took one look at Katie, and without hesitation, scooped her up in his monstrous arms. Before I could call out, he was racing back towards the Hogwarts gates. I frowned and shook my head.

"Where is Leanne?" Harry asked looking around.

"I sent her to the hospital wing with Carrigan. You three should be getting up to the caste."

Harry glared at me as I bent down to pick up the package in my scarf wrapped hand.

"Go," I urged. "You shouldn't be out here much longer. I'll take this to Dumbledore."

"Fine," Harry mumbled. "See you."

I didn't responded to his angry tone. It was difficult enough to have an emotionally raging teenage girl; add a raging emotional teenage boy and I'd throw in the towel.

"What is it?" Tonks asked once the three teenagers walked away.

"I don't know," I said softly. "It's still wrapped. I don't want to tear it off. It must be cursed…she touched this part here that is uncovered."

"Cadence…" Tonks' voice shook as she said my name. "Look who it is addressed to."

I frowned as I glanced down at the front of the packaging where in neat writing 'To Headmaster Albus Dumbledore' was scribed. I sighed and shook my head.

"Katie Bell was trying to curse Dumbledore?"

"I think it's more likely that someone gave this to Katie to give to Dumbledore."

"But the fact still remains; someone is trying to kill Dumbledore."

I frowned deeply and nodded in agreement, as I wrapped the box completely in my scarf. The conclusion we had arrived at was frightening. It was fairly obvious that my father would want Dumbledore dead, but why now? And who had he commissioned to kill him?

I brushed my hand threw my hair as I exhaled heavily, giving Tonks a worried look. She appeared just as worried. She had a right to be. I could imagine the impact Dumbledore's murder would have on the war...the impact it would have on Harry. I don't know if he would be able to handle another loose that huge; between his parents and Sirius' death, he was doing his best, but if Dumbledore were to be removed from his life...well, let's just say I think it would break him and turn him into something he would hate.

I looked away, in the direction of Hogwarts. It was probably best that I go speak to Dumbledore and make him aware of the threat on his life. I'm sure he wouldn't think much of it. Perhaps with his input I could solve this new mystery quickly and get back to all the others that were consuming my life.