After biding Tonks good bye, and assuring her that I would speak to Dumbledore, I made my way up the long trek to Hogwarts Castle. I was sure that by this point, he had been notified of Katie Bell's condition and was questioning the teenagers who witnessed the episode. Hopefully, I would be able to meet him in the hospital wing, then we could go to his office to speak privately.
Despite carrying the cursed package wrapped in my scarf, my first instinct was to see Carrigan. I wanted to make sure she was okay after what had happened and honestly, I missed her. I wished our time at the pub had not been interrupted.
After everything that had happened since last May, my relationships were crumbling around me. Every time I managed to put one back together, another would fall apart. My relationship with Carrigan was still distant, which was expected given what she had gone through, but I was tired of giving her so much time. I didn't expect her to be so silent when she returned to Hogwarts, especially because she was worried about returning. It was time that I stopped giving her space.
I was slightly surprised to find Carrigan and Harry standing outside the hospital wing in complete silence. I walked up to them slowly. Carrigan turned to face me when Harry looked around her shoulder at the sound of my footsteps.
"Why are you waiting out here?" I asked.
"Dumbledore asked us to leave," Harry said. "But I want to speak to Leanne."
I nodded my head slowly as his eyes looked at the package in my hands.
"Is that what she was carrying?"
"Yes," I nodded. "I want Dumbledore to see it."
"Mom, is someone trying to kill Dumbledore?" Carrigan asked.
"What led you to that conclusion?"
"Leanne said that Katie had to deliver something to Dumbledore," Carrigan looked at Harry with uneasy eyes. "If that package was meant for him…well, it means he was suppose to be cursed."
I nodded. "You're not idiots," I whispered. "I agree that someone is trying to kill Dumbledore."
"I bet you its Malfoy," Harry said angrily.
"Why?"
"Who else would it be?"
"It could be anyone," Carrigan shrugged. "Anyone could have given that package to Katie and cursed her to deliver it."
"Perhaps you should speak to Leanne when she returns to the common room," I said wisely. "I don't think Dumbledore wants you to bombard her with questions."
Harry looked annoyed. I gave him a weak smile. "What do you want to ask her?"
"If she saw anyone give the package to Katie."
"She didn't," Carrigan whispered as she looked at the ground.
Harry gave her a suspicious look.
"She told you?"
Carrigan didn't say anything and gave Harry a guilty look. He rolled his eyes and shook his head in disappointment. Carrigan bit her lip as she looked back at the ground. Her behavior surprised me. She had never acted guilty of being able to read people before, especially around her friends. Why was she now?
"I'm going back to the common room," Harry said sharply.
"Harry," Carrigan said quickly. "It just happens—sometimes I don't have control—"
"Don't lie to me," he said turning to her sharply. "We both know you can control it. You're choosing not to. You're choosing to exploit people's weaknesses—"
"Enough!" I interrupted. I didn't know what exactly they were arguing about, but I didn't want things to get out of hand. Harry was obviously angry and Carrigan hurt. "Harry, I'll come see you in the common room before I leave."
"Don't bother," Harry shook his head. "I'm fine." He pivoted and disappeared down the corridor towards the staircase quickly. I looked back at Carrigan with high eyebrows.
"What was that about?"
Carrigan frowned deeply and looked close to tears, which surprised me even more than her behavior around Harry. I stepped forward and touched her shoulder as I held the wrapped package in my other hand.
"Carrigan?"
"Can I come home, for the rest of the weekend, please?" she asked looking up at me with desperate midnight blue eyes. I had seen that look in her father's eyes only a few times, but it made my heart ache with longing. I missed Sirius Black. Just as I was beginning to accept and adjust to his return to my life, he was taken away again; this time with no hope of returning.
"Of course you can," I replied immediately. "I will speak to Dumbledore."
I touched Carrigan's cheek in a comforting manner. She leaned her head into my palm, sighing slightly. She looked exhausted; all of her defenses were down now. She was vulnerable.
"He's giving you a hard time?"
"Has since I saw him when I first returned," she whispered calmly as she stood up straight, suddenly composed again. "First, he didn't believe I could be trusted. Now, he gets mad if I use any of the skills I've learned while being held captive; which then brings up the trust issue again."
"This is hard on him too."
"He's being a child," she retorted angrily. "Yes, this summer has been hard on him, it's been hard on all of us. But he's not willing to see the shades of grey. Harry only sees in black and white. I'm afraid he'll never understand who I am or what I am because of that."
"Try to help him see," I advised.
Carrigan looked at me with sad eyes. "That's what I've been trying to do."
"Are you having these problems with your other friends?"
"No, not so much," Carrigan shook her head. "Hermione and Ginny are empathetic, a little more open to hear my side and try to understand where I am coming from…but neither of them tell me how they feel about what happened to me or what I'm capable of. I'm not sure if that's a good thing or not."
Before I could reply to Carrigan's statement, the hospital wing door opened and Albus Dumbledore stepped out into the corridor.
"Ms. Coleman," he said mildly surprised. "I was informed that you were in the square with Miss Bell."
"I arrived just after her episode began," I said. "We think this is what caused it." I extended the scarf wrapped package to Dumbledore. "I believe the package itself is cursed, I wrapped it so it can't accidentally be touched."
"Thank you," Dumbledore said slowly as he looked at the lumpy scarf. "Will you come up to my office, Ms. Coleman?"
"Of course, Professor," I replied. I patted Carrigan's shoulder. "I'll come retrieve you from the common room before I leave."
Carrigan nodded. "Thank you."
She walked away slowly without another word.
"Is Carrigan alright?" Dumbledore asked as we began to walk down the corridor towards his office. I folded my hands behind my back.
"I'm not sure," I whispered. "She asked if she could come home with me for the weekend."
Dumbledore nodded. "Of course."
"Thank you. How has she been here? She doesn't write me anymore."
"She isn't doing as well in her studies as she has in the past," Dumbledore said carefully. "She has a tutor for potions that Professor Slughorn recommended. Some of her other professor have expressed concern that she should be placed in the class level for her age. She is not ready for the fifth year courses given what she has been through."
"She isn't any less intelligent because of the kidnapping," I replied defensively.
"No, if anything she is more intelligent. But, Cadence, she is still a child. She is still developing mentally and emotionally. What she has gone through has left terrible scars, she is still dealing with them, and that is what takes away from her studies. She simply has too much on her plate."
"You think she should be taking fourth year courses?"
"I think she needs to speak to a specialist," Dumbledore said very calmly. "Her course work is acceptable to pass her exams at the end of the year. She will be able to take the O.W.L.s without any trouble despite her age."
"What sort of specialist?"
"A therapist," Dumbledore replied. "Someone who will be able to help her manage her emotional trauma."
I laughed lightly. "I don't think a therapist will be able to help Carrigan. She wouldn't be capable of her physical magic if she was out of control emotionally."
"I think her emotions manifest in her physical powers. She doesn't have to deal with them because she pushes them so far inside of her to control her magic. You've spoken to a therapist, you did not find it helpful?"
"No," I said flatly. "I did not."
Dumbledore shrugged as we came to pause in front of the statue that protected the entrance to his private office. He folded his hands in front of him and stared up at the large eagle for a few moments, thinking, as if he had forgotten the password to his chambers.
"Ever-lasting-gobstopper," he finally said definitively. I smirked slightly. I had no idea what an ever-lasting-gobstopper was, but I was sure that it was a Muggle candy that Dumbledore was particularly interested in. It did not sound appetizing to me however.
Dumbledore turned to me with a pleasant smile and motioned for me to enter first. I stepped forward, thanking him, and stepped onto the rotating staircase that took us to his office door. I opened it without hesitation and stepped in.
As usual, the office was pleasantly over-crowded with Dumbledore's collection of knick-knacks and historical artifacts. The bookshelves behind his desk were towering with his leather bond, and dust collecting, titles. Pictures of previous headmasters and mistresses scattered the wall in gold painted frames. A fire burned warmly in the hearth, providing significant light that made the room glow with charm.
I took a comfortable seat in front of his desk, as Fawks, the phoenix, fluttered down to perch on the corner of Dumbledore's desk. Dumbledore took a seat behind the desk as he reached out to stroke Fawks' red feathered head.
"Did you only wish to speak to me about Carrigan?" I asked while setting the scarf wrapped package on the desk before me.
"No, it is not the only thing I wished to speak to you about," Dumbledore said honestly as he studied the package that I was unwrapping. "I imagine you also wanted to speak to me."
"Yes," I admitted. I flipped my scarf off the top of the package, revealing the writing on the brown paper. Dumbledore leaned forward, peering through his glasses with curiosity.
I didn't say anything as he read the package. I waited for his reaction to the realization that the package was addressed to him. However, much to my surprise, he sat back in his chair looking indifferent to the fact.
"Albus, I think this package was meant for you."
"It would appear that way as it has my name on it," he said calmly. He began to stroke Fawk's head again. I wasn't sure if he was avoiding the topic of a plot to murder him, or if he was contemplating it. I frowned lightly. "I'm afraid that there is not much to do about it at this moment. If someone is trying to kill me, they will either succeed or fail. So far, luck has been on my side…though at a high price."
He was referring to Katie Bell. "You don't think she'll live?"
"I'm sure she will be fine," Dumbledore said. "Which is also why I'm having a hard time taking any plot against my life seriously."
I frowned, but understood his point. First of all, the person who gave Katie the package to deliver to Dumbledore carelessly wrapped the package, which is why Katie had accidentally touched it. If the culprit had been more precise, the package would have made it to Dumbledore. Secondly, and more importantly, Katie was going to survive. This meant that the murderer's attempt would have failed even if Dumbledore received the package as originally planned. He probably would also survive the curse on the package.
"You should still be careful," I warned.
"Well of course," he whispered gently. He gave me a smile. "But there are worse things than death, Cadence."
I nodded in agreement. "Yes, but you are incredibly important to this fight."
"I am not nearly as important as Harry," Dumbledore said. I sat up straight at the mention of my godson. "Which is the other reason I wanted to talk to you."
"Yes? Do you think something is wrong?"
"Oh no," Dumbledore shook his head. "Nothing to alarm you."
"Then what?"
"I've been giving him lessons," he said slowly. "I feel that it is necessary to better prepare him for his role in this war."
"I'm not following…"
"I've been teaching him about your father."
I sat up straight in discomfort. "Voldemort? Why?" I asked puzzled.
"I believe that the way to defeat your father lies in his history. I've been teaching Harry about his past, so that Harry may understand him better."
"My father doesn't strike me as the sentimental type, I don't think there is much in his past that he cares about."
Dumbledore smiled lightly. "Cadence, I think everything your father cares about is based on his history…your history."
I frowned. "Alright, like what?"
"You're aware that your father's pure interest is immortality."
"Yes," I nodded. His comment triggered my memory suddenly. Months ago, the night before Carrigan returned to Hogwarts, I was in my study about to read on magical means of immortality when I was interrupted by Carrigan causing a small earthquake as she meditated in the kitchen. After that, life distracted me, and I completely forgot about the leather book I was going to read about immortality.
"I believe I have discovered your father's method of immortality," he said.
"You think it's something he has already achieved?"
"Yes."
I stared at Dumbledore, baffled. "But that wouldn't explain him kill unicorns, or stealing the sorcerer's stone. Or project Cepheus for that matter."
"I believe that your father is always looking for ways to live longer," Dumbledore shrugged. "Because, even what he has achieved so far isn't a guarantee."
"What do you mean?"
Dumbledore looked away from me for a moment. He stared at Fawks, as if debating how much he wished to tell me. I sighed heavily and rubbed my temples.
"Harry is helping me learn more as well," Dumbledore said. "I am not as young or able as I used to be."
I glanced at his injured hand, that was well hidden under the sleeve of his robes. I had noticed that he was not using it at all. It was resting on his lap. As we had walked up to his office, he had kept it cradled against his body.
"But what have you learned?"
Dumbledore looked at me with intense crystal blue eyes. "Your father has split his soul, several times, and stored it in objects from his past."
"Excuse me?"
"It's ancient dark magic," Dumbledore said tiredly. "I believe this is how he has clung to existence, even when he was nearly dead. The soul is split and stored for safe keeping. Your father needed unicorn's blood and the sorcerer's stone years ago to regain his strength so that he could find one of his Horcruxes."
"A horcruxe? That is what a piece of his soul is stored in?"
"Yes," Dumbledore nodded. "I believe we need to destroy them. This is the task that I have given Harry. I am teaching him all I can to ensure that he can continue without me."
"Without you?"
Dumbledore frowned as he peered at the cursed package that sat between us. "Someone is trying to kill me, Cadence."
I nodded with a heavy sigh as I sat back in my chair. I bit my bottom lip as I took in everything Dumbledore was telling me. I stared at him for a moment, studying him.
"You think you're going to die," I whispered sadly.
Dumbledore gave me a weak smile. "You are very perceptive, Cadence." He sighed heavily as he moved in his chair. "I want you to know what Harry is learning, in case I cannot finish his lessons in time…"
"In time for what?"
"For him to realize this is something that he can and needs to do on his own."
I frowned. "He's just a boy, Albus."
"He's the Chosen One, Cadence," Dumbledore said mildly. "This is what he was meant for."
This comment upset me. "Is it completely possible that you're making him into the Chosen One? You're putting this on him?"
Dumbledore didn't seem offended by my question. Perhaps it was something he had considered many times on his own.
"Voldemort made that decision," he said slowly. "The prophecy, that he was after last year, Harry heard it that night at the Ministry. It refers to a boy, born in late July, that will prove to be a threat to Voldemort. Only one of them can survive. Voldemort only knew of one boy who was born in late July, that is why he went after the Potter's. He marked Harry as his equal when he tried to kill him, and he made Harry the Chosen One. The Chosen One could have easily been Neville Longbottom, who was also born at the end of July. But your father didn't know that. If your father had gone to the Longbottom's house that night, I would be preparing Neville, not Harry, for this task."
"Persephone told me once that we always have the chance to change our fate," I said slowly. "Nothing, even if it is prophesized, is certain."
"Of course," Dumbledore nodded. "And yet, prophecies usually come true." He finished with a small smirk on his lips. I sighed with discomfort.
"What would you have me do, to help Harry?"
"Make sure he continues this work," Dumbledore said carefully. "At this moment, the does not fully understand what we are doing or what he will need to do if I am gone." Dumbledore looked at the cursed package again. "While I don't take these threats seriously, that is not to say that I won't die tomorrow of old age. No one else knows what Harry is learning. I've asked him to keep it secret…only tell those he absolutely trust. This is very dangerous. If your father finds out that we are destroying the parts of his soul, we could lose our chances to defeat him."
I nodded. "You want me to keep Harry on task."
"Yes," Dumbledore nodded. "Hopefully, he won't need it."
"I understand."
"Thank you," Dumbledore seemed to relax. "You were the one I could trust with this."
"What sort of objects is Voldemort storing his soul in?" I asked with hesitation. "You said things from his past?"
"Yes," Dumbledore nodded. "Items of significance to him."
I frowned. "Anything that involves my mother or me?"
Dumbledore shook his head. "Nothing that I can tell so far. But I will keep it in mind as we keep looking."
I nodded. "Alright. I should get going. Carrigan is waiting for me."
Dumbledore and I stood up from our chairs. "Thank you for your time, Cadence."
"No need to thank me, Albus," I said as I smiled at him. "Thank you."
Dumbledore bowed his head as he smiled at me. I did not linger in his office. I pivoted and exited, as everything he told me settled in my mind. His words did not comfort me. If anything, his plan to hunt Voldemort's Horcruxes made me uneasy. Pieces of Voldemort's past—my history—were being dug up and revealed. Dumbledore made it very clear that Voldemort could not know what they were up to. If he caught on that parts of him (and his history) were being destroyed, it would set him in a wild rage that could easily destroy the entire country.
I bit my bottom lip as I arrived in front of the portrait of the Fat Lady protecting the entrance to the Gryffindor common room. I closed my eyes for a moment to concentrate on Carrigan.
I'm outside the common room.
"Password!?" the Fat Lady demanded.
I shrugged. "I'm meeting someone."
"Do I know you?"
I opened my eyes to look the painted woman in the eye. "I attended Hogwarts many years ago and was a student in Gryffindor."
Before the Fat Lady could say another word, her portrait swung open. Henry Thrett greeted me with a smile. His muscular, tall figure filled the porthole that lead into the common room.
"Hello, Cadence," he beamed. "Carrigan is still collecting her things. Come on in."
"Thank you," I said politely. "How are you, Henry?"
"I'm doing well," Henry said honestly. "And yourself? How is everything in the 'real' world?"
"Chaotic as expected," I said with a weak smile.
The Gryffindor common room was busy with students relaxing, studying and hanging out. I glanced around with curious eyes. No one seemed to notice my presences, which was fine with me.
"How do you know Carrigan is still packing her things?"
"She shouted down at me to let you in."
I nodded. "Do you know where Harry is?"
"His dormitory, I believe."
"Alright, thank you," I replied. "Will you tell Carrigan if she comes down I'll be here in a moment. I just want to say good bye to Harry."
"Of course."
"Thank you."
I pivoted away from Henry and made my way towards the boys dormitory. I mounted the stairs, taking them two at a time. Hopefully, Harry would be alone in the dorm, but I knew the chances of that were slim. I knocked gently on the sixth year door. No voice came, permitting me entrance. I twisted the knob slowly and knocked again, louder, as I opened the door slightly.
"Harry?"
"Yea?" I heard his voice.
"It's me, Cadence. Can I come in?"
"I told you not to bother."
Despite what he said, I opened the door farther and stepped into the room. It was dark. The only light came from the window, which Harry was sitting by, looking out. Despite the curtains being open, only dim gray light passed through the window. The snow outside was falling heavier now; the dark clouds blocked the sunlight, leaving pale white-gray light to illuminate the remainder of the day.
Harry's knees were pulled to his chest as he leaned back against the stonewall of the nook he was sitting on. He glanced at me as I entered, but only for a moment. He looked back out the window at the snowy grounds with sadness in his deep green eyes. I frowned as I approached him.
"Do you want to talk about what is going on with you and Carrigan?"
"She's your daughter. You're going to take her side," he replied aggravated.
"I think of you as my son," I replied calmly. "Which means I will always take your side, while also taking hers."
Harry looked at me with surprised eyes. He didn't expect me to say that I thought of him as a son. "How can you be sure we can trust her?" he asked bluntly.
I shrugged. "Logically, she shows no signs of betrayal," I said soundly. "She escaped her captors. She returned home."
"That doesn't mean she's not hiding things."
"I trust her because my heart trusts her. Perhaps that is stupid, but she is my daughter. I will always trust her…and if that hurts me, well, that's a risk I'm going to take. She is my daughter, it is my job to always have faith in her."
Harry sighed and looked out the window. "I want to trust her. I want to believe that she is still the same person…but she is different. The things she is capable of are terrifying. She can do things that no one else can do—not even Dumbledore."
"You're afraid of her because you don't understand her?" I asked.
Harry looked at me suddenly. "I sound terrible, don't I?"
"No," I shook my head. "It's natural to be afraid of things you don't understand."
"But it's not right."
"No," I whispered. "It's not. Listen to your heart, Harry. You can trust your instincts to judge Carrigan's intentions. She's just trying to fit in. She's trying to be the same person she was before she was kidnapped, despite knowing she is different. But, it is only her magic that has changed. She is still the same girl…the same friend."
Harry didn't say anything. He just continued to look out the window. I wasn't sure if he was angry with me because in his mind I had taken Carrigan's side, or if he was contemplating what I said. After a few moments of silence, I decided to change the topic.
"Dumbledore spoke to me about your lessons with him."
Harry looked up at me with grim eyes. "How much did he tell you?"
"That you're learning about my father."
"I don't know why he's so eager to teach me about him."
"Dumbledore believes the key to destroying him is in his past. I'm sure you'll understand soon."
Harry shrugged. "I don't know how I feel about being the Chosen One."
"Why?" I asked sitting on the sill with him.
He looked at me seriously. "People who thought I was a liar last year all of a sudden are my friends now. I don't like how easily people switch sides…how they believe what they want to…and only believe in good when they see bad right in front of them. If more people had believed me and Dumbledore last year Sirius wouldn't have died….things would be different."
"You have no way of knowing that," I whispered. "It was Sirius' time…he was meant to die."
"Do you think I'm meant to be alone?"
"No. You're not alone, Harry."
"I don't have any parental figures. They either die or they're terrible to me. I feel like I'm always being abandoned…and it terrifies me that I might have to fight Voldemort on my own." He didn't look at me as he spoke. He stared straight out the window.
"You're not alone," I replied. "And you're not meant to do this alone. That is why Dumbledore is working so earnestly with you. There are many people who will stand by your side and fight, Harry. Everyone in the Order; the Weasley's, who think of you as a son and brother; Ron and Hermione; Hagrid, Dumbledore, McGonagall; Carrigan and me. We will not abandon you."
Harry looked at me with sad eyes. "Thank you," he said softly, but I could see that he did not believe me. He still felt that he was alone. How could I prove otherwise?
I reached forward and squeezed his shoulder. "Whenever you feel alone, write to me. I will always write back or come if you need me."
Harry nodded his head and smiled weakly. "Alright."
I stood up, moved to him and bent down to embrace him. He wrapped an arm around my back, under my shoulders and leaned his head on my shoulder.
"I wish I had known them, Cadence," he said sadly, referring to his parents. "Sirius was the closest thing I had to a father and now he's gone too….I wish I wasn't who I am…"
"I know how that feels," I said wisely. "I wished that for a long time when I learned who my father is. But we can't change who we are, Harry. You should not be ashamed of who you are….you are a fantastic young man. Do not let your experiences define you."
Harry nodded against my shoulder. "I'll do my best."
I kissed his forehead gently, hoping to comfort him. "That's all I can ask."
I stepped back and gave him a smile. He thanked me as he pushed his glasses up his nose.
"I have to get going," I said mildly. "I will see you in a few weeks. I'm sure you'll be able to stay with me at Christmas."
"Good, I would like that."
"Write to me if you need anything."
"I will," Harry nodded. "Thanks, Cadence. Will you tell Carrigan that I'm sorry? And I'm trying?"
"It's something you should say yourself."
"She told me when she got up here that she didn't want to speak to me."
I nodded. "Alright. I will tell her and I will speak to her like I've spoken to you. But, you should still try to tell her when you see her next."
Harry nodded. "Alright, thank you."
"You bet."
Harry turned away after a moment to look back out the window at the snow. I backed out of the dormitory slowly, feeling as if I had done something right by him for once. When I arrived downstairs in the common room, Carrigan was sitting with Henry and Ginny by the fire. She was sitting in an armchair with Ginny. Henry sat opposite the girls in his own arm chair.
"Are you ready to go?" I asked as I approached the fire.
"Yes," Carrigan nodded as she stood up from the armchair. Ginny stood up and moved to Henry. She sat down on his lap as Carrigan picked up her bag and cloak from the floor. Ginny's behavior surprised me, causing my eyes to open wide in shock. Ginny kissed Henry's cheek before turning her attention back to Carrigan.
"Have a good weekend," Ginny smiled.
"Thanks," Carrigan said. "You too."
"See you," Henry waved.
Carrigan didn't say another word as she hooked my arm. We walked away together, leaving the common room. Once we were in the corridor, with the picture of the Fat Lady closed behind us, I broke free of Carrigan's arm and looked at her bewildered.
"Please don't ask," she said mildly.
"When did that happen?" I questioned despite her comment.
Carrigan rubbed her temple. "Only a few weeks ago. I doubt it's going to last…"
"Why?"
"Because everyone looks as shocked as you do right now when they find out. Ron and Harry still don't know, if you can believe it."
"I thought Henry was mad about you."
"Yea," Carrigan sighed. "Yea…me too…"
Her voice faded in pain. I frowned and hooked her arm with mine. It seemed that Ginny and Carrigan were notorious for liking the same boys. A few years ago, when Carrigan and Ginny were first becoming friends, they both had a crush on Harry. Carrigan had a hard time handling it because Ginny didn't know she had a crush on Harry as well. But it worked out; both girls moved on to like other boys…but now it appeared that Carrigan liked Henry, despite having no interest in him over the summer.
"But it doesn't matter," she said quickly as we made our way downstairs towards the entrance hall. "I like Henry, but just as a friend."
"Then why are you upset?"
"Well it always hurts a little when you think someone likes you, then you find out they don't."
"Yes, but…"
"Ginny just goes through guys a lot," Carrigan said bitterly. "I love her and Henry, but I'm afraid their break up is going to be bad and I'm going to be put in a very awkward position between them."
I nodded in understanding. "That's the only thing that bothers you?"
"Yes," Carrigan replied as we paused in front of the great oak doors of Hogwarts. She tucked her scarf into her black leather cloak. I raised my eyebrows at Carrigan with curiosity. She sighed heavily. "I'm afraid that I'm going to be the reason they break up."
"Why?"
"Because Henry and I are very close," she shrugged. "Even if we're just friends, that could be hard for any relationship. Ginny might get jealous."
"You think she's like that?"
"Henry knows some of my deepest secrets," Carrigan whispered. "He's the person I talk to…and he talks to me…he doesn't tell Ginny stuff that he tells me…"
"Does she know that?"
Carrigan shrugged, but said nothing more on the matter. We made our way out into the snowy evening. The walk to the gates was long, but we made it quickly because of the chilling weather. As soon as the gates were closed behind us, we Apparated to the farm house which was just as snowy, but the walk from the gate to the threshold of the house was much shorter.
The lights of the farmhouse were all illuminated and visible form the gate at the front of our property. I paused for a moment as I stared up at the house. I didn't think Gabriel would be home from work already, he had gone in late. Benjamin shouldn't be in the house, he had 'moved out,' although he still spent the night from time to time. Carrigan picked up on my concern, because she fell into step behind me, as I clutched my wand.
I threw open the door, wand raised and entered first. Carrigan followed me, looking around cautiously. She dropped her bag by the base of the stairs and shook the snow from her cloak. I did not remove my cloak and immediately moved back into the kitchen.
I stopped dead when I turned the corner into the kitchen, pointing my wand in the direction of the stove, across from me. Gabriel was waiting for me. His wand was drawn, pointed in my direction. Clearly, he had heard us enter the house and was hoping to ambush whoever stormed the kitchen.
There was food simmering on the stove top and something baking in the oven. The pantry doors were opened; the table was set with four place settings. Two glasses of wine stood erect on the counter, both nearly empty. Gabriel had a guest.
"Cadence," he said pleased, but his wand was still extended in my direction. "About time. I was starting to get worried."
"What would we have named our son?" I asked, my wand also pointed at him.
"Caspian," he said lightly. "Where did we kiss for the first time?"
"Outside my bedroom, after a training session, when I was fifteen."
Gabriel nodded, lowered his wand and slid it into his pocket. Before he could approach me, I kept my wand on him. He looked at me puzzled, but with a keen smile.
"Who is here with you?"
"Juniper," he called. "It's alright."
Heavy footsteps could be heard behind me. I took my eyes off Gabriel to look behind me, where Juniper Quinn Tullius was stomping across the sitting room floor, making an intimidating entrance to the room. Her wand and foreign weapon were in her hands, but she was holstering them as she approached me. She was in a hidden position to aid Gabriel's ambush if we were Death Eater's storming the house.
"You're having dinner?" I questioned.
Gabriel nodded and approached me. "Juniper is alright. I invited her over, so that we could all get to know each other a little better."
Juniper looked uncomfortable as she placed her hands on her hips, staring at me with those amber brown eyes. Was she uncomfortable because Gabriel called her by her birth name or because he had invited her to dinner? I lowered my wand carefully as Carrigan entered the kitchen from the foyer.
"Carrigan," Gabriel smiled at her. "What are you doing home?"
"Needed a break from school."
Gabriel nodded his head. "You remember Juniper."
"Yes…" Carrigan said slowly. Quinn didn't say anything, just lifted her hand to wave in greeting. She pushed her long blonde hair over her shoulder before moving past us to the counter, where she picked up one of the glasses of wine and took a sip.
I raised my eyebrows in surprise. This was the last scene I expected to walk in on: Gabriel making dinner for his of-age, estranged daughter. I looked at the table again, noticing the four place-settings.
"Who else was joining you for dinner?"
"Benjamin," Gabriel said. "We just left he office, the said he'd be along for dinner."
I nodded my head slowly as I peered up at Gabriel. He was smiling at me, but looking at me with curious eyes. "Why don't you take off your coat, Cadence?"
"Can I speak to you for a moment?" I asked pivoting. I moved past Carrigan, making my way to the front foyer. I unbuttoned my coat as I walked. Gabriel followed me closely. He caught my coat as I slid it off my shoulders. I was surprised by the gentlemanly gesture. He hung the coat in the closet for me, then peered at me with a deep dark stare.
"What's the matter?"
"I take it you had a good day at work?"
"Yes, very productive with meetings and paperwork as normal."
I rolled my eyes.
"If you have a question for me, just come out and ask it, Cadence, don't dance around it with sarcasm and innuendo."
I glared at him suddenly. "What did she want to speak to you about?"
"She wanted to tell me she isn't the Chaste, but she knows who is."
"How does she know?"
"Because I've met her before," Quinn said coming into the foyer from the hall. She had a cloak over her arm. She paused next to me and untucked her blouse on the left side. She lifted her shirt high enough for me to see an ugly galleon sized scar above her hip bone. "She gave me this. Shot me with my own gun."
"Your weapon," I nodded with realization.
Quinn blinked at me and nodded. "I'm leaving. Good evening."
"You don't want to stay for dinner?" Gabriel asked stepping forward. There was a tone of disappointment in his voice, which only I picked up on. Quinn stared at him blankly for a few moments.
"Who is the Chaste?" I asked before she could answer Gabriel's question.
"Her name is Savanna Snow."
I shook my head. "I killed her."
"Gabriel informed me that you believe you killed her."
"No, I don't believe it, I know it," I snapped, close to shouting. "I stabbed her in the stomach and the throat. I watched her bleed out on the study floor of the Riddle house. She is dead."
"We live in a world of magic, Cadence," Quinn said with a smirk. "You, better than anyone, knows that rebirth is possible. It's just a matter of finding the right ingredients for a potion."
I stood up straight in shock as my heart plummeted down into my stomach. Was she serious? Was it possible that someone had resurrected Mary Scott, the damned woman who was also know as Savanna Snow or Penelope Talon?
"You are sure?"
"She looks just like you," Quinn whispered smugly as she pulled on her cloak. "Has a nasty scar on her neck though…now I know why."
Before Quinn could make her exit, the front door opened and Benjamin Snow walked in. I frowned deeply, trying to cover up my surprise. Gabriel pulled his wand, pointing it into Benjamin's neck. Benjamin froze, dropping his briefcase on the floor.
"Who is your mother?" Gabriel asked. Of course he had to ask that security question.
"Savanna Snow," Benjamin replied. "Or Penelope Talon, if you prefer."
Gabriel lowered his wand. Benjamin fixed his collar then pulled off his cloak. "Why are you all in the foyer?"
"I was just leaving," Quinn said quickly, not making eye contact with Benjamin. She moved past him and out the open door before another word could be said.
"Who was that?" Benjamin asked look after Quinn.
"Juniper," Gabriel said sorely.
"Your daughter?" Benjamin looked up at him with raised eyebrows. Gabriel nodded. "What was she doing here?"
"We were going to have dinner…"
"She told us who the Chaste is," I whispered carefully with a heavy sigh.
"We don't have all the facts yet," Gabriel added quickly. "We don't know if we can trust her, let alone if she knows what she is talking about."
I nodded. "She has a point though," I said slowly.
"What are you talking about? Who is the Chaste?"
"Juniper says it's your mother," Gabriel said very slowly.
I nodded. "Savanna Snow."
Benjamin's face turned white at the mention of his mother's name.
"She's not lying," Carrigan said coming into the foyer with her arms tightly crossed over her chest. "She believes the woman who shot her and who calls herself the Chaste is Savanna Snow."
"Well, that's just not possible," Benjamin said crossly. He looked directly at me. "You would know best!"
"So far all signs point to her," Gabriel said. "Come on, let's eat before dinner gets cold. We can discuss this more."
"No," Benjamin said harshly. "No. I have to go."
He picked up his things before yanking open the door and disappearing into the snowy October night. Carrigan moved to the door, calling after him. I frowned as I looked up at Gabriel. He had a similar disturbed look in his eyes. Nothing was more terrifying to me than Savanna Snow being alive. The woman was a plague on my existence. It seemed that everything bad that ever happened to me was somehow related to my father or her. I thought I had ended it two years ago when I killed her.
Carrigan closed the door sadly and looked at me. "He's gone."
"He'll be fine," I whispered as I touched her shoulders. "He's a grown man, he can take care of himself."
"I should go after him."
"I will," Gabriel said. "I will go get him."
Carrigan nodded. "I'm going with you." She retrieved her cloak before either of us could object. I rolled my eyes.
"Well I'm not going to stay here and knit while you two go out and have fun," I said as I picked up my cloak that Gabriel had hung up. Gabriel gave me a weak smile. Within moments, we were all prepared for a chilly night outdoors in the snow chasing after Benjamin, who was no doubt going to look for his mother.
