When I arrived at the Ministry that afternoon Gabriel looked angry with me. He somehow managed to be waiting for the lift when I arrived at our department. He was standing there, in his pin strip suit and waistcoat, his white button up shirt sleeves rolled up to his elbows, with his arms crossed over his chest. All of his muscles seemed to be flexed, tensed as he stood his ground, waiting for me to get off the lift as dozens of other people moved around us, coming and going on the lift.
I frowned deeply at him, feeling as if I were a small child in serious trouble for stealing a cookie from the cookie jar. I gave Gabriel a nasty glare as I stopped in front of him, his dark eyes looking directly at me. It occurred to me as I stared up at him that he may not be angry with me, something else could have happened that didn't involve me at all.
"What's wrong?" I asked relaxing my face, trying to think of something I would have done to annoy him.
"It's three in the afternoon," he said as I began to walk down the hall towards the department. Gabriel followed me, keeping his arms cross over his chest. I frowned slightly as I glanced up at him. Was he really mad that I had come in this late?
"Yes," I whispered. "I woke up late. Remember, I was hit by a car last night?"
"Yea, I remember," he said. "You didn't say you had paper work to file for the Minister today."
"Slipped my mind," I said honestly. "Honestly, Gabriel you're not this upset that I came in late when I have paperwork to do. What's going on?"
Gabriel opened the giant oak doors to our department and we began to walk towards are cubicle. When we turned the corner, heading for our back cubicle, and overwhelming crowd of people stood outside of it. I stopped dead in my tracks, causing Gabriel to run into me. He put his hands on my shoulders.
"Now do you see why I'm upset?" he questioned.
All the people standing outside of the cubicle were members of the wizarding paparazzi. Like raving wolves, they craved a deep dark story full of twist and turns that the public would love—and let's be honest, my story was pretty damn enticing. I was Sirius Black's ex-lover and mother of his child, Voldemort's daughter, and Harry Potter's Godmother. I was the center of a cluster of potential juicy stories; and I always had been. The paparazzi had invaded Hogwarts once in my seventh year when it was revealed that I was Voldemort's daughter. I was surprised they had laid off after that, but they had mostly in fear. They were afraid I was a Death Eater and that I would kill them with a flick of my wand if they tried to snap pictures of me.
"Why are they here?" I asked nervously. I was more afraid of the paparazzi then Death Eaters.
"Want to know all about you," Gabriel shrugged. "You know, it's a big deal you being Voldemort's daughter and an Auror; Sirius Black's ex and Carrigan's Mother; and you're one of the Head Aurors on his case; and Harry Potter's Godmother—"
"I get it," I said turning around and shoving him backwards. He smiled and shook his head as he walked backwards, then turned and began to lead me back the way we had come. "My life would be an award winning novel. Come on let's go to Scrimgeour's office."
"You're lucky they didn't see you," Gabriel said, his anger suddenly gone. He thought this situation was funny now that he had seen my response. "They can smell fear."
"I'm not afraid of them," I retorted as we walked briskly through the aisles of cubicles heading for the other side of the department. I kept looking over my shoulder back at the crowd of heads that could be seen by our cubicle.
"Really?" Gabriel smirked. I punched his shoulder.
"Why didn't you warn me?" I snapped with frustration.
He shrugged lazily. "I wanted to see your reaction."
"The last time this happened you protected me," I hissed.
"You were younger then," he responded. I sighed and rolled my eyes as we reached the large oak door that lead to Scrimgeour's office. His secretary was not at her desk in front of the door, which was peculiar; and as I banged on the office door no answer came.
"Think you could get away from us," said a voice. I turned sharply and saw a skinny, relatively attractive blonde haired wizard standing near by. He was holding a pad of paper in his hand and a magically quill floated over his shoulder. I frowned deeply and gave the handsome man an ugly glare. "You're death glares don't phase me, Miss Coleman. I've received worse from ex girlfriends."
"Ex girlfriends," I repeated. "So, you're single? None of your exs were willing to stay?"
The man's charming smile turned to a frown and he glared at me for making the rather nasty comment about his personal life. If he was going to poke into my life, I was going to insult his. I thought it was fair. I put my hands on my hips and continued to stare him down.
"Who are you and what do you want?" I finally asked.
"His name is Carmen Legacy," Gabriel answered before the wizard could. "He writes for the Daily Prophet, in the gossip section."
"Actually," Legacy said with some annoyance. "I'm no longer writing gossip. I'm writing fact. I plan on breaking this story about Miss Coleman—"
"What story?" I questioned interrupting the irritating man.
"Please Miss Coleman," he sighed dramatically. "You're one of the most famous people in our world, right next to Harry Potter, You-Know-Who and Sirius Black. You're a household name just like them…and yet somehow your story has never really been printed."
"There isn't a story," I said ruthlessly. "Maybe you should be focusing on the fact that Sirius Black escaped Azkaban, which has never happened in history before and is supposed to be impossible—"
"I'm much more interested in what Sirius Black has to do with you," Legacy said looking at me with light blue eyes that held dark secrets. I frowned deeply, standing up straight to my full height, which was about 5'9'' in the high heels I was wearing. Legacy was a few inches taller then me, but I wasn't going to let him think he could push me around. He couldn't really…considering I could make him disintegrate into a million pieces with a blink of my eyes.
"Nothing," I responded slowly to make sure he heard me.
"I don't believe that," he whispered leaning in close to me. "I just have to find one person to spill Miss Coleman; one person who knows just enough to ruin you. You're boyfriend back there won't break, but that doesn't mean somebody else won't."
"Are you threatening me?" I whispered back. "I don't take kindly to threats, Mr. Legacy." I patted his chest and stood up straight. "If you try to ruin me, I will massacre you."
Legacy stood up straight smirking, no fear shined in his eyes. He took my response as a challenge. He wanted to ruin me to see what I would do. This was all a game to him.
"It's no secret that you and Sirius Black used to be a couple," Legacy shrugged. "And your daughter was born about six months after Black went to Azkaban…it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out who's child she is, she has her Father's eyes—"
I grabbed Legacy's collar and slammed him against the wall violently. He groaned and dropped his paper pad and the quill that had been floating over his shoulder fell to the ground.
"Cadence!" snapped Gabriel as paparazzi came around the corner, snapping pictures of me pinning Legacy to the wall.
"You don't threaten my daughter," I hissed. "You come after me all you want, but you leave her out of this. If you so much as print a picture of her I will murder you myself—"
"Are you threatening a member of the local press?" Legacy asked. His magical quill sprang to life on the ground next to me and began to scribble on the paper pad that lay uselessly on the ground.
I slammed Legacy against the wall again and stomped my booted foot on the quill and paper pad. The quill snapped in half under my boot and Legacy glared at me viciously. His eyes were so dark I thought he was trying to burn a hole into my skull.
"You threatened my daughter," I hissed.
Legacy ignored my response, and continued to smile at me like a dark disgusting bug. I wanted to squish him like one.
"Why were you in Little Whinging last night Miss Coleman?"
"I was on official Ministry business, that I'm not permitted to speak about," I responded. "If you'd like to know the details of my assignment you can speak to my supervisor."
"Did your official business involve meeting Sirius Black in north London?" he asked. "Across the street from Gabriel Quintin's apartment?"
"What?" I looked at him confused. How could he possibly have known about that?
"Alright, that's enough," said Gabriel coming forward. He grabbed Legacy from me and shoved him down the aisle towards his fellow members of the paparazzi who were still snapping pictures, yelling questions, and writing frantically. Gabriel took my arm and dragged me off back towards the lifts.
"How did they know about that?" I asked as the paparazzi followed us. I looked over my shoulder, trying to see through the blinding flashing lights of the magical cameras. In the crowd of news people I thought I saw a familiar face…a sandy blonde haired man with dark blue eyes…Gabriel pulled me onto the lift before I could study the crowd better.
"It doesn't matter how they found out," he said shaking his head and pacing in the elevator. "I didn't realize it was this bad." He pushed the button for the Minister's floor several times as if pushing it over and over again would make the lift go faster. He was making me nervous because he didn't stop moving.
"How bad did you think it was?" I questioned.
"I just assumed they got word of you going to pick up Harry," Gabriel shrugged. "They showed up here at about two while I was out on lunch. I got back about twenty minutes before you and they just kept asking me questions about your whereabouts. But if they know about last night then they're following you—which is really bad."
"Yea, I know it's really bad," I said harshly. "Of course it's really bad!"
"Stop freaking out."
I sighed and put my head in my hands. "Does the Minister know they're here already?"
"We're about to find out," Gabriel said as the doors of the lift opened. We stepped out onto the floor as two more lifts arrived, sure enough the paparazzi was following us. "Damn vultures. You're taking a portkey from the Minister's office. Let's hope they don't know where you live yet."
Gabriel grabbed my arm and we walked quickly down the halls towards the Minister's office. When we approached his desk, his secretary saw us coming and stood up.
"He's in a meeting, Mr. Quintin, I'm afraid he can't see you now—"
"It's an emergency," said Gabriel moving past her and dragging me with him. I didn't say anything to the poor secretary who turned away from us with frustration once we passed her and let out a small gasp at the crowd of people following us. Gabriel didn't even knock on the Minister's door; he just marched straight in like he owned the place.
"Now really, Mr. Quintin!" said Minister Fudge as silence fell in the room from Gabriel's dramatic entrance. I was surprised to see that the Minister was in a meeting with Rufus Scrimgeour and Albus Dumbledore.
All three men stood up from their chairs, looking at us with surprise. Dumbledore looked concern, he knew me well enough to know when I was frightened and upset. Scrimgeour and Fudge looked outraged that we'd just march into the Minister's office.
"We have a serious problem," said Gabriel.
"Yes," Fudge said coming around his desk. He stopped in front of the coffee table that Gabriel and I stood next to. "We do." He threw down the afternoon copy of the Daily Prophet.
I picked up the paper in horror as I stared at the picture of a dark road with me lying on the ground and Sirius Black leaning over me, holding me. I knew that the picture was taken last night, just after I had been hit by the car. The headline that shined over the large picture read: Black and Coleman, Still In Love? My mouth fell open, but no words came out. In the fine print under the picture, where the article began, I read two names.
"Article by Carmen Legacy, picture by Jonathan Clover…" I threw the paper down and let out a yell of frustration. "That bastard is the guy you pulled off me last night! He hit me with his car!"
"Who?" Gabriel asked picking up the paper. "Jonathan Clover?"
"Yes!" I shouted as my rage got the best of me and the floor began to shake.
"Cadence," Dumbledore warned. "Remember yourself."
I clenched my fist together and took a long breath, sinking into the couch that was near the Minister's coffee table. I put my head in my hands as they shook, wanting desperately to make this entire situation just go away. I hadn't lost control of my energy like that in a long time, and I was slightly embarrassed that I did so in front of the Minister and my direct supervisor.
"Do you mind telling us what happened last night?" Scrimgeour asked with a harsh tone in his voice. I frowned deeply and looked up at him. He had returned to his seat, but Dumbledore and Fudge were still standing. Gabriel was near the door as if preparing for the paparazzi to come bust through the door.
"Are you alright, Cadence?" Dumbledore ask in a gentler tone. I looked at him and forced a smile.
"I'm fine," I whispered. "After the Minister had dismissed me from delivering Harry I walked home. I pasted by Gabriel's apartment on the way and as I did I saw Black across the street. I made to follow him and got him by a Muggle car—which it turns out that bastard photograph was driving!" I pointed at the paper on the coffee table. "Black bent over me on the curb, I don't know why…maybe to strangle the life out of me…but when the photograph ran up he ran off. I tried to get up and follow him, but the photographer stopped me, insisting I was injured and he was a Muggle doctor."
"So he prevented you from the arrest of Sirius Black?" Scrimgeour said looking at me.
"I suppose you can put it that way, yes," I nodded. Scrimgeour stood up and looked at Gabriel, who with out instructions nodded his head and turned to leave the office. I looked at him confused for a moment. Before I could even ask what they were going to do, Gabriel had dragged the photographer, Jonathan Clover, into the office.
"What are you doing!" Clover bellowed. "Man, I'm just doing my job—"
Gabriel grabbed the camera he had in his hands and threw it against the wall, smashing it to pieces. I smiled slightly.
"Now, hold on a second! That's bloody expensive equipment, mate. You've got to pay for that—"
"Excuse me, Mr. Clover, is it?" Scrimgeour said to the photographer. Jonathan looked at Scrimgeour with raised eyebrows as if he had never been address like that before in his life. "My name is Rufus Scrimgeour, I'm the head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement. I'm sure you know my boss, Minister of Magic Cornelius Fudge. And of course, Head Master of Hogwarts, Albus Dumbledore."
"Yea," Jonathan nodded. "I know who all of you are. What do you want?"
"It is my understanding, Mr. Clover that you interfered with the arrest of Sirius Black last night," Scrimgeour said. "Which is a chargeable offense."
"Whoa, hold on a second," Jonathan said. Scrimgeour raised his eyebrows and gave him a very dark look. "Sir," Jonathan added. "Sir, I did no such thing. I took the picture of Black holding Coleman—see right there—but he ran off and then I ran to her to make sure she was okay."
"Why wouldn't she be okay if Black was holding her," Scrimgeour paused for a moment and picked up the paper, reading it for a moment. "Like, and I quote, 'a lover'?"
"Sir I have no control over the headlines, I just take the pictures."
"Why'd you hit me with your car?" I questioned before any man could say another word.
"You jumped in front of the street!" Jonathan said. "The only thing I did wrong was lie to you about being a medic. I was just doing my job. It was pure coincidence that our paths crossed. I knew who you were and when I turned back I saw Black leaning over you so I took the picture. I didn't know this would happen."
"Why does Legacy have it out for me?"
"You're his ticket to a big promotion," Jonathan shrugged. "Everyone is going to be coming after you for that, princess."
My eyes flashed and I stood up off the couch. Jonathan took a step back frightened, and Gabriel grabbed my arm.
"He didn't mean it like that," he whispered. I gave Gabriel a very nasty look; I didn't care what Jonathan meant by anything he said. It didn't change the fact that I wanted to beat him to a pulp.
"What does he know about my daughter?" I asked Jonathan who looked frightened of me.
"I don't know," he shrugged. "I'm assigned as his photographer, I'm not his partner. I just met the guy yesterday."
I sighed and turned away, rubbing my hands through my hair. What was I going to do to protect Carrigan? If her identity was released to the papers she'd be ruined. She'd be shamed and harassed at school; no one would accept her in the wizarding society—and Death Eaters could come after her to get back at me.
"So, are you going to charge me?"
"No," I turned to him. "Get out of here. Go away!"
Scrimgeour gave me a nasty look but I turned away and shook my head, frustrated to the bone. I didn't turn back around until Jonathan Clover was gone.
"I have to change Carrigan's last name to Quintin," I whispered.
"What?" Gabriel stammered.
"She won't change her name unless it is to yours," I said to him crossly. "And if it gets released that she is Sirius' daughter her reputation will be ruined."
"She won't be protected if from Death Eaters or your Father if he returns," said Dumbledore.
"I know," I nodded. "But I risk that either way. At least if we change her name to Quintin she'll be protected from Sirius."
"You're going to show her off as my daughter?" Gabriel's voice had a cross tone to it. "No. Absolutely not."
"Look, Gabriel, I know you don't want kids but she won't change it to anything else. This is our only option."
"You're her Mother for Merlin's sake," said Fudge going to his desk. "Make her do it."
I glared at him harshly. "It is her name, Minister, I will not make her change it if she does not want to." Fudge rolled his eyes at me and shook his head.
"Cadence," Gabriel sighed as I looked at him with desperate eyes. I went to him, standing in front of him.
"I'm begging you," I whispered to him. He shook his head and looked at the ground.
"When Sirius finds out—"
"Stop letting what will happen when Sirius finds out govern what I do as a parent!"
"You're making me her parent!" Gabriel snapped moving away from me.
"You're act as if you haven't been a Father to her for her entire life," I snapped. "Dammit, you do it just when it's fun! You're not willing to take the hit when it's hard!"
"I'm not just the one taking the hit!" he shouted at me. "If Sirius finds out he'll murder you!"
"I can take care of myself, right now we need to think about what is best for Carrigan," I said grabbing onto Gabriel's collar. "You've acted like her Father all her life, don't back out now."
Gabriel grew silent and looked at the other three men in the room. I had completely forgotten that they were there. I didn't care that they were either. I was going to shout and argue with Gabriel about Carrigan's safety all I wanted. No one was going to stop me from protecting my daughter and if changing her name to Carrigan Quintin was what would keep her safe, then fine. I'd do it. I didn't know what would happen when Sirius found out, I'm pretty sure it'd be pretty bad—but that didn't matter. I'd deal with that when it happened. This was about Carrigan, not me, Sirius, or Gabriel. Just Carrigan and what was best for her.
I looked up at Gabriel with sad desperate eyes as he reached up and took my hand, squeezing it tightly. I was going to keep staring at him until he said yes. I was going to beg him with my eyes until he gave him. I just prayed that he would. Gabriel was a strong, stubborn and independent man. If he changed his mind, which he probably wouldn't, and let Carrigan take his last name it meant that he would take fully responsibility for her as her Father.
"What will it do to Carrigan?" he whispered. "How will it change her?"
"She already considered you her Father, no matter what we tell her," I replied. "And let's be honest, it's not like she's going to form a father-daughter relationship with Sirius. Is it so bad for her to have a Father?"
Gabriel frowned deeply and turned away, rubbing his hands through his hair.
"You don't have to make a decision now," said Dumbledore interjecting into the conversation. His comment broke the standing tension that was forming between everyone in the room.
"We need to know by the end of the week though," Scrimgeour said. "We'll have to change documents and public records."
I looked at them and nodded. "Thank you. If you all will excuse me, I'm going home."
Gabriel grabbed me as I headed for the door and looked down at me with calm sad eyes. I could see in the depths of their dark chocolate brown color that he wanted to say yes to me. He wanted Carrigan to be his daughter; but at the same time he was scared of what it would do to our relationship; and what it could do to me in the long run. I sighed and squeezed his hand.
"I'll take you," he whispered. He wrapped his arms around me and we Apparated before I could object. We appeared in the kitchen of his apartment. I looked up at him with confused eyes. "You don't make things easy, do you?"
"Well I don't try to be difficult, Gabriel," I said putting my hands on my hips. "But when it comes to my daughter I'm going to do everything and anything to keep her safe. You know that."
He leaned against the counter and shook his head, sighing deeply. "It's just all one big struggle."
"Excuse me?"
"Life," he said standing up straight. "Loving you…it's just an endless struggle."
I frowned and looked at the ground feeling guilty suddenly. "Well don't do it for me, do it for her."
Gabriel shook his head. "I'm doing it for both of you."
"Gabriel," I said reaching out to him. "I'm sorry…I don't want you to not be happy about this…I just…I need to protect Carrigan and this is the only way…"
"Stop," he said shaking his head.
"Well it is the only way!" I said annoyed that he was telling me to stop.
Gabriel hit the counter with his balled fist out of frustration and grabbed me, pulling me against him in a tight heavy embrace. He held my face and neck as he kissed me passionately, causing me to forget all of my words. His breath and hands were hot on my skin as we continued to kiss in his kitchen. His touch sent lightening through my body, making it tickle and tingle. I couldn't help but wrap my arms around him and moan into his mouth. He pulled away very slowly, keeping his hands on my cheeks and looking at me with desperate loving eyes. My chest heaved up and down as I caught my breath.
"Will you stop now?" he asked as his thumbs stroked my cheek bones.
"For now," I whispered with a nod.
He smiled with approval then leaned down and kissed me tenderly again.