On the morning of September the first, I came downstairs to see all of Carrigan's things packed up and in the foyer of the house. I had bought her a new trunk before moving to England, it was red leather with gold snaps and locks. Before we had packed everything to move she had pasted pictures of handsome famous wizards on the inside of the trunk's lid. The trunk was closed, strapped shut now; so the beautiful faces of wizard rockers didn't grin out of the trunk. I frowned slightly; my heart wishes that she was a little anxious about leaving. As happy as I was that she was excited about school, I was a little hurt that she was so excited to leave quickly.

The motherly thoughts I was having came to a halt in my head when I heard the crashing of glass shattering against the kitchen floor. I turned away from Carrigan's things and made my way down the hall to see Hector, the griffin, standing on the kitchen floor surrounded by broken plates, looking rather guilty with his dark brown eyes. Carrigan was standing over him, hands on her hips, glaring down at the griffin cub. When I entered the room, Hector turned quickly to face me and backed up into Carrigan's feet, knowing very well that I was more frightening then Carrigan.

"What happened?" I asked crossing my arms over my chest as Carrigan grabbed Hector up into her arms. He looked up at her with nervous eyes, but fluttered his wings, then nuzzled his head against her neck.

"He was flying and pouncing around the counter," Carrigan shrugged. "He jumped on a stack of dishes I was cleaning, knocked them over."

"Is he alright?" I asked as I pulled out my wand and flicked it at the dishes.

"Yes," Carrigan replied. "Just a bit of a trouble maker."

"I so look forward to being alone with him," I joked.

"Mom, why can't he come with me?" she asked as I made the dishes repair themselves, I then returned them to their original stack on the counter next to the sink. I gave her a steady look. She was clinging to Hector like she was afraid of losing him, this made me frown.

"Because your letter says that cats, owls, and small pets are allowed."

"Hector his small…for now," Carrigan muttered the last words which made me smile.

"I'm sorry Carrigan, but you knew this was going to happen when you picked him out. I warned you ahead of time."

She sighed and let Hector out of her arms. He expanded his wings and flapped them powerfully as he sailed through the kitchen, just missing light fixtures. "I know," Carrigan said. "I was just hoping I could change your mind."

"It's not my mind you have to change," I said holding her shoulders. "I don't make those rules."

Carrigan nodded her head as there was a knock at the door. I looked at the clock on the wall, it was a little before ten. No doubt it was Gabriel at the door. He had insisted on coming to take Carrigan to the train station with me. I didn't mind so much; I knew he wanted to say good bye to her.

"Finish the dishes," I said to my daughter. "Then we have to get going."

She nodded her head and turned to the sink to wash the dishes that I had just repaired. I watched her for a few moments before I left the kitchen. She looked more grown up today then I had noticed before. Carrigan was mature for her age; she had always been that way, but perhaps I had raised her to be more mature. She had known from the start that she was Voldemort's Granddaughter and that she was in constant danger because of that. She was incredibly powerful, but I had no intention of holding her back; the nurturing of her powers and magical abilities perhaps made her more mature also. She had begged to train with me and Gabriel since she was seven, and when she was ten I allowed him to teach her some things. Was I taking away her childhood by having Gabriel teach her how to physically fight? Was I taking away her innocence?

"Mom, are you going to let Gabriel in?" Carrigan asked. I blinked and shook my head.

"Yes," I said with a smile.

"Are you okay?"

"Yea," I nodded. "I was just thinking."

Carrigan looked at me oddly but nodded her head as she dried the dishes. There was a loud knock from the front of the door, which made me sigh. Gabriel was so impatient. I walked to the front of the house, leaving Carrigan alone in the kitchen, and leaned against the door, holding the handle in my hand.

"Who is it?" I asked in a semi-sweet voice to tease Gabriel.

"You know damn well who it is," he responded aggressively.

"What did you tell me last week?"

"To be more careful."

I opened the door and smiled up at Gabriel. He was giving me a stern look, which made me smile more.

"Would it kill you to open the door?" he asked as he stepped into the foyer. "I was starting to get worried."

"Good morning, Gabriel," I said closing the door.

"I was going to break down the door," he said pushing his cloak back and putting his hands on his hips. I could see that he was wearing a holster around his hips which held a long knife against his side.

"Well I appreciate you not going crazy on my door," I said looking him up and down. Along with his holster I noticed his white button down long sleeve shirt and brown waist coat that he wore under his cloak. His shirt was stretched across his muscular chest, and tucked into his flattering perfect-fit blue jeans. If he caught me looking him over he'd never let it go, so I quickly put my eyes on his knife, and then looked up at him. "Was the knife really necessary?"

"You know the answer to that question," he said giving me an even sterner look then before, if that was possible. His eyes were midnight blue again today, which made my heart skip a beat. He saw the flutter in my eyes and it made him smile, relaxing his stern look.

"Alright," I sighed. "I have some paperwork for you up in the office."

He nodded. "Sure."

"Carrigan," I yelled down into the kitchen. She appeared at the end of the hall, standing in the kitchen holding Hector again.

"Hi Gabriel," she said smiling.

"Hey Carri," he said beaming. "I see Hector is still a handful."

"He's well behaved," Carrigan responded. "…usually."

"Ha," I said. "Right. Gabriel and I have to go upstairs to sign some papers. We'll leave as soon as we're done."

"Alright," Carrigan nodded. I gave her a smile and made my way up the stairs, Gabriel following me. I looked over my shoulder to catch him checking my ass out. He looked up at me with a smirk and smacked my thigh playfully. When we both reached the top of the stairs I gave him a nasty glare.

"That was uncalled for," I whispered.

"Lots of things are uncalled for, Cadence," he said with ease. He leaned over me trapping me against the wall and his large muscular body. "What are you going to do now that Carrigan is going to school? You'll be alone all the time in this big empty house."

"I imagine I'll spend more time at the office," I responded. "With you," I added as I looked up at him with a half smile.

He stood up straight with smiling eyes excepting my idea. "I'd rather spend more time here with you."

"Yea, that doesn't shock me," I said. "The office is my safe place…you can't touch me inappropriately there."

Gabriel laughed and nodded his head as he turned away heading for my office at the end of the hall. In the messy study I went to the desk and opened a blue file folder. Gabriel held out his hand and a quill appeared in it. He signed the papers in the folder quickly, and once he was done snapped his fingers making the quill disappear.

"Why couldn't we do that at the office?" he asked as I picked up the folder and made it disappear with a snap of my fingers.

"Because you're not supposed to be in tomorrow and these papers are due on the Minister's desk in the morning," I said. Gabriel nodded his head.

"How were you planning to travel today?" he asked as he leaned against the desk. He crossed his arms over his chest and looked me up and down. I let him, not glaring at him in return; after all I had looked him over when he arrived.

"I thought we'd Apparate into the city then walk the rest of the way," I shrugged. "Why do you think that's a bad idea?"

"No," he shook his head and stepped close to me. I gave him a dark glare and he smiled. "That's why I'm coming with you, right? In case there's a danger."

"There won't be," I said smartly. "Its broad day light, and Sirius would be stupid to try anything now."

"We've been attacked plenty of times in broad day light," he said wisely, standing close and looking down at me. I couldn't help but smile at his calm loving expression. "That one time, on your birthday when you had a miscarriage, that was broad day light."

I rolled my eyes. "Fine. But I'm sure it will be fine."

"Rather be safe then sorry," he whispered as he leaned in and kissed my forehead. I smiled at him and nodded. Glancing at the clock, I frowned. It was almost ten thirty now. It was time to send my baby off to school. "She'll be fine, Cadence." Gabriel said reading my mind.

"I know," I sighed turning and leaving the room. Gabriel followed me out and we made our way down to my foyer. Carrigan was standing, her backpack over her shoulder and trunk in hand, ready to go.

"Ready?" she asked excitedly.

"Yes," I said going to the closet and getting my coat. I glanced at Gabriel who walked by us and headed for the kitchen. He was gone for a few seconds, when he reappeared I gave him an odd look and he shrugged.

"Just checking that the door was locked," he said.

"I locked it," Carrigan said with some annoyance. "I'm not stupid."

"I didn't mean you were," Gabriel said hugging her with one arm and kissing her head. I smiled as I pulled my cloak on.

"Ready?" I asked.

Carrigan nodded.

"Where is Hector?" I questioned.

"He's not happy I'm leaving," Carrigan said. "He's hiding in his crate."

I nodded my head slowly as Carrigan looked away from me and bit her bottom lip. "Gabriel will you take her trunk?" I asked.

He sighed and nodded then picked up the trunk easily. I held onto Carrigan's hand tightly and then wrapped my arm around Gabriel's waist. We all closed our eyes and thought of a quiet corner street a few blocks away from King's Cross Station.

We appeared in a dark alley, down from the street, which was busy with crowded Muggles on their lunch break. I frowned slightly, so much for it being quiet. Gabriel seemed to be thinking the same thing as I looked up at him. He took Carrigan's trunk in one hand, holding it so the wheels on the bottom would roll nicely, and then took Carrigan's hand with his free hand. As we walked out of the alley I kept my hand in my pocket, clenching my wand just in case anything bad happened.

"Mom?" Carrigan called to me as we walked. I was trailing behind her and Gabriel, keeping a cautious eye on the many people surrounding us.

"Yes?" I said catching up to her.

"I was wondering," she whispered. "Is Harry in danger like me?"

I frowned for a moment. "Yes, there is some concern for his safety also."

"Because of Father?" she asked.

I nodded. "Yes, Carrigan. And your Grandfather."

Carrigan bit her bottom lip and nodded. "But he doesn't know—"

"No, and you should probably keep it that way," Gabriel said. "As long as you can."

Carrigan nodded her head again as she held onto the strap of her over-the-shoulder back pack. I noticed a glint of anxiety in her eyes. I touched her shoulder, squeezing it, to reassure her.

"You'll be fine Carrigan," I said confidently.

"Oh, I know," she said quickly.

I smiled at her and she returned the smile.

As we reached King's Cross Station my heart did not relax. This is where Gabriel had kidnapped me when I was fifteen—this is where our crazy roller coaster relationship had started; in the parking lot of King's Cross Station. Just because we were a step closer to the Hogwarts Express did not mean we were a step closer to safety. When Carrigan was on board the train and it was on its way to Hogsmeade then I would feel that she was safe. There was too much going on at the station for it to be considered a safe place.

"You two go first," Gabriel said nodding his head to the magical barrier between platforms nine and ten. I took Carrigan's hand and she looked up at me confused.

"Where are we going?"

"Platform 9 ¾ ," I said with a smile. Carrigan was still looking at me with a funny look, but I lead her towards the barrier with a brisk walk and she followed suit. She clung to me as I reached the brick wall, and I heard her gasp with fear, but then we walked straight through the wall. Carrigan's fear turned to excitement and surprise as her eyes fell on the beautiful scarlet steam engine, the Hogwarts Express. Her eyes danced around the beautiful platform as people moved about bidding good bye to their children and families.

"Come on," Gabriel said as the first whistle sounded. "We just made it."

I led Carrigan down the platform, where we spotted Molly Weasley waving her children onto the train.

"Arthur!" she yelled as she turned around. "Arthur! Harry needs to go!"

"He's coming Molly," Arthur Weasley yelled as he appeared with Harry running in front of him. Molly grabbed him before he made it to the train and embraced him tightly. She pulled out of the hug and waved to us as we approached.

"Cadence!" she said waving.

I stopped as Gabriel moved past me and loaded Carrigan's trunk onto the train. I pulled Carrigan into a tight hug, kissing her head.

"Remember to write me," I said. "If anything happens."

"Mom," Carrigan said rolling her eyes. "I can take care of myself—"

"Don't use your magic," I said quickly with a stern look. "Remember what we talked about."

"I know," Carrigan said with a nod. The whistle of the train blew again.

"Cadence," Gabriel yelled to me.

"I love you Carrigan," I said hugging her again.

"We're strong girls Mom," she said beaming.

"The strongest," I said pinching her cheek. "Alright, get going."

I let her out of my arms and she dashed off to Gabriel, hugging him tightly as the train started to move.

"Here," Harry said holding out his hand. Carrigan took it and he helped her up on the train as it slowly started to pull out of the station. Gabriel came to me and stood behind me, placing his hands on my shoulder.

"Bye Mom! Bye Gabriel!" Carrigan yelled as she waved from the door of the train. She had a glowing smile on her face, which made my heart fly. It was time for her to start her own magical adventures—I just prayed they'd be safer then mine ever were.

Harry's emerald green eyes caught mine for a moment. He stared at me as the train pulled out of the station, and I couldn't help but smile at him. He nodded his head once to me and then said something to Carrigan. They both turned and disappeared onto the train as it turned the corner.

Gabriel squeezed my shoulders and I looked up at him. He smiled down at me and leaned down, kissing my cheek. I couldn't help but smile. For once my stomach flipped and I thought we should just be together so we could kiss each other in public and no questions would be asked.

"How are you Cadence?" Molly asked me.

I stepped away from Gabriel and crossed my arms over my chest. "I'll be better when she actually reaches Hogwarts."

Molly smiled and nodded her head. "I was a disaster last year when we sent Ginny off for the first time. They grow up so fast."

"Yes," I nodded. "They do."

Molly, Arthur, Gabriel and I turned to make our way off the platform. Gabriel and Arthur were having a quick conversation about the Dementors that had been released from Azkaban to help in the search for Sirius Black, which according to the Ministry, had been going on for too long now. I personally, didn't think they would ever catch him. If he was able to escape Azkaban, which is supposed to be a fortress of such magnitude that it's inescapable, then I doubted he'd be found. It was easier to hide now that he had escaped.

When we reached the parking lot, Molly and Arthur bid us good bye.

"See you at work," Arthur said shaking mine and Gabriel's hand. "Be safe."

"You also," I said.

Gabriel waved as we walked away and the Weasleys Disapparated on the spot. We continued to walk through the busy streets in London, heading for the Ministry. We both were going to go straight to work.

"How risky do you think it is having the Dementors on the loose?" I asked.

"Depends how much control Fudge has over them."

I gave Gabriel a skeptical look as he smiled at me. "I know," he said as we passed a coffee cart on the corner of the street. "Hold on."

He stopped at the cart and bought two cups of coffee, handing one to me when he returned to my side. "Thank you," I murmured.

We continued to walk, and as I sipped my coffee Gabriel continued to talk about the Dementors.

"The concern I have is that they're putting Dementors at Hogwarts," he said.

I glanced up at him. "I hadn't heard that."

"I don't think it's a good idea," Gabriel shrugged. "Kids are full of a great amount of energy and happiness. The Dementors will be drawn to them."

I nodded my head in agreement. "Do you think Carrigan would be at risk?"

"No more then the other students," Gabriel said shaking his head. I frowned but nodded my head. Anxiety had risen in me since we left the station. Now the only thing I could think about is how I had sent my daughter away in a time that wasn't safe for her—I had sent her away with my name, which wasn't safe, and her Father's eyes, which would betray her secret to anyone who knew who Sirius Black was.

"Cadence," Gabriel called my name. I blinked and looked up at him. "Hey, you have to stop worrying."

"I'm not," I said quickly, giving myself away. Gabriel gave me an all knowing smile and I felt my stomach flip. No matter what I did I could never lie to Gabriel. He knew me too well. I rolled my eyes at him and glared. "I'm not going to stop worrying Gabriel, she's my baby girl."

"Yea," he nodded. "And she always will be—"

"And I will always worry—"

"But you can't worry so much that it gets to you," he said with a shrug. "She's going to make mistakes Cadence, she's going to get hurt, and she's going to learn and be happy. That's all you can ask of her."

"I hate you," I sighed as we arrived at the Ministry.

"I know," he smiled broadly. "I hate you too."

I gave him a nasty glare as he turned those words into something with a much deeper meaning then was intended. He substituted hate for love, which made my blood boil, but he was right. I would never admit it, or say it out loud, but I was madly in love with Gabriel Quintin…I was just too proud of a woman to admit it.

"Hey," Gabriel said catching my arm as I headed for the lifts at the end of the atrium. I looked up at him with curious eyes. "I'm off today."

"What?" I questioned. "Then why'd you walk all the way here—" I stopped and gave him a nasty glare.

"Just wanted to spend a little more time with you," he whispered kissing my cheek quickly. He was lucky he stole the kiss fast enough for no one to really notice; otherwise I would have punched him.

"As if we don't spend enough time together," I said.

"I'm off for two days," he shrugged. "That's a long time not to see me, Cadence."

"I'm crying on the inside," I retorted annoyed with him. He laughed at me and pinched my cheek.

"I'll see you in two days."

"Fine," I said turning on my heel. "Enjoy your time off."

Gabriel said nothing, only stood in the atrium for a few seconds watching me walk away. When I got into the lift I saw him smiling at me, then he turned and walked in the opposite direction. I let out a sigh of relief and bit my bottom lip, trying not to smile. I felt like a love sick school girl….and a foolish one at that.