The rest of the week passed quickly. Sarah received a note from the Cormack's stating that they'd be happy to care for little Jacob and would be by early next week to formally adopt him. With a home found for the human baby, Sarah instructed the nursery goblins to continue their care of him until then.

Sarah attended more meetings and discussed how the harvest was going before winter months hit. She received reports from Nobbs about Wizarding fashion, and met with him to approve designs for her trip. She took Arwen Above to meet Toby, Karen, and Robert. They made arrangements for Arwen to stay with them until the spay surgery and any follow-ups were completed. She filled her parents in on things in the Underground, for they knew very well who she was, and a little of what her daily life entailed.

Occasionally, when there was a particularly interesting and 'family friendly' festival going on, Jareth would arrange for Sarah's family to attend, making sure that Toby had a pair of goblins assigned to watch over him. During those visits, they were exposed to some of the more commonplace elements of the Goblin Kingdom and its residents. Therefore, they could generally follow what Sarah was talking about whenever she visited.

"Here, Squirt." Sarah conjured a crystal and handed it to Toby, who gawked at it, wide-eyed. "Turn it," she instructed. He did so, and The Bangles's "Walk like an Egyptian" issued from it. Sarah sucked in a breath, waiting for the vocals; would they be clear? She smiled, pleased with herself, since they were only slightly muffled. "Maybe it's being here that makes it easier," she said to herself.

"Makes what easier?" Karen asked, walking into the room with two cups of coffee. She smiled as Toby pranced around the living room, doing his best Egyptian walk.

"The music." Sarah gestured at the crystal that was slowly following Toby around. "I can't get the words to come out clearly in the Underground. And I miss Aboveground music."

Karen sat, drinking from her cup. "From what I remember, fairy music is enchanting."

"Yes, but it's not the same," Sarah huffed.

"It's never going to be," Karen stated.

Too soon, Sarah had to head back home. She petted Arwen good-bye and gave her family hugs with the promise to see them again soon.

She gave a weary sigh as she stepped through the portal into her and Jareth's bedchamber. Portals made traveling much, much easier than poofing about like Jareth did, but they still tired her out.

'Oh, I almost forgot.' She scurried over to the small writing table near the fireplace. Taking out a piece of parchment, she drafted a letter to Jareth, upon which she updated him on how things were going, wrote a hello from his mother, and…

She hesitated. She had originally intended to request a portal to Diagon Alley, but given what she now knew, part of her wanted to cancel. To write Severus and very plainly tell him to fuck off. No other explanation was needed in her mind. He knew very well what he had done.

The other part of her was extremely curious. Closing her eyes, she remembered how he tasted and the dark and powerful aura that radiated from him. How she was irrevocably drawn to him. She knew now how dangerous he could be, but, her mind reminded her, how gentle, too. Maybe if she was on her guard and kept note of his tone, making sure not to allow him to draw her into a relaxed state in order to plumb her mind…

Decision made, Sarah opened her eyes and continued to write. She sealed the letter, addressed it, and watched it disappear.

A few minutes later, a letter appeared in its place, but it wasn't from Jareth. She cringed a little at the now familiar spidery handwriting that was Severus's. Sighing, she opened the letter and read:

Sarah,

Unfortunately, since Hogwarts is about to start a new term come September 1st, you are unable to stay there. So, I've set up accommodations for you at a nearby hotel, Rosenthal Hall, which is on the south end of Hogsmeade. From there, it's either a 20 minute walk or a short carriage ride to the castle- whichever you prefer. I do hope you choose the former, as it would allow me the opportunity to give you a personalized tour.

Have you arranged your passage from The Goblin Kingdom to England? I'm sure I can assist with that if needed. I shall be waiting for you at the entrance of The Leaky Cauldron at 3 pm on the 23rd.

Yours,

SS

Sarah groaned at the 'personalized tour' part. "Personalized right into a dark alcove," she muttered to herself. She was just about to pen her response when a second letter appeared in the same spot where Severus's had. It was from Jareth. She tore into it. He updated her briefly on how the negotiations were coming along and how pleased he was to hear that the kingdom was running smoothly with her as its ruler.

On the back of the letter was a very detailed spell, one that would conjure a portal to transport her to England. She reached up to finger the pendant he had left her, feeling self-conscious and wishing he were there to guide her. As if he was able to read her uneasiness, Jareth included in bold print at the bottom: I know you can handle the spell. You're much more adept at magic than you realize. Much Love, Jareth.

She smiled at his words of encouragement and reread the spell, breaking down each part. 'Yes,' she thought. 'Yes, I can handle anything.'

The 23rd of August came much quicker than Sarah thought it would. Ruling a kingdom really did keep one busy. She had a better appreciation and understanding for Jareth's work. Until now, her exposure to it had been rather limited. Now, she fully realized the breadth of it.

Sarah paced across Jareth's study. In a case behind his desk, Jareth kept a collection of small clocks. There were thirty or so in total, and each one had its destination displayed below it. Jareth had explained to her that, even though he could reorder time, it was helpful to know exactly what time of day it was whenever he was Called to collect a child.

Peering at one of the clocks, she could see that it was just before 2:30 in England and only a few minutes to 9:30 here, in the Underground. She would have to leave soon. Everything was ready for Jareth to come back this afternoon, so at least that was taken care of.

She stopped pacing. "Nobbs," she called out.

In a flash the little goblin appeared, bowing deeply to her. "Your Majesty."

"Are my things packed for my trip?" She asked.

"Yes." He snapped his fingers and a miniature trunk appeared next to him. He handed it to her.

"Thank you," Sarah replied, tucking the trunk in her skirt pocket. "His Majesty should be back in the early afternoon." She paused and thought. "Smeric," she called out and just as quickly, a second goblin appeared. His skin was a garish purple with neon yellow tufts of fur on his elbows and knees. He was the chef for the castle. He, too, bowed, and addressed her formally.

She nodded at him and he rose. "Smeric, I want a luncheon ready and waiting for when His Majesty comes home." She pursed her lips. "I'm sure he'll want to go over my notes for the week, so make sure he gets those as well."

"Of course, anything particular?"

"Something light," she said, knowing that he'd barely pay attention to anything in front of him beyond notes and reports on the kingdom.

Smeric bowed and popped out of the room with Nobbs following suit after Sarah dismissed him.

She smoothed her gown and picked up Jareth's letter, rereading his instructions. She had poured over them ever since she'd received them a few days ago, putting her own notes and reminders in the margins of the paper. Without invoking any magic, she had practiced and practiced the words and gestures until they were second nature to her.

Sarah closed her eyes, took a deep breath and concentrated.

She opened her eyes and saw the glowing portal in front of her. Hers wasn't as perfectly oval shaped as Jareth's were, but it looked like the spell was working. She could see, beyond the glow, an unoccupied alleyway. She waved her hand in front of it and the image moved inside, scanning the area. There, printed on the brick wall in faded paint were the words 'The Leaky Cauldron', an old advertisement of sorts. Well, at least she knew she had the right location.

Sarah patted her pocket, making sure her trunk was secure, and scooped her cloak up from where it was thrown across Jareth's chair. She stood in front of the portal and, taking a deep breath, stepped through.

AN: I do not own any of these characters- they are the property of their respective owners.

AN2: If anybody is wondering thoughts are in italics with single quotations surrounding them. Flashbacks are fully in italics (and hopefully book ended with page breaks).

Betaed by AnonyMissJ. I wouldn't be able to do this without you.