"Cadence?"

The voice that was calling my name seemed foggy, as if it was calling for me from a long distance. Darkness faded and my blurry vision cleared as I opened my eyes to the wall of the library in Number Twelve. I frowned slightly as I stared at the dusty books decorating the shelves against the wall. The voice said my name again, making me sit up in my chair. I threw my messy chestnut brown curls over my shoulder as I turned to look at Benjamin Snow, looking at me with a concerned expression on his hard stone face.

"Yes?" I said standing up and adjusting my shirt that was askew from the bent over position I had been sleeping in as I laid my head on the library desk.

"You haven't been sleeping well, have you?"

Benjamin was a very perceptive young man. I suppose it was a trait of any Guardian. I forced a smile at him as he folded his hands behind his back and studied me with piercing ice blue eyes. He was wearing blue jeans and a black pull-over sweater. His feet were bare, which surprised me because Number Twelve was a drafty old house with wooden floors. The floor was always cold, even in the summer, and not a single rug could be found in the place.

"What?" I stammered puzzled. But it was too late. I had waited too long to reply to his question and Benjamin, much like Gabriel, could see right through me. Either I was not good at hiding my feelings and thoughts or Guardians were more skilled with reading people then I ever realized. "What makes you say that?"

"You were asleep with your head on the desk," Benjamin said motioning to the desk that stood behind me. I crossed my arms over my chest and rubbed my arms in a self-comforting manner.

"I'm fine."

"You're still worried about Gabriel."

"Not exactly," I replied. "Was something wrong?"

Benjamin nodded his head, taking my obvious hint to leave the subject of my insomnia alone and tell me why he had come to the library.

"Dumbledore is here," Benjamin motioned to the door behind him. "The meeting is about to start, but he would like to speak to us and Carrigan first."

I raised my eyebrows surprised. "Do you know what about?"

Benjamin frowned. "I have an idea." His tone was sore with displeasure. He turned on his heel and walked from the library without another word. I rolled my eyes and followed after him, wondering what Dumbledore could want to speak to us about that would also put Benjamin in a foul mood.

When I arrived downstairs on the main floor behind Benjamin, I was surprised to see Albus Dumbledore and Sirius standing in the sitting room off the foyer with Carrigan sitting on the couch waiting for us. I thought Dumbledore would be waiting in the basement-kitchen as the meeting of the Order of the Phoenix was about to start.

"Hello Cadence," Dumbledore gave me a charming smile on his aged face. He looked a great deal like Father Christmas; dressed in rich red robes with gold trim and detailing on the neckline. His white beard and long hair hung down over his chest, and blue eyes twinkled with sullen happiness as he peered at me over his half-moon spectacles.

"Good evening, Headmaster," I said as he took my hand and kissed my cheek. His beard and mustache tickled my flesh, while his lips were thin and dry.

"You look well," he beamed before motioning for Benjamin and I to sit down. I took a seat next to Carrigan, who gave me a smile. Her smile fell when she met my green gaze.

"What's the matter?" she asked. Benjamin and Dumbledore were exchanging pleasantries as Carrigan questioned me.

"Nothing."

"You look like you just woke up."

I gave her a guilty frown. "I fell asleep on the desk in the library."

"What were you doing in there?" Carrigan looked puzzled. I raised my eyebrows at her.

"What is with the inquisition?" I whispered. "Am I not allowed to read all of a sudden?"

"You only sit in the library when you're worried and you hope that research will find an answer to calm your worry," Carrigan snipped quickly. "And you get insomnia when you worry so it makes sense that you'd be so tired you'd pass out on the desk while reading."

I grunted and folded my arms over my chest. Carrigan smirked because she knew she had me pinned. "But, the question remains what are you so worried about that you want to research it?"

"Why did you want to speak to us, Headmaster?" I said sitting forward and ignoring Carrigan's question.

"I wanted to inquire about Carrigan's powers and how her training is coming," Dumbledore said calmly as he looked at me sitting across from him on the couch. Benjamin had taken refuge on the arm of the couch next to Carrigan's elbow, while Dumbledore had sat in an over-stuffed armchair. Sirius was standing by the window of the sitting room, staring out at the empty square that was dark and gloomy looking. "As the school year approaches, I want to make sure that she has everything under control and if more training is required that we make proper arrangements for such things."

"I'm doing fine," Carrigan said instantly. Dumbledore had barely finished speaking when her voice addressed his concerns.

"She is," Benjamin agreed. "But she needs to do better then fine."

Carrigan gave Benjamin a dirty look as she sighed with annoyance. He didn't look at her, knowing full well the glare that she was sending him. He kept his eyes forward on Dumbledore.

"There is a great deal going on right now," I said easily. "I can speak from experience that it makes focusing difficult."

"I think if Carrigan returns to Hogwarts in September she will continue to regress," Benjamin spoke quickly with a stern tone. "The point of her training is to focus, no matter the conditions of her life around her. Returning to Hogwarts would cause more difficulties."

Dumbledore seemed surprised by this statement. He sat back in his chair with high bushy eyebrows while he studied Benjamin. "What would you suggest?"

Carrigan jumped out of her seat. "I will not have you two discuss how to address my regressions while I sit right here! I am capable of making my own decisions—and I am going back to Hogwarts!"

The last comment was directed straight at Benjamin. He looked up at Carrigan, who only stood a head taller then him as he sat on the arm of the couch, with sad blue eyes.

"It is simply my opinion," he whispered.

"Well, Benjamin, sometimes your opinion doesn't matter," she hissed.

"Carrigan," Sirius said stepping forward from the window. His tone was firm but not harsh or condescending. "Benjamin's intentions are pure, please do not chastise him for making a suggestion that may be in your best interest."

Carrigan and I both stared at Sirius with great shock. He looked well today—like he hadn't been staring into an empty bottle of liquor—and was wearing dark brown slacks and a stone grey button-up with a heavy forest green waist coat over top. The earth-tones of his clothing made the dark-midnight blue of his eyes seem deeper and darker. His appearance and tone were what surprised me. He was controlled today; good and content. Because of that I knew he would be rational and understanding during the conversation, but it still startled me to see him in such a flattering light considering I had known him to be a drunk the last few weeks.

I took Carrigan's hand, "Sit down," I whispered. "Please."

She sighed and returned to her seat on the couch next to me. Her hand remained tightly in mine, on my lap as she apologized to Dumbledore and Benjamin. Dumbledore bowed his head before returning his blue stare to Benjamin.

"What would you suggest?"

"I think that Carrigan should stay here so that she and I can work harder and more diligently on her training," Benjamin said as he looked to her. Carrigan did not look at him. I knew they had this discussion before and Carrigan was adamant about returning to Hogwarts. "At the end of last school year she was stronger then she is now. Over the last few months, because of the return of Voldemort and the anxieties associated with it, she has regressed. I believe that returning to Hogwarts will just add more stress to what she is already carrying around with her. Between her friends' lives and class work, I just think it will be better for her well being and focus to remain here."

Carrigan looked up abruptly. "What if Benjamin comes to Hogwarts with me?"

Silence fell in the room as all eyes turned to Carrigan. Dumbledore seemed surprised, but pleased with another suggestion. He wanted Carrigan to return to Hogwarts; keeping her away seemed like a radical solution to the problem of her training. I looked over Carrigan's head to Benjamin's face and saw that this is what he was referring too. He was afraid of going to Hogwarts because he did not want to. I wondered if his suggestion for Carrigan to remain at home instead of returning to school was more about him then her.

"Why do you two have to be together?" Sirius asked gently. "Cadence and Gabriel were not together through her training."

"My training was never completed," I responded casually. "That could be one of the reasons why."

"I forgot how many 'ifs' are involved with Guardians." Sirius turned away and looked out the window again. He crossed his arms tightly over his chest. I couldn't help but study him, wondering if his comment was another blow to the relationship I had built with Gabriel.

"Ben," Carrigan turned in her seat to look up at him. "I know that it's not your ideal situation, but you're seventeen, you could be a seventh year. We can practice whenever you want and you'll be there to keep an eye on me. Then we both get what we want. I get to go back to school and you get to be breathing down my neck all the time about my training."

"I don't want you to stay here so I can monitor your training," he said softly. "I think that being at school provides too many distractions."

"Being here provides too many distractions," Carrigan said sadly. "I hate the fact that I'm worse off. And I know I am. I'm just having a rough patch. Everyone has rough patches and I will come out of it. But staying here, seeing everything that is happening here, it's not helping. I need to get away from this reality. I need to go back to school where I can be a kid again. When I am supposed to be a kid I am more of an adult…trust me, being at Hogwarts will help me focus more, not less."

Benjamin stared at Carrigan for a long time. I watched him as he looked at her. I wondered if they were having a silent conversation with Legilimency, much like Gabriel and I often did.

"Alright," he whispered. He stroked her brown curls behind her ear and nodded his head. "If you think it's best for you then who am I to question it?" He looked up at Dumbledore. "Is this a possibility, Sir?"

"Of course it is," Dumbledore said with a smile. "I will make sure that a letter is sent to you concerning your required school supplies."

"When will he be sorted?" I asked.

"When he arrives at Hogwarts," Dumbledore replied. "Come straight to my office. I'll have you sorted before the Sorting Hat is taken down to the feast."

Benjamin nodded his head. He still did not look happy, though. He looked down at Carrigan who was smiling happily as she sat back on the couch. Benjamin's eyes seemed to light up when he looked at her. Was it because she was smiling? Seeing her happy made him happy?

"If that is all," Sirius said as he pushed his hands into his pockets. "Perhaps we should get the meeting started downstairs."

"Yes, of course," Dumbledore said cheerfully as he stood up. "Thank you Carrigan, Benjamin and Cadence."

"Thank you Professor," Carrigan said as we all stood.

"Carrigan," Benjamin said her name lightly. She looked up at him and when their eyes met her face fell slightly. Her posture slumped and she frowned. "We need to work on Occlumency before you go to bed."

I rubbed Carrigan's shoulders and kissed the back of her head to encourage her.

"Fine," she whispered. "Let's go to the library."

Benjamin gave her a weak smile and motioned for her to exit the room in front of him.

"Good night everyone," she said politely.

Sirius called her over with a smile. She returned the expression and embraced him. My heart lifted as I watched them. It seemed that Sirius had repaired his relationship with Carrigan after their fight when she ran away. He kissed her forehead before lifting her chin to look in her eyes.

"I know it seems futile, but your training is important," Sirius whispered. "Even if we both don't like it."

Carrigan beamed at him. "I love you," she said embracing him again.

"I love you too pumpkin," he said softly. "Good night."

She pulled out of his arms. "Good night," she said again to everyone before turning and leaving the room. Benjamin followed quietly, bidding us all good night. Without another word, Sirius moved through the sitting room and foyer to the staircase that led to the basement. Dumbledore and I followed.

The basement kitchen was full of chatting people and strong smells of wine, stew and fresh hot bread. Molly Weasley had out-done herself by cooking dinner for the Order to enjoy as the meeting took place. There were at least a dozen people crowded around the dinning room table, with extra chairs that had been magically conjured to make room for them. There were the people I knew: Molly and Arthur Weasley, Remus, Mad-Eye Moody, Mundungus Fletcher, Kingsley Shacklebolt (a high ranking Auror in the department), Tonks (a young Aurora who was Sirius' cousin), Professor Minerva McGonagall, Professor Severus Snape (who was playing spy to my understanding) and of course Sirius. And people I didn't know: a middle aged man with graying hair and dark beard wearing a green cloak and dirty hat, an old woman with long white curly hair wearing a brown dress and black cloak, and two younger men who I recognized but could not place. The young men were ruggedly handsome, one with blond hair and facial stubble, the other with black hair and dark eyes. I studied them for a long moment as I took a seat next to Sirius. Perhaps they were other Aurors in the department that I had seen at the office but never worked with.

I glanced at Sirius next to me as Dumbledore called the meeting to order. All side discussions stopped, leaving a calm quiet in the kitchen. Arthur stood up from his chair as Dumbledore greeted everyone and kindly shut the door that closed off the stairwell leading to the foyer of the house. I knew he was closing the door to prevent the children from ease-dropping on the conversations that were about to take place.

Years ago, when the first Order of the Phoenix formed it was composed of at least twice as many people that sat in the kitchen. My heart sunk at the thought of all the people who had lost their lives in the first war and how many would lose their lives now. I tapped my fingers uneasily against the table.

"This meeting is being called to address concerns of Harry Potter's safety especially given the new circumstances that he may be expelled," Dumbledore said formally. I blinked and turned to look down the table at him. He was the only person standing in the room now. "Severus has heard murmurs that Voldemort does not mean to harm Harry right now, rather he is keeping his sights set on the weapon deeply hidden in the Ministry."

"Are you sure that this weapon," said the young men I recognized with dark hair. "Is in the Department of Mysteries?"

"I am certain," Dumbledore said with no hesitation.

"What makes you so sure?"

Dumbledore smiled at the young man. "Information was provided by an insider who could not be here tonight, Thrett."

I studied the dark haired man who had questioned Dumbledore. He was only a few years older then me, and his companion looked to be the same age. His face was long with tight skin pulled over his high cheek bones. His eyes were deep brown to match his dark hair and skin tone. His eyes seemed untrustworthy too me. Perhaps they reminded me of too many men that had hurt and betrayed me in my past, but they were dark, shadowy and shifty.

I did not like how he asked questions about the weapon we were determined to protect from my Father. It was possible I was being paranoid about this unfamiliar man. As if he knew I was studying him, he turned a glance at me before questioning Dumbledore further. I stared directly at Thrett, letting him know I was not intimidated by him in the least bit. He gave me an honest smile before looking back in Dumbledore's direction.

"What is so great about this weapon that it is more important then killing Potter?"

"I believe that Voldemort thinks this weapon will give him the upper hand in this war," Dumbledore replied to Thrett's question. "This weapon will help him destroy Harry and our entire world as we know it."

The room grew awkwardly silent for a few moments, before Dumbledore turned to Severus Snape.

"Severus, if you'll please," he gestured for Snape to stand. I felt Sirius shift in his seat as Snape stood up from his chair, looking dark and menacing as ever. He was a tall, thin man with pale-waxy looking flesh and long black greasy hair. He looked the same as he did when we were in school, except with added aged lines to his pale flesh.

"The Dark Lord has not revealed any intentions of harming Potter to me," he said softly. "He is wise to assume that the boy has been well protected since his return in June."

I grunted uneasily. 'Well protected' meant leaving Mundungus Fletcher outside the Muggle home that Harry stayed in. Frankly, that wasn't very good protection.

"The Dark Lord is more interested in two things," Severus continued. "The weapon hidden in the Ministry and his grand-daughter."

The room grew awkwardly silent as Severus turned his dark eyes to Sirius and I sitting at the opposite end of the table. I sat up straight in my chair as every head in the room followed Severus' stare to me and my ex. Sirius grumbled and rubbed his face.

"You're sure he means Carrigan?" I asked uneasily.

"Divinity is already in his power," Severus shrugged. I wished suddenly that Gabriel was present. It occurred to me that no one else besides me, Gabriel and Dumbledore may know that Haiden was beginning to over-power Divinity's personality. It was also possible that no one else but the three of us truly understood how complicated Divinity's existence was. "Who else could he be referring to?"

"Well, I don't know how many bastard children my father has," I said with a bit of bite in my tone. "But I see no harm in being clear about my father's intentions. Why does he want my daughter?"

"He has not given me the privilege of knowing his desires. Perhaps he just wants to keep an eye on his family," Severus responded. I frowned deeply as I sat back in my chair and looked at Sirius. He looked red with rage.

"She is safe," Sirius said. "Here with the Order. And when she goes to school she will be just as protected."

"How can you be so sure?" Molly Weasley asked with a soft voice.

"Between the members of the Order that will be present and Benjamin going with her to keep up her training, she will be safe."

"And she can take care of herself," I responded giving Sirius a quick glance. He took my hand and squeezed it to comfort me. I was not surprised by Severus' report. But to hear all of my fears justified—to know that Voldemort was after my daughter—it made my skin crawl with fear and discomfort.

"Yes, I am confident that Carrigan will be safe at Hogwarts," Dumbledore agreed. "And if Harry does not get expelled, he will be safe too. I called this meeting so that all parties could be advised that Harry will be moved to Headquarters next week. A guard of seven or eight people will go to retrieve him. I will ask you to volunteer because despite Severus' report, we can never assume that Harry is safe. It could be very dangerous. Alastor will head the guard, if you are interested in volunteering to retrieve Harry, please see him. I must be off. Good evening to everyone, and thank you all for being here."

Dumbledore left the kitchen without another word. As soon as he left, conversation picked up between members of the Order. Drinks were passed and food was served again. I calmly remained in my chair, my hands balled tightly on the arms of the chair, gripping it so tight they were turning white.

"Cadence," Sirius called me back to reality. I looked over to his dark-midnight stare and the tension in my body relaxed. "It will be fine."

"Oh, I know," I forced. Before I could say another word, Alastor Moody arrived at my side.

"Coleman, I trust you'll want to be on the guard that brings Potter here," he stated.

"Yes," I nodded. "Of course."

"Alright," was all he said and moved away. I frowned with mild confusion, but shrugged off his peculiar demeanor and turned to face Sirius again.

"I'm just worried about everything," I said blankly. "It seems odd that my father would be so fixated on this weapon at the Ministry. What could possibly be in the Department of Mysteries that he didn't have last time?"

"Anything in that department could make him stronger," said a deep voice next to us. Sirius and I both turned to see Thrett, the dark-haired young man who had sat across the table from us. He held out his hand to me as he gave me a wickedly charming smile.

"Henry Thrett," he said. I took his hand and shook it lightly.

"Cadence Coleman."

"I know who you are Cadence—"

"Most people do, and Coleman will do," I said as I looked up at him. "Is there something I can help you with Mr. Thrett?"

"I work in the Department of Mysteries," his tone of voice changed in response to my defensive demeanor. It was more harsh and frank. "I want to be sure that whatever your father is after is in fact in the department, because if it is we had better make sure he doesn't get it."

"What do you think could be in there that he wants?" Sirius asked.

"Many things," Thrett replied more amiably. "But, I am not permitted to speak about what we do there or what is in there."

"Then why are you here?" I hissed with annoyance. There was something about this man that I did not like and I truly wanted him to leave my side before I pounced all over him.

"Because, if whatever your Father is looking for is, in fact, in my department, I may be willing to break some rules to make sure he doesn't get his hands on it," Thrett replied as he looked straight into my eyes. "Voldemort is the reason my children don't have a mother and I will do anything in my power to stop him and his disgusting cause."

"I'm happy to know where your allegiances lie," Sirius politely. Thrett bowed his head before standing up straight to bid us good bye.

"I'm sure we'll be seeing more of each other," he said bowing his head to me. Before I could make a retort, he turned and exited the kitchen with the young blonde haired man. I frowned slightly and looked back at Sirius, who was smirking.

"What?" I questioned.

"You really have a frosty demeanor that somehow attracts men," he said.

"Excuse me?"

"Oh please," Sirius laughed lightly. "You had to notice how he was coming onto you! He didn't take his eyes off of you even when you insulted him."

I rolled my eyes, which caused Sirius to laugh louder. Remus sat down next to me, looking cheerful. I did a double take at him once he was sitting because he was smiling ear to ear.

"What is so funny?" he asked.

"Can we stay focused?" I said turning back to Sirius who was smiling just as much as Remus. "I'm very worried about what my father is up to."

"We all are," Remus said. "But I don't think that is why Sirius was laughing…"

"Thrett was coming onto Cadence," Sirius shrugged. Remus winked at me which caused me to role my eyes again and cross my arms tightly over my chest.

"It doesn't matter," I hissed with frustration. "Why are you so smiley Moony?"

Remus quickly looked away to hide his smile. I followed his gaze and saw it fall on Tonks, the pretty young Auror with a heart shaped face and pink hair. Remus looked back at me with a forced frown.

"I'm not smiley," he insisted. Sirius laughed and shook his head.

"You're a terrible liar."

"Oh, you like her," I whispered with a girlish giggle. I patted his shoulder. "Good for you, Remus."

Remus shook my hand off of him and batted it away. "For Merlin's sake we're adults—well I'm an adult. I'm pretty sure you two still haven't grown up."

This caused Sirius and I to both laugh.

"Relax, Moony," Sirius said as he stood up. I hadn't noticed, but most of the people had left kitchen. "We're just giving you a hard time. It's good that you may have found someone."

"Who's found someone?" Carrigan's young voice questioned approaching us.

"What are you doing down here?" Remus questioned quickly as he looked over at her. Carrigan paused a few feet from our chairs. She looked around the kitchen, only the Weasley's, Tonks, Remus, Sirius and I remained in the seats around the table.

"I thought the meeting was done," she said slowly as she looked at Remus. He frowned.

"Sorry for snapping," he responded. "Your parents are getting under my skin."

He stood up and moved away from the table, leaving the chair open for Carrigan to sit on. She slipped into it quickly, watching Remus with curious eyes as he wondered off to the opposite end of the table where Tonks was sitting. He sat down next to her and joined into the conversation she and Molly were having.

"He shouldn't worry so much," Carrigan said softly as she watched him smile at Tonks. "She likes him too."

"Carrigan," I said with surprise.

She frowned as she looked at me. "I'm sorry," she sighed. "I can just hear his thoughts."

"Still haven't figured out how to control that?" Sirius asked sympathetically as he studied his daughter.

"No, I have," she gave him a smile. "I was trying to find out what your meeting was about."

"Carrigan," I sighed as I leaned back in my chair. I rubbed my fingertips against my temple as I felt a headache coming on.

"I'm kidding," she insisted. "I actually came down here to ask you if Benjamin and I can go for a jog and—"

"It's ten o'clock at night," Sirius said uneasily as he looked at the clock that hung on the back wall of the kitchen leading to the pantry.

"We haven't gone yet today." There was a begging tone to Carrigan's voice, which I found unusual. I studied her, wondering what was on her mind that she wanted to get out of the house so bad.

"I just worry about you running that late."

"Dad, Benjamin will be with me," she continued. "I promise we'll be fine."

"You don't know that," he shook his head before looking her straight in the eye. "Carrigan, our meeting was about protecting you and Harry. Voldemort is after you. It is not safe for you to be jogging through the streets of London in the dead of night with a seventeen year old boy for safety."

Carrigan frowned deeply while tucking her hair behind her ears. I knew what she was about to do. She was going to ask me for permission. She was going to see if there was any way to negotiate the situation. She hoped I would be a means of doing so. But for once, I had to agree with Sirius. Considering the meeting that just occurred and the blatant fact that Voldemort was after her, I had no choice but to agree with Sirius. Carrigan needed to be more careful and I had to start parenting her better.

I didn't give her a chance to speak. "I think it best you stay in tonight, Carrigan," I whispered. "I'd prefer for you to run in the day from now on with Gabriel or I as well as Benjamin."

"We don't know when Gabriel will be out of the hospital and you don't keep up with Benjamin and me—"

"Carrigan," I said her name quickly. "This discussion is over."

Her eyes widened with surprise and her mouth hung open slightly. She closed it quickly and nodded her head. "Fine," she said. I frowned deeply as she got up, her frustration clear all over her face and tension body. She didn't say another word before she left the kitchen, leaving me feeling heartless.

I didn't like what had just happened and I regretted it. I wished I could take the way I had spoken to her back. I had always promised myself I wouldn't be a harsh parent, but I was also starting to think that I was being to lenient with Carrigan's safety. Voldemort had returned. The world was no longer safe. It never would be as long as he was in it.