I lost my balance when we arrived on the porch and fell back against the front door of Number Twelve. Carrigan fell against me, taking a sharp breath and grabbing her side. I stood up straight and helped her regain her balance.

"Are you alright?" I asked looking at him.

"I'm just feeling weak," she said as she leaned against me. I grabbed the knob of the door and twisted it, to my surprise it was locked. I sighed with annoyance and banged violently on the door. I didn't care if I woke every picture in the house, Carrigan needed to get inside. As I looked down at her, she leaned her head on my shoulder and shut her eyes while taking a slow, shallow breath. My heart rate increased at the thought of her being injured. When no one came to the door fast enough, I started to kick it with my foot; Carrigan slipped forward, requiring me to grab onto her with my other arm. I kicked the door more viciously while my daughter passed out in my arms.

"Oh, Carrigan," I muttered with worry as her body pressed into me. Despite being a thin teenage girl, Carrigan was deceivingly muscular and heavy. I groaned with discomfort as she pressed into my ribs, which I was sure were at least bruised if not broken.

Finally, Sirius opened the door, his wand drawn ready to strike. I was about to kick the door again when he pulled it open. His eyes grew wide as he took in the sight of me and Carrigan. I shoved the door open wider and dragged Carrigan's limp body into the foyer of Number Twelve.

"Cadence!" he looked down at Carrigan with horror. "What the hell happened?"

I laid Carrigan on the floor as quick feet could be heard moving in the upper floors of the house. No doubt, someone had been running through the halls stunning the screaming photographs, and now they were coming downstairs to see what the commotion was about.

I sat back on my butt next to Carrigan to catch my breath. Before I could say a word, Sirius was standing over me, with his wand pressed against my throat. His eyes darted back to Carrigan for a moment before he returned his midnight-blue stare to me.

"Where did we first kiss?" he asked.

"Common room at Hogwarts," I replied instantly. "In the dark. I put out the fire."

Sirius nodded as he pulled his wand away from my throat. His face relaxed and he knelt down next to me. "Are you alright?"

"Fine," I groaned with discomfort. I wrapped my arm around my waist to support my ribs. Sirius looked at me with concerned eyes. He reached forward and took my hand. "The baby?"

I frowned deeply at the comment. I decided to ignore it, and leaned forward over Carrigan.

"What's going on?" Molly's voice could be heard from the staircase. "Oh my!"

I looked up at her as she moved forward swiftly. She knelt down next to Carrigan and tilted her chin up, leaning over her. "She's just passed out. What the bloody hell happened?"

"Sirius, can you lift her? Move her upstairs to her room?" I questioned.

"Absolutely," he said. He stashed his wand into his pocket and stepped forward, cradling Carrigan's body in his arms before standing up straight. He moved towards the stairs as Molly helped me up, then we followed.

"We were attacked on the way back from St. Mungo's," I said as we moved up the stairs. "She used her energy to kill one of the attackers. It weakened her so much she passed out after I Apparated onto the porch."

"You never passed out from using your physical powers," Sirius said. Molly moved in front of him when we arrived on the second landing. She opened the girls' bedroom door and shooed Ginny and Hermione from sight. Both girls gasped at the sight of Carrigan.

"Is she okay?" Hermione asked.

"What happened?" Ginny demanded to know.

"It's fine girls," Molly said quickly. "Go help the boys in the sitting room. I will be down shortly. Carrigan will be fine."

She pushed both girls towards the stairs before turning to Sirius and I who were in the bedroom. Sirius carefully placed Carrigan on her bed. Once she was lying down he took a seat next to her and brushed her hair out of her face.

"You're sure it's just exhaustion?"

"Yes," I replied. "Until she wakes we won't know how injured she is…she didn't give her attacker much of a chance."

Sirius smirked as I stood next to him. His eyes did not leave Carrigan as he stroked her hair. Worry was spread across his entire face, breaking my heart.

"Do you need anything?" Molly asked with concern as she stuck her head into the door. "I'll put on a pot of tea."

"Can you ask Benjamin to come here?" I asked.

"Of course. Cadence, are you alright? You don't look well."

"I'm fine," I replied despite the pain spreading through my torso and the sharp pain that erupted in my side every time I took a breath. "Thank you, Molly."

"If you're sure," Molly muttered as she disappeared.

"Who was it that attacked you?" Sirius asked looking up at me.

"I don't know," I shook my head. "Death Eaters presumably. They weren't interested in taking Carrigan. They wanted to know what Mitchell Scott told me about Cepheus."

"What is Cepheus?"

"I have no idea," I frowned deeply. "But, whatever it was it got Mitchell killed and Gabriel blown up."

Sirius nodded his head and looked back to Carrigan. "She's breathing more regularly."

There was a gentle knock on the closed door. Before Sirius or I could grant entry, the door opened and Benjamin charged in with ridged concern in his ice blue eyes. "Mrs. Weasley said Carrigan had an accident?"

He approached the bed and stopped to stand next to Sirius. He sighed as he crossed his arms over his chest and studied Carrigan's mild expression.

"Actually, we were attacked," I said. "Carrigan used her powers to save us."

Benjamin turned his head directly to me, sending chills through my entire body with his icy intense stare. He stood up straighter with a frozen, muscular posture. "She was able to control it?"

"Yes," I replied. "But it has weakened her. She passed out on the porch after we Apparated."

Benjamin nodded. "She has not been fully exerting herself in training then. She is not prepared for how powerful she can be. I told you she did not comprehend her potential."

"Can we focus on the good?" Sirius questioned sharply. "Carrigan is safe and unharmed. She was able to protect you two when it mattered most. Let's not worry about what she has to keep working on."

"The point is, Sirius," Benjamin said quickly. "She needs to work on her ability to handle using her powers. She can't very well pass out in a fight every time she uses her powers."

"We can worry about that tomorrow," I said before Sirius could yell at Benjamin. "Later, Benjamin. Right now, I think we need to worry about the fact that who-ever killed Mitchell and set that bomb is still out there and he's looking for something."

"Cepheus," Sirius whispered with a nod. "Are you still going into work?"

My hand instinctively went to my aching side. "Yes," I said despite the pain. "I want to update Gabriel on what's happened and make sure that we are put on this case. Scrimgeour didn't want me on the bombing case, but I'm going to be on it now."

"I doubt he'll let you on it as you're a victim of it again," Sirius said softly. I gave him a harsh look, which caused him to shrug in response. "I will write to Dumbledore, see what he knows about Cepheus."

Sirius gave Carrigan's hand a squeeze before standing up and exiting the room. Benjamin glanced at me before taking a seat on the bed, as if he was looking for my permission to sit next to Carrigan. He didn't have to ask my permission of course, but his look surprised me. As he sat next to her, he stroked her hair and held her hand, much like Sirius had. I studied his expression as he looked down at her. I bit my bottom lip with some apprehension. Despite what Benjamin had told me weeks ago, I could see that he cared deeply for Carrigan. I patted his shoulders to comfort him before I made my leave.

"She'll be fine, Benjamin," I said softly. "You should be proud of what she did today."

"I mean no disrespect, Cadence," he said solemnly. "I am happy that Carrigan is well and she was able to fight off her attackers and save your life, but I am not proud of her. I am not proud that she is so neglectful during our training that she does not know how to fully use her powers or fully handle them when she does use them. I am not proud that I have been so lenient with her."

"You can't blame yourself."

"Can't I? I am her Guardian and I have done her wrong."

I frowned deeply. "No. You can only give her so much. Your job is to guide her and give her as much knowledge and information as possible. What she does with that knowledge and information is on her, not you."

Benjamin nodded in acknowledgement of my comment, but I'm sure he would only take some of it into consideration. He was a good Guardian because he would take responsibility for Carrigan even when he shouldn't. As I left the room, I looked back over my shoulder to him. He was still stroking Carrigan's hair. My heart lifted. I knew it was the right decision to send him to Hogwarts with her. It would be good for both of them.

Harry caught me on the descent to the main floor. He came out of the boys' bedroom just as I passed it and called my name. I paused, turning to look at him, and wincing in pain as my ribs pinched.

"Are you alright?" he asked instantly upon seeing me. I frowned and stood up straight, trying to mask my pain.

"Yea, I'm fine."

"Is Carrigan okay? Hermione said she was passed out?" he questioned with concern. I smiled lightly. It was nice to know that Carrigan had friends who cared about her well-being. Harry's green eyes were serious and intent. Despite my response to his first question, he was still looking at me with mild skepticism. He didn't believe I was alright. His expression made me realize that I was becoming a worse liar with my age.

"She is alright," I responded, while still holding my stomach.

"What happened?"

"We were attacked on the way back from St. Mungo's."

Harry looked even more concerned upon learning this information. "They were after Carrigan?"

"I'm not sure," I replied honestly. "Are you alright? How did the trial go?"

"Fine," he shrugged. "I haven't been expelled. I will return to Hogwarts."

"Good," I beamed. "I'm relieved."

Harry nodded and rubbed his elbow nervously. "But something is bothering you?"

"Just Sirius," Harry replied. "He was happy that I wasn't expelled, but it seemed like…"

I studied Harry as his voice trailed off. I stepped forward and lifted his chin so he was looking me in the eye. I had no doubt in my mind that within a years time he would be taller then me and would always look down at me. His green eyes filled with relief when I looked at him, but he still seemed troubled.

"He just shut himself up in his room," Harry stated. "Like he wasn't really happy that I would be leaving with everyone else in a few weeks."

"Sirius is a complicated man," I said hoping to ease his mind. There was no simple answer to Harry's concerns and hurt feelings. The only positive answer I could think of to say was that Sirius was a complicated man. He didn't want Harry to get expelled but he also hoped that Harry would be expelled so he could stay there at head quarters and Sirius wouldn't be alone.

"He can be an ass, sometimes," Harry said sharply. I frowned but nodded.

"Yes, as we all can be."

Harry shrugged. "It doesn't matter…I just wish that he wouldn't be so closed off. He's not the only one in pain. And he doesn't seem to realize that his attitude is what hurts other people."

"You and Carrigan have been talking, haven't you?" I questioned suddenly.

"Yes," Harry nodded. "Why do you think she came to me when she ran away?"

Of course. Carrigan had something in common with Harry when it came to Sirius Black. He was an absent father-figure in their lives; one that both of them were ambivalent towards. They loved his attention and caring, but hated his absences and bitterness. I didn't blame them. I had felt the same when I was in a relationship with the man.

"I have to get to work Harry," I said softly.

"Are you sure you're okay?"

"Yes, it's nothing that time won't fix," I forced a smile.

"Is Carrigan awake?"

"Not yet," I replied soundly. "I would wait to hear from Benjamin before you try to see her."

Harry frowned deeply but nodded his head. He wasn't happy that Benjamin was sitting with Carrigan waiting for her to wake. Either he was jealous and wanted to be the one waiting with her, or he just didn't trust Benjamin.

"Alright, see you later," he said with a small wave. He turned and disappeared back into the bedroom.

I completed the journey down the stairs to the foyer. I headed straight for the door, but someone called me back before I reached it. I turned back, my cloak whirling around me dramatically, to see Sirius standing in the doorframe of the stairwell leading to the kitchen.

"I sent a letter to Dumbledore," he said. "When I here from him I'll send you a note."

"It can wait till tonight," I replied. "I don't want to draw attention to head quarters because of the birds leaving."

Sirius nodded. "If that's how you want it."

His tone was cold, which spiked my defenses. I stepped towards him. "Sirius, you need to be careful."

"Excuse me?"

"I just spoke to Harry—"

"—what did he say?"

I gave him an ugly look for interrupting me and rolled my shoulders back, preparing for a verbal fight that might break out. "He's picking up on your demeanor. He senses that you're not completely thrilled that he's going back to Hogwarts."

"That's ridiculous—"

"Is it?" I questioned with raised eyebrows. It was Sirius' turn to glare darkly at me. I crossed my arms over my chest and returned the vicious stare, not letting him force me to back down.

"Of course it is," he hissed. "Go to work. I'll see you later."

He turned on his heel and dashed up the stairs, disappearing from sight. I sighed with aggravation and turned to leave Number Twelve.

I Apparated straight from the front porch to my cubicle, which I had previously shared with Mitchell. I hadn't been into the office very much since the bombing, only long enough to meet with Scrimgeour twice to discuss my next assignment. He had refused to put me on the bombing case, leaving it to Athena Sawyer to investigate. The decision perturbed me beyond all belief. I wasn't allowed on the case because of my personal relationship to the victims, but Athena was? Didn't she have a personal relationship with Gabriel as his partner?

"Cadence!"

The voice calling my name surprised me, causing me to turn quickly on my heel and look into Gabriel Quintin's eyes. I smiled at the sight of him. His handsome figure was standing in the entrance of my cubicle, with his satin violet eyes staring at me with concern.

"Where have you been?" he questioned stepping into the cubicle. He looked me over and worry spread across his face. "What the bloody hell happened to you?"

I opened my mouth to speak, but found that I couldn't, simply because I was so happy to see him. I stepped forward and threw my arms around his broad shoulders, pressing my body tightly against him as we embraced. He kissed my forehead and stepped back, holding my chin and looking deeply in my eyes.

"Tell me what happened," he said carefully.

"Carrigan and I were attacked after leaving St. Mungo's," I replied easily. "She's fine!" I added quickly because his expression changed from worry to rage. "We're both fine."

He touched my side to pull me into his arms and I winced with a sharp in take of breath. He pulled his hands back and looked at me sharply. "Really?"

"So…I think I have a few broken ribs," I replied. "It's no big deal. What is a big deal is that the man in black, from the Leaky Caldron, he was the guy who followed us. Carrigan killed his accomplice who ambushed in an alley—actually she completely disintegrated him—"

"Really? Good for her."

"I don't know," I whispered sadly with a shake of my head. "She doesn't know how to fully use her powers. They weaken her so much that she passed out once I got her home."

"Well at least she had the sense to pass out at home instead of in the alley where you were attacked," Gabriel said. He looked at me sharply again and without saying a word, guided me to a chair, forcing me to sit down. I frowned deeply. "If your ribs are broken we need to get you straight back to St. Mungo's to make sure you and the baby are alright."

"Gabriel," I grabbed his hands and he looked at me with raised eyebrows. I couldn't bring myself to say it right away, especially as he looked at me with those handsome, loving eyes. I bit my bottom lip and shook my head. He responded by kneeling in front of me, his hands on the arms of the chair I was sitting in, as he looked up at me.

"They're sure?"

"Yes," I nodded with some relief that I wouldn't have to say it. "They did some blood test and looked into my body…it's not even possible for me to become pregnant."

"But the test, your missed period—"

"Stress related," I responded. Gabriel was frowning so deeply that I was afraid the lines on his face would become permanent. He nodded his head as he looked at the ground.

"It's alright," he said looking back up at me. "It's for the best, right?"

I frowned as I wrapped my arms around his shoulders. He leaned forward and placed his head on my breasts, allowing me to brush my fingers through his hair. We sat in silence for a few moments, until it was interrupted by Athena Sawyer's bomb-shell fit figure walking into the cubicle.

"I hate to break this up," her voice dripped with no sympathy. "But Gabriel, we have a meeting with Scrimgeour. Coleman, you should probably come along."

That was it. She pivoted, on her spiked high heels, and walked away from the cubicle, her curvaceous hips swaying as she strutted off. Gabriel pulled away from me and stood up, taking my hands and helping me stand.

"She still hasn't gotten any, has she?" I questioned.

"She takes her job very seriously," Gabriel shrugged. "Are you sure you're up for a meeting? You don't want to go back to St. Mungo's?"

"No, I hate that place. Besides, I really need to get back to work."

Gabriel looked me over with hesitant eyes as I stood up and made to move out of the cubicle. "If we're being made partners again do you think they'll put all three of us into one cubicle?"

"That's your biggest concern?"

I smiled at Gabriel as we walked towards Scrimgeour's office. "Yea, what's yours?"

"That you and Athena might kill each other."

"Well that's my relationship with most people, so I wouldn't be too worried."

Gabriel laughed softly and shook his head.

When we arrived in Scrimgeour's office I was not surprised to see him, with his lion main of white and grey hair, and Athena waiting for us. I was surprised, however, to see the Minister of Magic, Cornelius Fudge present. He looked angry, red in the face and about to burst. Scrimgeour looked grim as he sat behind his desk.

"Sawyer, Quintin, please step out," he said as his eyes fell on me. "I will be with you both in a moment."

I raised my eyebrows high as Gabriel looked at me with worry.

What did you do? He questioned as he peered at me sharply.

Nothing! I insisted.

Scrimgeour and Fudge remained quiet as Athena and Gabriel carefully made their way from the office. Once the door closed behind Gabriel, breaking out stare, I turned and faced the two men. I folded my arms over my chest and waited for one of them to say something.

"Ms. Coleman," Scrimgeour said carefully. "As of Mr. Scott's death—"

"—murder," I corrected. "He was murdered."

Fudge twitched uncomfortably and glanced at Scrimgeour, who frowned and gave me a nasty look for interrupting him.

"Yes," he nodded. "The point, I'm afraid, is that some new facts have come to light."

"Concerning what?"

"That you harbored a fugitive for nearly half a year," Fudge burst with a sharp yell. His words hit me like a ton of bricks.

"Penelope Talon is dead," I said coolly. "Her case is closed—"

"It doesn't change the facts!" Fudge screamed.

"Minister, forgive me," I said too quickly for his liking. "But you seem to be selective about what you believe as fact." Fudge looked like he was about to burst, but I continued on before he could interrupt me. "Yes, I allowed Penelope Talon to stay at my house. That is a fact. It is also a fact that she was a trained assassin for Voldemort. It is a fact that while she was living under my roof she was spying on me and reporting back to him—"

"—You-Know-Who is dead—!"

"—it is a fact that I killed her in self defense in front of my Father—"

"—you are severely out of line, Ms. Coleman!" Fudge yelled with such anger I thought his head really would explode from redness.

"It is a fact that Voldemort has returned!"

"ENOUGH!" Fudge screamed over me. "I have heard enough of your lies! You are hereby fired from the Ministry of Magic, stripped of your title and position as Auror and all awards that you have achieved with it."

"I haven't achieved any, so no worries there," I fired back without a second thought. I looked straight forward, away from Fudge, to Scrimgeour who was still sitting in his desk chair with a sad expression on his face. I knew that he did not want to see me go, but he was being overruled. "Just to be clear, what exactly am I being fired for?"

"For harboring a known fugitive and past Death Eater," Fudge spoke instantly even though I was asking Scrimgeour. "And for conspiracy against this office."

I looked at Fudge like he was crazy. "Excuse me?"

"You are conspiring against this office," he repeated. "Rufus has convinced me to be lenient with you. I should throw you into Azkaban. Now get your stuff and get the hell out of here."

"I can't wait for the day when Voldemort makes his return known to your babbling office of idiots," I said stepping towards Fudge. He stepped back, obviously intimidated by me. "When he makes it public and you crawl into a hole of shame because you could have saved hundreds of lives by listening to those who warned you, I'm going to laugh. You'll be begging for me to come back and I won't. I'm not interested in saving this office."

"I will have you thrown into Azkaban if you do not leave this building within the next twenty minutes," he hissed back. He stepped pass me quickly, glaring sharply over his shoulder at me and Scrimgeour. "Get your people back to work! And make sure she gets out of here!"

Fudge slammed the office door sharply and loudly behind him when he left. I immediately turned to Scrimgeour with fire in my eyes as I stared at him. I had forgotten the pain in my sides my body was so full of rage at Fudge's actions and accusations.

"I'm sorry Cadence," he whispered. "I tried my best to reason with him."

"There is no reasoning with him," I retorted. I ran my hands through my hair as I released a long, tired sigh. "How did he find out about Talon?"

"It was in Scott's file on the case," Scrimgeour replied. "I thought you had been more careful."

"I thought I had too," I said sadly. "I never trust the man and he never trusted me though. Well…guess I had better go."

"Cadence," Scrimgeour said before I made my leave. "I have not openly stated that I believe what you say about your father, but when the time comes and I do need your help, will you be willing to give it?"

"To the best of my abilities, Sir," I nodded. "Until then, I'm going to enjoy my free time at home."

My voice trailed off and Scrimgeour gave me a knowing smile. He knew that I would probably be more productive in any investigation or fight against my father if I was not tied down my Ministry procedure and protocol.

I bowed slightly to Scrimgeour before exiting the office. Gabriel and Athena were standing outside, waiting to enter the office. Athena looked slightly uncomfortable, while Gabriel looked like he was going to set fire to the building. No doubt, they had over heard Fudge firing me.

"I think you can go in now," I motioned to the open door behind me with a frank smile. Athena bowed her head and walked pass me without a word.

"How can you be smiling?" Gabriel asked is a quick whisper.

"I've hated my job for a long time, Gabriel," I replied. "This is better. I will be able to do a lot more for the Order now."

Gabriel nodded his head, but still looked angry. I stood on my toes and kissed his cheek. "Go, get back to work. I will see you later."

"Go to St. Mungo's," he advised.

"No," I shook my head with a beaming grinning. "See you later tonight."

As I left Gabriel standing outside of Scrimgeour's office, I couldn't help but walk with a slight bounce in my step. Despite everything else that had happened that day, I knew that this was for the best and it was going to be okay.