| Puffskein
Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: England
Posts: 1,658
Hogwarts RPG Name:
Megara Kostas
First Year | 
Sorry for the wait everyone, I got a bit caught up in all the Royal Wedding celebrations and haven't had time to write. But it was a fantastic day and I have never been so proud to be British!
Anyway, hope you all enjoy the chapter... It's a long one! And it's also a bit romantic and lovey-dovey. Must be the wedding affecting me! 
Chapter Twenty-Eight - Finally Home
The next two days passed painfully slowly. Izabella tried not to watch the clock, but as the end of term crept closer she found herself staring at the hands ticking away.
As the bell signalled the end of the day, she rushed to her room, pulling on a cloak and flicking her wand at her already packed trunk. Levitating her luggage in front of her she hurried through the corridors, squeezing past the excited students who were preparing to leave for Hogsmede station.
“Izabella.”
She stopped in the Entrance Hall, turning impatiently at the voice.
“What?” she snapped as Snape approached her. He raised an eyebrow and looked at her curiously.
“In a hurry?”
“Obviously Severus.” she said rolling her eyes and tapping her foot pointedly. He stared at her for a long moment then nodded slightly.
“Well take care of yourself. Have a good Christmas.” he said quietly. Izabella sighed and placed a hand on his arm.
“Come and spend Christmas with us?” she asked.
“I'm sure Sirius would love that.” Snape said sarcastically, arching his eyebrows. Izabella laughed slightly.
“I want you there,” she said firmly. Snape nodded slightly and she smiled. “I need to go.” said Izabella as she tightened her cloak around her, catching sight of the snowflakes beginning to fall outside the window.
“I'll see you soon.” Izabella called over her shoulder as she dashed across the Entrance Hall and out into the cold winter air.
As she passed through the iron gates, Izabella stopped and turned to look back at Hogwarts. The castle stood majestically amongst the swirling snow which had started to fall heavily. She smiled to herself then placed a hand on her trunk and disapparated.
A wave of relief rushed through her body as she landed on the steps of Grimauld Place. She beamed and knocked loudly, bouncing on the balls of her feet excitedly.
Mrs Weasley pulled back the door, her face pale and lined, but still smiling cheerfully.
“Hello dear,” she said welcomingly, stepping back to let her into the house.
“How are you Molly?” Izabella asked gently, dragging her trunk into the hallway and dumping it in a corner.
“I'm doing okay, thank you.” she said.
Izabella smiled then snapped her head to the kitchen door as it creaked open. With a grin, she ran at Sirius and jumped into his open arms, locking her hands behind his neck and laughing as he picked her up and squeezed her tightly. She pulled her face back as he placed her feet back on the ground and she looked up at him, smiling irresistably.
“Hello,” Sirius said, grinning. Izabella laughed and reached up on her toes, pressing her lips against his for a long moment.
Sirius' hands rested on her waist, causing him to look down at her and frown deeply.
“Have you been eating properly?” Sirius asked in a concerned voice.
“You are looking rather thin dear.” scolded Mrs Weasley. Izabella waved her hand slightly and rolled her eyes.
“I'm fine,” she insisted as she pulled out of Sirius' grasp and made her way into the kitchen, avoiding his worried eyes. Sirius and Mrs Weasley followed her into the kitchen and she could feel Sirius' eyes on her thin frame as she greeted Lupin.
“How's Arthur?” Izabella asked, taking a seat at the table and leaning against Sirius as he sat beside her.
“He's doing well. He should be able to leave St. Mungo's soon.” Mrs Weasley said with smile.
“It could have been far worse.” Lupin said and everyone at the table nodded.
“How's Harry?” asked Izabella in a quiet voice. Mrs Weasley sighed.
“He hardly comes out of his room. He's avoiding us I think.” she said in a sad voice. Izabella sighed and started chewing on her lip gently.
“Don't worry.” Sirius said in her ear, stroking her arm gently. “He'll be fine.”
Izabella turned to him and smiled.
“I know.” she said with a sigh, lifting her face to kiss his cheek softly.
“I'll go and call them actually, dinner will be ready soon.” Mrs Weasley said, standing up.
“I'll help you serve dinner.” Izabella said, making to get out of her seat.
“You can stay where you are. You've only just got here.” said Mrs Weasley sternly as she hurried up the stairs. Izabella shook her head fondly and relaxed back into her chair.
There was footsteps on the stairs accompanied by hushed voices as they passed Mrs Black's portrait. The Weasley's burst into the kitchen, greeting Izabella enthusiastically. Izabella smiled then turned to the doorway as Harry walked in, dragging his feet along the floorboards. Izabella's forehead creased and she rushed forward, gathering Harry in her arms and hugging him tightly.
“Stop blaming yourself. You saved Arthur's life.” she whispered in his ear. He nodded slightly and attempted a smile.
“It's good to see you.” he said quietly. Izabella smoothed his hair affectionately and smiled, leading him over to the table, where Sirius patted his back and smiled encouragingly.
“This looks great Molly.” Izabella said appreciatively as a plate piled high with food was placed in front of her. Sirius laughed as he watched her eat.
“Do they not feed you at Hogwarts anymore?” he asked as Izabella shovelled food into her mouth. Izabella grinned. She was glad to be home.
The table buzzed with conversation, but Harry was quiet, only speaking when someone asked him a direct question. Izabella's forehead creased in worry and she glanced at Sirius, but he was enjoying the company too much and didn't seem to notice Harry's moods. When he finished his dinner, Harry pushed his plate away from him and stood up.
“Thanks Mrs Weasley.” he mumbled as he wandered out of the kitchen.
Izabella watched him leave and sighed. Lupin was sat across from her and smiled gently.
“He'll be fine.” he said quietly. Izabella nodded slightly as Sirius turned in his chair, listening to their conversation. “Don't worry about him.” said Lupin, leaining forward on the table.
“I can't help it.” Izabella protested.
“You're making yourself ill Izzy. You need to relax.” said Sirius seriously. Izabella rolled her eyes and sighed.
“You sound like Severus. I'm not ill.” she demanded.
“You are.”
“It's stressful being a teacher.” she said vaguely, desperately thinking of a change in conversation.
“Has something happened?” Lupin asked gently. Izabella swallowed loudly and turned to look at Sirius.
“I accidently told Lucius that I knew where you were.” she said quickly.
Lupin sighed and looked concerned but Sirius narrowed his eyes.
“When have you seen Lucius?” he asked suspiciously.
“He came to watch the Quidditch match.” said Izabella innocently.
“And how did I come up in conversation?”
Izabella looked away from him, staring at the table.
“He tried to kiss me and I told him that I love you.” she said in a fast voice, tensing for his reaction.
“WHAT?” Sirius yelled, his voice angry. The conversation around the table stopped and the Weasleys turned to look, curiously, at their end of the table. “I am going to kill him.” Sirius said furiously, standing up and heading for the door, his wand held tightly in his hand.
“Sirius no!” Izabella said grabbing his arm and attempting to pull him back. Lupin stood up, ready to stop him, but Izabella had her hands on his cheeks forcing him to look at her.
“Sirius please!” she begged. “Don't.”
She looked into his eyes and he sighed. Sirius stopped struggling and Lupin sat down warily. There was a silence which filled the room as the Weasleys stared between Izabella and Sirius, confused. A knock at the door ended the silence and Mrs Weasley hurried out to see who the visitor was. There was a mumble of conversation followed by footsteps on the stairs. Mrs Weasley came back into the kitchen.
“It was Hermione. She's gone straight to see Harry and asked you two to go as well.” she said gesturing to Ron and Ginny. They nodded slightly then stood up, casting a final interested look at Sirius, then left the kitchen.
“I want you two to come and help me with the attic.” Mrs Weasley said, herding Fred and George out of the kitchen, ignoring their complaints. The kitchen door shut with a click.
Sirius was still stood in the middle of the room, his wand still in his hand, and glaring at the stone floor. Izabella stood near him, his body tense and watching Sirius closely.
“What did Lucius say?” Lupin asked in a quiet voice.
“He asked if I knew where Sirius was and I said no. I don't think he believed me though.” she replied, not taking her eyes off Sirius.
Lupin sighed.
“Sirius sit down. You heard Izabella. She loves you.” he said in a tired voice.
Sirius looked up at Lupin then Izabella, his expression stony and his voice dangerous.
“If he ever touches you again-”
“You'll be the first to know and I won't stand in your way when you try and kill him.” Izabella interrupted quickly. He looked at her for a moment then nodded and returned his wand to his pocket, taking a seat but still looking moody. Izabella cautiously sat down, glancing at Sirius occasionally.
“What has Voldemort said?” continued Lupin.
Izabella shook her head.
“Nothing. But I'm sure Lucius will have told him.” she said, warily looking to Sirius as she mentioned the name. “I think he'll wait until after Christmas to request to see me. He will assume I'm spending my holidays with Sirius so it will be easier for him to tell if I'm lying.”
Lupin nodded.
“Keep your thoughts clear.” he warned. With a glance at Sirius he stood up. “I need to go. I'll see you soon.” he said as he pulled a cloak around him. He smiled at Izabella, patted Sirius' shoulder then left the kitchen. Sirius waited until he heard the front door shut then turned to Izabella.
“Do you love him?” he asked in a quiet voice.
“Sirius-”
“Do you love Lucius?” he demanded.
Izabella shook her head.
“No. I love you.” she said firmly.
Sirius looked at her for a moment then stood up and walked over to the sink, leaning on the edge with his head low.
“You used to love him.”
“We were engaged.” Izabella said shrugging slightly.
“I know you were.” he said in a harsh voice.
“What is that supposed to mean?” she said, folding her arms across her chest and glaring at him.
“Well you never let anyone forget it. You were constantly planning it, talking about it. You and Lily would sit there with your magazines and dress samples. Whenever I had the misfortune of seeing you and him in public you were all over him-”
“Because I wanted to make you jealous Sirius!”
“Well congratulations you managed it.”
Izabella groaned and threw her hands in the air in annoyance.
“You don't understand. It was you I wanted to marry. I thought, maybe, if you saw me with Lucius you'd ask me yourself. But I realized that would never happen so I gave him the ring back.”
“That was a stupid plan.” Sirius said, but his voice was quieter, his expression soft.
“I know. I was desperate though.” she said with a shrug. “I had to watch our best friends get everything I had ever wanted... I was the maid of honour, but not the bride. The godmother but not a mother.” Izabella's voice wavered and her eyes were full with tears. “Then you went to Azkaban and I thought I'd never see you again.”
Sirius was watching her, his face pained.
“Marry me then.”
Izabella blinked and frowned.
“What?”
“Marry me.” Sirius said seriously, walking over to her and taking her hand.
“Sirius...”
He looked into her eyes, placing a hand on her cheek and she smiled for a moment.
“We can't.”
She pulled back from Sirius and wrapped her arms around herself.
“Why not?” he asked. “It's what you want... It's what I want.”
“In case you haven't noticed, the whole of the Wizarding world wants you dead. We're not likely to find anyone who will marry us.”
“Well, we'll get engaged now and as soon as this is all over... What?”
Izabella was shaking her head.
“I can't Sirius. Who knows how long it will be before they clear your name? If something happens to you... If you go back to Azkaban... I can't take any more pain. I don't want to get my hopes up.”
Sirius deflated, his shoulders dropped and he blinked away the tears fiercely. Izabella placed a hand on his face gently.
“I'm sorry Sirius.” she said gently.
“Me too. All those years, I never realized it was what you wanted.”
“One day it will happen... Maybe.” she said, smiling.
He leant down to kiss her gently.
The kitchen door opened and voices filled the room.
“Oh sorry,” Harry said as Sirius and Izabella pulled away from each other, Sirius turning his back on them to wipe his face without them seeing.
“Hey Hermione.” said Izabella, smiling. “Is everything okay?”
For the first time in a long time, Izabella saw Harry smile.
“Yes. Everything is great.” he said happily.
“Feeling better then?” Izabella said with a laugh.
“He just needed some sense knocking into him.” Ginny said as she sat down at the table.
“Glad you're okay Harry.” said Sirius as he made his way to the kitchen door. “I'm going to feed Buckbeak.” he said quietly, leaving the kitchen and heading up the stairs. Izabella watched him leave, biting her lip to try and hold back the tears.
“What's happened?” Harry asked as the others watched her carefully.
“Nothing.” Izabella said, placing a smile on her face. “I'm going to go to bed. I'll see you in the morning.”
They said goodnight and once she was out of their sight she picked up her trunk from the hallway and hurried along the corridor and into her room. Leaning against the door she took a deep breath, but couldn't prevent the tears which spilled across her face and the heart-wrenching sobs which escaped from her mouth.
Throwing open her trunk she pulled out the photograph of her and Lily and collapsed onto the floor by her bed. Curling up tight and wrapping her arms around her legs, she stroked the picture gently.
“Help me Lily." she whispered to the photograph. She pulled a blanket of the bed and pulled it over her as she drifted to sleep, the young, carefree girls smiling from the picture which was clenched in her fist.
Last edited by ThePureBloodPrincess; 05-08-2011 at 10:29 PM.
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