Chapter Two - Bad News, Good News June 1978
“Look... This is isn't easy but... Your father has passed away.”
Severus and Izabella stared at their mother for a moment then a look passed between the siblings.
“He's... dead?” Severus said, in a croaky voice. Eileen nodded then looked towards Izabella.
“I know he wasn't your real father but-”
Severus snorted loudly.
“He practically was. He was a better father to her than he ever was to me.”
Izabella looked down guiltily. That wasn't her fault.
Malfoy placed a hand on Severus' shoulder lightly.
“It's okay to be upset son.”
“Upset? I'm glad.” he replied harshly.
“Severus!” Izabella said frowning at him.
“Well he wasn't exactly father of the year was he?” Severus said, getting angry.
“He can't hurt you ever again Severus. He can't hurt any of us.” Eileen said gently, reaching out and holding his hand tightly. Severus pulled away and stood up, pacing the small room.
Izabella wrapped her arms around her chest and shuddered. Her clothes were still wet and she was beginning to freeze.
“You will come home on the train tomorrow and the funeral will be the day after.” Eileen said quietly.
“How did he die?” Severus asked.
“Natural causes.” Eileen said calmly.
Izabella turned to look at Malfoy and for a moment he gazed at Eileen, then turned to Izabella and smiled encouragingly. A small crease appeared in Izabella's forehead, then she stood up quickly.
“Can I go now?” she asked in a quiet voice.
“Of course.” Eileen said.
She nodded slightly then walked out of the room, feeling as though she wasn't really awake, like she was drifting. She heard her name but carried on walking down the gloomy corridor to the dungeons and the Slytherin common room, her surroundings relflecting her inner feeling on oncoming gloom and doom.
“Izabella!”
She turned finally to see Severus, hurrying after her. He looked down at her with concerned eyes, the eyes he rarely showed her when they were not at home and certainly not in school where his friends might see he actually cares.
“Are you okay?” he asked gently.
“I'm fine.” she said, shrugging slightly. “He wasn't my dad.”
“But you don't know who you're dad is so-”
“I know that Severus.” she snapped, glaring at him. She sighed. “I'm going for a shower.” She turned around and walked back along the corridor towards the Prefect's bathroom.
She turned on the shower, peeled off her wet clothes and stepped under the hot water, allowing it to engulf her and wash away all of her thoughts, temporarily at least.
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