Chapter Twelve - The Morning After 10th July 1978
Izabella groaned and stretched, her back aching from the lumpy sofa. She sat up slowly, sighing at the mess in the room. The empty bottles and half-full glasses were scattered about the table and floor, amongst the various empty packets of food.
She stood up and caught sight of a figure asleep on the other sofa. The blonde hair was falling about his peaceful face, his long frame hanging over the edge of the arm rests. She smiled slightly as she watched Lucius' chest rise and fall gently then caught sight of the clock on the wall. Swearing under her breath she raced up the stairs and burst into her bedroom where Lily was sprawled on her bed.
“Lily wake up.” she said as she shook her gently. Lily groaned and rolled over. “Evans. I'm warning you. Get up.”
Lily responded with a gentle snore. With a sigh, Izabella grabbed her wand.
“Aguamenti.” she mumbled. A cold stream of water hit Lily in the face and she screamed, spluttering as she sat up. Then she clasped a hand to her head and sank back into the pillows groaning.
“Why does my head hurt?” she moaned.
“It probably has something to do with the empty firewhiskey bottles.” Izabella said grinning. “I'm going for a shower. You had better be out of bed by the time I get back.”
She hurried to the bathroom and washed quickly, in her mind making a mental list of everything that needed to be done. She returned to her bedroom to find Lily sitting up at the edge, her face pale.
“Please do not be sick.” Izabella sighed as she wrapped one arm around her and lead her to the bathroom. Izabella returned to the bedroom, pulled out her bridemaid dress and put it on, pinning part of her hair up and applying a little make up before she rushed downstairs and into the kitchen.
Lucius and Severus were leaning against the kitchen counters, a mug of coffee in their hands. They turned when she entered.
“You look lovely.” Lucius said. Izabella smiled as she caught sight of her reflection in the window. It was a beautiful dress. It had thin straps and a tight bodice, the skirt flowing out around her until it reached her knees. Gryffindor red in colour, it complimented Izabella's pale skin and dark hair as well as her trim figure.
She passed Severus and snatched his mug, taking a large gulp of coffee and sighing. He rolled his eyes as she passed it back to him then began rumaging in the cupboards.
“Sev do you know any potions for hangovers?”
Lucius chuckled.
“Regretting that firewhiskey?” he grinned.
“It's for Lily actually.” she said rolling her eyes as she grabbed a frying pan and threw in some bacon. “I don't want the bride throwing up at the alter.”
Severus rolled his eyes and made his way upstairs leaving Izabella alone with Lucius.
“So is everything ready for the big day?” he asked.
“No.” Izabella snapped. He chuckled.
“Izabella calm down. I'm sure it will all be perfect.” she turned and leant against the counter, smiling at him gratefully. Severus re-entered and threw a small vile at Izabella.
“If she drinks all of that she'll be fine.”
Izabella narrowed her eyes. Why on earth did he have a potion for hangovers? Her thoughts were broken by the sizzling of the bacon behind her and a groaning from the doorway.
Lily walked in and sat down at the table, dropping her head into her hands. Severus grinned as he sat beside her and Izabella rolled her eyes. She turned to the mugs of coffee she had just made and emptied out the vile into it, turning and passing it to Lily who drank it rapidly.
As she served up the bacon, passing a plate to everyone around the table, she watched as Lily's face flush slightly and she sat up straight, her eyes sparkling.
“That was good coffee.” she said beaming. Izabella laughed and the four of them devoured their breakfast hungrily.
“How do you make bacon?” Lily asked making Izabella chuckle.
“It's easy Lily.”
Lily frowned and Izabella sighed.
“I'll teach you.”
“Or just come live with us and be the cook?” she suggested with a smile.
“James would love that.” Izabella replied sarcastically. Lily giggled.
There was a noise by the door and Eileen entered the kitchen, beaming at Lucius.
“Good morning Lucius. What are you doing here?”
“Mother where have you been?” Izabella said, glaring at her.
“I am an adult Izabella. I can go where I like.” she replied icily.
“Izabella permitted me to stay on the sofa after we joined them for a few drinks. I shall leave soon, I wouldn't want to be in the way of the wedding.” he said politely. Lily suddenly dropped her fork and gasped.
“I'm getting married today.” she said as face went blank.
Izabella sighed and Lucius looked at her apologetically.
“Sev take Lily to the living room.” she said as she waved her wand at the empty plates, dumping them in the sink. Lucius stood up and made his way to the door, Izabella following him.
“I'm sorry, I hope she's okay.”
Izabella waved her hand dismissively.
“Don't worry about it. She'll be fine once she gets there.” she smiled up at him. He bent and kissed her hand gently.
“Thank you for a wonderful evening.”
“My pleasure.” Izabella replied. Eileen appeared over her shoulder.
“Do come over at any time Lucius, it would be lovely to see you more often.”
Izabella rolled her eyes and Lucius bit his lip to hide his grin.
“Thank you Ms Snape, you are too kind.” he said, inclining his head politely. Izabella pushed her mother away from the door and turned back to Lucius.
“I'll see you soon.” she smiled. He nodded and stepped forward to place a kiss on her cheek.
“You do look lovely. But I have to say, I prefer you in green.” he said, before smiling widely and turning away from the doorway, just as a flustered group of people approached the house.
Izabella watched Lucius as he reached the end of the driveway and looked back at her over his shoulder, smirking. She grinned and he disapparated.
“Was that Lucius Malfoy? No wonder you and Lily didn't come out last night!” Mary squealed, raising an eyebrow at Izabella.
She laughed and stepped back to let the bridemaids in.
“Lily is in the living room. Just don't say the word 'wedding' or I think she'll have a heart attack.”
The girls nodded and carried their large boxes of make up and hair utensils into the crowded living room. Izabella shut the door and leant against it for a moment, taking a deep breath.
It was going to be a long day.
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