Chapter Forty-Nine - Goodbyes Always Seem Hard
Izabella clung to Sirius as they began to turn, faster and faster yet the air was getting colder and the lights surrounding them were dimming. The room became grey and suddenly they collapsed onto the floor in the Department of Mysteries. A breeze blew from the veil in the archway, then it was still and the room was silent.
Sirius jumped to his feet and turned to help Izabella up. She felt cold and the injuries that had disappeared in the other world were throbbing. The blood from her face had dried in clumps in her hair and her body was aching from where the curses had hit her.
Sirius looked at Izabella and she nodded slightly. They both took a step forward, when a voice made them jump and pull out their wands.
“You were gone a very long time.” Albus Dumbledore said from where he was perching against the edge of the dais. They breathed a sigh of relief and returned their wands to inside of their robes.
“What happened? Is Harry okay?” Izabella asked, rushing forward.
Dumbledore held up a hand and nodded calmly.
“Harry is fine, a little bruised and upset but otherwise okay. He is back at school with the others and I'm told they will all make a perfect recovery.”
Izabella nodded and smiled.
“What happened?” Sirius asked.
“Voldemort revealed himself to the Aurors.”
Izabella gasped and Sirius' eyebrows raised in disbelief.
“Why?”
“Oh he didn't mean to. Harry ran off after Bellatrix, to avenge your deaths, then Voldemort appeared to make another attempt at Harry's life. Unfortunately for Voldemort, I stepped in. The Aurors and the Minister for Magic made an appearance just as he was about to leave.”
Sirius and Izabella listened intently, but Sirius was frowning slightly at Dumbledore's behaviour.
“But you knew we hadn't died. That's why you're here now.”
Dumbledore looked at Sirius over his glasses for a long moment, then sighed wearily and took a seat at the edge of the room.
“I didn't know that you would come back. I was sure that Izabella could find you.” he stopped to smile. “You're very lucky Sirius. Only the truest, purest love could have allowed Izabella to find you on the other side.”
Izabella grinned and looked over at Sirius, but his face was creased and he was staring at Dumbledore.
“But why wouldn't we come back?” Sirius questioned.
“Lily and James were waiting for you weren't they?” he asked softly.
Izabella nodded and Dumbledore smiled gently.
“You have both lost your best friends. I thought the temptation to join them would have been too great.”
“We almost did.” Izabella said quietly.
“But your love for Harry allowed you to come back. And because I know how strong that love is, I hope you will do as I ask now.”
Izabella frowned, Sirius had clenched his jaw.
“Don't let Harry know that you are alive.”
There was a silence in the room until Izabella laughed slightly.
“What? Why would we do that?”
“Because Harry has to think he is alone. He has to believe he has nothing left so that he can sacrifice himself when the time comes.”
Izabella was shaking her head, her fists clenched.
“No. Dumbledore I can't. Harry needs us.”
“He will need you one day. But not now.”
“We have to be there for him!” Izabella demanded. “Sirius, tell him.” she said, turning to him. Sirius was looking at the floor, his dark eyes sad and understanding.
“Dumbledore's right Izabella. We have to leave.” he said quietly.
Izabella looked at him and shook her head in disbelief. Sirius stepped forward and caressed her face in his hands.
“We have to do what is best for Harry. We will come back for him one day, when he truly needs us. He has people around him Izzy, he isn't alone.” he said gently. Izabella looked into his eyes and a tear fell down her pale face. She turned to Dumbledore and nodded slightly and he smiled.
“When the time comes, a message will be sent to you.”
They both nodded then followed Dumbledore out of the cold, grey room, through the rubble of the Time room and into the circular room. They crossed and left the Department of Mysteries behind them as they ascended in the lift and left the Atrium.
London was waking and the early-morning workers were already bustling through the streets.
“I'd suggest somewhere abroad. Somewhere no one will recognise you.” Dumbledore said, casting an eye up and down the road. Sirius nodded and wrapped an arm around Izabella's waist.
“We'll be fine.”
Dumbledore nodded and put a hand on each of their shoulders.
“Stay safe.” he said quietly.
“Look after Harry.” Sirius said and Dumbledore smiled.
“I always do.” he said. With a final nod of goodbye, Dumbledore turned and walked down the street until Izabella called out to him.
“Dumbledore!” she said. He turned and looked at her questioningly. “Tell... tell my brother I love him.”
He nodded and smiled, then in a blink, he had disappeared.
“We need to go.” Sirius mumbled, lowering his face to the floor as people's eyes wandered across their robes and shabby appearance. Izabella nodded and cast a final glance around London as Sirius took her hand.
“I'll see you soon Harry.” she whispered to the warming air. But it would be two years before she would see Harry once again, and everything would have changed.
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