Chapter Seven - A Chance Meeting June 1978
The train pulled into the London station and Izabella stood up and stretched, following Lily and the Mauraders out of the compartment and down onto the noisy bustling platform. Children ran into their parents loving arms and friends embraced, making plans for the summer excitedly.
Leaning against a wall and looking bored, Severus stood waiting for her, both their trunks already on a luggage trolley. Izabella grabbed Lily's arm and pulled her into a hug.
“I'll see you tomorrow.” Lily whispered in her ear. “It will be fine.”
Izabella smiled at Lily's reassuring voice then made her way over to her brother. He sighed pointedly at the delay, then lead the way towards the wall that would take them to Muggle London. They waited for the signal, then fell through the barrier casually. Izabella stumbled slightly as she made contact with someone on the other side, falling against them before she could regain her balance.
“Sorry Miss, I didn't see you there.” a velvety, smooth voice said as his hands held under her elbows and steadied her on her feet. As she stood and turned towards him she blushed slightly.
“Sorry, it was my fault.” she said smiling gratefully up at the well-known face of Lucius Malfoy. He was, after all, the most sought after bachelor in the Wizarding World. Amongst the giggling girls, he was a popular topic in the Slytherin common room. His resemblence to his father was unnvering, until his grey eyes warmed as he smiled at her.
“Lucius! Nice to see you.” Severus said as they shook hands.
“Likewise Severus. I had forgotten that it was the last day of Hogwarts. How does it feel?” he asked grinning.
“I think I might miss it actually.”
Izabella rolled her eyes at her brother.
“I'll trade with you anyday.” she grumbled. Lucius looked to her and laughed charmingly. Severus glared towards his sister slightly then turned to Lucius.
“Will you be attending the funeral tomorrow?” he asked and Izabella clenched her teeth slightly at his casual behaviour, treating the funeral like a social event.
“Yes I shall be. I am very sorry for your loss.” he said quietly, turning towards Izabella with gentle eyes. She smiled slightly and nodded, turning as she heard her name.
She stepped towards Sirius as he approached her and he placed a hand on her waist gently.
“We're going to that Italian restaurant in Godric's Hollow on Monday. You coming?” he offered. Izabella stratched her head and he groaned slightly. “Go on Izzy.”
“I don't know Sirius...”
“Please. James reckons he's got something exciting to tell us.”
“If Lily is pregnant I'll kill him.” she said darkly and Sirius threw his head back and laughed.
“So you're coming?” he said, grinning down at her as his eyes sparkled.
“Fine.” she said sighing. He beamed and bent to press his lips to hers. She pushed against his chest, aware of the eyes that were fixed on her but Sirius pulled her closer.
“Don't worry about tomorrow.” he said quietly.
“I'm not.” she said as she looked down at the floor. He lifted her face and kissed the tip of her nose.
“I'll see you Monday.” He beamed, then hurried off to meet James and his parents. Izabella sighed then turned and stepped back to join her brother, who was looking extremely pale, his features tense. Lucius was watching her carefully, his eyes alight with interest.
“Well, we had better go.” Severus said, reaching out his hand.
“Of course. I shall see you tomorrow.” he said shaking Severus' hand firmly. Lucius turned to Izabella and took her hand, kissing her knuckles lightly.
“It was a pleasure to meet you.” he said with a smile.
“You too.” Izabella said, smiling at the flutter in her stomach. He nodded politely then left, Izabella watching him curiously until he merged with the crowds.
“Is Lily really pregnant?” Severus said suddenly. Izabella looked at him and arched an eyebrow.
“She better not be.” she said as they started to walk through the busy station to an alleyway just beyond the entrance.
They took their trunks, looked around briefly, then disapparated, landing across from the row of houses that was Spinner's End. They paused for a moment then continued until they reached their shabby front door. Severus took Izabella's trunk as she pushed open the door and let them both inside.
Immediately she noticed the difference. The house had been throughorly cleaned and was hardly recognisable. The furniture had been changed and the walls repainted and the house no longer looked grotty. Izabella shared a frown with Severus and they continued deeped into the house where they found their mother in the kitchen, humming beneath her breath as she cooked.
“Mum?” Izabella said, announcing their arrival. Eileen turned and held out her arms.
“Welcome home.” she said, embracing them. Izabella was immediately suspicious. Eileen was never affectionate.
“Have you decorated?” Severus asked.
“Yes. Well after I had thrown out Tobais' stuff I thought why not?” she said beaming as she looked around proudly. Izabella's forehead creased deeply.
“You've thrown his stuff away?” she asked.
“Well it wasn't doing any good being in the house was it?”
Izabella stared at her mother for a moment then shook her head.
“I'm going to bed.”
She turned sharply and made for the stairs.
“Your dress for tomorrow is hanging in your room!” Eileen called after her.
Izabella reached her room and stared at the dress attatched to the door. It was beautiful. It was the colour of a raven's wing and looked so soft to touch. She pulled it off the hanger and shut her door, moving to the mirror to hold the dress up in front of her. The material was heavy and well tailored. Where on earth had her mother got enough money to buy this? She caught sight of the detail intricily woven into the bodice of the dress. The green thread snaked through the black, shimmering against the slightly silky material. The material stirred a memory in her... Abraxas Malfoy in his fine robes, his silk green tie.
Izabella sank onto her bed, the dress lying beside her as her reflection looked back at her with curious and confused eyes.
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