Chapter Fourteen - A Summer Evening 10th July 1978
The wedding ran smoothly and afterwards people were directed in the direction of James and Lily's new house across the road. Izabella passed through the guests, offering drinks and directions to the bathroom. Unlike the cold, socially proper event of Tobias' funeral, there was an undeniable air of happiness and celebration in the large garden.
Izabella had decorated subtly, fine pieces of white material dangling from the trees, archways of lilies where the couple and the wedding party had posed for pictures.
The round tables had been evenly spaced across the lawn, all facing the rectangular top table, which stood beneath two entwined trees at the top. Then the tables had been cleared, without magic because of Lily's Muggle relatives, and a large dancefloor had been created beneath the dimming sky.
It had been a perfect day.
Izabella grabbed a glass of champagne and took a seat as she watched James and Lily dance, yet again, twirling around the floor oblivious to the people watching them.
“You did well.” Severus said smiling as he took a seat beside her. Earlier that morning Lily had demanded, even to the point where she had stamped her foot, that Severus would attend her wedding. James hadn't noticed, his eyes had not left Lily's glowing face once, but of course Sirius had.
Izabella turned and smiled at her brother briefly before taking a swig of her drink.
“Thanks. I tried my hardest, she deserves it.”
“Indeed she does.”
She turned to catch the look her brother gave Lily, one of caring yet with a sense of loss. He snapped his eyes towards Izabella and stood up.
“I'd better get home. Say goodbye to Lily for me.”
She nodded and he left, his words ringing in Izabella's ears. They had sounded so final.
Izabella sighed and turned back, her gaze being blocked by the figure of Sirius.
“Evening.” he said casually, grabbing a chair and slouching in it. His collar stood open slightly, his tie loosened. Izabella nodded in response and took another drink.
“What did Snivellus want?”
“To say I'd done a good job with today, which is more than you have done, considering you were supposed to help me with all of this.” she ranted, standing up and walking away quickly before his hand grabbed her wrist and stopped her.
“I did help!”
Izabella snorted but he grabbed her arms firmly.
“What's the matter?” he demanded.
“Nothing.”
“Well then. Cheer up. It's our best friends wedding. And beside it's tradition that the Best Man and the Maid of Honour-”
“Give it a rest Sirius. It's been a long day.” she sighed.
“Come on Izzy-”
“Just don't. There's plenty of bridemaids. Take your pick.” she said harshly, storming through the kitchen and grabbing her purse where it lay on the worktop. Sirius followed her, shouting her name.
“Izabella stop.” he said firmly grabbing her arm.
“Just leave me alone Sirius.”
“No. What's happened?” he asked
“Why would you care?”
“Because I'm... Well, we're friends.”
Tears prickled in her eyes and she tensed her jaw tightly as she fixed him with a hard glare.
“Goodbye Sirius.” she said quietly, yanking her arm out of his grip.
She left the house and without looking back, turned and disapparated.
Izabella landed in Spinner's End and for a long time, she stood still, her chest rising and falling rapidly from the pace of her breathing. She sighed and hurried into the house and up the stairs, slamming her bedroom door as she yanked the clips from her head.
Throwing herself onto the bed, she curled up and closed her eyes. Tears spilled down her face from beneath her lashes and grew cold on her cheek as she fell asleep.
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