Chapter Twenty-Five - Friends Are The Family We Choose 31st August 1978
Izabella raised her fist to bang on the door of the Manor. A shaking house elf opened the door, his eyes widening when he spotted the normally so calm tempered, Izabella. She stormed past the nervous creature and stood in the centre of the Entrance Hall, one hand resting on her hip and a stern expression on her face.
“Lucius!” she yelled.
There was a brief pause before the doors to the dining flew open and Lucius extended his arms towards her.
“There you are. I was worried about you.” Lucius dropped his arms as he caught sight of Izabella's expression and he frowned. “What's happened?”
“I go back to Hogwarts tomorrow. Do you have something to tell me?”
Lucius nodded slightly and shifted nervously.
“Of course. Why don't we take a seat?” he said, turning to lead her away.
“No. Lucius tell me now.”
“Izabella this isn't appropriate.” he said firmly.
Izabella hesitated for a moment then sighed heavily and stomped after Lucius. He lead them into the room beyond the dining room. The rain was still falling, bouncing off the glass doors loudly. Izabella threw herself onto a sofa and raised an eyebrow at Lucius as he paced in front of her.
“This is difficult Izabella, but let me explain everything before you interrupt me.”
Izabella nodded curtly, gesturing for him to continue.
“Being a part of a PureBlood family isn't always easy. Sometimes I have to do what I need to do. There is a wizard, who wishes to return the Wizarding World to it's original glory. Back to the days when wizards were in control, not Muggles.” Lucius paused and stopped in front of her. “There is a group of us that believe in his ways and are willing to follow him.”
“Death Eaters right?” Izabella said, clenching her jaw tightly. Lucius blinked.
“You know about this?”
“Sirius just told me all about it.”
“Sirius Black? I thought I asked you-”
“It wasn't just him. We were at Lily's.” Izabella snapped.
“Well if you already know I don't need to explain anything.”
“I wanted to hear it from you Lucius. I wanted you to admit to killing innocent Muggles.”
A silence filled the room whilst Izabella stared at Lucius, daring him to deny it. He took a deep breath and stepped towards her.
“Izabella. That wasn't me.”
“Who was it then? Severus?”
“No! I'm not sure. I haven't hurt anyone.”
“Yet.”
“Izabella please understand-”
“No Lucius, I can't understand. No one is making you do this! Why are you willing to follow a man who wants to kill all Muggles?”
“It's not... He doesn't...” Lucius stammered. He moved towards her but Izabella stood up and stormed to the other side of the room, leaning against the window frame and watching the water gush down the glass.
“I suppose Muggleborns are your next target? Doesn't Severus understand that means Lily too?” said Izabella quietly. “Or do friends of Death Eaters get special treatment?”
“You're a PureBlood, you're safe. So's Severus.”
“I don't care about that! What about my best friend? What about Remus? I'm sure Voldemort doesn't like Half Breeds either!” she yelled, turning to face him with blazing eyes.
“Do not use that name!” Lucius demanded.
“Why? That's his name isn't it? Lord Voldemort. What makes him so special that you're willing to kill for him?”
The doors suddenly flew open and Abraxas stormed into the room, closely followed by Eileen and Severus.
“What is all the shouting about?” Abraxas asked, his voice calmer than he looked.
“I'm sure you know Abraxas.” Izabella said clenching her teeth.
“Please leave Father. I need to speak with Izabella-”
“We're done Lucius. I never want to speak to you again.”
“Izabella...” Severus said with a sigh.
“Don't you dare!” she screamed, rounding on her brother. “How could you do this? How can you do this to Lily?”
Severus lowered his head, his black hair falling in front of his face like curtains. Eileen tutted, glaring at Izabella firmly with her hands on her hips.
“Stop all of this silly shouting Izabella. Severus doesn't care for the Muggleborn girl any more and neither should you. You won't be seeing her again.”
“I certainly will be. There's no way I'm staying in a house with two Death Eaters. I'll be murdered in my sleep.”
With a last glare at her brother, Izabella flicked her hair over her shoulder and stormed out of the room, ignoring Lucius' attempt to get her attention. She hurried to the front door of the Manor and disapparated back to Godric's Hollow.
Before she had time to knock on the door, it was opened and Sirius stood before her.
“Oh Izzy.” he said quietly as she fell against his chest, his arms wrapping around her tightly. There was a loud, gut-wrenching sound and it took a moment for Izabella to realize it was her sobs.
She buried her face in Sirius' chest, the rain and her tears soaking his shirt as she clung to him. He rubbed her back with his palm, whispering gently in her ear and holding her tightly until Lily appeared behind him.
“Oh Izabella!” she cried, pulling them both inside and out of the rain. She cut in between them and put her arms around her best friend, cloaking her in a mass of red hair.
A few moments later Izabella found herself on the sofa, her head resting on Sirius' chest and her feet tucked up underneath her. His leather jacket was lying on top of her and after a steaming cup of tea and a few warming charms from Lily, the chill from the rain had gone.
“I'm sorry we had to be the ones to tell you Izabella.” Lily said gently as she stroked her leg affectionately from the other end of the sofa.
“Maybe it was better we did. I doubt Malfoy would have told her the truth.” said James with a shrug.
Izabella had been staring at the carpet with dead eyes, her body numb, but at the mention of his name she felt the tears well up in eyes and spill down her pale cheeks.
“Nice one James.” Lily said sarcastically, patting Izabella's hand comfortingly.
Izabella was grateful when Sirius pulled her onto his lap, letting her bury her face in the crook of his neck whilst he shushed her gently and glared at James.
His arms engulfed her as he rocked her gently and she was soon drifting off to sleep to the sound of his heartbeat and the smell of leather, cinnamon and peppermint gum.
__________________
SlytherinGirl. FanFic Lover |