Chapter Twenty-Six – What Are Friends For? 1st September 1978
“Izzy? It's time to wake up.”
Izabella blinked as she rolled over, pushing her hair off her face and rubbing her eyes. Framed by the light spilling into the room, Sirius leant over her, his hair falling across his face as he shook her gently.
“What time is it?” Izabella said groggily.
“Half past nine.”
Izabella sat up and stretched, making room for Sirius to sit beside her.
“I need to go home-”
“Don't worry, Lily went and picked up your school things.”
Izabella nodded slightly and relaxed back into the sofa, letting Sirius wrap his arms around her.
“Are you okay?” he asked quietly, placing a kiss on her forehead.
She swallowed loudly and clenched her teeth.
“I'm going for a shower.” she said in a small voice, peeling herself off the sofa and out of Sirius' arms.
After standing under the hot water, Izabella pulled on a pair of dark jeans and a red blouse from the pile of clothes which Lily had brought her. She ruffled her damp hair and groaned at her reflection; her eyes were red and her skin blotchy. She sighed and made her way downstairs, pulling on a jumper and hugging herself tightly.
“Good morning.” Lily said brightly as Izabella fell into a chair at the kitchen table. James waved his fork at her as he shovelled bacon into his mouth and Sirius gave her a gentle smile from across the table. Izabella thanked Lily as she placed a plate in front of her and began to pick at her toast.
“I ironed your uniform, it's at the top of your trunk along with all of your books and clothes.”
“Thank you Lily, you didn't need to do that.”
“It was my pleasure.” she said quietly, placing a kiss on her best friend's cheek.
An hour later they walked through the station together, casually leaning against the barrier until they were stood before the gleaming Hogwarts Express.
“Izabella!”
With a deep groan, Izabella turned sharply and loaded her trunk onto the train.
“Izabella please!"
“No Severus, I do not want to-”
As she spun around to glare at her brother, she caught sight of the blonde figure walking behind him.
“I mean it. Both of you, leave me alone.” she said in a cold voice.
“Izabella-”
“I think you should go.” Sirius said, moving behind Izabella and placing a hand on the bottom of her back protectively.
“Shut it Black.” Severus spat. Lucius watched Izabella with pleading eyes, gazing at her from across the platform. Izabella sighed and shook her head slightly, turning into Sirius as he wrapped his arms around her tightly.
“I'll see you soon.” he mumbled into her hair as he kissed the top of her hair.
“Thanks Sirius.” she whispered as she reached up to press her lips against his cheek.
“What are friends for eh?” he said with a small smile. For a moment they looked at each other, Sirius' arms still locked around Izabella's waist. Then Izabella nodded and pulled away.
“Right.”
“You're still my best friend.” Sirius said with a wink.
Izabella chuckled and after a final smile, she climbed aboard the train. As a whistle blew, Izabella waved to Lily and James, received a final wink from Sirius and sent a deathly glare towards her brother, trying to avoid Lucius' desperate eyes.
There was a rumble from the train engine and then the faces on the platform became a blur as Izabella left London for her final year at Hogwarts.
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