Chapter Thirty-Four - Whole New World 20th December 1978
Izabella gasped loudly as they landed in the grounds of Malfoy Manor. It was snowing lightly, creating a veil of white in front of Izabella's eyes and the lawn was already covered in a blanket of thick white snow. The large house was opposite them at the end of the gravel driveway, standing majestically in a field of pure white.
"It looks beautiful." Izabella whispered. Lucius nodded in agreement.
"It's a wonderful house. Winter is my favourite time of year at the Manor. I do prefer to stay in London during the summer though."
"You have a house in London?"
"Just a small flat really." he replied, with a casual wave of his hand. Izabella concealed a grin as he took her arm and they followed Severus down the path toward the front door.
The door swung open as they approached, a small elf bowing his head respectfully as he let Lucius and the others out of the darkening Winter day.
"Good afternoon Master Malfoy."
"Hello Nobby. Will you take Miss Prince's things to her room?"
"Of course Sir."
"It's fine, I can take it." Izabella insisted, but the elf had already snapped his fingers and disappeared up the stairs with her trunk.
"Ah Lucius." boomed a familiar voice to the right of them. Izabella turned and managed a smile at Abraxas.
"Miss Prince, how are you? Good term at school I hope?"
"Yes it was eventful." Izabella replied.
"Excellent. Lucius, Severus you are needed in the drawing room for a moment."
The two nodded seriously and hurried through the double doors, closing them firmly behind themselves. Izabella narrowed her eyes slightly as she watched them leave, but she managed to force her gaze away and smile politely at Abraxas.
"I'm very glad you and Lucius are talking again."
"As am I."
"As my only son I just wish for him to be happy."
"Well I hope I can make him happy Sir."
Abraxas tilted his head to one side slightly as he contemplated her, a smirk growing across his face.
"You are turning into a fine young lady Miss Prince. Whoever your father was, he must of had truly Pure blood." he said quietly as he held her chin between his fingers, scrutinizing her closely.
"He can't of been that special Sir. Or he would of stuck around."
"Hmm. Perhaps. And please, Abraxas will do fine."
"Okay then. Oh and thank you for inviting us to stay here. It's very kind of you."
"My pleasure." he beamed. "Binky! Will you show Miss Prince to her room please?"
A small elf appeared and nodded eagerly.
"Of course my Lord. Right this way Miss."
Izabella nodded her head towards Abraxas then followed the tiny house elf up the large ornate staircase. They passed through several winding passageways, each wall lined with paintings and window sills decorated tastefully with vases and china.
Just as Izabella began to suspect they were lost, Binky stopped in front of two white double doors, and with a click of her fingers the large doors swung open to reveal the most beautiful room Izabella had ever lain eyes on.
It was bright inside because of the high windows, the silk curtains tied back to tempt in the last of the winter sun. The walls were a pure white and there was a desk in the corner of the room, covered in marble with a huge mirror surrounded by ivory.
The four poster bed stood majestically in the centre of the room, light chiffon hangings fastened at the head of the bed, framing the mountain of cushions. The bedding was light blue, a thick fur throw lying neatly at the bottom. A rug lay beside the bed, intricately woven pieces of pale blue and shimmering silver.
Izabella's mouth fell open as she stared about the room and Binky chuckled beside her.
"Miss looks very surprised."
"I've never seen a bedroom this nice before." she whispered, afraid to break the peace inside the wonderful room.
"'Only the best for Miss Prince', that's what us elves were told Miss." Binky said with a smile. The elf scuttled into the room and brushed imaginary dust off the bed post. "Now is Miss hungry or will you wait for dinner?"
"No, I'll be fine. Thank you Binky."
"It was Binky's pleasure Miss. Binky will be back soon to help Miss dress for dinner." she said as she left the room, shutting the door quietly behind her.
Izabella stopped and breathed in heavily before she fell onto the bed, sinking deep down onto the cushions. As she admired the ceiling above her, Izabella's mind wandered.
Would Lucius mention the New Year's Eve Ball? As much as she tried to deny it, she hoped he would. She felt certain that he had chosen this room for her - it was perfect.
She chuckled to herself at the thought of an elf helping her to 'dress for dinner'. A laughter bubbled inside of her, exploding as she giggled until her sides hurt. She stretched out on the bed, a ghost of a smile lingering on her lips, but she had grown worried.
What had Lucius and Severus hurried off to do? But that wasn't the worst part. Izabella had an inkling of what was happening in the drawing room downstairs, but she didn't seem to mind. She only hoped it would be over soon so she could see Lucius again. She chewed her lip hard, her brow furrowing as she remembered Abraxas' words.
'A fine young lady...' Or maybe just the type of lady she was expected to be. However Izabella found herself thinking; why not?
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