Isabella was physically and emotionally exhausted. One year ago she had graduated from Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Upon graduation, Isabella was accepted to begin Auror training with the Ministry of Magic. After all, she had excellent marks in all her classes and received wonderful recommendations from her professors. Under normal circumstances, Auror training would take three years to complete. However, Isabella seemed to breeze past every test while maintaining excellent marks. Her superiors were impressed at her ability to master training so quickly. She was the only person in the history of the Ministry to finish Auror training in one year.
Not everyone was impressed by her abilities, however. Many of her co-workers lobbied against her placement in the department. People felt hiring Isabella was a conflict of interest. After all, she was related to, and thanks to her family ties, knew many dark wizards and witches. Amist the controversy, Professor Dumbledore, graciously, went to the Ministry of Magic to vouch for Isabella's good character. Dumbledore's testimony appeased many of the Ministry employees. Dumbledore was highly respected and his words quelled the fears of the staff, who felt slightly more comforatble working alongside a Lestrange. Even with Dumbledore's sway, however, some still believed Isabella was a dark witch and vowed to keep close tabs on her. No one tried to actively get Isabella fired, however, out of fear of what she, or another dark force, would do to seek revenge.
The last few weeks had been particularly tough. The department had been trying to recapture Sirius Black since his escape from Azkaban months earlier. Isabella was shocked upon learning of his escape. How had he managed to break free from the dementor's depressing spell long enough to get off the island? Not even her mother had managed it. Although she probably doesn't see the point of escaping with him gone, she thought. She had never met her cousin, Sirius. She had little knowledge of his actions during the first war and could only recall her mother's hatred toward him. Bellatrix had called him a "blood traitor" on several occasions. She never understood how Sirius, the "blood traitor" could betray his friends. If he hated the Dark Arts, why sell James and Lily Potter out to Voldemort? she thought. The betrayal didn't make sense.
Isabella had thought the worst of the week was over. Somehow, under Ministry watch, Black escaped yet again and seemed to have vanished. Little did Bella know, what she thought was the worst was only the beginning...
Isabella walked out of her apartment. She had moved out of Malfoy Manor, shortly after graduating Hogwarts, and was enjoying every minute of her newfound freedom. The day was absolutely beautiful, and Isabella felt as though she were walking through a painting. The sun shone brightly in the brilliant baby blue sky which contrasted magnificently against the dark green grass. Isabella breathed in the warm air and closed her eyes in order to fully appreciate the gentle, cooling breeze against her skin. The birds were chirping happily, high in the trees as her black, studded ballet flats hit the pavement. She had paired the flats with black leggings and a white lace top (with cami underneath), which sleeves ended just past her elbow. She looked as if she could be a rock star. He black hair, with the ends slightly curled, bounced as she walked to the end of the street.
Earlier in the morning she has received an owl from her godfather.
Isabella,
Please meet me at my house for tea this afternoon.
Severus
The note was short and simple. She had not seen Snape since her graduation a year ago, although they occasionally exchanged pleasantries by owl. We have such an odd relationship, she thought. Isabella knew her mother, Bellatrix, and Snape hated each other. She knew they got along relatively well while at Hogwarts together but the relationship turned sour after Severus turned spy for Dumbledore. Of course, Bellatrix did not know Severus was really Dumbledore's man. However, she always suspected Severus was not fully loyal to the Dark Lord and never trusted him again. Like mother, like daughter, Isabella was not sure if she could trust her godfather either. Bellatrix was furious when her father suggested Snape as godfather, although she did not have much of a say. His word was final.
At long last, Isabella arrived at Snape's house. I wish he would turn on some lights, she thought. The house was so dark and foreboding one could not tell from the inside how beautiful the day was. She sat on the couch while Snape prepared the tea. She had only been to his house once before. Any time she saw him outside of school the meetings had been at the Malfoy Mansion. Snape returned to the room and sat down across from Isabella.
"You are probably wondering why I asked you here." Snape began.
Isabella sipped her tea. She truly appreciated how he was not one for small talk, preferring to get straight to the point.
"Yes." she replied after swallowing her tea. "I suppose it's important." she said searching his face for a clue.
After a pause, Snape whispered, "The Dark Lord will return."
"Wh-what?" Isabella sputtered, nearly choking on the hot tea and burning her mouth in the process. "When? How do you know?" she asked suspiciously.
Snape rose from his chair and walked over to the window. He stared outside for what seemed like hours, seemingly lost in thought. Finally, he told her the details surrounding Black's escape from Hogwarts, weeks prior, and Peter Pettigrew's involvement in the murders of Lily and James Potter.
Isabella stood and began pacing across the living room floor.
"So...so.." she stammered, "Pettigrew is searching for The Dark Lord. And when he finds him..." she trailed off, unable to imagine the gravity of her words.
"Yes", replied Snape, finally turning from the window to look at her. "He will help him return to power."
Isabella stood for a moment in the living room, processing everything Snape had told her. She couldn't believe it. She had always known he would return but secretly hoped it would never happen. Reality had smacked her hard across the face.
"Why are you telling me this?" Sputtered Isabella.
"Professor Dumbledore and I agreed you had the right to know." Snape said, looking into her eyes. He actually seemed pained in breaking the news to her. "Also, I remembered your Occlumency lesson. You plan to be a spy for both sides, do you not?" he asked, somewhat curious, but he seemed to know the answer.
Isabella stood for what seemed like an eternity contemplating Snape's question. She did, indeed, want to be a spy. She knew, upon Voldemort's return, she would be summoned by the mark burned into her arm by her mother all those years ago. She remembered watching her mother, as a child, summon Death Eaters to the Dark Lord on many occassions by placing her wand on the mark. Isabella would answer the call when the time came. For now the mark remained dormant, barely even visible on her pale skin.
"I do." she finally whispered to Snape. "I told you, I detest the Dark Arts. If I can be helpful in any way, I want to fight." She looked, defiantly, into his eyes.
Suddenly, the dormant fireplace in the middle of the living room turned a brilliant green. It appeared someone was trying to floo into the house. The flames died just as soon as they had appeared and a familiar wizard stepped out of the fireplace.
"Professor!" Isabella exclaimed.
"Good day, my dear. Congratulations on becoming an Auror! In training for only a year. Very impressive!" Dumbledore said, he blue eyes twinkling behind his half moon spectacles; a smile playing at his lips.
"Thank you, sir!" said Isabella, happy, but, quite shocked to see him standing in Snape's living room.
"Did you tell her, Severus?" Dumbledore turned to Snape.
"Yes, sir. She knows the details of recent events and does, indeed, intend to act as a spy." said snape matter of factly.
"Good, good." replied Dumbledore as if he had been given a good report on the weather.
"Sir, what's going on?" asked Isabella, confused.
"Isabella, Professor Snape has informed me of your intentions and I must say they are most noble."
"Thank you, professor."
"I know you, out of all people, know how serious the Dark Arts are. You know the dangerous associated with them." said Dumbledore.
"I do, sir."
"I must say I am pleased to know, when the time comes, you wish to aid in ridding the wizarding world from harm. However, being a spy is very dangerous work. I feel, it is in your best interest, for you to work with Severus, who will also be a spy for our side." Dumbledore finished.
"But, sir.." Isabella started, however Dubledore held up a hand, cutting her off.
"Severus has told me you express doubts of his loyalty. I understand your concerns, but, hope you will trust me when I say I trust Severus with my life." said Dumbledore. He did not need to raise his voice for Isabella to hear the stern finality in his words. Dumbledore trusted Snape and no one would convince him otherwise.
Snape stood quietly by Dumbledore. As Dumbledore spoke, sadness seemed to cross Snape's face but when she looked back a second later his face was expressionless.
"Will you trust Severus and work with him?" Dumbledore asked Isabella, jarring her from her thoughts.
Isabella looked at Snape. She wished she could read him. She longed to know what he was thinking. Today, at least, she knew her questions of Snape's loyalty would go unanswered.
"I will, sir." Isabella finally conceded looking at Snape.
"Excellent! I really must be going now. There is a new knitting pattern I've been wanting to try out!"
And with that, Professor Dumbledore disappeared with a flourish in the flames.
Isabella left Snape's shortly after Dumbledore's departure. She walked aimlessly down the sidewalk marvelling at how fast life can change. Even the weather, which had been beautiful a few hours earlier, had turned stormy. The beautiful blue sky was now a dark gray and every few feet strong gusts from the howling wind would knock Isabella a little off course. I need a drink, she thought. Isabella closed her eyes and apparated to the muggle bar near her apartment. People in the wizarding world didn't normally associate with muggles, but, Isabella found her escape in the muggle world. In their world she was anonymous. No one knew of her past or of her crazy, death eater mother. She was simply Isabella Druella Lestange, another face in the crowd.
Isabella entered the bar. Tobias, the bar owner, stood on the other side of the bar, preparing a drink for a customer. While Tobias was busy Isabella took a seat. Normally, the bar was packed with people Saturday night and moving from the door to the bar would be a difficult feat. However, tonight it appeared as if the only patrons were herself and the man Tobias was serving. She did not have to look far to find out the cause of the dismal turn out. An old television mounted on a platform against the wall was showing the muggle evening news. The light radiating from it cast an eery glow off the various liquor bottles around the counter.
"...And now over to the weather. It looks like we've got a bad storming coming, Jim."
"Absolutely, Tom. We've got a large front moving in tonight with wind gusts up to 60 miles per hour in some areas. We have a tornado warning is in effect until 11:00 tonight for the entire viewing area. We are urging everyone to stay indoors and follow normal storm safety measures. Tom."
"Thank you, Jim. We'll have more on the weather later but now to our top story tonight..."
"Crazy weather, huh, Isabella." Tobias said. He was walking over toward Isabella, the man in the corner, now sipping his drink.
Isabella often frequented the bar. She didn't drink much but she liked the food and enjoyed Tobias' company. Tobias enjoyed Isabella's company as well. He was in his late 60's and a widower, his wife having died a few years prior after a long battle with cancer. Isabella thought of him as a grandfather figure and liked to help him around the bar as often as possible.
"Some weather." Isabella replied. "Such a shame considering how pretty it was today."
"Yes, well, I guess there's always calm before the storm, right?" Tobias said with a small smile.
"I suppose so." Agreed Isabella returning the smile. "What can I get for you, Bella?"
"I'll have a rum and coke, please."
"Drinking tonight, eh?" Replied Tobias. He raised an eyebrow but got to work making the drink.
"Yeah, it's just been a rough week, Tobias. Some work and personal stuff." Isabella sighed.
"I understand. Sometimes it's nice to forget for awhile." Tobias said handing Isabella her drink.
He knew better than to ask for specifics. Isabella liked to keep to herself and he respected her privacy.
The two exchanged small talk, occasionally broken when Tobias was summoned to the other side of the bar to poor the man a new drink.
"Tobias, the next drink for that man is on me." Said Isabella as she saw the man would need a new one soon. "Are you sure, Bella?"
"Yes. He looks in rough shape. Like he had a bad day too." Replied Isabella an edge of concern in her voice. He looks how I feel, she thought.
Indeed, the man at the end of the bar looked terrible. He appeared young, but his brown hair was fleck with gray. He was slumped over the bar. Isabella could see dark circles under his eyes and his clothes appeared very worn. Still he seems harmless, Isabella thought.
"Have you seen him around here before, Tobias?" Isabella asked. Tobias had just returned from refilling the man's glass.
"No, this is the first time I've seen him, Bella. Oh excuse me.." Tobias said as the telephone started ringing, the sound echoing in the small space.
Isabella turned her attention to the television during Tobias's absence. The evening news appeared to be over because a game show now appeared on the screen.
She was so engrossed in the program, Isabella did not notice the stranger from across the bar walking over towards her. "Hello." He said as he reached her.
Isabella looked up, startled. "Oh, hello." She replied.
The man gave her a small smile "May I join you?" He asked. He had a deep but gentle voice.
"Oh, yes, of course!" Bella replied, still a little startled by his sudden appearance.
"I'm Remus." The man replied as he extending his hand.
"Isabella." She replied shaking his hand.
"Nice to meet you, Isabella." Remus said, the small smile still on his lips. He sounded genuine.
"I wanted to thank you." Remus started. "For the drink." He finished at the confused look on Isabella's face. "Oh, it's no problem." She replied waving her hand. "You looked as if you could use one." She replied sheepishly.
To her surprise, Remus let out a bark of laughter, causing Isabella to smile at his reaction. She didn't know why but she felt happy she could make him laugh. His smile made him appear younger. "Yes," Remus said, laughter still audible in his voice, " It has been quite an interesting few weeks."
"Tell, me about it." Isabella replied, both smiling at the other. Normally she didn't pry into people's personal lives but Isabella was curious. "Rough week at work?" She asked nonchalantly.
Remus gave her a bitter smile. "I wish. I resigned from my teaching job. I don't really want to talk about it if you don't mind." He said, all the warmth in his voice vanished.
"Oh, I'm sorry!" Replied Isabella sincerely. "I didn't mean to pry."
"No, I'm sorry. I was rather harsh." Remus replied gently. They smiled at each other once more.
The two had been conversing for hours. What turned into an awful day was beginning to be a great night. From the looks of it, Remus seemed to be enjoying himself as well. The telephone rang for a second time that evening. As soon as Tobias answered the phone, Isabella could tell something was wrong. His face dropped and he hastily began asking questions to the person on the line.
"Tobias, what's wrong?" She asked, concerned at the look of terror on his face, as he hung up the phone.
"It's my sister!" He exclaimed. "She's being rushed to the hospital. They said it wasn't very serious but she's the only thing I have left!"
"Tobias, breathe!" Isabella said. He was visibly panicked. "Do you want me to go with you?" She asked. "No, no. I'll be fine. Can you lock up the bar though, dear?" He asked handing Isabella the keys.
"Of course, Tobias! I'll come back tomorrow to settle our tabs."
"Thank you, dear! You're so sweet!" Tobias replied and he walked out the door. He really was glad he could trust his young friend.
"Well, I suppose that's the end of the fun." Remus said, standing. He smiled at Isabella but seemed slightly disappointed.
"Maybe not." Isabella replied looking nervously up at Remus. He was quite tall. "I live right around the corner. Would you want to join me for a drink?" She held her breath. The truth was she was very drunk already and should probably go to bed. However, she enjoyed Remus' company, and wasn't ready for the night to end just yet. She couldn't explain why, but she was oddly attracted to him. Little did she know, Remus was feeling the same way.
They had finally reached her apartment after locking the bar for Tobias. Luckily, they had missed the first storm front which had poured rain, and were able to make it to her apartment without getting soaked. A new one seemed to be springing up behind it, however, and Isabella was grateful to be inside. She unlocked the door and let Remus into her living room. She shut the door behind them and began walking to make them drinks when she tripped on her rug. She began falling to the ground and braced herself for the impact of her body on the wooden floor. However, the feeling of her body hitting the hard surface never came. Remus had run over and made it in time to scoop Isabella in his arms. He felt warm and strong, Isabella thought. He smelled delicious, like a mixture of the outdoors and the alcohol he was drinking. Remus righted Isabella but didn't back away. She smells wonderful, he thought. He left his warm hands resting on the soft skin of her arms. Their faces were inches apart. Isabella was mesmerized by the steady thumping of his heart. Slowly their faces inched closer. Isabella could not believe what was happening. The kiss was gentle and cautious but she felt fireworks. His lips were warm and soft. Slowly the kiss deepened until they were hungrily kissing. Remus moved his hands to run through Isabella's hair. She was completely under his spell.
Remus could not believe what was happening. He didn't mean for this to happen but did not want the kisses to end. He felt wonderfully warm and wanted to stay wrapped up in this feeling forever. Slowly, Isabella started pushing Remus toward her bedroom. He hesitated and broke the kiss. "What's wrong?" She asked. She had a confused and hurt look on her face. Remus had been so caught up in the kiss he didn't realize he had been undressing her. He stood before her in her bra and leggings; her shirt carelessly discarded on the floor. Her face was flushed and he noticed her hair was disheveled from where he had run his hands through it. When he looked down he could see she had begun to unbutton his rather shabby, shirt. It's not that Remus didn't want what was about to happen but it had been years since he had been with anyone. No one wants to sleep with a werewolf, he thought.
"Remus?" Isabella asked stepping towards him.
"I'm sorry." He said. "I just..."
"Shhh..." She whispered pressing her fingertips to his lips.
Slowly she moved her lips towards his and, before he knew it, they were passionately kissing again. Remus no longer cared to think; he simply wanted to enjoy the moment being with the beautiful, young woman. He began backing up, inching slowly into her bedroom. Lust overcame them as the storm raged outside.
