A/N: Hey guys! I know I've left you hanging for a very long while BUT I hope you still love me! REVIEWS!

Love and Leaving

Izzy dragged her sorry behind out of the hospital with Lily trailing close behind. "I'm so tired," Izzy moaned.

Lily rested her head on Izzy's shoulder. "Are my eyeballs still in my head? Because I think I misplaced them somewhere around delirious tiredness a few hours ago."

"What are we now?" Izzy asked dejectedly.

"Dead."

Izzy giggled slightly. Anna –Lee skipped out the doors past the two girls. "Come on, ladies!" She called. "I'm goin' dancing!"

And with that, the excitable girl hopped on a nearby red motorcycle and sped out of the car park. Izzy shook her head. "Could that chick get any cooler?"

"I know," Lily sighed. "A motorcycle? It's like, what?"

As they got the edge of the road, they saw Sirius and James waiting under a streetlight for them. Lily grinned tiredly as James took her hand. Izzy kissed Sirius quickly as he wrapped an arm about her waist. "I'm tired," Izzy said again.

"You need a drink," Sirius said cheerily.

"I've been up for 36 hours," Izzy fake cried softly.

"That's why you need vodka," Sirius encouraged as they strolled down the street .

Izzy shrugged. "Yeah, okay. Doesn't sound that bad."

"Where's Remus?" Lily queried.

"He's meeting us there."

So, on the secluded street corner, all four turned on the spot and Apparated to their favourite bar. After ordering a round of drinks, they sat in their corner booth and Izzy flopped down next to Remus.

"So," Sirius asked. "How was work?"

Izzy suddenly perked up. "I got to reattach a guy's arm!"

"Ew." James commented.

Lily grinned. "I thought it was cool."

So, after a few more drinks, James turned to Lily and said, "Okay, I'll chuck the shirt out."

"Thank you," Lily said smugly.

"On the condition that you marry me," James said firmly and quietly as he knelt before her.

"Oh my god," Izzy breathed in shock.

Lily's eyes spilled over with tears, and the silence was killing James. "Yes," she whispered, leaning down and hugging her new fiancé tightly around the neck. "Yes, yes, yes, yes!"

"Wooooooo!" Izzy cheered, clapping her hands together. Sirius whistled and the entire bar clapped for the happy couple. "Drinks all round!" Izzy cheered.

Lily turned around to Izzy with a giant grin on her face. "I'm getting married!" She squealed, throwing herself toward her best friend.

"I know," Izzy laughed, stepping back as she caught Lily in her arms.

Sirius clapped James on the back. "'Bout time, man."

James grinned. "Well … it only took me seven years or so."

"You'll be maid of honour, of course!" Lily informed her.

James grinned at Sirius. "Best man?"

"Obviously."

Izzy hugged James tightly about the neck. "About time Jamesie Boy."

"Couldn't have done it without you, Iz."

"And don't you forget it," Izzy laughed.

That night, meandering down their front garden path Izzy rested her head on Sirius' shoulder, feeling tears leak out of her closed eyelids. She hiccupped softly, feeling foolish.

"Hey, hey!" Sirius said softly setting her down on their front doorstep and kneeling before her. "What's up? Hon, are you alright?"

Izzy's eyes still poured tears. Sirius wiped his hands across her face almost roughly, frantically trying to stop the flow of tears he could find no cause for.

"I'm just being stupid," Izzy's breath caught in her throat.

"You're never stupid," Sirius whispered. "What is it?"

"Everything is being ruined," Izzy cried. "Lily isn't going to be a Healer anymore, and my best friends are getting married and I'm doing nothing! You're a great person, and I don't appreciate it enough and I just feel …"

"Woah, woah, woah." Sirius said, pulling her in close.

"Nothing is changing."

"We always fight, Sirius." Izzy said softly. "We're an off and on mess. We're dysfunctional. Will we ever have what James and Lily have?"

Sirius could feel the sting of her words, but knew she was tired and upset, so he lifted her chin to meet his eyes. "I think the point is that we're working towards it, Iz. Right?"

"I love you." Izzy whispered.

"And I love you," Sirius sighed, putting an arm about her shoulders and opening their front door, and heading inside.

The next week was filled with Lily chattering on about her wedding plans, James looking for a house for them to live in, and Izzy – continuing her training as a Healer, while Sirius spent long hours working for the Order.

Izzy was feeling frustrated and lonely – the Order would not give her any good assignments, ever since that first day at the hospital she had only been filling in charts, and her other friends had all been too busy for her lately.

So, hating herself practically into oblivion, Izzy went to see Dumbledore. She said "lemon drops" to the gargoyle, and skipped up the stairs as the door slowly turned open.

"Izzy! What a pleasant surprise," Dumbledore smiled.

"Professor," She nodded.

"I'm no longer your teacher dear," He chuckled.

Izzy ignored that comment, because she had no idea what she would call Dumbledore if not 'Professor.'

"Well," Izzy began, twisting her hands. "I heard, at the last meeting – that um, you need people to go to France, because of what's been going on there."

"Well, yes Isabella, I did. But I was hoping that –"

"Oh. I see. You wanted a man."

"No," Dumbledore held up a hand. "I wanted someone more experienced."

"Oh. Sorry."

"But I don't doubt your ability, Ms Flynn. We can have you set up there on assignment in no time."

"Great."

"But – Sit down, Isabella. What about your beau, dear?"

"Sirius? Um, well …"

"Never mind, dear, I won't ask. Here's a handout on what you'll be required to do. The key to your flat, and a train ticket. We shall discuss everything via owl, my owl, so it won't be intercepted."

"How long will I be away?"

"We'll have to play that one by ear."

"Okay." Izzy took a deep breath.

"The train ticket is for Monday. I shall inform St. Mungo's of your absence and your job shall wait for you."

"This is all moving very fast."

"Isn't that what you wanted?" Dumbledore asked, that customary twinkle in his eye.

And as Izzy left his office, a pass to an adventure in her hands, she felt like a sad and terrible person – because that had been exactly what she wanted.

Dinner was a silent affair at the Crap Shack. Sirius and Izzy had had one of their regular blow-outs that morning over something as menial as closet space. So, Izy was having a hard time saying anything, yet alone – "I'm leaving."

"What?" Sirius said, his fork clattering down.

Yet, somehow it slipped out anyway.

Reviews please! I KNOW, I leave you all hanging for months and then give you a cliff-hanger. I'm a nasty lady. Sorry!