Chapter 3 – Born To Die
For the next few days, Isabella would reach over on the other side of her bed to feel only a cold, empty spot, still depressed from his body. Each time, her head would slowly lift up and turn to the sight and a sadness would sweep over her. She'd fall back asleep, doing the same thing when she awoke only a few hours later. Eventually, she'd drag herself out of bed and down the steps to make herself coffee. As much as she tried to avoid her, Alice would still watch her mother with suspicious eyes as Jonathon and Jasmine would be playing with their Weasley products or other valuables and arguing with each other as usual.
It wasn't like Scabior didn't ever come home. He would—eventually—later during the night right before they all went to bed. Alice was the only one who stayed up long enough to wait for him to come home. Isabella would eagerly sit on the window sill, reading or flipping through a book with her daughter. But the quietness between the two of them became too awkward to bear anymore, so she'd resorted to going back up to her room and pretending to be asleep until he came home.
To keep Alice off her tail, she'd invited Anna over along with her kids one day during the next week. While the kids were all preoccupied with their own conversations, Isabella and Anna were in the dining room with two cups of tea when the topic finally came up.
"So, you said Samuel got a new job?" Anna asked. She'd refused to call him by his last name anymore as well, the memories of his torturing returning to her if she did.
Isabella nodded solemnly. "Well, what is it?" Anna took a quick sip of her tea and Isabella waited for her to swallow before she announced it quietly.
"He's joined a group of rebel snatchers." Just as she'd expected, Anna's green eyes bulged out of her head. Isabella bit her lip nervously, waiting for her to freak out. But Anna just seemed stunned, sitting back in the chair, her mouth slightly agape. "Please say something..."
Anna shrugged, throwing her hands in the air. "I don't know what to say." She ran her hand over her face, trying to find words. "He quit his other job at the Ministry?" Isabella nodded. "And you're letting him do this?" She sounded agitated with Isabella.
She shrugged. "I know he's not as happy as he used to be...I should've known that I couldn't keep him happy for long." Her eyes drifted away from Anna's.
"Izzy," Anna said quietly, grabbing her hand. "He loves you. He always has, just as much as you love him. Don't let something like this get between the two of you."
Isabella snorted. "I'm surprised you're not telling me to leave right now."
Anna shook her head, a small smile spreading on her face. "Because that's not what you need to do, that's what I want you to do." They laughed darkly together. "But in all seriousness," Anna said, giving her hand one last squeeze, "you can't just sit around not doing anything while he's gone. Your kids will start to worry and you can't zone out on them. They need you more than anything right now. But I do think you and him need to have a long conversation."
"Well, Alice is already catching on." Isabella's voice level dropped. She was so afraid Alice was around somewhere, listening intently. Though she knew for a fact she was outside with Lavender, obsessing over the cute Quidditch players on the different famous teams.
"Don't tell her," Anna said quickly. "It'll break her heart. I refuse to tell Lavender anything, only that I'd taken part in the battle and I was taken away with you for a few weeks. That's all, though."
Isabella nodded. "That's what I've told Alice. She's logical, though. She's cunning, smart, and can easily be ahead of someone else's game. God, she is so like her father!" She rolled her eyes and cupped her face in her hands. Anna took them away and held them back in hers.
"So pretend like nothing's wrong. You can do it, Is. I know how strong and brave you are." Anna smiled at her and she slowly smiled back.
After that conversation, she started dinner for everyone and they all ate cheerily around the table. Isabella took Anna's advice. She pretended that everything was fine and for once, Alice actually bought it. She'd been cute with Jasmine just as she'd always done and teased Jonathon about Jessica sitting right next to him. He blushed the whole time as Jasmine and Alice laughed their heads off.
Once they all went home, Isabella suggested they spend the rest of their night in the backyard, looking at the stars. The kids all mutually agreed and ran out within seconds. She grabbed a blanket from the couch and laid it down on the soft grass, curling between Jasmine and Alice, Jonathon on the other side of her.
They talked about Hogwarts and the professors, the kids, the classes, etc. Just then, Jasmine asked a question that caught Isabella off guard.
"Did you ever go to Hogwarts, mum?"
Isabella looked at her daughter, gazing wondrously at the stars. "No," she answered. Jasmine looked at her quizzically. "My parents didn't want me to. Your aunt, whose name was Jasmine, too, rebelled against my parents and went anyway, living with my aunt and uncle for most of her life. I never knew about it until nineteen years ago when...when your father and I met."
This turned Alice's and Jonathon's head. Isabella pretended not to notice and just smiled at Jasmine, who smiled back. She turned on her side now, looking at her mother, another question brewing in her eyes.
"You never talk about your family," she said. "What happened to Aunt Jazzy?"
Hearing her say her sister's old nickname brought tears to her eyes. "She died, honey. Many, many years ago. She was only a year older than your sister was." Isabella seemed to be choking as she decided to let the rest of the words spill out. "A crazy witch related to the Malfoys killed her because she didn't want to join the evil witches and wizards."
Jasmine's eyes widened in fear. She looked like she may cry herself. Isabella brushed a strand of her blonde hair behind her ear. "Don't cry, sweetheart. I know she's safe now. I saw her on the train before all of you left for Hogwarts. She was there, smiling at me. Draco Malfoy saw her too. He was in love with her, you know. He wasn't always a good man, but she loved him anyway." Isabella blinked back tears and swallowed hard before speaking again. "Just like your dad." She laughed nervously. Jasmine's face was contorted with what could only be described as pain. A chime from the grandfather clock inside signaled the end of the night, breaking Isabella out of her trance. She wiped at her eyes and sat up, looking back at Jasmine.
"It's time for bed."
"But," Jasmine sat up, along with her siblings. "I wanna hear more of your story. Why won't you tell us how you and dad met?"
She turned to Alice and Jonathon, interest visible on both their faces. Just imagining the pain they'd feel when they heard about the story was painful for her. She wouldn't tell them. Not yet.
Isabella shook her head. "No," she stood up, putting her hand out for Jasmine. "Come on, time for bed." With an eye roll, she took her mother's hand and they walked inside. Isabella turned around again to look at her other children. "You guys, too."
She led Jasmine up to her room and undid her bed while she changed into pajamas. Afterward, she silently climbed into bed and Isabella tucked her in, kissing her forehead.
"Good night, Jazzy," she said silently.
"Where is he, mum?" She asked unexpectedly. Isabella smiled, running her hand down Jasmine's head.
"He's very busy with work, sweetie. He'll be home to see you, soon. I promise."
"Alice was right, wasn't she?"
Isabella shook her head. "No, she's not. I told you, don't listen to her."
Jasmine's eyes welled with tears. "I hear you cryin' at night." She started taking deep, shaky breaths. "I hear dad's voice as he tries to be as quiet as possible when he asks you what's wrong, but you just keep cryin' and can't stop. So then, all I hear is the creakin' of your bed as what I can only assume is him holdin' you while he muffles your unknowin' sobs."
Isabella is shocked by this. She didn't know she cried in the middle of the night. She knew that she had nightmares. Nightmares of Scabior never coming back. Scabior torturing Anna. Torturing her. Torturing Alice. Jonathon. Jasmine. All of these images ran through her head as that smirk was plastered on his face. It must have become too much for her to handle even in her sleep.
"I'm fine, Jazz," Isabella tried to say calmly. "It's just...things that happened a long time ago. I sometimes remember them while I'm sleeping. But it passes."
A tear finally spills over Jasmine's eyelid. "Please, mum, stop cryin'." She wraps her arms around Isabella's neck and pulls her close before she whispers in her ear, "I love you."
Isabella hesitantly hugs her bag, silent tears falling into her daughter's hair. "I love you, too, Jazzy."
Eventually, she got her daughter to go to sleep and she went back downstairs and outside to get the blanket. But surprisingly, Alice was there, leaning back on her hands and looking at the sky. She looked at her mother when she noticed she was there.
"I thought I told you to go to sleep," Isabella said.
Alice shrugged. "I'm not tired." She got up, wrapping the blanket in her arms. "And you know I stay awake until dad comes home."
It hit Isabella like a speeding bullet. She realized he wasn't home yet. She ran back inside to look at the grandfather clock. He was late from coming home. At least by half an hour. She turned back around and saw Alice closing the door to outside and locking it behind her. She threw the blanket on the couch and looked at Isabella with sad eyes.
"What's really going on?" She demanded.
Isabella shook her head, chewing on her fingernail and pacing the room. "It's nothing, it's just...it's just business."
"No, mum, it's not. You're too worried." She crossed her arms over her chest, stepping in Isabella's way to stop her pacing. "Are you two taking a break?"
"No!" She shouted, shocked.
"Is he cheating on you?"
"No, Alice!"
"Then, what the bloody hell is he doing this late at night that he has no time to come see us anymore?"
"Merlin's beard, Alice, he's a snatcher!" Her hand flew over her mouth the moment the words escaped her lips. Alice's eyes widened even wider than Anna's had. She grabbed onto the back of the couch, like she was trying to steady herself. "I mean..." Isabella tried to cover, but it was too late. "Alice, it's not what you think."
"Really?" Alice's voice shook and tears were already falling down her face. "Because I know what snatchers are, mum. I know what they do. The only problem is they were owned by the Ministry and they've turned around ever since the end of You-Know-Who. So tell me, how it's not what I think? Who is he working for?"
Isabella could feel tears now, too. She shook her head, shrugging. "I don't know. You just can't tell him you know. You can't."
"Why is he doing this?" Alice's voice became merely a whisper now as she tried to control her broken sobs. "What is he even doing?"
And then, the door opened. Alice perked up like a dog picking up on a scent it's been looking for. She looked horrified at Isabella. Just like she'd expected. Fear. Fear of her own father. He trudged through, a dark look on his face as he took off a pair of gloves. He stopped when he saw Isabella. His eyebrows creased together when he saw Alice. She looked at him like a stranger.
"Alice?" He asked. His voice seemed new. Isabella hadn't heard it in over a week because every time he came home, she was pretending to be asleep. "What's wrong?"
Isabella looked at Alice, ready for her to lash out and cry. She was waiting for her to scream and run away, followed by a fight between the two of them. Instead, she wiped at her eyes and put on a small smile.
"I was worried about you," she lied, laughing nervously. "I'm sorry. I got mum worried, too. Now that you're home, I'll just go to sleep. Goodnight." She hesitantly walked past him and hurried up the steps. Once the door closed with a click, he looked at Isabella.
Her heart seemed to skip a beat as she looked at him. His hair continued to grow, almost past his eyes and grown to the middle of his neck. Another thing she hadn't noticed in a long time. She knew he didn't buy a word of Alice's story. She wasn't prepared for what was about to happen.
"You know," she said with a nervous laugh, "you need a haircut."
He walked toward her slowly, a dark look on his face. The closer he got, the farther she backed away, a flashback of moments like this playing in her head like a video on rewind.
"Did you say somethin' to her?" He asked calmly, ignoring her comment, but his words sounded more threatening than ever.
Afraid of what he'd do if she told him she did, she shook her head no. He raised an eyebrow skeptically, continuing to walk toward her. "Are you sure, Isabella?"
Her throat closed and she tried to swallow over a lump formed inside. She nodded, tripping over the small end table by the arm of the couch as she backed up. She jumped from the loud sound but continued to back away, terrified all over again. And finally, she came into contact with the wall behind her. She knew she couldn't run. She couldn't scream without her children finding out. She was helpless.
"She seems awfully upset," he continued with that menacingly soft voice, "and scared. Of me."
She shook her head, laughing nervously again. "You're j-just paranoid." She tried to cover her stutter but she knew he heard it. He chuckled throatily as he continued to come closer to her.
"Don't lie to me, Izzy." He finally stood only inches from her, placing both hands on either side of her. He looked at her like he did the first time they met; studiously. No smile. No smirk. Just pure curiosity. She could feel herself literally shaking as his eyes turned dark like they used to when he was angry. She could see nothing but a cold pit of darkness. And it terrified her. "What'd you tell her?"
She kept her mouth shut and shook her head, still denying it. He sighed impatiently, looking down. He reached into his belt and then, she saw it. He pulled out his wand, menacingly recalling old memories of torture and death all over again. She was about to protest when he placed a hand over her mouth.
"Don't scream." She nodded quickly and he slowly removed his hand, still watching her curiously.
She watched him just as much, examining his every move. "What happened to you?" She whispered. His face softened and his wand slowly dropped to his side. The light slowly coming back to his eyes.
He seemed calmer when he spoke. "Did you say somethin' or not?"
Isabella took a huge breath before slowly letting it out in a shaky breath. "She wouldn't leave me alone." He closed his eyes painfully and turned away from her, running his hands frustratingly through his hair. "It slipped. It wasn't supposed to, but it did."
He pointed his wand back at her, angry once again. "What did you say exactly?" He asked through clenched teeth, his voice getting louder.
Isabella watched the wand carefully, feeling put on the spot. "I said 'Merlin's beard, Alice, he's a snatcher.'" She looked back into his eyes, ready for whatever he would do but he just put his wand back in his holster and kept his jaw locked. She pried herself from the wall and walked toward him, turning his face toward her.
His eyes still looked angry as they stared right through her.
"It really is happening again," she whispered. "It's changing you."
"Nothin' is changin' me," he snapped. But when she winced, his face softened again and he turned away from Isabella, realizing what he just did.
"Kiss me," she whispered shakily.
"What?" He looked back at her, confused.
"Kiss me," she repeated, "Please. Before I never get to see this side of you again."
He hesitantly turned his body to face hers and cupped both sides of her face, kissing her lips, gently at first, then with more fiery passion. She pulled on his jacket, bringing him closer. Remember that longing they'd had? It happened again. Right here.
The memory of their first kiss pierced through her mind as he scooped her off her feet, still kissing her, and brought her upstairs to their room. That same night she kissed him, she showed him how much she loved him, happened again. And the same feelings they'd had that night came back now.
Passion. Love. Envy. Desperation. Lust. Anger. Longing.
And it was the first night she didn't have nightmares. The first night she didn't start crying in the middle of the night.
But it was already obvious Isabella wouldn't get her way this easily.
A/N: So, things are really picking up now, huh? So do you think Alice will think any differently of Scabior now that she knows? What about Jonathon and Jasmine, do you think she'll tell them? You'll have to wait til the next one to find out ;D!
Song inspiration for this chapter is "Born To Die" by Lana Del Rey
