Chapter Eleven
What was destined to be a lovely dinner party, quickly turned into a blood bath. While Lucia laid unconscious, Isabelle watched with horror as blood continued to flow. There was the urge to become rigid and freeze at the incredibility of the situation, but the sound of the children running down the stairs provided no room for that. She had to man up and take charge. Lucia had to get to St. Mungo's, as quickly as possible.
"What's wrong with Mummy?"
She had hoped Felicia, the youngest Potter child, was still at her little friend's birthday party. She must have come home before, and been upstairs the whole time. Isabelle cursed inwardly, panicking at the thought of where to leave the children, and how she was supposed to get Lucia to the hospital. Wizards didn't use phones or ambulances. They had far easier ways to transport themselves; ways Isabelle had not used for years, and wasn't sure she was still capable of performing.
"Mummy's not feeling well," she said, forcing her voice to sound calm. It still trembled, but at least she wasn't crying. "She just needs to go to the hospital where the Healers can help her."
This was a disaster no matter what; the little girl was crying already, and the other four looked like they had yet to realise what was really going on. She had to act fast. Of course. Kreacher!
"Kreacher! " she cried out.
Quickly the little elf came rushing into the room. He took one look at the scene and visibly panicked, pacing back and forth while covering his large eyeballs with his tiny fists.
"Kreacher!" Isabelle cried again, sharply now. The tendency to join the little elf in panic was tempting, but she had to think of Lucia, and the children. "We need to get Mrs Potter to the hospital as quickly as possible. I'm not sure I can apparate, I'm afraid I would splinch her.." And the baby. If it wasn't too late yet. But she didn't say that out loud. "Could you?"
The little elf nodded his little head vigorously. "Kreacher can apparate." He moved about the room still, not aiming to be very active just yet by the looks of it.
"Now, Kreacher!" she pressed on.
Finally he seemed to understand what was requested. Quickly he hurried over to the still unconscious Lucia and held onto her as he turned on the spot and disappeared with her.
Isabelle let out a sigh of relief. It wouldn't be long now before the Healers could help Lucia and the baby. The children, however, were still staring at her, all wide-eyed and very pale. She couldn't afford to break down now. For their sake things had to go on as normal as possible. The smell of dinner coming from the kitchen had seemed so delicious at first, but now the mere smell of food was enough to nauseate her.
"Okay kids, let's wait until we hear news from Kreacher, all right? I'm sure your mum's going to be all right again in no time." She went to give Felicia a hug, but the little girl wrapped her arms around her so tightly she decided to pick her up and hold her close to her. "Let's see if that dinner is ready."
"I don't think we're really hungry," Zara said. She looked so serious; her eyes wide, clearly not ready to be fooled by some excuse. Her little sister might buy that, but she was eleven.
"I know sweetheart," Isabelle said quietly. "None of us are. But there's nothing else we can do right now. Time will pass a little faster when we have something to do."
Her heart was still beating fast when she lead the kids to the table already set for dinner. She got Felicia to sit on the chair next to hers, and hurried to the kitchen to fetch the stew. It was still hot; prepared only minutes ago when everything was still right.
When she had the dinner on the table and everyone's plates filled, she stood up. "I'm just going to send word to your father, all right? I'll be right back."
She left the children in eerie silence while she went into the kitchen to think over her options. It was easier in here without their worried eyes on her. Her options seemed limited. An owl would be much too slow. She could try the Floo network, but she didn't want to leave the children alone. Also; the ministry was huge and she feared she would get lost there so it still wouldn't be a fast way to reach Harry. A Patronus, then. Quite the challenge. She had been able to conjure up a Patronus in her last year of Beauxbatons. It had taken her a lot of practise, though, and even then it had been one so feeble it barely got her an acceptable grade. Apparently everything in this world was a challenge to her. And there was no time for a challenge. Who knew how long it might take for Harry to get home, and he really needed to be with his wife right now.
"Zara," she said, going back into the living room, where they all sat with their untouched plates in front of them. "Could I borrow your wand?"
"Sure," she replied, sounding surprised. "But it's upstairs. We're not supposed to do underage magic at home."
"Of course." She waited while Zara rushed upstairs to fetch her wand.
"Are you going to do magic, mum?" Stella inquired.
"It appears so," Isabelle said, forcing a smile.
"Can you do it?".
She took the wand from Zara when she returned with it. "Of course I can." Let's hope her expressed confidence worked like a self-fulfilling prophecy. "Just get back to your dinners," she suggested, as if they had been interested in their dinners to begin with.
Isabelle retreated to the kitchen, this time highly intent on what she was doing. "Expecto Patronum!"
The wisp of smoke that came from the wand was hardly inspiring. But at least something happened. She hadn't turned into a squib just yet. All she needed was some practise. And a memory happy enough to concentrate on. There were many things that might qualify. Her latest new piano student showing remarkable talent. The twins coming home full of delightful stories of their happiness. A promising date; the first in a long time. There were certainly benefits to the children starting Hogwarts, even if she would never say that out loud.
"Expecto Patronum!"
Another wisp of smoke. Was it stronger this time, or was that just wishful thinking? Probably the latter, but she couldn't give up. Again. A new memory. Something stronger. The twins birth? Perhaps that was too cliché. Did a wand even know what a cliché was? Maybe something about Sirius. Sometimes she could still feel that old glow of happiness when she thought of him. When she thought of what he would think of the twins. How wonderful and beautiful they were. And what would he think now if he saw her with Harry's family? That would add up all the parts.
"Expecto Patronum!".
The shock at her success was so great Isabelle nearly fell over at the appearance of a friendly silver dog. There it was. A Patronus. A solid, actual Patronus. Even though it was staring her in the face, she still did not believe she had conjured it. She quickly instructed it which words to bring over to Harry, telling him to get to St. Mungo's as soon as possible.
Another bit of relief washed over her at this accomplishment. Relief making room for worry over Lucia's condition. Apart from her own experience she was no authority when it came to pregnancies. Her own had been relatively uncomplicated, considering it was a twin pregnancy, and that was about where her skill stopped. She knew bleedings could occur, she had had one herself in the first trimester, but this had been extreme. The bloodstains on the carpet still stared at her when she re-entered the living area.
"Did you manage?" Zara inquired immediately.
"Yes," she assured her. "Your father will be on his way as soon as he gets the message."
"We're not hungry anymore," Felicia announced.
"That's all right," Isabelle smiled and reached out to tuck a strand of the little girl's hair behind her ear. "We'll save some for Daddy when he gets home."
In the hour that followed, Isabelle did anything to keep busy. She did the dishes – by hand-, tried to ease the children's' worries, and then tried to work out how to clean the carpet. She couldn't find any carpet cleaner in the Potters' cupboards; no wonder, they probably used magic for everything. She was still sat on her knees when they heard the telltale !Crack of someone apparating in.
"Daddy!" both Zara and Felicia exclaimed, running over to both cling to one of Harry's arms.
Harry lifted them both up to kiss each daughter on the top of their head. Isabelle noticed from the last time she had seen him he appeared to have aged ten years.
"How is Mum?" they asked in unison.
"She's going to be all right," Harry assured them, putting them down carefully. He ruffled up Teddy's hair when he joined them too. "But I need to get back, I'm just here to get some of her stuff, and to see how you all were."
"Do you need some help with that?" Isabelle sensed from the tense expression on Harry's face that he had told the kids' version of the truth only.
"Yes, please," Harry nodded. "You all be good and stay here, all right? We'll be right back."
"What happened? Is she all right?" Isabelle asked once they had arrived upstairs in what must be Harry and Lucia's bedroom. Everything was spic and span; she'd been right thinking Lucia was a bit of a control freak. She must be if she descended from the Malfoy family.
"It was a tear in the placenta that gave way, apparently," Harry sighed, sitting down on the edge of the bed. "She got there just in time, they reckon she might have bled to death otherwise." He shivered visibly.
"And the baby?" Isabelle whispered. She almost didn't dare ask.
He shook his head. "There was little they could do."
"Harry, I'm so sorry..." devastated, she sat down next to him. Harry had been through so much already, he deserved all the happiness he could get. Not this.
"Thanks," he hid his face in his hands, so lost it seemed wrong to disturb him. "It was a boy. We wanted to name him James.. James Sirius."
"That's a wonderful name," she whispered, rubbing his back gently. "How is Lucia?"
"She's sleeping. They say she'll be all right, physically. I'm not too sure about the rest of her," he grimaced, standing up to fetch a bag to collect some of her stuff in. "Somehow she got this crazy idea in her head that I needed to have a son. I would've been happy either way," he shook his head.
"Of course you would."
"I should get back," he finally decided. "Lucie and I are both really grateful for your help, Evie. I mean Isabelle," Harry corrected himself.
"It's okay," she smiled slightly. "Old habits die hard. And I didn't do much. "
"You were there. Otherwise who knows how long it have taken before Lucie was found. Kreacher hears nothing when he's cooking. He's getting old," he gave another small smile that never reached his eyes, picking up the bag with Lucia's clothes and toiletries. "I understand if you need to get home. I can get Hermione to come watch the kids, or my brother- and sister-in-law."
"Oh no," she quickly assured him. "I'm glad to be of help, to be honest. I'll stay with Teddy and the girls as long as necessary."
Harry nodded, heading down the stairs. "I'll just say goodbye to the children and then I'll head back. I have no idea how long I'll be; until they send me away I guess."
"I really don't mind." Isabelle followed him down the stairs. The children had all gathered on the sofa in front of the fireplace. The older children were chatting with their heads together, only looking up when Harry re-entered. Little Felicia had fallen asleep against her older sister's shoulder.
While Harry spoke to them, Isabelle went into the kitchen to make tea for herself and hot chocolate for the children. She doubted they would all be able to sleep, but at least they would have something warm in their stomachs. Checking the cupboards for mugs and teaspoons, she realised just how strange the whole situation was. Poor Harry. And poor Lucia. Why on earth did this have to happen?
"Mummy?"
She turned to see the twins enter the kitchen. "Mr Potter is talking to Zara and Teddy."
"Oh yes. You're all being so good. It's great that you can support your friends right now." She spread her arms to hug both of her children to her. She breathed in their scents and stroked their beautiful curls. She was so lucky to have them. Luckier than she could ever realise.
As strange as it sounded considering the circumstances, it appeared pregnancy was highly becoming to Evie. Her hair was thicker and shiny, her skin flawless, and despite everything she simply could not stop smiling. New life brought new hope. Nine months was a very long time to wait; by then the whole world could be different. You-Know-Who might be dead, and she could go back to Sirius. In the mean time she could handle everything just fine. She used her new name, but didn't lose the old one. In her heart she was still Evie Foxworth, waiting until the time would come for her to claim it as her own again.
By now there was another musical school in the area that hired her for a substitute teacher. With the two jobs combined she made just enough to pay rent and everything else she needed. It wasn't much; but she didn't need much luxuries anyway. She was safe, and resting in the knowledge that it was all just temporary. It was a challenge not to write to Sirius, though. Emergencies only, they had said. Some might consider this situation an emergency. A change of plans that would completely rectify a return to the Order. And perhaps it did. But it was also a great opportunity. Now the baby could be safe. A very different kind of safe than it would be hiding in Grimmauld Place. She could go wherever she wanted, get the necessary prenatal checkups by a Muggle obstetrician, and should the war still rage when the baby was born, then she would be able to go outside for walks without any trouble. Hopefully it would be over by then, but she had to be prepared for all sort of things. As long as Sirius would be all right.
It wasn't an ideal scenario, of course. She had only known Sirius for a few weeks, and a passionate romance was not always ground for a steady long relationship. But it had felt right. Righter than with anyone else. Evie got the feeling he would want the baby, too. He was a great godfather to Harry. There were all the ingredients that told her he would make a wonderful father.
Everything changed one evening. It was early summer, and Evie was three months pregnant. To her great surprise she was already showing. Not enough for anyone to notice under her carefully selected clothes, but clearly noticeable to herself. She was proud of that little beginning baby bump, realising full well in a few months time it could get really in the way. She would see about that, then. The promise of having another family after everything she lost meant a great deal to her.
Having just come home from a full day of teaching, she laid on the sofa reading a book when there was a noise disturbing her. It came from the window by the kitchen; an ominous ticking sound.
"Hello?" Evie jumped up and cautiously made her way there to see what was going on.
To her great surprise it was an owl tapping its beak against the glass to be let in. An owl. That could either mean very good news, or very bad.
With trembling hands Evie opened the window and let the owl in, carefully untying the letter from its beak so that she could read what it said.
"Evie,
We regret very much to inform you of Sirius's death. The agreement must go on as before. Do not contact us unless there is an emergency.
The Order of the Phoenix."
That was it? A note? A few words hastily scribbled on a piece of paper? Barely an explanation? Evie sank down onto the floor, her legs giving way before she could make it back to the sofa. Sirius couldn't be dead. They were having a child together. She needed him. After the war, he'd promised, they would reunite. He couldn't be dead.
She sat there for a long time trying to convince herself this was all a lie. Mostly she wanted to grab her wand and apparate right over to Grimmauld Place 12 to see with her own eyes whether this was true. Her baby's life was at stake, though, she had enough sense to realise the importance of that. At some point during that night she dragged herself to bed, but it was needless to say she couldn't sleep. Over and over she thought how everyone she cared about died.
By the time the alarm clock rang she looked like a zombie. With bags under her eyes, a nearly grey complexion, and limbs feeling like lead, she dragged herself to work. She had considered staying at home, but automatically she got herself dressed and headed out to catch the bus to the school. Deep down she knew the key to staying alive was keeping busy. Any form of distraction was good enough. She could pretend nothing was wrong.
"Morning Isabelle," said one of her colleagues. She barely heard which one, nodding and murmuring a distant hello before she dragged herself to the coffee machine.
"Everything all right?"
It was Mary Charleston, one of the younger violin teachers Evie had joined for a drink once after work. She was nice, had talked a lot about her three children, but right now all Evie wanted was to be left alone.
"Yea." Evie felt so faint holding her coffee was a challenge. If she could just get to her classroom, then she could sit down, and hopefully wait until she was better before her first student would arrive.
"Are you sure?"
No, she certainly wasn't, but what was she supposed to say? They all thought she was a happy young single, enjoying the recently started post-graduation life.
"Isabelle, you're bleeding," Mary suddenly exclaimed in shock. Evie followed her stare, noticing a blood stain increasing in size in the front of her dress. Oh no. The baby.
"You should sit down," Mary helped her over to a chair as Evie trembled. "Are you pregnant?"
She wanted to say something. Deny it, maybe, in case it would cost her the job. Or agree and admit how worried she was about losing it. Whenever she opened her mouth, her throat felt so tight with fear no words came out. Only tears. A waterfall of hot tears spilling down her face.
"Oh dear," Mary wrapped her arms around her gently. "Don't worry, it's going to be okay, all right? We should get you to a doctor. You'll be fine. It happens sometimes in the beginning, it doesn't have to mean anything."
Trembling like a leaf, Evie followed Mary outside to her car. They drove to the emergency room in silence, Mary making a few calls to explain where they went for when their students would miss them.
When they got inside Evie found the blood had increased more, heightening her very upset state yet further. The nurses luckily understood the seriousness of the situation, for she was transferred to an examination room immediately. Only when she laid on the examination table did she allow herself to relax somewhat. At least she was in good hands now; the doctors would tell her how the baby was. If there still was a baby. New tears. She –needed- this baby. If she couldn't have Sirius, then let her at least have his child. It was all she had left.
"What's your name dear?" the nurse asked, closing the curtain to shield them from the other patients.
"Isabelle," she whispered, for whatever had been left of Evie Foxworth was entirely gone. "Isabelle Harris."
Author's Note: What do you guys think so far? Review and let me know :) You may have to wait a tiny bit longer for my next update, as I am currently participating in NaNoWriMo with an original fiction story. So I have few fingers left to type anything else during that. But I'm always open for reviews/questions/comments . Hope to see you all next chapter!