*Hey, everyone, thanks for reading. Just to let you know, I imagine that there will be between 2 to 3 more chapters, but that isn't set in stone. Also, I've decided to write a sequel to this story, since so many of you wanted to read it, and I thought it would be mean not to write about what happens to all the characters. So, thanks everyone for reading of course!
*To all you readers out there, when you get to the very last section of this chapter, please go find the song 'It's Time' by the Imagine Dragons. It's my absolute song ever, it makes me cry, and it's honestly what this story's all about. So, I'd like for you to hear it at least once in your life, it will change you, I swear.
Harry Potter belongs to the amazing J.K. Rowling!
Mum looks at me and I swallow apprehensively. "You begin school next week," she reminds me.
"I know." Mum gives me a sympathetic look.
"How do you feel?" She asks. It seems so many people ask me that now. So many people treat me like I'm this fragile ice-sculpture, something that has to be handled with extreme care.
"Fine. Why?"
"A lot of things have happened this summer. Things that can affect you in ways that you don't understand right now. We- Draco and I- just don't want it to interfere with other things." I frown at Mum.
"It's my life, what else is it interfering with?" I question, confused.
"You growing up and leading a normal- a more normal life. I know you don't see that in your future yet, but I just want to do everything to make sure that someday, you do." Even Dad's never said something like that to me.
"I hope I can. But if I can't, it won't be the first thing that didn't go right for me." Mum gives me a pleading look.
"Don't you want to be someone's mother one day? Or someone's wife?" I've never thought about marrying or having children. Especially the latter. Because of Mum, I've just been so afraid of the concept of having a child of my own. I don't think I could be anyone's mother, or wife. Who would want to marry someone like me? I don't want my situation to become a cycle. I want out.
"I don't know…" I admit.
"Then what do you want?" Mum asks. I shrug.
"Just to grow up. Maybe to know that what they say about your teenage years being the best of your life isn't true. Because if it is, then I'll know that I led a pretty depressing life," I realize. Mum sighs. I don't know if it's a defeated sigh, or a sympathetic sigh. "And I want to get better. I just know that if I have some time, maybe I won't be so... affected." I honestly don't have any other word for what I am. I'm not crazy, I know that. But at the same time, am I even sane?
"Isobelle, whether you want it to or not, this situation is always going to affect you. You didn't get all the help you should have as a child. Don't you think that'll affect it? Don't you want better for yourself ?" I shrug.
"What could be worse?"
"You don't have any goals?" I'm a bit afraid to mention to Mum that I don't even want to return to school, much less have any 'goals'. Isn't just making it through life difficult enough without all these bloody expectations?
"I need to get myself sorted first. The more I think about those things, the angrier I get. I start to blame people. I don't want to do that anymore." Mum takes a deep breath.
"Isobelle, I understand that. You aren't lashing out anymore, but that doesn't mean that anything's getting better. You're still angry. Don't try to kid yourself."
"Do you want me to be?" I ask. "You only want me to start thinking about these things because I'm going back to school. You don't want people to think I'm crazy. You want me to be normal." Mum shakes her head. I know she won't say it, but that's exactly what she wants.
"That isn't true. I just want you to be able to move on from this, but only when you're ready. I don't want you to feel forced, but I don't want you to feel like you never had the choice to, either," Mum explains. I can't un-see anything that I saw. I can't just act like I was never there for all the bad things that happened to me. What I wish I could do is replace all the bad with the good, but those two sides aren't anywhere near equal. I need to change that.
"People always want me to tell them everything that's going on. I don't like to say those things. I don't even like to say anything. Honestly, all this has taught me how to speak up. I know that I don't just have to take the things that happen to me and not say anything back. I didn't know that before."
"Isobelle, what are you talking about?" Mum asks.
"When people put me down, I never said anything back. I just took everything that everyone said as true. But now, I know that's not true. I know that I'm not a mistake, I know that Dad- and you- love me, and I know that sometimes, when we get hurt a lot, we learn to expect the worst out of people even when they really want the best."
"Where is this coming from?" I hoped Mum wouldn't ask. I hug my knees to my chest and look down. "Can you tell me?" Mum asks, sensing that I'm clamming up.
"I told Holden what I did," I answer quietly, avoiding Mum's gaze.
"And what happened?" She asks, and I can feel her staring at me intently.
"He was kind of upset about it, but it was only because he said he would have missed me if I were gone," I answer. I hate saying that, because it makes Holden sound as if he were the only one.
"We all would have," Mum reminds me. "Why did you tell him?" she asks curiously. I know Mum didn't expect me to tell anyone else. I didn't expect to tell anyone, either.
"It just felt right," I lie, not daring to mention the truth about Holden's father. "It's terrible to have secrets kept from you," I say knowingly. A guilty look crosses Mum's face. "But sometimes, it can be just as hard keeping them." Keeping a secret from someone is like being forced to carry an impossibly heavy weight that you can't drop without severe consequence. It's even worse having the weight inside your heart. "How did you stay away for so long?" I ask finally. That question's been eating at me for a while. I think I deserve to know the answer. Mum shakes her head in spite of herself.
"I kept telling myself that you were better off with Draco," Mum admits.
"Did you really believe that?" I ask. Mum's eyebrows wrinkle.
"Financially, yes. I knew what kind of family the Malfoys were and I knew that if Narcissa had enough money to help my mother, then Draco definitely had enough to raise you properly. But, now that I think of it, I only really thought about money. I never once thought about what kind of mother I could have been, or the fact that Draco didn't know how to be a parent any more than I did," Mum realizes. It's a bit striking that she never once thought about being my mother, just how much it would cost.
"But afterwards, it must have been hard right? When you took the money from grandmother every year? That was on my birthday, wasn't it?" I ask. Mum nods solemnly.
"It was terrible, and I was honestly disgusted with myself. But I had to remind myself that I was helping my mother, and you were in good hands. Later on, things began to get a lot worse. Ron always pressured me to have a child, and he never quite understood why I was so reluctant. When Rose was born, I was a complete mess her first year. Having her only reminded me that I had not one, but two daughters that I should have been mothering," she tells me. I never thought that this would have been hard on Mum. She never made a point about how difficult things were for her, so I never even assumed. I thought that when Mum gave me up, she just accepted the money for it and kept on about her life. It makes me feel a lot better to know that that wasn't the case at all. It makes me feel wanted.
I don't know what to say to Mum. I don't know if I should tell her what she did was okay, because I know it wasn't. But I also don't feel right staring at her uncomfortably in such an intense moment.
"I don't want to go back to school," I admit finally. Mum frowns for a moment.
"Are you nervous about… this? I mean, I won't be hurt if you aren't comfortable telling your friends quite yet," Mum assures me.
"It isn't my friends that I'm worried about," I tell Mum. "It's the people who aren't my friends." That's pretty much everyone." I don't want to have to deal with everyone asking me questions about Mum, and how Mum and Dad are my parents, and how odd that must be. I'm also not looking forward to the terribly ignorant and rude comments other people are going to make.
"You're afraid of being made fun of?" Mum questions. I shake my head. When she puts it like that, I sound like a baby.
"No, that I can deal with. I just don't want to hear all the rubbish about you and Dad," I explain. Mum purses her lips.
"Isobelle, no matter where you are, people are always going to talk. It's up to you whether or not you listen," Mum tells me. I know that's true, but sometimes it's best to just not hear it at all.
"But it's not just going to be at school. It's going to be everywhere. You're Harry Potter's best friend, you helped defeat Voldemort, and you're in love with an ex Death Eater. You can't say that this is going to go smoothly."
"I didn't say that at all. Of course, it's going to raise some eyebrows, but that doesn't matter," Mum assures me. "Now, is there a real reason as to why you don't want to go to school?" Mum questions. That was the real reason. I shrug.
"I just don't want to go." Mum frowns.
"Well, Isobelle, you have to go to school," she says. "You don't have a choice."
"Why can't I be tutored at the Manor?" I ask.
"Isobelle, it really isn't up to me how you choose to go to school, but I think you should be around children your own age, not at home all day," Mum suggests.
"That's the only reason Dad sent me to school in the first place. I'd rather be at home," I inform Mum. "I'm not exactly excited about being noticed."
"A Malfoy who doesn't absolutely adore attention? Maybe you are my daughter after all," Mum says jokingly. "Honestly, Isobelle, I don't think things will be so bad. But, if this is what you really want, I suppose I could speak to Draco about it." I'm surprised that Mum actually listened to what I wanted for once without starting an argument about it. It shows that we're both maturing, in our own way.
"Thanks," I mutter. Dad walks into the living room, carrying a broom over his shoulder.
"What are you doing with that?" Mum asks, looking at Dad suspiciously.
"It's mine," he answers. "I told Scorpius that I'd fly with him today."
"Where are Hugo and Rose?"
"Outside with Scorpius. They said they'd like to watch." Mum gives Dad a warning look.
"Okay, Draco, but you know how I feel about either of them riding a broom…" Dad nods, rolling his eyes as if he's heard it a million times.
"Yes, Hermione, I'm well aware. Flying really isn't that dangerous. But, if you must suck the fun out of everything, who am I to stand in the way of that? Have it your way, then." Dad whistles casually as he passes through the hallway to leave through the back door.
"Well, he seems to be in a good mood. He hasn't flown brooms with Scorpius in forever," I point out. Mum nods in agreement. "What did he say to Grandmother and Grandfather? Did he tell you?"
"Of course, he did," Mum answers. I give her a look. "Oh, you want me to tell you?"
"I wasn't asking for my health," I inform Mum.
"Well, he got into quite an argument with them. From what he said, it was pretty nasty. They called him an unfit parent." I feel the anger building inside me when I hear this, but I remember that I've said some similar things to Dad. That makes me feel even worse.
"What did he say back?" I ask.
"Your father told them that if they were so bothered by the way he parented you and Scorpius much, then they didn't have any reason to be in his life," Mum responds. "They also said that if he married me… he wasn't any son of theirs. But, I don't think he ever was. Draco's finally learning that he can do what makes him happy. If that doesn't involve his parents, then so be it."
"Did they disown him?" I ask. I'm not really concerned about that, considering Dad came into his inheritance well before I was even born, and he's an only child anyway. Mum shakes her head.
"No, I don't think they would ever do that. But I don't think they're speaking for the time being. I think that might be good for Draco, though." I do, too. If it wasn't for all that shit his parents gave him, he probably would have been able to figure things out a while ago.
"Oh," I say, for lack of a better response.
"I never thought Draco was a bad parent," Mum tells me. I don't know if she feels as if she has to tell me that or something, but she doesn't. I don't really care what she thought either way. "He could have done many things differently, but he isn't a bad father."
"He just wants to protect us, and he hates it when he can't," I realize. Mum nods.
"Exactly. And then he takes out all his anger and frustration about it on you and Scorpius, because he thinks that he isn't doing well enough for either of you. But he's trying to show you that he is," Mum says. "That's what he told me, anyway." I look at Mum a moment.
"Excuse me," I say, getting up quickly. I take off running down the hallway.
"Dad!" I shout. "Dad!" I see him with his hand on the doorknob. He gives me a confused look.
"What is it- oof!" I lunge forward and hug Dad, knocking his broom off his shoulder before I impale myself on it. Dad looks at me oddly for a moment.
"Isobelle, what's this for?" Dad questions.
"Mum told me what you said to Grandmother and Grandfather," I answer. "I love you, Dad." Dad wraps one of his arms around my back.
"I love you too, Belle." He hasn't called me that since I was little. Then again, I don't think he's been all too happy since then, either.
"You look really pretty today, Belle," Holden tells me, making a warm blush rise in my cheeks. "You look really good in yellow."
"Well, I couldn't look dreadful on my last day seeing you, could I?" I point out. I have another reason for trying to look my best today, but I'll tell Holden about it later.
"But you never look bad," Holden compliments me. I feel bad that it doesn't do anything to help the frown on my face. "What's wrong?"
"I'm going to miss you." I look at Holden with my eyebrows wrinkled, thinking that I should say so much more than that. But I can't. My mind just won't let me.
"I'm going to miss you, too. What's that face for?" He asks. I don't answer. I throw my arms around Holden's neck and turn my head away. I don't want him to see me cry. I do that too often.
"I should say more," I mutter.
"More?" Holden asks. I nod. "More than what?"
"More than 'I miss you'. It's not enough, is it?" Holden frowns.
"What else would you say, then?" I take a deep breath.
"I would say that I'm going to more than miss you- and Teddy, too- and I think I'm going to go absolutely insane waiting a few weeks to see the both of you. I would also say that I love you again and I don't want you to go, but maybe I shouldn't say that because it's really selfish for me to think that way. Maybe you like school, and you can't wait to go back." I'm really trying not to make this a sad thing, but goodbyes are never happy.
"Sometimes, you worry too much," Holden tells me.
"Oh, sorry…" I apologize sheepishly, holding my head down. "Why do you and Teddy have to leave?" I ask. "Couldn't you just stay here?" I don't mean to say that out loud, because I don't want to be seen as clingy and annoying. It's just that I really will miss Holden and Teddy a lot. Holden sighs and sits down beside me on my bed.
"You know I can't do that, Belle," he says, giving me a sad look. It makes me feel so stupid, wishing something like that.
"I know. But, you're going to be busy with so many other things like your studies, and quidditch, and spending time with your other friends. You won't have any more time for me," I realize. Holden puts his hand on top of mine.
"Belle, look at me. Seriously, quit it. I'm not going to forget about you, that's just not happening, okay? I'm going to make time for you. Besides, I'm sure that Teddy's going to want to come and see you, too," Holden reminds me. Holden doesn't get what I mean. I'm going to miss both him and Teddy, but I'm going to miss them both in different ways. I won't have to worry about Teddy cheating on me. Teddy isn't my boyfriend.
"You don't understand. I'm not worried about you forgetting about me," I say quietly. "It's just… never mind." Holden raises his eyebrows at me.
"You think I might cheat on you," Holden says bluntly. I can't read the look on his face.
"I didn't mean to hurt your feelings. I just don't-"
"Trust me?" Holden asks. I shake my head, then I nod, not sure which answer means what.
"Yes, I trust you, but I'm sure that not going to the same school as me will be a bit difficult," I explain. "Because there are other girls who won't care that you like me, and maybe you'd sort of like them, too… if we weren't…" I put my face in my hands, too embarrassed to look at Holden. I feel him put his hand around my shoulder and pull me closer to him.
"Maybe I would. That doesn't matter though, because I do like you. Besides, I'm used to fighting off the relentless advances of the packs of jumped-up tarts that are impossibly attracted to me," Holden assures me. Despite my dismal mood, that makes me laugh.
"I'm sure it's your modesty that's got them drawn," I mutter sarcastically.
"Or my dashing good looks. That's what I was going for," Holden informs me. I roll my eyes.
"Yes, I'm sure those are a contributing factor, you pompous git." I'm sure if Holden had a slightly larger ego, it would almost be comparable to my dad's.
"You love name-calling, don't you?" Holden asks, giving me a look.
"I like to think of it as stating the truth," I quip. Holden rolls his eyes.
"No way can I forget you with that attitude," he says under his breath. I smile to myself.
"That's what I was going for."
"Oh look, you smiled," Holden says matter-of-factly, as if he believed I was incapable of doing so. That seems to give him a thought. "Hey, do you remember what you said when you met me?" I shrug. I said a lot of things.
"That you make a lot of lewd jokes and I found you awfully annoying?" I ask. Holden shakes his head.
"True, but no. You said that you didn't have anything to smile about. Don't you think that's changed?" I remember saying that. At the time, I didn't. But now I've had the chance for so many new things and so many new people to be in my life, and I'm truly grateful for that.
"Of course, it's changed. Everything's changed. I think just about the only thing that's the same is my name," I tell Holden.
"That's not bad, is it?" I shake my head.
"Merlin, no. I'm rather glad things have changed," I admit. "They've changed for the better. I mean, I've met Mum, I've met Teddy, I've met you, and Mum and Dad are together. Everyone's happy." Holden gives me a look, but I know that I genuinely mean it this time. This is what I've been waiting for. Holden gives me a cute half-smile.
"D'you know how much you look like Aunt Hermione?" He asks. I nod.
"I might have heard that once or twice. But, erm, let's not talk about that."
"Why not?"
"Because I wouldn't want you to start thinking of Mum whenever you're snogging me," I answer. Holden frowns.
"Kay, that's all kinds of disgusting."
"Isn't it?" Holden gives me a questioning look.
"Hey, can I ask you something? Don't be offended by it or anything, but…"
"What is it?" I ask, getting nervous. Whenever someone says 'don't be offended', their next line is generally very offensive.
"Is Aunt Hermione… you know?" Holden trails off uncomfortably. I frown.
"Is she what?"
"Pregnant?" Holden asks. He must notice the completely shocked and horrified look on my face. "Oh, God, she isn't, is she? I-I didn't mean it like that, she just acts like she is and… forget it," Holden mutters stupidly. I completely forgot that he could have possibly figured it out. He's seen Mum go through two pregnancies, hell, he's seen his own mother pregnant! How did I forget about that?
"No, it's okay," I tell Holden. "Mum's just been, er…stressed out, and you know, we have really great food at the Manor, so- I mean look at me, I'm a bit well-fed myself, it's probably genetic… or just a slow metabolism…" I ramble. I'm not sure Holden even knows what I'm saying. He looks like he doesn't.
"I have no idea what you just said, but neither you or Aunt Hermione are anywhere near overweight. I only meant that Aunt Hermione acts like she's pregnant," Holden explains. How does one who's pregnant act? I don't know.
"Oh, well, er, disregard everything I just said, then," I say awkwardly.
"Yeah, that conversation never happened," Holden agrees. I'd like to forget about it. It nags at me, though, because this is just another secret that I'm keeping from Holden.
"Are you excited to go back to school?" I ask, changing the subject. Holden shrugs.
"Sort of. Not exactly for all the homework and exams and such, though, but I suppose it'll be all worth it."
"It will. You want to become an architect, don't you?" I ask. Holden nods. "That's a very interesting profession, I haven't heard much about it, though."
"It isn't too popular in the wizarding world, since most everything can be done by magic. To muggles, though, it's a very important job," Holden explains. Well, I haven't really heard much about architecture, except that they design buildings or something of the sort.
"Does it pay well?" I ask. Holden nods.
"Yeah, that isn't why I like it, though."
"Of course, not. If money's the only reason you like something, then you don't really like it."
"Right," Holden agrees. "What do you want to do?" I shrug.
"I haven't really given a career any sort of thought," I admit.
"You strike me as a Healer type of person," Holden tells me. It's ironic that he isn't anywhere close.
"I hate Healers," I say to Holden, shaking my head.
"Why?" I have loads of reasons for that.
"They give you all these stupid labels for what's wrong with you, and why you aren't like everyone else. But they think you're too stupid to understand that, so they just call you 'special' or 'different' instead like you won't even notice. Oh, and don't forget that bullshit line they feed you- 'Everyone's different', but what they don't tell you is you're more different than everyone else. And they tell you all these things that you won't be able to do because of what's happened to you. Apparently, I'm going to be dealing with unnecessary stress and anxiety my entire life, for something that I didn't even do. I have misplaced anger and problems with relating to others. But wait- you'll like this part- apparently, because of what's happened to me, I won't ever be able to form a real relationship with someone."
"That's not true," Holden tells me. Of course it's not true. Without a moment's notice, I press my lips against Holden's. I kiss him, because I know that it's going to be such a long while before I can do so again. I don't want to miss him because I hate the dread of knowing what that feels like. Part of me misses him already, even though he's with me now, and I'm in his arms, and I'm kissing him. I think about that night when I was so sad and upset about everything and Holden was there with me, but he didn't take advantage of me, and he never has. And I realize that a strange part of me has always wanted him to. I've always been waiting for something like that that didn't happen.
I lean forward to kiss Holden again. He wraps an arm around my waist, causing my dress to slide up a bit higher on my legs. He mutters an apology and reaches to tug it back down. "Don't worry about it," I tell him, messing up his hair. "You don't have to be so afraid to touch me." Holden gives me a hesitant look.
"What did you say?" He asks.
"I said that you don't have to be so afraid to touch me. I'm your girlfriend." I take Holden's hand and move it over my chest, giving him a reassuring look. Holden bites his lip.
"Belle, I-"
"Don't worry. I know that you'll be nice about it. Mum always said you were very sweet," I inform Holden. I place a few kisses on his neck.
"This isn't the only way," Holden says quietly.
"Oh I know, but I thought that this way would be very special. I want us both to remember it forever." Holden shakes his head.
"That's not what I meant. This isn't the only way to show someone you love them. It's not."
"What are you talking about?" I ask, getting slightly annoyed. Why must Holden interrupt a moment like this?
"You really think this is going to change anything? That it's really going to make me love you more?"
"Will it make you love me less?" I ask.
"No- but that's not the point!" Holden snaps.
"Are you getting angry with me?" I question, blinking suddenly. Holden shakes his head. "Good, because that would have really ruined things."
"I'm not angry. But I want you to know that this isn't normal, okay?"
"What isn't normal?"
"This. I don't need you to shag me to prove how you feel about me. That's just stupid. And I know you don't get that yet, but you will. This isn't the only way to show someone you love them, and this isn't going to keep me with you longer or anything. And I think when you learn that, you can form a real relationship with someone."
"I don't just want a relationship with someone. What about with you?" I ask.
"Who else did you think I was talking about?" Holden asks, a bewildered look on his face.
"What's wrong with me?" I whisper, feeling embarrassed.
"A lot of things," Holden admits. "I don't want to lie to you. You're different, you just are. But that isn't necessarily bad."
"Don't patronize me!" I glare at Holden. "I just need someone to tell me that I'm okay. Why can't you be that person?"
"That's not fair to you, Belle, it really isn't. No one should have to lie to you about this. Not me, not Teddy, and not your parents. Lying to you doesn't protect you," he tells me.
"I know. I know that more than anyone, I think." Holden glances at the clock on my bedside table. "Do you have to go?" I ask sadly. Holden nods.
"Soon," He answers. "Hey, no tears. Seriously, if you cry, I'm going to cry. I don't think you want to see that."
"I won't see you for three weeks," I remind Holden, my voice only loud enough for him to slightly hear.
"You can write me, though." Holden suggests.
"That's not the same," I pout, my lip quivering. "I want to see you."
"I know. I'll really want to see you, too. But it's not for forever, yeah?" I nod, putting my head on Holden's shoulder. I know it's not going to be forever, but it sure feels like it.
I walk into the kitchen. "She's awake," Rose says happily, turning to Mum.
"Good morning, dear," Mum says as I take a seat at the table.
"Good morning," I say back, pouring myself a glass of pumpkin juice.
"Are you alright?" Mum asks, giving me a concerned look. Teddy and Holden left this morning to go back to school. I saw Teddy yesterday and wished him goodbye, until I get to see him and Holden again at least. Teddy had a lot of kind words to say to me, and I let him know how truly grateful I am to have someone like him in my life. And then he told me I didn't have to say so, because he already knew.
"Actually, I am," I answer. I thought I would be upset and sad and nearly depressed at the thought that I was now alone. Only, I'm not alone. Not even close.
"You and Holden can't kiss no more," Hugo realizes, a sneaky smile on his face.
"Thank Merlin for that," Dad mutters into his coffee mug. Mum shoots him a disapproving look.
"Draco," she chastises.
"Where did Holden go?" Scorpius questions, looking confused.
"To Hogwarts. He and Teddy begin school today," I inform my younger brother. Even Scorpius seems happier. He no longer has that childish innocence about him, which makes me a bit sad, but maybe it isn't always so good to be kept in the dark about everything.
"Oh. I'm gonna to Hogwarts one day, and I'm going to be Head Boy," Scorpius informs everyone proudly. Rose smiles wide at him.
"I'm gonna be Head Girl! We can be the smartest together!" She exclaims.
"I playin quidditch!" Hugo adds. Mum smiles at the three of them.
"That's quite a while away, isn't it?"
"How long is it, Daddy?" Scorpius questions, sounding impatient.
"Six years, Scorpius," Dad answers. "Six wonderfully long years." I think about how in six years, I won't be at home watching my siblings grow up like they'll get to watch each other. I think about Mum's daughter, who I won't get to watch grow up, either. And I wonder what her life will be like, and I hope that she never has to hurt like I did. I know that Mum hopes that she never has to hurt like I did, either. That's what every parent wants for their child. I know that Mum and Dad were absolutely sure that their children were going to have an easier life than they did, but did that happen? I suppose everyone has to experience hurt at some point in their lives, and we can only hope that the ones we love experience less than we do.
After breakfast, I find Dad in the living room. I can hear Mum upstairs, playing some sort of game with Hugo, Scorpius, and Rose they're all laughing and making extremely animated noises. I notice that Scorpius is the loudest. Dad looks deep in thought.
"Dad, I have to ask you something," I say quietly, looking at Dad. He looks up at me, and I can tell that he didn't hear me walk in.
"What is it, Isobelle?" I hate to bother Dad's good mood, but I really need to talk to him.
"Do you think I should get help? I mean, do you want me to?" I question uncertainly. Dad looks at me with a surprised look on his face.
"Where is this coming from?" Mum and Holden. I shrug as if I just came upon the thought on a whim.
"I just want a normal life one day," I tell Dad. "I'm tired of having things wrong with me."
"Isobelle, nothing is wrong with you," Dad assures me. I can tell by the look on his face that he's even trying to convince himself of it.
"Yes there is. You don't have to hide it anymore."
"Isobelle, you're fine."
"Does someone who's fine try to kill themselves? Do they walk around completely angry at the world because of all these things that happened to them? Do they have nightmares every night, seeing that more people will leave them than have left already? Do they have to be told by someone else that loving someone doesn't mean having sex with them? Dad, just face it. I'm messed up. I'm completely wrong in the head."
"So what are you saying?" Dad asks. I shake my head, feeling a traitorous smile creep onto my face. I never knew how good admitting the truth to myself could actually feel.
"I'm saying that I'm tired of this. Tired of pretending that I'm normal, and I'm tired of you pretending that you have a normal daughter. Because you don't. So, how about tomorrow we see what can done about by complete looniness?" I suggest. Dad tilts his head to the side, looking at me like he never has before.
"You want help?" He asks, just for clarification. I nod. "What's happened to you?"
"What hasn't happened?" I point out.
"Fair enough. As long as you're here, I wanted to tell you something important."
"What is it?" I ask.
"I'm going to ask Hermione to marry me," Dad tells me, unaware that I already know. I think of that memory Mr. Zabini showed me a few months back, when Dad told me he was going to marry Astoria. I wasn't happy, then, but I am now. It's funny how things go full-circle like that. "Do you think it's too soon?" According to the calendar, it's only been a few months, but time doesn't mean anything. It was just made up by someone who was too impatient for things to be over, and I most definitely am not.
"Look, I don't know what you believe in, and I don't know what I believe in either, but I know there's some reason we're getting this second chance. We can't waste it." Dad looks at me for a long while, and then I see a smile on his face. That makes my smile widen, too. I smile for Scorpius, and Rose, and Hugo, and my Mum, and Teddy and Holden, and Dad and myself. I smile for all the people I truly love, half of which I would have never met any other way than the absolutely crazy way that I did. And I wouldn't ever change it for anything in this universe.
"Truer words have never been spoken."
(A/N: Just for clarification, this isn't the last chapter. I think the next chapter will be, and that makes me sad. But, all good things must end. I have nothing to say, other than I'm glad that I got to progress Isobelle as a character throughout the story, and I'm glad I had lovely readers to support me along the way. If you've read it all the way through, I hope you enjoyed it, and this met your expectations. I hope you leave a review about it for either this chapter or the next! Thanks for reading!)