Chapter 2
"Where are you going?" Damian asked Isabella the following evening.
"I told you before you came over, I have a meeting to attend," Bella answered annoyed.
"The same secret meetings you attended in America?" She nodded.
"I just don't like my fiancé keeping things from me," he said calmly.
"Just because I can't tell you about the meetings, doesn't mean I'm keeping anything from you," Bella raised her voice in anger. She was having this discussion with her fiancé for what had to be the umpteenth time since they started seeing each other. The contradiction of her words hit her.
"You know what I mean," she snapped before Damian said anything. Damian's face showed a mixture of hurt and confusion on it. Isabella sighed.
"Damian, I'm sorry. We've just been over this so many times." Her voice was gentle this time. "The meetings are not to be discussed with non members. You know that."
It was Damian's turn to sigh this time, "I know. You're doing something great and I want to be a part of it. I want to help fight in the war."
Bella smiled, "You're not suppose to know that." He returned the smile. "I'll mention it to the other members tonight. I have to leave. I'll see you at your place tonight." Isabella kissed him lightly before disapparated.
Bella arrived at the Headquarters precisely at seven o'clock. Instantly, she spotted Lily, then James, Remus, Peter, and Sirius. There was an empty seat beside Sirius. Bella smiled at the group and took the seat next to Sirius.
"Where are we exactly?"
"Ah, that's the beauty of it, nobody knows," Sirius answered. Noticing Isabella's puzzlement, he elaborated, "Dumbledore tried to explain it to us, but well you know how he is." Bella nodded. She glanced around the room, recognizing other members of the Order. Frank and Alice Longbottom were there. She also recognized Dedalus Diggle, Gideon and Fabian Prewett, Dorcas Meadowes, and Rubeus Hagrid. Dumbledore entered the room and Bella knew the meeting started or it would have, but it was quickly interrupted by Alastor 'Mad Eye' Moody entering the room.
"Sorry, Albus. Had a bit of an accident on the way, but never you mind." he mumbled. Dumbledore nodded acceptingly, grinning. After that, the meeting continued smoothly. Many members reported progress on their latest assignments and received orders accordingly. Members quickly departed.
"We're going out for drinks-"
"And food," piped in Peter, interrupting Remus.
"Are you coming with us Isabella?" Remus asked as if hadn't been interrupted. Bella frowned.
"I told Damian I would stop by at his flat right after-"
Lily cut her off, "Invite him, we don't mind. Meet us at The Three Broomsticks as soon as you can."
Bella smiled, "Okay."
Afterwards, Bella approached Dumbledore.
"Professor, may I have a word?"
"Miss Hunter, there's no need to address me as Professor," he smiled, "And you may have several words if you would like."
"It's about my fiancé, Damian Brendon. He's expressed interest in working with the Order." Dumbledore peered at Bella through his half moon spectacles.
"Do you trust him?"
"Did Peter say where he was going?" Sirius asked the group, who each had his or her preference of drink in front of him or her, that night at the pub. Peter had left before Bella and Damian arrived.
"No. He just said he had somewhere to be," Remus answered.
"He says that a lot. Maybe he's found himself a girl." Sirius snickered at his own joke. James joined him.
Remus talked over the sound of his friends' laughter. "What is it you do, Damian?"
"I work in the Ministry of Magic for the international relations department. That's how I was in America when Issy was, doing work for the department." Sirius caught Isabella's eye and smirked when he heard Damian call her Issy. "I'm so lucky to have found her."
"Lucky…cursed," Sirius replied. Lily merely shook her had as did Remus. James chuckled and Bella rolled her eyes good naturally, but Damian scowled.
"Oh no, Damian, don't be angry. Sirius was just kidding. Weren't you, Sirius?" He nodded. Damian murmured an "oh."
Remus cleared his throat, "I always thought it would be interesting to work in international relations. Do you like your job?"
"Oh yes, I enjoy it immensely."
"Really, because it seems absolutely boring to me," Sirius spoke casually drinking his firewhiskey.
Damian huffed, "I can ensure it's not." A smirk played at Sirius's lips, but he restrained from commenting.
Damian stood.
"Issy, I have other engagements for the rest of the evening. I'll stop by your place tomorrow afternoon?" Bella nodded and stood to kiss her fiancé goodbye. Damian said goodbye to everyone else. Once he was out of earshot Isabella turned to glare at Sirius.
"Could you be any bigger of a prat?" Bella's voice was annoyed, but it did not have in anger in it.
"Probably," James and Remus took the liberty to speak for Sirius.
-Flashback Hogwarts 1977-
"Sirius," Isabella Hunter yelled ridding the Great Hall of any peace one later September morning, "Could you be any bigger of a prat?"
"Probably," Sirius Black smirked. Isabella wasn't amused.
"What the bloody hell do you think you're doing? That guy was just about to ask me out."
"I know," Sirius replied still smirking, "That's why I pulled you away when I did." Bella's green eyes flickered dangerously and she could feel her temper starting to get the best of her.
"You don't like him," Sirius continued.
"Yes I do," she spat, "Don't you dare think that just because we're friends you know everything about me-" Sirius cut her off, pressing his lips onto hers. Isabella pulled away.
"What the bloody hell do you think you're doing now?" She yelled.
He whispered, "Just… shut up and let me kiss you." He grinned and Bella very willingly obliged. She wrapped her arms around his neck and allowed him to snake his around her waist. It took several cat calls and crude comments, mostly coming from the other three marauders and Lily, before they broke apart.
Finally! There it is Chapter 2. I hope you liked it.
I'm having mixed feelings about this chapter/story. Please review and let me know what you think, be brutally honest too. Any kind of feedback is better than none!