disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, just Arabella and her story. Just a warning: there is a slightly uncomfortable part in this towards the middle-end-ish with Kassandra and Abel. It might not seem big, but for me it is and I wanted to warm you beforehand. There is also a lot of death and mention of death. Other than that, I do hope you like this chapter.
Kassandra Aminta Anastas Part II
You were my silver lining during this war.
Silver lining.
Arabella shook her head and huffed. She felt her body shaking at the thought. She was Kassandra's silver lining, was she? The thought made her furious. Arabella was certainly not that. She was not a silver lining. She was another excuse for Kassandra. She thought she would be happy learning all these things about her mother, but she wasn't. It just made her angry to think about the fact that Remus, Sirius, Andromeda and everyone have been hiding things from her for years. They should have said something to her. They should have told her this years and years ago. She's faced more challenges than most qualified Aurors. She's faced Voldemort many times, survived Bellatrix, been kidnapped by Barty Crouch Jr., produced a Patronus and used it on hundreds of dementors. No other witch or wizard in the world could ever say that, and yet they still treated her like a child. No amount of 'silver linings' is ever going to make up for this lie.
She then spread the pictures on the floor carefully. The first one was of Kassandra, a man and a young girl with a Ferris wheel in the background. The man must be Isaak Anastas. He was a handsome with warm eyes. There was a certain demeanour about him that exudes confidence. Arabella Torell could have easily passed as Kassandra's twin. They had the same hair, nose, mouth and chin. They only difference were their eyes. While Kassandra had deep brown eyes, Arabella Torell had blue eyes like the sea. They were lively and full of mischief. There was another photo of Kassandra, Isaak, Arabella Torell and another woman in front of the Hogwarts Express. She had her hand on Kassandra's shoulder. Her eyes were lighter and her hair tied up. It was Hekabe Christos and she was staring at her daughter was pride and love. Kassandra might have even looked at Arabella like that on her first day.
The next one was of Kassandra and a younger Remus. They were sitting next to the Black Lake with their arms around their shoulders and identical wide smiles. There was one of Kassandra and Lily Potter with the sun beating down on their skins. Lily's red hair was glowing and Kassandra's skin was radiating. Another one with James jumping on Kassandra's back, making her give him a piggyback ride. One with Kassandra and two identical red-headed twins, Fabian and Gideon Prewett, as they mercilessly kept messing with her hair. Then another one with a round-faced girl and a boy with a crooked smile. They were Alice and Frank Longbottom. Alice looked just like her son, Neville. Then there was one of Kassandra and Sirius, smiling at each other with a Christmas tree in the background, and another of them holding hands. Then one of Arabella Torell and Remus, their arms around each other and smiling for the camera.
The next set of pictures were from Kassandra and Sirius's wedding. There was one of Kasandra and Sirius looking at each other with Mad-Eye officiating. Kassandra looked beautiful in a simple white dress, staring at the man she loved. Sirius looked exceptionally handsome with the sleeves of his dress shirt rolled up. Then there was one of Kassandra, Sirius, Isaak and Hekabe, another of Kassandra with Arabella Torell, Lily and Alice, and another of Kassandra with Remus and James. There was a picture of Kassandra and Sirius with Mad-Eye in between them. The newlyweds were smiling widely while Mad-Eye merely stared at the camera with his usual hard look. There was another of Isaak, Hekabe and Mad-Eye, one of Arabella Torell and Remus, Kassandra with Fabian and Gideon, and the last one with everyone that showed up – Kassandra, Sirius, Isaak, Hekabe, Mad-Eye, Lily, James, Alice, Frank, Fabian, Gideon, Remus, Arabella Torell and Peter Pettigrew.
Arabella was now down to her last set of pictures. Kassandra was holding a baby in her arms, exhausted with a radiant smile on her face. Remus was then holding her, and then Lily, James, Isaak and Hekabe, and finally Sirius. He kissed her forehead and cheeks. Arabella smiled a little at the sight.
At last, she picked up the blue-silver bottles. She stood up and poured Kassandra's memories into the basin. She watched those memories swirl around each other for a moment, deciding whether or not she wanted to see them.
She did. With as much longing as she could possible contain, Arabella had to admit she wanted to see them. She wanted to see Kassandra again and Arabella Torell. She wanted to see Isaak and Hekabe fall in love at last and to see the way Sirius looked at Kassandra. She wanted to see Remus, young and full of hope, and James Potter, the image of his son. Lily, with blazing red hair, and Neville's parents, sane and whole. She wanted to see all of them and more. Without another though, she dived in.
The corridor was brightly lit. Two men and a little girl were sitting outside a pair of doors. One of the men was glaring at the other, who was smiling. The girl was oblivious to the two men. She was dressed in a pink dress with two ponytails. She was kicking the air in front of her, clearly excited. Arabella moved closer and looked at her younger mother. She then looked up at Isaak, leaned back in his chair with a mocking smile, and then at Abel, with light blonde hair and blue eyes that were filled with hatred at the man in front of him. Abel would look handsome, if he was smiling instead.
"Why did you have to come?" sneered Abel.
"Abel," began Isaak, his grin widening, "I'm her best friend, and the father of her first-born daughter. I have to be here for her."
"I'm her husband," snapped Abel, "and the father of this baby. Just go home, Anastas."
"Nah, I'm good."
Abel continued to glare at Isaak, who paid him no attention as he turned towards his daughter. He smiled down at her kindly and said, "Are you excited, Kassandra? You're going to get a little baby sister to play with."
Kassandra nodded her head eagerly and jumped in her seat a little. Arabella half-smiled at the pair, wondering if that would have been hers and Sirius's relationship if he had not gone to Azkaban. Abel, however, rolled his eyes at the pair instead.
"I'm going for a walk," he announced.
Without another glance, he walked down the corridor and turned a corner, disappearing from view. Isaak merely chuckled and shook his head. Within minutes, the doors opened and a Healer came out, tired and with a smile on his face.
"Mr. Torell?" he asked Isaak, glancing at Kassandra.
"Oh, um, no," Isaak said awkwardly, standing up. "He just stood out for a moment, but this is Hekabe's other daughter."
"That's fine, you two can come in," said the Healer. "Mrs. Torell just gave birth to a healthy baby girl. She's a little tired, but she is asking for her husband and daughter."
"Well, she's getting her daughter, at least," mumbled Isaak, not looking quite pleased as he followed the Healer.
Arabella followed them into another behind the doors. The room was a bit darker, but there was still a light that shined brightly on the mother and baby. The woman was grinning from ear to ear. There was a thin layer of sweat on her face and parts of her hair was sticking to her skin, but she was radiant. Arabella stared at her for a moment. She truly understood, at that moment, where Kassandra got her beauty from. When Hekabe looked up and saw Isaak, her smile somehow widened. It was a look of definite love.
"Hey," whispered Isaak.
Arabella whipped her head around towards him. There was a soft smile on his face, but the look upon his face was familiar. It was longing and yearning for someone who can't love him back. He loved her. He loved her so much and he wished the circumstances were different.
"Where's Abel?" Hekabe asked, her voice like a song.
"He – er – stepped out for a bit," said Isaak, clearing his throat. "Must be nervous, you know, being a father for the first time and everything."
"Oh," said Hekabe, her smile flattening. "Oh well, he'll be here soon. Come here, Kassandra. Come meet your new sister."
Isaak picked Kassandra up and put her on the bed next to Hekabe. Kassandra leaned forward and put her face very close towards the baby's. Kassandra was survey the baby's face, as though trying to make up her mind. She then looked up at Hekabe and said, "What's her name, Ma?"
"Arabella," Hekabe said contently. "Arabella Antheia Torell."
"You've always liked flowers, didn't you?" Isaak said quietly, staring down at Arabella Torell.
The scene changed and this time Arabella was standing in the Great Hall with a bunch of first years waiting to be sorted. It was the same as when Arabella got sorted all those years ago. Even McGonagall was there, looking as formidable as ever.
"When I call your name, you will put on the hat and sit on the stool to be sorted. Anastas, Kassandra!"
Arabella walked up to the stool with her mother. Kassandra's legs were trembling, but there was a sly smile on her face. McGonagall dropped the Sorting Hat onto her head and a few minutes later, the hat cried, "GRYFFINDOR!"
The table on the far right burst into cheers and applause as Kassandra took off the Sorting Hat and joined them. Arabella followed her as Kassandra sat down with her fellow housemates. The roll call continued as Arabella watched the Sorting Hat declare Sirius Black a Gryffindor. The Great Hall was silent for a moment, as it was with her, before scattered applause filled the Hall. Sirius sat beside Kassandra, but neither one of them talked to one another. Lily Evans, Frank Longbottom, Remus Lupin, Peter Pettigrew, James Potter, Fabian and Gideon Prewett, and Alice Smith joined Kassandra and Sirius at the Gryffindor table. The scene changed the moment Alice Smith sat down next to James Potter.
Arabella was standing in the Great Hall once again, but this time there was a different group of first years. She was sitting next to Kassandra at the Gryffindor table. She was older and surrounded by her friends. Her eyes were lively and she was beyond excited.
"Torell, Arabella."
"GRYFFINDOR!"
Kassandra immediately jumped from her seat and began clapping wildly. Arabella Torell joined the Gryffindor table just as Lily Evans and Alice Smith pulled Kassandra back to her seat.
The scene changed again. This time they were in the Gryffindor common room. Two people were standing in front of the fire place, yelling and arguing at the top of their voice. Arabella winced as she moved closer towards the pair. Kassandra and Sirius were much taller now. A few years seemed to have passed since Arabella Torell's Sorting. Their faces were red and the veins in Sirius's neck was popping out slightly.
Remus and Arabella Torell were sitting on the couch, staring at the pair in concern, while James Potter sat in the corner, trying to focus on his own work, and failing. Lily Evans tried to tune them out, but was getting more and more irritated with each passing second.
"What are they even fighting about?" Arabella Torell whispered to Remus.
"I – I don't know," said Remus, shrugging. "I don't even think they know."
Arabella moved closer towards her parents and stood in between them, her back against the fire.
"– big headed, egotistical, prat of a –"
"– you just think you know everything, don't you, Anastas –"
"– more than you, you pompous –"
"– at least I don't run around here acting all high and mighty because my father's an Auror –"
"– at least my father likes me!" snarled Kassandra loudly. "At least he cares about me! Can you even say the same?"
James inhaled sharply as Arabella Torell gasped. Sirius said nothing. His face was hard and full of hatred and sadness. He stared at Kassandra for a moment before turning around and stalking up his dormitory without another word. Remus sighed before getting up and following after him. Everyone then turned to look at Kassandra.
"What?" said Kassandra, scrunching her eyebrows at them in confusion. "I won. Big deal. He'll come back with something else later."
Arabella Torell shook her head and soon left the common room. James Potter moved closer towards Kassandra and whispered something in her ear rapidly. His fists were clenched and his arms shaking. Kassandra's eyes widened in seconds and she looked ashamed of herself immediately. In the corner, Lily Evans watched them carefully.
"I didn't – I didn't know –"
"That doesn't matter," snapped James. "Just… just fix this, all right? I'm getting tired of watching the both of you go at it like this. End it already."
The scene changed again. Arabella was still standing in the common room. Sirius was sitting in front of the fireplace while Kassandra was sitting at a nearby table with some textbooks. She wasn't paying attention to them. She was looking over at Sirius, contemplating and biting her lips. Then she sighed and moved closer towards Sirius, taking a seat on the floor beside him.
"I'm sorry," whispered Kassandra. "I know – I know what it feels like, having – having – I'm sorry."
"You know what this feels like?" asked Sirius, a hint of challenge in his voice.
Kassandra nodded and whispered, "Abel hates me."
Sirius pursed his lips for a moment and said, "Arabella's father?"
"Yeah," mumbled Kassandra. "He hates me."
"Arabella likes him."
"Yeah, but he's her dad, not mine," said Kassandra. "But that's not the point –"
"What is the point, then?" snipped Sirius.
"The point is that I apologize," Kassandra said quickly. "I'm sorry, okay? I'm sorry I said… what I said. I shouldn't have said anything. It wasn't – It's not right, you know, parents not loving you. That shouldn't be happening and I just threw it in your face like that. I – I –"
"You didn't know," said Sirius, shrugging.
"That doesn't matter. I still shouldn't have done that. I'm so – I'm so sorry."
Sirius didn't say anything. He gave her a tiny smile and nodded. They fell into comfortable silence and Arabella turned away, feeling as though she was intruding on a special moment.
The scene changed and this time Arabella was standing in a bedroom. The walls were painted beige with Gryffindor banners and colours hanging everywhere. The bed was unmade and clothes were thrown all over the floor. Arabella moved closer towards the mirror in the corner of the room and saw various pictures of Kassandra, Arabella Torell and their friends.
The door opened and Arabella jumped back, letting Kassandra and Arabella Torell come in.
"Come on, just tell me."
"Arry, no."
"What does he tell you?"
"It's none of your business."
"Are they love notes?"
"What? No!" exclaimed Kassandra, though her flushed cheeks told another story. "We're just writing about our holiday and whatnot."
"Oh, come on, there has to be more than that. Remus is with Sirius –"
"Oh, is he now?" said Kassandra, her smile knowing.
"Hush, this is not about me," said Arabella Torell, waving her hand dismissively. "This is about you and your apparently love for –"
"I'm not in love with Sirius," Kassandra cut across. "We're just writing to each other like friends. Isn't that what you all wanted from us, huh? For us to stop fighting and get along. That's what we're doing."
"Yeah, but I didn't think you'd start writing to each other like this," said Arabella Torell, her eyes shining. "Every other night I can hear Kuria tapping on your window, delivering notes that contained secret love notes –"
"Oh, give it a rest," said Kassandra, giving her sister a little shove. "It's not every night –"
But then there was a small tap on the window and all three of them turned their heads. Arabella Torell let out a laugh as Kassandra hurried forward and opened the window. A black owl dropped an envelope on the bed and flew out immediately. Arabella Torell reached out towards it, but Kassandra lunged and got it first.
"Does it say 'Kas'?" asked Arabella Torell, laughing. "Is that what he calls you now?"
"Everyone calls me 'Kas'," mumbled Kassandra, ripping open the envelope.
"Yeah, but I bet you like the way he says it more," said Arabella Torell cheekily.
Kassandra said nothing as she began reading the letter. A small smile bloomed upon her face. Arabella walked over and tried to read the letter, but the scene changed before she could even glance at it. She was back at the Gryffindor common room. Kassandra and Sirius were sitting at a table in the corner of the room. Kassandra was working on something while Sirius was leaning back on his chair so that only two legs were supporting him. He had a smile on his face as he watched Kassandra.
"How's Potions coming along, Kas?" asked Sirius.
"Fine," muttered Kassandra, not looking up. "You'd better get started or else Slughorn will give you detention again."
"Nah, the old man likes me too much."
"I doubt that."
"I was invited to his party."
"So was I," said Kassandra, looking up. "What's your point?"
"Planning on going with someone?"
"Maybe," said Kassandra, shrugging. "Haven't given it much thought, really."
"Wanna go with me, then?" asked Sirius, boldly.
Kassandra blinked for a moment and closed her book. She leaned back against her chair and said, "Like a date?"
"Sort of," said Sirius. "But Slug's party won't be our first."
"It won't?" repeated Kassandra. "Then what would be?"
"There's a Hogsmeade trip coming up soon," Sirius said, leaning forward and staring at Kassandra. "Want to go with me?"
"To Hogsmeade?"
"Yes."
"And Slughorn's party?"
"Yes."
"You're asking me out for both?"
"Yes, Kas."
"As dates?"
"Of course."
"Romantically?"
Sirius's grin widened as he said, genuinely, "Yes, Kas. Romantically."
Kassandra surveyed him for a moment and slowly smiled, a small chuckle erupting from her mouth. She nodded her head and said, "All right, then. Yes, I'll go with you."
The scene faded and Arabella stood in Hogsmeade. It was raining heavily and the road was covered in mud. People were running around, trying to get inside different shops, while others were hurrying towards the castle. The wind was whistling through the branches and Arabella turned her head towards the sky, feeling the cold droplets fall upon her face. She then looked around and saw them. Kassandra and Sirius were standing behind Three Broomsticks. Kassandra leaned up and kissed Sirius softly on his lips. Her hair was drenched, legs shaking, but it didn't appear as though she cared. Sirius leaned into it and cupped her cheeks with his hand. Arabella turned away as the scene changed once more.
She was standing in the Charms corridor and could hear voices coming towards her. Kassandra and James Potter turned the corridor, speaking hastily towards each other.
"Just give it a rest, James," Kassandra said exhaustedly. "She'll let you know when she's interested. She just became your friend, and I doubt you want to ruin that right now."
"Yeah, but McNeal's been talking to her a lot and she laughs at his jokes –"
"To be fair, they are funny jokes –"
"That's not helping –"
"I didn't say I was going to help –"
"Kassandra, please –"
"She doesn't find his jokes that great, anyway –"
"Really?"
"He's smart and nice and tall, but I think she prefers someone who –"
Arabella, Kassandra and James rounded the next corner and saw two people locked in a tight, passionate embrace. Arabella looked away as Kassandra screamed at Remus and Arabella Torell. The scene changed again and Arabella was standing outside a house. Wind was hitting Arabella's cheek and she made her away around the house. Kassandra and Sirius were standing in front of Mad-Eye as he pronounced them husband and wife. Arabella Torell, Lily Evans, James Potter, Remus Lupin, Alice Smith, Frank Longbottom, Peter Pettigrew, Fabian and Gideon Prewett, Isaak, and Hekabe cheered as Kassandra and Sirius kissed. They looked content and peaceful as people began congratulating them.
Arabella walked around the crowd, soaking up their energy and spirit. Lily and James were standing close to each other, James's arm around her waist. Alice, Fabian and Gideon were laughing with each other. Frank was talking to Pettigrew, while Remus was standing close to Arabella Torell. Arabella moved closer towards them, curiosity overtaking her.
"Do you ever think about doing this?" Arabella Torell asked Remus.
"Doing what?" asked Remus, slightly startled. "Having a shotgun wedding?"
"Well, Kas isn't pregnant, yet," said Arabella Torell. "But… you know what I mean, Remus. Marriage, a wedding – do you ever think about that?"
Remus's face hardened as his shoulders gave a small jerk. He was silent for a while before he settled on, "Sometimes."
"Sometimes," whispered Arabella Torell. She looked down at the grass as she said, "Am I… am I in those thoughts, Remus?"
Remus then cleared his throat and said, "I – I don't think about this that much. When Kas and Sirius announced they were doing this, I thought about it more than I'd care to admit. It does seem foolish, thinking about marriage and children when I know that my family will become outcasts instantly."
"I'm already an outcast, Remus," Arabella Torell said instantly. "And I don't care about any of those things"
The corner of Remus's lips twitched into a smile. "I know. That's why when I have thought of this" – he waved his hand around them idly –"I thought of you."
Arabella Torell blinked and smiled at Remus before Kassandra finally joined them, a knowing look upon her face. The scene dissolved and Arabella was now standing in the middle of Diagon Alley. The whole place was in a disarray. There were bodies on the cobbled stone steps, building were still on fire and people were running around, trying to find their lost ones or to repair the damage. A man ran past Arabella, screaming a woman's man, while little children were crying on the ground, too traumatized to move. Their screams and cries were deafening Arabella's ears. She wanted to help them and protect them, but it was pointless. This was a memory and there was nothing she could do.
Up the road was a group of people huddled together. Arabella moved closer and peered over Frank Longbottom's shoulder. Kassandra was kneeling beside Arabella Torell's dead body. Her hair was fanned out on the ground and her eyes staring at the cloudy sky. Somehow, she looked smaller here than at the wedding. She was young and beautiful and dead. Kassandra's whole body was shaking terrible as Sirius held onto her. Remus was standing against the wall of a shop. He stared at Arabella Torell with red eyes and clenched fists. Arabella reached out towards him as he whispered, "Arabella."
The scene changed once more. She was standing in a well-kept kitchen. Nothing was out of place or messy, save for the fridge. There were multiple pictures, drawings and reminders attached to it. Just as Arabella looked closer, a loud, booming voice echoed through the house.
"GET OUT OF MY HOUSE!"
Arabella jumped and ran into the next room. Abel Torell was standing in the middle of the living room, his face red and livid. He was staring at Kassandra and Mad-Eye with disgust and hatred written all over him. He was much older now with wrinkles on his forehead and a stench radiating off of him. Hekabe was sitting on the couch behind him, looking slightly fearful and concerned, while Mad-Eye stared out at the window. Kassandra was calm when she stood up, placing her hands up in front of her.
"Abel, please, listen to me –"
"I'm done listening to you," Abel snarled, spit flying from his mouth. "I've done enough listening to you and your lot. I should have kicked you out years ago when pudding started exploding all over the house and that bloody owl kept making all that noise. I should have done it when you brought that low-life hoodlum into my house. I've had it with you!"
"Abel," began Hekabe, standing up, "this is not the time to be doing this –"
"I should have done this years ago," Abel snapped and Hekabe backed away from him. He then turned back towards Kassandra and said, "If you had kept your distance from my family, none of this would have happened."
"She's my family too," choked Kassandra, tears coming to her eyes.
Abel raised his hand to strike her, but Mad-Eye took out his wand instantly and growled, "Careful, Torell."
Arabella moved backwards, feeling the convictions of his voice strongly. If Abel had done it, if he had laid a single finger on Kassandra, Mad-Eye would have killed him instantly. There was no doubt in her mind. Abel seemed to have realized this as well. He lowered his fist and glared murderously at Mad-Eye. Hekabe stared between Abel and Mad-Eye, looking like a lost bird. She seemed scared and, somehow, alone.
"Get out of my house," scorned Abel. "The two of you. Get out of my house and never come back! You're not welcomed here ever again," he spat at Kassandra. "I should have had the police take you away years ago. If you ever come near my property ever again, I will call them. Get OUT! OUT!"
Tears were now flowing down Kassandra's face as she quickly left the house. Mad-Eye glared at Abel before following her out. Arabella walked through the glass door and ran towards Kassandra, listening to her faint cries. Mad-Eye placed a hand on her shoulder as Hekabe walked outside as well.
"Alastor, take me to Isaak."
"Mum," Kassandra said thickly.
But Hekabe only looked at Mad-Eye. Arabella had the faint impression that Hekabe was trying her hardest not to look at Kassandra. She trained her eyes upon Mad-Eye until he finally extended his arm towards her. The three of them disappeared as the scene changed. Arabella was suddenly in a dark living room and Hekabe was on the floor, crying and screaming, her voice going hoarse. Isaak was at her shoulder, but he was of no use. Hekabe's heart was breaking and there was nothing in the world that could fix that.
The living room dissolved and Arabella was standing in Dumbledore's office. Dumbledore was sitting in his usual chair with Mad-Eye and Isaak behind him. Kassandra was sitting across from him, staring determinedly at the desk. Her eyes were red and she seemed as though she aged years. She was considerably thinner and her hair unkempt. Dumbledore was gazing at her with his piercing blue eyes while Isaak shook with silent fury.
"Are you sure about this, Kassandra?" Dumbledore asked at last.
Kassandra looked up. She glanced over at Mad-Eye, who was by the window, then at Isaak's furious face, and finally stared back at Dumbledore. She sat up straighter and gave him a single nod. The scene changed at once.
"Don't you care about yourself? Don't you care about me? Why the hell would you even do this?"
"You know exactly why I'm doing this! Of course I care about you, Sirius! I will always care about you, but I have to do this!"
It was nighttime. The moon was shining through the curtain, and Kassandra and Sirius were shouting at each other on opposite sides of the living room. Kassandra was wearing her nightgown as Sirius was still wearing jeans and a plain white t-shirt. Arabella looked around quickly, realizing that this was her house. This was the house Bellatrix broke into. This was their house and they were a family for a while here.
"You don't have to do anything! You're putting yourself in deliberate danger –"
"I know what I'm doing!" Kassandra said swiftly. "I know exactly what this is and what the risks are and –"
"Then get out of the mission!"
"I can't!"
"Can't or won't, Kas? Which is it? 'Cause I'm pretty sure you volunteered for this ridiculous, idiotic –"
"This isn't stupid, Sirius! This is for – this is for –"
"Don't you dare say this is for Arabella! She would not want you to do this!"
"You don't know what she wants!" cried Kassandra.
"And neither do you!" bellowed Sirius. "You don't know what she wants, Kas, because she would not have wanted you to put yourself in danger! She would have wanted you to be careful! For god's sake, Kas, what if something goes wrong? What's going to happen to you? What if he finds out, huh, Kas? Don't you care about us? Me, Remus, Lily or James or Peter or your parents? What the hell is going to happen to us if Voldemort kills you? What's going to happen to me when you follow your sister into her grave? But you don't care, do you?" Sirius took a step back and shook his head. "You just do whatever the hell you want and we're all supposed to just live with it, are we?"
Kassandra glared at him and quickly grabbed her coat from the couch.
"What are you doing?" asked Sirius, exhausted.
Kassandra zipped up her coat and said, "I'm leaving until you can finally calm down and clear our head. I'll be Remus's for a while. Good-night and good-bye, Sirius."
The scene changed and Arabella was now standing in a dark room with a single, bright lightbulb.
"What are you prepared to do, Kassandra Anastas?"
A cold voice filled the air. The hairs on the back of Arabella's neck stood up and she realized she was standing in the same room as Lord Voldemort. He was different than how he looked at the graveyard. He looked human, but his looks were fading. His skin had a greyish taint and he looked very powerful.
"Anything," replied Kassandra, her voice full of steel.
The room faded and Arabella was standing in the middle of chaos. Buildings were burning and exploding. Magic was running wild as Death Eaters had no care in the world. Trolls were roaming around freely as people screamed and cried for mercy. Arabella ducked when she saw a troll come closer towards her. Five Muggles in a car were crushed underneath its foot and a hooded figure walked past them briskly. Arabella ran past the troll and followed the figure. A flash of red light barely missed her face and people were shouting in terror.
"Avada Kedavra!"
Arabella turned and saw a man slump against the street. The lower part of his body was already crushed and his face was partially covered in blood. The Death Eater lowered its wand and stared at the man for a few moments before Disapparating away. The scene changed with the Death Eater and Arabella was back in her old house, standing in the middle of the living room. Isaak was running all over the house with his wand in the air and she could see Mad-Eye outside, his wand pointed at the house. Sirius was standing in the middle, confused and looked for answers as Kassandra spoke to Dumbledore in whispers.
"Someone mind tell me what's going on?" Sirius asked loudly.
"Soon," Kassandra said hastily before turning back to Dumbledore. "Do you have any idea who told him?"
"A suspicion, but nothing more at this time," Dumbledore said gravely. "I will let you know if I find anything, Kassandra. But for now, the focus is on ensuring your safety and the safety of your family. Once Isaak and Alastor are done, you will be safe tonight and I will bring James and Lily over tomorrow to secure the Fidelius Charm."
"Thank you, Professor."
Dumbledore walked outside and Disapparated with a small pop. Mad-Eye then walked in and said, "It's done."
"What's done?" barked Sirius, getting agitated.
"I'll tell him," Kassandra said quickly.
Mad-Eye left soon after and Isaak followed him after kissing Kassandra's cheek. Heavy silence soon followed as Kassandra and Sirius looked at each other.
"What's going on?" Sirius bustled out. "What's with Isaak and Moody running around here and Dumbledore showing up? Are we in danger? What's happening, Kassandra?"
Kassandra took a deep breath and said, "Sirius, I'm… I'm pregnant."
Sirius was stunned and speechless. As he glanced down at Kassandra's stomach and inhaled sharply, the scene faded. Arabella was still standing in the living room, this time Kassandra was sitting on the couch with a baby in her arms. Sirius came into the room and placed a cup of tea in front of her. He then sat next to her and kissed her forehead. They said nothing to each other, but there was no need. They were in love and happy and that's all they needed.
The scene faded and they were standing this time with people all around the living room. Lily Potter was arm-in-arm with James, visibly pregnant and alight with happiness. Alice Longbottom was pregnant as well, sitting on the couch and looking peaceful as Frank's finger drew circles on the back of her hand. Fabian and Gideon Prewett was talking to Isaak and Hekabe, while Sirius and Kassandra was sitting with Mad-Eye and Peter Pettigrew. In the corner of the room, Remus was sitting by the wall, but he wasn't by himself. He was carrying a baby in his arms. Arabella moved closer and heard him singing softly under his breath. The baby was sleeping peacefully and Arabella choked back a sob. It sight was perfect and lovely. She stood beside him for a couple moments, watching them.
Remus and baby Arabella faded away. She was standing in front of the house Kassandra and Sirius got married behind. It was dark and windy outside, but the sky was illuminated by a familiar green light. She knew what it was before looking up. Stars surrounded the immense skull and she gasped, running towards the front door. Just as she reached the room, a piercing screech stopped her. She stood behind the ajar door and listened to her wailing mother, knowing what sight was about to greet her.
Arabella took a step forward and saw them. Isaak's lifeless body was immediately at the door. His eyes were vacant and empty. There was a ghost of a smile on his face. Hekabe was a few feet away from him, face down and hand reaching towards Isaak. Kassandra was still screaming and crying, her face red and her cheeks covered with tears. Sirius was holding her back from doing any damage to herself. Mad-Eye closed Isaak's eyes and sighed, shaking his head. He whispered something underneath his breath to the lifeless body before turning over Hekabe. Her hair moved like silk and her mouth was open, as though she died yelling something. She looked small. Mad-Eye placed his hand on her forehead and gentle brushed her eyebrows with his thumb. He looked sad, almost devastated.
Arabella closed her eyes and rose up out of the Pensieve. Moments later, she was back in Grimmauld Place.
Thank you so much for reading! I hope you all liked this chapter, please tell me what you think of it.
If you're thinking why would Kassandra show her daughter her kissing Sirius in the rain or Arabella T. talking with Remus or anything else, it would be because she wanted Arabella to know who she was, who she loved, the people who shaped her life and everything in between. Even with Abel, he's someone Kassandra grew up with. He's shaped her life in some ways and if he wasn't there, Kassandra would have been a completely different person. As for Arabella T. and Remus, their relationship will be explained more in the next chapters and the part during their wedding. The aftermath of this chapter will be occuring in the next chapter and the ones after that. I hope you all stick around!