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ISOBELLE

"Isobelle, you're going to be fine, I promise you," Jane says quietly, pushing back my sweaty hair. I can't be. I'm going to die, I know it. Nothing's ever hurt more in my life. Dark spots dance in front of my eyes, and I feel as if I'm losing grip on reality. I can' believe I ever considered my bed comfortable. I'm going to die in it.

Jane looks somberly to a Healer, asking a silent question. She shakes her head slightly and whispers a quiet, "She may have to choose soon." I know what she means. The delivery isn't going well. I may have to choose between my life and that of my son.

Jane shakes her head. "I won't believe it." She comes to the side of my bed, squeezing my hand. "You need to push," she says encouragingly. I don't know how she can be so calm. I feel life slipping away from my slowly, and everywhere below my waist hurts. I don't know how she managed to give birth to two children.

"I …can't," I shake my head. "I'm… I'm going to die..."

"No, you aren't," Jane promises me fiercely. "You have a family and a husband, and you'll have a son very soon. You're going to live."

I doubt that. I've been in labor for hours, days it feels like. My family is in the next room, and they have been since Simon told them I was ready to have the baby. I hope they aren't too worried.

I scream again as another contraction hits me. I can't stand it. This is one of the few times in my life I would prefer to be a muggle. From what Mum says, they have medicine that takes the pain away during labor. I'm not certain as to why wizards haven't developed that yet. I want to give up.

"Isobelle, you can't give up!" Jane says, as if reading my mind. "Think of how happy you'll be when you hold him the first time. It will be worth it, I promise you."

All that seems so far into the future I can't fathom it. All I know is that I'm in excruciating pain, delivering Simon's child. So much depends on this. I've already had a miscarriage. Nothing else can go wrong, or else I may wish I actually do die.

I can still hear Jane's encouraging words, but they seem so far off that I can hardly pay any attention to what she's actually saying. "Push," I hear Jane say again. "Isobelle, you need to…"

I come around again when I hear a small, strangled cry. I collapse in my bed, breathing heavily, so glad that it's over. I just want to see my son, and hold him. I'm a mother now. I have a child.

A thick blanket of silence falls over the room, and it scares me. The first thing I think is that something bad has happened to my baby.

"What's wrong?" I ask frantically. I can't have gone through so much to lose another child. Jane helps me to sit up, and takes my hand very gently. I look around the room, confused. My son is still crying. "What's happened? Is he all right? Why isn't anyone talking?" I ask all at once.

Jane glances down and won't meet my eyes. "Isobelle-"

"Tell me what's happened!" I demand. It's as if Jane doesn't have children of her own, like she doesn't know how it feels to worry. "I want to see my son!"

Jane squeezes my hand and her face goes slack. She gives me an apologetic look, as if she truly does pity me. "You don't have a son," she says in a low voice. Before I can comprehend what she's saying, Jane says, "You have a daughter now. She's healthy, and that's all you should be worried about."

"No…" I say, completely in shock. I almost died for this child, for it to be nothing but a girl. Simons is going to hate me. I hate myself. "No!" My eyes well up with tears. This can't be happening to me.

Jane shushes me and caresses the back of my hand, trying fruitlessly to comfort me. "Isobelle, you're young. You'll have a son soon, just not today. It's all right."

The Healers look on, and I see one begin to wrap the baby in a soft blue blanket. Simon and I had been so sure we were having a son, we hadn't thought to buy anything for a girl.

"Mrs. Montague, would you like to hold her?" A Healer questions, holding the crying baby in her arms.

"No." I shake my head. How can I hold this child, this thing that is going to ruin my life and Simon's love for me? How can I love it?

"Isobelle," Jane says quietly. "I know you're upset, but that little girl is-"

"I said no!" I repeat loudly.

The door swings open. It's Simon. He hurries into the room like an excited child, as if he couldn't wait any longer. I swallow hard and look away from him, trying to bite back tears. He has pride and excitement in his eyes as he spots the bundle of blue blankets in the Healer's arms. Jane stands and gives me a meaningful look before backing up to let Simon pass.

"I heard a child's cry," Simon announces proudly, completely passing me to snatch the child from the Healer. He smiles at is with the joy and excitement of new fatherhood. "I'd like to meet my son." I don't want to interrupt his joy. This is how today should have gone.

"He has a strong cry," Simon notes. "Orion, you should be very grateful for what your mother has gone through to have you. As grateful as I am," Simon whispers, looking down at the baby. He glances back up at me lovingly, and then frowns. "What's the matter? Are you still in pain?"

Although I am, I shake my head. Jane makes eye contact with me. "We-we can't call it Orion," I say timidly, my eyes downcast.

Simon frowns. "We decided on Orion. You aren't changing it now, are you?" Simon questions. "I think Orion suits him."

"It d-doesn't."

"Why the hell not?" Simon questions, growing irritated. I think he realizes for the first time something is wrong.

I take a deep breath and can't manage to look at Simon. Jane motions for me to tell him. "It's a girl…"

Simon stares at me in shock and disbelief. He scoffs and shakes his head. "If that isn't the most stupid thing I've…" slowly, he realizes the seriousness in the room. He glances down at the baby and pulls the blanket slightly, proving things for himself. He all but shoves the baby back into the Healer's arms and gives me a look of hatred.

"You promised me a son!" He shouts, coming dangerously close to me.

"I'm sorry," I cry. "I didn't know!"

"What am I supposed to do with a daughter?" Simon demands, his face red with rage. Before he can come any closer, Jane puts a hand on his arm.

"Now isn't the time," she says forcefully, staring intently at Simon. He looks as if he wants to protest, but for some reason, he won't.

Simon turns to me once again. I see disappointment in his eyes, as well as hatred. How can I love this child, this girl? Every time I look at her, I'm going to remember how greatly I let Simon down. I wanted nothing more than to impress Simon. Despite how cruel he can be, despite the one or two bad things he's done to me, I love him. There's nothing I wouldn't do to satisfy him.

"I don't want her," I say in a small voice, looking between Jane and Simon. The Healers stare at me as if they're for some reason surprised. I ignore them. They don't understand love. "I don't want her…"

"Well, that's too bad," Simon snaps, eyeing the baby with distaste and rolling his eyes. He turns back to me as if I'm as useless as the baby. "Because of you, we're stuck with a damned girl! As soon as you're well, you can rest assured you'll be pregnant again!"

"Simon," I cry weakly. Why can't he understand I didn't want this to happen any more than he did? "Simon, please…"

Simon turns away from me, as if he can't bear to look at me any longer. "Tend to your daughter," he says coldly. He slams the door.

I hear a door slam loudly, and I awake with a frightened scream. It takes me a minute to calm my breathing and realize it was a nightmare, a very real nightmare. I put my hand to my forehead, it's slightly sweaty.

My bedroom door opens and Simon comes in. "What is it?" He asks, looking around my room for the threat. His eyes rest on me again and there's a sort of softness in his face I never usually see.

Seconds later, Delphine hurries in behind him. "Mummy?" She asks in a small voice, climbing onto my bed. "You screamed."

"I… I had a bad dream," I say quietly, not caring to elaborate. I wish I could sleep without interruption. A state of unconsciousness has to be better than being awake.

"You want a doll, Mummy?" Delphine offers earnestly. "They give me good dreams."

I shake my head slightly and give Delphine a despondent kiss on the forehead. "No thank you, Darling. But that is a very caring offer to make."

Simon looks at me as if he knows there's something I'm not telling him. It's something I can't tell him. "Come down for breakfast," he says, reaching for me.

"I'm not even dressed," I protest, hoping for a moment alone. I need it. I need to sort myself out, and to think.

"You're fine," Simon assures me. "Come, Delphine."

Delphine takes my hands, trying with all her might to pull me out of bed. "Come on, Mummy!" she says. "Get up, get up!"

"Don't bother your mother," Simon chides in a dull voice.

I get up slowly. The room spins for a moment, and I have to brace myself. Simon raises an eyebrow at me. He knows I'm pregnant. I know it, and if I do nothing about it, he's going to do something unthinkable to me or my children when he learns the truth.

Delphine pulls my hands again. "It's nice outside, Mummy," she tells me happily. "I went outside with Daddy earlier because I wanted to look at the flowers, but Daddy didn't want to. He only readed his newspaper outside."

"It looks beautiful outside," I agree absentmindedly, letting my hand brush over my stomach. I have to get in touch with Teddy somehow. He deserves to know I'm pregnant. I hope Scorpius told him.

I follow Delphine and Simon down the stairs, reminding Delphine to go slowly and to be careful. At least someone's excited for a new day. Delphine chatters a kilometer a second about anything and everything- the weather, which robes she'd like to wear today, how she can't wait to go to classes. I try my best to listen, but I can't.

"Is that so?" I question, faking an interested tone when Delphine is finished speaking.

"Yes!" Delphine nods vehemently.

Simon pulls out Delphine's chair and she climbs into it. He comes around to pull out my chair as well. Instead of simply doing it and leaving me alone, Simon places a hand on my waist. "Good morning," he says in a low tone, kissing me before I can turn away. Delphine giggles.

"Good morning," I respond plainly, rebuffing Simon. I step away from his touch and sit down. He gives me a bewildered look for a moment, then goes to seat himself.

"I thought breakfast was outside," Delphine says matter-of-factly.

Simon shakes his head. "Your mother will catch a cold in that thin nightgown of hers," he explains.

"Oh," Delphine says quietly. Suddenly, she raises her eyebrows in question. "Did we get letters yet, Mummy?"

"I don't believe so, love." I'm surprised how often my siblings are writing to me this year. The only one I've heard absolutely nothing from is Rose. I suppose that can be expected, considering how much she supposedly hates me. Anxiously, I'm awaiting Scorpius' letter. I'm not sure what he'll say to me. Hopefully he won't be risky enough to mention anything. I know it isn't fair to put a secret on him like this, but who else can I tell? Any of my other siblings would surely tell Mum. I trust Scorpius, and if anything were to happen to me, I know he would actually try to help me. Despite how he behaves, he really is caring.

"Mummy," Delphine says.

"Isobelle," Simon says at the same time.

I shake my head, looking back at them. "Yes?"

"I called your name three times," Simon says. "You didn't answer."

"I'm sorry, I apologize quickly. "What is it?"

Simon takes a sip of coffee and gives me a knowing look. "You need to eat," he tells me quietly. "Especially in your condition."

Simon's words make me want to vomit. He does know. I swallow, but tea seems to build up in my throat. "I'm not very-"

Simon's hand catches my wrist. I turn my head to look at Delphine, but she's already looking away, humming to herself and pretending she doesn't see this. It makes me hate Simon even more.

"You need to take care of yourself. This very well may be our chance. I won't go through this with you, Isobelle. Not again." You won't have to, I think. Simon offers me a dry smile and kisses my hand. "Have breakfast."

"I will," I nod slowly. To make sure I'm not lying, Simon watches me fill my plate. My hands are shaking terribly. By accident, I knock over my glass and silverware, and it clatters to the floor.

"Uh-oh," Delphine comments, jumping at the loud noise. "Daddy's gonna spank you for dropping stuff."

I highly doubt that. Simon motions for a house-elf to clean up the mess and gets up to help me. "Sit over here," he says, pointing to the other side of himself. "Delphine should pay a visit to her grandparents today." I know he means my parents. Simon's parents want nothing to do with Delphine. She's not a pureblood, and she's not a boy.

"Can I, Mummy?" Delphine questions. I don't object to that. I need to be alone. And besides, I've thought of going to find a small day school to enroll Delphine in just so that she's able to interact with other children. She'll still learn at home. I don't want her falling behind.

I nod. "They'll be delighted to see you."

Simon glances down and checks his watch. "I have to be to work in an hour." Simon catches my eyes, and I look down at my plate. I'm sure now that I'm pregnant he's going to cheat on me even more.

So far, I've decided upon sending Delphine to the day school in Hogsmeade Scorpius attended. It seems to be reputable, and perhaps she'll make a great deal of friends. I hope she does. Maybe even after Simon's gone, Delphine can go there for school. Perhaps it will take her mind off things.

Being unable to see or speak to Teddy is driving me insane. I have to speak to him. We have to get rid of Simon now, there's nothing else that can be done. We have our own children to think of, and Delphine.

Since my discussion with Scorpius, I've debated whether or not Teddy and I should include Scorpius in our plan. I'm sure he would participate. He isn't Simon's biggest fan, and Scorpius did say he would do anything to protect me. I'm sure this would be no exception.

Before going home, I decide to stop at the toy store and choose a gift for Delphine. Perhaps it will make telling her about school much easier. I really hope Delphine enjoys herself. I enjoyed day school when I was younger, as did Scorpius. Dad always saw it important that we were around children our age, especially when I was younger. Dad worked the entire day, and there was no one at home to watch me or to make sure my tutors educated me correctly. I trust Delphine's tutors, especially William.

As I turn the corner to get to the toy store, I bump into a man. He instantly catches my elbow to steady me. His hands are strong, and his touch is familiar.

"Excuse me, Miss," he apologizes quickly, in a thick Scottish accent. I stop in my tracks.

"Holden," I mutter quietly, looking up at him. He doesn't look much different than the last time I saw him at the Ministry two or three years ago. I didn't speak to him then. I didn't have the courage to. I don't even know if he saw me His dark hair is cut slightly shorter and his bright blue eyes have creases around the corners, as if he's spent his life laughing and happy. Without me.

Holden looks as uncomfortable as I do. He wrings his hands slightly and glances around as if he can't manage to look at me. It hurts things are this way now. Years ago, we were deeply and heavily in love. Now, time's made us strangers. It makes me guilty to know I contributed to that by cheating on him.

"How… how have you been?" Holden asks slowly. I can't discern by his facial expression whether or not he still cares for me or my well-being. The last time I spoke to him, he said he still loved me. Have all the years apart changed that?

"I've been making it," I answer, although that's very close to a lie. "And you? How are you?"

"I'm doing well," Holden says.

I try to think of something else to say, something to let him know I still remember what we were to one another. "Is architecture going well? Have you worked your way up yet?"

Holden nods. "Second-in-charge," he informs me.

I offer him a weak smile. Even if we still aren't together, I really am proud of him. "That's wonderful, congratulations."

Holden stuffs his hands into the pockets of his robes. I hope I'm not making him uncomfortable, but I'd like to speak to him. Teddy is gone, and Simon has no interest in me. Holden is here.

"What about you?" Holden questions. "I heard you were married." I know he knows I'm married. I think he says it in a way that allows him to not come off as abnormal for knowing that about me.

"I am," I nod.

"I hope he treats you well," Holden says sincerely. Simon could never come as close to how well Holden treated me. Towards the end of our relationship, things weren't the best with Holden, but he was never hateful or cruel like Simon.

I don't know what to say. "Thank you."

Silence passes between Holden and I. We look at one another. If Holden's doing the same thing as I am, he must be remembering everything we had together, and how beautiful it was. He helped me through the stress of meeting Mum again, and how horrible my family was. He was my first boyfriend, my first everything. And now he's nothing to me.

Holden clears his throat and gives me a tentative look, as if he's going to say something that I won't like. "Do you… do you have a minute to maybe get a drink and talk?" He offers.

I can't say no. No matter how much I don't want to be sucked into him again, I can't refuse him. I owe Holden a conversation. I can squeeze it in before I got to get Delphine.

"I… I have about an hour…"

Holden and I sit across from one another at a small table at the back of The Three Broomsticks. It's odd and painful, considering all the other times we came here, we were together and our exchanges were romantic. It hurts.

"I'm sorry," I blurt out.

Holden frowns slightly, and his eyebrows knit together the way they always have when he doesn't quite understand. "What for?"

"For ruining everything," I say. "For ruining what you and I had."

Holden goes silent and stares into his mug of coffee for a long while. "It was my fault, too," he says stiffly, as if he's given this a lot of thought. "I understand why you did it."

I stare at him, dumbfounded. I thought Holden would never see the hand he had in the end of our relationship. I don't know how much blame I want him to take. Sure, he drove me away, but I didn't have to cheat on him. I didn't have to lie to him.

"Don't say that. I didn't have to cheat on you, especially after everything you did for me." I feel wrong for telling Holden I shouldn't have slept with Teddy, when his children are inside me. But, regardless of who it was with, I shouldn't have cheated on Holden.

"I didn't have to be an ass to you," Holden continues.

I take his hand, and it's as soft as I remember. It surprises me, considering I know how much architects work with their hands. It saddens me that I'm wearing a wedding ring while he isn't. "Are you alone?" I question before I can help myself. "Sorry, that was awfully rude-"

"I have a girlfriend," Holden answers dryly. "She lives with me."

I don't know why, but that revelation makes me tear up. Holden asked me to live with him, and I refused. But I had wanted to. I loved him too much to let him be stuck with me. Had I said yes, had I accepted his proposal… things would have been different. I let go of Holden's hand, even though trying to keep him away from parts of me caused our problems in the first place.

Holden sighs. "Belle-"

"Isobelle," I correct him. He doesn't get to call me that anymore. I'm no longer his.

"What was I supposed to do?" Holden questions, irritation in his voice. I can tell he's unhappy too. "You're married, Isobelle. You moved on. I deserve that too."

I know he does, and that's what hurts. "I understand, but I can't act as if you were never the most important person to me, as if I never imagined a future with you."

"You know I'm always going to care about you," Holden says patronizingly, giving me a resigned look. "I didn't want to believe it either, but maybe things are better this way. My career's finally going well, and you're married and happy. If we have to be apart to be happy, then we should. We owe each other that."

But I'm not happy! I want to cry. Holden's making me a child again. I want to laugh with him, and watch horrible television with him, and wake up next to him smiling. I want him to be downright silly and obnoxious all to cheer me up. I want messes, and muggle clothing, and muggle food, and a carefree accent as opposed to an uptight English one. All of that is gone, because of me.

"I hope you love her," I say quietly, my lip trembling. "And that she makes you very happy."

"She does," Holden assures me, giving me an earnest look. "And I do." I mean well, but in my heart I like to think he never loved someone as much as me. I hope it's the truth.

"You used to make me happy," I say, despite myself. "And I did the same for you."

Holden nods. "I remember." He won't let himself say anything else, although I can see he's struggling not to. Seven years together, and this is what we become?

I don't want to delve any further into our past together. The more we talk, the easier I find it to think that I once wanted Holden to have every part of myself, and he was so easy to make myself inferior to.

"I…I have to pick up my daughter soon," I mention, breaking the silence. "She's visiting my parents."

Holden looks at me intently. His eye widen for a moment. "You have a daughter?" He questions, his voice broken.

I nod, taking a slow sip of tea. "I assumed you knew…"

Holden shakes his head. "I've been mainly in Scotland the past couple years. My office is there, and some of my family is. I guess I never heard about it." I can see the smallest hint to heartbreak behind Holden's eyes. As soon as I told him about Delphine, he realized we could never be together again. I'm too far apart from him.

"Oh," I say, looking down again. If I'd made different choices, Holden would have been Delphine's father.

"How old is she?" Holden asks. I know he's trying to be polite and sound concerned. Maybe I'm reading too much into it.

"She's four," I answer.

"That old?" Holden questions, frowning again.

I'm confused. "Four isn't old."

"Old for you," Holden says. "You aren't old." I don't know what Holden's getting at. I know I had Delphine young. What does it matter to him?

"I don't regret my decision," I say firmly. I won't let Holden make me feel guilty about anything I've done, especially since he won't be there to comfort me once I do.

"I don't expect you to. It's just…you didn't want to move that quickly with me," Holden points out, the disappointment and hurt evident on his face. I knew he was bound to say something like that.

"It's not your fault," I assure him. I wish I could tell Holden I never wanted to have children so early with anyone, but I would have done it with him over Simon any day. "I was a mess. If it weren't for you, Holden, I don't know how I would have ended up. I'm very grateful to have met you."

"I'm glad I met you too, Isobelle." Holden speaking my full name sounds foreign to me, and I know a permanent wall has just been built between us.

Holden gives me a slight smile, and I hope it means things are all right between us. I don't expect to see him again in the near future, since our lives are now very separate. It wouldn't be smart for either of us to try to combine them again. We couldn't be together without having to be together. I owe Teddy faithfulness. I ruined that with Holden, and I don't ever want to again. No matter how much I don't want to, I have to say goodbye to Holden after our conversation is over. For now.

When Mum opens the door to let me in, she doesn't look particularly happy with me. "Where's Delphine?" I question, letting myself in and walking past Mum. I'm not in a good mood. If anything, seeing Holden has made everything worse. I'm reminded of what I could have had, and that makes me feel even guiltier about Teddy.

"She's napping upstairs," Mum tells me. "Isobelle, do you have any idea what time it is?"

"Around five," I answer plainly, making my way through the sitting room.

Dad comes downstairs. "She's still asleep-" Dad sighs, speaking to Mum. He redirects his attention when he sees me. "Where the hell have you been?"

"Out," I answer plainly. "I told you I was going to see about day school for Delphine. I went to the toy store afterward."

Mum gives me a confused look. "You don't have any toys, Isobelle."

After I ran into Holden, I completely forgot about the entire thing. It seemed more important. "I didn't see anything I thought Delphine would like," I say defensively. "I'm going to go see her."

Dad crosses his arms. His jaw is set hard, and he gives Mum an irritated glance. "You aren't going anywhere until you explain why you were gone the entire day," he says rigidly.

"I told you," I say plainly. There's no way in hell I'm going to mention anything to them about Holden, or Teddy.

Mum purses her lips and sighs. "Isobelle, you caused your father and I to miss work. You were supposed to come and get Delphine at two thirty," she says, trying to remain calm. For the first time, I notice both Mum and Dad are dressed for work, wearing their severe, dark robes. Mum's hair is pulled away from her face in a tight twist.

"Time escaped me." I don't understand why it's such a big deal. It isn't as if either of them needs to get paid. "One of you could have gone."

"Your mother and I have different schedules!" Dad says, raising his voice slightly. He comes the rest of the way down the stairs to stand beside Mum. "And that isn't the point! If you tell Delphine you're coming to get her at a certain time, then you need to do so!"

This isn't the first time Delphine's stayed extra time with my parents. I'm sure she doesn't mind. She loves them. "She'll understand," I say nonchalantly. "If it's that much of a bother, I'll go get her, and then the two of you can go to work."

Before I can start upstairs, Mum puts her hand out to stop me. "Isobelle, this irresponsibility needs to stop. You have a daughter to take care of." Little does she know, I may have two more children soon.

"So let me do it," I say, trying to step around Mum.

"Isobelle," Dad says sharply. "You aren't going to be out all day Merlin knows where, leaving us with your child, and then have a disgusting attitude about it." He speaks to me as if I'm a child.

"I don't have an attitude. And the two of you are behaving as if you very well couldn't have just sent her home."

Mum rests her hand on Dad's arm, silently telling him to control his temper. It doesn't work. "Sent her home to whom?" Dad demands. "Simon is at work, and you were nowhere to be found!"

"The house-elves could have watched her. She doesn't need security to take a nap." They're getting extremely bent out of shape over nothing.

Dad scoffs. "You are truly unbelievable. You know your mother and I didn't raise you to be this careless."

"You didn't raise me with any parenting abilities," I point out. "Delphine is fine. She's well taken care of, and loved."

It angers me that neither Mum nor Dad will believe I'm a good mother. I know I'm not the best, and I don't know what to do in my situation, but I try.

"She's spoiled and confused," Dad corrects me, not taking care to spare my feelings. "Telling a child you love them doesn't mean anything."

I glare at Dad. "How dare you say I don't love Delphine?" I question. "She's my daughter! I love her more than anyone!"

Mum looks troubled. I know she wants to see the best in me, but she's been conditioned not to. "Isobelle, I don't doubt that you love her, but you can't treat her the way you do. You can't put her in harm, or leave her at home by herself. And Simon has to stop spanking her."

"What are you talking about?" I question. I know Simon punishes Delphine. I've tried to convince him it isn't appropriate, but it only ends badly for me as well. He insists he has to be harder on Delphine for her behavior, because she's a girl. He says it's already going to be hard enough to find someone to love her, and bad manners will only make it worse.

"Delphine told me she received a spanking from Simon this morning, quite a rough one," Mum says. I'm sure she's exaggerating. I honestly don't know what she's talking about. They woke up before me, and I went to get dressed as soon as I finished breakfast.

"I can't control her behavior," I say resignedly. "And she's four, of course she's going to say that. No spanking is a good spanking."

Dad rolls his eyes at me. "Hermione, just let her go," he says under his breath.

Mum ignores him. "Isobelle, if you don't mind, I think Delphine would benefit from a little time with Draco and me," she suggests calmly.

I knew it was matter of time before Mum asked. "Well, thank Merlin, I have you and Dad to watch Delphine," I say dryly. "I'm sure other unfit mothers aren't as lucky."

"I'm not calling you an unfit parent," Mum says quickly. "I'm only saying since Simon works a lot, and you obviously need to get sorted, that a break wouldn't be a bad idea. You should be thinking in terms of Delphine, and not what you want."

Does Mum honestly think that I put myself before Delphine? Of course she would, because she doesn't know I stay with a man who hits me and continuously speaks down to me just so my daughter can live comfortably. Mum knows none of that.

I laugh in spite of myself. "What I want is for all this bullshit to be over. I just want to be happy, and no one sees that!"

"Isobelle, I understand that, believe me, I do, but you can't-"

"No, you don't!" I say harshly. "Don't you think I know I could be better to Delphine? How the hell can you think I don't know that? But I don't know what to do anymore! I don't have any help, or anyone who loves me! I need to be loved!" I cry.

Dad clears his throat. "Your dramatics aren't of any benefit to Delphine," he says. "You can't blame your irresponsibility on how anyone else is treating you, and no one's been terrible to you. You're too used to looking for someone to blame."

"Draco!" Mum hisses, scowling at Dad.

Dad shrugs without any remorse. "It needed to be said, Hermione." His stony facial expression is identical to Scorpius'. The only difference is, I know Scorpius cares for me.

"I'm going to see Delphine. I don't need your help!"

I hurry upstairs, leaving Mum and Dad behind me. If they want to believe that my life is entirely perfect, there isn't a thing I can do to change their minds. I won't try anymore.

I open the door at the end of the hallway that used to be my bedroom. The soft purples and silvers hit me like a wave of nostalgia. Delphine is tucked into the middle of the large bed, wrapped in so many blankets that she looks dwarfed. She has such an angelic expression on her f ace that I don't want to bother her, but I want to leave.

"Delphine," I whisper, sitting on the edge of the bed, stroking her soft, golden hair. "Wake up, love." She stirs slightly, and her eyes open slowly.

"Mummy," Delphine says, giving me a tired smile and reaching for me.

"I've missed you all day," I say, giving her a hug. "Did you enjoy spending time with your grandparents?"

Delphine nods. "I wanna stay here. It's fun," she says.

I frown. My parents were correct. "Delphine, darling, we have our own home to go to," I remind her.

"But," Delphine says, her small voice trailing off. "But I like it more here."

"I understand that, but we can't live here. This isn't or home."

"Grandma said this room is your room," Delphine protests.

I sigh. She isn't making this easy. "It was my room when I was little, but now I have a new room, at our home."

"I want this home," Delphine tells me, sitting up.

I understand completely that she doesn't associate anything bad with Malfoy Manor, which is why she wants to stay here. I would like to as well, but my parents won't have the final word. Also, Simon wouldn't allow me to be separate from him.

"Well, we don't live here, so you can't have it. It's time to get up and go back home," I say gently.

"I don't want to!" Delphine whines, crossing her arms.

I bite my lip. "You aren't behaving how a little girl should," I inform her. "I don't like your tone of voice."

Delphine ignores me. "I don't want to leave, Mummy!"

"We're leaving," I say, trying to ignore her sadness. I know I'm upsetting her, and that upsets me. If I let her stay any longer, then she definitely won't want to leave. "Now."

"No!" Delphine screams.

"You don't ever say no to me! Is that understood?" I question, bending so that I'm level with Delphine. I'm under enough stress without her horrible attitude. "We're going home, and you're going to go to bed to sleep off this disgusting mood of yours."

Not giving Delphine an option to protest, I lift her out of the bed. She begins to throw a tantrum, and I really can't handle it right now. "If you don't get up and walk this instant, you'll receive another spanking."

Delphine's eyes are wet with tears. She gives me angry glare and stamps her foot. "I hate you, Mummy!" She shouts at the top of her lungs.

I don't need a second to react. I take Delphine by the shoulder and give her a hard slap on the bum. "You'll never speak to me that way again!" I order. I don't know who wants to cry more, Delphine or me. Never in my life have I punished her hard enough to cause pain.

"Isobelle!" Mum says quickly, coming into the room. "What did you do?"

How is it my fault? This is the last thing I wanted to happen. "She… she told me she hated me," I say lamely.

Mum lifts Delphine into her arms and tries to comfort her. She gives me an accusing glance and turns out of the room, shutting the door on me. I collapse onto the bed, crying. How can my parents believe anyone loves me?

*A/N: Yeah, hope y'all didn't think Holden was gone forever! And, this is a perfect segue into a character trait of Isobelle I don't know if any of you have noticed yet, but I think many have. I think it gets easy to get lost in the way Isobelle refers to the men she likes, how she's willing to do anything for them, or feels she has to be loyal to the point where she's giving up part of herself. Isobelle isn't too mature in love, and she's more of the, "I'll love the man who's here with me right now and being nice" sort of woman. I think she wants to feel loved so badly, she'll get that feeling from anyone she feels is even partially able of providing it. If she hadn't been on god terms with Teddy, she probably would have tried to rekindle a relationship with Holden.

Dramione is still oblivious to Isobelle's full situation, but they're starting to get that something is up. Poor little Delphine!

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