Chapter 29 – Underneath The Stars

OoO

The next two weeks went by smoothly despite the fact that they were locked inside the house. Whenever the sun was out, they were sitting in the garden, talking, playing boardgames, reading or Regulus flew around the garden on his broomstick. He was a really talented seeker, Izzie mused even though she wasn't that into quidditch. Another thing that helped was that the Blacks were nearly always gone. Sometimes they had dinner together, other times they came in late at night.

Walburga had talked about the wedding, telling her they only would invite family members and that it would be catered by the best wizarding caterer, Uglo. Not that she knew who he was. She had talked about her father giving her away at the wedding, and she nodded silently.

Sirius wrote her a short note every morning, but they wrote to each other mostly at night when she was huddled in her room with Reggie. Helping him sent messages to Remus. She really enjoyed the time she spent with Regulus as they distracted each other from the upcoming plans.

Earlier today their letters from Hogwarts arrived, which meant they are going to Diagon Alley tomorrow. Reggie was downstairs playing the piano since Remus was out with his father. The sound made it all the way up to her room, he played beautifully. It was obvious who was musically talented in the family. She really should jam with Reggie soon. She came out of her thoughts as her body warmed.

S: Are you alone?

I: I am. Have something in mind, Black?

S: Always ;-) There is a spot in the house that I love, I want you to see it. It's the perfect night.

I: Alright, now I'm intrigued to know what you love about this house.

S: What room are you in?

I: The room next to Reggie's.

S: Can you get in my room? That's easier.

I: Already inviting me to your room, how presumptuous.

S: I wish! No, it's the easiest way to get there.

I: Give me a minute. Your parents put some spells on it and its locked. I'll see what I can do.

She closed the book and tugged it in her bag before she slung it over her shoulder. Her body warmed again, but she slipped out of the room without looking at the message. The piano sounded even more beautiful from here and she debated if she wouldn't go down to join him instead, but then she warmed again.

"Impatient much." She muttered to herself. She stopped in front of Sirius's room. She let her hand hover over the black wooden door, feeling the magic radiate from it. She closed her eyes and breathed in deep, straining her fingers. Her body warmed again. With an audible groan, her hand went in the direction in the book, sending a stinging hex at Sirius. Yes, through the book and since they were connected it was rather easy. She concentrated on the door again. She didn't want to use her wand otherwise it would leave at trace. She closed her eyes again as she pushed against the wards. She felt the wards break, one by one. When the last one fell, she slowly turned the doorknob. His room looked like it hasn't been touched since he ran away. In contrary to the rest of the house, this room was decorated in red and gold. From banners to scarfs. From pictures of his friends to unfinished homework. It still smelled like Sirius. Like leather and fresh rain. She smiled as she let her hands hover over the dust covered desk. Forcing herself not to snoop, she opened her book again.

S: No, don't go in there!

S: You went in, didn't you? Get back, my parents spells are vicious.

S: Izzie!?

I: I'm okay. I'm in, nothing happened. You know spells are my speciality, don't you?

S: Thank Godric! And did you just send a stinging hex at me? I thought it was James, he was rather miffed when I shot him one back.

I: Uhm, yeah that was me, sorry not sorry :D I needed to focus, and you were distracting me.

S: I'm distracting, huh?

I: Not in the way you want. So, tell me what I need to do now, before your parents get back.

S: Right. Open my window, if you feel to your right, you'll feel a steel ladder attached to wall. It's invisible but it's sturdy. Just climb up until you're on the roof.

Izzie closed the door behind her and for good measure, put the spells back in place in case his parents came back early. She pushed open the window and started to feel to her right. Then the cold steel touched her fingers. She put her wand and book in her bag and climbed up on the windowsill. She started to feel around, making sure where the ladder began and ended. When she was pretty sure, she knew where to set her feet, she pulled herself up the ladder. Don't look down, don't look down. She closed her eyes as she climbed the invisible ladder step by step. She couldn't help but chuckle when she reached the roof. There was one single green checkered lawn chair, the green was faded, and a few holes appeared in the plastic. It was pretty worn-down. It appeared to be sitting there for years. Pushing her hands on the chair, she redeemed it safe and sat down. Her breath hitched when she saw the night sky, the sky was littered with millions of stars, the moon was almost full. She was gazing for a few minutes before she remembered Sirius.

I: I see why this was your favourite spot. This is beautiful.

S: I told you.

I: Not as good as the Astronomy tower but it comes close.

S: With who are you stargazing in the Astronomy tower?

I: Wouldn't you like to know.

S: Izzie

I: Sirius.

S: Fine. He didn't write for a few seconds and her gaze went upwards. I wish I was there with you. His written words sounded like a whisper.

I: I wouldn't have minded your company.

I: Oh, before I forget. We're going to Diagon Alley tomorrow. We're going to go robe fitting and get our stuff in the morning, but since Reg and I have been on our 'best behaviour' we get free time after. Your mother is going to a meeting around lunchtime.

S: Maybe we can meet you there. I'll ask James and Remus, maybe Lily can come to. We could meet at Pepper's joke shop, my mother nor her friends would never step a foot in there.

Izzie smiled as her eyes found the stars again, they were so easy to get lost in. She really wished that Sirius was there next to her, explaining all the constellations to her.

I: Sorry, the stars are too distracting. I want to see everyone again and I know Reggie's been dying to see Remus. He even missed you, even if he doesn't say it. I know him.

S: What about you?

I: Still debating. Oh, and Sirius -

S: Yeah?

I: The one in the Astronomy tower? That's Remus.

OoO

Walburga was ordering the poor saleswoman around like a dog. Izzie saw she was close to tears as she disappeared in the back for more dress robes for Regulus. Reggie was looking uncomfortable as he was standing on a little pedestal. He was wearing a dark green, almost black robes, that covered him from neck to toe. He looked so tiny in the oversized robes.

"Walburga -" Izzie started carefully. "I know how you like traditions, but I think a more modern approach is better for Regulus. Now, he looks like a fourteen-year-old drowning in his fathers' robes. And we want him to look regal, grownup. Ready for marriage."

"Hm." She hummed as her eyes scanned over her son. Regulus was trying to keep his fingers from playing nervously with his sleeve as his stare was blank. "I see your point, Isabelle. But we don't want to stray too much from tradition."

"Of course not." Izzie nodded. "Let me go talk with the saleswoman, I'll be right back."

Izzie needed to calm the woman first before asking her about a more modern approach for wedding robes. Once she calmed down and she had reassured her that she was nothing like Mother Black, she went on to collect her three finest robes. Fifteen minutes later, Regulus came back out looking like he came from a magazine. He was wearing black dress trousers, with a white shirt and a Sacramento green blazer. That was a man that Remus would marry in a heartbeat when he saw him like this. His mother had cut his hair shorter than it was previously this year, little black curls decorated his neck and it fell slightly before his eyes. Walburga was inspecting her son from head to toe. Reggie glanced over to Izzie, his face blank but his eyes, his eyes said so much.

"What about a robe?" Walburga frowned.

"He can wear the robes outside or when he arrives, but this is the look of a man, not a boy."

"I guess you're right." She mused. Her head snapped to the saleswoman, who jumped a little. "This will be it, just add a robe in Sacramento green."

"Yes, ma'am." The saleswoman bowed and disappeared between the racks.

"You have a good eye, Isabelle."

"Thank you." She said hesitantly.

"I'll go see if we can find something suitable for you." She turned around. "Where is that awful saleswoman." She grunted as she disappeared from view. Izzie stood up and walked over to Regulus.

"Now I really want to marry you." She teased as she adjusted his collar. He huffed at her. "You really look handsome, Reggie. I wish -" She stopped, her hands still on his blazer when her eyes fell over his shoulder.

"Isabelle? What's wrong?" He turned to follow his gaze. Outside, peering inside the shop stood Sirius, James and Remus. The latter one was practically drooling. She felt Regulus heartbeat fasten underneath her hands.

"I think Remus likes it too." She couldn't help but grin.

"Remus is too easy to please." Reg muttered but a blush appeared on his pale cheeks. Izzie kissed his cheek and pushed him towards the dressing room. She looked back to the window, shooing them away with her hands but they stood rooted to the spot. She whirled around when she heard Walburga coming back, ranting to the poor saleswoman.

"I have some choices for you. She -" she sneered to the saleswoman. "- suggested something in the line of what Regulus is wearing. So, the more modern style." She said grudgingly.

"It will be my pleasure to try them out." Izzie smiled politely. She followed the saleswoman to the dresser next to Regulus and before she closed the curtain, she saw that the guys were gone but instead there was a big black dog and she knew if she squinted hard enough, she would see James and Remus's feet coming out from under the cloak. It was stupid really, but knowing they were outside made her feel nervous. She let her hands trace over the different robes, or dresses is a better word. Muggle fashion was becoming more and more prominent than ever, even if the pure bloods didn't want to see it. The dresses weren't white though, they ranged from burgundy to black. She picked the burgundy first. It had a sweetheart neckline and a lace bustier and sleeves. The skirt was huge and heavy but beautiful, nonetheless. Her heart stammered fast in her chest as she walked out. She deliberately didn't look at where Sirius and the others were standing.

"Wow, Isabelle." Regulus gasped in surprise.

"I like the dress, but the colour -" Walburga shivered.

"I am a Gryffindor, Walburga." Izzie dared to say with a smile. "But if you really want, I'll try the others."

"But I really like the dress itself." She mused. "Let me see if they have one in another colour."

Once she disappeared between the shelves again, Reg walked over. He took her hands in his and smiled. The first smile since yesterday, in the privacy of their room. He twirled her under his arm, making her chuckle. Forgetting that Walburga was not that far away.

"Now, Sirius is the one drooling." He whispered as he tucked her close to his chest before dipping her, so her eyes fell on the window. Even upside down and seeing Sirius as Pads, she knew he was right. She flushed as she leaned her head against his shoulder. "You can even see it as dog." He chuckled deep, making his chest vibrate.

"Why didn't you change?" She asked, trying to change the subject.

"I was about to, but mother wanted to see if we 'fit' together."

"Oh." She turned them both to the mirror, Reggie's arm curled around her waist. "I think we fit quite well."