Chapter 36 – Draining Away

OoO

The next morning, Sirius, Lily, James and Remus went to the tower to change into their school robes before class started. Izzie and Regulus debated on eating breakfast in their own dorm for a minute before they headed down the great hall. They couldn't keep avoiding it, it will fuel the rumour mill even more.

When they entered the great hall, the others were already sitting on the Gryffindor table. The banner Regulus had burned down was repaired and still hung against the wall. But that wasn't the only thing, the table was filled with presents, wrapped in dark green paper. Izzie grabbed Reggie's hand.

"Reg."

"Yeah, I see." He whispered back.

"So." They both turned when they Barty's voice came from behind them. Barty and Evan were standing there, both a frown in place. "I got a letter yesterday, that informed me of your nuptials. Is it true?"

"Uhm, yeah." Regulus rubbed his neck.

Barty and Evan just stared at them for a long moment. "I'm guessing it was rather forced upon you?" Evan asked, but they knew already.

Regulus pushed them out of the doorway and into the first empty classroom he found. He then started retelling everything that happened and what they found out. The two Slytherins both looked appalled and horrified at the events, and being the best friends of Regulus and Izzie, they vowed to help in any way they could. They both had loyal house elves and a massive library at home full of dark magic and would call on them to bring them books.

Barty pulled Izzie in a tight hug. "I'm so sorry, Belle. With that Evans girl, Remus and us we will find a way out of this."

"Don't forget Sirius. He would do anything for our favourite Gryffindor." Regulus smiled a little.

"I guess you're right about that." Barty agreed. "Let's go back to the great hall before we start a rumour about an orgy." He winked.

"Hold on." Izzie halted them. "Kreacher?!"

"Kreacher?" The other three chimed confused, but there was a loud crack and the house elf appeared.

"Mrs Black." He bowed deep, his nose touching the stone floor. "How does the new Mrs Black feel?"

"That sounds so weird." Evan muttered softly.

"I'm fine, Kreacher." She smiled at the house elf. "Thank you for giving me the strengthening potion."

"Anything for the wife of master Regulus." He bowed again.

"Oh, you don't need to bow for me, Kreacher." The elf started to protest. "I have something to ask of you, for me and Master Regulus."

"Anything for Master Regulus and his wife." The elf looked around the room. When his eyes fell on Regulus, he fell to his knees. "I'm sorry. I didn't see you, Master Regulus. Forgive me."

"It's okay, Kreacher." Reg kneeled in front of him. "But can you help us with the favour?" He asked as he glanced to Izzie. Izzie kneeled down next to Reg with a soft smile.

"There are wedding presents on the Slytherin table. Can you bring them to our quarters on the third floor, behind the fruit tree?"

"And check them for curses or dark magic." Regulus added, and Izzie nodded.

"Of course, Master Regulus and Mrs Black." And with that he disappeared.

"That's why you weren't in the dorm, you have your own quarters." Evan asked as they walked back to the great hall.

"Yeah, my parents insisted on it." Regulus grumbled. He took Izzie's hand when they reached the great hall. The presents were all gone and a few Slytherins looked around with confused expressions. He saw Izzie eyeing the Gryffindor table. "You better sit with us. We don't want to send them word that you're sitting next to Sirius in the first few days."

"Yeah." She nodded gloomily. "You're right." Reggie's hand was grounding her as she followed them to the Slytherin table. Her mind was so far away, she didn't register the Slytherins congratulating them. She didn't eat, or drink anything even though Reggie and Barty tried to persuade her. Her mind was blank, and her stare was fixed on a crack in the wall in front of her.

OoO

Her first day of classes was progressing slowly. The first two hours, she could focus on the lesson at hand. She had taken a seat next to Lily as they worked on Ancient Runes. She was slightly relieved that Sirius nor Remus was in the class with them, especially Sirius since her mind always drifted back to him. Right before lunch she had Charms. Sirius was sitting a row behind her with James and Peter, while Lily and Remus were planted right next to her. She could feel his stare on her, but she managed to keep her eyes in front of her the whole time. She loved Charms, always had, but now with everything going on, she couldn't find the excitement she used to. And Professor Flitwick must've noticed because he called her over after the class started packing up.

"Isabelle? Can you stay for a moment?"

Izzie looked back to her friends. "You go, I'll see you in the great hall." The others nodded before they left the classroom. She turned back to the professor who was still standing on a pile of books.

"Have a seat, Isabelle."

"You can call me Miss Black, if you want. The whole school knows." She sighed as she dropped in the chair he pointed to.

"Headmaster Dumbledore informed us about your marriage to Mr Regulus and that it wasn't your own choice."

Izzie shook her head. "No, it wasn't, sir. I mean, I love Reggie. He's one of my best friends but what they did..."

"The headmaster told us you didn't want to tell him what happened. He figured out you wanted to research things yourself."

"Uhm, yes."

"So, I'm free to assume it wasn't a normal ritual."

"No, it wasn't." She said, she looked down as she twirled her wand between her fingers. She had been feeling weak for a few hours.

"If there is something I can -"

"I'm sorry, professor. But you know the Blacks, their magic is dark magic, it's nothing like Charms." She said a little snippy, but the professor didn't seem to mind, he smiled softly.

"You're right, there is a big difference. But I've encountered my fair share of dark magic, so have most of the teachers in this school. Just remember you can knock on my door anytime."

"Thank you, professor."

"Is the whole marriage thing, the reason why you weren't really present in class today?"

"Yes, I'm sorry, professor. I won't happen again."

"It's okay. You can zone out on a few classes." He smiled. "You're the best students I've had in years. Just come talk to me if it's something more or if I can help."

"I will." She stood up. "And thank you, Professor Flitwick."

"Anytime, dear. Anytime." He clasped her hand in his with a firm grip.

OoO

Since it was already halfway through lunch, she decided to skip it. It wasn't like she was hungry anyway. She found her way outside and was strolling alongside the black lake as she thought back about the Runes that were used in the ceremony. Was it connected to the marriage or to her (dis)connection with Sirius. She knew the first blood that was drawn from Regulus was the one to make him "off age" and the second time when they cut their throats was for their bond and the feeling that her magic was draining whenever Reggie was away. Then she thought about the incantation they had to say. She stopped as she reached the boathouse and even though she felt her magic drain again, she summoned her Latin book from her room. She started looking up the words she remembered. She didn't remember all of it, she needed Regulus to help her remember the other parts, it was important to get every word right. She was just writing down notes when a warm feeling coursed through her body. She opened her leather-bound book.

S: Where are you?

I: Sorry, talk with Flitwick ran long. I'll meet you guys when Transfiguration starts.

S: Transfiguration started twenty minutes ago...

Fuck, fuck, fuck! She didn't realise she was out that long, she thought it only had been ten minutes. She tried to make it quickly to McGonagall's classroom, but it felt like she was running in a dream. The castle and the corridors all seemed so far away, and it felt like she was running on the same spot for fifteen minutes. Weak and out of breath, she finally reached the classroom. She knocked on the door and pushed it open.

OoO

Sirius and the others were nervous and agitated as they waited for Izzie to arrive. When finally, a soft knock came and the door creaked open, they simultaneously sighed a breath of relief. But that feeling didn't last long. Izzie was a white as a sheet, her eyes were glazed over. She was leaning her full body weight against the door frame. She smiled a little as she looked to the professor.

"I'm sorry, I'm late. Lost track of -"

She collapsed in front of them. And even though she looked pale, nobody saw it coming. So, nobody was in time to catch her of cast a spell, not even McGonagall. The professor was at her side the next moment and the others soon followed. Sirius wanted to gather her up in his arms, but he knew he wouldn't be able to, so he took a step backwards.

"Isabelle?" McGonagall took her head in her hands.

Izzie's eyes flickered open. "I'm okay. Just a little lightheaded."

"Lightheaded my ass!" The professor grumbled. Sirius nearly fainted himself from hearing her speak like that. "We need to bring you to the hospital wing."

"No." Izzie reached her hand over to clutch McGonagall's sleeve. "Reggie."

Sirius knew instantly what she meant; she must have figured it out too. They need to be close together or touch each other to be at full strength. He was just about to volunteer to get his brother when Barty appeared behind Izzie out of breath.

"Professor McGonagall, I -" He started but stopped when he saw Izzie on the floor. "Shit, Belle!" He kneeled down and gathered her in his arms without waiting. Belle? Why is he calling her Belle for? Sirius seethed.

"Mr Crouch -"

"Sorry, professor. Regulus collapsed during potions just a few minutes ago, he asked for Isabelle."

Remus and Sirius both paled at that. McGonagall looked worried from Barty to Izzie. She stood up and looked at the rest of the class. "Class dismissed, read the chapter on transfiguring a bowling ball to balloon before next class. You four come with me." She gestured to Sirius and the others. Barty's fast pace to the hospital wing was hard to keep up except for Remus and surprisingly McGonagall. By the time they reached the infirmary, Lily was panting excessively. Izzie was unconscious again and Sirius hated he couldn't do anything about it. He saw that his brother was already lying in a bed, Evan Rosier standing nervously next to him. He quickly stepped away as Barty placed Izzie next to his brother. Sirius watched as he placed their hands over each other, and you could see colour coming to their faces in a second.

"Now, all of you will tell us what is going on." McGonagall's voice was stern and Madam Pomfrey who appeared next to her, had the same expression.

Sirius sat down on the bed on his brother side with Remus. He ran his hand through his hair as he looked at the unconscious pair.

"I think my parents did something during the ceremony. I saw it earlier, when they aren't touching, they pale almost instantly, and I think their magic becomes weaker too. The moment they touch each other, even with just a finger, they colour up again. Just like now.

"Let me see what I can find out." Madam Pomfrey bustled forward and started casting spells on them. Everyone was silent as they watched the healer work. It was nearly an hour later, when Pomfrey fell down on the chair exhausted. Everyone seemed to hold their breath as they waited for her to speak. "There is a strong bond between them, but I can't figure out what kind. I do know it isn't just a spell."

Remus glanced over to his best friend and boyfriend before looking at the healer, seemingly made up his minds to tell them. "They used their blood. During the ceremony alongside a Latin phrase but we haven't discussed it yet."

"Why didn't any of you come to us?"

"Izzie wanted to see if she could find a way out of it herself." Lily said as she was holding Izzie's hand firmly in hers. "You know Izzie, she doesn't want to burden anyone with her problems."

"I will discuss this with Dumbledore. What Walburga and Orion did was illegal to say the least." She rose from her seat and adjusted her robes. "Poppy, what can we do in the meantime?"

"Not much, I'm afraid. They will need to stay in close contact with each other. An hour, maybe two hours at most apart or this will happen again or worse."

"Alright." She nodded. "We can do that. They have living quarters together. We'll just have to make sure they meet up between classes. I'm guessing you are all willing to help?" She looked at Sirius and the others.

"Of course." The others chimed, while Sirius gaze was fixed on Izzie's.

"Mr Black?" McGonagall asked.

He looked away from her face with great difficulty and looked to the professor. "I'll do anything for them."