ISABELLA'S POV
"Of the many fearsome beasts and monsters that roam our land, there is none more curious or more deadly than the Basilisk, known also as the King of Serpents. This snake, which may reach gigantic size, and live many hundreds of years, is born from a chicken's egg, hatched beneath a toad. Its methods of killing are most wondrous, for aside from its deadly and venomous fangs, the Basilisk has a murderous stare, and all who are fixed with the beam of its eye shall suffer instant death. Spiders flee before the Basilisk, for it is their mortal enemy, and the Basilisk flees only from the crowing of the rooster, which is fatal to it."
The book closed with a thud as Isabelle threw it down on the floor, she had been tired of reading about snakes, but Professor Dumbledore had insisted that she be aware of magical beasts. And she hardly ever declined any of his requests. I take after mom in that regard, she thought tiredly. It is a pity that Voldemort doesn't use lions to do his dirty work. They are much more interesting than snakes. Not to mention they have far less species. She sighed again as she moved her feet from the criss-cross position they were in previously to allow them to dangle at the edge of her four poster bed. Isabelle picked the book with her wand and returned it to its spot on the shelf. In another life perhaps she would have a sister to moan about reading about snakes, but in this life she only had her 11 year old brother Aries, who had been extremely fond of animals all his life, to the point that he had spent hours pestering poor Hagrid of showing him all the creatures he had; even the dangerous ones until he had finally relented and had taken him in the forbidden forests for seeing the unicorns in all their majestic glory. Mother had been furious, father amused until their Aunt Lily had finally said with a smile , "It is not as if it is any worse than what your husband got up to in his days, Maralene."
But Aunt Lily in hindsight had not much reason to be concerned as her thirteen-year-old Daniel had been in the hospital wing recovering from a stomach ache, another prank of the boys that had turned on them. But then again they had been dealing with the Weasley twins, a pair of pranksters much more experienced than themselves. "I wonder how Mary would have been like, would she have found animals both terrifying and disgusting as I did, or would she have adored him like our little brother. Or maybe a little bit of both. Hopefully she would have despised reading about them as I myself do."
Isabelle wondered who else she could talk to, to share her troubles. Not Hermione, she agreed in the privacy of her own head, her best friend would start lecturing her in a voice that always sounded suspiciously like their transfiguration professor's voice, about the importance of her studies, now especially, when it was their O.W.L. year and also because of her status as a chosen one. I will tell Ron, she mused, he will understand my plight.
Making that decision in her head, she laid back down on her bed and stared at the ceiling from where an ancient diamond chandelier hung, each of its enchanted candles covering the room in light. Most of the furniture in her room, especially the decorations, had been ancient, something you would not usually find when entering a 15 year old witch's room and even though her parents had offered her countless time to change it she had always declined. Truthfully she had always been enchanted by the lures of traditional stuff and had always found herself mesmerised by its beauty. It was a no-brainer that her room should look that part; and it did with its plush carpets and artistic décor to its antique flower vase and study table. Isabelle's room looked like those of a pampered, spoiled, rebellious eighteen century lady.
Her closet on the other hand was another matter entirely, she never dressed like a sophisticated, artful lady and instead her clothes included muggle clothing in its cheekiest forms to stylish wizarding robes purchased from her favourite shop in Diagon alley. There were of course some formal dresses, gowns and robes thrown in for good measure.
And while Isabelle, like any other girl did indeed love to dress up now and then, the enthusiasm was lessened considerably when her presence in the parties was used as a tool for the minister to gain public support due to her status, Isabelle thought mockingly 'as the chosen one'. It was a flimsy title that the media had invented, Isabelle knew that she was no prodigy in the arts of magic and while she was better than average, the talent or the raw power that would be needed to take down Lord Voldemort was something that she did not believe she had. If only Peter Pettigrew had not betrayed his friends then maybe she would have had to share this enormous burden with her own twin sister Mary Julia Black who had been born just ten minutes after her birth and Uncle James and Aunt Lily's first child, their eldest son Harry James Potter who had been born on the same day.
We all would have had birthday parties together, she thought not for the first time, maybe either me or Mary would have even dated him. But I suppose it is not wise to dwell on what could have been or what could never be. In another life perhaps all of this could have been true, but not in this one for they both had been taken and murdered by Voldemort when Peter had stolen them away from his friend's own house. The spineless rat would have taken her away with them but she had been at a private hospital in America with her parents on account of being suspected of having Dragon pox. " Those were the few worst moments of my life," her father would tell her when she had bullied her parents into telling her what happened that one dreadful Halloween night. Peter had mixed some sedatives into the butterbeer the potter couple had been having and had left with the two infants. The couple had woken up eventually but by then it had been too late and two out of the three babes were gone, the bubbly Harry always brimming with laughter with his mother's eyes and his fathers hair and the beautiful Mary with her light blonde hair and blue sparkling eyes were butchered as infants never knowing if it was their destiny to end a reign of terror and they had left behind for her, Isabelle Dorea Black with eyes resembling that of her sister and hair as black as a raven like her father while favoring her mother's features. But Peter was gone now, rotting away in Azkaban. And Godric Hollow was now abandoned, for Uncle James could not bear to live in the same house from where his son was stolen. No matter how many times her picture decorated the front page of the daily prophet as it had done today, it would not change the fact that the girl was just starting her sixth year and was scared that the amount of work that she had to tackle would do little against the Dark Lord.
Her friends list narrowed down to those with whom she had grown up with and few others. Hermione had been a welcome exception. But since her parents had told her the full story of the tragic night in which they had lost a child, trust had not come easily to her. Isabelle was broken up from her thoughts when her stomach gave a gentle rumble. She looked up at the ancestral clock. It was almost time for lunch. Getting out of her bed she quickly changed out of her shorts and tank top into a pair of decent jeans and shirt. Order members often came in and out of her house. And while the suites in which she and her family lived were visited by them and family, the dining area was accessible to all and her mother had informed to always dress properly and come. When she was eight she resented the rule, but now when some of the order members were her own professors, she was much less disagreeable in following it. After all it would be very improper not to mention embarrassing if her teachers or aurors saw her in her sleeping shorts or PJ's.
She closed the door as she stepped out, making her way past the various paintings and antique pieces into the corridor that Aries had nicknamed the tapestry corridor due to the large number of tapestries that hung there. The soft myrish carpets tickled the bare skin of her feet as she made her way across them to reach the shoe rack. Slipping on a pair of slippers she climbed down the stairs to the ground floor passing many rooms both closed and open. 12, Grimmauld Place was built in such a way that a person had to cross in a multitude of rooms most used for entertainment and all of which had been decorated fancily, to reach other rooms. It all was of course an elaborate ruse to showcase the wealth and power of the most ancient and noble house of Black. One room in particular was the center of the whole place and one would find themselves in it magically whenever they were traveling from one destination to another. This room of course was the one which boasted of the pure blood of House Black and had the family tree displayed. That is how Isabelle found herself in the all too familiar area staring once again at her paternal family tree.
Her father had long since covered it, but when one time she and aries had gotten curious they with the help of fred and george had taken a look. It would have been a beautiful if not for the burnt marks in place of various names. Her mother's entire family had been killed by the death eaters but her fathers was still alive . She was personally acquainted with Dora and her mother andromeda. Both women she respected a lot. Her father had a brother, Regulus Arcturus Black who she knew had two sons, a pair of twins Aquaris and Hercules. They would both be starting at Hogwarts this year along with her own brother. She also had second cousins , Narcissa Black's son the pompous blond ferret who was in her year.
After a moment of contemplation she headed toward the kitchen. Dobby one of her family's house elf bowed as she entered ,
" Little mistress," he said in his chirpy voice his green tennis ball eyes bulging out of his sockets, " How may Dobby be of help little mistress."
" Where is my father Dobby? Has the meeting started? "
" Master Sirius is with the other members. Dobby does not know if the meeting has started, Dobby can't listen."
" But all of them have arrived."
" Dobby can't say. Dobby is a bad elf." the elf shrieked grabbing the nearest pan and trying to hit himself over the heat.
" Stop that at once," Isabelle instructed sharply . Despite the continuous efforts of her parents and her, the house elves had continued to hit themselves , when they were unable to do what they had been asked to do. Although her mother had forbidden it the elves had continued to punish themselves for any mistake they made and when reminded of the order, they punished themselves again for obeying their mistress commands. Dobby was also a new elf who Isabelle had won from the Malfoy patriarch when he had come to threaten Dumbledore. Although he was a family elf his loyalty had been firstly to Izzy.
" Stop what at once," the voice of her godmother questioned her. Lily Potter was a beautiful woman with thick, dark red hair that fell to her shoulders, and almond-shaped, bright green had indeed stopped. Izzy smiled,
" Dobby is trying to punish himself for not being able to answer some questions of mine. Dobby get me something to eat. I am craving something spicy and you are not to punish yourself. "
" At once little mistress. "
" Wait Dobby," Lily called out, " Izzy will be eating at the manor , Izzy tell him to return to his duties." When the girl obeyed and the elf disappeared with a pop her godmother turned to her.
" Are you still trying to listen in on the meetings Isabella, you know we have insured that even the elves can't listen in on what is going on ."
" I don't understand why nobody tells me anything on what's going on. If seems if you all have forgotten that I am the chosen one I am the one who will vanquish Voldemort.."
" What you are is a child, and as for getting rid of the dark lord the order is made for the very purpose you speak of. Countless adults are working towards our goal. For now focus on being a child and stop believing whatever is written in the prophet. All they write is a bunch of bullshit. "
" I am turning sixteen the next month, I am not a child. All off you were actively involved with the order when you were of this age."
" We were as involved as you and your friends are and that was because He was directly recruiting from within Hogwarts now the recruits are the children of the death eaters that were already in his rank . You don't know those times Izzy the public was in denial of another dark lord actually coming and every other day there was another raid. Voldemort was so much more active in that year alone than he had been for the past decade. "
" I know I just want to help. Its killing me to sit here doing nothing."
" I understand how you feel, but you are hardly doing nothing. The dueling club that you kids have going on is an excellent idea. It will help recruit more members for the order and the aurors, not to mention it will teach you kids how to defend yourselves and others. All of you keep improving your dueling skills, and try to engage the new students that will come to Hogwarts this year. I know for a fact that your brother is very excited to defeat you. "
" In his dreams." Izzy retorted, " I can't tell you Aunt how much I am looking forward to teaching him his place."
Lily laughed , the corner of her eyes creasing ," I am sure you are. Now why don't you hurry up to the manor , Ron, Hermione , Daniel and Aries are already there . You can have something to eat there."
" Are Fred and George there ?"
" I hope not, I would like to have a home to return to. "
" C'mon they are not that bad."
" No, individually they are not. But combined with your brother and my son. My home will burn before sunset. "
" Not when Hermione is there."
" Thank God for small favors. She is an angel because unlike the rest of you she doesn't participate in their silly pranks. Unlike someone else I know." Lily replied, glancing pointedly at the raven-haired teen.
" I can't help it," Izzy sing song voice,as she rushed out of the kitchen towards the floo." It's in my blood."
Lily's POV
A plush carpet tickled Lily's feet as she leaned back on her chair her flats discarded . She met Severus gaze throwing him a questioning look he returned it with a half shrug .
" Cousin, " Andromeda Black began, " Do you know where James is?" All eyes turned to the said cousin who was smirking just previously at his lupine mate.
" Prongs is with a beautiful blonde. Remember her Longbottom, goes by Fortescue is helplessly in love with me. "
" I am sure you mistook disgust for love Black." Severus taunted.
" Can't agree more." Frank agreed.
"Oh! Really " Tonks said, coming to her uncles defense though he did not need it. " How would you know?"
" Well he is her husband. I think he would know best." Kingsley said . Then turning to the eldest Black, " Alice and James are with Alastor, they are checking the wards at Diagon Alley. They will be here soon. "
" Do you think they found themselves in some sort of trouble, they are hardly, if ever , late." Minerva asked . Lily sat up straighter
" They would have send a distress signal if something like this happened. They all are skilled aurors, I am sure they will be fine. Besides Professor, do you know where Proffesor Dumbledore is?"
" I don't know but he should be here soon." said the professor, as the door opened and in poured the four people who were being talked about.
" Sorry to keep you waiting everyone, the talk with the minister took longer than expected. Would anyone care for some lemon drops."
The whole table replied in the negative as they always did at the query the professor seemed to ask at the start of every meeting. It had made Lily wonder ,when she had been young, if he was really a bit barmy. James made his way towards her and kissed her lightly on the cheek. She gave an inaudible sigh even as her insides melted. 18 years of marriage and he still made her heart flutter with just one glance from his honey-brown eyes. She had thought that time would dull their attraction towards each other till they settled into the routine particular to old married couples. So far that had not happened and she continued to be in love with him just a little bit more every cleared his throat snapping Lily out of her lovestruck thoughts as a fierce blush bloomed on her face.
" Marelene had an urgent shift at St. Mungo's, she would not be able to make it." Sirius was the first to speak.
" How many casualties are there of the the previous night's raid?" Edgar Bones asked.
" Well about 10 muggles were killed , the rest 32 are missing as far as we are able to see from the records of those that were living in that area. The muggles that may or may not be working or had come as visitors are yet unaccounted for. As for the wizards, nobody from our side or the aurors died but two lost their wand arms and about 12 are admitted in St. Mungo's emergency ward." Lupin replied.
" What about the dark side," Moody questioned.
" The Dark Lord orders were clear for me ," Severeus replied in his signature drawl, " I am to remain with the order and not visit any base unless called upon."
" I suppose he does not wish to draw suspicion on you Snape ." Alice pointed out.
" Did Voldemort tell you that himself," Dumbledore asked Snape.
" No, but Bellatrix was kind enough to inform me that I do not show my face unless summoned."
" Bella must be following orders," her sister replied. " She is unlikely to make this decision herself. I doubt she has the authority."
" She is that bastard's right hand I doubt authority is the problem." her husband chimed in.
" Lavender," the headmaster called. All eyes turned towards the mousy brown haired witch sitting on the table with a haunted look in her eye. The only other person apart from Severus here whose arm was decorated with the dark mark.
" Last night raid was not a surprise to me. About 50 death eaters were told to prepare themselves. Of course we didn't know it was going to be a raid but we had to report at one of the bases. Narcissa Malfoy had called upon us with her was a masked man and a woman. I don't know their identity but they were at a high post. I think it was merely to quench the bloodlust of a few and give a few others easy prey. The numbers of muggles have not been accounted for but we were given orders to capture young men and women, mostly in their twenties. There were no casualties however the aurors attack took most of the death eaters by suprise, about 20 were injured , 10 of them i think are fatal."
" Do you think there is a way, we can save the muggles" Lily questioned softly.
" I wouldn't count on it. After we retreated, the masked woman, the one I thought was at a higher post, she selected a few of the prisoners and Malfoy had them led to another base. The others I assume were given to the recruits and the for the pleasure of other more experienced death eaters. It will be virtually impossible."
Lily felt her heart drop. It should have gotten easier as the years passed by and the dreadful news reached her ears again and again but it always felt like she was choking acid down her throat.
" I was among the first to show up at the raid," Frank said after the suffocating silence. " There is one thing I don't understand Albus. A saw a masked woman standing with two others, one male and another female. They were standing at the roof of building close by. As soon as she saw us come in, she raised her wand but another women grabbed her and they both rushed towards the other area."
" Maybe it was a young death eater." Snape said, sounding doubtful.
" If it was a young death eater than how did she reached an high rank. You-know-who is not the type to promote those who show cowardice." Someone chimed in.
" It was not a young death eater her mask was silver," Lavender commented.
" There are no death eaters with silver masks, I would know my rank is higher than yours. I have met every high ranking death eater in Britain."
" Do not insult me, I saw what I saw. Her mask was silver and Malfoy only started the raid after she tilted her head to the side."
" Maybe she is at a high position elsewhere and you-know-who wanted to make her more well rounded, hence the presence at the raid." James chimed in.
" It is not possible Narcissa does not take orders from anyone. She is the key part of the inner circle and one of the few permitted to go into the Dark Lord's own mansion." Severus snapped.
" Maybe she is his wife, and he merely did not want her to be hurt." Aberforth snapped. The table gave him a disbelieving look. Edgar eyes were so wide they covered half of his face. Before all eyes turned on the headmaster
" Tom was hardly married." Albus reassured, " But this debate is not leading us anywhere. It is a curious case but until we have more information there is nothing we can do about it. Thanks to lavender's information our response to the raid was quick. The deaths are regretful but we cannot change what has happened. Lily please ensure that the muggles that have injuries are treated and that you introduce basic healing charms at hogwarts along with the dueling spells that aurors already I would encourage you to collaborate with Amelia and ensure the wards around Hogsmeade are strengthened. Frank, Arthur you both have to convince Rufus to set a raid at Knockturn alley . Death Eaters frequent it and we ought to not make it any easier for them. James, Alice what about the wards that you went to check. "
" So far so good," Alice replied, " The minister has agreed to set stations at decent distance that may alert the aurors,.."
"Dumbledore," Snape said , interrupting Alice, looking rather distressed.
"What is it, Severus?" The headmaster questioned.
" I didn't want to believe it, I still don't but over the years there had been rumors. "
" Rumors about what severus," Lily asked.
" Well you see, previously the place where the dark Lord lived was accessible to a lot of death eaters, including me. However about 12 years ago, he moved and his new residence was accessible to only a select few. We all thought it was paranoia and he wanted to make himself unreachable. But slowly the raids died down , and while those that happened were disastrous, they were far and few in between. Kingsley you know how his approach changed, Don't you?"
The man replied, " I think we all know, more and more death eaters started infiltrating the ministry, a lot of those suspected were placed in key positions and they tried to spread their influence to the other nations as well building alliances among other things. Voldemort took a back seat and tried to redeem his own image."
" Lord Voldemort did not try to redeem his image, he merely wanted to put our guard down so he could attack us while we were distracted. And look what happened people believed in it. Many of them started having multiple children and the population exploded. They figured that even if a few died there would be many more left to help them in their old age." Alastor blustered .
"What does that have to do with anything?" Sirius asked .
Severus took a deep breath looking a bit stricken before continuing, "You see that before he moved to the said place, four death eaters had found themselves on the wrong end of the dark lord's wand. He had had each of their families skinned alive in front of their own eyes before eventually killing them."
" One of Voldemort's crueler punishments. " Dumbledore said.
" At Least he killed them, instead of only killing their families." Sirius replied.
" Sometimes staying alive is the worst thing that could happen to someone." Lily said her eyes tearing up as she remembered a raven haired baby in her arms. Her boy, whom was taken from her as a child. Other people mumbled something or the other clearly agreeing with her sentiments. Their was no one in this room whose lives Voldemort had not touched whose world he had not made bleakier by his cruel, cruel touch.
" There was a rumor," Snape continued, perhaps uncaring to the angst in the room, " That children witnessed this show."
"What?" Alice said .
" Whose children?" Lavender asked .
" The Dark Lord's"
