Love & Scars

41. A Sacrifice

On Christmas morning, Izzie found Regulus unconscious in the bathroom. Remus had just left to get his presents to give them on Boxing Day when she heard him fall. After a few minutes, she was able to wake him.

"I thought it would be just me." Her voice trembled as she held Regulus in her lap. "I didn't think your parents would actually kill you with this spell."

"Please, don't tell Remus."

"I won't." She wiped his hair from his eyes. "But we need to take it easy. Try not to use magic of any kind." He nodded. "How do you feel?"

"A bit better. I think I can stand up."

Izzie helped him to his feet, and they walked out of the bathroom, albeit with trembling legs. "I think we'd best eat breakfast here and just celebrate Christmas Eve in the great hall."

Reg hummed in agreement. The two of them sat down on the couch and curled up to each other, trying to get a bit of strength back, but it was getting weaker.

***

That night, the Great Hall was beautifully decorated. Icicles hung between the candles, and garlands all over the wall. Twelve decorated Christmas trees were scattered around the room. Besides Izzie, Remus and Regulus, there were only a handful of other students. Two Ravenclaw brothers and three Slytherins. The four house tables were gone, replaced by one large round table that could seat the students and teachers together. It was a fun night, and she enjoyed herself immensely. For a few hours, she could forget that she and Reggie were practically dying. She was sitting between Remus and Regulus. Slughorn had a few too many and was laughing at everything they said. McGonagall was more poised than that but couldn't help snickering at the round professor. Izzie caught her worried stare on her and Reggie from time to time. Even Dumbledore was quieter than normal.

After the Christmas dinner, the three of them walked back to their room.

"Why don't I give you some privacy?" She hugged them both and didn't want to let go at first. She kissed them on the cheek. "You know I love you both, don't you?"

"Of course. Izzie, what's going on?" Remus asked worriedly. He could see the tears in her eyes.

"Nothing. I just wanted you to know. And I love that you two found each other. You will have a great life together."

"Isabelle, you're starting to frighten me."

"Sorry, I just get emotional around the holls. I'm going for a walk; I'll see you two soon." She squeezed their hands before she turned around. They watched her walk away until she was out of sight.

***

She knew Madam Pomfrey was still at the great hall with the teachers, so it was easy to slip into the hospital wing. She took the last bed in the room and drew the curtains shut around her. She hopped into bed and pulled out a parchment and quill. She started her letter to Sirius. Two hours later, almost midnight, she had written four letters. She placed the envelopes on the nightstand before she picked up her book. She read Sirius's last message.

I hope you have a great Christmas. It's pretty dull without you here. I hope you're feeling okay. I'm worried about you and Reg. James and I will come to school sooner so we can all spend New Year's together. I love you, and I miss you. I'll see you in a few days.

With a trembling hand, she wrote Sirius a final message.

Live your best life, Sirius. You deserve it.

She closed the book and put it next to the letters. She breathed in deep and lay down on the bed. She left a note for Madam Pomfrey on the pillow beside her. Tears were forming in her eyes, but she had to do it. She had to save Reggie. Remus would have the boy he loved, and Sirius would have his brother, that's all that mattered. With her last thought on Sirius, the way his lips felt against hers, she pointed her wand to her chest and murmured a spell between her tears. The moment the spell hit her, her heart stopped beating.