Author's note:
Hey Everyone, I am back after my hiatus. I really needed it cause of my Mid-term exams and time to recollect my thoughts to put it down on canvas for you all. Hope you all are doing great and are good at health.
For my "Riddle's Black" lovers I will be posting content again. Will try to spend more time of my thoughts for you all. Till then here you go, enjoy this chapter and share your thoughts with me.
While reading this Chapter I recommend you listen, "Sweater Weather" by The Neighborhood.
Also visit my Instagram handle (_writer_min) for daily updates about my other works. Kindly like, follow and share my content with others too.
Happy reading ♡
♥
Isabella spent two days in the hospital wing. Although she was unable to attend the Great Hall's Last Feast this year. However, Abraxas and Rose visited her frequently every day. They will let her know about all the significant events she missed over the previous two days. Like how Slytherin once again won the house cup, the bizarre curtain-changing experience, their conversations at the feast, Professor Slughorn wishing her a speedy recovery, how Madame stopped Lestrange, Zabani, and other Slytherins from paying you a visit because you were resting at the time, and most importantly, how Abraxas would visit her every day at night, staying for hours while gazing at her sleeping figure.
She thought it was sweet how her friends had been caring for her. She was aware that Abraxas and Rose frequently visited her. Rose will arrive, leave a few of her favorite meals for you to consume, and then return when you wake up. Aside from that, she asked Abraxas when he would sneakily show up at night, tiptoeing, and sitting next to her sleeping figure. The second night, she was awakened by thirst in the middle of the night and discovered Abraxas comfortably dozing with his head resting against her arm. She gave him a gentle grin before fumbling to reach the nightstand for a glass of water. Abraxas gazed up at her when she moved, breaking his deep sleep.
She caught him red-handed, and he gently giggled and flushed. She grinned at his antics before asking, "How long have I been here?" in an effort to get his attention and calm him down.
"Two days", Abraxas said while hunching over and rubbing the back of his neck.
Isabella just responded, "O," to which Abraxas gave her an amused glance before they both started laughing and smiling at each other. Rose's stifled giggles as she entered the hospital wing and chirped, "What you two are talking about? Tell me as well."
"Ah, it doesn't matter." Abraxas snarled, trying to hide his flush, but Isabella interrupted him, slyly replying, "Nope, we won't tell you. Right, Abraxas? It's our little secret. Abraxas", who could see the twinkle of mischief in Isabella's eyes, responded, "Yes... we will not," after receiving a playful glance from Isabella. "Okay, enjoy you two traitors", Rose says, raising her eyebrows in an indignant yet amusing manner. "I am leaving" but stopped hearing Isabella's quiet voice say, "No, we were only joking," she turns to go with a disguised grin on her face that increases. "Don't leave" In awe, Rose turned to face her and sprinted over to her, arms wide spread. Isabella gave her a big smile and gave her an embrace before saying, "I missed you Bella."
Rose said, still holding Isabella's hands, "The dorm was so dull without you"
"I missed you too, Rose." Both Isabella and Rose smiled quietly and released each other from the hug. Isabella rubbed her cheeks like a child and said, "Aww, is that so? I couldn't sleep well."
Rose nodded in agreement as she said, "Yeah, like everyone has started to go back to their homes and it looks odd without you." The two were unaware of the inner torment of blonde while sitting in the armchair next to her bed while Isabella listened to her with the attentiveness of a young child and doe eyes that were giving butterflies to him. They both continued to talk, complain, laugh, and most likely exchange stories about what had happened during the previous two days. The brunette asked him, "You alright, Abraxas?" after the blonde had had enough and stomped his boots on the ground. Isabella enquired out of worry. With a small irritated pout on his face, he protests, "No, you too are disregarding that I am there too. "Malfoy, you are such a crybaby", Rose said, giggling at his antics.
"No, I'm not," Abraxas responds as his frown widens. Isabella chuckles before muttering, "Yes you are not," and then she pats the empty chair next to her to invite him to sit down. He quickly but timidly takes a seat next to her, which Rose observed and sneakily cleared her throat while giving Abraxas a sly smile. As she was aware about his crush on Isabella.
After engaging in some enjoyable conversation, the group of three left to go to their hostels after learning that they would be leaving tonight. They came into none other than "Tom Riddle" on their approach to the dorm, who was undoubtedly examining Isabella.
As he continued to look at Isabella, attempting to read her in some way, she moved in her posture. Isabella simply gave Rose a glance that said she was unaware of something as they entered their dorm as Rose said, "Don't mind Riddle, he is acting strange from last two days," as they were walking. Rose simply shrugged and followed behind her.
Isabella was feeling hungry, so they got clean up and headed to the Great Hall. Abraxas carried their luggage after the meal as they travelled to their final destination. Isabella experienced numbness and nausea as they travelled, as if something were missing. A feeling of being lost that is unknown is present. She was too quiet the entire ride. Rose agreed and said it. Isabella didn't try to engage her in conversation, despite her attempts. Rose became concerned and questioned Bella, "Are you okay? You appear unwell." "I'm fine, but I feel like something is missing", Isabella said after giving her a blank stare.
Rose gently snatched her hand and inquired, "What is it? Let me know I am listening". Isabella attempted to concentrate, but she had trouble recalling her ideas. She gave Rose a weary glance before saying, "I... I don't know." Rose cast her a wary glance. "You are burning in fever, Bella," she said, placing the back of her hand to Isabella's. "It would be wise for you to rest". claiming to have created a blanket to cover Isabella. To relieve herself, Isabella sat down on the seat within their cabinet. She was unaware that her confusion was being caused by messages her mind was sending her.
When Isabella closed her eyes, a green robe unexpectedly moved in front of them. Suddenly, while still in her slumber, she shifted and noticed a girl being shoved against a wall and a wand being placed on the girl's throat. She first noticed a boy pressing her against a wall before noticing a girl laying unconscious on the ground. She whimpers in her sleep as she observes a boy caressing a girl's cheek while wearing identical green Slytherin robes. She jerked awake in her sleep as a result of the child calling her name repeatedly, "Black" and "Isabella." She frowns while she sleeps but awakens shivering terribly since she witnessed the mysterious boy putting a spell on her.
Rose was soundly dozing on the other side of the cabin when she awoke. However, as she focused on the door of the cabinet, where the same enigmatic lad from her dream was standing and deeply examining herself, her breath caught in her throat. Uncomfortably shifting, she returned the boy's gaze as he stood in front of her cabin. She jumped to her feet at away, sprinting towards the cabinet door. The enigmatic took off in the other direction. She opened the cabinet door, but the boy was gone. Instead, her attention was drawn to some robes that had vanished from the left end of the corridor. She dashed in that direction but stopped in the middle after running into someone. She looked up to find Abraxas staring down at her with concern.
With the words "Isabella, you alright," he gently grabbed both of her shoulders to hold her in position. She shakes her head vigorously as she responds, panting loudly, "Yeah, yeah I am," staring at him perplexed. She had been jogging hard and was feeling a little lightheaded. She held on to Abraxas' robes firmly, but he was beginning to worry about her. "Isabella, How's your shoulder doing? How are you feeling today?
Isabella can't stand up straight, so she merely bows her head and sags even further. She was pointing towards the cabin when Abraxas said, "Come let's get to the cabin, you need to rest." But Isabella pushes back, muttering angrily, "No."
They both stare at each other in silence and haste as Abraxas remains still, unaware that a particular ravenette entering the corridor is observing their perplexed but all-too-close position. The blonde asks the brunette, "Abraxas, how," as he maintains a neutral expression. How did I hurt myself?
Abraxas says matter-of-factly, "You fell from stairs at your dorm. Isabella mutters, "No, I didn't fall," as she begins to feel exceedingly dizzy and on the edge of passing out. As she is about to fall, Abraxas gently grabs her by the lower back. Why do you say that? Have you experienced anything recently? Abraxas questioned her firmly but with a hint of worry. She nods and adjusts in place, gazing around before focusing on Riddle as she takes a deep breath. Riddle returns her gaze. As they dropped on Riddle, Abraxas' pupils dilated in fear as he followed her sight. He asks himself, "Is that a riddle?" Did he likely do her harm? Does that suggest it wasn't an accident?
As soon as he makes the connection, he glances back at Isabella, who was panting heavily and staring at Riddle. "Isa-" He couldn't finish as Isabella gives him a hug. He was surprised, as was the ravenette who was in front of them.