Chapter 1.
The world appeared before her in a blur as she blinked the sleep from her eyes before snuggling deeper between the linen sheets.
"Miss Webbe?" peeped a nervous voice
"Mmmh?"
"Your father would like you dressed for breakfast within the hour he says. Boxing Day is not a time for rest, he said"
She groaned as she sat up and the cold washed around her bare shoulders.
"Thank you Zinky, wait outside for a bit please"
With a pop, the house elf disappeared from the room as she dragged the dead-weight of her body out of the four poster bed. Her shadow fell onto the wall in front of her, cast by the large double doors leading to the balcony and revealing her slim build and the matted mess of her long tousled hair.
"Eruuughhh" she groaned out loud as she walked across the shag pile carpet towards her en suite, the cold air enveloping her naked form. After hopping into the shower to wake herself up, she dried her hair with a quick blast from the hairdryer, pulling it up into a loose bun on the back of her head. With a quick glance in the mirror, revealing tanned, clear skin and large green eyes, she nodded with what appeared to be approval, deeming herself presentable. She called Zinky back and got him to pack her bags. She was leaving for school.
*
Isabelle stepped into the Slytherin common room from the fire, brushing off the ash that had accumulated on her robes. She looked striking against the backdrop of the flames, her slight figure accentuated by the dancing light. Stepping forward, she scanned the common room for anyone she knew and on finding her friends to be elsewhere, wandered to an empty chair a few feet from a striking boy with dark hair, who was watching her intently. She looked around the people and a flicker of recognition crossed her eyes as she saw Draco Malfoy and Pansy Parkinson. Her eyes lingered on the tall, dark haired boy for a while before looking down and dragging a book out of her bag. She had caught his eye the year before when they were in 5th year. He had dismissed her as immature. This year had been different though he thought, over summer, she's blossomed and become more mysterious, more introvert. His eyes lingered on her straight figure and eyes that seemed to draw the breath from anyone who looked for too long. It was like falling into an abyss. It's enough to make anyone want her, let alone me, who could have had her. He thought.
"BLAISE" He jumped out of his skin on hearing his name "are you listening? I asked whether you've done that essay for McGonagall."
"Nah of course not Draco. I don't think I'm even going to class. I can't be bothered. We've got a couple of days left until school starts anyway"
His eyes flicked back to Isabelle as she lifted hers to see who was talking. He had an inexplicable, overwhelming urge to jump up and hit someone to prove himself under her discerning stare.
"Yes, but if we don't do it she'll give us detention and we'll miss quidditch practice" drawled Draco, almost purring as Pansy played with his hair.
"Well I can't do it. I don't understand transfiguration. Although I wish I did. When mad-eye transformed you into that ferret two years ago…" everyone grinned cautiously, being careful not to offend the 'Slytherin Prince'. However, Isabelle's eyes lit up and her lips parted revealing her perfect smile as she threw her head back slightly and laughed. Draco shot her a deathly stare which she ignored, much to Pansy's disgust.
"I can help you with it if you want" she said, her smile lingering on her lips but no longer in her eyes.
"What?" Blaise asked blankly
"With the assignment. I've done mine and I don't mind you copying it. We can do it later if you want"
"Oh, right yeah of course. Thanks Iz. After dinner maybe? In the library?"
*
There were butterflies in my stomach as I sat at dinner. Why on earth did I offer to help BLAISE? The things I will do for a boy that makes me laugh, I thought, chastising myself.
"IZZYY" I was enveloped into a hug so tight I couldn't breathe and as I pushed her arms away I smiled.
"Hey Sarah. Oh, hey Charlie!"
"WHEN DID YOU GET HERE?" continued Sarah, her thick blonde hair pulled out of her face brusquely revealing her bright blue eyes and lightly freckled skin.
"About half an hour ago. I've already offered to help Zabini with a project. I'm such a bloody do gooder"
"Oh Izzy why did you do that? He's an arrogant git. Isn't he Charlie?!" she turned to Charlie, with his curly brown hair and rounded features. He turned and his lips curled at the sides.
"Leave her alone Sarah. She clearly wants him. Let her go for it" he gave me a calculated wink. Every action he made was planned, she observed, He used to be jumbled and all over the place, but when he came back after summer he had changed. It's not that I didn't like the new Charlie, it was just disconcerting. He could reach for objects and pick them up first time, without even looking at them. He'd become good at flying, and paid painful attention in defence against the dark arts.
"Oh shut up you dick" I laughed, blowing him a kiss, a hungry look of appreciation flashing into his eyes "I guess I've got to go to the library then… I'll see you around Sarah and you in the common room Charlie. You'd better wait up"
It was difficult with Sarah, I thought as I trotted up the staircase towards the library, because she's in Ravenclaw she can't really stay with us for long. She's not confident enough. I slipped into the library and took my hair out of the bun I'd put it in this morning. It fell about my shoulders in natural waves and I fluffed it out, pulling the front out of my face and looking at my reflection in the window.
"Merlin" I said under my breath, realising I'd been primping myself "maybe I really DO want Blaise"
I pulled my hair back into a bun, adjusted my robes and sat and waited on a table in clear view of the door. I was waiting for about 15 minutes before I got impatient and began walking around looking for interesting books. Or maybe Blaise. I wasn't sure which.
"Isabelle!" I spun around, with a flirtatious look – it had to be Blaise. I found myself looking into a pair of piercing grey eyes.