"And onto our final topic...", started Dumbledore, sitting at the end of the table. His voice trailed off as the door to the kitchen of 12 Grimmauld Place creaked open.

"Excuse us for the interruption, Professor. Our meeting ran late.", Snape said, taking a seat closest to the door. Isabella followed behind, moving to take a seat opposite Snape.

"That's quite all right, Severus.", he said. "Isabella!", Dumbledore said happily upon spotting her. "Please come up here by me. I'd like to introduce you to everyone.", he said, eyes twinkling.

Isabella could feel her cheeks burning. She was uncomfortable during social situations, preferring to blend in with the crowd. She was already embarrassed for being late to her first meeting with the Order of the Pheonix. Not that it could be helped, she thought. Dumbledore seemed unable to sense Isabella's embarrassment. Her heart was pounding uncomfortably, against her chest, as she took her place in the seat beside Dumbledore.

"Everyone, I would like you to meet Isabella Lestrange. Isabella, everyone.", the old man said with a smile. "I dare say there will be plenty of time after the meeting for more formal introductions."

Isabella nodded. She hadn't planned on staying long when the meeting was over, however, now she thought everyone would think her rude if she left. This is going to be a long night, she thought.

Isabella was so focused on not letting her embarrassment show, she didn't notice the reactions of the Order members as Professor Dumbledore introduced her. Dumbledore, however, still sharp as a tack, saw the gasps and curious looks.

"Some of you may be wondering if Isabella is related to Bellatrix Lestrange.", Dumbledore started, standing to address everyone. "Isabella is her daughter. I know some of you may question my judgement," he gave a pointed look at Sirius, "but I assure you I trust Isabella completely. She is fully committed to the Order and will, in fact, be acting as a spy, along with Severus.", Dumbledore nodded in Snape's direction. "I know," he continued, "you will all get to know Isabella and, in time, grow to admire her as much as I do." The end of Dumbledore's speech had a tone of unquestionable finality. He resumed his seat. Isabella was truly touched by the Headmaster's kind words. He had always been kind though. I wouldn't be alive if it weren't for him., she thought.

"Now, as I said, onto out last topic for discussion.", Dumbledore said, happily, as if nothing had happened. "We need to brainstorm some safe ways to get Harry Potter here within the next couple of weeks. I feel the safest place for him is here, at headquarters, especially after the dementor attack." Isabella remembered hearing about the attack at work the day after it happened. Dementors in a muggle neighborhood! she thought. Clearly some at the Ministry knew of Voldemort's return.

"Does anyone have any ideas?", Dumbledore asked.

"He's an excellent flyer, Headmaster. We wouldn't be breaking the trace by using broomsticks, and we could get here rather quickly.", a man said, in a deep, slightly hoarse, voice.

I know that voice, she thought. Isabella had been focusing her attention toward Dumbledore until now, which luckily was very easy with him next to her. The draw back, however, was everyone in the room was also staring at the Headmaster, and out of the corner of her eye, she could see the occasional curious glance in her direction. But now, she couldn't help looking for the source of the voice. Her heart pounded with renewed fever and her cheeks burned an even darker shade of red as she set her eyes on Remus Lupin.

Remus never thought he would stare into her eyes again, but now, nearly two years after their tryst, he was gazing upon her once more. He did a double take when she first walked in the room. That can't be! But as Dumbledore introduced her to the Order he was positive it was her. She looked just like Bellatrix, Remus couldn't believe he didn't see it before. I was rather out of it, he thought. Remus thanked his lucky stars that everyone in the room was distracted by her presence, and therefore, did not notice the red that was creeping onto his cheeks. At least she looks just as embarrassed, Remus thought, thankful, as awkward as the situation was, he wasn't feeling it alone.

The exchange only lasted a few seconds, however, it was long enough for Remus' best friend, Sirius, who was sitting beside him, to notice his friend's rosy cheeks and his cousin's embarrassed glance upon his friend. That's odd, he thought.

Moody's loud bark jarred all three from their thoughts. "Yes, that's a good idea Lupin.", he said. "But I don't think anyone should go alone. We need volunteers for a guard. Just incase one of us is killed."

Isabella smiled slightly to herself. Good ol' Moody. Always paranoid. She knew Mad Eye already through her work in the Auror department. Moody was the one who had administered her tests during Auror training, and to Isabella's surprise, joined Dubledore in vouching for her character in front of Ministry employees. Of course, they probably just thought him mad. Moody already seemed slightly unhinged from his years of dark wizard catching and he was always preaching about constant vigilance. Still, Isabella had always been grateful to Mad Eye for his actions and had a soft spot for him.

"Do you really think that's likely? Getting killed?", someone asked nervously.

"CONSTANT VIGILANCE!", was Moody's, barking reply.

"Yes," said Dumbledore, "I agree with Moody. The more people to help bring Harry back safe the better. Any volunteers?" he asked.

Nearly everyone's hand shot up. Professor McGonagall, whom Isabella did not notice until now, began taking down names on a piece of parchment.

"Excellent!", said Dumbledore happily. "That was easier than I thought it would be. I will take care of getting Harry's relatives out of the house when you all go to pick him up. I'll be in touch soon with a date.", he stood looking around at all of them. "Molly has made snacks for everyone so I encourage you to stay, if you can, to enjoy her delicious cooking."

Everyone started getting up from their seats. Isabella saw Snape slip out the kitchen door. Thanks for abandoning me, she thought.

"Isabella, I must be going.", Dumbledore turned to her and shook her hand. "I'm glad you could come. Please stay for a bit. Get to know everyone.", he said kindly, and curiously, glanced in Remus' direction, before giving her a parting smile. That was strange. It's as if he knew...but..no he couldn't know, she thought as she watched Dumbledore walk out of the kitchen.


"Isabella! How very nice to meet you! I'm..."

The introductions were not as painful as Isabella thought they would be. Almost everyone seemed open to getting to know Isabella, to her surprise, although some remained rather stand offish. However, most were impressed by her work as an Auror, and despite her parents, she had a very nice, fun personality. Isabella had been judged her entire life, therefore, made an effort not to judge others too quickly. She didn't believe in being mean to people, unless given a reason to, but she preferred to ignore those types of people. They're just ignorant. Like her father, she was very smart and had a talent for recognizing the true intentions behind people's actions. Isabella prided herself on being able to judge one's character. She attributed her good judgement to her shy nature, which allowed her more time to observe people, although she never shyed away from standing up for herself, and others, when she needed too. Overall, the night was turning out better than expected.


Hours past and the Order members slowly left, leaving only a handful of people in the kitchen. Isabella was staring, unthinking, into the fireplace. She was exhausted. After work at the Ministry she went to her apartment to get ready for the Order meeting, when the Dark Mark on her arm started burning. She apparated and, afterwards, rushed to the Order meeting with Snape. Now, that the excitement of her first meeting started wearing off, she was longing for sleep; a small yawn escaped her lips.

"Is being a liar, tiring?", Sirius asked behind her, smirking. She turned to look at him. He had cleaned up since she first met him, but, of course at the time he was living in a cave. He walked over to her and Isabella could see he was holding a goblet of wine.

"A liar, Sirius?", she asked, raising an eyebrow. So much for giving me a chance, she thought.

"Oh, don't act as if you don't know what I'm talking about.", Sirius sneered, now standing face to face with the young witch.

"I really don't know what you talking about.", Isabella replied. She was far too tired to argue.

Sirius rolled his eyes and took a sip from the goblet.

"Will you ever trust me, Sirius? Can I do nothing to earn it from you?", she asked desperately. She longed to be close to the family she did have. The family not consumed by the Dark Arts.

Before he could answer, Remus intervened. They had not realized Remus had been listening to their exchange at the table a few feet from the fireplace. He had poured himself, and Isabella, mugs of butterbeer. I can't ignore her forever, he thought, dreading the awkward exchange but wanting to break the ice. And she was very pretty, he thought. He couldn't listen to his friend's banter anymore. He knew Sirius had been drinking, and although he knew Sirius didn't trust his cousin, Remus did not want him to say anything he might regret.

"Sirius!", Remus said walking over. He noticed Isabella's cheeks turn red and was sure his were too. "Molly, needs your help with Buckbeak upstairs.", he gave Sirius a pointed look, hoping he wouldn't argue.

Sirius looked at Remus. He raised his eyebrow at Remus as he noticed the blush had returned. I'll ask him about it later, he thought. He really did feel drunk. With one final menacing look at Isabella, Sirius walked out of the kitchen.

"Here.", Remus said kindly, handing Isabella the drink. "It's butterbeer.", he said smiling shyly and she blushed, remembering what happened when they were intoxicated.

"Thank you.", she replied, really looking at him for the first time that night. He looked exactly as she had remembered him; the only difference was a few more gray hairs on his brown head. He looks rather handsome. His blue eyes were staring, kindly, back at her.

"I'm sorry about Sirius.", he began. "He hasn't had the best track record with family members. Especially, your mother." He paused for a moment. "Don't worry.", he said noticing the sad look on Isabella's face. "I'm sure, in time, he'll come to trust you. You seemed to be getting along well with everyone here." he said sweetly.

There was a moment of silence, the pair of them staring into the warm fire. "Do you trust me, Remus?", she asked, curiously.

He stared into the fire a moment, seeming to gather his thoughts. Isabella felt sure he was thinking of a nice way to say "No, how could anyone trust you?" and she felt a pang in her heart.

"Yes.", he said finally staring into her eyes. "I remember, that night at the bar.." he said, blushing a deeper shade of red. Her heart started thumping. "...the way you talked to the muggle bartender all night...the concern I saw on your face when he thought something had happened to his family...you seemed to genuinely enjoy the man's company...and I don't think Bellatrix Lestrange's daughter could fake concern for a muggle." She smiled. "So, yes I do trust you.", he finished, giving her a small smile. Isabella didn't realize, until he finished, his words had made her tear up. She turned her head from him and gazed into the fire. She wasn't quick enough to hide the emotion welling up in her eyes, however, and Remus handed her a handkerchief.

"I'm sorry.", he said horrified. "I didn't mean to..."

"No, Remus please don't apologize." she said dabbing her eyes. "It's not often people are so kind once they learn who I am." she said, smiling at him.

Remus gave her a knowing look. "Yes, I completely understand." he said.

"Oh, yes...Severus told me you were a werewolf." she said, apologetically. Remus stiffened at her words.

"Well..." he replied after a moment, "...I suppose you would have found out eventually." he said with a pained smile.

"I don't mind.", she said. "I know how it feels when people judge you for something you have no control over." she finished, putting her hand on his shoulder. Remus was truly touched by her words. And shocked. She isn't upset she slept with a werewolf?, Remus thought.

"Isabella, I wanted to apologize...for that night..", Remus started.

"Remus, please...", Isabella interrupted.

"No.", he said firmly holding up a hand and shaking his head. "It's just...I normally would never...I was upset, you see...I had just resigned from Hogwarts because people had found out my...well..my condition...but thats no excuse...", Remus stopped talking. His heart was pounding in his chest. Isabella had pressed her fingertips to his lips, giving him a momentary flashback of their night together. She seemed to remember the night as well because she quickly withdrew her hands.

"Remus, please don't apologize. I'm not sorry...for anything that happened. I had a pretty rough day myself, but, I knew what I was doing. Honestly, if anyone should apologize it should be me.", she said shyly. Remus was shocked. "I...", she blushed and looked at the ground, "I was rather forceful." she finished in a whisper, remembering pressing her lips to his after he pulled away.

Remus gently pressed his hand under her chin, making her look up. "Don't apologize." was all he said, a smile in his eyes. They stood like that for what seemed like an eternity.

"I should probably be going.", Isabella said, breaking the spell. "I have to get up early tomorrow for work."

"Yes, it is getting rather late.", Remus agreed looking around. They were the only two left in the kitchen. "It was nice seeing you again, Isabella.", Remus said smiling at her.

"It was nice seeing you again, Remus.", Isabella replied, smiling back at him. With one final look in his direction, Isabella walked out of the kitchen into the dark hallway. She stopped for a moment, taking a deep breath. That wasn't so bad. He really is handsome, she thought as she made her way to the door, not noticing Sirius Black standing in the shadows.