The Things Isabelle Black Puts Up With:
Chapter 4
"Come on, girls. It's time to wake up. The train waits for no one," Mrs. Weasley said.
"Except for the conducter," I muttered. She opened the curtains, and the sun came shining through the window . . . a bit too brightly might I add. So brightly in fact, that I fell out of my bed.
"Belle, are you alright?" Mrs. Weasley asked, motherly instincts kicking in. Where were they when she was throwing the curtains open.
"Right as rain," I said, giving her a thumbs-up from where I lay on the ground.
"Well, get ready, we leave in two hours," She said, and left the room.
Hermione started laughing, and I glared at her.
"I've forgotten how jumpy you are," Hermione said in between giggles.
"It's the stress," I protested. "I've been through a lot of traumatic experiences. I'm allowed to be a bit jumpy."
"You fell out of your bed, because of a little sunlight." She smirked, and sat up in her bed.
"Need I remind you, that I've been living in a town that is under an omnipresent cover of clouds for the last six months. A little sunlight is too much sunlight at the moment." I said. Hermione just rolled her eyes at me, and left the room.
. . . . . . . . .
From that point there isn't much to tell - or remember - so I'll just skip a couple hours later.
10:45.
With fifteen minutes to spare, I thought contently. After a little accident in second year I have never shown up later than 10:50 at the platform.
We had met up with Tonks and Remus before we stepped through the wall . . . that just made us sound like ghosts. Tonks decided to join us, but Remus stayed behind.
"Now," Tonks said, flashing into stereotypical mother mode. "Stay safe, play nice with the other kids, and don't under any circumstances fight with anyone - unless the start it, then you have to kick their sorry little as -"
"Tonks!" Mrs. Weasley scolded as she fixed the scarf of a protesting Ginny.
"Sorry Molly," She turned back to me. "Butts. Kick their sorry little butts."
I saluted, "Will do, Captain Tonks."
"Ooh, Captain Tonks I like that," Tonks said in a thoughtful tone.
"Don't get used to it until you actually get it."
"Of course not, Miss Black."
"Miss Black is my mother, I'm Belle," I corrected.
"Right," Tonks said, she got a thoughtful expression on her face again as if deciding what to say next. "Belle. Whatever you do, don't kill the new professors . . . or try to."
"What?"
"Bye," She said, and then vanished in the crowd.
"Tonks!" I yelled. New professors, new professors, what professors are you all talking about? There are things I need to know about. Who are these people, and why would I want to kill them. Oh my god, did Lucius and Narcissa get into the school? No, not only would Dumbledore disagree with that, their beloved Draco would never let them teach at his school. But then who? Bellatrix? Heehee, yeah right.
"Belle, come on. The train's about to leave," Hermione called.
"'Kay!" I yelled back, and picked up my suitcase and getting onto the familiar train. The interior was as impeccably clean as always, and the air smelled of peppermint and chocolate.
Harry, Hermione, Ron, and I took our seats. I told them what Tonks said about the new professors.
"And?" Harry asked, "Any ideas on who they might be?"
"None," Well I do, but they're just really irrational.
"Well, I suppose we'll just have to wait and see," How can she be so patient! Surely she's actually boiling over with anticipation on the inside.
"I hate waiting," I muttered under my breath. And then it hit me, Hermione knew. She knew who these professors were, but she wasn't telling us. She probably won't be telling us.
The thing I hate more than waiting; not knowing, and knowing full well someone else knows.
"They can't be worse than Umbridge, can they?" Ron added.
"No, they can't," Hermione confirmed. Oh she knew something, she definitely knew something.
. . . . . . ... . . . . . .
We were finally at Hogwarts. Well, in front of Hogwarts. Ginny, Luna, and Neville had joined us a while ago. It was good to see Luna and Neville again, I had missed Luna's eccentric ways and Neville was probably the only person I could be clumsy with and not made fun of; mostly because he knows what it feels like.
"Oh, I'm so excited," I said in a joking manner, clapping my hands. A black cat ran toward me, "Periwinkle!" Don't ask, I don't know why I named her that. I got her on my eleventh birthday, she's been with me ever since. Except for that time in Forks. I had to leave her with Dumbledore, because she'd be too easily noticed with her indigo eyes. Yes, indigo, isn't that awesome!
"Potter, Black . . . and company," Said a snide voice. Ooh, it's my cousin from the underworld. We turned around. Harry glared. Hermione glared. Ginny glared. Luna smiled. Neville tried not to make eye contact. And I . . . I was grinning like a maniac. What? I absolutely love my demon cousin . . . or love to tease him because he is my cousin, but doesn't like it.
"Malfoy . . . and company," I mocked, looking pointedly at his crew. Crabbe, Goyle, and Pansy Parkingson. I think, ot was it Parkinson. God, I'm bad at names. I've known this girl since first year - sort of.
"Thought you would remember the names of so few people, Black," Malfoy smirked. Hypocrite.
"Well, you know me, I'm bad with names. It must run in the family," I said, waving his insult off.
He glared, catching on to my comeback, and said, "It must." And then they walked around us, and walked inside. I had noticed something though. Something that slightly worried me. Draco looked horrible, his face had taken on a grey shade and there were purple shadows under his eyes like he hadn't been sleeping much. And his reaction to my obvious insult, it was so . . . un-draco-like.
"He looks . . ." I started.
"Different?" Hermione asked.
"Horrible," I said.
"He's turning into one of the," Harry said with disgust in his voice. And I knew who them was; The Death Eaters.
"Really, Harry. He is technically just a kid," I said.
"Well, just look at him," He said.
"I did." I said, starting to worry my brother-figure was turning paranoid, "He looks like he's been having sometrouble sleeping. We can't blame him for that, especially with his parents being crazed Death Eaters."
"Come now, all of you," Professor McGonagall said in a scolding tone. "You musn't dawdle."
"Sorry, professor," I said, and we all followed her inside.
We walked into the Great Hall, and sat down at the Gryffindor table. I looked up to the the Staff Table where all the teachers sat, but no new faces appeared except for that of Professor Slughorn, who had been here since the start of school year according to Harry.
I looked at Dumbledore, who was grinning like mad. He was either very excited about the new school year or the new professors were another couple of his old friends. Great. And they're late too, what dedication.
Dumbledore stepped up to the podium, he raised his hands and said, "Welcome back beloved students." With some exceptions, "On behalf of the the staff and myself I would like to apologize." Blablabla.
Bam!
The double doors slammed open, everyone turned around.
And there they were in all their pale glory. Their outfits all impeccably perfect for their roles, and their faces perfect as always. I looked at Dumbledore, he smiled at me knowingly, he planned this. He planned all of this. I thought I was perfectly clear when I showed up here perfectly content with how fate had taken the Cullens out of my life. Didn't he know people shouldn't mess with fate?
You've got to be kidding me.
Dumbledore stepped down from the podium, and hugged Carlisle like they were besties. Oh god.
The others - minus Esme - just stood there, their faces absolutely clean of all emotions except for the I really don't want to be here look. They hid behind smiles though, typical. Periwinkle hissed at them. Smart kitty, already knows that they're her natural enemy.
"Students, I would like to introduce you all to the Cullens, your new professors," Everyone clapped at Dumbledore's announcement. "Dr. Carlisle Cullen is an old friend of mine." Old, old friend. "They were passing by, and I told them that I'm in need of a few more professors at Hogwarts." No you're not, "They kindly agreed to help," Oh goody. "Professor Esme Cullen has decided to take over Study Of Ancient Runes so Professor Babbling could finally go off on a much-needed vacation. Professor Rosalie Hale will be taking over first year Charms while Professor Emmet Cullen," Professor Emmet Cullen?
"Will be teaching Muggle Studies. Dr. Cullen will be starting an elective course for seventh years and will be helping Madame Pomfrey in the Hospital Wing. Professor Alice Cullen will be teaching all honors divination." Safe! Just two more to go. "And finally, Professor Edward Cullen and Professor Jasper Hale will be teaching Defense Against The Dark Arts for all our Sixth and Seventh Years." I pushed away my food carefully, and then banged my head against the table. Shit! Excuse my language.
"Belle, are you okay?" Hermione asked cautiously.
"Brilliant," I said.
"They are your vampires aren't they," She stated more than asked.
"Yes," I muttered.
"Then why are you so scared?"
"I'm not scared, just worried."
"Why?"
"Because they have an exceedingly good sense of smell, and I doubt I smell any different than I did in Forks, and now they will kill me."
"Why?"
"Because I'm supposed to still be in America," I muttered. "I'm supposed to still be grieving over the loss of my vampiric companions. Now, what do you think they'll act like when they find out I was only 'friends' with them because I wanted to corrupt them and get them on our side, that I was totally and completely toying with them, using them for my own purposes."
Hermione looked at me like I was having a mental breakdown, "Aren't they vegetarians."
"Yeah," I said.
"Then you should have nothing to fear, I'm sure they'll understand," Hermione said.
"I guess, but I'm not talking to them unless I have to."
"You'll have to." She said in a much too confident voice.
The rest of dinner/supper went smoothly. Me anxiety had soon worn off, and I decided that I wouldn't let a couple of vampires ruin my year. I mean, it's not like I care about them anyway.
Why must I always be wrong?
A/N: Chapter 4, and isn't it wonderful. Everyone's together again, and Belle is not very happy about it. Drama and hilarity ensues. So . . . any thoughts?
Until next time. Please review.