Before any of them knew it, Christmas vacations were over and it was time for Tom and Helena to go back to school. It was hard, not only for Isabella but also for Helena and Tom. They knew they'd miss the sweet little girl and that she would miss them, even if they wrote often.

Of course Isabella didn't know how to read or write yet but they had bought her a special quill that could write everything she said and that could also read letters. It would allow Isabella to stay in touch with her parents and it would give Sally something to do beside annoy the elder owls of the house.

"I'm going to miss Bella…" Helena told Tom once they were back on the train to school.

"I know, I'll miss her too. Don't worry, your parents will bring her to us for the next weekend in Hogsmeade." He said to try and reassure her.

"Tell me she'll be fine again?" She asked him.

"She'll be perfectly fine and we'll write her a letter as soon as we're settled back in our rooms." He told her with a smile.

Once they arrived in school, as they were making their way to the common room with their bags, the headmaster and his deputy intercepted them and asked the couple to follow them for a serious conversation in the headmaster's office. Neither Helena nor Tom had ever gotten in trouble at school and neither of them had ever had a detention. They hoped they weren't in trouble.

"First of all, allow me to congratulate the two of you on your engagement. The entire staff here is more than happy for you." Headmaster Dippet told them once the four of them were sitting in his office.

Tom couldn't help but realize that Dumbledore didn't look so happy.

"Thank you, sir." Tom replied calmly.

"I asked the two of you to follow us here to clear a few things up given your new situation." Dippet added.

"What is it Professor?" Helena asked him.

She knew that other students had been married during their 7th year. It was common in the old fashion, pure blooded families and she didn't see how their situation was any different than any of the others. Plus, nothing was changing this year anyway.

"We wanted to speak specifically of Tom's little sister that you've adopted. » Dumbledore explained while looking at them over his glasses.

"Oh, well, she's staying with my parents and we'll see her during Hogsmeade weekends and Easter vacations." Helena replied.

"We've discussed it seriously along with all the other teachers and your parents. You're both excellent students. You're responsible, serious and have never been in trouble before so we've decided to allow the young Isabella to stay here, with you, ever week-ends, this year and next year as well. An exceptional chimney connection has been authorized between Miss Jenkins's house and Tom's prefect room. Young Isabella is the only one that'll be able to go through it and a bed has already been added in Tom's room for her." Dippet announced with a wide smile.

"Thank you so much sir!" Tom and Helena exclaimed at the same time.

"Rumors tend to run wild in this castle so I'll make an announce tonight at dinner to explain everything to the other students. Your parents and Isabella were told the news a couple of hours ago and so young Isabella will arrive Friday, at 5. I'm sure you'll have news before then. I won't hold you back any longer. You can go back to your rooms now." The Headmaster told them.

Happy with the news they were given, the young couple thanked the Headmaster and his deputy before leaving the office and making their ways to the Slytherin common room. They were both very happy to know that they'd be able to see Isabella more often than they had thought.

.

Once Helena was done putting her things away in her dormitory, she went to join Tom in his own room. Just like the headmaster had told them, a second, smaller, bed had been added to the bedroom, along with a little desk and chair.

"I guess she'll be sleeping with you then. You don't mind, do you?" She asked him while heading straight for his open arms.

"I don't but she might. Maybe she'll want to stay with you sometimes." He replied.

"We'll figure it out as we go." She nodded, knowing that he was right and that Bella might want to go and sleep with her a few times.

.

The rest of the week went by quickly. Tom and Helena had received two owls from bella and they had answered immediately. The little girl couldn't wait until she could see them again and spent the weekends at the castle. According the Katherine, Bella had packed her bag Monday afternoon to make sure that it was ready on time for Friday.

Friday at 5pm, Helena and Tom were waiting together in front of his fire place, eager to see Isabella and hoping that she'd be fine.

Right on time, clod green flames appeared and left behind a shaking little girl with an excited smile on her face.

"Mommy! Dad!" She exclaimed while jumping in their arms, dropping her backpack on the floor next to the fire place.

Their absence had obviously erased the few doubts Bella had for Tom. She had missed them a lot and was ready to hold on to them for as long as she could.

"We both missed you terribly Bella. We're so happy to have you with us…" Helena whispered in Bella's ear.

Then, as they helped Isabella empty her bag, she told them everything she had done during the past week and, when the time to go eat came, she clutched tightly to both of their hands and let them lead her to the great hall. That morning, professor Dippet had reminded everyone of Isabella's presence and that they'd have to watch their behavior and language around her so they were all ready.

Thankfully, nobody stared at her for too long either.

The weekend went very well, without any incident. They took walks around the castle but had to stay away from the park because of the bad weather. Isabella had a lot of fun and Sunday night, she only went back to her grandparents' place because she knew she'd get to come back the next Friday.

Time will start going by faster now. Only 2 chapters left.

A little review please?

Lorelei Candice Black