.: XI :.

Attempts to Normality

Ginny looked surprisedly at the biker as if she was a strange creature. "What are you doing here?" She asked.

"Excuse me, is that the proper way to welcome a friend?"

"N-no. sorry, it's just… I would've never expected to see you here, Isa."

Pouting, Isabella stared at her and sniffed as if she was about to cry. "I risked getting lost and came here all alone and you… you are so mean Gin!" she exclaimed, hiding her face in her hands.

Guilty, Ginny approached to comfort her, but as soon as she placed a hand on Isa's shoulder, she put Ginny in a headlock and mussed up her hair, exclaiming, "Aha! You fell for it! Now I'll punish you because you didn't welcome me properly!"

Ginny didn't know if she should be angry with Isabella or not, but after a moment of hesitation, she tickled her in response. The fight lasted no more than a couple of minutes, because Ginny couldn't bear it anymore. Still laughing, she admitted defeat.

Mrs Weasley, Bill, Fred and George looked puzzled at the two girls, then the older brother coughed to get their attention. Embarrassed, Ginny looked at him with red cheeks, but Isa just dusted off her black overalls and grinned nonchalantly.

Bill coughed again. "I'm sorry, Miss, but who are you? You seem to know my sister quite well..."

"How stupid of me, I didn't introduce myself! Isabella Trao, nice to meet you."

Bill first looked at her and then at her outstretched hand, not knowing what to do. After all, he has no idea who this Isabella Trao girl is, and he wondered how, when and where she had met Ginny. Especially since everybody knew his sister didn't have a foreign pen pal. He exchanged a look with his mother, who appeared to share the same thoughts as Bill.

"I'm sorry our welcome isn't exactly warm but…"

"… But in these days you can't allow a stranger in your house if you don't make sure of his/her identity first." Isabella finished for him. " Pretty understandable, really. Anyway Gin knows me well and knows where my loyalty lies, and I'm not afraid of a Truth Spell, I have nothing to hide."

Mrs Weasley bit her lower lip, wondering if she should welcome Isabella to her home or not. She glanced at Ginny, who nodded and smiled. "Don't worry, mum: Isa is… even more Muggle than Hermione." She reassured.

"All right, but I won't let her in until Moody comes here. He may be a bit paranoid, but he's right about safety."

"No problem," said Isabella, shrugging her shoulder. Noticing the way Fred and George were looking her precious Ducati as she was taking down her baggage, she whispered. "Rotweiler, Doberman e mastini napoletani dei malintenzionati mordete i deretani!i" then she added grinning, "And now just try to lay a finger on my Du'!"

Isabella followed Ginny to the back garden, while Mrs Weasley flooed Moody from the kitchen's fireplace. The Aurors didn't make people wait, and after a giving a speech about how dangerous it is to open your door to a stranger, Moody cast a truth charm on Isabella. She didn't hide the fact she had ran away from home and she laughed when Moody asked her where her loyalties laid.

"They lie with myself," she replied, still laughing, "both the Ministry and that homicidal maniac can use the Imperious Curse if they want me on their side. If they want to try their luck."

Madeye Moody was simply speechless at that unexpected answer. Nonetheless, Isabella's answers satisfied him and his magical devices didn't reported Isabella as an enemy, so she was allowed to stay.

Once Isabella was allowed inside the house, Ginny took her to her bedroom. The two girls talked till dinnertime, updating each other on what was going on. Even at dinner there was excitement at the Burrow. Mr Weasley was especially excited to meet to meet a young witch who knew the Non-magical world at least ten times better than him.

The following day was even busier. At breakfast Isabella got a Howler from her sister, ordering her to go straight home, and an owl from Hogwarts, which invited the Italian witch to the seventh year's entrance examination.

.: ° :.

The Dark Lord nodded to Rockwood, who bent his head slightly and got up. Holding up a copy of the Daily Prophet, the Death Eater cleared his throat and read aloud.

MINISTRY BIGWIG DOWN

Cornelius Fudge accused to be a Death Eater. "He may be under the Imperious Curse." Scrimgeour said.

-By Alekej von Versen-

The Ministry of Magic is having one of its worst moments in the last twenty years and after the arrest of Cornelius Fudge, the Wizarding community risks falling into mayhem.

The former Minister has been put into custody last week, but today the secrecy surrounding the event leaked out. It is alleged that an anonymous source reported Fudge to Rufus Scrimgeour, who refused to reveal this person identity. "It's very complicated," said the Auror, "and the inquiry is still in progress. But we think Cornelius Fudge joined You-Know-Who under the Imperious-

"Augustus, everybody here has read that article," complained a slightly bored Rabastan. "Why don't you read to our Lord the touching interview Mrs Fudge gave to Miss von Versen?"

"You did that?" asked Lord Voldemort, raising an eyebrow at Edna.

"My Lord, it was the only way to avoid having a paparazzi around my house," she replied sheepishly, "that would've been dangerous. Moreover Alekej is such a dear girl, and it is so useful to have her at the Daily Prophet."

"She isn't Marked."

"I don't need to have all my followers to be marked, Dominic," replied the Dark Lord, before turning back to Rockwood. "What are you waiting for? Keep on reading."

Rookwood nodded, skimming the newspaper before continuing.

Exclusive interview to Madam Edna Fudge

"MY HUSBAND IS A DEATH EATER"

"I thought I have married a honest and respectable man: it was shocking to find out he is a cruel murderer."

-By Alekej von Versen-

When we arrive at number 17, Saint John Square, we felt welcomed. Mrs Fudge welcomed us in her house with a forced smile as she tried to hide her red eyes. She wore an anthracite grey silk dress robe, with fine laces on the sleeves and the hems. Like the perfect hostess, she led us into the parlour and offered us her famous tea.

We don't want to be too much pushy at a moment like this, but it is our e duty to inform our readers of the whole story.

Q: Mrs. Fudge, have you ever had suspicions towards your husband?

She gasps, then she lowered her eyes and shook her head.

A: It is very painful, but never, in our fifty years of marriage did 'Lio's behaviour make me suspect that he was one of them.

Q: Understandable, trust should the basis of every good relationship… and now, how are you living through this tragic time? Finding out that someone you thought you knew truing out to be someone completely different, doesn't it make you more suspicious? Do you think there are more Death Eaters hiding amongst the people you know?

A: Ms. von Versen, since the first war there have been Death Eaters who looked so honest and respectable like my… she closes her eyes, as if to chase her tears away, and with a trembling hand she brings the teacup to her lips li-like Mr Fudge.
But I think that by suspecting and accusing without proof we end up playing He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named's game. That's why you and I have to trust the people who are reputed as honest and of the utmost integrity.
And I hope Rufus Scrimgeour is right and that my husband acted in that awful way under the Imperious Curse.

Q: Do you think someone has safeguarded his own identity by exposing your husband?

A: That is impossible, because… it was me who exposed him. She hides her face in her hands and cries.

And this answer should be enough to stop the gossipmongers from the Quibbler. A faithful wife who exposes her own husband should be an example for everybody, to fight the baseness lurking in many hearts in hard times like these.

Q: I don't wish to cause anymore distress, but Mrs Fudge… do you hope your heroic decision will inspire others to follow you example and expose other Death Eaters?

A: Sure, because it doesn't matter how much you love your husband or you value a dear friend. When they are wrong, we have the duty to show them their mistakes and help them to make amends. And if this means exposing them, well, we must make up our minds to do so.

And with those heart-warming words, it's good to know that people with moral integrity to do what is right, without hiding behind others, still exist.

We hope you'll forgive us if we have intruded for the short interview, but we don't want out stay our welcome. Thank you for your helpfulness and frankness.

The Dark Lord and other Death Eaters were applauding, while Bellatrix was laughing like mad. "Dear Circe," she said after getting her breath back, "what a great interpretation! You are a wasted actress, Mrs Fudge."

"I just did what would be useful for my Lord," Edna replied, bowing slightly to Voldemort.

The wizard smiled, pleased by the way the woman had managed the situation. Who, in their right minds, would dare accuse Edna Fudge to be a Death Eater after her seemingly heroic gesture? The Dark Lord's smile widened as he thought about even more solid influence at the Ministry of Magic.

.: ° :.

As Ginny feared, Fred and George came to the Burrow only to use Isabella as their guinea pig, but they have found their match. The day after her arrival, they tried to hex Isabella's Ducati, but when they were three feet from the motorbike a pack of rabid dogs appeared out of nowhere to chase them away. That was only the beginning their war.

One afternoon, as they were studying for exams, Isabella suddenly started retching and also got a mysterious nosebleed. As she brought Isabella to the bathroom, Ginny saw Fred and George gloating and giving high fives. As soon as the two girls were alone, Ginny gave her friend two purple toffees and told her what probably had happened. Isabella only smiled in return, a weird smile that promised trouble.

The next day an owl came, delivering pastries, chocolates, and fruits. Isabella offered the Weasleys some fruits -apricots, three different types of peaches, watermelon, plums, prickly pears and white and black grapes. Few hours later, Fred and George were at St. Mungos for an intestinal failure.

"Oops! I had forgotten to tell them that you can't eat prickly pears before eating grapes!" Isabella gasped in mock innocence.

If Isabella was covered with bluish pimples, flakes and feathers, then Fred and George would suddently sweat a clammy and stinky fluid. If Isabella's underwear become suddenly alive and tried to bite the girl, then the twins' feet would dance wildly and stopping only once Fred and George collapsed to the ground. As Ginny had feared, Isabella's presence at the Burrow had created an uproar. Mrs Weasley didn't know what to do and she looked as if she was on the edge of a nervous attack. As if that wasn't enough, Isabella proved to be no match for Fred and George, and at the end she found out the twins' innermost and shameful secrets and was able to use her last resource: blackmail.

Suddenly the war between the Troublemakers and the Wild Beast ended, and the situation fell off. Isabella begun to behave in a weird, eccentric and crazy way and Fred and George seemed satisfied with her whims. Mrs Weasley was happy to see her sons behave in a decent for once, but Ginny felt that Isabella knew something quite shameful about the twins.

.: ° :.

The day of the exam, Ginny and Isabella flooed to Bill's house, where Fleur welcomed them with a delicious French breakfast. At around ten Hagrid came with a coach - the gamekeeper held Ginny in a choking hug and before taking the girls and Bill to the castle.

Arriving at the castle, Ginny and Isabella were led to a classroom, where the other teachers were waiting for them.

"Snape will teach both in Potions and Defended Against the Dark Arts. If Professor Flitwick doesn't find a substitute within the weekend, I fear that the old bat will teach DADA this year," Bill whispered before he joined the other teachers.

Ginny was surprised and sickened. Potions with Snape was already unbearable, but it would be hell if he were to teach Defence Against the Dark Arts as well. The tiny Headmaster greeted the two girls, showing all his joy seeing Ginny again and even McGonagall smiled at her with moist eyes. After Ginny and Isabella had filled out some forms –"Useless papers" grumbled the latter as she signed her application for the seventh year- the exam begun. They gave the two girls a test with five questions for each subject. Frowning, Isabella read through her parchment, then took a large volume from her bag and began to skim through it. At that sight, Snape got up and snatched away the book.

"Hey, are these the manners your mother has taught you!" exclaimed Isabella, trying to get her book back.

"Miss Trao, I would remind you this is an exam!"

"And I would like to point out, you subspecies of Alan Rickman's very bad double, that English isn't my first language!"

"Miss Trao is right, Severus," said Professor Sprout. "Transfer students are allowed to use dictionaries."

"That's true, Pomona," Professor McGonagall added, "but, we have to avoid any kind of cheating during an exam." Then she touched the book with her wand tip, but nothing happened. "A common Muggle dictionary."

Isabella grabbed her book triumphantly and stuck her tongue out at Professor Snape, who looked livid.

Three hours later, the girls handed in their tests and returned to Bill's house to have lunch and rest a bit. There they met Remus, Alexandria and Loveday.

"Congratulations, daddy," said Alex winking, as she held Cyrille. "She's a cute girl indeed!"

Bill smiled proudly, accepting those compliments as if they were meant for him. Ginny went in the kitchen to help Fleur, leaving the others to talk. She wasn't worried to leave Isabella alone, as she was quite capable to look after herself. Moreover, during lunch they found out that Isabella and Loveday went to the same magical school. Ginny had no idea that Sirius' wife (at least she thought they were married, but Remus used to say things were more complicated) was Italian.

In the afternoon Ginny and Isabella had practical testes, but they didn't do too well. First of all, Ginny was forced to borrow Bill's wand since she had lost her own, and so she wasn't able to properly transfigure her cat. Isabella, on the other hand, argued with the teachers about the spells' right pronunciation and she called Snape "Oily Bat" after he gave her a very difficult potion to brew.

They got the exam results a couple of days before the beginning of the term. Both Ginny and Isabella were admitted in the seventh years, even if the latter with the lowest Potions and Defence Against the Dark Arts grades.

.: ° :.

Lord Voldemort read the report for the umpteenth time, frowning slightly. "So Isabellina is staying at the Weasleys' place," he whispered.

Rodolphus Lestrange pursed his lips. "I didn't know she and Loveday knew each other…"

"Isabella has no idea your goddaughter is one of us, or she would be in great trouble," growled Bianca. "But Loveday…"

"She isn't a gossip," Bellatrix shouted at her. "She's wise and secretive like her mother… unlike someone's sister!"

"Bellatrix Asphodelia Black Lestrange!" thundered the Dark Lord. "Isabella may be a pain in the back, but she's still my relative."

The Death Eater lowered her head, biting her lower lip. The others glanced at each other in uneasiness, not knowing what to do or say.

"Er… are there directions for Loveday?" ventured Rodolphus after more that a quarter of hour has passed in silence.

Lord Voldemort didn't reply, he was turning over the pages of the Daily Prophet, his eyes still looking livid. Then his eyes fell on a paragraph, seemingly without importance, and he smiled a sadistic and evil smile. "Tell her to keep an eye on the Order's members, she'll be updated before the term's beginning.

"You know, I've just had an idea…"

.: ° :.

The rosy and pale dawn peeped out beyond the treetops, lighting up the small room with a soft light. Warbling of a lark announced the beginning of a new day. Isabella was still asleep, snoring slightly, a sheet entangled around her legs with her lips slightly opened. Molly's sleep was calm, as the potion forbade her both nightmares and cheerful dreams, and at her side Arthur turned coughing.

Only Ginny wasn't sleeping, she hadn't a decent night of sleep since when she had left Santa Eufemia. There weren't nightmares to torment her, only memories of an almost obsessive desire.

Ginny Weasley didn't know why, but she desired to feel hands on her skin and lips as soft as thistles down on hers, and kisses sweet like honey and bitter like hemlock. Every time she closed her eyes, it was as if something both soft and rough rubbed against her, leaving damps and scorching lines on her skin.

Every time Ginny Weasley closed her eyes, she saw her own hands scratching shoulders and back as a strong and flat chest grazed against hers. She saw two eyes, shining like twin stars, filled with burning as they looked at her. She felt a warm and difficult breath grazed her temple and cheek whispering incoherent monosyllables; she felt her legs clamping sensually around a warm and powerful body. Ginny Weasley felt like an empty jar yearning to be filled with water.

Ginny Weasley abhorred herself, as she knew the name of her desire. Ginny was able to stop her own hands, before they go too low down her body.

Snorting, she turned in her bed and looked at the cracks on the ceiling. The alarm clock's ticking was irritating, and when the malefic object rang, she quickly silenced it and with a sigh she sat up on the bed. Isabella was still asleep, so the ringing didn't affect her. The noises from downstairs meant that Mrs Weasley was in the kitchen. Ginny got up, stretching as she went to the bathroom for the morning shower. When she went back to her bedroom, Isabella was still sound asleep.

"Well Isa, will you wake up!" she exclaimed as she shook the girl.

Isabella yawned as she rubbed her eyes, still looking sleepy and sulky. "Do you realize sometimes you're a real pain in the back? Waking me up right at the dream's crucial point, I hope you have a good excuse!"

"Oh, I apologize, Miss Isabella, but I thought you were impatient to go shopping at Diagon Alley." The two girls looked at each other in silence; one with her arms crossed and the other looking a little bit stunned.

"Breakfast's ready!" Mrs Weasley called from the kitchen.

With a yell, Isabella ran out the bedroom and almost ran over Ron.

All of them were sitting at the table with the habitual enormous quantity of food filling the dishes. Isabella ate in a hurry and almost choked herself. After refusing the fourth portion of apple pie, she grabbed Ginny's arm and dragged her into their room, saying: "Five minutes and then we can go!"

Mrs Weasley and Ron looked at the two girls a little bit puzzled and Mr Weasley shook his head smiling and finished his breakfast.

With a loud sneeze, Isabella got out of the Leaky Cauldron's fireplace. The pub was crowded and there were a lot of people going to Diagon Alley for school shopping. Isabella looked around and cheered in excitement as they entered Diagon Alley.

Their first stop was Gringotts. Mrs. Weasley and the two girls reached a free goblin, gave him their keys and climbed in the cart. They reached Isabella's vault, only to found out that Bianca had cut off her sister's funds and Isabella was quite angry at her sister, since she was used to have more money than she could spend. Next they reached the Weasley family's vault and Molly looked sadly at the three small piles of coins. Even if Ginny was the last of her children to attend Hogwarts, there was no more than one hundred or one hundred fifty galleons in the family's vault. Also this year she could afford only second-hand robes and books for her daughter –maybe she could just buy just one brand new school robe. Ginny also needed a new wand, and who knows if Mr. Ollivander would give her a good price or not. With a bitter sigh, Mrs. Weasley went to take the coins when she noticed something in a corner - a pile of shining galleons. That amount of money in her family's vault made her suspicious, so Mrs. Weasley asked the goblin where it came from.

"It was a donation for Miss Weasley," he answered, looking quite bored, "Ten thousand galleons."

"And who's…"

"I'm sorry madam, but the donor wishes to remain anonymous."

Molly Weasley looked suspiciously at those galleons as if they were poisonous, then she glanced at her daughter. "Do you know something about that?"

"Mum, do you really think I would accept money from a stranger?" she replied, slightly annoyed, even if she had and idea of who that anonymous donor might be.

"No, that's not the point…" the mother replied sheepishly. "Anyway, it'll be better to talk about it with your father when we get back home."

Once outside the bank, the three women went to Madam Malkin's. Ginny tried on the new robe and the heavy woollen winter cloak, trembling with happiness. Isabella didn't share her friend's enthusiasm, since in her old school everyone was free to wear whatever he or she liked and a robe and dragon hide gloves were imposed only for Potion and Erbology's classes. Afterwards they went to the Apothecary for Potions' supplies and to Flourish and Blotts. Isabella complained as she skimmed through the schoolbooks, but she was decidedly surprised to see the Defence Against the Dark Arts book.

"That kind of Alan Rickman's double is less idiotic than he looks…" she exclaimed, looking at the cover, arching her eyebrows. "At least I won't have problems with this subject. I'll send an owl to Fi' asking for my copy at home, my classmates used to envy pa's autographed copy."

"What do you mean?" Ginny asked, slightly confused

"Are you blind or what? Bastiano Maria Alfio Trao is the author, and he was my pa' as well!" Isabella grumbled as she tapped the leather cover.

The two girls peeked in the shop's other sections, giggling and looking at the new merchandise. They looked fascinated by an everlasting ink quill and an enchanted drawing kit.

"Oi, Ginny!"

Ginny turned and smiled, recognizing the voice's owner. "Hi Colin, we haven't see each other in a long time."

"Since your birthday party," he answered as he went to hug her. "I heard you took the exam. So, will we have you with us or will you attend the sixth year?"

"You'll have to deal with both of us!" said Isabella, extending her hand. "Isa, nice to meet you."

"I'm Colin, nice to meet you too. You're not English, you have a funny accent."

"Yeah, I arrived here a couple of weeks ago."

"Just to drive mum mad with Fred and George. We are lucky that the twins have left Hogwarts or else we won't last a week before we surrender to You-Know-Who and beg him to put an end to our terrible pain."

Colin and Ginny laughed as Isabella grumbled, pretending to be offended but then she smiled anyways.

"Anyway, have you guys seen the DADA book?" said Colin looking aghast at the book. "I bet the new teacher is going to be a monster or something…"

"He is a monster. My brother told us that if the Headmaster can't find a new DADA teacher, he'll offer the position to Snape."

"What? The Dungeons' Bat will teach DADA! I bet he'll be worse that Umbitch."

"And Gryffindor can say goodbye to her House Cup as well." Ginny sighed, taking a roll of parchment with dry flowers on it. She said goodbye to Colin and her and Isabella went to join her mother.

After they had bought everything for the upcoming term, they went to Ollivander's for Ginny's new wand. The wizard, after he had heard what happened to Ginny's previous wand, searched among the boxes, handing a wand to his customer every now and then. When even the last wand refused the witch, Mr Ollivander tightened his lips thoughtfully. "Your old wand was oak and dragon heartstring, right?"

"Yes," Ginny replied, "and even using my cousin Leah's old one, it made things difficult for me sometimes."

"Strange, pretty strange… well, one of these, " And he pointed the wands on the counter, "would be fine for you, unless… has you magical equilibrium been altered lately?"

Ginny bit her lower lips, glancing to Isabella, who replied for her. "So said Galene, the Healer, the last time she visited Gin."

The wandmaker looked thoughtfully at the shelves, then he went to a nearby room. He emerged a quarter of hour later with another pile of boxes. Ginny tried those as well, and finally the seventh accepter her.

"Twelve inched and three quarters, rowan infused in fae's blood," exclaimed Ollivander. "Wands like this were produced only until three hundreds or more years ago! Take care of it, Ms Weasley, this wand will be shown in a museum when… you won't need it anymore."

Mrs Weasley gave a withering look to the wizard, feeling vexed at that last sentence. She paid for the wand and left the shop with the two girls. She then gave them some money and allowed them to have a walk on their own.

As soon they were by themselves, Isabella dragged Ginny left and right, forgetting Molly's warnings about spending too much money and going to disreputable places, they lingered every now and then before a shop window and entering just to bother the shop assistants. Ginny didn't mind following her, that was until Isabella squashed her nose against the windows like a three-years-old child. It was a shock when her guest slipped away in Knockturn Alley.

Ginny looked for her throughout the shops' windows and dark corners, but the streets were so narrow and those buildings were so tall that even in broad daylight the shadows were everywhere. The street she was on led her to a little square and the sun's reverberation on the stone was almost blinding after the streets' darkness: the square had a strange shape, an almost unidentifiable polygon with a dry fountain in the middle. There was something in that place that altered the perspective –it was hard say what it was- and Ginny felt a sudden dizziness. Magic? Maybe.

Ignoring the passer Byers' spiteful and curious glances, Ginny looked around. It shouldn't be so hard to locate a girl in Muggle clothes at Knockturn Alley! There was commotion in a street on the other side of the square and Ginny caught a glimpse of someone wearing a pastel-coloured sweater in that crowd: she ran in that direction, knowing that there she would find who she was looking for.

Hands on her hip and sporting a cheeky smile, Isabella was there as a young man insulted her before a group of sniggering boys and girls. The brunette yawned loudly, then she took cigarette paper and tobacco from her backpack and made herself a cigarette. The wizard looked angrily at her and insulted her even more roughly.

"Will you shut the Hell up and stop being such a pain in the back?" she said, enveloping him in a light bluish cloud of smoke.

The young wizard coughed; resentment and disgust burning in his icy eyes. "How dare you, stupid Mudblood! I should hex you and-"

"Actually, Isa is a Pureblood." said Ginny, appearing at her friend's side; and upon recognizing the wizard, she added, "Malfoy."

Draco looked at Ginny, blanching as if he has seen a ghost. He then smiled evilly. "Looks who's here, the little Weasley girl! The last time that I have heard, you were with no one less than the Dark Lord himself. Either that, or we believed you were dead."

"Tell me, how does it feels to have sold your own friends?"

Ginny snorted and smiled sarcastically -exactly as Tom would have smiled- and she replied with mock innocence. "Hasn't your dear daddy told you? Oh, I'm sorry: I forgot that that Half-blood boss of yours don't share his plans with all of his bootlickers."

"How can a blood traitor like you talk about him like that?"

"Come on, Gin, don't hit a man when he is down," Isabella interjected cheekily, "I bet that counting for nothing rankles him!"

Ginny sneered and arched an eyebrow. "Poor, poor Malfoy!" and she leaned in Isabella with boldness, to increase her mockery and also to not be caught up by a sudden dizziness.

Draco looked angrily at her, his face pale with shame and embarrassment. How dare these stupid girls insult him! But more importantly, how did they know about Malfoys' real position inside the Dark Lord's ranks! With a quick gesture he took his wand out and pointed it at the redhead. Isabella aimed her wand to Draco, ready to hex him, but before either of them could cast a spell, Draco, hit by a curse, choked back a yell and fell on the ground.

"Hasn't anyone told you to not aim your wand against a 'elpless girl?" chuckled a masculine voice with a slight French accent from behind them.

Rolling her eyes and with a neat flick of her wand, Loveday Black annulled the hex. "You have an elephant's delicacy in a crystal ware shop, François!"

The boy shrugged his shoulder and smiled cockily at her. "If you say so, Ma Muse Maladeii…"

"Stop wishing me bad luck!" she reproached him, punching his shoulder.

Draco was still stunned, but he whispered venomously "Are you rehearsing for when you'll be an old couple? You two look like a pair of eighty-years-old Muggles!"

Loveday snorted, pursing her lips. She couldn't answer back as she wanted to, not in front of Ginny Weasley, and Loveday knew Isabella Trao well enough to not reveal her own secrets when she was around. Smiling evilly and fluttering her eyelashes, she looked at Isabella, leaning on François's arm. "Isa, dear, do you know what aunt Cissy calls her baby boy? It's such a lovely name!" Loveday exclaimed, before turning to Pansy. "Out of curiosity, Pansy. I don't want to be indiscreet, but do you call our Drackey-pooh Cabbie or My Little Cabbage in private?"

"Wait, what did you say?" Isabella asked, wanting to gloat, while Ginny and François were laughing like mad. "I have to write it down! I know a couple of people who'll be pleased to have this information!"

Draco was livid and looked at the four of them as if he wanted to cast an Unforgivable Curse on them, while behind them Crabbe and Goyle were ready to use violence. Pansy was helping her boyfriend, whispering something in his ear.

"When she hears what you've done," she said, looking aghast as she turned to Loveday, "Madam Narcissa won't ask you over for tea anymore, and she'll make sure other respectable families will do the same. No one will let a filthy blood traitor like you into their house, who has fun with Half-breeds and Muggle lovers!"

"Then thank you," said Loveday, taking advantage of Pansy's words. "Those afternoons are so boring!"

Pansy was now as angry as Draco, and she didn't think twice before drawing her wand. François was quicker that her, however, and with a neat flick he deprived the girl of her wand. "Be zankfull you're a filleiii, or you'll regret to 'ave called a Lesmaudit Half-breed and Muggle lover," he said, sounding vexed.

Draco snorted and called his friends. "Let's go, this place reeks of blood traitors' stink," he said, glancing one last time at the quartet.

François and Loveday led Ginny and Isabella back to Diagon Alley, and the red-haired girl looked at the couple as if they were hiding something.

"Tell me, w'at were two sweet and 'elpless filles like youselves doing all alone in Knockturn Alley?" the boy asked after a couple of minutes.

"Well, I'm neither sweet nor helpless," replied Isabella cheekily. "Anyway, I can ask you the same question."

"It's not polite to ask a couple about their… intimacy." Replied Loveday, hinting at something else on purpose.

"Moreover, it isn't nice to ask information about ze places w'ere a couple meet," François added.

Ginny and Isabella looked at each other, embarrassed. After all, everybody knew Knockturn Alley's innkeepers didn't care about stuff like Loveday's minority.

.: ° :.

Mrs. Weasley was angry at Ginny and Isabella when she heard about their adventure in Knockturn Alley, and she made sure that both of them were punished enough for that.

The day of their leaving, Ginny and Isabella were woken up in early morning by two buckets of icy water. The girls then had breakfast and sleepily they got ready to leave for King Cross. The trip was quiet, since Isabella fell asleep as soon as she sat in the car and Ginny just dozed off to wake up every five minutes or so. Once at the station, they reached platform 9 ¾. The platform was crowded and the train puffed smoke and steam as if it was impatient to bring the students to school. Mrs. Weasley gave them their lunches and she said her goodbyes with embraces. Mr. Weasley also embraced his daughter, and then wished his guest a good term, adding that Bill would keep an eye on them.

Ginny and Isabella got on the train. When they had found their compartment, they appeared at the window for a last goodbye. Ginny looked out the window until a turn hid the station and her parents, then she sat while Isabella took the other seat.

"Wake up me when we arrive," Isabella said before lowering her cap on her face.

Ginny decided to sleep as well, so she drew the compartment's curtains closed and slept. They were woken up by the tinkling of the food cart and the other students' noise. Ginny and Isabella bought some cakes and chocolates from the food cart and had their lunch. Around three in the afternoon, Asia, Audrey and Chantal joined Ginny and Isabella and they spent the afternoon eating Chocolate Frogs and Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Beans and talking about school and teachers. The transfer student impersonated all her former teachers, making the other girl laugh like mad.

"It's weird to admit it," she said laughing, "but I'll miss them. Especially their blunders! I really hope to have fun at Hogwarts."

"I simply can't believe it, did you really hold your Ancient Runes teacher to everybody's scorn? Did you really write in your school's gazette about his collection of female underwear," asked Chantal, amused. "Ehi, what do you think will happen if we did the same with Snape?"

"He would take two hundred points from us each," replied Asia, rolling her eyes.

Isabella looked at them thoughtfully. "Snape is that greasy bat with a breath that's worse than a sewer, isn't he?"

"Dear Circe, so you've already met him! I advise you to not get on his bad side. Snape is a real bastard, he used to treat Neville very badly!"

"Too late, I told him what I thought about him at the exam."

The three Gryffindor looked amazed at the brunette. "Did you call Snape a bastard!"

"Well, no. I told that he was a subspecies of Alan Rickman's double and I called him a greasy bat. Hey, but he started it. He wanted to take away my English-Italian dictionary!" She then began to tell what happened during the exam; and Isabella added that Professor Snape will probably teach Defence Against the Dark Arts.

"Well, let's hope the Headmaster hired somebody else," said Audrey hopefully.

Before they arrive at Hogsmeade the girls put on their school robes. Then Ginny's housemates said their goodbyes and went to get their trunks. The landscape, which was sunny and full of colours became dark, and the castle's outline stood out against a star-studded sky. The train arrived at the small station and stopped among puffs of white steam. A laughing mass of students flowed on the platform while Hagrid called to the first years as he shook his lantern. Isabella followed her new friends toward the carriages, but the Gamekeeper called to her. "Ms Trao, ye have to go with the first years."

"But... why do I have to go with those brats?"

"I'm sorry, but it is the rule. After all you have to be sorted just like them."

Isabella mumbled something in Italian and kicking a small heap of dust, she joined the first years on the dock. Ginny smiled, imagining her friend's face and what could happen on that boat before joining her friends.

Isabella crossed the lake on a boat with five pairs of frightened and amazed eyes staring at her. Bothered by this unwanted attention, she snapped once or twice, making a boy tall and thin like a broomstick fall into the lake. She felt vexed and she didn't understand why she had to go 'with the brats' and not with the other seven years. But what bothered her more was the way they looked at her like she was an animal in a zoo.

Professor McGonagall greeted them as they arrived at the castle, and she led the new students in a room near the Great Hall and told them to wait there. Snorting, Isabella leaned on a column and began to smoke nonchalantly while the other students waited, impatient and fearful, wondering about the Sorting Ceremony. Isabella grinned as a thought crossed her mind.

"My friend's brother, who's a teacher," she said gloomily, "told me the Sorting is something about a Devil's Snare, Chimaeras, giant spiders, Dementors, a couple of Werewolves and what else? Oh, yes, there is a Basilisk too. It isn't a problem for me, but you, so tender and tasty..."

The first years jumped at those words and looked even more frightened and Isabella hid a smirk and held back laughter. Few minutes later, the Transfiguration Professor came back and gave the usual dry speech about the four Houses, stopping only to glaring at the young Italian witch. She ended by opening the door and leading the new students to the Great Hall. Even if she had already seen it, Isabella was amazed by the shine of the walls, the floating candles and the high, ceiling which revealed the sky. Four long tables had been arranged longitudinally, each under a tapestry with a House's herald. And perpendicular to them was the staff table, before which sat a stool with an old ragged hat. Headmaster Flitwick got up on his pile of books and announced happily.

"Welcome to a new year at Hogwarts!

"Despite the sad events of last term that forced me to sit on this chair and despite all the unpleasant things happening outside our school, we have something to be glad for. One of students who we believed was lost forever is back among us. Welcome back, Ginny Weasley!" The Gryffindor table cheered and Ginny was squeezed in a big group hug. "Beyond this pleasant homecoming, we also have two new teachers too. Professor William Weasley, my successor to the Charms professorship and the new Defence of the Dark Arts teacher, who will join us later." This time the Ravenclaws and the Hufflepuffs cheered with the Gryffindors, while Bill got up to smile and wave to the students. "Last but not least, the seventh years will have a new schoolmate, Ms. Trao from the Liceo Magico 'Sibilla Cumana', who will be sorted along with the first years."

There was more applause and when it subsided, the Hat sang its song.

.: ° :.

Professor McGonagall unrolled a parchment and called the first student, she placed the hat on his head and after some minute he was sorted in Ravenclaw. As the Sorting went on, Isabella's turn grew nearer: "Tarvenin, Adel!" was sorted in Slytherin, just like "Thelindt, Agrippa!", then "Torque, Zachary!" "Hufflepuff!"

"Trao, Isabella Maria Addolorata!" called the Transfiguration teacher in a loud voice.

Isabella reached the stool, throwing murderous glances at McGonagall while growling something in Italian, she took the hat from the witch's hands and put it on, sitting on the stool.

Looks what we have here, an Heir of Slytherin's relative! I see that you are ambitious and clever, Miss, and quite proud and despotic. And what a rebel nature, you can't stand rules, can you? I really think Slytherin is the best place…

Hey, what's this bloody kinship stuff? You can't put me with them! Have you seen their faces? They look like stupid mummies! They look so snobbish... Listen to Isa: I don't care where you put me, I just want to stay where people know how to have fun. Do you understand?

Oh, you have fairly clear ideas! And the only House that knows how to have fun is... "Gryffindor!"

Isabella threw the hat to the Transfiguration teacher and reached Ginny and her Housemates, who welcomed her with a roaring cheer. Ginny made a bit of room for her and introduced Isabella to other Gryffindors. When the last student was sorted, every kind of food imagined appeared on the table and the feast began. The first years looked amazed by the richness of the tables and the shining golden dishes and goblets, while the older years told to each other what they did during the summer.

Isabella and Ginny told the others how they had met –or better, they weaved a very plausible tale instead of the real story- and what had happened at the Burrow, making everybody around them laugh. They were laughing so loud that they didn't hear the Headmaster announce the new DADA teacher's arrival and missed his introduction. The seventh years Gryffindor didn't care about what was happening at the staff table until two fifth years girls made a spicy remark about the two new teachers. Only then did Asia, Chantal and Audrey looked up and began to gossip.

"It's true! Even the new DADA teacher is not at all bad!"

"But I wonder why Bill-- Professor Weasley told Ginny that tale about Snape being the new DADA teacher - is he jealous?"

"Oh Circe, they are so sexy that I don't know who to choose!"

"What is the matter, Asia? I would chase them both!"

"And this year I only want to take Charm and Defence Against the Dark Arts…"

"Do not drool! Hey but… have you seen the Bat's face? Snape looks so furious!"

"What is his name?"

"Sorry, didn't heard it… Eek! He's looking here!"

"He doesn't look that great," said Collin raising an eyebrow.

Asia snorted. "You're a boy and, unless you're gay, you can't appreciate the male beauty like us!

"I can feel it, I'll be having very pleasing dreams about them…"

"How could you daydream about my brother?" Ginny laughed, "Moreover, he is a teacher now."

"As his sister you should be proud that your friends are interested in your brother!"

"I should remind you that Bill is married to Fleur, and they have the cutest baby girl in the whole world!"

"There is no justice in this world!"

"C'mon girls, we can always be comforted by Professor Hottie!"

"Eek! He is looking at us again!"

Ginny laughed and shook her head while her three roommates continued to act like silly, giggly fools, but out of curiosity she raised her eyes to the staff table…

i One of Isabella's made up spells. Literally "Dobermanns, Rotweilers and mastiffs may bite the ill-intentioned persons' buttocks"

ii My Sick Muse.

iii Girl.