Chapter 29
Train Ride
"I can't believe that you lied to me," Lupin said to Izzie as she was packing to go to Hogwarts.
"Should you be more worried about the fact that Deatheaters attacked the World Cup and that I was there when it happened?" she asked.
"I've already covered that. We have moved on to the fact that you lied to me about staying with Hermione," he said.
"I'm a teenager, teenagers lie," she said as her defense.
"Yes they do, especially when they are shacking up with a boy."
She turned to him, "We were not shacking up," she shrieked, "His parents were down the hall for god's sake."
"Is that supposed to make me feel better?" he asked.
"Treat it anyway you'd like. We didn't do anything. I had my room and he has his," she said.
"I forbid you to see that boy," Lupin warned.
She laughed, "Well, that's kind of hard, considering we both attend the same boarding school," he gave a death glare, "Sorry."
He sighed, "If you had been more honest about where you wanted to stay, I would have let you, if you asked," he said.
"Really?" she asked hopefully.
"No, but I want you to be honest with me. This is very dangerous times to be keeping secrets."
"I'm sorry, okay?" she said.
He took her into his arms, "I know," he said.
"I'm going to be late for the train," she said letting go.
XXX
Lupin dropped Izzie off at the train station and drove a couple of blocks before stopping again. He got out of the car to open up the back door to let in an old black dog. He got back into the car and drove off.
"Oh good, you brought me a blanket this time," Sirius said crouching down in the back seat.
"I didn't want to repeat what happened last time," Lupin said.
"How is Izzie?"
"She's a handful and high spirited," Lupin said.
"Well, she is my daughter," he said.
"I told her today that keeping secrets is dangerous, but I'm keeping this big one from her," Lupin said.
"I know it's hard but we still have to clear my name before we can be a family again with Harry, too."
"Dumbledore is trying to set up something for you, so you don't have to run around being a dog forever," Lupin said.
"That would be wonderful, the streets are murder."
XXX
"How much trouble are you in?" Hermione asked Izzie once they were seated on the train to Hogwarts with Ron and Harry.
"He yelled a lot and I'm forbidden to see Cedric," Izzie said.
Hermione laughed, "I'm sure that will hold up."
"Did your dad say anything about the raid?" Harry asked Ron.
"He told us not to ask. It's secret Ministry business," Ron said.
"Isn't everything?" Izzie asked.
"Anything from the trolley?" the trolley lady asked opening up the door.
Izzie looked up to see Cedric beside the trolley, "I'll take that," she said getting up to leave the compartment.
"Well, that didn't last long," Hermione said, "Its like forbidden fruit."
A few minutes later, Izzie came back into their compartment.
"He wanted to ask if everything was alright since the last time I saw him at the World Cup," she said.
"Did you tell him about not seeing him?" Hermione asked.
"Nope. It didn't come up," she said.
"This is horrible, how can the ministry not know who conjured it? Isn't there any security?" Izzie heard Harry ask.
"When my dad did talk about it, he said there was loads of security. That's what worried them so much. Happened right under their noses," Ron said.
Hermione and Izzie noticed Harry rubbing his head, "It's hurting isn't it, your scar?" Hermione asked.
"I'm fine," he said.
"You know Sirius will want to hear about this. What you saw at the world cup, and the dream," Hermione said.
"Dream?" Izzie asked.
"I think I had a Voldemort dream and Wormtail was in it," Harry explained.
"There's a name I didn't want to hear again, because of him Sirius still is a wanted man," Izzie said.
"One day he will be able to prove that he was innocent," Harry said.
"I hope so," Izzie said.
Cedric came back to their compartment later when the train was getting closer to Hogwarts.
"Hey guys. Izzie, can I have a word with you?" he asked.
Izzie smiled at Hermione, "You sure can," she followed him out, "What's up?"
"I know this is my last year at Hogwarts…"
"Don't remind me," she said.
"I want this year to be special. I know there is a three year difference between us, but will you be my…girlfriend?" he asked.
"Your girlfriend?"
"Yes, my girl," he said.
"I'd like that."
XXX
"That's what you said?" Ginny asked as they were getting of the train. Izzie was talking to Ginny and Hermione.
"Yes, there's nothing wrong with that," Izzie said.
"But I thought you said that you saw Cedric more of a friend than anything else," Hermione said.
Izzie looked around, "Can you keep it down? I can change my mind," she said.
"Does it have something to do with someone else?" Ginny asked looking at Harry.
Izzie rolled her eyes, "I don't know what you're talking about. Cedric will be done with school in a year. He's going to get a job and when is he going to have time to see me?" Izzie said.
"So you're saying that it's just for this year?" Hermione asked.
"I don't know. I'm barely old enough to think for myself. I don't know what's going to happen. I've liked Cedric for years before," she looked in Harry's direction, "It doesn't matter," she said turning her attention back to them, "I'm with Cedric now."
"What is that?" Ginny asked.
Izzie turned to see flying horses, carrying a carriage, fly toward Hogwarts.
"Clear the runway," Hagrid yelled.
The girls walked over to Harry and Ron.
"Well there's something you don't see everyday," Harry said.
"You think?" Izzie asked.
Just then they all witnessed a large ship emerge from under the water and approach Hogwarts as well.
"What is going on?" Ron asked.
"That's new too," Izzie said.
