Isabel



Disclaimer: I don't own the characters, only the plot, the whole plot and nothing but the plot

***

Chapter 11

Revelation

Later that night Severus walked Hermione back to the Gryffindor-tower. Because the Ball was over for several hours, the corridors were peaceful and quiet.

At the foot of the stairs leading to the tower, Severus held still.

"It's better you walk back on your own. If someone sees us over here, we could only get rumours"

He kissed her on the lips tenderly.

"Can we meet tomorrow?"

"I've already planned to spend tomorrow with Isabel, Harry and Ron. Maybe I can sneak out after dinner and come to the dungeon".

He nodded and finally let her go.

"Now, go, before I change my mind. Maybe you could get a few hours sleep before it's morning and they wake you up to unwrap your presents"

"I've already got my best present, Severus" she whispered softly in his ear and kissed him on the cheek.

"Goodnight, my love"

"Goodnight"

Hermione walked upstairs. Shr knocked softly on the frame of the Fat Lady's painting, who dozed off, probably due to the many cocktails she had had that night.

"Password ?"

"Isabel" ( Harry was oin charge of the passwords at the moment)

The painting swung open and revealed the entrance of the Common Room. Hermione had expected to sneak inside and go to her dormitory, but as she stepped inside she saw immediately that her friends were still awaken.

"Were have you been, Hermione, we were worried sick about you" said Ron.

Hermione looked at them startled. How could she save herself from this ? Her cheeks reddened and she stammered: "I. eh - I was.. Eh."

Suddenly Isabel leapt to her feet.

"Come on, guys, at least she's back, so we can go to our beds. Nothing serious happened to her and it's not our business were she was. Please, let's go, I can use some sleep" and she made ready to walk upstairs.

Harry and Ron looked suspicious at Hermione, but decided to follow Isabel.

Hermione sighed. Good, now she didn't have to lie, she was a bad liar anyway. But she knew Isabel would ask her tomorrow morning if she wanted to talk about it. She shrugged, she would think about that later, all she wanted to think about now was her bed.

***

The next morning they all slept long, it was already ten o'clock when Isabel knocked on Hermione's door.

"Come in" Hermione said with a sleepy voice.

Isabel hugged her friend. "Happy Christmas, Hermione" and sat down at the bed.

She got straight to the point. "Do you want to tell me were you were last night?"

Hermione looked at her toes and said nothing.

Isabel shrugged. "Like I said last night, I know it's not my business, Hermione. But if you want to talk about it, I'll be there for you, remember that, O.K ?

Hermione nodded. "Thanks, Isabel"

There was another knock on the door, this time louder, and immediately the boys came in with their arms full of presents.

"We thought it would be a good idea to unwrap them alltogether, and because you're the only one with an own bedroom."

"Sure, come in. Hapy Christmas to the both of you" said Hermoine and Harry and Ron both got a big hug.

After they opened their presents they got dressed and went downstairs to eat. The housetables had been replaced and were loaded with all kinds of food.

Because it was Holiday-time and due to last night's Ball, there was an comprehensed brunch.

Hermione couldn't help glaring at the teacher's table, her eyes searching for Severus. To her disappointment she saw he wasn't there. She made ready to sit down, but felt eyes burn in her back.

Hermione turned herself and she saw him standing at the entrance of the Hall. Her heart missed a beat as he smiled at her.

"Happy Christmas" he mouthed and then he was gone.

***

That night it had snowed, the whole landscape was covered with it and there were big plans for a snowball-fight, even the teachers would join.

After the brunch they walked back to the Gryffindor-tower to collect cloaks, gloves and scarfs. As they came outside the snowball-fight had already begun; Ron got a snowball in his face and started to growl.

"Who did that ?" he yelled, like he was very angry, but his eyes glinstered.

"I.m sorry, Weasley, but I think I'm the culprit" said Professor Lupin.

Ron made a big snowball and threw it at his Professor, who had made an invisible shield, holding up all the snowballs.

"Ha, I'm one too many for you, Weasley" he sneered. "I'm not only good at Defence against the Dark Arts, but also at Defence against Cold Objects."

A little time later everyone was entagled in a heavy snowball-fight, they all looked like a bunch of kinds in kindergarten and were enjoying theirselves immensely. Even Professor Dumbledore and Professor Snape threw snowballs as if their lives depend on it.

Hermione and Isabel had built a big snowman, behind whom they could hide theirselves.

Isabel took both hands full of snow and created a snowball. She came from behind the snowman and threw the ball in Ron's direction.

But she had forgotten she was an easy target once she left the safety of the snowman, and a big snowball, thrown by Hagrid, hit her at the back of her head.

She just stood there for a moment, looking slightly dizzed, and then she fell backwards in the snow.

"I didn't mean that" Hagrid stammered as he bend over the now unconsious girl.

Professor Snape and Professor Dumbledore bend over as well and were still that way as Isabel opened her eyes.

She blinked a few times and looked slightly puzzled.

"Daddy ? What are you doing here ?"