Here We Go Around Again
Chapter Three
After the first chaos that followed the sorting the Headmaster, whom Isabel had previously met and believed to be one of the funniest and wisest people alive, had introduced her parents as the new Charms and Defense Against the Dark Arts teachers; the uproar that had gone up at this statement had made Isabel's eardrums hurt-after all, it wasn't everyday that you got to be taught by the Hermione and Harry Potter themselves.
Hermione, as expected, was well-known and respected among the magical community, not only as the woman who had captured The-Boy-Who-Lived's heart, but also for her wits and intelligence.
Harry-well, Harry was an entire story altogether.
The whole student body (except for the Slytherins, who had been rudely silent and scowling throughout the entire ceremony) was standing and shouting, trying to get a glimpse of her father's forehead. Isabel could see it was making him uncomfourtable, but he would bear it like an angel, always with a smile on his face.
It made her heart swell with affection.
When Dumbledore had finally managed to get the students to quiet down, he had given them all instructions concerning visits to Hogsmeade, the forbidden Forest and Quidditch, after which the banquet had taken place (thank Merlin for that, she was starting to get tired of Robin's whinning; it was a wonder he was still so thin).
Isabel felt very good; everyone was so nice to her, and she was becoming fast friends with the Harper twins; Cathy was very witty and smart, and the active relationship between her and her best friend was extremely entertaining to watch (she had snapped twice at him during dinner, and Robin had earned a face full of pumpkin pie for his trouble).
Nicholas was very sweet, and never failed to make her smile; he was good friends with Robin, and yet loved to laugh at his and his sister's expence. A glance between Isabel and him had told her that he too was aware of the chemistry between the two.
Once dinner was over, Catherine volunteered to show her to their dorm, although and since she was a prefect, Isabel had had to wait 'till she led the Gryffindor first years through the entire welcoming procedure.
There were two other girls staying with them, and they were both very nice; Bess Taylor was a sweet, plump fifteen years old, with long blond hair that she kept in pigtails, and large blue eyes that seemed to see everything. Amber Weiner was a rosy, beautiful young woman, with black hair and eyes and a tall and slender figure, and although she seemed serious and quiet at first, she quickly warmed up to her new room mate.
Isabel was surprised to find a large package on her bed, but waited until the other girls were sound asleep to open it-she had a feeling she was supposed to do just that-and when the last of them-Cathy-finally drifted off to Dreamland, she gave into her curiosity and tore the wrapping away.
Inside, she found a folded, worn cloak that she recognized as her father's invisibility cloak, an old copy of Hogwarts: A History, a small glass Sneakoscope and a letter from her parents, which she decided to open first.
Dear Isabel,
These are some of our most prized possessions, with which Ron and we spent some of the best times of our lives at Hogwarts; we want you to keep them, as a reminder of our love. We are both so proud of you, sweetheart, and we wish you the best in this journey you're about to take. We know it will be difficult, but we also know that you will do great things, because that is just who you are. Isabel, you will find this is a wonderful experience, and we know because it was so for us. Remember that we love you, and that we're both here for you whenever you feel you need us.
Love,
Mom and Dad
Isabel was crying as she read this, but she was also incredibly happy-they had pointed her insecurities so well; she knew her parents would always be there for her, along with her uncle Ron and Robin, and she promised to do her best.
Sniffing a little, Isabel placed everything in her trunk and then lay down, curling beneath the covers; everything had happened so quickly-three weeks ago she would never had thought she would be in this situation.
She thought back to the sorting and everyone cheering her on; she recalled Robin's hug and Nick's smiles-blushing heavily, Isabel ushered the thought about her new friend out of her head and surrendered to sleep.
It was going to be a long year…
***
3 weeks ago
Hermione could not believe what she was hearing
-No!!! We can't risk Voldemort finding out she's going there! And he WILL find her, you know he will!,-she protested, glaring at her husband and he glared right back.
-Yes, I know that!,-he retorted,-He'll find her, but we'll be PREPARED for it!!! I'm not going to run away like some coward!
-God, I can't believe you... Is this all about pride? Pride makes piss-poor armour, Harry! Pride won't keep her alive!
-*I'll* keep her alive! I'd never let anything happen to her!
They broke off, glaring at each other, their anger palpable.
-I know how you feel, love, she's my daughter too... but we can't just sit back and wait for him to find her, and kill her because she wasn't ready for it... she needs training, Hermione, -he said softly, breaking the angry silence, willing Hermione to understand,- and she won't be alone. I know what you're thinking, but...
-What good would that do, Harry?, -she countered hollowly, a gauzy film dropping over her dark pupils. Her eyes filled with tears; she knew what he was saying was the best, but she was just so worried...
Sighing, Harry enveloped his sniffling wife in his arms.
-Hogwarts is possibly the safest place now that... now that Voldemort is back. I don't care what happens to me, but this is my child we're talking about. I will die before I let him get her...,- he whispered, kissing her on the forehead,- or you...
Muirnin, I'm sorry, ***grins** but nothing's going on between Robin and Izzy-they're just very good friends.