Pansy studied Izabella for some time after she said that she had heard of Draco. "Is Professor Snape your uncle?" Pansy asked.
"No, he is my father."
Pansy opened her mouth to say something just as everyone's attention was drawn to the head table, Albus Dumbledore rose from his chair, "I would like to make a few announcements."
Everyone in the Great Hall became silent and Dumbledore continued, "First, I would like to welcome all our new students to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry," his eyes twinkled as he glanced at Izabella, "I am sure you will enjoy your time here. Our staff as well as our experienced students will make you feel at home. Well, most will." With this, his gaze traveled to Argus Filch.
"Also, I would like to remind you all that the forest bordering the grounds is strictly forbidden as well as the South Tower. Now, the feast can begin." With a wave of his hand, food appeared on the tables and there was another round of applause.
As they ate, Millicent said, "You lived in America? Why didn't you live here with your parents?"
"Miss Bulstrode, you are such a thoughtless dunderhead," the voice came from behind.
Angrily, she turned to see who was calling her names. "Professor Snape!" she said quickly, "I...I didn't mean anything, I'm just trying to ... to get to know a little about you daught..." seeing his face, she sat down quietly, looking at Izabella she whispered an apology, "I am very sorry that I was so inconsiderate."
Izabella looked at her father; she had never heard him use this tone before. He gave her a barely noticeable smile then turned his gaze to Draco, "Mr. Malfoy, I will need to speak with you after the feast."
Draco nodded, "Yes, Sir"
Looking up and down the table, Professor Snape finally spotted the student he was looking for, he strode off hurriedly.
Everyone had finished eating, when a fifth year Slytherin Prefect came appeared behind Izabella, tapping her on the shoulder he said, "I must ask you to follow me." She turned to look at him and he continued, "You must come with the other first years to the common room."
Draco looked at him, "Are you daft? She is not a first year." Standing he added, "I will see that Izabella gets to the Common Room."
Pansy interrupted, "Draco, you are supposed to see Professor Snape."
Draco glared at her, "You're right, but she still does not have to be treated as a first year."
"Hello?" Izabella spoke up; "I am perfectly capable of deciding what I should do." She stood up, turning to the Prefect, "If you don't mind, I will go with Draco."
The Prefect looked from Izabella to Draco, "Professor Snape asked me to personally see that she is shown to the common room."
"I want to see my fath...Professor Snape anyway. I will take responsibility for not going with you."
Draco smirked and dismissed the Prefect with a wave of his hand.
"Very well," the prefect replied, he turned on his heel calling out, "First years I will guide you to your dormitories, please follow me."
Looking at Izabella, Draco asked, "Ready?"
She nodded. As they started to walk away Pansy pulled him back, "What are you doing?" she asked with more than a hint of jealousy in her voice, "We had plans."
"You are the one that reminded me that Professor Snape wanted to see me, I am just showing Izabella the way to his office." Pansy, we have all year to follow through on those plans."
She stood there glaring at him for a moment before she yelled, "Fine."
Students sitting at other tables begin looking at them, Draco leaned close to her, "Pansy, you are creating a scene." Pansy turned and walked away, Millicent and two other girls followed close behind.
"Now, let's get down to Professor Snape's office." Draco led the way, leading Izabella by her arm, Crabbe and Goyle behind them.

* * * * * * * *

They walked down several staircases before reaching the dungeons of Hogwarts. At then end of a long narrow corridor -lit only by torches along the way- both Crabbe and Goyle stopped and looked at Draco then at Izabella. Without words Draco knew what they were thinking. "I'll be fine," Draco waved them away saying "I'll meet up with you later."
The two boys turned left, before they were out of site, Vincent turned back, again giving Izabella a goofy smile. Then they were gone, disappearing into the darkness.
"That way is the Slytherin common room and dormitories," Draco explained. Leading her to the right, "This way, you will find the Potions classroom and Professor Snape's office,"
Ahead, a lanky shadow appeared against the wall, moving closer as Izabella and Draco proceeded the shadow transformed into a tall skinny boy, who grabbed Draco by the arm as he passed.
Draco pulled his arm away and said coldly, "What do you want Junior, I have to see Professor Snape."
"Who is that?" the boy hissed as he glared at Izabella.
Draco replied, "If you were where you should have been an hour ago, you would know who she is. Why were you not in the Great Hall for the sorting?"
"I had other things to do. Things more important than watching first years sit under a hat."
"Oh," smirked Draco, "had to help Daddy get everyone's belongings to the dorms."
"I am getting tired of your high and mighty attitude," as he walked off he finished, "I am warning you Malfoy."
Draco walked to Izabella, "What was that about?" she asked as they continued down the hallway.
"That was Argus Jr.," Draco said with disgust, "the son of the caretaker. His family has a very odd history. Born to a couple of squib's, not really anyone worth knowing or worrying about."
Stopping before a large wooden door, Draco knocked hard, the voice on the other side barked "Enter."
Draco walked in first, "You have kept me waiting Malfoy," snapped Snape.
Izabella entered and her father jumped up, nearly knocking over the table that he was sitting behind. "How did you find your way down here?" he asked, looking at her then at Malfoy.
"Sir," Draco spoke up, "She said that she would like to see you before she went to her dorm," pausing to check Snape's expression, "I told her that I would show her the way since I was coming to see you."
"Very well," Snape said coldly. He looked at his daughter, his voice warming, "Feel free to look around, while I speak to Mr. Malfoy."
Snape returned to his chair as he motioned for Draco to sit. Speaking in hushed tones he began, "As you are aware, Izabella is my daughter. I am sure that you were as shocked by this news, as were all the students. Draco nodded.
"However, for you there is more." His attention piqued, Draco looked intently at Professor Snape as he continued, "Bellatrix Lestrange, your mother's sister, is Izabella's mother. This is not to be discussed with the other students." I do not want anyone else having this information."
Draco's jaw dropped, "She is my cousin?
"Close you mouth boy, it does not suit you to sit there with your jaw hanging open." Snape looked at him through narrowed eyes, "I am telling you this only because she will need someone to trust, someone that she can turn if this does gets out. She knows nothing of her mother, I saw to that when I sent her to America."
As Izabella returned from the back of the room, "Excuse me, I am so tired. Can Draco show me to the dorms?"
Her father nodded, looking at Draco, "Remember what I have said here tonight."
Draco rose from his chair and walked out into the hallway. Izabella walked around the table and kissed her father softly on the cheek, "Night, Daddy," she whispered softly, then walked through the door.