Finding a Father

Ch. 3.

By: Waterlili

Dinner that evening was a somber affair. Belle sat at one end of the table between Maddie and Ginny. Adria and Harry sat at the far end talk quietly between themselves. Hermione, Fred, George, and Sirius sat on one side of the table while Ron, Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, and Charlie filled the other. Belle pushed her food around on her plate, ignoring Ginny's feeble 'you really should eat' comments and Maddie's 'Gin, leave her alone' remarks. Belle finally stood and slipped out the door. Ginny jumped up to follow but Sirius grabbed her wrist.

"Just let her go." he said sadly. "She'll come back in later."

Outside Isabelle slumped down onto a bench resting her head on her knees. She cried softly and didn't look up when the kitchen door slammed, she figured it was probably Ginny.

"Aww…is ickle- Isabelle sad?" Belle heard Adria sneer.

"Go away Adria." she said softly.

"Why should I? You don't own this house." Adria remarked flippantly. "You deserve everything you've gotten Isabelle Wood."

"You have no idea what you're talking about."

"Don't I? You're an orphan…the only person who loved you is gone. You have nothing…which is exactly what you deserve."

"Go away" Belle choked out through silent tears.

"No I think I'll stay right here."

"What do you want Adria?" Belle asked finally looking at the other girl.

"Everything, you have." Adria leaned over and whispered in Belle's ear. She resumed her previous position and smirked. "I want everything you've taken away from me."

"What in the name of Merlin's beard are you talking about?" Belle asked confused.

"The year you were gone from Hogwarts….best year of my life. I had my choice of the best guys, friends, you name it someone was willing to provide it. Then you came back all withdrawn and innocent. Boys fell at your feet if you even smiled at them. I want it back…..I'm going to destroy you Isabelle Wood. Because now there is nothing standing in my way."

"Adria….what the hell are you rambling about.?" A strong male voice came from behind them. Belle sighed in relief and Adria paled visibly when they realized it was Harry.

"Nothing Harry. Just chit-chatting" Adria said with a grin.

"Whatever Adria…"Belle rolled her eyes. She stopped when she heard a low growl and saw the look on Harry's face. She turned around and saw a fully grown werewolf advancing towards them.

"We're going to die" Adria whimpered.

"We are not shut your pie hole and get behind me you raving psycho." Belle snapped.

"Isabelle you can't stop a werewolf." Harry said logically.

"I can just watch." she said softly. She approached the werewolf slowly. Dropping to her knees in front of it. She extended her hand slightly as if to scratch behind it's ears. It snapped slightly and she pulled her hand back and tapped the animal on the nose. The silver-gray wolf whimpered and buried it's head in it's paws. Isabelle placed her hand gently on the top of the wolf's head, gently stroking it's soft fur. "Go inside." she said softly to Harry and Adria.

The sound of footsteps could be heard and then the door to the kitchen opened and closed. Isabelle heard the door open and shut again and she knew Sirius had come out. "Hello Si." she said softly. The wolf raised it's head when she spoke.

"Isabelle….how?" Sirius stammered. The sight of his goddaughter seated quite calmly next to a full grown werewolf, even if he did know who it was, worried him.

"I'm not really sure. Oliver and I found out by accident the summer I turned seven" she looked up at him over her shoulder.

"Go inside Belle."

"I can't. He won't hurt me, but there is nothing to stop him from hurting you." she said softly. "Besides, he looks so sad. Like he just lost someone he loves a lot."

"Belle, You forget……" Sirius said raising an eyebrow.

"Oh right, the whole animagus thing" she said. "Alright then transform and I'll go."

She watched Sirius transform and ruffled his fur. She smiled weakly at the werewolf before turning and going into the house. She saw Mrs. Weasley sitting at the kitchen table and mumbled a quick 'hello' before hurrying out of the kitchen and up the stairs to the room she was sharing with Maddie, Ginny, and Hermione.

Moving to the end of the bed to open her trunk, Isabelle stopped when she realized it wasn't there. She let out a strangled cry and went over to Maddie's trunk pulling out a pair of black track shorts and a black tank top. She sighed as she pulled her hair pack into a single plait as she climbed into bed.

She pulled her blanket up over her head and closed her eyes. Trying to block out the pain she knew would only grow until she slept. Isabelle wept quietly. The first tears she'd shed since the previous night, when she'd lost her entire world. She heard the bedroom door open and felt a weight on her bed. She glanced up to see Charlie sitting beside her and she began to cry harder.

Charlie sighed as he lifted Isabelle into his lap. She felt so small to him. To small to contain the violent shaking of her shoulders. He gently kissed the top of her head as her heart wrenching sobs slowly began to wane. She looked up at him her pale green eyes luminous and wide. He leaned down to gently kissed her forehead just as she lifted her head to speak. His lips caught her lightly, moving slowly and skillfully. The kiss deepened when Charlie shifted drawing her more fully into his lap. When they broke apart her eyes locked with his impossibly blue ones and neither of them spoke. When they finally broke eye contact Charlie spoke first.

"Isabelle, that wasn't supposed to happen" he said quietly.

"I know." she said just as quietly as she climbed out of his lap and sat Indian style facing him. "You see me as a sister right? Although if you kiss Gin like that, I'm worried she said with a raised eyebrow.

"Belle…."Charlie said warningly. Isabelle just rolled her eyes.

"No worries Char. I don't think I'll be to heart-broken."

"Ouch" he said, his voice filled with mock hurt. "I'll just go then." he stood and crossed over to the door. Isabelle stood and followed him.

"Goodnight Charlie." she said hugging him.

Charlie wrapped his arms around her waist instinctively, hugging her softly. He groaned when he felt her pressed lightly against him. He dipped his head slightly and caught her lips, pulling her more tightly against him. He tore his lips from hers and stared down at her.

"Heaven help us" he muttered as he pulled her across the hall into his room shutting and locking the door with a flick of his wrist. He drew her against him and pressed his lips against hers as he moved both of them towards the bed.

"Charlie…."Isabelle said in almost a whisper as she slid her arms slowly around his neck. She shivered slightly when she felt his rough hands against the skin of her back. She didn't even hesitate when he positioned both of them on the bed, his lips grazing her collar bone. Isabelle felt him shudder when her cool hands hit the warm hard muscles of his chest. She matched each of his movements with one of her own, the intensity of their kisses and touches slowly growing. She felt shivers run down her spine as Charlie's lips moved down her neck and he deftly removed her shirt.

"Charlie, Are you in there?" came a voice and a knock fro the door.

"Ron." Charlie stated with a groan. Isabelle quickly pulled her shirt back on and sat Indian style on the bed as Charlie righted his clothing and went to let Ron in. "Hullo Ron" Charlie said plainly.

"Hey, Mum wanted to talk to you." Ron said with a shrug.

"Thanks" Charlie said as Ron walked off.

"I should go." Isabelle said quietly as she climbed off the end of the bed.

"That's probably a good idea." he muttered absentmindedly. "Wait" he said placing an arm in front of her. "Isabelle….this can't happen again."

"I know Char." she said quietly. "Goodnight." she said as she ducked under his arm and wandered back to her own room.