We Held Hands
10
Can't Catch Time
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Previously…
A few silence and then Isis laughed. Hard. All Harry and Draco could do was watch, point blank, at her. The laugh lasted for what looked like minutes. That was when Madame Pomfrey turned up. She bustled in and raised her eyebrow, inquiring at the sight before her. Harry Potter and Draco Malfoy on each side of Isis' bed. And Isis was laughing, not a tint of weariness and haunted composure, unlike an hours ago.
"Well, I guess laughter really is the best medicine, eh?"
Isis held that smile until the time she left the hospital wing with Harry Potter and Draco Malfoy accompanying her. Bloody Gryffindors couldn't help themselves but butt in Slytherin's business. Draco just groaned to himself as they walked out of the Hospital Wing.
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Isis's POV
After the Defense Incident, it was like rumors wouldn't just leave Isis Black alone. Everywhere she was asked of what had happened and why the heck is she afraid of herself. And that was just on the day she was released, because most of the students saw her being accompanied out of the hospital wing accompanied by Harry Potter and Draco Malfoy. And that was really something because from what Isis had heard, Harry Potter and Draco Malfoy within arms proximity tend to connect their closed fists to each other's jaws and often gave each other amiable gestures such as black eyes and cut lips. It wasn't so much of a fuss hearing that fact but what irritated her was that it was Pansy who was always giving a snide comment to her.
"I tell you, she's worst than that Mudblood Granger. She must've slipped Amortentia in Draco's food! We can never really know. And she associates with that Potter too! A shame, she wasn't really fit for being a Slytherin in the first place, mind you. She's a Mudblood." Isis heard Pansy at it again as she walked out of their dormitory. It was suffocating to be there for her, really. She wasn't so much of a claustrophobic but Pansy really had put Isis into the brink of insanity.
Professor Dumbledore had sent a house-elf to Isis the day after her release from the hospital wing. A house-elf named Dobby popped to her side the morning she woke up, as if the house-elf knows her schedule back and forth.
"Good morning, Missus. The headmaster wants Dobby to inform you that he wants Missus in his office anytime soon, Missus…"
"Dobby? Is that your name?"
"Yes, Missus. Dobby is my name Missus. And Harry Potter sir tells Dobby to ask Missus if you is managing well?"
"Oh, I am well, thank you, Dobby. You may go now, thanks very much."
"Missus is so kind to Dobby, Dobby is so grateful for Missus' kindness."
"It's nothing. And you can call me Isis, you know."
"But… Missus, Dobby is an house-elf Missus."
"A friend, really. You can be my friend."
"Dobby is so grateful…"
"Okay, okay. That's er… heheh. Thanks Dobby, but I really should be fixing my things up…"
Isis sighed in exhaustion. Talking to house-elfs wasn't her thing at all. They'd go all teary and frightened and then it'll all be really awkward when they start banging their heads to something or punching themselves. I'm starving…
After putting on some jeans and a green top, she went straight to the Slytherin Common Room to be greeted by Blaise Zabini. The only Slytherin to have ever been friends with Draco Malfoy, if that was even possible. But really, it is when Isis came along.
"Morning Isis. Tough day yesterday, eh?" Blaise's handsome face never failed to give away a small but friendly smile to her. And Isis never failed to give a smile in return. She wasn't aware that it was mostly endearing to her friend.
"You can say that… Have you seen Draco?" Isis asked unaware that it brought the usual downpour to Blaise's mood. "Or maybe he's at the Pitch again?"
"He's still asleep, maybe. I think he needs it by the look of those dark circles." He snorted. Un-Blaise-like, really. "Want me to join you at the Hall?"
"Ah, sure thing. I'm hungry." Isis smiled. And off they went out of the Slytherin Common Room. But not before Isis heard another comment from her recent annoyance. Pansy Parkinson.
"Just look at her! First Draco, then that Potter and now Blaise?"
"Don't mind Pansy, she's still sour because she and Malfoy broke up." Blaise continued, "She's been raving mad at you. If you want to know who starts rumors about you, she's the one. But you didn't hear it from me, okay? I already endured Parkinson's disease (A/N: argh, sorry! Pun!) and I'm quite lucky to have rid of it."
"Really? Draco never really mentioned that." Isis said, quite surprised that Draco really had dated Pansy and it wasn't just Pansy's delusion. "Why did they break up?"
"I don't know really. Might've been because no one can last Pansy's nagging. I won't blame Draco."
Just then, a familiar bird graced Hogwarts' ceiling, Phoebus. Crossbreed; with wings resembling those of a Phoenix, Phoebus was purchased by her father. For her birthday and also a gift to her when she went to her previous school. Oh, gods. I totally forgot!
"My, what a fine creature." Blaise commented. They were almost in front of the Great Hall's massive doors. Just then did Phoebus flew toward them and landed gracefully to Isis shoulders. It's talons resting with ease at his owner's shoulders while she retrieved a letter. "I wouldn't have expected anything less from you, really."
"From father." Isis said, opening her letter. Judging by the size of the letter, it was just a small but precise one. That's odd, he usually wrote long ones.
Isis missed her parents terribly. The last contact they had was the day before she went to Hogwarts and it was months. She wasn't even aware of how time passed by like a blink of an eye. She frowned at this. "Too busy."
"I thought your parents are… Muggles." Blaise said, never hiding away the fact that he was almost inquiring it.
"Blaise… Can you please... excuse me for a while? I have to go and write to my parents." Isis' voice was beyond emotionless. She wanted to apologize but she knew she don't have much time.
"Oh…" Disappointment was perceptible. Both in Blaise's expression and voice. "Okay. See you around then."
"I'm really sorry but this can't…" Isis sighed and shook her head. "Sorry."
Blaise nodded. With that, Isis dashed back, retracing her steps towards the Slytherin Dormitories, all the while, rereading her father's letter.
Isis,
Your mother almost had a heart attack when she saw Fawkes flying towards her. She was even worst when she read what Professor Dumbledore said. What have you been doing there? You haven't even been writing to us. I hope you're fine now. We were just wondering whether you'd spend your Christmas here or there?
Much Love, Daddy
P.S. I told you, you should've brought Phoebus with you, he's been keen to flying to Hogwarts without our permission, you know. We've missed you by the way, did you know?
It hurt Isis to read the pained letter. Her father wasn't much of showing what he really feels. Having read a letter like this from him was like… She never really did expect this. She should have but admittedly she didn't.
Daddy… Daddy, I'm so sorry. Always that same mantra inside her mind. She sighed and walked straight back towards the Slytherin Dormitories.
"What's the hurry?"
"Oh, Draco. It's you. Father sent me a letter and I guess I'd be spending Christmas at home after all." Isis huffed and walked passed by him. Got to stop brushing off everyone, it's not healthy. Isis thought to herself. Snappish too, must stop that. She looked outside the window and saw white snow falling from the sky, making the outside world white and peaceful to the eyes. But Isis groaned.
I haven't even bought presents! When was the last time I checked out the calendar anyways?
With all the things that had happened, fights with Hermione, too much occupied with her studies, duels here and there… What is happening to me? I'm never one of those who let time pass by that easily.?
"Damn, I didn't even buy any presents at all!" Isis flung her arms in defeat.
"Whoa, don't over do it. Easy with that, Isis. You might need anger management anytime soon, with those fits of rages." Draco said, holding his Nimbus 2001 in one hand. "And besides, you need not bother buying me anything at all."
"Ha, fine then I won't." Isis said. "Though… leave your broom to my care for a while, could you?"
"Why?" Draco asked, keeping a tight grip on his broom. He can't buy another one until he defeats Potter. Harsh Reality.
"I think I can give you a much proper Christmas present." Isis smiled. They were finally at the Slytherin Dormitories after a long silence.
"Damn, what to do…" Isis said to herself. She sat in defeat in one of the Slytherin leather chairs and felt it's cold surface. Isis pointed her wand at the fireplace. "Incendio!" Instantly, fire burst forth from her wand. It went straight to the fireplace giving the Slytherin Common Room its needed warmth. Isis sighed. She massaged her forehead as if it would do her latest predicament justice.
Maybe I should first talk to Professor Dumbledore. Maybe ask for Hogsmeade pass. Missed that trip too. Argh. Hmph. Yes, a Hogsmeade pass. And then well… maybe a Portkey would do. Yeah, that's it.
Isis wasn't aware that Draco was looking rather amused at her. Well, seeing as Isis had portrayed a look of anger, annoyance, exhaustion, helplessness and then back to anger again per five seconds.
"You could've seen the looks on your face, Isis. Its hilarious." Draco commented. "What are you going to do with my broom anyway?"
"Upgrade it." Was all Isis said.
"Upgrade… What do you mean upgrade it?"
"Trust me when I say Devlin Whitehorn came to our school and we had fun learning so much in developing brooms. He even showed us a new prototype for Nimbus."
"But isn't he-"
"The Founder of the Nimbus Racing Broom Company, yeah. And could you come with me in Hogsmeade? I'm going to buy presents for Christmas, seeing as I missed it when I was in the Hospital Wing. From what I've heard, you've got some fixation for shopping." Isis smirked.
"Sure." Draco said in defeat, rolling his eyes.
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"But Professor-" Isis wanted to argue further but she can't. It's Professor Dumbledore. She can't win.
"I'm sorry, Miss Black, Isis. I'm afraid you cannot leave Hogwarts premises, as your Headmistress had instructed me." Albus Dumbledore calmly spoke from behind his desk. Isis looked around, thinking of anyways for her to be allowed to go out of the school. It felt like being on a cage again. As if I wasn't an animal at A.W.W.I. why can't they just let me be and just not stare at me often? Isis wasn't really fond of finding herself at the limelight.
"But, my parents…" Isis started. She knows it seems fruitless to attempt another go with spending time with her parents. She had discussed this a while ago to Professor Dumbledore but Madame Galadriel just can't help herself but instruct the headmaster to literally cage in Isis.
"Your parents can come here at Hogwarts, but you cannot step just one foot out of here. I myself would personally invite them if you so wish to be with your parents, would that appease you?" The headmaster said, behind him, and all around them, the portraits of the late headmasters agreed.
"I see, you're all caging me again, aren't you? Why can't I go out? Why can't I go to Hogsmeade even for just an hour?" Isis asked, demanded more like it.
"I told you, you couldn't understand students. They hate it, I tell you. Never argue with them about what they want…" Phineas Nigellus began. Isis had known him for the simple fact that she read he was a Slytherin too.
"That would be quite enough, Phineas." Dumbledore leaned forward, "You could say that you can have protection but, what would you say to your fellow Slytherins?"
"Nothing, seeing as Draco would be with me. And whomever you bring for my protection… Sir." Isis really, really wanted to go. Oh please. You cannot possibly keep me in here all the time!
"Ah, I see. Draco Malfoy would be accompanying you. I could indeed provide protection, we could agree on that. But as long as you will stay within sight's reach, can you assure me of that?" The headmaster asked, his eyes never even showed it's usual fervor. A chaperone… Well at least it isn't a whole squad.
"Absolutely sir, yes." Isis said. She was willing to whatever condition as long as she gets to go to Hogsmeade really, as long as she could see her parents. "And my parents, sir?"
"They will be arriving before Christmas, I assure you that."
With that, Isis finally broke into an appeasing smile that made Dumbledore's eyes seem to regain its shine.
"Oh, thank you, sir! Thank you!" Isis sighed with relief. I won't have any time-lapse ever again! Isis reminded to herself. It was a bit odd really, how time flies. When you can't wait for something to happen it oddly slows down. When you have so many things to do, don't even know where to start, and even when you're dreading something, it speeds up. Like sand freely falling from one's hand. Can't grasp it. Can't hold it. Can't catch Time. Really.
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Author's Note: Aack! Writer's Block! Hopefully because I can't put much in here but what happens to Isis' surroundings. You know? Hopefully next chapter, its Christmas. Eh?