A/N: Hey everybody! Thanx for the reviews, they really made my day! I'll try to update as often as I can, but I have two little men demanding most of my time. So forgive me if I'm a little sporadic, but for now here's chapter three. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: Everybody you don't recognize is mine; the others just wish they were!

Chapter 3:

"Well here you go dear. I hope you like it. I haven't had a boarder for a while. It'll be nice to have someone to care for again. It can get lonely for a little old woman like me sometimes."

All this had come from a little bent old witch by the name of Isabelle Stikes. She ran a little boarding house on the southern end of Peel, a little town on the Isle of Man, near the end of a road called Ballaterson Meadows. This is where St. Mungo's had arranged for Hermione to stay while she trained at the local wizarding hospital in the downtown business district of the small Island town.

"Oh it's absolutely adorable!" Hermione squealed as she looked at the plush little room that was to be hers during her stay. It was decorated in a soft powdery violet, with a view of beautiful green fields rolling away out the little bay window. It was this window that particularly delighted Hermione, for it had a little seat with some fluffy pillows on it that was just perfect for curling up with a good book. She knew she was going to put that seat to good use while she was here.

"I'm happy you think so dear. The bathroom is right across the hall from here. The Kitchen is at the end of the hall. Feel free to go anywhere you wish and use whatever you need, and if you can't find it just ask." Isabelle said smiling at her, her mouth in a sweet grandmotherly grin.

"It was really kind of you to take me in on such short notice Mrs.Stikes."

"Really dear call me Isabelle, all my boarders have. Like I said before, I'll really enjoy having someone around again. Now, would you like to join me in the kitchen for a cup of tea? I'd like to get to know you better."

Hermione smiled inwardly at the thought of a steaming cup of tea, and allowed herself to be led down the hall to Isabelle's sunny little kitchen. After they had both settled into the cushioned chairs at the table with their steaming mugs Isabelle started up the conversation.

"Well tell me about yourself dear. I mean it's not every day you get to meet the best friend of the boy-who-lived. You must have led a pretty interesting life up to now."

"Oh, I don't know where to begin. How much do you know about me already? I wouldn't want to tell you something you already know." Hermione said, looking slightly amused.

"Only what I've read in the newspaper and wizarding magazines, and you know how inaccurate those can be. And the hospital told me how old you are. Tell me how you came to be here. My intuition is telling me it's for more than healer training. Am I right?"

Isabelle leaned back in her chair and looked like she was settling in for a good story. Hermione sighed inwardly. She knew she should tell her, but truthfully she was rather embarrassed by it. It's hard for most people to understand why a girl would want to ditch her boyfriend.

"I guess you've hit the nail on the head. I am here for a little more than my training. I had this boyfriend who was a little to over controlling so one reason I'm here is to get away from him for a while. My friends promised they wouldn't tell him where I am so that he won't come after me." Hermione squirmed in her seat as she said this.

Isabelle looked at her with sympathy written all over her face. "So he's the possessive type huh? I'm so sorry dear. What's his name?"

"Snape, Severus Snape."

Isabelle looked startled. "The potions Master from Hogwarts? Oh my! He never occurred to me as the type of guy that would have a girlfriend. But he does seem the possessive sort."

"Yah tell me about it." Hermione growled under her breath.

"Oh I'm sorry dear I didn't mean to upset you." Isabelle said quickly. "Now what do you plan to do with the rest of your day? You don't have to report into the hospital until tomorrow."

Hermione leaned back into her chair, glad for the change of subject. "I was thinking to go see some of the sights. I've heard there are some really good tourist traps. Where would you suggest?"

"Well you could go see the Peel Castle, and the old cathedral ruins out on St. Patrick's Isle. Those would be quite interesting to someone new. Then there's also the Leece Museum out in the East Quay area. Those are all really fun to visit."

"Is there a library here in town?" Hermione asked.

"There's not a wizarding library but there is the Ward Public Library on Castle St... I should have thought about that dear. One of the most well known facts about you is your love of reading. Maybe you should stop in there and get a short term membership." said Isabelle, laughing at the look on Hermione's face when she told her about knowing she was a bookworm.

"I'll probably go do it all. Who knows when I'll get to visit this Island again once my training here is finished? Would you care to accompany me? I'm sure you'd make a wonderful tour guide."

"Oh I'd love to dear" Isabelle beamed. "I haven't been sight seeing in ages. You go tidy up and then we'll go."

"Thank you so much Isabelle." Hermione gave her a quick hug, and then hurried down the hall to her room.

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"Hermione dear, oh I'm so glad your home. I have something to show you. Here." Isabelle looked worried as she handed her that morning's edition of the Daily Prophet. Hermione had been in Peel for about three days, and her training was coming along nicely.

Her eyes grew wide as she read the headlines.

Drunken man's threat rings through Hogsmeade.

Late last night as the citizens of Hogsmeade were preparing for bed they heard the cries of an unidentified man, presumably drunk, ringing through the village. "He sounded really angry" said Sally Bodkins, 32. "He was yelling about finding somebody and dragging them home by their hair. I'm presuming he meant his wife or girlfriend, probably the latter." Our reporters questioned Madame Rosemerta of the Leaky Cauldron pub but she declined to give us any information as to the identity of the man. Many speculations have been put up, but all we can say is whoever he is looking for better watch out and keep their head covered.

"Yes it looks like I'd better." Hermione whispered.

A/N: Well there it is. Please enjoy and review. Thanx a ton!