Chapter Six: The Day's Beginning

Disclaimer: Aside from the original characters in part or whole I don't own them, don't sue me, and don't hex me. Enjoy

Author's Note: So, I just realized that the song "Fields of Gold" was written by none other than Sting…this floored me only because it seems like a song that should be so much older. Anyway, my favorite rendition of Fields of Gold is done by Celtic Woman, Lisa Kelly, so feel free to go and pull up YouTube if you'd like and listen to her sing it.

"Fields Of Gold"

You'll remember me when the west wind moves
Upon the fields of barley
You'll forget the sun in his jealous sky
As we walk in the fields of gold

So she took her love
For to gaze awhile
Upon the fields of barley
In his arms she fell as her hair came down
Among the fields of gold

Will you stay with me, will you be my love
Among the fields of barley
We'll forget the sun in his jealous sky
As we lie in the fields of gold

See the west wind move like a lover so
Upon the fields of barley
Feel her body rise when you kiss her mouth
Among the fields of gold
I never made promises lightly
And there have been some that I've broken
But I swear in the days still left
We'll walk in the fields of gold
We'll walk in the fields of gold

Many years have passed since those summer days
Among the fields of barley
See the children run as the sun goes down
Among the fields of gold
You'll remember me when the west wind moves
Upon the fields of barley
You can tell the sun in his jealous sky
When we walked in the fields of gold
When we walked in the fields of gold
When we walked in the fields of gold

The song had started out softly and slowly crescendoed until I couldn't ignore it and keep sleeping. I groaned softly as I blinked opening my eyes and slowly sat up, rubbing my head slightly trying to wake up. It was long before breakfast, and from the amount of light seeping through my curtains I'd say it's only been a few hours since day break. I yawned and stretched before pushing off my covers and slipping out of bed, shivering slightly at the change in temperature making my way quickly into the bathroom.

With the help of Professor Flitwick I had charmed my room to wake me up before school started, depending on my mood, though most of the songs were aimed at trying to put me in a better mood. There was a vast mix of them and I wouldn't know what I would wake up to until that morning. As I stood under the hot water, washing my blond and black highlighted hair slowly, I wondered why the room picked "Fields of Gold". It's one of my favorites to be honest, but I can't help but wonder what triggered it. Maybe something I had dreamed, not that I could remember anything after a potion induced sleep. I shrugged and smiled humming along to the song as I finished my shower and set about getting dressed in my uniform. I tuned out the music as the songs were set to randomly change, pulling on my socks, skirt and a tank top under my school shirt, before starting on my tie.

I stood at my mirror knotting my tie when I saw and heard a bright flash from near my bed and turned my head to see the Headmaster's phoenix, Fawkes watching me.

"Good morning Fawkes, come to make sure I'm on time?" I smiled as Fawkes made a soft melodic sound, his eyes amused at my question. I know he can't speak as I do, but I know he understands me just the same and have always welcomed his company. I walked over and sat on the edge of my bed, gently running a finger down his head feathers. They were of course very warm to the touch and I couldn't help the soft chuckle as he closed his eyes and rubbed his head against my fingers. We stayed like that for a few moments before I heard Fawkes sigh softly and pull away, flapping his wings slightly before placing a small parcel and letter by my feet.

"Thank you Fawkes, let me get you some crackers." I leaned down and picked up the small box and letter before reaching over for my wand and summoning a package of Graham crackers from the kitchen. I opened them and fed him a few pieces as I opened the letter.

Isabella-

I have sent Fawkes to greet you this morning, as he has been sighing since he last saw you. I am not sure what I will do with him when you are no longer here as he seems to have become attached to you over the last few years. I took the liberty of sending your schedule for the term, and I also wish to inform you that if Ms. Vascot still agrees with your arrangement I have spoken to Professor Snape about allowing her to do so, without any interference from him. I would suggest however, not bringing too much attention to the matter as rumours tend to abound in our school. I would also like to stress to you Isabella, that if for any reason the arrangement has to be changed, the need for both you and Ms. Vascot to inform myself, Madame Pompfrey and Professor Snape is imperative.

I wish you well on your last year with us here Isabella, and if there is ever any need my office is always open to you. I know you are an incredible student and witch, and my confidence in your abilities to handle your last year, though tumultuous as it may be, is great. A few suggestions if I may:

Be mindful of your Professors and classmates.

Be on time for your lessons.

Do not shy away from friendships, even if found in the least likely of places.

Enjoy lemons drops at your leisure.

Enjoy life as it is unpredictable.

Do not turn your back on love; you are well deserved of it.

Not all that is easy is worthwhile.

Never tickle a sleeping dragon.

Do not take any sweets or drinks from either Weasley twin without an inspection.

Do not be quick to judge by house loyalties.

Do not underestimate kindness.

Do not underestimate jealousy.

Open your heart and mind to those experiences you have missed out so far, and treasure them as you have every right to them Isabella.

Sincerely,

Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore

Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

PS

Do not forget to check in with Madame Pomfrey before breakfast. Also Professor Lupin wished me to inform you that he will be happy to discuss your question after class today.

PPS

I included an orange and pomegranate flavored candy I found on my travels this summer I thought you might enjoy, as a thank you for the lemon drops you sent me for my birthday.

I couldn't help but laugh away the tears as I read the last part and opened the box of orange and pomegranate drops. I smiled at Fawkes and leaned in to kiss his beak softly as he finished his crackers. He made a soft thrilling like sound and I laughed again, putting the Headmaster's letter on my bedside table to finished getting dressed. I looked over my schedule taking note that I would have Potions in the afternoon I pointed my wand at my head and dried my hair leaving it loose for now.

I put in my books for Defense Against the Dark Arts, Transfiguration, and Charms as those are my first three classes for the day into my bag, quills, parchment and notebooks as well. I took a deep breath as I looked over my appearance in the mirror again. I had put on my cross necklace from the day before, and after a moment tied Oliver's handkerchief around my neck as well. I couldn't help but smile as it settled neatly among my necklaces, it seemed to be some form of tartan, and had a family crest on one edge, the other the Gryffindor lion.

"Well Fawkes it's time for me to go see Madame Pomfrey…are you coming?" I picked up my bag and tucked my wand into my open robe, heading out of my room and into the common area. Fawkes flew past me, hovering at the portrait hole as I walked up to open it and head towards the Hospital Wing.

The castle was still quiet; the only sounds in the corridor were my footsteps and the light flapping of Fawkes' wings as he seemed to escort me out to the stairs. He flew around me as I stood on the landing to take the stairs down to the Hospital Wing, flapping playfully to cause my hair to sway in the breeze he created. I watched him amazed by his beauty before he disappeared in much the same fire-y flash as he had appeared in back in my rooms. I shook my head at his antics and took the stairs slowly, wondering if anyone else was up this early.

My mind kept wandering back to Oliver Wood, and how he had carried me from the Great Hall to the Infirmary last night. I had very few crushes in my life; having been turned so young made it difficult, and even the few that I have had felt nothing like this. I have never felt so…safe with someone, or wanted to be so physically close to someone so quickly. I loved how his arms felt around me when he carried me yesterday, I loved being tucked into his body, I had felt fragile and precious and surrounded by his scent. I sighed as I walked down the corridor towards the Infirmary, I didn't understand this at all, and how is it that I was I developing these feelings for him when I had barely known him at all.

I had never felt a pull to a person before, even with Ayden and she is my best friend in the world. Being part vampire means that many of my senses have been enhanced, my sight, hearing, smell and reflexes are much keener than most people my age. I can identify most people I know well by their scents from a relative distance, and long before they are in sight of me, but Oliver's scent made my brain feel hazy and worse I can't help but want to smell him near.

I sighed again and shook my head, trying to clear my thoughts as I walked into the Hospital Wing; the beds were all empty, which was rare here at Hogwarts, no matter how early in the year. I crossed over to Madame Pomfrey's office door and knocked lightly. I knew she would be up by now, the mediwitch kept impeccable hours especially at the start of term. It took only a few moments before she crossed over to the door and opened it allowing me inside.

Madame Pomfrey had yet put on her outer robes, as she let me in, a soft smile on her face.

"Good morning Isabella, would you care for some tea? Breakfast won't be served for another hour or so." I crossed over to the chair in front of her desk and smiled setting my bag down.

"No thank you Madame Pomfrey, I'm still rather full from my late snack last night." I pushed back my hair, debating whether I should conjure a hairband or not.

"I'm glad you heeded my suggestion, Isabella. With the new changes to your schedule I'm a bit worried you will find yourself drained a bit faster than you're used to, especially with having to block out certain of your abilities." I nodded as she spoke, watching as she sat at her desk and stirred cream and sugar into her tea.

"I understand Madame Pomfrey, I've yet to talk to Ayden but I'm sure our usual arrangement still stands. Headmaster Dumbledore has already told me I should inform him, Professor Snape and I you as well if any change is made in our arrangement." She nodded as I spoke, sipping her tea carefully as she watched me. I was quite fond of Madame Pomfrey, and have taken to her much like to Professor McGonagall.

"Please do Isabella, I believe checkups every other day while you assimilate will be fine, though you are of course welcome to come at any time you may need me." I watched as she stood and came around her desk to start casting diagnostic spells.

"There is something I am curious about Madame Pomfrey. I found it a bit difficult last night to be able to separate so many scents at once, do you have any suggestions?" I watched as she tilted her head in thought, finishing her spells before answering me.

"I will have to double check my books, scents can be very telling to both witches and vampires so I will have to do a bit more research before telling you anything definitive. The only suggestion I can make at the moment is to try and surround yourself with pleasant scents as much as possible." I nodded and watched her sit down again, making a note in her ledger about my visit this morning, and presumably also writing down what I asked her.

"Thank you Madame Pomfrey." I smiled as she offered again the tea before dismissing me to breakfast. I walked out of the Hospital Wing feeling much calmer, the scent of the tea and the mediwitch always allowed me to clear my mind. I took my time down the stairs, as I started to hear the telltale sounds of a waking castle.

I was of course early for breakfast, the doors to the Great Hall were still closed and I took the time to wander the floor slowly. The main entrance was nearby, where the House Points were kept in large hourglasses each belonging to a House. I looked up at the hour glasses, few points had already been awarded and the colored stones tinkled down from the top slowly. It made a very pretty picture, and part of me wished I had a magical camera to capture the beauty. In the quiet, as the school started to wake, I realized how much I'd miss Hogwarts.

The hair at the nape of my neck stood on end as I felt a sudden chill to my right, I hadn't been paying much attention but I knew that the corridor leading down to the dungeons was there and as I turned my head I was met with the usual ghastly sight of the Slytherin House ghost.

"Good morning Baron…" I smirked as I shifted my weight to face him; he's as usual glowering at me. Since I've been here at Hogwarts the Bloody Baron has been unsuccessfully trying to scare me.

"Bit early to be up and about for the little darkness princess isn't it?" His voice was deep, as I imagine it must have been during his rather tragic life. While I wasn't a Slytherin, in the time I had spent at Hogwarts, I had been lucky to have actually spent more time with the ghosts than most of the students. And though he sneered at me as often as possible, the Baron was actually rather nice to me, well considering I wasn't a student from his house anyway. Though why he chose to talk to me at all was still a mystery even to me. Most Hogwarts students were terrified of him, and he was rather proud of this fact as he did everything possible to scare them, I however, was not. I wasn't afraid of any of the ghosts at Hogwarts, or in most places to be honest. Mostly due to the fact that I know that other than scare me, there isn't a lot they can do to me. Peeves, was the only exception, but then again Peeves is a poltergeist, not a ghost.

"I've got classes today, I'm sure you already know this as you heard the Headmaster last night at the feast." I pushed my hair back slowly as I studied his translucent face, over the years his attitude towards me had changed. It went from disdain and indifference, to something as close to caring as the Baron would allow himself to feel. Oh yes, I knew the Baron's story quite well, much to the dismay of the other protagonist of said story, but that is for some other time.

"I may have heard something of the sort…" I knew he wasn't done as he took rather the dramatic pause here to look at me much more seriously than he had in a long while.

"As well as some commentary on the company you seem to be keeping in your quarters." I rolled my eyes at his statement, an act that has always annoyed him to no end as I felt the temperature around us drop drastically, I raised an eyebrow at him in question.

"And how is this any of your business Baron?" I watched as he studied me for a moment longer, my peripheral vision stating that we were no longer alone, I saw a bit of a silvery shimmer to my left, but paid it no mind.

"I do not wish you any harm Isabella, I am sure you know this." His tone had turned slightly softer and caught me by surprise. I took a deep breath and looked away from him slightly, trying to compose my answer to be kinder than what I originally wanted to answer him with. I noticed it was the Grey Lady who was watching us now from the Great Hall entrance, oh joy of joys.

"I know Baron, but I am capable of taking care of myself, and frankly while I am grateful for your concern…I believe it is my choice whose company I keep, in my Common Room or elsewhere." I offered him a small smile and saw him nod slightly; he had also noticed the Grey Lady and made a noticeable shift so that there was a bit more room between us.

"Indeed…" his tone was back to being short with me, which I know means he's said his peace. Before he could disappear to another part of the castle, I tilted my head slightly towards him a smirk on my lips.

"By the way Baron, have you happened to see any fourth year Slytherins up and about yet?" I noticed the Grey Lady has slowly made her way closer to us but I said nothing to her yet.

"Careful with any pretty words this apparition may have charmed you with; trustworthy is not in his manner." Her voice was soft in volume, though snobbish in tone. The Baron's face clouded a bit as he froze where he floated to watch her, pain I'm sure would be apparent in his eyes if I were watching them closer.

"Indeed many appear to be what they are not, as benevolent you've not always been my dear Lady. Have you not learned now how your words can damage just as well as they seek to help? Have you not scorned him enough in every way possible over the centuries, to no longer care with whom he speaks as you so often have claimed, my dear Lady?" I met her glare as I spoke, rather insulted that she thought she needed to keep me from speaking with the Slytherin ghost.

"Enough Miss Wynters, you shall treat the Grey Lady with more respect while in my presence or not at all." I turned my head back to the Baron, slightly alarmed at the anger in his voice directed at me. Even after all this time, he still defended her, and part of me can't help but wonder if she deserves such affection. I lowered my head slightly and mumbled an apology to her.

"Of course…I shall see you around Miss Wynters…" the Grey Lady had also looked surprised at the Baron though she didn't thank him for his defense of her as she gathered her senses and disappeared down the corridor.

I sighed and leaned against the stone wall watching the Bloody Baron watch the Ravenclaw ghost glide away. He looked love sick as he always did when no one was around to see him watch her, though it was under the glowering stare he often wore.

"If I see Miss Vascot I shall tell her you're looking for her…Isabella" his voice was back to its normal tone when speaking with me, but I knew he was still annoyed and kept my peace.

"Thank you Baron, I appreciate it." He nodded once and turned to glide back down to the dungeons. I watched him go; shaking my head and wondering if anyone else had seen it would they not think this was some sort of odd lovers quarrel.

"There you are Isabella…" I tilted my head at the sound of the new voice, to watch Professor Snape descend the stairs and walk towards me.

"Morning to you as well Professor Snape…" I resisted the urge to roll my eyes at him, as my stomach growled and I could feel myself getting cranky from hunger.

"Good morning, I trust the potion Poppy provided you for the night worked as intended?" He came to stop in front of me, crossing his arms over his chest and fitting me with a stern look.

"Yes Sir, thank you for preparing it for me." I blew a stray piece of my hair from my eyes and raised an eyebrow at him in question; he seemed to have been looking for me for some time as I could hear his slightly elevated heartbeat. I could also tell there was something else on his mind, as he seemed to consider something deeply before speaking. I swear to all that is holy if Severus Snape brings up my having someone other and Ayden in my rooms…I'm going to hex his hair blond.

"I was speaking to Madame Pomfrey and she had asked me if there was anything to be done for your sensibility to sun light. I believe I have found something that may help." As he spoke he pulled out a small vial filled with a crystalline cerulean colored liquid, it was mesmerizing to watch as it caught some of the stray light from the large windows in the hall. He handed the vial to me as he continued his explanation.

"It does not render you completely immune to the effects of the sunlight, but it bolsters your ability to be able to come in contact with it." I tilted my head in intrigue, as we stood by the Great Hall doors, there was some sunlight being filtered into the castle from the high windows on the walls. I silently put my bag down on the stone, and pushed off my robe laying it over my bag.

I felt Professor Snape's eyes on me as I moved slowly from him and the wall, eyes fixed on a patch of sunlight ahead, the hand gripping the potion vial gently, coming to push back the arm of my jumper enough to expose my forearm. I heard Professor Snape suck in a breath as he watched me, though I often fought with him, he knew me very well, more than Professor McGonagall and almost as well as Professor Dumbledore. He was, though I rarely treated him as such, family.

I came to stand next to the patch of sunlight, not allowing it to touch me at any point, at least not yet. I felt Professor Snape come to stand next to me; I imagine a morbidly fascinated look on his face, as I held out my arm into the sunlight. The pain was sharp and dull at the same time, the sunlight warmed my arm quickly passing the comfortable warmth and turning almost instantly into burning of my flesh. For any full Vampire, the burning would not have stopped with their arm, their arm would have turned to ash and the burning would have continued to engulf their bodies, effectively killing them. I pulled my arm back, a red angry burn mark on my forearm formed, the equivalent I am guessing of a second degree burn, as blisters are starting to form.

"Bloody hell Isabella…" I was oddly amused by the words leaving Professor Snape's mouth, though I fought back the smirk as I tilted my head to look up at him. He was truly concerned as I noticed he had paled more than usual.

"I'm sorry Professor…" I had the decency to blush slightly in embarrassment, as I took off the stopper from the vial, movement making my burn hurt slightly more. I tilted the vial to my lips and slowly drank its contents; it vaguely tasted of blueberries and lemon. I felt a rush through my body, as if every single vein was coming alive, a bit like when I feed only with a cooling affect through my body.

"The potion will not treat your burn; let me see your forearm Isabella." His tone had soften slightly with me and as I held out my forearm, I couldn't help but liken him to the Bloody Baron in many ways, both had been deeply moved by the scorn of someone they loved. Both were feared by many of the students at Hogwarts, and both were vastly underestimated and misunderstood.

"I know Professor…" I hissed in pain as he cleaned the skin with a wave of his wand clenching my eyes shut, his hands were calloused and cool to the touch, but also, and this surprised me more than usual, soft and gentle as he held my arm straight.

"Couldn't wait 'til after breakfast to need first aid Wynters?" I opened one eye slightly at the voice of my best friend. Ayden gave me a smirk as she walked up, bandages and a healing potion in hand.

"When you're this one's friend, you learn to be prepared for anything. Good morning Professor." Her voice was directed at the inquiring look Professor Snape gave her, and I couldn't help but smirk as he simply snorted and took the bandages from her.

"Not my fault I tend to attract trouble…" I muttered softly as Professor Snape started wrapping my burn tightly. I winced in slightly pain at the pressure, but remained in place, watching as he used his wand to pull the healing potion from its vial and soak evenly into the bandages. The healing potion also had a bit of a pain killer for which I was most grateful for as it dulled my forearm.

"I blame your arse, I'm sure trouble is constantly staring at it wherever you go…" Ayden smirked at me and I laughed softly, as this was one of her favorite jokes.

"Miss Vascot, do I have to take points away from my own house for such vulgarity?" We had both momentarily forgotten that Professor Snape was with us, though we both noticed he seemed somewhat amused by her statement.

"No Sir…" Ayden hid a light blush threatening her cheeks with a swift movement of her head, causing her short layered hair to hide it. I shook my head slightly and handed Professor Snape back the vial he had given me.

"Thank you Professor, for the potion and your expert wrapping…" I held my arm up moving my arm slightly in test of the bandages. He only nodded taking the vial from me, before turning on his heal and walking into the now open Great Hall, robes billowing behind him.

"Do I even want to know why you're burned?" Ayden crossed her arms over her chest, dressed in her uniform, though she stubbornly refused to wear the skirt, and flipping her dyed hair out of her face.

"Probably not…I am however starving, come on before Malfoy shows up." I pushed my sweater sleeve back down, covering the bandages before walking over and grabbing my robe and bag. I stopped as Ayden hesitated slightly before joining me, a strange look on her face.

"You know…I still think it is odd that the Bloody Baron seems to like you, and I'm in his house." I watched as she picked the same seat she had the night before at the Slytherin table. I sat to her left, two place settings appearing before us, to be followed by breakfast servings.

"I don't ask questions…well I've never asked him why he seems to like me, I'd rather keep it that way though. At least I know he'll help me if Peeves crosses my path." I shrugged and set my robe and bag on the bench next to me, reaching for the platter of scrambled eggs, bacon, toast, butter, and jam. I loaded my plate quietly my stomach grumbling at the scent of food.

"Merlin…hungry Isabella?" Ayden's eyes grew wide as she watched me, now reaching for a teapot. I shrugged and smirked slightly as she shook her head and turned to piling food onto her own plate.

"So the Headmaster, Professor Snape, and Madame Pomfrey would all like to know if our…" My voice trailed off as I had shifted in my seat slightly to look at Ayden, giving me a clear view of the Great Hall entrance. My eyes flickered to the entrance just as he walked in and I forgot what I was saying.

Oliver Wood, not fully awake mind you, was walking into the Great Hall slowly, with Fred Weasley on one side, and a girl I recognized as Alicia Spinnet by Ayden's previous descriptions on the other. There are a few things that come to mind at the sight, first it seems there isn't a time of day that Oliver Wood doesn't look handsome, secondly, Fred Weasley is whistling nonchalantly far too early in the morning, and thirdly if Alicia Spinnet presses herself any closer to Oliver, I may want to hex her. I watched as Oliver side stepped Alicia as they walked towards the Gryffindor table, and smirked. Then of course realization hit me, why did I care who he walked with, or who pressed themselves against him…this crush must be stronger than I thought.

"Our what? Isabella what are you talking about?" Ayden's voice changed from confusion to amusement as I saw her shift in her seat to follow my gaze to Oliver. I felt myself start to blush as I turned my gaze on her amused smirk.

"Do try not to drool on me Isabella as you take in the scenery…" Ayden wiggled her eyebrows at me and I couldn't help but roll my eyes at her antics.

"So I may have a bit of a crush on one Oliver Wood…" I lowered my voice just slightly as I said this, blowing a strand of hair from my eyes again.

"Mhm, you can half of the school from what I know. Granted, if something other than Quidditch were to hold his attention, it would be you." She smirked as she continued her breakfast.

"Why do you say that?" My eyes flitted from her smug face back to the Gryffindor, who chose that moment to look up in my direction, my stomach dropped.

"Well morning lasses…if it isn't my favorite Slytherin and her unsortable friend…" I snorted at Oliver's comment as he walked over to where Ayden and I sat, bringing a piece of toast to my mouth to prevent a smart comment from leaving.

"Mighty chipper you seem Wood and it's not even a Quidditch match morning. Sleep well or not enough?" the glint of amusement in Ayden's eyes worry me greatly as I try to figure out what she's up to. I swallowed my toast, nursing a cup of tea as I turn a bit more towards the three Gryffindors, while Oliver and Fred are smiling at us, Alicia very much looks like she wants to bury daggers in us.

"You're one to talk Ayden; you're not much of a morning person either…" I smirked over my cup at her as she play glared in my direction.

"Neither are you little miss pot…" She stuck her tongue out at me and laughed knowing what I would say next.

"So says the kettle!" I snorted slightly as we realized Oliver and I had said that simultaneously. He looked at me amused while we all laughed, the sight of him bringing me his scent as I inhaled deeply.

"Already finishing each other's sentences, eh?" Ayden wiggled her eyebrows at me and I shot her a glare, which she of course ignored.

"Well we will leave you two to finish your breakfast in peace before Ayden's boyfriend comes in to create a scene" Oliver smirked and turned slightly giving Alicia an odd look, as if he had forgotten she was there.

"What in blazes are ja talking about Wood?" Ayden's German accent started to come through in annoyance, which of course made me smirk, especially as I watched Fred, with an odd look on his face start to tease Ayden as well.

"Oh, come now Vascot we all know Malfoy can't keep his eyes off of you when you're around…" Fred draped an arm around her shoulders and playfully poked her side. I watched amused as Ayden's face clearly showed she didn't know whether to jinx him or kiss him. I knew which she wanted to do but was nice enough to not aid Fred in anymore teasing. In fact I turned back to my plate not helping her either, just smirking as I watched them from the corner of my eye.

"Oi! Get off Weasley, jer bloody heavy…And I'd rather hex Malfoy's bits off than date the lil git." Ayden finally pushed Fred off of her, glaring in his direction first where he unceremoniously landed on his arse, and me second for not helping her. I was just about to say something, when Fred stood up and leaned in, placing his lips on her cheek and grinning all the while.

"Good to know Vascot, if he touched I'd probably hex his bits off myself for soiling a beauty so…" I watched as Ayden's eyes grew almost to the size of plates, the blush traveling up from her neck to her face and Fred winked at me before going back to his seat next to Oliver, who was watching with an amused expression, though his eyebrows had almost been lost in his hairline.

"Isabella was ist passiert?" Ayden blinked a few times and turned her head slightly towards me, the blush still present but much lighter.

"I believe Fred just kissed your cheek and in few terms said he'd hex Draco Malfoy's bits if he ever touched you." I stated between bites as I let this information sink into my friend's brain. It took her a few moments but she finally picked her fork back up and kept eating.

"That Weasley is going to be the end of me…" Ayden muttered softly but I only snorted seeing the smile on her face as we finished breakfast.

The Great Hall slowly filled with students as more and more people woke up, George Weasley soon came in and slapped the back of his twin's head in annoyance. My sharp hearing heard as the disgruntled twin went on to tell Fred that he had left him behind to witness they're older brother, Percy snogging his girlfriend Penelope, the amount of annoyance and disgust in his tone amused me as I snickered, catching Ayden's attention.

"What's so funny?" She tilted her head, pushing back her plate now that she was happily fed, luckily for us the Slytherins kept their distance from us.

"Apparently one George Weasley just caught his older brother snogging his girlfriend as he made his way down to breakfast and is blaming Fred for some reason or another." Ayden snorted in amusement as well as I pushed my plate away, refilling my tea cup. Anything she might have said was drowned out by the Great Hall filling in earnest and the owl post flying in to deliver the mail. I flinched slightly at all the noise as Prefects started passing out schedules as well. I felt Ayden pat my back soothingly and smile apologetically, as if it were her fault my hearing was sensitive to this much noise. I shook my head and smiled, standing from the table.

"Where are you going Isabella?" She asked me as I put on my robe and she was handed her schedule, the Slytherin Prefect glaring at me suspiciously as if I had grown a second head or something. I narrowed my eyes at the girl, feeling my eyes glow slightly in warning as her eyes grew and she took a step back debating the validity of what she had just seen.

"I can't stay in here much longer, too many people for my liking, I think I'm going to start heading for my first class." I held out my schedule as she inquisitively tilted her head, I saw her read it quickly before she frowned slightly.

"I wish I could go with you, but I have Muggle Studies first…" She sighed pushing her hair out of her face with a quick flip. I knew she just wanted to get out of the Great Hall without having to face Fred right now. I shook my head slightly about to voice a question when a deeper voice interrupted me.

"Aye, what's your first class Isabella?" I startled slightly at Oliver's sudden presence next to me, but only Ayden noticed as I barely moved.

"Defense Against the Dark Arts…" If he noticed my slight jump, he didn't say anything and only grinned at me. If he only knew those chocolate eyes of his were my undoing.

"Brilliant, allow me to walk you there…" He tilted his head towards me and I couldn't help but smile, my senses focusing in on him immediately. The noise in the Great Hall suddenly dampened, if only slightly, as I took half a step closer to him, pulling my bag over my shoulder.

"Aye don't let her get lost Wood, I kinda like having her around" Ayden smirked and stuck her tongue out at me playfully.

"Don't worry Vascot, she's in good hands…" I turned to look at him as he lightly placed his hand on the small of my back so I would follow him.

"The legendary Gryffindor Keeper's hands of course?" Oliver blushed as I teased him, having forgotten much of anything else before Ayden's voice caught my attention again.

"Oi, Isabella, unserer Vereinbarung steht noch" I nodded at her words and offered her a small smile.

"I'll see you tonight then, usual time?" She smirked and brought a finger up to her nose in agreement.

I allowed Oliver to lead me back out of the Great Hall and toward the stairs, trying to keep hold of the urge to press closer to him.

"I see my handkerchief has found a new home…" His tone was light and he offered me a half smile as his eyes dropped to my neck, I felt my heart beat faster, the thought of his face rubbing against the hollow of my neck suddenly entering my mind.

"I keep forgetting to return it to you…" I licked my lips and saw his eyes dart from my neck to them for a moment before he swallowed thickly hoping I hadn't noticed, before his eyes met mine again. I smirked, allowing a bit of my "charm" to pull through.

"It looks much better on you, you can keep it for as long as you'd like…" Was it me or did his voice just get slightly huskier? He looked away a soft blush tingeing his cheeks as he led me down the 3rd floor corridor.

I could get used to starting the day this way.