Encounters

Isabella woke up confused, wondering where she was. She grabbed her glasses off the nightstand and looked around the room, it was a complete mess, clothes and books all over the floor. She got up and noticed the trunk in front of the bed she was on had the name R. J. Lupin.

She gasped. "Remus." Isabella rushed out of the dormitory and common room. It took her about 15 minutes to remember the way and get to the Great Hall. Once reaching it she walked inside; dinner was halfway through and most looked up when she entered. She ignored them and tried to find Remus, but spotted Lily first. She was sitting with Frank and Alice. When Lily saw Isabella she waved her over, looking very relived. isabella sat down, but was still searching for Remus.

Lily put a hand on her shoulder, shaking it slightly, making Isabella look at her. "Are you ok? Remus said that you had a breakdown and carried you back to the common room after you fainted, but he wouldn't say why you fainted."

Isabella sighed in relief, he didn't tell anyone, but she still had to talk to him. "I told him about Antonio, and how he died." She said softly so only Lily would hear.

Lily's eyes widened in surprise. She told Remus. She didn't tell me until the end of summer, she just met him. And if she told him how Antonio died then she told him that it was a...Oh poor Remus no wonder he looked so sad, he thinks that Izzy hates Werewolves.

"Where is Remus?" Isabella asked.

Blinking out of her thoughts Lily nodded and pointed over to the end of the table. Looking over to where she was pointing Isabella saw Remus, he looked depressed. James and Sirius were talking to him, while Peter was listening.

Isabella got up made her way over to them. Lily tried to stop her, but was ignored. When the boys saw her they stopped talking and looked up at her. She thought she even saw Remus stiffen. Isabella was getting even more nervous with every step she took. When she reached them she looked at Remus.

"Um...Remus...c-can I..talk to you?" She asked nevously, looking at the floor.

He looked at his friends and then at Isabella. "...Sure" He then followed her out of the Great Hall and into an abandoned hallway. Isabella faced Remus, but didn't look him in the eye." I..well..I just wanted to thank you and apologize for how I acted."

He looked uncomfortable. "It's fine and there's no need to apologize, it's understandable"

She nodded. "Yeah" Suddenly she smiled. "You know I'm glad I told you about my nightmares, it shows me that I can trust you with stuff and we can be better friends, right?" Looking at him hopefully.

Remus looked into her hopeful eyes and almost said yes, but then remembered her words and how a Werewolf killed her brother. Sighing he shook his head. "I don't know."

Surprised and a little hurt she took a step back. "Oh..Why?" She could feel tears forming.

Looking anywhere but her he tried to answer. "It's...complicated." He turned to leave. But stopped and turned back around to face her. "Actually I want to know something...the Werewolf who attacked you and your brother, what do you know about it?"

If Isabella wasn't so emotional at the time she would have wondered why he asked that, but seeing as she was, she answered honestly. "Well later on, when my parents and I went back to Italy, I found out from my grandparents that the Werewolf that attacked was named Fenrir Greyback, he's pretty much the leader of the Werewolves, and to make his pack bigger and stronger he would bite children, then kidnap then to raise them to be bloodthirsty monsters.

"When we were attacked he killed Antonio for food and was going to bite me to curse me. He would have succeeded if my Papa and my Uncles didn't show up. Ever since then I learned as much as I could about Werewolves, so I could tell when someone is one and how to kill Greyback and his followers."

Remus was now very nervous. "And" he coughed. "What do you think about those few that are cursed, but not under the command of Greyback?" He was waiting for her to say that they should be kill along with the rest of them. Her answer surprised him.

"It depends on how they act as a human."

"What do you mean?" He asked.

She looked at him. "Well, think about it this way, if you met the nicest, sweetest, most caring man in the world and found out that he was a Werewolf he can't really be considered evil or blamed for anything. Because it's not his fault if something happens when he's a Werewolf. But if you met a very evil man, who was a Werewolf, and loved to cause death and destruction as man and beast, then he can be considered evil and be blamed for harm he caused. Werewolves are called half-breeds for a reason, they're half-man, half-wolf, and the man has no control over how the wolf acts. It's how the man acts that makes him good or evil. Most Werewolves are considered evil because of how they live and because most of them are allies of Voldemort." She notice that he didn't flinch at the name. "People should remember that they should first get to know the man before they judge him for being a Werewolf."

When she finished talking there was a stunned silence. Remus didn't know what to say, all he knew was that he felt so relived that she didn't hold a grudge over all werewolves, and he knew she wouldn't hate him for being one.

Isabella felt somewhat embarassed about talking so passionetly about the subject, and she shifted uncomforably. "Well I...I should go finish my homework, I'll see you around Remus." She turned to leave but paused. "I really do hope that we can become friends." She then started to walk away.

Remus stared after her for a moment, then relized what she said. "Wait!"

Isabella turned looking hopeful. He stopped in front of her. "I want us to be friends too...infact we already are friends. I'm glad that you can trust me with your secrets, it shows me that I can trust you with mine. I'm sorry I was acting like a prat." He shuck out his hand. "So, friends?"

She smiled and ignored his hand, instead she gave him a hug. Before he could react she realized what she was doing and pulled back blushing deeply. Once she stepped back she saw Remus had a goofy smile on his face. He found it felt nice having her so close, and felt dissapointed when she pulled back.

"Sorry, I got over excited. I forgive you for being a prat and I'm glad we're friends, but I really do have to go finish some homework, Bye."

Remus waved goodbye, watching her turn the corner, before smiling and walking back into the Great Hall.

4 Days Later (Friday)

Isabella could be found running through the halls, trying to get to Herbology on time. By now she knew her way around Hogwarts pretty well, only getting lost about ten times, but in the end the direction clicked in her mind and the past week of classes had been a week she wouldn't forget.

In Transfiguration they transfigured large objects into animals.

In Charms they learned they Patronus Charm. They even got to try it. Lily was the first to get it, after a couple times of just white mist she made a corpral Patronus,a doe, it was very pretty. James's was next, it was a beautiful stag, and much to their surprise, and Lily's embarassment, it galopped over to Lily's Patronus and nuzzled its neck. The other Maurauders and Isabella laughed, while James smiled at Lily, who smiled shyly back.

Sirius and Remus soon got the charm right. Sirius's Patronus was a very large dog, Sirius wanted to name it. Isabella said it looked like a Snuffles. Everyone laughed at the look on Sirius's face. Remus's Patronus was a very large wolf, Isabella thought it looked magnificent.

Isabella and Peter were the only ones who didn't get it yet, and she was starting to get frustrated. Lily suggested maybe her memory wasn't happy enough. She tryed again, thinking about the new friends she made she said the incantation, and what do you know, it worked. Her Patronus turned out to be a cross between a dog and a wolf. It seemed that your emotions help determine your Patronus, and recently has been feeling butterflies in her stomach whenever Sirius, even though he was the womonizer he was, he was still cute, or Remus, who had been nice to her since day one, were around. Class ended and her dog/wolf disappeared and she left with Lily to go to Herbology. Peter never did do the charm right and got homework, much to his dissapointment

In Herebology they learned about Devil's Snare.

In Potions they made Potions. She had been partnered with Severus Snape, much to the Marauders displeasure. she had tried to ignore them and work with Saverus in a civil way, but it seemed her having contact with the Marauders was enough for him not to like her. After a horrible Potions class, in which Severus's and Isabella's potion exploded because of somthing Sirius threw in it, Severus yelled and blamed her. She had stayed quiet and just glared at Sirius, potion on her robes and in her hair. Slughorn told them they could leave early and Isabella cornered Severus and yelled at him, telling him that if they had to work together he had better try, and that she didn't care what kind of a grudge he had with Sirius, but she didn't care. That she wouldn't stand for any ruining one of her potions and she was going to yell at Sirius too. She then stomped away towards the hospital wing, leaving him to stare after her, face blank.

She did yell at Sirius and even went as far to threaten him. Although when she left him to go to the library his face wasn't blank as he watched her, he was smirking slightly, strange glint in his eyes.

DADA they learned how to defend against a Dementor using their Patronus.

In Divanation they were doing dream interpretations. But while Isabella was trying to concentrate, James Sirius and Peter kept fooling around, making her have to finish it for homework. She ignored them in the next class, which made Sirius try extra hard to get her attention. He had her laughing by the end of class; he was like a puppy, wanting everyone's attention.

Anicent Runes was spent studying and memorizing more complicated runes.

Now it was Friday, she slept in, missed breakfast, and was going to be late for Herebology if she didn't hurry.

By now she was in the entrance hall, quickly opened the doors and made her way over to greenhouse 7, where more dangerous plants were placed for the seventh years. Upon entering she saw that class already started.

Professor Sprout looked at her disaprovingly. "Miss Griffin, class started five minutes ago. Five points from Gyffindor. I hope next time you'll be on time."

Isabella nodded and looked down ashamed. "Yes Professor, it won't happen again." She walked over to Lily, who was sharing a table with James and Sirius. Who were across from Remus, Peter, Frank, and a Gyffindor girl that she shared the dormitory with. She was staring at Sirius with a dreamy expression, and tried to get his attention by flipping her hair and trying to show off her cleavage. He didn't seem to notice her, he was too busy looking at Isabella.

"Metal mouth, I'm shocked, I would never expect you to be late for class!" He said in mock surprise.

She scowled at him. "Oh shut it Sirius, it's not like you weren't ever late for class."

He smiled ignoring the scowl. "Yes, well, that's expected from me, but from a goody-goody like yourself it's an outrage!" He threw his hands in the air to make his point, accidently hitting James in the face, making his glasses fall off. "Opps, sorry mate."

James picked up his glasses; one of the lenses was cracked. "Thanks Padfoot." He said sarcastically, glaring at Sirius.

Sirius shrugged. "No problem, Prongs."

Lily giggled. "Here James, give me your glasses." James looked shocked that she said his first name, but gave her the glasses.

Lily pointed her wand at them and muttered a spell, smiling when they fixed themselves. "Here you go, all fixed." She smiled as James took them back.

He smiled back, putting them on. "Thanks Lily." She nodded.

Isabella began to pay attention to Professor Sprout, not noticing Sirius and Remus looking at her, or the Gryffindor girl glaring at her.

After class ended everyone left and made their way to their next class.

For Isabella, Sirius, James, and Peter it was Divanation. For Lily and Remus it was Arithmancy.

When they got inside they parted ways. Isabella started to walk after the guys when she felt someone tap her on the shoulder. Turning she saw it was the girl from the greenhouse, Amber she thought her name was. Sirius had stopped to wait for her.

"Can I talk to you?" Amber asked. She then looked at Sirius. "Alone?" Confused Isabella nodded and told Sirius to go to class. Hesitently he left.

Now that they were alone it gave Isabella time to examine the girl. She was two inches shorter than her, wore too much make up, and her clothes were probably a size too small. She had long brown hair and green eyes.

Once Sirius was out of sight amber's smile dropped and she glared at Isabella. "I'm going to tell you this once so you'd better listen. Sirius is mine so stay away from him."

Isabella raised an eyebrow, was she supposed to feel threatened? "Who are you, the president of his fan club?"

Amber smirked. "Acctually I am, that means that Sirius is my boyfriend. So you should keep away from him if you know what's good for you."

Isabella rolled her eyes. "Last time I checked Sirius didn't have a girlfriend. And if I want to be around him or even date him no little stalker girl is going to tell me otherwise. Now if you excuse me I don't want to be late for class." Turning she started to walk up the stairs leaving a very pissed off girl behind her.

She made it to the North Tower just before the bell rang. She sat down next to Sirius and across from James and Peter.

Sirius smirked. "Oh good you made it on time, I was afraid that you'd be late again and ruin your perfect attendance."

She glared. "Sirius I told you once and I'll tell you again, Shut it! I still haven't forgiven you for calling me a goody-goody and the potions thing, and I'll have you know that I can be a very impullsive person."

Sirius snorted. "Yeah, sure." Thinking the conversation was over he started to doodle on a blank piece of parchment.

Isabella, not liking how it turned out, decided to prove him wrong. Not really knowing what she doing she put her left hand on his leg. Sirius not expecting the contact jumped a bit, making James and Peter look at him. "Alright there, Padfoot?"

Casting a quick glance at an inoccent looking Isabella he nodded. "Yeah, I'm fine." James nodded and started to talk to Peter again.

After Sirius relaxed Isabella started to rub his leg a bit going a little higher up.

Sirius tried to ignore it, but it felt so good. Control yourself, Sirius, she's just trying to prove she's right.

By now her hand was on his thigh, making circles with her thumb, before rubbing his inner thigh with her hand. He had to stffle a groan, but it turned into a half cough.

"Are you alright Sirius, that didn't sound good." She said innocently, hand running over his leg lightly for a moment.

He stared at her intently and she looked up at him, glasses lowering to the tip of her nose and his grey eyes met her blue. "I feel quite fine." He said in a low voice.

She smirked and her hand was about to go higher, but she stopped and pulled away when Professor Sandkey walked into the room.

Sirius sighed in relief, but he was somewhat disappointed she stopped. She smicked triumphantly up at him.

"Hello class, now I want everyone to turn in dream books before we get started." Sandkey said.

Collecting all of them she put them on her desk. "Today class we're going to be doing palm reading, your partner is whoever your sitting by. You and your partner will each read each others palm, using your books, and write down the results. Face your partners and begin."

Sirius, James, Peter, and Isabella all took out their books and faced their partners. Sirius smirked and took off her glasses and put them on the table, staring into her eyes and at her face for a moment before looking at her palm, fingered running lightly over her palm, causing her to shiver and him to smirk.

"Your going to live long, have ten kids, and be a Healer. Plus you going to fall madly in love with someone very close to you." He smiled charmingly.

Isabella raised an eyebrow. "Ten kids, huh? I doubt I'll have ten kids. Sirius are you guessing?"

He shrugged and smiled. "Only about the kid thing, you'll probably only have one."

Isabella smiled. "Oh good, I've always wanted to be a Healer and have a daughter. Here give me your hand." Isabella looked at the book then back at his palm, concentrating, actually serious. "This line represents independance and lonleiness." She traced it with one finger, than looked at another. "This one means happines and that you like attention, which is true...Your love life is complicated and confused...My prediction is that your life was a lonley one untill you met people who you liked and were yourself around. And now you love someone but you're unsure and confused." She smiled and let go of his hand. "How'd I do?"

Sirius was wide eyeed. "Wow your really good at this Divination thing."

Isabella blushed. "Thanks, my family has been known to have seers in it on my Papa's side."

Sirius nodded. "That's cool, what about your mother's side?"

"Well Mama is muggle-born, so they're all muggles on her side, except my cousin Angela, who's also a witch. She just graduated from Saint Anne's in Italy, she's training to be an Auror here though."

"I'm going to be an Auror, I'm going to start traing as soon as I get my own place and out of Hogwarts." Sirius said.

Sirius and Isabella spent the whole class time getting to know each other better. Isabella smiled to herself as she watched Sirius joking with his friends as they met everyone in the Great Hall for lunch and couldn't help but stare at him. After lunch they had to go to their last class for the day. For Lily, Remus, and Isabella it was Ancient Runes, and for Sirius, James, and Peter it was Care of Magical Creatures.

They had a test in Ancient Runes desifering twenty runes. Isabella got an O, along with Remus and Lily. Remus looked very pale and tired, when Isabella asked what was wrong or if he was sick. He just smiled tiredly and said he was fine just worried for his mother, who was sick. He also said that he was going to visit her the next day. Isabella told him that she hoped that she felt better and started to talk to Lily, not even finding suspious that it was the full moon the next day.

Remus felt guilty that he had to lie to Isabella, but he didn't know how she would take it, even if she didn't resent all Werewolves her brother was still killed by one, and Remus didn't know how she would take it. Sighing he started to read a book until the bell rang.

When class ended Lily, Isabella, and Remus headed to the common room. Before they reached it Isabella said that she wanted to go to the Library to do some research and that they should just go to the Gryffindor tower without her. After a bit of presisting Isabella made her way to the Library alone.

Isabella was able to finish all of her homework, even if it was done five days before it was due. She looked at her watch it was 8:30, cufew was in a half-an-hour. Packing her bag, Isabella made her way out of the Library, heading toward Gryffindor tower, never noticing anyone following her.

By now Isabella was totally embarassed about how she acted in Divination, she didn't know why she did that. Acctually she did to prove Sirius wrong, there was just something about him that made her act so out of character, she sort of liked it. She was coming out of her shell, like she was before her brothers death. She smiled when she rememered the bet they made at the beginning of the year, how if Lily said yes or no when James asks her to Hogsmeade. She was so going to win, Lily and James have been getting along great over the past couple of days. Can't wait to see the look on his face when he loses.

Suddenly her smile faded. Why am I getting so worked up over Sirius, it's not like I like him. She stopped walking. 'Do I?' She shook her head. No, of course not. Plus it doesn't matter, he would never go for me, I'm too much of a googy-goody, as he so nicely put, and he seems to find humor out of making fun of my braces. He's probably freaked out that an ugly girl came onto him. OHH now I really wish I didn't act like that, I just embarassed myself infront of one of the most wonderful guys I've ever met.

"Dang it! Why do I allways have to mess with a good thing, he probably won't talk to me now." Maybe I should try to act more outgoing, like Angela. Beautiful and Smart. Yeah I'll owl Angel and ask for advice. Isabella walked up the stairs leading to the seventh floor, and was about to jump over the trick stair, when all of a sudden her bag ripped, spilling the contents all over the stairs. Sighing in annoyence she looked at her watch, it was now 8:55, everyone would be in the common room by now. Getting down on her knees she began to pick up her papers and quills and gather it all up into her arms. Once she had everything she jumped over the trick stair, only to be hit by a spell mid-jump, making her lose balance and fall backwards down the stairs, letting out a very loud scream on the way.

By the time she reached the bottom her head and mouth were hurting horribly and her left arm and right leg were throbbing painfully. But that was nothing compared to the pain in her stomach. Placing her right hand on her stomach, she felt something sticking out of it. Raising her head a bit, ignoring the pain, she saw that there was quill sticking halfway out of her stomach. It seemed that she stabbed herself with her quill on the way down.

She tried halfheartly to call for help, but the pain was too much for her and she was losing too much blood, and after a minute she passed out.

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