Homeward Bound

The next morning Isabella walked into the Great Hall, feeling self conscious. As if everyone could tell what she was hiding under her robes. She quickly walked over to Lily, who was sitting by herself, and sat down next to her. It was Sunday and it was early, meaning James, Sirius, and Peter were still sleeping, and Remus was most likely in the library, returning some books.

Lily smiled back. "So, did you tell him?"

Isabella nodded. Lily looked expectant. "Well? What happened?"

Isabella put pancakes on her plate and went for the eggs next. "Well he said he understood, that he loves me, and wants to be with me."

Lily sighed in relief and put her left hand over her heart. "Oh thank God."

Isabella smiled and looked at Lily. When she did her eyes widened and she gasped. "Lily!"

Lily looked at her confused. "What?"

Isabella pointed at Lily's left hand. "On your hand, is that an..."

Lily put her hand over Isabella's mouth. "Shhhh!"

Isabella's eyes were still a little wide when Lily removed her hand. "Is that an engagement ring?" She whispered.

Lily blushed and nodded.

Isabella squealed quietly. "So that's what James wanted. Did you say yes?"

Lily rolled her eyes. "No, I said turned him down and took the ring for the heck of it. Of course I said yes!"

Isabella giggled. "I'm sorry, it's just such a shock. You're getting married!"

"Shhhh!" Lily covered her mouth again, but she was smiling. "Don't say it so loud."

Isabella pulled Lily's hand away. "Sorry. So when is it, did you tell your parents?"

Lily smiled widely. "When I wen't out in the hall I was confused, why would James be out there?...

Flashback

The portrait hole closed behind Lily. She looked around. "James?"

A burst of light made Lily turn, wand out, but she lowered her it confused; there was a piece of paper stuck to the wall across from her. She walked forward and pulled it off the wall, reading it.

My dear Lily-flower,

Hopefully it's you who is reading it and if it is please come to the Head's dorm.

Love,

The handsome, brilliant, brave, and courageous James Potter.

Lily rolled her eyes. She put the letter in her pocket and went to the Head's dorm, where she assumed James was. She stopped in front of the portrait of a red fox and blond haired girl.

"Unity." Lily said and the blond haired girl, Elizabeth, smiled and opened. Lily stepped inside and heard a quiet. "Good Luck." She looked at the closing portrait in confusion. She didn't take long to consider the girls words because as soon as the door closed the common room became pitch black.

Lily raised her wand. Lumos! Light appeared at the end of her wand, but she still couldn't see James.

"James! If this is a prank I swear I will..." She trailed off as the lights were turned on and she gasped as fireworks began to shoot off into the air. She expected the sparks to disappear, but instead they turned into rose petals

One last firework went off and James walked down his staircase wearing a suit.

"James, what is this?" Lily asked confused. James just smiled and grabbed her hands.

"Lily I've loved you since the first time I saw you in first year. I know I've been a prat and a bit arrogant, and I embarrassed you when one of my pranks backfired. But I want you to know that I love you."

"I love you too, but what-"

James put a finger to her lips. "Please, let me finish." Lily nodded and James removed his finger. He then got down on one knee; Lily gasped. He ignored her and took out a little black box.

"Lily, I was so happy when you said you would go out with me and now I hope you make me even happier, so Lilian Evans will you marry me?"

He opened the velvet box and held up a diamond ring. Lily was shocked and opened and closed her mouth.

"yes" She whispered, then smiled. "Yes!"

James stood up, smiling widely, and put the ring on her finger. Once it was on he picked her up and spun her around, he set her down and kissed her.

End Flashback

Isabella sighed. "That's so romantic. So did you tell your parents yet? When is the wedding?"

"I sent them a letter yesterday. James said that he wanted to get married as so as possible, so probably over the summer."

Isabella sat back and pouted. "But Lily I'll be as big as a beach ball by then. How am I supposed to look pretty like that?"

Lily smirked. "Well, by then you'll be glowing with motherhood so it doesn't matter. Plus it only matters how I look."

Isabella rolled her eyes. "Whatever, Mrs. Potter."

Lily blushed a bit. "It's so strange, I used to hate James and now I love him. I mean, we're getting married."

There was a gasp behind them and Isabella and Lily turned in surprise. A group of girls at the Ravenclaw table across from them were looking at them and whispering excitedly, some even looked disappointed.

Lily sighed. "Well, I guess the cats out of the bag."

Isabella smiled. "It doesn't matter. Come on." She stood up. "Let start planning, you only have about...hhhmmm...five months before your big day."

Lily smiled and got up, linking her arm with Isabella's. As they walked out they pasted James and Sirius, both looking very tired. Isabella went up to James and kissed him on the cheek.

"Congratulations James." James blinked and looked at Isabella, then Lily. A smile spread across his face.

"My my, Lily-flower, didn't take you long to go brag to your friends."

Lily blushed, Sirius looked confused, and Isabella smiled. "I think by now everyone in the Great Hall knows, and by the end of the day the whole school." Isabella giggled again.

"Okay, I'm officially confused. What's going on?" Sirius asked.

Isabella smirked and gave him a quick kiss. "Ask James." She moved away and grabbed Lily's hand, leading her away.

Isabella and Lily laughed when they heard a loud. "WHAT?!"

"Come on lets go find Alice, I bet she'll love to hear the news." Lily groaned and Isabella dragged her away.

Sirius, James, Remus, and Peter were watching Isabella eat with fascination, disgust, and awe.

"Does that taste good?" Peter asked.

Isabella smirked and dipped another pickle in the butter and then the jam before eating it. "Yep."

James made a face. "So do you really like that, or is it because of the thing with the thing." He started to motion to his stomach. Sirius and Isabella had told the rest of the boys about Isabella back in April, and it was now May 24th. Isabella still couldn't get the look Remus had made out of her head; he looked so sad.

Ironically, Remus was the first to figure it out. Isabella was constantly throwing up, was moody, had a strange taste in food, and went back to wearing the baggy robes. After that Sirius told James and Peter. Remus had given Sirius a talking to and James congratulated him.

Isabella smiled, she was used to the questions. "Yes James, it's because of the thing with the thing. You sure you don't want any?"

"No, thanks." They all said.

"Hopefully my son won't eat like this." Sirius muttered.

Isabella smiled and stood up. "It's going to be a girl."

"How do you know?" Remus asked.

Isabella lips formed a secret smile. "A woman always knows. I'll see you guys later, I have to study for the N.E.W.Ts, which are next week. Lily won't leave me alone until I study more than 9 hours a day. You four better hide before she finds you." She raised an eyebrows and left.

Sirius sighed, James patted him on the back. "No worries mate, even if it is a girl, she could be a prankster. Or she could marry one, or she could marry my future son."

"Lily's pregnant too?" Peter asked stupidly.

James rolled his eyes. "No Wormtail. I mean after we're married. Lily doesn't want to have any fun until after." Peter blushed in embarrassment.

Remus got up. "Well, I'm going to study, anyone want to join me?"

Sirius waved a hand, dismissing the idea. "Nah, we'll do that later, we have loads of time." Peter nodded his head in agreement and James continued to eat.

Remus smirked. "You do know that you have to study for N.E.W.Ts, right?"

Sirius shrugged. "I didn't study for the O.W.Ls until a couple days before and I did fine, so did James, and Pete- Oh, you better start studying man." Peter looked at Sirius wide eyed. Remus rolled his eyes.

"Come on Peter, I'll help you study." Remus left, Peter stumbling after him, food in his arms.

"Sooooooooo" Sirius said looking at James. "What do you want to do?"

James shrugged. "Quidditch?"

Sirius smirked. "Let's go." They both got up.

"I can't believe it. Do they even care about their futures? How can they play Qudditch at a time like this?" Lily muttered looking out the window from her seat.

Isabella smirked. "Did you really expect them to buckle down and study, they'll do that the day before the first test."

Lily sighed and turned back around, taking out another book. "I know, but I thought that because James is Head Boy now he would be a little more responsible. Oh well."

Isabella looked out the window, it was a nice day. "Lily can't we go outside to study?" She whined.

Lily rolled her eyes. "No, because you just want to see Sirius. Him and James are too much of a distraction. We need to study in solitude." She continued to read.

Isabella sighed dramatically. "But LLLLLLLiiiiillllllyyyyyyy, we've been studying every night for the past month. I feel like my brain is going to explode."

Lily didn't look up. "Stop whining, your starting to sound like Sirius. You'll thank me when you do good on your N.E.W.Ts and become the second best Healer in London."

Isabella raised an eyebrow. "Second best? Who'll be the best?"

"Me." Lily said simply.

Isabella rolled her eyes. "Yeah right Lily, I've been studying to become a Healer ever since I was 10. Don't think you can do better because you study more."

Lily shrugged and continued to read. Isabella leaned back and felt her stomach, it was getting big. She had already heard fat comments from a lot of girls. She was so glad that school would soon be over, but was dreading going home too her parents.

I should probably tell them without Sirius, that is if I still want my baby to have a father.

Isabella began to twiddle her thumbs and whistle a bit, trying to annoy Lily. I worked. Lily glared at her, but Isabella looked away innocently.

Lily rolled her eyes. "And to think you were a bookworm before you came here, what happened?"

"Sirius became my boyfriend and forced me over to the dark side." Was Isabella's instant reply.

Lily rolled her eyes. "Izzy, you should just study. You'll feel more confident for the test."

Isabella rolled her eyes. "Lily, relax, your making me stressed. And don't worry I'm totally ready for the N.E.W.Ts."

"I'm not ready for this!" Isabella wailed a week later, the day of the first test, Transfiguration. Fifth and seventh years were all standing in the entrance hall, waiting to be let back in, class by class.

Sirius put a comforting hand on her shoulder. "You'll do fine, relax."

She jerked away from him. "Why are you so calm! I want to pull my hair out, I'm so nervous. What if I make a mistake and fail?"

Sirius just smiled and put his hands on her shoulders. "RRReeeeellllllaaaaaaaxxxxxxx, you studied every day, for nine hours, the last month. You're ready, now close your eyes and take deep breaths."

Isabella closed her eyes and filled her lungs with air, then slowly released it. She opened her eyes and smiled at Sirius. It faded when the Great Hall doors opened and the seventh years were asked to enter.

Sirius kissed her on the cheek and whispered in her ear. "Good luck."

"You too."

They both walked in and were told to chose one of the desks, all facing the staff-table end of the Hall where Professor McGonagall stood facing them. When everyone was seated and quiet she turned over a huge hourglass on the desk behind her. "You may begin."

Isabella turned over her test, heart pounding. She read the first question, answered it, read the second, answered it. The questions were all challenging, but answerable, she could remember the answers from her studying. She smiled slightly and continued to write.

Two hours later Isabella walked out of the Great Hall with a sigh of relief. Now all that was left was the practical examination, which took place after lunch.

Lily and Isabella were silent as they ate. Soon it was time for the practical examination.

The students were called forward in small group, in alphabetical order. Lily and Sirius had already been called and didn't return, so she didn't know how they did.

Isabella sighed, the Gs were next..

"Good luck." Remus said quietly. She smiled.

Isabella left in a group made up of four students, Michel Grafeer, Johnathon Grape, David Greengrass, and Kaliyn Goodfellow.

"Professor Marchbanks is free Miss Griffin." Professor McGonagall pointed to a tiny, stooped witch who had a wrinkled face. Isabella soon found out that Marchbanks was deaf in one ear. So every time Isabella talked she had to make sure she was talking to Marchbanks's right ear.

"Alright, dear." Professor Marchbanks said loudly. "I want you transfigure this desk into an animal, then back again."

Once it was over Isabella went back to common room, but didn't talk to anybody; she started to go over notes for Potions, which was what they were testing the next day. When Sirius tried to get her to stop studying she hexed him. He didn't bother her again.

After the Theory exam, Isabella thought that she did an excellent job, especially since potions was one of her favorite subjects. The practical was a little tougher, she had to brew the Draught of Living Death and she was a second to late to infuse the wormwood with the asphodel at the right time.

Wednesday, Charms, one of Isabella least favorite subjects. Theory was easy, it was just remembering and writing down. But for the practical she had to cast the Imperturbable Charms. She almost broke down when she didn't get it right, but held it in.

Thursday, Herbology. It went okay, and Isabella felt that she did a good job in theory. For the pratical she had to cut off the dead flowers on the Venomous Tentacula without getting hit or cut by the vines. She only got three of the five dead flowers.

On Friday Isabella, Lily, and Remus had the exam in Ancient Runes while Sirius, James, and Peter had the day off. Isabella felt she did a good job, but Lily kept mumbling to herself about runes she got mixed up. When James tried to say something she snapped at him.

Over the weekend Lily and Isabella studied for Defense Against the Dark Arts.

On Monday, Isabella found that the theory was a little hard, some of the questions were about things Isabella didn't even study. For the practical Professor Tofty had her cast the Patronus Charm.

Isabella closed her eyes and thought about her new home and all her new friends, but most of all, Sirius.

"Expecto Patronum!" She opened her eyes and was surprised to see that it wasn't her usual patronus, a dog-wolf, it was a Gryphon. It had the body of a lion, the head, wings and talons of an eagle, and the ears of a horse.

Tofty clapped. "Excellent, never in all my years have I ever seen a Gryphon patronus. It takes a very strong witch to have a magical creature as a Patronus. You may go, Miss Griffin." Isabella nodded and quickly left. Once in the hall she stopped and placed a hand on her stomach.

Powerful witch

Tuesday, History of Magic. Isabella knew that she had only gotten a A, Acceptable.

Wednesday, Divination, and the last exam. Isabella sat in front of Professor Marchbanks, who held out her palm. Isabella carefully looked at all the lines

"You have many more years to come." Marchbanks nodded

"What else do you see dearie?

"You examined someone important for this very test and will again in future years."

Marchbanks smiled. "Yes, I tested Albus Dumbledore. I'm eager to meet this future student. Can you tell me more?"

"You have lived a happy life, but trouble will come in the future for you."

Professor Marchbanks nodded and wrote Isabella's predictions down. She then took out a crystal ball, wanting to know what Isabella saw.

Isabella looked into the foggy orb. She saw nothing, but soon the fog began to form shapes. "I see a boy, he looks familiar."

"A family member perhaps?" Marchbanks suggested, Isabella shook her head.

"No, I can't really make out his face, but his eyes are a very familiar green. But, he looks sad, lonely. Wait, now there's a boy and a girl with red hair, another boy and girl with brown, a girl with blond hair, and a final with black. They all look about 15, and very sad, like they lost something." Suddenly they all the images disappeared and were replaced by a glowing green skull, with a snake coming out of it's mouth. Isabella gasped and leaned back, she hadn't even noticed that she had leaned so close to the orb.

"What did you see?"

"The Dark Mark." She whispered.

Professor Marchbanks starred at her for a minute before writing something down. "You may go now Miss Griffin, you're done."

Isabella got up. "Thank you." She left and went back to Gryffindor tower and straight to her dorm to sleep off the feeling her prediction gave her. She closed her eyes.

Who was that sad boy? His eyes...so familar.

"I feel so sad that we have to leave, Hogwarts has been my second home for the last seven years." Lily said while helping Isabella pack.

Isabella nodded sadly. "At least you got to spend all seven years here, I only had one year to experience the magnificence that is Hogwarts. But I'm so glad the N.E.W.Ts are over with, but I'm still anxious about the results." Lily opened her mouth, but Isabella interrupted. "Lily we both know that you got the best scores."

Lily glared. "I wasn't going to say anything about my scores, I want to know what your going to do about your parents."

Isabella paused in putting some shirts in her trunk. "If they don't notice anything at first, I'll tell them at dinner."

Lily helped Isabella close her trunk. "Well hopefully everything goes okay. And remember you can always come to my house, I only live an apparation away."

They both took one end of the trunk and lifted it up. "Thank you Lily."

They dropped the trunk at once in the common room. Lily smiled. "You shouldn't be thanking me for being your friend. Now let's get these trunks to the trains." They both picked up one end of their trunks and dragged them out of the common room.

"Hey Lily?"

"Yes Izzy?"

"Where are the guys?" Isabella asked.

"Probably already on the train." Lily answered.

Isabella raised an eyebrow. "You mean James didn't wait for you? He's been staying by your side every second of everyday recently."

Lily sighed. "Yes and it soon became annoying."

Isabella giggled. "Why wouldn't he leave your side in the first place?"

"I stopped James and Sirius from pranking Severus Snape. Snape didn't want my help and called me a mudblood, and he also threatened me. James, being the protective guy he thinks he is, wouldn't leave my side." Lily sighed.

"Severus Snape? You mean that dark haired Slytherin? The one that's always alone?" Isabella asked.

Lily nodded. "Where did you meet him?"

"He was my potions partner, he acted very civil towards me. But when I started to date Sirius he became rather cold. He snapped a lot. Why does he hate Sirius so much?"

Lily hesitated a bit. "Well Sirius, James, and Severus have always hated each other. James said it was hate at first sight. They used to prank Severus a lot, sometimes ever terrorize him. I stopped as many fights as I could, but it didn't really help. Severus hates Sirius the most, though."

"Why?" Isabella whispered.

"Well, Severus started to get suspicious about Remus and wanted to know where he went every month. So Sirius told him if her really wanted to know that he should go to the Whomping Willow, hit the knot on the tree, and go through the tunnal."

Isabella's eyes were wide. "But that's where Remus...Sirius did something that horrible? What happened?"

Lily sighed. "When James heard what Sirius did he, went after Snape. He got to him just in time, but not before Snape found out about Remus. Dumbledore made sure that Snape wouldn't tell anyone, but Remus was still really mad at Sirius. He didn't talk to him for about a month."

Isabella was looking at the ground. "Why didn't I know about that, how come nobody told me?"

"Sirius probably didn't want you to know."

"Has he been pranking Severus all year behind my back?" Isabella said angrily.

Lily shook her head. "If that was happening I wouldn't be dating James. He realized that I wouldn't go out with him until he stopped torturing others for the fun of it. Sirius said that since school was over that they just wanted to play one last prank on Snape."

Isabella glared at the floor. "That's horrible. No one deserves to be treated like that. If I had known..."

Lily nodded. "I know, but Severus wasn't exactly innocent either, no matter how it seemed, sometimes he started it. You shouldn't make a big thing about it. It's over, and Sirius isn't like that any more."

Isabella sighed and Lily and her went inside one of the carriages. "Right." She looked out of the window and looked back at Hogwarts.

When the carriage stopped both girls got off. Lily went straight to the train, but Isabella looked back at the skeleton-like winged horse. She now knew that it was a thestral, she had asked professor Kettleborn. When it looked at her she slowly walked over to it.

"Izzy?" Lily called, but was ignored.

Isabella lifted one of her hands for the horse to smell. She looked into its shining white eyes and at its dragon-like face. It nuzzled her hand and she smiled.

"Good-bye." She whispered.

She walked over to Lily, who was starring at her strangely. "What were you doing?"

Isabella shrugged. "Thought I saw something, come on, lets get on."

Lily narrowed her eyes, but nodded. They got on and searched for the boys. They found them sitting in a compartment in the back of the train. James and Sirius stood to help them with their trunks. Once all was secure they all sat down; Sirius was pouting,

"I wish you would have let us prank the git, he deserves it."

"No one deserves to be pranked." Lily scolled. "I will never approve of your awful pranks."

"They weren't all awful!" James protested. "Some everyone enjoyed."

"It's also because we're so great and our pranks always bring warmth to the hearts of all. No one can live up to our acomplishments, we're the greatest pranksters in the world." Sirius said arrogantly.

Remus sighed. "Do you really think no other students will try to be the greatest pranksters in the world? Of coarse they have very big footsteps to follow."

Sirius sat down next to Isabella and put his arm around her shoulders. "Yes, and I have no doubt that my son will follow in his father's footsteps."

"Daughter." Isabella muttered leaning her head on his shoulder. Sirius smiled as she fell asleep.

Lily smiled. "I wonder what Hogwarts would have been like without Isabella there."

"Not as great." Sirius muttered, looking at the wall.

James started to fake cry. "Oh our little Sirius is all grown up. I'm so proud." He leaned onto an amused Remus's shoulder and was automatically pushed off.

"Too bad you can't do the same." Remus muttered pushing James closer to Lily. James smirked and put his arm around around her. She continued to read her book.

James took out a pack of cards. "Anyone up for a game of Exploding Snap?"

Remus put his book away and Peter sat up, Sirius shook his head a motioned to Isabella. "I can't seem to move right now, ask again later when she's up." Isabella smirked from where her face was hidden in Sirius's shirt.

When the train was close to the King's Cross Isabella became nervous. She didn't want to change out of her robes, she didn't want people to see, even if school was over. Most importantly she didn't want her parents to see, yet.

She started to bite her nails.

The train is stopping! Noooooooooo, I'm not ready!

"Isabella calm down, your scaring Wormtail." Sirius said grabbing Isabella's and his trunks. Peter glared at the back of Sirius's head.

Isabella smiled nervously. "Sirius...I don't think you want to be around me when my parents arrive. It's for your own safety. Papa is one of the best Aurors at the Ministry, he know every spell, hex, and jinx invented."

Sirius blinked as they got off the train. He looked around nervously and set her trunk down before running away with his.

"I didn't mean now! Coward!" She yelled, ignoring the strange looks she got from people. She looked down at her trunk and sighed.

She picked up one end of her trunk and pulled it toward the fireplace, where her parents would be arriving from. She set her trunk down and sat on it. She crossed her arms and looked at the ground.

"Bella!" Isabella looked around. When she saw her parents she quickly stood up, making sure her stomach was covered.

"Mama! Papa!" She gave them each a hug, careful of her stomach, and smiled; it was forced.

"Oh I've missed you so much Bella, you don't know how boring the house is without you there."

Isabella smiled and her Papa grabbed her trunk and headed to the fireplace. "I'll meet you both at home, We'll talk about how the rest of the school year went." Isabella nodded and watched as he was engulfed by green flames.

"Honey." Isabella looked at her mother as she switched to Italian. She wasn't smiling anymore. "How long?"

Isabella sighed, she wasn't able to keep many secrets from her Mama. "I'm six months along."

Mrs. Griffin smiled. "The father is that Sirius boy, right?"

Isabella nodded and grabbed her Mama's arm. "Don't tell Papa!"

Mrs. Griffin blinked. "Why ever not?" Realization dawned on her. "Ah, yes, we do want to keep your boyfriend alive. But you know it would better to tell him sooner than later."

Isabella nodded and walked toward the fireplace. Before she entered she turned to her Mama. "Your not mad at me...are you?"

Mrs. Griffin smiled and shook her head. "Of course not honey, I've always wanted grandchildren."

Isabella smiled and entered the green flames, calling out her address. In a spinning whirl of green flames Isabella landed in her own fireplace. She stepped out just as her mother came out as well.

"I'm going to go take a nap, tell Papa." Isabella said.

Mrs. Griffin nodded and smiled encouragingly, before walking out of the living room. Isabella sighed and went up to her room.

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