Isabella stepped out from the magical barrier that separated Platform nine and three-quarters from the rest of King's Cross station. She saw an odd group of people standing with Harry, Hermione, Ron, and Ginny. Isabella recognized Lupin and Mad-Eye Moody, but she did not know the others. Her attention was largely taken up by her parents and a young man who stood with them.
She walked towards them quickly, finally breaking into a run and dropping her trunk. The man, who shared her dark features, swept her up in a hug and spun her around.
"There's my little basilisk!" he laughed, setting her back down and ruffling her hair.
"Ale!" she smiled, giving her cousin another hug. Alessandro grinned and slung an arm around her shoulders. He was about a foot taller than her and, judging from the looks her female classmates were casting his way, roguishly handsome.
"Still in one piece," he commented, looking her over. "Which, from what I hear, is quite a feat. What's this about you taking on the English Ministry?" She gave him a playful shove and blushed.
"I don't know who's been telling you such ridiculous stories," said Isabella.
"Well, you'll have to tell us the true version," he said, his smile slipping. Alessandro gave her a meaningful look, "All of us, Bella." She sighed, thinking of standing in grandfather's study and describing her actions. Then she thought about explaining to Great-Aunt Guilia that she had had a boyfriend; an English boyfriend.
Remus Lupin, her former Professor of Defense Against the Dark Arts, detached himself from the group around Harry and came to join the four of them. He gave her a tired smile and shook hands with her father. Isabella blushed; she had been told that Lupin had carried her from the Department of Mysteries.
"Patrick, Antonia," Lupin greeted her parents wearily. Antonia embraced Lupin and kissed his cheek fondly; she remembered the man who had returned her daughter. Alessandro stepped forward and extended his hand.
"Alessandro Petrroci," he introduced himself. "I don't think I've had the pleasure...?"
"Remus Lupin," the older man said, shaking her cousin's hand. "I was Isabella's teacher a few years ago."
"She told me wonderful things about you, sir," Alessandro confirmed with an easy smile. Lupin seemed a little surprised and tentatively returned the smile. It was not often that he was greeted as a friend in the wizarding world; especially among those who knew what he was. Isabella watched the exchange with a hidden smile; Alessandro had a certain way with people. That was how he had gotten his place in Auror training in the Italian Ministry.
"I can't express how grateful we are," her mother interrupted, laying a hand on Lupin's arm.
"The goodwill and welcome of the Petrroci family is also extended toward you," Alessandro added formally. Isabella looked up at him curiously, for it sounded as though he was reciting a message from Grandfather. "If you have need of anything, it will be rendered by our family."
By this point Lupin was looking a little overwhelmed and he murmured his thanks with evident embarrassment.
"This girl is very special to us," Alessandro waved aside the older man's professions of unworthiness. "Even if she is a basilisk." Isabella punched her cousin's arm and he gave Lupin a roguish grin and put Isabella in a headlock, ruffling her dark brown hair.
"Come on, you two," her mother sighed. "We're expected in Italy tonight."
Alessandro and her father picked up her trunk between them and Isabella lifted Portia's hamper. Castro perched on her shoulder and hooted at Lupin silently as they passed. Halfway down the track, Isabella turned and looked back.
Harry caught her eye and grinned. Hermione and Ron turned as well and waved goodbye. Luna, standing near a very odd, lost-looking man, gave Isabella a sad little wave. Morgan and Alex, each with their own families, made gestures of writing letters. Isabella spared one hand to wave back at them, smiling at Neville, before turning and following her family.
AN: And that, my friends, is that. Unless, of course, there's a sequel...