Disclaimer: I don't own anything but the plot and Isabella. Go figure.

A/N: Hey everyone. I'm so happy that it's finally spring. High school graduation is only two and a half months away. Yay! And then it's off to the United Kingdom for the summer (or longer if I get into any of the Universities I applied to over there). I am going to take this opportunity to say: Oliver and James Phelps are extremely gorgeous! Rupert Grint is too...Ah, I wish I could live in my imagination. Well, enough ranting from the crazy author, hope you like Chapter Six: Hogsmeade and the Three W's. It's a pretty long one this time, so bear with me! Please read and definitely review, even if you don't like it.

Bella stared out the window at the clear blue sky. It was October all ready, but the weather didn't seem to remember that it was supposed to be changing over to winter soon. Back home people would have been calling it an Indian summer. The leaves stubbornly clung to tree branches; jewel tones of garnet and topaz and gold creating a slightly ethereal feeling to the days.

"Miss Vito. As much as we would all like to spend the day outside, perhaps you could pull your head out of the clouds and join us."

Isabella blushed a little with embarrassment, but flashed Professor McGonagall a cheeky smile. "Sorry Professor. It won't happen again today."

Professor McGonagall gave her a disapproving glare, but Bella could swear that she saw McGonagall's lips twitch the slightest bit. "How about the rest of the year?"

"I don't make promises that I'm certain I won't keep."

Professor McGonagall returned to the topic that the class had been discussing previously. "Since this is your last year of school, and with N.E.W.T.s coming up fast, I have decided to work with the seventh years on very advanced Transfiguration magic. This entire year, we will dedicate our time on," she paused. "Becoming Animagi."

Excited whispers broke out and the anticipation made the air thick. Bella raised her hand.

"Professor, what are animagi?"

McGonagall explained what an animagus was and the rules and regulations that had been set down by the ministry. She then paired people up to start studying on how the transformation was performed.

Isabella nibbled on her lower lip, and looked at Hermione, whom she had been paired with. "Um, Hermione?"

"What?" Hermione responded distractedly. Her nose was almost buried in the book, she was so eager.

"I kinda can all ready do that."

Hermione looked at her blankly for a moment. "You what?"

Bella twiddled her thumbs and tried to stare at her shoes through the thick oak desk. "I mean, I can't transform all the way into an animal, but partially..." She let her sentence trail off. Boy did she feel stupid for even mentioning it. But Hermione had an entirely different set of thoughts.

Her face suddenly lit up, like Christmas had arrived early. She energetically pumped her hand into the air, all the while muttering to Isabella.

"Professor! Professor! Oh my goodness Bella. How did you learn? How do you go about doing it? And without any textbooks or instructions...Oh Professor! Could you come here a minute? It's important!"

Bella could feel everybody's eyes on her and Hermione. Jeez, did she have to make such a ruckus? Wait a minute, scratch that. Of course she did, she was Hermione after all. Isabella felt kind of detached from the situation for a moment, as if she were watching from above as Hermione explained what Bella had said to Professor McGonagall.

She was snapped back into her body when Professor McGonagall looked at her sharply. "Show me." She demanded.

"Well, I kinda need a lot of space..." Bella said, trying to delay the inevitable.

"Everyone, up from your seats and stand on that side of the room. Yes, over there, thank you." Professor McGonagall waved her wand and all the desks piled on top of themselves along the far wall. Bella could see Ron, Harry and Hermione among the students gathered, watching her. She felt like a new species at a science convention.

"Miss Vito, if you please."

Bella nodded, took a deep breath and closed her eyes. She emptied her mind of all thoughts except for one: I want to fly. She felt the familiar tingling itch between her shoulder blades, felt the magic shimmer over her skin. Her skin tightened, then stretched as the transformation began. She could feel the new bones forming, heard the tearing of her school robes and the gasp of the students as the wings burst free. She opened her eyes and tested the new appendages carefully, sending a gust of air that stirred up the paper work on McGonagall's desk and fluttered everyone's school robes.

"Oh my," Professor McGonagall finally managed to get out. Hermione took a step forward and tentatively reached out a hand to touch the soft feathers.

"She looks like an angel," Hermione said, measuring the span. "They have to be at least two meters long each."

"Three," Isabella said. "I need a big wing span to lift my body off the ground."

"You mean you've actually flown with these?" McGonagall asked.

Bella looked bewildered. "What else would I use them for?"

Several of the students lined up on the wall suggested rather loudly that they go outside to see if she really could fly. Bella looked over and saw that it was her fellow Slytherins jeering at her claims.

"Oh ye of little faith," she replied. Then turned back to her professor. "Could we Professor? It's a gorgeous day, and it would be perfect."

Professor McGonagall agreed, albeit a bit grudgingly. A few cheers rose up, and Bella concentrated on shrinking her wings so that the tips were barely longer than her shoulder width. When she caught the look on Ron's and Harry's faces, she grinned.

"Travel sized. Much more convenient," she joked, eliciting an answering grin from both boys. Hermione was still occasionally stroking the soft down, as if reassuring herself that it wasn't some kind of illusion. Walking behind them was Malfoy, a sneer twisting his mouth.

Bella had been avoiding him for the last two weeks, as she had found out what that twisting sensation in her gut was. Lust. She had the hots for Draco Malfoy, but she hated everything that he represented.

McGonagall took them out across the grounds toward the bridge that extended over the ravine. Bella's friends and peers found comfortable seats on the grass and sat back. Bella was reminded of her family waiting excitedly for the fireworks on Independence Day. But that was a long time ago.

Firmly pushing those thoughts aside, Isabella looked to her professor for permission to begin. At McGonagall's nod, she enlarged her wings once again and took off running for the ravine, taking a swan dive off the edge. She briefly heard the startled cries of a few of the students, but now that she was airborne, all thoughts except instinct vanished.

She tucked her wings closer to her to gain more speed, then at terminal velocity reopened them, the wind resistance shooting her back up and speeding past the onlookers. She flapped her wings for a little extra thrust, and slowed down to hover. She looked down at her class, they looked so tiny from this height.

Forgetting that class was almost over, she performed a few maneuvers; it had been so long since she had flown, and it felt amazing. Coming to her senses, she reluctantly drifted back to the ground and let the wings disappear. Her classmates were on their feet clapping, all except the rest of the Slytherins. No surprise there.

"I must say, Miss Vito, that in all my years I have never seen what you have shown us today. Well done."

"Thank you, Professor," Bella said tiredly. It was energy draining to transform and fly. No matter how much she loved doing so, she couldn't deny the results.

"Yes, well, class is over. So it's off to lunch with you. Don't forget, this Saturday is the first Hogsmeade trip of the school year, and all students must have their permission slip signed and given to their head of house by Friday evening."

Bella caught up to Harry, Ron and Hermione as they trudged back toward the castle.

"You going Bella?" Ron asked.

"Yeah, you lot?" The British lingo was slowly integrating itself into Bella's speech.

"Of course. Say, we should meet up in front of the school, then all go down together. I'm sure Ginny will be going to," Ron said, sliding an almost inconspicuous glance Harry's way.

"Cool, see you there," Bella said as she made her way to the library, waving goodbye. As she disappeared around the corner, Harry shook his head in amusement.

"You know, Hermione, I think she may just study more than even you."

"Oh come off it Harry. You can't blame her, she didn't even know she was a witch until June. Of course she's going to want to know as much as she can about it."

"You've known for seven years, didn't seem to slow you down any," Ron teased, piling food onto his plate.

"Hush up you. Stuff a few more of those in your mouth while you're at it so that I won't have to listen to your nonsense."

"But 'Mione, you know it's the truth, don't deny it."

"Don't you 'Mione' me you great lout."

"Ouch!" Ron held a hand over his heart. "That hurt Hermione."

"Good."

Saturday morning dawned to find Isabella all ready preparing for the Hogsmeade visit. Much to the annoyance of her roommates, she had torn her trunk apart and tried on every outfit she owned twice before finally choosing one. After finishing a luxurious bubble bath in the prefects bathroom – which, thanks to her ingenuity, she found out when to use it without getting caught – she pulled the skin tight black tank top on over a lacy crimson bra. Emblazoned in gold glitter was the words "Panic! At the Disco." Next came the matching underwear and a pair of denim shorts that were just on this side of being almost too short. After applying mascara and a bit of lip gloss, she slipped on a pair of wedge sandals.

Checking her reflection, Bella wondered if her American style was acceptable here in Britain, then she shrugged. Oh well. This is me, if they don't like it, they can kiss my ass.

She grabbed her purse and checked her watch as she descended the dormitory steps. It was ten more minutes until she was supposed to meet Hermione and the others, which left her seven to get to the front entrance. She was so lost in thought that as she crossed the common room, she failed to notice the figure lounging on one of the sofas. She only stopped as she heard a low-pitched whistle.

"Meeting someone special today, Vito?"

Bella rolled her eyes in exasperation and turned around, placing a hand on her hip impatiently. "Today's the Hogsmeade visit in case you didn't remember, Malfoy. I'm not about to go skipping through the village in my school uniform. Besides, it's Saturday; no classes, so I can wear whatever I feel like wearing."

"I'm not complaining, the view of your legs is quite nice, but I don't want Weaselby and Potty being given the same privilege."

Bella sent a glare his direction and bent down to readjust the strap of her sandal.

"Especially if you do things like that. Any shorter and I'd be getting an eyeful of what I'm sure are a pair of pretty knickers."

"Drop dead, Draco. You're not my father to be dictating what I wear and who is allowed to view it," Bella started for the entrance again, but was surprised to find Malfoy blocking her way. "Move."

Malfoy gave her his I'm-superior-and-right smirk. "I pity your father. I believe that was the first time you've used my first name."

Bella shoved him in the chest, trying to making him stumble, but the solid wall of muscle wouldn't budge. "Don't get used to it. Just because you're gorgeous doesn't mean that I'm going to simper and hang all over you like that simpleton Parkinson."

His smirk got wider. "So I'm gorgeous, huh?"

Bella didn't know what to do. This Draco was teasing her; mostly all he ever did was sneer and make scathing remarks. She didn't know how to stay immune. So this is how he gets all his girlfriends, she thought. Just turn on the charm, make them think that he's harmless and playful. Yeah right, I'm not falling for that one, buddy. "You know very well you are. That's partially why you're so self-centered and rude. Now I have to go, Malfoy."

"Fine then. Go off and do whatever it is that Scarhead and his fanclub do on their days off, but one thing first..."

"What?" Isabella was truly getting irritated now. Malfoy held his hand out to her. Bella blinked, not comprehending what he wanted.

"Friends? We'll shake on it," Malfoy said. Bella looked for some sign of trickery. Now she was extremely confused and running very late.

"Why?"

"Do I need a reason?"

"Malfoy, you never do anything that doesn't benefit you in some way. What are you getting out of my friendship?"

Malfoy lowered his hand slowly, staring into Bella's defiant eyes. Boy did they snap when she was angry. This was going to be harder than he thought. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity of awkward silence, he said: "Fine, think on it. But don't think too hard, there's not always more beneath the surface." Of course, there was in this instance, but he wasn't about to tell her that.

He let her go by him and heard her mutter as she exited the common room out into the dungeons,

"He's gone mad. Maybe someone slipped him a potion at breakfast this morning. Jesus, Bella! Stop talking to yourself!"

Malfoy let a true grin light up his features, seeing as how there was no one around to notice. Oh yes, winning this bet was going to be fun. All ready he was having success, by confusing her and making her re-evaluate her opinions. Yes sir. This was going to be fun.

Bella poked her head back through the entrance and sent a mischievous grin Malfoy's direction. "Oh, by the way, I'm not wearing any knickers." And with that she flounced out and down the hallway.

Malfoy bit back a groan. It may be fun, but his hormones might just drive him insane first.

"Guys! Sorry I'm late!" Bella panted as she jogged over to her friends. "I tell you what, running in high heels is harder than it sounds. I almost broke my ankle when I dodged a water bomb from Peeves."

Harry and Ron grinned, "We sent him down so he could ambush Malfoy."

Bella sighed and shook her head. "I don't understand you guys. Why can't you just tolerate each other? I mean, it wouldn't be the end of the world."

They looked at her like she'd grown a third head.

"Maybe because he's an arrogant prat..."

"And because he's a Death Eater."

"You've no proof of that Harry Potter and you know it," Bella said crossing her arms over her chest. "But I won't argue about him being a prat." She gave a smile and looped each of her arms through one of theirs. Hermione joined them moments later and looped her arm through Ron's free one. They strolled like that, chained together, and half an hour later were coming out of the sweet shop in a similar fashion; pockets bulging.

Deciding on grabbing a butterbeer at Madame Rosmerta's, they started down the street, but stopped at Ron's surprised cry. They looked in the direction his finger was pointing.

"Oi! They didn't tell me they were opening a shop here," he all but ran to the building that Bella could now see was a joke shop. The other three hurried to keep up with Ron's lanky strides.

"Nice," Harry commented. "They opened up in the old Zonko's shop. Didn't they say something about that last year?"

"They might of mentioned it, but they decided that it wouldn't be worth it if students kept getting pulled out of school due to attacks and murders."

"Who are we talking about?" Bella asked.

"My brothers," Ron answered, as they walked into the shop. "They're twins —"

Bella caught sight of the said twins behind the sales counter. "Fred and George," she finished.

Ron gaped for a moment, looking much like an over-sized goldfish. "How'd you know that?"

Bella didn't have time to answer before both twins were bounding over. "Well, if it isn't icckle Ronniekins. Hello Harry, hi Hermione." Fred looked at Bella, noticing that there was an extra body hovering about. A slow grin spread across his face. "Oi, George, do you see who I see?"

"Well if it isn't the mysterious imp, Isabella." George leaned in and took her hand, brushing a kiss across it. Fred stepped forward and took her other hand, also feathering a kiss against her delicate fingers.

"Always a pleasure gentlemen," Bella responded teasingly. Flashing a flirtatious smile, she wandered over to peruse the merchandise. Fred whistled under his breath.

Ron looked between his older brothers, who were still watching Bella as she strolled around the shop, occasionally picking something up and examining it before replacing it back onto the shelf. Harry and Hermione had also wandered off to go look at the latest items the twins had invented. "How do you know Bella?"

Realizing that they were staring longer than was wise, the twins turned their attention enthusiastically on their younger brother. "Well, you see little brother..." George started.

"It's a long story, so we'll tell you when you're older," Fred finished.

Ron raised an eyebrow inquiringly, but he didn't push. He'd find out sooner or later, and he could ask Bella back at the castle; but the fact that his brothers weren't jabbering on about it was something new, and Ron wasn't sure if he liked where he thought this might lead.

"Hey," Bella's smoky voice interrupted his thoughts. "What does this do?" She asked the twins, holding up a Patented Daydream Charm.

Fred put his arm companionably around her shoulders and led her to the back of the store, where the charms were stacked next to an extremely pink display. Ron and George watched them go, George shaking his head in amusement. "He's picking up the pace this time, better catch up so I'm not left behind." And with that cryptic remark, followed Fred and Bella as Fred explained the working of the charm, leaving a very puzzled Ron to find Harry and Hermione.

"So," Fred was saying as George approached, "That's how it works. And by the way Bella, would you like to sometime..."

George smacked his brother on the back just a tad too hard, making him lose his breath momentarily. He knew what Fred had been about to ask, and he wasn't about to be beaten to the punch, so to speak. "Oh wonderful twin brother of mine, how is the sale pitch going?"

Fred sent a glare at his brother, cursing his bad timing, when he saw a glint of determination in George's eyes. Uh-oh, Fred thought. It was never a good thing when he and his brother were interested in the same girl.

Bella watched the two gorgeous red-heads communicate silent messages. Mild amusement quirked the corners of her mouth. "Actually," Bella drawled, just long enough to get both boys' attention, "I'm going to buy it. Could prove an interesting diversion next time I have to sit next to Malfoy in Potions."

"Don't worry about it," Fred said.

"As a friend of Harry's we'll let you have the first purchase free," George finished.

Ron, having overheard this comment, started off on a rant as he stomped toward the door. "Oh sure! A pretty face and they're giving stuff away, yet their own brother has to pay full price!"

Bella chuckled and started to follow her friend. She turned back to Fred and George, sending a dazzling smile. "Thank you, for the Daydream I mean." Then blowing a kiss to the twins, sashayed out the door and followed Ron into Madame Rosmerta's.

Fred and George were momentarily speechless. What had been an innocent action on Bella's part had had a devestating effect on the twins' hormones.

"Bloody hell, George. I think I had better go take a cold shower; if I don't, I might just go after her and snog her senseless."

"Only after I do dear brother."

Harry came over to the twins, looking concerned. "Are you two all right? You look like you were assaulted by a veela."

Both Fred and George immediately returned to their normal state, all the while explicit fantasies ran rampant through their minds. That and the thought that the other twin wanted Isabella.

Now this is going to be a bit difficult. Fred thought. How in hell am I supposed to get Isabella if George likes her too? He looked at his brother, never knowing that George was thinking the exact same thing. When their gazes met, a mischievous twinkle appeared in the identical pairs of eyes. Talking without words.

Let the games begin, dear brother.