This is a new story that came to me when I should've been working on my essay. I hope you guys enjoy!

Info: Isabella Lily-Marie Snape, daughter of Severus Snape and Lily Potter, finally joins Hogwarts in her 5th Year, and is reunited with her half-brother Harry after almost 13 years.

Pairing: Bella x Draco; Bella x Alice (later)

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

Chapter 1: Malfoy Manor

Bella P.O.V

I arrived at Malfoy manor in the late afternoon. I was not surprised to see that not much had changed, even though it had been 5 years since I had last visited. When I was younger, I spent many of my holidays here, playing around the house with Draco or baking treats with Aunt Narcissa. Draco and I were born just 8 days apart and would often celebrate our birthdays together. Although I was not related to the Malfoy family, growing up we had been as close as family.

I did not know much about my mothers' side of the family – it was a touchy subject for my dad. I was the daughter of Lily Potter (neé Evans) and Severus Snape, half-sister to Harry James Potter. All I know is that I was conceived before Lily and James were married. I stayed with the two of them until they passed away when I was 2 years old, then I moved in with my father. Harry, on the other hand, moved in with Lily's muggle family. I felt bad for him not being able to grow up in the wizarding world, and often wondered why he could not have grown up with us.

I stood next to my father as he banged the door knocker. Before he was even done, Narcissa swung open the large door. As soon as she saw us, a smile formed on her face.

"Severus. It's good to see you," she greeted my father with a curt nod which he returned.

She then looked down at me and smiled wider.

"Bella! My how you've grown!" she exclaimed before pulling me into a hug.

I smiled and hugged her back, responding, "it's good to see you again Aunt Cissy".

We pulled back and she led us into the beautiful house. I just had one duffel bag for my clothes, which I insisted on carrying myself. I smiled looking around the house as many childhood memories came flooding back. As I looked around, I suddenly caught sight of a beautiful platinum blonde boy standing halfway up the stairway. My heart skipped a beat when I first saw him.

This was not the Draco I remembered. The Draco I remembered was a short scrawny little boy with a snooty attitude.

This boy was tall, and I must admit very handsome, seemingly all grown up although we had only just turned 15. He looked down at me clearly scrutinizing me. I could not take my eyes off of him, and I bit my lip nervously.

"Draco, will you show Bella to her chambers," I heard Narcissa say from beside me. "Snape and I will be with your father in the office. Do not disturb us."

The tone in Narcissa's voice was truly clear. It made me curious, but I learnt not to question my father about this stuff long ago. Draco gave his mother a nod, before her and Sevvy left the room. I watched them leave before turning back to Draco, he had come down the stairs now.

"Would you like some help with your bag?" he asked, reaching out his hand, no hint of a smile.

I raised my eyebrow at him.

"Is that your way of greeting me after 5 years of being apart?" I responded kind of nervous.

Draco pulled back his hand and hesitated before responding with a small smile, "hey Bella."

I smiled back at him. "Hey Draco." Pause. "it's good to see you again."

He gave me a nod before picking up my bag, turning around and gesturing for me to follow.

As we walked through the house, Draco gave me a quick tour – just reminding me where everything was. Most things were exactly as I remembered – old, pristine, and wealthy.

"And this is where you will be staying," he told me as we approached a room on the second floor. "I'm right across the hall so if you need anything just shout."

"Thank you, Draco." I smiled appreciatively, "perhaps after I've gotten settled, we can take a walk around the grounds and just catch up?" I suggested, biting my lip nervously.

After all, it had been 5 years since we had last seen each other. So much has changed in both our lives. I had last seen Draco a year before he started at Hogwarts, now we would both be entering 5th year together! I had spent the last 4 years home-schooled, pretty much isolated from people my own age. But I was now nervous and excited to be going to an actual school. At least I would have Draco by my side.

Draco agreed to the walk and said he would come knock on my door in 15 minutes.

Once alone in the room, I decided to change out of the wizard robes my dad had insisted I wear and into something more comfortable. Since it was sunny outside, I wore a pair of simple denim shorts and a loose casual blouse. I did not wear any shoes. I had my serpentine gemstone necklace which I wore every single day.

I then sat in front of the vanity and looked in the mirror studying my appearance. My straight black hair flowed all the way down my back. I had my fathers' jet-black hair, and my mothers' green eyes. I decided to quickly put my hair into two simple plaits. As I was finishing off the second plait, I heard a curt knock on my door.

"Come in," I called out loudly.

I looked towards the door and smiled as Draco appeared. He hesitated but then took a step inside, stopping at the door.

"Just give me a minute," I smiled at Draco as I finished my hair.

He nodded and waited by the door.

Once my hair was done, I quickly stood up and turned to Draco.

"Okay, let's go." I said with a wide smile.

Draco led me downstairs and out the back door. I took a moment to take in the vast land that surrounded the house. The garden was absolutely beautiful, with gorgeous roses and other flowers blooming. We began walking down a path into the garden.

"So how have things been? it feels like it's been forever." I said to Draco as we began walking. "hope you haven't changed too much" I jokingly bumped his shoulder.

"Well it's been 5 years, so I'd sure hope I've changed" Draco responded lightly.

"I guess so..." I pondered.

We walked in silence for a few moments. I admired how pristine the gardens were kept as we walked. They must keep the house elves busy. We were approaching the vast open field area.

"So, what's Hogwarts like?" I asked curiously biting my lip. "is it everything we ever dreamed of?"

I noticed Draco grimace as soon as I mentioned Hogwarts. This made me worried.

"Hogwarts has really gone to the dogs..." Draco said ominously.

I could tell he was not going to expand on his statement. Although this made me curious, I did not push.

"What's Harry like?" I asked with a small smile, thinking of my half-brother. "are you friends?"

Draco immediately grimaced, looking rather angry, and then the look faded and was replaced with an almost embarrassed expression.

"I'd rather let you decide for yourself." Draco vaguely spoke, once again avoiding truly answering the questions.

We walked again in silence for a few moments. I looked up and noticed we were approaching the huge tree near the back of the garden. I smiled.

I decided to completely change topics.

"Do you remember when we used to climb to the top of the tree" I said with a smile turning towards Draco. I continued walking backwards towards the tree.

He smiled briefly before adopting his cold expression again. That smile gave me hope.

"That was a long time ago…" he trailed off.

I rolled my eyes and turned back towards the tree and did not stop. I looked up and assessed the branches then immediately started climbing. I was not wearing shoes so it was easy.

"Bella! What are you doing?" Draco sounded slightly annoyed but more so concerned.

I ignored him and continued to climb up.

"Bella, stop! It's not like we're kids anymore."

"Oh, shut up Draco," I said rolling my eyes. I stopped climbing and looked down at him below me.

He was almost directly beneath me and probably had a flattering view of my ass. I smirked as I noticed his eyes were on my legs.

"I forgot how much of a buzzkill you could be sometimes," I said slyly before continuing up to the nearest branch. I sat down with my legs dangling off the branch.

I looked down at Draco with a sly smile.

He looked up at me with a smirk and slowly shook his head.

"Why don't you join me up here?" I asked him, patting the spot beside me.

"Not happening," Draco said looking up at me as if I were crazy.

I was having none of it.

I slowly smirked before using wandless magic. "levicorpus" I muttered under my breath.

Draco gasped in fright as he was hoisted by his ankles off the ground and floated up towards me.

"What the hell?! Bella, is that you?"

I smirked watching as he was flailing his arms, but he was too far out to reach me.

He tried reaching into his pocket for his wand, but as soon as he grabbed hold of it, I used "expelliarmus" to take his wand from him. I quickly stood up on the branch to catch the wand as it flew out of his hands and landed in mine.

He now hung upside down in the air, his face in front of mine. I smirked, standing in front of him too far out of reach. He scowled at me angrily, but I could not stop giggling.

"Bella, you better let me down. Now." Draco practically growled.

I struggled to keep my concentration and not break the spell as I laughed.

"Or else what?" I asked smirking and then biting my lower lip seductively.

I noticed Draco's eyes flashed down to my lips. He was about to respond when suddenly a voice interrupted us.

"Children?" Aunt Narcissa called out to us.

I immediately broke concentration and turned to look down at Narcissa and Severus standing below, a few meters away from the tree. I did not notice as Draco began to fall. Narcissa's eyes widened. My father quickly pulled out his wand and said "arresto momentum." Draco slowed down before hitting the ground gently. He quickly scrambled to get up and dust himself off.

My eyes widened and I quickly jumped down from the tree, landing cat-like.

"Oh my lord, I'm so sorry!" I immediately exclaimed.

I ran up to Draco to check he was okay.

"Did you get hurt?" I asked reaching out to dust off his shoulders.

He shrugged me away.

"I'm fine." He said scowling and avoiding eye-contact with me.

I held out his wand for him to take, which he did. I then turned back towards Narcissa and Sev sheepishly. Sev was scrutinizing Draco, and Narcissa just smiled at the both of us.

"We're about to have dinner, but Bella your father is leaving now." Narcissa told me.

I nodded and looked towards my father. From the corner of my eye I noticed Narcissa gesture for Draco to follow her, and they started walking back towards the house. My father and I only followed a few moments later.

Snape began speaking as we walked, "The next time I see you will be at Hogwarts next month. I expect you to be on your best behaviour, and if you need anything send me an owl. I'll try visit before term starts if I can, but Dumbledore has me…"

As my father was talking, I got distracted by some movement in a window on the top floor of the house. It was Luscious' office. I saw a dark clocked figure turn away from the window and then disappear, presumably disapparating. My father was still speaking so I forced myself to focus back on what he was saying.

"…Draco is a prefect this year, so I've asked him to help get you orientated before term starts." My father informed me.

Yeah, considering Draco's reaction to Hogwarts earlier I doubt that is going to happen… I thought to myself.

We were now in front of the house and said our final goodbyes then Sev was on his way. We did not hug but it was fine because he barely showed affection towards me anyway. I was used to it.

I spent the next month at Malfoy Manor, preparing to begin at Hogwarts, and soon the day had finally arrived. During this month, Draco and I had swiftly grown closer than we had ever been. The days had been filled with walks in the garden, one-on-one quidditch, midnight stargazing, unsupervised duelling, and growing closer. One day, in my second week here Draco and I were talking in the backyard when he suddenly kissed me.

This was the moment our relationship officially changed.

Although we agreed not to take on a formal relationship yet because we were both uncomfortable with labels, we were basically a casual couple. Our parents did not know yet, but I am fairly certain Aunt Cissy suspected.

On the day we were due to travel to Hogwarts, I had just finished taking a shower and was drying my hair with my wand. I had not put my shorts on yet, so I was in my black underwear and a green tank top. Just as I was finishing with my hair, I heard a curt nod at my door.

"Come in," I called out, brushing my hair.

I looked towards the door and in walked Draco Malfoy. I smiled as I saw him enter. He saw my state and his eyes widened.

"err, should I come back?" he asked getting ready to close the door.

"No, no!" I said quickly and stood up to stop him from leaving.

His eyes immediately darted elsewhere, avoiding looking at my legs. I smirked towards Draco and told him to come inside and make himself comfortable. He moved in and closed the door behind him but did not walk further – avoiding all eye-contact. I could see his ears turn red. I smirked before walking over to my bed and grabbing the black shorts I had picked out to wear. I quickly slipped them on, so I was not just in my underwear.

"Better?" I turned to Draco, raising an eyebrow slyly.

He simply rolled his eyes at me.

"Mum told me to let you know we're leaving in an hour," Draco said as he walked more into my room.

I nodded and with a wave of my wand, all my items were packed and ready to go. I smiled and Draco just shook his head. I decided to close the gap between us and put my arms around Draco's neck. He rested his hands on my waist. We stared into each other's eyes.

"How are you feeling about today?" Draco asked me, resting his forehead against mine.

I bit my lip. "Quite nervous, if I'm being honest. I've waited for this moment for so long, and I thought I was ready, but now that it's here I'm not so sure…" I drifted off.

Draco pulled back looking at me concerned. He pulled me down to sit on the bed. For the next few moments, I told him some of my concerns and he reassured me.

"Don't worry Bells, I promise I'll be there to protect you all the way." Draco lifted my chin and stared into my eyes as he made this promise.

"Pinky promise?" I asked looking up at him from under my eyelashes.

He rolled his eyes and smiled. "pinky promise.

He then slowly started leaning in, so I did the same until our lips met.

"We're not going to be able to do this at Hogwarts" Draco said between kisses. "I don't want your father to kill me."

"Don't worry about him," I tried reassuring him, but also wanting him to shup up about my father.

After a few more moments of kissing we hear a knock on the door. Draco froze.

"Bella? We're planning on leaving soon. Is Draco with you?" Narcissa.

Draco and I quickly broke apart we heard the door open. We scooted to opposite ends of the bed as Narcissa walked in. She looked at the two of us and I could see a knowing look in her eyes. Draco and I just blushed trying not to look suspicious. I stood up.

"Yeah, I'm pretty much ready. Draco and I were just talking about a few last things," I told Cissy, avoiding eye-contact.

Draco also stood and nodded in agreement.

"Okay, can you guys start moving the bags? I'll be waiting downstairs." Narcissa said to us with a smile then walked out, not without looking between the two of us slyly.

Draco let out a breath when she was gone. "That was close!"

I could not help but giggle.

"You know she clearly knows," I teased Draco giving him a look.

He just blushed.

"Let's just get going," he said and then grabbed my bags and took them from the room.

I had decided I would not be joining them on the train, instead they would be dropping me off at my house and I would use the floo network there to Snape's office in Hogwarts – perks of having your father be a professor. Also, I was way too nervous to take the train.

I said my goodbye's to Draco as him and Narcissa then left to go to King's Cross train station.

"I'll see you at Hogwarts," I said to Draco with a nervous smile.

He nodded and we parted ways.

So, what do you think? Let me know in a review!

Next chapter is Hogwarts...