p class="MsoNormal"1supst/sup October 1991/p
p class="MsoNormal"It was a Thursday again, and Isla was walking to the library after another flying lesson. She couldn't believe she had been at school a whole month, away from her Aunt Ella. She knew the older students were going to Hogsmeade soon, and she wondered if any of them met their parents for lunch or a drink when they did. Probably not. She rounded the last corner before getting to the library and she bumped into a tall boy, stumbling backwards, but she managed to keep hold of her things and remained standing. It was then she heard the deepening voice of her cousin. "Watch it Hope", he snarled at her. She looked up, and passed his green robes, into his face which just looked angry, "I thought I told you to stay away from me!" he whispered angrily at her. /p
p class="MsoNormal""I was just going to the library Marcus. Is that a crime now?," she smirked back at him./p
p class="MsoNormal"Rolling his eyes, he bumped her shoulder as he started to walk by and away from her. Isla shrugged and started walking again when she heard the prim voice of Percy Weasley calling from behind her, "Miss Hope! Miss Hope! Isla!" he panted, catching up with her as she turned round to him, giving him a smile, which he returned. " Yo.. you dropped this", panting, he handed her a quill, hers./p
p class="MsoNormal""Thanks, Percy," taking it off him, and putting it back in her bag. "But you didn't have to run after me. I was only going to the library to get a book on Alberta Toothill. I heard one of the older Ravenclaw girls talk about her and she sounds cool."/p
p class="MsoNormal"Percy nodded. "I agree. But I wanted to ask if you were, okay?"/p
p class="MsoNormal""Okay...?," Isla replied, a little confused./p
p class="MsoNormal""Yes. I saw you talking to Flint," he said bitterly. "And he didn't look too pleased to be talking to you. Do I need to have a word?" he said, finally catching his breath, gesturing to keep walking with her towards the library. Isla walked with him, and shook her head,/p
p class="MsoNormal""No, It's fine. I wasn't looking where I was going, and it's not like Marcus likes talking to many people."/p
p class="MsoNormal"Percy nodded before looking confused, "Marcus? You're on first names?"/p
p class="MsoNormal"She realised too late that she had let something slip, she sighed as they walked into the library. She continued in a whisper, "He's my cousin, okay? His Mum is my Grandpa's younger sister. It's not something either of us wants to be spread around," looking around, almost expecting someone to appear and start asking her questions./p
p class="MsoNormal"Percy just nodded, and murmured back, "Understood. Most people have family members they don't like much, especially after the war. And I can see why you don't want people to know about Flint. If he gives you any trouble, let a teacher know. I'm sure they are aware of a few similar cases. I can't imagine it's easy having him as a cousin, especially being a half-blood."/p
p class="MsoNormal" /p
p class="MsoNormal"Nodding Isla replied, "It's not but I'm used to him. As long as certain people don't find out, it'll be fine."/p
p class="MsoNormal""Well, they won't hear it from me. Good luck finding your book. I'll see you at dinner." He replied as he walked off towards the Transfiguration section, and her to History. She found the book and checked it out, after returning a booking on Ancient magical myths and legends to Madam Pomfrey./p
p class="MsoNormal"31supst/sup October 1991/p
p class="MsoNormal"Another week, another Thursday. Except for no flying lesson today, as it was Halloween. Isla was walking with Zoe and Faye after finishing their Charms lesson, chatting excitedly about the Hovering Charm. Isla was the first to do the charm, after Hermione, Anthony and Terry of course. "I want to go to the library and get a book on Jarleth Hobart. I wonder what other charms and spells he invented."/p
p class="MsoNormal""You're starting to sound like Hermione," Zoe giggled./p
p class="MsoNormal""There is nothing wrong with a healthy appreciation for History.. or Charms," Isla insisted. "And nothing with Hermione either. She just gets excited."/p
p class="MsoNormal""Talking about Hermione?" Ron said from behind them. He was walking with the other Gryffindor boys, except for Neville who'd gone off to the loo straight after class. Ron had been struggling with the Charm in class, and Hermione was trying to help him, only in her Hermione way. Isla decided she must talk to her about different learning styles and how people learn in different ways. While she was thinking about this, she was aware that Ron imitated Hermione, although she and Harry were the only ones not laughing. "She's a nightmare, honestly. No wonder she hasn't got any friends." Isla was about to turn round and give Ron what for when she heard crying and the figure of a bushy-haired girl bumped into Ron as she passed./p
p class="MsoNormal"Hermione heard./p
p class="MsoNormal"Isla glared at Ron. "How dare you? Hermione was trying to help you, and this is how you repay her?! And to think I was starting to think me and you could be friends. But I'm not sure I want to be friends with someone who picks on someone just because he's jealous that she knows something he doesn't!". And with that, Isla ran after Hermione, leaving a stunned group behind her./p
p class="MsoNormal"Isla found Hermione a little while later, in the same bathroom she had found herself in after Snape had thrown her out of his classroom, on her second day of classes./p
p class="MsoNormal"She heard crying. Poor Hermione./p
p class="MsoNormal""Hermione?" Isla called. "It's Isla. Are you okay? I'm sorry about what Ron said."/p
p class="MsoNormal""Sure you are." Hermione sniffed. "Now you know I heard."/p
p class="MsoNormal""No Hermione," Standing outside the shut cubicle now. "I was about to tell him off when you walked past, and I gave him what for after you did. You can ask anyone. Ask Harry. He wasn't laughing either."/p
p class="MsoNormal""Really?" Hermione sniffed again./p
p class="MsoNormal""Yeah." Isla heard a click as the door opened, and she saw Hermione sitting on the floor, next to the loo, tears running down her blotchy face. Pushing the door open wider, Isla sat down next to her and pulled her in so Hermione was leaning into her shoulder. Reaching into her bag, Isla held out a handkerchief. "Here" handing it to Hermione, who took it./p
p class="MsoNormal""Thanks." She sniffed. After a while, her tears slowed down. "And thanks for having a go at Ron, and for putting Zoe and Faye in their places."/p
p class="MsoNormal"Isla nodded, "It's not the first time I've heard those two making comments. Some people need reminding sometimes. But Ron was just plain rude!" she huffed, "All you did was help him!"/p
p class="MsoNormal"Hermione nodded, lifting her head and wiping her eyes, tears now gone. "I was probably being annoying. I've been told that before. But I was trying to help him!"/p
p class="MsoNormal""I know," Isla nodded. "But next time I suggest offering help and then correcting him a little more subtlety. I think Ron gets made to feel stupid at home, all those older brothers, and maybe even feels a bit left out. You are an only child, like me. It can be difficult to understand how others feel when you've only had to think about how you learn or feel your whole life. Not that we don't care, just we've never been in Ron's shoes, just like how he doesn't understand only children, like us. Plus, he's a practical learner, not a book learner."/p
p class="MsoNormal"Nodding, Hermione replied, "That makes sense. Thanks for the advice." Blowing her nose. "I'll get this washed before giving it back."/p
p class="MsoNormal"Shaking her head, "Don't worry. Keep it. With the number of kids in our year jealous of your intelligence, you might need it." She and Hermione laughed. "Friends?" Isla offered a hand to Hermione, smiling./p
p class="MsoNormal"Smiling back, "Friends." Ignoring the hand and giving a hug instead, which Isla returned./p
p class="MsoNormal""Ready to go the feast?" Isla said after a few minutes, looking down at her watch. "It started about 20 minutes ago." Hermione nodded as the girls both stood up. "You may want to wash your face first, less for the others to gossip about. The girls walked over to the sink, chatting, as Hermione turned the tap on. Isla heard a noise at the door before it slammed. Thinking it was someone playing a practical joke she called, "Oi! Do you think that's funny?" Strutting towards the door, ready to hammer on it. But as she turned to a small corner towards the door, she stopped still. Standing before her was a troll. A giant troll. /p
p class="MsoNormal""Hermione?" Isla said quietly as she stepped backwards. "Get back into the cubicle now."/p
p class="MsoNormal""Why?" Hermione walked towards her, stopping in her tracks herself. "it's… a … troll." She screamed. Isla started pushing her back towards the cubicles. The troll was thundering towards them, swinging its bat as it went, growling at them. Suddenly she felt pain, and then nothing. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"**** Hermoine P.O.V ****/p
p class="MsoNormal"Hermione made it back to her cubicle, turning round to pull Isla in with her. But as she turned, several things happened. The troll had waked its club around Isla's head, sending her into the wall behind her, hard. Harry Potter and Ron Weasley entered the room, as Hermione was trying to get to Isla who was out cold, bleeding heavily, and it looked like a skull was cracked open. Only the troll had used its club again as she ducked, hitting the ground out of the way of the club. Suddenly she was covered in wood. Lifting her head and moving away some of the debris, she realised all the cubicles had crumbled and broken on top of her and Isla, a little further away, under the force of the troll's club./p
p class="MsoNormal""Hermione! Move!" She heard Harry yell. She quickly moved over to the sinks, hoping to divert attention from Isla, who was now hidden under the debris. She hid under a sink as the troll lifted its club again. Moving forward to the next sink along, just missing the club as it smashed through the china and pipes. Water spraying everywhere. Preparing to move again, she heard a yell and lifted her head towards the shout. It was Harry. He has somehow made it onto the troll's shoulders. Must be those seeker reflexes, 'What was this thinking?' The next moment, Harry had stuck his wand up the troll's nose. Lovely. That was when the troll grabbed Harry's ankle and proceeded to hold Harry upside down. "Do something!" Harry yelled at Ron, who had made the troll turn towards him buy through bits of wood at the back of its head. /p
p class="MsoNormal""What?" Ron bellowed in reply./p
p class="MsoNormal""Anything!" Harry yelled back, avoiding another blow from the troll's club./p
p class="MsoNormal"Ron had his wand out but didn't know what to do. Hermione knew but her wand was in her bag, somewhere under the debris. span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"Swish and flick" Hermione yelled at Ron, intimidating the wand gesture. span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"He nodded at her. Looking nervous. He presented his wand, before pointing it at the club, waving it and shouting, "Wingardium Leviosa!"/p
p class="MsoNormal"It seemed to happen quickly to Hermione. One minute the club was in the troll's hand, about to take another swing at Harry, the next, the troll was going in the blow, and its hand was empty. They could only watch as the troll looked up, confused, to its club above his head, in mid-air. Ron let go as the club slammed down onto the troll's head, and dropped Harry. The troll staggered forward, the boys moved back, Harry from the floor. A big thud later, the troll was on the ground. A few moments passed. "Is it… dead?"/p
p class="MsoNormal"Harry stood up and went to get his wand shaking his head towards her, "No. Just knocked out." He got his wand, and to Hermione's disgust, wiped it on his robes. Boys! Harry looked round, "Where's Isla? Was she not with you?"/p
p class="MsoNormal"Hermione turned round, hurried over to where she last saw her and started moving debris. "She was hurt badly. She's under here!" She noticed the boys came over to help, as the teachers came in./p
p class="MsoNormal""Oh my!" McGonagall said, shocked. Turned to the boys who were starting to help. "Explain yours- What on earth are you doing!?" She exclaimed. /p
p class="MsoNormal""She's under here Professor. Isla. She was hurt. Badly!" Hermione cried. Tears came down her face again. She pulled up another piece of wood to reveal the top of Isla's head, blood pouring out heavily still. span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"Oh God!"/p
p class="MsoNormal""Move girl!" A man called, and moved the three out of the way. It was Snape. He got the rest of the wood off her and called for someone to get Madam Pomfrey. Quirrell went. Hermione was full-blown crying again now, seeing the state her friend was in. Both boys had gone white. Snape and McGonagall were looking Isla over. Talking about what they could do without a healer. Minutes passed, and Quirrell returned with not just Pomfrey but Dumbledore in tow. Pomphrey got to work right away, barking orders at Snape as they worked together, Snape pulling out the potions he had on him./p
p class="MsoNormal"Dumbledore looked at Hermione and the boys, and then to McGonagall. "Minerva, perhaps you should take these three back to your office, and wait for me there. Write to her Aunt as well." Professor McGonagall, also pale, nodded. ushering the three out of the bathroom. It was a testament to how bad Isla looked, Hermione would realise later, that none of them complained. /p
p class="MsoNormal"It was a Thursday again, and Isla was walking to the library after another flying lesson. She couldn't believe she had been at school a whole month, away from her Aunt Ella. She knew the older students were going to Hogsmeade soon, and she wondered if any of them met their parents for lunch or a drink when they did. Probably not. She rounded the last corner before getting to the library and she bumped into a tall boy, stumbling backwards, but she managed to keep hold of her things and remained standing. It was then she heard the deepening voice of her cousin. "Watch it Hope", he snarled at her. She looked up, and passed his green robes, into his face which just looked angry, "I thought I told you to stay away from me!" he whispered angrily at her. /p
p class="MsoNormal""I was just going to the library Marcus. Is that a crime now?," she smirked back at him./p
p class="MsoNormal"Rolling his eyes, he bumped her shoulder as he started to walk by and away from her. Isla shrugged and started walking again when she heard the prim voice of Percy Weasley calling from behind her, "Miss Hope! Miss Hope! Isla!" he panted, catching up with her as she turned round to him, giving him a smile, which he returned. " Yo.. you dropped this", panting, he handed her a quill, hers./p
p class="MsoNormal""Thanks, Percy," taking it off him, and putting it back in her bag. "But you didn't have to run after me. I was only going to the library to get a book on Alberta Toothill. I heard one of the older Ravenclaw girls talk about her and she sounds cool."/p
p class="MsoNormal"Percy nodded. "I agree. But I wanted to ask if you were, okay?"/p
p class="MsoNormal""Okay...?," Isla replied, a little confused./p
p class="MsoNormal""Yes. I saw you talking to Flint," he said bitterly. "And he didn't look too pleased to be talking to you. Do I need to have a word?" he said, finally catching his breath, gesturing to keep walking with her towards the library. Isla walked with him, and shook her head,/p
p class="MsoNormal""No, It's fine. I wasn't looking where I was going, and it's not like Marcus likes talking to many people."/p
p class="MsoNormal"Percy nodded before looking confused, "Marcus? You're on first names?"/p
p class="MsoNormal"She realised too late that she had let something slip, she sighed as they walked into the library. She continued in a whisper, "He's my cousin, okay? His Mum is my Grandpa's younger sister. It's not something either of us wants to be spread around," looking around, almost expecting someone to appear and start asking her questions./p
p class="MsoNormal"Percy just nodded, and murmured back, "Understood. Most people have family members they don't like much, especially after the war. And I can see why you don't want people to know about Flint. If he gives you any trouble, let a teacher know. I'm sure they are aware of a few similar cases. I can't imagine it's easy having him as a cousin, especially being a half-blood."/p
p class="MsoNormal" /p
p class="MsoNormal"Nodding Isla replied, "It's not but I'm used to him. As long as certain people don't find out, it'll be fine."/p
p class="MsoNormal""Well, they won't hear it from me. Good luck finding your book. I'll see you at dinner." He replied as he walked off towards the Transfiguration section, and her to History. She found the book and checked it out, after returning a booking on Ancient magical myths and legends to Madam Pomfrey./p
p class="MsoNormal"31supst/sup October 1991/p
p class="MsoNormal"Another week, another Thursday. Except for no flying lesson today, as it was Halloween. Isla was walking with Zoe and Faye after finishing their Charms lesson, chatting excitedly about the Hovering Charm. Isla was the first to do the charm, after Hermione, Anthony and Terry of course. "I want to go to the library and get a book on Jarleth Hobart. I wonder what other charms and spells he invented."/p
p class="MsoNormal""You're starting to sound like Hermione," Zoe giggled./p
p class="MsoNormal""There is nothing wrong with a healthy appreciation for History.. or Charms," Isla insisted. "And nothing with Hermione either. She just gets excited."/p
p class="MsoNormal""Talking about Hermione?" Ron said from behind them. He was walking with the other Gryffindor boys, except for Neville who'd gone off to the loo straight after class. Ron had been struggling with the Charm in class, and Hermione was trying to help him, only in her Hermione way. Isla decided she must talk to her about different learning styles and how people learn in different ways. While she was thinking about this, she was aware that Ron imitated Hermione, although she and Harry were the only ones not laughing. "She's a nightmare, honestly. No wonder she hasn't got any friends." Isla was about to turn round and give Ron what for when she heard crying and the figure of a bushy-haired girl bumped into Ron as she passed./p
p class="MsoNormal"Hermione heard./p
p class="MsoNormal"Isla glared at Ron. "How dare you? Hermione was trying to help you, and this is how you repay her?! And to think I was starting to think me and you could be friends. But I'm not sure I want to be friends with someone who picks on someone just because he's jealous that she knows something he doesn't!". And with that, Isla ran after Hermione, leaving a stunned group behind her./p
p class="MsoNormal"Isla found Hermione a little while later, in the same bathroom she had found herself in after Snape had thrown her out of his classroom, on her second day of classes./p
p class="MsoNormal"She heard crying. Poor Hermione./p
p class="MsoNormal""Hermione?" Isla called. "It's Isla. Are you okay? I'm sorry about what Ron said."/p
p class="MsoNormal""Sure you are." Hermione sniffed. "Now you know I heard."/p
p class="MsoNormal""No Hermione," Standing outside the shut cubicle now. "I was about to tell him off when you walked past, and I gave him what for after you did. You can ask anyone. Ask Harry. He wasn't laughing either."/p
p class="MsoNormal""Really?" Hermione sniffed again./p
p class="MsoNormal""Yeah." Isla heard a click as the door opened, and she saw Hermione sitting on the floor, next to the loo, tears running down her blotchy face. Pushing the door open wider, Isla sat down next to her and pulled her in so Hermione was leaning into her shoulder. Reaching into her bag, Isla held out a handkerchief. "Here" handing it to Hermione, who took it./p
p class="MsoNormal""Thanks." She sniffed. After a while, her tears slowed down. "And thanks for having a go at Ron, and for putting Zoe and Faye in their places."/p
p class="MsoNormal"Isla nodded, "It's not the first time I've heard those two making comments. Some people need reminding sometimes. But Ron was just plain rude!" she huffed, "All you did was help him!"/p
p class="MsoNormal"Hermione nodded, lifting her head and wiping her eyes, tears now gone. "I was probably being annoying. I've been told that before. But I was trying to help him!"/p
p class="MsoNormal""I know," Isla nodded. "But next time I suggest offering help and then correcting him a little more subtlety. I think Ron gets made to feel stupid at home, all those older brothers, and maybe even feels a bit left out. You are an only child, like me. It can be difficult to understand how others feel when you've only had to think about how you learn or feel your whole life. Not that we don't care, just we've never been in Ron's shoes, just like how he doesn't understand only children, like us. Plus, he's a practical learner, not a book learner."/p
p class="MsoNormal"Nodding, Hermione replied, "That makes sense. Thanks for the advice." Blowing her nose. "I'll get this washed before giving it back."/p
p class="MsoNormal"Shaking her head, "Don't worry. Keep it. With the number of kids in our year jealous of your intelligence, you might need it." She and Hermione laughed. "Friends?" Isla offered a hand to Hermione, smiling./p
p class="MsoNormal"Smiling back, "Friends." Ignoring the hand and giving a hug instead, which Isla returned./p
p class="MsoNormal""Ready to go the feast?" Isla said after a few minutes, looking down at her watch. "It started about 20 minutes ago." Hermione nodded as the girls both stood up. "You may want to wash your face first, less for the others to gossip about. The girls walked over to the sink, chatting, as Hermione turned the tap on. Isla heard a noise at the door before it slammed. Thinking it was someone playing a practical joke she called, "Oi! Do you think that's funny?" Strutting towards the door, ready to hammer on it. But as she turned to a small corner towards the door, she stopped still. Standing before her was a troll. A giant troll. /p
p class="MsoNormal""Hermione?" Isla said quietly as she stepped backwards. "Get back into the cubicle now."/p
p class="MsoNormal""Why?" Hermione walked towards her, stopping in her tracks herself. "it's… a … troll." She screamed. Isla started pushing her back towards the cubicles. The troll was thundering towards them, swinging its bat as it went, growling at them. Suddenly she felt pain, and then nothing. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"**** Hermoine P.O.V ****/p
p class="MsoNormal"Hermione made it back to her cubicle, turning round to pull Isla in with her. But as she turned, several things happened. The troll had waked its club around Isla's head, sending her into the wall behind her, hard. Harry Potter and Ron Weasley entered the room, as Hermione was trying to get to Isla who was out cold, bleeding heavily, and it looked like a skull was cracked open. Only the troll had used its club again as she ducked, hitting the ground out of the way of the club. Suddenly she was covered in wood. Lifting her head and moving away some of the debris, she realised all the cubicles had crumbled and broken on top of her and Isla, a little further away, under the force of the troll's club./p
p class="MsoNormal""Hermione! Move!" She heard Harry yell. She quickly moved over to the sinks, hoping to divert attention from Isla, who was now hidden under the debris. She hid under a sink as the troll lifted its club again. Moving forward to the next sink along, just missing the club as it smashed through the china and pipes. Water spraying everywhere. Preparing to move again, she heard a yell and lifted her head towards the shout. It was Harry. He has somehow made it onto the troll's shoulders. Must be those seeker reflexes, 'What was this thinking?' The next moment, Harry had stuck his wand up the troll's nose. Lovely. That was when the troll grabbed Harry's ankle and proceeded to hold Harry upside down. "Do something!" Harry yelled at Ron, who had made the troll turn towards him buy through bits of wood at the back of its head. /p
p class="MsoNormal""What?" Ron bellowed in reply./p
p class="MsoNormal""Anything!" Harry yelled back, avoiding another blow from the troll's club./p
p class="MsoNormal"Ron had his wand out but didn't know what to do. Hermione knew but her wand was in her bag, somewhere under the debris. span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"Swish and flick" Hermione yelled at Ron, intimidating the wand gesture. span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"He nodded at her. Looking nervous. He presented his wand, before pointing it at the club, waving it and shouting, "Wingardium Leviosa!"/p
p class="MsoNormal"It seemed to happen quickly to Hermione. One minute the club was in the troll's hand, about to take another swing at Harry, the next, the troll was going in the blow, and its hand was empty. They could only watch as the troll looked up, confused, to its club above his head, in mid-air. Ron let go as the club slammed down onto the troll's head, and dropped Harry. The troll staggered forward, the boys moved back, Harry from the floor. A big thud later, the troll was on the ground. A few moments passed. "Is it… dead?"/p
p class="MsoNormal"Harry stood up and went to get his wand shaking his head towards her, "No. Just knocked out." He got his wand, and to Hermione's disgust, wiped it on his robes. Boys! Harry looked round, "Where's Isla? Was she not with you?"/p
p class="MsoNormal"Hermione turned round, hurried over to where she last saw her and started moving debris. "She was hurt badly. She's under here!" She noticed the boys came over to help, as the teachers came in./p
p class="MsoNormal""Oh my!" McGonagall said, shocked. Turned to the boys who were starting to help. "Explain yours- What on earth are you doing!?" She exclaimed. /p
p class="MsoNormal""She's under here Professor. Isla. She was hurt. Badly!" Hermione cried. Tears came down her face again. She pulled up another piece of wood to reveal the top of Isla's head, blood pouring out heavily still. span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"Oh God!"/p
p class="MsoNormal""Move girl!" A man called, and moved the three out of the way. It was Snape. He got the rest of the wood off her and called for someone to get Madam Pomfrey. Quirrell went. Hermione was full-blown crying again now, seeing the state her friend was in. Both boys had gone white. Snape and McGonagall were looking Isla over. Talking about what they could do without a healer. Minutes passed, and Quirrell returned with not just Pomfrey but Dumbledore in tow. Pomphrey got to work right away, barking orders at Snape as they worked together, Snape pulling out the potions he had on him./p
p class="MsoNormal"Dumbledore looked at Hermione and the boys, and then to McGonagall. "Minerva, perhaps you should take these three back to your office, and wait for me there. Write to her Aunt as well." Professor McGonagall, also pale, nodded. ushering the three out of the bathroom. It was a testament to how bad Isla looked, Hermione would realise later, that none of them complained. /p