Say You Won't Let Go || Bill Weasley

Sixty Three: The Future Unfolds

Since Isabelle's meeting with Penelope, an eventful September came and went, bringing her into October.

First, when classes began, Harry and Ron were able to take Potions, as Slughorn lowered the O.W.L. requirements to take it at the N.E.W.T. level. This would not be a problem typically, but Hermione expressed her feelings towards Harry being Slughorn's favorite and winning the Liquid Luck potion because of the notes written in Harry's borrowed textbook.

Then, Quidditch tryouts took place in the middle of September. Ron made the team again as Keeper, which was a surprise to Isabelle until Hermione told her that she'd been practicing using non-verbal spells and may have jinxed McLaggen during his tryout, ultimately giving Ron the spot. Harry, now the team captain, also picked Ginny as their new Chaser, as well as bringing back other players from years before.

As October began, the weather changed dramatically from the gentle warmth of the day to blistering cold winds and early snowfall, especially when the first Hogsmeade weekend arrived. Isabelle had elected to stay home that weekend, but she heard about how Katie Bell had been cursed by an object meant to be delivered to Dumbledore while on the trip and would be replaced by Dean Thomas on the Quidditch team.

Speaking of Dean Thomas, the most interesting information of all had to have been when Ginny went to Isabelle and told her about her relationship with the boy. Isabelle was a bit surprised at first, since she always thought he and his friend, Seamus, had been rather close, but she supported Ginny and promised to not mention it to any of her brothers until she was ready to share.

Now it was nearing the end of October and Halloween was quickly approaching, in about a week, and Isabelle was bringing something to Professor Slughorn on behalf of McGonagall while she taught a first year Transfiguration class.

When Isabelle reached the Potions classroom, she knocked on the door softly, not wanting to be rude, and waited until a student let her in.

"Ah, Professor Clarke, what do I owe the extraordinary pleasure?" Slughorn asked, a smile brightening up his face.

"I have some books you requested from Professor McGonagall," Isabelle said.

"Just set them over on that desk, there," Slughorn said, and she did as he asked. "Now, dear, you are just in time to help me demonstrate this potion I am teaching."

"What sort of potion?" Isabelle asked as Slughorn waved her over to join him at the front of the room.

"Amortentia," Slughorn smiled. "I was just hoping you would share with the class what you think of when you smell it."

"Of course, Professor," Isabelle said, taking the small vial of potion as the older man handed it to her.

Isabelle took off the lid to the vial and took a deep breath, though she already knew what it would smell like.

"Leather and kitchen spices," Isabelle said, handing the vial back to him.

"And what would that remind you of?" Slughorn asked, and Isabelle blushed a bit as she realized the class was watching her silently as they waited for her answer.

"My fiancé, Bill," Isabelle said and heard a few small 'aww's from several of the seventh year students in the class.

"As it should," Slughorn said. "Thank you, Professor."

After she left Slughorn's classroom and returned to her lessons in Transfiguration, she continued to think about that moment throughout the day. She knew she would smell Bill in the amortentia, but she still blushed like a schoolgirl with a crush when she thought about it and couldn't wait to get home to see him and tell him all about it.