Love & Death (The Poisonous Princess Book 4)

Crystal Circle

*Draco POV*

"Here she comes you all !" Loudly informed Peter Parkinson who was guarding the entrance.
The common room was packed, all of us gathered there early this morning hoping that Isabella would be back from detention. Our assumption was correct.

Everyone went silent, me I even held my breath.
The gate opened, Pr McGonagall appeared...

"Your classmate has served her sentence. All is well. No need to talk about it anymore."

From behind her, the small silhouette stepped in.
Smiles already stretched on several faces.
The professor simply reminded us all to eat breakfast and not be late before she left and closed the door after her.

Isabella looked exhausted, dark circles under eyes, greasy hair, sadden aura...
There was a short blank moment.

"Yippee !"
A first exclamation was shouted.

"Welcome back Isa !" Another screamed.

I recognised Pike's voice starting :

"For Bellator Hip Hip ?!"

And everyone, including me, cheered up loudly : "HOORRAY !"

"Hip hip !?"

"HOORAY !"

"YOOHOO !"

Our heroine made round eyes and her jaw dropped.
Of corse she was being shock of such an warm reception. We didnt know what she faced since last friday but surely she went through a lot, and being welcomed as a hero was probably not her expectation afterwards. Especially at 6am.

We saw Poppy and Moranna running to their best friend, who was standing frozen at the doorstep.
They went to get her to blend in.

Each student wanted to woo her, to show respect and admiration. Because, yes, all of us knew what she did, and all were dazzled.

She was still in shock but many shook her hand, patted her shoulder.

"It was so gritty Isabella !"

"You're so bold, I'm your biggest fan."

"Well done Bella ! We're proud of you."

"You're a legend now !"

"I'm amazed, in the name of the whole school Thank you."

"Thanks for what ?" She finally pronounced. "Umbridge's not dead you know."

"Yeah but you tried what no one had the gut to do. You dragged down that woman from her high hippogriff."

"YEAH !"

"Alright, now let her breath." I calmly ordered from background.

Calmness came back, they turned heads to me, made space on my way.

I walked slowly to my girl, took both of her hands to take her away from the crowd.

People stared at us, waiting for me to kiss her i'm sure of it...

But Graham called away : "Come on folks, time for school now !"

And they all separated in different ways.

Worried I leant closer to my girlfriend, kiss her hand and eagerly asked :

"How do you feel ? How did you cope ? Do you need something ? What can I do ? I'm so sorry ! I tried to do anything for you, to free you, but I... I failed you."

"Hey stop." She detached her hands from my grip. "That was none of your business to save me. I put myself into serious trouble this time, no need to get yourself involved too. It's better this way."