𝐈𝐍𝐒𝐄𝐏A𝐑𝐀𝐁𝐋𝐄, jp

Invitations.

Isabella tucked a strand of hair behind her ear as she walked alongside Lily, the clatter of their footsteps echoing through the stone halls. Her mind was a chaotic swirl of thoughts—about Hogwarts, about her new friends, and most of all, about Remus.

"What's on your mind, Izzy?" Lily's voice broke through the fog of her thoughts. She glanced over, the concern in her eyes impossible to miss.

Isabella forced a smile, though it felt more like a grimace. "Just... thinking." It was vague, but she still knew very little about everybody at Hogwarts, and she was unsure as to who would tell Remus what she said.

Lily arched an eyebrow. "Is it about Remus?"

"Kind of. I suppose I feel a little like I'm intruding in his life. We've both lived our school lives separately for so long."

"Well, I think you fit in just fine with us. I'm glad you're here. And who cares if Remus isn't? Maybe you guys will grow a relationship out of this change," she said, her voice light and reassuring.

Isabella tried to believe her.

"Thanks, Lily. It's just complicated... really complicated."

Lily softened, her smile warm. "Hey, take it one step at a time. You're doing great. And if Remus gives you trouble, you've got me. I'll sort him out, don't you worry!"

Isabella couldn't help but feel a flicker of gratitude and humour at her words. She didn't know everything about Lily, but she was a lovely girl.

They arrived in the Great Hall for breakfast, and Isabella sat across from Marlene, next to Lily and James. Her gaze occasionally flicked toward where Remus sat, with Sirius and Peter just a few seats along. The distance between felt like an invisible wall that neither of them could break.

"Morning, Bells," James turned to her after finishing a very in-depth discussion with his friends about how they were going to get their map back from Filch. Isabella was unsure why they needed a map so badly, but she brushed away the thought when she noticed how good he looked. His grin was infectious, and for a moment, it almost made her forget about everything she had been worrying about. "How'd you sleep?"

"I slept well, thanks," she replied with a faint smile. "You?"

"Me too!" He glanced around at everyone else. They all seemed busy chatting, so he leaned in closer to her ear, his voice only a whisper. "How's Remus being with you?"

Isabella's hand faltered mid-bite of her toast at the feeling of his breath on her neck. "He's... just Remus. He's been quieter than usual, actually. Which is nice," she whispered back, her heart fluttering in her stomach.

"He does seem quieter," James agreed, leaning back slightly, his cheeks turning red. He suddenly felt nervous, wondering how Remus might respond to this closeness. He studied Isabella with an intensity that made her cheeks warm. His hazel eyes lingered on hers a second too long before darting away, though not before she caught the faintest twitch of a smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "You know," he said, absentmindedly, "you look... different today. Good different."

Isabella blinked, momentarily stunned. "Oh, uh... thanks," she mumbled, feeling her face heat up. Part of her could've kissed him right then and there, purely because he looked so attractive and was being so flirty. But the other part of her was reminded of the fact he was such good friends with Remus and barely knew her. He wasn't supposed to be this nice to the person his best friend disliked the most.

James chuckled softly, leaning back as he ran a hand through his already-messy hair. "Anytime." His teasing grin took the edge off his words, but the compliment lingered, sparking something warm in her chest—something she hadn't felt with her ex-boyfriend, Alexander. Something she hadn't felt before.