𝐈𝐍𝐒𝐄𝐏A𝐑𝐀𝐁𝐋𝐄, jp

Hogsmeade.

The crisp September air nipped at Isabella Lupin's cheeks as she stepped out of the castle for her very first Hogsmeade trip. Though it wasn't snowing, it was still freezing cold, and she tugged her scarf tighter around her neck.

"I'm so excited!" she exclaimed, earning a smile from Marlene McKinnon, who walked beside her.

"Wait until you see the village," Marlene said, tucking her hands into her coat pockets. "Hogsmeade's got this... magic to it. I can't explain it, but you'll see."

Dorcas, who was walking just ahead with Lily and Alice, turned around to flash Isabella a grin. "By the end of the day, you'll wonder how you survived without it. It's amazing!"

"I can't believe you've never been," Alice said, her voice tinged with disbelief.

"It's not my fault," Isabella said lightly, "I didn't exactly have access to places like this back at my old school."

"Probably for the best," Lily chimed in, raising an eyebrow. "I'm still not convinced you wouldn't have burned it down after hearing some of the things about your time at Beauxbatons!"

Marlene cackled, throwing an arm around Isabella's shoulders. "I don't know, Evans. She might have burned it down, but it would've been hilarious."

"Yeah, right up until the expulsion letter came in!" Lily quipped, though her grin softened the words.

Isabella laughed along with them, grateful for their company. The walk to the village was chilly but pleasant, and the sight of the little cottages and crooked shops, all puffing thin streams of smoke into the grey sky, made her heart swell. She couldn't remember the last time she'd been this excited.

"First stop, Honeydukes," Dorcas declared, practically skipping ahead. "I'm starving."

"You're always starving," Marlene teased, though she followed without hesitation.

Inside the shop, the warm, sugary air enveloped them like a blanket. Isabella's eyes widened at the shelves stacked high with colorful jars and boxes of every sweet imaginable.

"Is this what heaven looks like?" she asked, half-serious.

"Better," Marlene said, reaching for a bag of Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Beans. "In heaven, you can't prank anyone with puking pastilles."

"You're not buying puking pastilles," Lily warned, eyeing Marlene suspiciously.

"Please? Just for Remus?" She asked, a bright smile on her face, and Lily glared. "Fine," Marlene said, tossing the beans into a basket instead. "I'll be good. For now."

"I'd have let you," Izzy grinned, patting Marlene on the shoulder. She drifted through the aisles. She picked up a small bag of toffee and a box of chocolate frogs, her mouth watering already. She had just tucked them into her bag when Marlene nudged her, holding out a massive sugar quill.

"Here," she said, waggling it. "For stress eating during your next Potions class."

Isabella laughed and shook her head. "I think I'll stick to chocolate. Less obvious."

By the time they paid and left Honeydukes, her bag was heavier and her heart lighter.

Next up was Zonko's Joke Shop. The minute they stepped inside, Isabella's face lit up. The shelves were crowded with trick wands, biting teacups, and fireworks that sparked faintly even while sitting still.

"This place is brilliant," she said, grinning. "I needed this at Beauxbatons! I wish I could show my old friends, they'd pass out with excitement!"

"It's dangerous," Lily muttered, though she smiled despite herself. "You're not buying anything, Izzy."

"Why not?" Isabella asked, feigning innocence.