𝐈𝐍𝐒𝐄𝐏A𝐑𝐀𝐁𝐋𝐄, jp

Movie Night.

The days and weeks were going by quicker now, and before Izzy knew it, it was late November. She hardly knew where the time had gone, because all she did was study. She read her books from front to back, she begged her teachers for past papers so that she could learn the question style, she taught herself everything she was supposed to learn years ago, as well as the stuff she was supposed to be learning now.

It was hard, but it felt good, especially when she received a parcel and a letter from her parents.

Dear Izzy,

This morning we woke to another letter from Professor McGonnogal, and she told us how well and how quicklu you've turned things around! She says your grades have improved lots, and we're so proud of you.

We know Christmas is right around the corner now, but we wanted to send you a little something just to show how proud we are of you, and to show how grateful we are that you really are trying with school. School is so important, and we're happy you are trying so hard.

On another note, how are you? How are things with Remus? We understand that things can't be easy with him around, which really does make you trying a lot nicer to hear. We hope you'll let us know if he does cause you too much trouble.

Please write back, tell us about your friends, your teachers, we haven't heard much at all about your experience, are you enjoying it? Is it as good as Beauxbatons was for you? Please let us know!

Love, mum and dad x

Their happiness was practically bouncing off of the page and it made her heart swell. She never used to care about her grades and what her parents thought about them, but ever since their last letter, Isabella really wanted them to be proud.

There was a small smile on her face, and when she finally looked up from reading the letter, she caught James Potter staring. She raised an eyebrow. The pair were still not on speaking terms, and it had been weeks and weeks since they'd spoken. Izzy had been sad about it at first, but now she didn't care. Even if she did find herself staring at him sometimes.

She couldn't help it when he looked so good, could she?

Izzy quickly looked away, her face heating up as she stuffed the letter back into its envelope. She was embarrassed by how long she'd been staring at the words, and now, even more embarrassed that James had caught her.

James, however, didn't seem to be in a teasing mood. His usual playful smirk was absent, replaced by a quiet intensity as he sat at the table, his gaze lingering on her for a moment before he glanced away.

She sighed, ignoring her dinner and pulling a book out of her bag.

"Guys, can we do something fun tonight? I'm bored of everyone reading!" Marlene complained.

"Reading?" Peter asked, "what?"

"Look at them!" Marlene gestures towards Isabella and Lily, who both had school books laid out. "And Alice won't stop making lovey-dovey eyes at Frank! We need to do something fun! I need entertainment!"

"I could probably get us some fire whiskey? We could play some games in the common room?" James suggested, and Izzy looked up at him again. She didn't know what kind of games he wanted to play. They hadn't even spoken in over a month, she didn't actually know that much about him. What kind of games did he like to play? She only really knew about his pranks, which she heard lots of students complain about.

"Games like what, Potter?" Remus frowned, "those always end badly. Especially drunk Monopoly. Everyone gets too drunk and angry."

"We could play Uno?" Peter suggested.