By the time the ball ended, Isabella emerged from the Great Hall with flushed cheeks, looking distinctly exhilarated.
For someone as restless and rebellious as her, a quiet life had never been the goal. She had applied to become Hogwarts' Defence Against the Dark Arts Professor precisely because she knew about the curse and thought it sounded exciting enough.
So Isabella had only been frightened by Vaughn's ambition at first. Excitement had quickly followed. Although she did not know exactly what he intended to do, she knew it would be something utterly insane.
After their dance ended, she had even told Vaughn outright that whatever he planned to do in the future, he had to count her in.
Walking out of the Great Hall beside Vaughn, Hermione noticed Isabella's unusual state and turned to look at him suspiciously.
She had watched Vaughn and Isabella's entire dance herself and seen nothing amiss. Why was Isabella so excited?
"I only talked to her about the Potions Exchange. You know she's in charge of the Practical Class Classroom."
Vaughn had no intention of telling Hermione everything. Those matters were still far removed from her, and far too dangerous.
Hermione did not doubt her boyfriend's words, but the wariness she had begun to relax around Isabella rose again. She thought there was something very wrong with that woman, especially the way she had looked at Vaughn after their dance. But there were so many years between them!
Shaking her head, Hermione felt that if she kept letting her imagination run wild, she would probably end up like she had been at the beginning of term: a sulky little girlfriend.
"Are we going to the Laboratory?" Hermione asked, anticipation in her eyes.
Vaughn squeezed her palm and shook his head. "Sorry, darling. I need to