September soon went by, and it was nearly October before Isabelle had heard much else from Hermione, Ginny, Ron, the twins, and especially Harry, outside of when she would see them during Charms or Transfiguration. She knew they were all busy, mostly with Fred and George in their seventh year and Harry being at either Quidditch practice or detention nearly every single night.
There were only a few days left in the month when Harry and Hermione showed up just as Isabelle was about to leave the empty Charms classroom before dinner to make her way home. While she desperately just wanted to go home to have some time to herself, as she had been staying late at Hogwarts pretty much every night recently, she always made time for them.
"Oh, were you about to go home?" Hermione asked, noticing Isabelle's bag on her shoulder.
"I was, but I'm not in any hurry." Isabelle said, setting her bag down and letting them in. The three sat in empty classroom chairs before Hermione started talking again.
"How come you didn't want to teach Defense Against the Dark Arts this year?" Hermione asked.
"Probably because it's cursed." Harry murmured next to her.
Isabelle shook her head. "It's not that I didn't want to, I actually offered to take up the position. Dumbledore turned me down."
"But why? Half of the other Defense professors didn't have any qualifications to teach at all and you were already here." Hermione said.
"Because he's trying to keep away any suspicion from the Ministry right now. You heard what Umbridge has been saying about keeping quiet about You-know-who. With my connection to Harry and the Weasleys, especially now that I'm engaged to Bill, it would seem like Dumbledore is trying to push the ideas even more, which he thinks could end badly for both of us. Plus, by letting the Ministry appoint a teacher, it makes him seem, I don't know, less defiant?" Isabelle explained.
"Yeah but we aren't learning anything useful!" Harry said.
"It's all theory." Hermione added. "We're just reading out of books instead of actually learning the magic because she thinks there's no reason to ever need it."
"I'm aware that her teaching methods are a bit undesirable, but I'm not sure what you guys think I can do about it. I'm not even a real teacher and if it were up to Umbridge, I wouldn't even have a job right now." Isabelle said.
"We were thinking- well, I was thinking- that maybe there could be a second Defense class after classes. I tried to tell Harry that he should teach it, but he isn't taking it seriously." Hermione said.
"I am taking it seriously, 'Mione! I said I would last time you asked, but I just don't think I'm the best person to teach it. I just need to think more about it." Harry said defensively.
"The first time was three weeks ago, after you talked to Sirius and we got Percy's letter-"
"You got a letter from Percy?" Isabelle interrupted.
Both Harry and Hermione stopped their bickering and looked at her, realizing what Hermione had said. After a moment, Hermione nodded slowly.
"He was just congratulating Ron and I for being prefects." Hermione said.
"I've written to him so many times, and I haven't heard anything back from him. As if I wasn't his best friend for years." Isabelle said, her face dropping into a frown.
"Isabelle, we-"
"It doesn't matter." Isabelle shook her head. "What does your Defense club have to do with me?"
"I was thinking that maybe you would be a better teacher than me." Harry said genuinely.
Isabelle took a moment to process his words, and Hermione took the opportunity to voice her opinion on the matter.
![Emerald Slippers- [Ginny Weasley] de --solaris--](https://img.wattpad.com/cover/227101054-80-k668253.jpg)
"I told him that you couldn't, that you would be risking your job doing this for us." Hermione said.
"You're right, Hermione. It would be a risk... if we got caught." Isabelle said.
Both of their eyes widened in surprise in front of her.
"You're serious?" Hermione asked in disbelief.
"I see what you're trying to do and why it's necessary. I'll need some time to think it all over, and I obviously can't hide something like this from Bill in case something does happen, but I'll support it. However, I agree with Hermione, I think Harry should be the one to teach it." Isabelle said.
"I still don't see why it should be me." Harry said.
"Harry, you've faced more dangerous things in these last few years than I think I will in my whole life. I doubt you've survived it all with pure luck. And you're the face of hope that the other students need." Isabelle said, meaning every word.
Harry nodded. "Okay, I guess I'll do it."
Hermione's face lit up with his agreement and both rose to their feet, as well as Isabelle.
"As much as I love hanging out with you guys, Mrs. Weasley might have my head if I skip dinner one more night. Try to stay out of trouble this weekend, Harry." Isabelle said as she picked up her bag and led them out of the classroom.
"I'll be sure he does." Hermione said, and the two left in the direction of the Great Hall. Isabelle turned and went the other way to her room and took the floo network home to the Burrow.
"There she is." Molly said as Isabelle stepped out of the fireplace and set her work bag down on one of the chairs in the living room. "You're just in time for dinner."
Molly ushered her into the kitchen where she found Bill and Arthur already sitting at the table, talking about the upcoming Order meeting that was supposed to take place the next day.
Bill's face instantly lit up into a smile when he saw her take the empty seat next to him as Molly set full plate of food in front of her. She had been worrying about Isabelle and whether or not she had been eating while at Hogwarts since most days she would come home late and not eat anything.
"You're home early." Bill said.
"No I'm still late, just not as late as usual." Isabelle said with a light laugh. "I would've been home sooner but Harry and Hermione stopped by to chat."
"About what?"
"Um, just how they were doing in their classes this year, since they're taking their O.W.Ls." Isabelle said when she noticed Molly and Arthur listening. She knew that they would not approve the idea of students teaching a secret Defense class, so Isabelle gave him a 'we'll talk later' sort of look that he seemed to understand.
"So what's been keeping you so late, Izzy?" Molly asked as she ate her own food.
"A lot of grading, mostly. I don't want to bring any of it home so I just try to finish it there first. Plus students stopping by after class." Isabelle said.
"How's that Branstone girl doing?" Arthur asked.
"She's good. She's really breaking out of her shell and making new friends this year so I'm really proud of her." Isabelle said with a smile. "Her parents are supposed to be coming to the meeting tomorrow."
"Yes, I heard about them joining. They're strong wizards, from what I've heard, they'll do nicely." Arthur said.
After dinner, Bill and Isabelle decided that they would go to bed early, since Isabelle was so exhausted after the last week of trying to keep up with two different classes. She knew that the first month is always the hardest and was glad that it was nearly over.
