Alone

[Isabella Rothschild]

Isabella walked back to the castle from Hogsmeade, still aching inside. She had known her words would hurt Voltaire, but she had hoped he would understand that she was saying what she had to say. The Dark Lord would never accept anything less than total devotion. And even if now, her devotion was torn, she'd had to let him believe that she was as committed as she had ever been.

But the consequence of that was that now she had lost Voltaire. He had not understood at all, and had heard what she had wanted the Dark Lord to hear. Perhaps it was for the best, part of her thought. She had been right; love was a distraction she couldn't afford. She was walking a dangerous line, and if she slipped up one iota, the Dark Lord would not hesitate to kill her. And she'd deserve it.

But that didn't change the fact that it hurt more than she'd ever hurt in her life. In just a few short days, Voltaire had stolen her heart, and now that he was gone, she felt more empty and alone than she'd even thought possible. She didn't even know if she had the strength to walk back to the castle and resume her icy mask. She'd worn it for so long that she'd come to believe it was real. But now she knew it wasn't; that it was just an act. Without it, she felt lost and vulnerable.

"I never should have let this happen," she whispered to the night air as she sank down on the grass in front of the lake. Now she needed to figure out what she was going to do next.

[Rori Logan]

Rori walked out to the lake and noticed Isabelle was sitting by the lake. "Couldn't let what happen Professor?" asked Rori sincerely. Yeah, she knew that she could get points taken away, but right now she didn't really care since Isabelle seemed troubled.

[Isabella Rothschild]

Isabella looked up, startled. She saw Rori standing there and sighed. "You know I should give you a detention for being out of bed, Miss Logan," she said half-heartedly. "Lucky for you, I don't have the energy. Your cousin and I--" She stopped. "Nevermind, I shouldn't be discussing it with you."

[Rori Logan]

"Go on Professor. You need someone to talk to, so here I am. Whatever you say, I'll listen to." said Rori half smiling at her.

[Isabella Rothschild]

Isabella hesitated. "Well, I guess you know that Voltaire and I have been... seeing each other. But we just broke up--I think-- because of something I said. He didn't even give me a chance to explain and now I just..." she sighed. "I don't act like this, not ever. He's got me all twisted around."

[Rori Logan]

"Well, I think that's what you call love." said Rori sitting down. "I know that Skippy, or Voltaire, likes you a lot. I know my cousin, and you could say the meanest things to him, but he'd still love you no matter what." she said reassuringly. "Give Voltaire some time, and let me talk to him. He'll come around, I'm sure."

[Isabella Rothschild]

"I've never been in love before," Isabella said numbly. "I'm a little new at this." She laughed lightly. "I just.... I don't know what I should do next. In a lot of ways, it's better off that this end now, but... I don't want it to end."

[Rori Logan]

Rori thought for a moment. "Well, the best advice is follow your heart. Yeah I know it sounds cheesy, but it'll work. I understand you may not be able to know what it's telling you, but it you give it time, you will." Rori thought again. "Right now, let me talk to Voltaire, and get him straight and then I'll get him to come to you."

[Isabella Rothschild]

"Listen to my heart?" she laughed bitterly. "Up until a few days ago, I wasn't entirely sure I had a heart." She shrugged. "I'll try that. Thanks for talking to him for me." She even managed a smile.

[Rori Logan]

"No problem." she said smiling. "Nice smile professor." she said commenting. "You should smile more."

[Isabella Rothschild]

"Thank you, Miss Lo--" she smiled again. "Thanks, Rori. Now, you'd better get inside before the locking charms are activated. I--I hope you won't tell anyone what I said?"

[Rori Logan]

"I promise." she said smiling. "See you Thursday!" said Rori walking back up to the castle.

[Isabella Rothschild]

"I'll see you then," Isabella said. She turned back and looked out at the lake, wondering just what she was going to say to Voltaire.