New Beginnings

[Isotta Ellesborough]

• She was pleased—and her face showed it—when he did not immediately discount her plan to thwart any such monsters that might inconvenience her. That, Isotta decided on the spot, was exactly the sort of consideration that she deserved; if that was how everyone in this Hogsmeade would respond to her plans, the young girl thought she would like this new town very much indeed. Isotta let out a small giggle at his comment about the hair, smiling brightly up at him—though he had bent slightly to lower the distance between them—to respond.
  
  “I don’t know the address in particular,” the witch replied cheerfully, “but I believe I am looking for a place called Bartonburg?”
  
  While somewhat reluctant to end her solo adventures, the child knew that she needed at least some assistance if she hoped to get anywhere. It had occurred to her on the train that she had not remembered to inform cousin James of her arrival, and so no one would be in the least worried if she did not arrive in one piece!