Isolde remained where she was, listening to him as he explained everything. At first his reasoning didn't make a lot of sense, with the idea of the dilution of wizarding blood. If that was it, then why would the two muggleborns in the year be more skilled than she was? She got it a little more with his feelings about his father, but the thing that swung her understanding fully? The clear need that he had to be wanted, needed for something. She bit her lower lip softly as she pondered how to attack his idea that she wanted to run. Because she didn't. She understood. No one, not even his mam, had given him any sort of notice that he was worth being cared for, and this Lord Voldemort had noticed him.
"You wanted to feel needed. To feel that someone knew who you were, that you mattered. You do matter, Severus. If you can't withdraw from being branded, perhaps we can figure some other way around it. Some way to... I guess counteract what he wants?"