It was the first day of class. The ceiling of the Great Hall was serenely blue and streaked with frail, wispy clouds, just like the squares of sky visibly through the high windows. Isabella, Morgan, Alex, and Luna sat together, helping themselves to porridge and eggs and bacon. Terry Boot, Anthony Goldstein, and Michael Corner were sitting farther along the table from the girls.

After they had eaten, they remained in their places, awaiting Professor Flickwick's descent from the staff table. The dwarf went to the boys and handed them their schedules. The boys looked over the pieces of paper gloomily and cast longing glances out the windows as Flitwick trotted over the the girls.

"Miss Waits, Miss Baker, Miss O'Reagan, and Miss Lovegood," he squeaked, passing them each a schedule. The four of them put their heads together, pouring over their new schedules.

"Charms, Divination, Lunch, History of Magic, and Potions!" Morgan groaned.

"Same, but with Ancient Runes instead of that prophesying stuff," Alex said, sounding significantly more pleased with the course load than Morgan was.

"Check it out, we're open all of Wednesday afternoon!" Morgan said excitedly, pointing at a blank in their schedules.

"We'll need that time to study," Alex said shrewdly and Morgan deflated a little.

"Miss O'Reagan," a familiarly brusk voice called. The girls looked up and saw Professor McGonagall approaching them from the Slytherin table. "I'd like to see you in my office in twenty minutes."

"I have Charms, professor..."

"I'll tell Filius I need you this morning," Professor McGonagall said firmly. After the Transfiguration teacher had left, Isabella's friends fell to contemplating what she wanted the Ravenclaw for.

"You can't be in trouble already," Alex said.

"No, I'm not! At least, I don't think so..."

"Maybe she's giving you private lessons!" Morgan suggested, her green eyes blazing with excitement.

"But why? Bella's already good at Transfiguration," Luna pointed out.

"Maybe she'll teach you to be an animagus!" Morgan said breathlessly.

"But that advanced is really," Isabella said doubtfully. "And why she pull me aside special?" When she was nervous, the Italian's English fell apart rapidly.

"Well, there's only one way to find out," Alex said practically. "See you in Charms, Bella."

Thirty minutes later, Isabella stood outside Professor McGonagall's office waiting for the teacher in question. After a few moments, the sound of rapid, business-like footsteps filled the corridor and Professor McGonagall swept into view.

"Ah, good," she said. "I'm sorry I'm late, but there was a problem with the sixth-years' schedules."

"Oh, it's alright." Isabella was not one to hold a few minutes over a person. Professor McGonagall opened the door to her office and went inside. Isabella caught the door just before it slammed shut and followed the teacher in.

"Ms. Pavarti was concerned about her Divination class - useless subject. I trust you're not taking it?"

"Um, no."

"Good. Very good. And then there was Longbottom not wanting to take Charms and Potter with his potions... anyways. I didn't ask you to come here to complain about schedules."

"I didn't think you had, professor." Professor McGonagall paused from where she had been moving a sheaf of papers off one of the tartan-covered chairs.

"That was a joke, wasn't it?"

"Yes, professor."

"Good," Professor McGonagall said, moving the chair in front of her desk and striding around to her own chair. "Well, no doubt you are wondering why I did call you here."

"It did cross my mind, yes."

"Hm, you mean it crossed Miss Baker's mind," she said, pursing her lips. Isabella smiled; Professor McGonagall knew her students very well. "Sit, sit. Have a biscuit." Isabella obeyed but politely declined the cookie.

"Well, Ms. O'Reagan. Are you planning to continue your Transfiguration Society this year?" Professor McGonagall asked, putting the tin of biscuits into her desk drawer.

"Um, well... I hadn't really thought about it," Isabella murmured. Truth be told, there hadn't really been a Transfiguration Society last year. Umbridge hadn't cleared it.

"Good. Because I want you to teach my first-years."

"I beg your pardon?" Isabella was shocked. Her initial reaction was that her English had really deteriorated over the summer.

"My first years, Miss O'Reagan," Professor McGonagall repeated. "Would you be willing to teach my first-years? The Gryffindors and Slytherins, one-o'clock Wednesday and the Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws, two-o'clock." Isabella felt like a piece of lead was sitting in her stomach.

"You... you arranged our schedules to free up Wednesday afternoon," she realized.

"Of course."

"You were that sure I'd say yes?"

"Well, if you do, I'll give you private lessons every Sunday afternoon," Professor McGonagall said. "I think it's high time you learned the skill of being an animagus." She said this in a proud, fierce way.

"You - you really think so?" Isabella asked, finding it had become a little hard to breath.

"Ms. O'Reagan, there's no use trying to hide from you that you are my best student," the teacher said, raising her chin a little. "I believe it's time to see how far your abilities really lie. Professor Dumbledore agrees."

"You... wait... I don't... YES!"

"I'm sorry, Miss O'Reagan, but you're going to have to speak more coherently," Professor McGonagall said, but she smiled over her spectacles.

"I'll teach! If you give me private lessons, I'll teach the first-years!"

"Excellent! Here is a copy of A Beginner's Guide to Transfiguration, it's what your students will be using. Just follow the chapters in the book. It's really quite easy. You'll be using the empty classroom on the fourth floor. And I'll expect you at three o'clock this Sunday."