Tap Tap Tap

I groaned as the light flooded my bedroom window opened by someone, "Sorry Miss." exclaimed Bobby "The gifts just keep arriving.". I sat up and rubbed the sleep from my eyes I looked around and saw a bunch of gifts on my desk, Everyone was aware of my birthday now. I stretched and thanked Dobby as I got out of bed, I thought hard about opening my gifts but I decided to wait till after breakfast, Then again... I could do both. I walked out of my room and into the kitchen where I saw Professor Snape in his usual morning outfit, I smiled "Good Morning Professor."I chimed as I sliced myself some of the left over cake and pulled out a fork.

"Morning."was his reply as I left him to his morning cuppa, I slid back into bed as I organized the gifts from person, I sighed happily as I took a large chunk of cake and devoured it. I picked up the first present which was square and small not that heavy, a book I knew it now what book that was the question, I flipped the book over and over trying to find the tag that had a To and From or something but it had nothing, I pulled it open carefully and and slid out the worn cover, The book was old and worn the cover had a skull and a serpent winding around inside of its eyes and mouth.

I paused my fork hovering a few inches from my mouth as my eyes ran over the cover 'The Tales of Beedle the Bard' It was my only reason for requesting Ancient Runes, I didn't noticed as my ice cream cake flopped out of my fork and back onto my plate. I turned the first page and I saw the ancient runes on the page, I smiled as I wondered who knew that this was my goal for myself. I found a page marked and I turned the couple of pages to a story that I couldn't read because of the ruins but I knew what it was because of a picture of a very deformed heart with what looked like to be hair, It was enchanted to pound like an actual heart, I reached out and touched the heart and I could feel the coarse fur.

A small letter was on the bookmark and I took the bookmark and turned it over ' For you. M' Short and simple and tottaly Marcus. I frowned as I slipped the bookmark back in its place and set it aside, I picked up another wrapped package and I smiled as I knew who it was from, I quickly unwrapped it and grinned as the same green came tumbling out, Mrs Weasley had made me a scarf, Then I looked at the other gift I could smell a sweet tang in the air as I lifted it up. I curiously open the brown paper and the smell of Treacle Tart. I let out a squeal as I quickly grabbed my fork and took a long bite savoring the molasses like flavor, It was pure heaven.

I groaned and pulled the wrapper back on wanting to keep it for later maybe sharing a very small slice of it with Professor Snape. I pulled out a medium box with the same paper as before, I ripped the tag off and looked at it 'From Forge and Gred, To Ivan' I quickly stood up and pulled out my wand. With a wave of my wand and a quick mutter of a spell, the box opened and... nothing happened, I pulled my hand away from my ears and tried to look from where I was standing I could only see a box filled with brightly colored wrapping. I bit my lip and moved a little bit farther and farther until I was standing in front of the box.

I leaned over and stared at something that if it wasn't from the twins and I knew they where doing it on purpose just to annoy me. Tons of indvidualy wrapped mini- gifts, I picked up one, It was round and looked almost Yo-Yo size I pulled of the wrapper and there sat a Screaming Yo-Yo, I shook my head everything in this box was something to prank others with. Scowling I went to work on my gift, No gift should be this hard to get, By the end of pulling out everything and unwrapping it.

Screaming Yo-Yo

Two Biting Tea Cups (Flowered Print)

One packet of Itching powder (Special water resistant)

A Small Pack of Hiccup Sweets

A Fanged Frisbee

Four small boxes that had small paper wrapped candies with a small sign that said "Skiving Snack Boxes Testers.", It had Nosebleeding Nougat, Fever Fudge, Puking Pastilles, and something I had never heard about heard about in the books, infatuation sucker ( A sucker that made a person infatuated with the first thing it sees.).

I was glad when I got to Ron's gift that it was just chocolate, I found Hermione's gift and it was a book on the growth of Magic as a child grows. Apparently there are a few disfunction's with the growth of magic to cause some children to not be able to do basic spells of course those children usualy become Squibs, I placed it on top of Flints book and I reached for another book, It had a tag that said 'For your higher learning in the art of being a lady.' I winced as I opened the book and saw it to be a large blue book with Etiquette by Eleanor Golden. I rolled at my last name being use in something as sick as Etiquette, I throwned the book into my dresser, Let the Bogart learn Etiquette, It need it and then turned to my now mushy cake.

I shook my head as I picked up my treacle tart and headed for some reading leaving the mess and presents in my room.

I curled in the female arm chair as I flipped another page of the Dark Arts Series and waiting, I hadn't heard from Harry all summer of course I knew that Dobby would take his letters to make him feel unwanted by them but... I sighed and rubbed my eyes, It wasn't like Voldemort was alive and after him. It didn't matter I didn't like what Dobby was doing it wasn't fair after all that Harry has been through staying with those muggles.

I scowled as Dobby brought Snape more tea and went to turn to me but backed off and disappeared with a crack, Snape looked at me his eyebrow raised, I looked away and got up "I am going to work on the Calming Draught."I stated walking off and leaving Snape in his study.

The cauldron was placed on the unlit fire and then I pulled out the Mortar and Pestle along with the sliver knife from before and the Elm stir spoon. I lifted my wand and the fire light flared under the pot and then I pointed it at the quill and it hopped up and started to ink in the day and time, I smiled as I felt the familiar flow of power around the room having everything organized and set up. "Today I am going to be making a calming draught, I have the Alihotsy syrup, Daisy Root, Hellebore, and Nettles. I am using Elm Spoon with a sliver Knife with a minuscule amount of rust on the tip. My goal is to create the Calming Draught and to either shorten the time or make it more potent." I said clearly.

I pulled out the spoon and poured the Alihostsy syrup onto the elm spoon and stirred it into the water until the water was a brown syrup color "I added the Alhostsy using the elm spoon." I uncorked the dried Daisy Root and placed it into the mortar and started to grind it as the potion simmered. I worked long and it kept my mind off of Harry for a short while but then I found myself adding the Hellebore and then Nettle leaves until it was a cool blue color that let off a steam that was calming and relaxing.

"The steam vapors have the same calming properties but smells like wet dog"I said with a sigh as my motions became less harsh and more relaxed. I kept on sighing as I finished the potion and it came out right. I leaned over and started to section off beakers of the fixed potion and added a tag that said Finally1. "Now I am going to try to alter the Calming Draught to get a better result."I said as I sat down at the table after cleaning the rest of the potion up. I bit my lip and set the ingredients in front of me. I stared at the ingredients and tapped my quill on my parchment, Well the Alihotsy was out of the question because the leaves where the syrup is gotten can cause Hysteria.

Also the Hellebore is poisonous in some dosages, after I pushed those over to the side I only had the Nettle and Daisy Root both of which I didn't think didn't do much. I stood up after going over my notes on the Nettles and Daisys, I was right they didn't do nothen but cancel out the poisonous affect of both the Alihotsy and Hellebore, saying the password and went into Professor Snape's private ingredients cabinet. There was tons of different things like eye of newt and other gross things, I found a bundle of lavender and the some chamomile and they where both to dried out for there aroma was near to none.

I closed the door as I walked out of the potions lab and into the study, "Can I have some muggle money for supplies?"I asked as he came down from the stairs with a few pages of parchment of in his hands "For what?"He asked I bit my lip and shrugged " Just to alter a potion."I mumbled as I didn't say what it was for, I wanted to see if it would work before I told him. "Fine give me a moment."He said I nodded and went up stairs with him to grab my jacket and looked at my reflection as I tied up my hair in a better pony tail and lightly applied some makeup. I frowned as I wondered if I looked okay for a muggle, a knock at the door made me stop primping.

I coughed as I landed in the fireplace of the Leaky Cauldron and I stepped out to move over for the next incoming floo, "Can I get you anything doll?"asked Tom who was hunched over the counter, I smiled and shook my head "Naw but I do need to know where a muggle apothecary is?"I asked as Tom frowned and looked over at a small witch that had warts all over her face, "Over on Akers Street next to the old library"The woman said her voice was a deep raspy one, "Thank you."I said as I walked out of the Leaky cauldron and onto the muggle streets.

I walked down the lonely cobble stone street and almost had a heart attack as a car drove by, My heart raced as I saw the car from my spot plastered to the wall as much as I could. I let out a held breath as I moved this was not going so well I just got scared by a car, I need to get out more often. I carefully walked into the crowd of the main street and set off looking for the street name, My heart was jumping all over the place and my head was swimming by the time I reached the street and raced out of the crowd. I was breathing hard as I placed my hand on the wall as black spots clouded my vision, I think I was having a panic attack.

A hand landed on my back and I could faintly hear a mans voice "Calm down" Over and over, I felt my heart slow and I turned to face the comforting man, My back came in contact with the stone as I realized it was the man that was fallowing me under orders from Dumbledore. "T..Thankyou." I mumbled as he nodded and pulled out his wand looking around he casted a charm mufflato I think I wasn't to sure. "Is this your fist time out alone miss?"He asked kindly his southern drawl was trying to be covered by a false british accent. "Yes."I whispered shyly my hand was on my wand in seconds of being touched, He smiled "I know the feeling, Is there someone around to help you get back to the leaky cauldron?"He asked I frowned and stood straighter as I figured out my best route to escape, silent follower or not I didn't trust him.

"No, I went on my own...How did you know that I am going there?"I asked him defensively, His smile didn't falter as he nodded towards my wand "You are a witch and that hell hole is the entrance to Diagon alley."He said I scowled "Tom tries his best and its fine place to have a glass of mead or two. Now drop that accent and get out of my way."I hissed as his smile dropped "How did you know?"He asked the southern twang was thicker "I know my accents."I said I went to move from him and he grabbed my arm "Its not safe for a young girl to be roaming London on her own."He said I went to retort when he fell to the ground, I stared at him and then at a pale Oliver Wood.

"Ollie."I said stepping over the man and into Olivers arms "I'm here."He whispered as he pulled me closer, I inhaled and found myself safe wrapped in his sent of Leather and broom oil "I need to get ahold of the Auoras"Oliver said I shook my head as I pulled back "No Oliver, He can't get caught, He just scared me thats all."I said softly "Just Apparate him somewhere."I added noticing that he was holding onto his wand "Fine."Oliver grounded out before moved over to the man and dissapearing.

I stood by the entrance to the Muggle Apathacary and waited on Oliver who appeared walking towards me with a serious expression "I threw him in an alley way in muggle Italy right by the entrance to the Ingresso Nascosto, I might have done a little bit of damage before I thew him out but he will live."Oliver stated darkly, I watched him stalk up and I realized how burly my brother was, He was like a wall of course he was smaller than Flint but damn. "How did you know I was here?"I asked Oliver tried his best to calm down as the enter the little nook in the wall shop. "Snape, I came by to give you your birthday gift but he told me you left for muggle london."He said his voice still held a bite to it.

"Oh."was all I said as I went to the oil section to look at the tinctures, They where all hand made and I had to find two of the sameone, One was the alcohol tinctures the other would be an oil blend, I didn't know how the alcohol would react to the potion. "If you go to Muggle London shouldn't you be here for something other than Potion supplies that you can get in Diagon alley?"Oliver asked his tone held a accusation that made her roll her eyes, She looked over at the pimple faced sales boy who was busy ooogling at some woman on the telly to care hearing Oliver talk about Muggles or Potions or magic for that matter.

"I don't trust it to not be touched by magic or other ingredients."I stated simply, At least I knew that what I was getting was one hundred percent non-magic. I turned the lid and inhaled the lavender and placed some on the inside of my wist before closing it. I relaxed at the smell and picked up the oil base also, "You are spending to much time with him Isobel."Oliver stated and he sounded more joking then serious but still "What would you have me do Oliver?" I moved over to the Chamomile "Hang out with Flint and Pucey, Oh yes maybe another Manners lesson so I can learn how to be a pureblood biggot."I hissed quietly as Oliver back off.

"Sorry."He muttered I nodded sharply and picked up the Chamomile and did the same thing as the lavender, I walked over to the counter and handed the boy my items along with a coke "Is that all miss?"The boy asked his beedy eyes staring at the girl behind me "Yes."I stated giving him my money and walking away with the bag, I walked out to Oliver who walked out while I was paying. "Dinner?"I asked with a small smile hoping that he will forget about what had happen and just move on with a grin he looked less burly and intimidating as he nodded holding out his arm.

"Muggle or Magic?"He asked I grinned "Muggle."I stated pulling him along to find the nearest restaurant that served steak.

Dinner was nice and it was funny to watch Oliver, Who didn't go out in the muggle towns much so every so often he would ask a question that Muggle studies didn't cover, I would answer and sometimes break out in laughter. I sighed as I looked at my plate and my steak was gone along with my sides, "So what are you going to go after here?"He asked I smiled and told our waiter to bring our checks "Back home of course I have a potion that needs to be finished"I said softly as he rolled his eyes "Why are you doing potions anyways? Didn't you get the memo that you only had two lessons both where essays?"He asked using a new muggle slang he heard a muggle business man say.

I rolled my eyes "Yes I did get the memo Oliver but Professor Snape decided to give me three lessons more than you or any first year."I said as the waiter gave me a 'Oh you poor thing' look "I understand completely girl, You have a wonderful day. I hope your Professor chills or report him, The queen will do something."The waiter said as he sauntered away, My eyes narrowed watching his walk. He was gay or at least a little bit feminine. I turned my attention back to Oliver who was shaking his head "Why?"Oliver asked after we left the resturant.

"I live with him, Means I should know more than the others I guess."I muttered as we passed a flower shop with Lilies and Snapping dragons, The non-snapping kind, "Thats stupid."He said as we rounded the corner on the alley that the Leaky Cauldron was on. "Its Professor Snape."I said as we walked in "Do you want to come with me?"I asked suddenly aware of how soon I would have to say good bye to Oliver. Oliver frowned and he seemed to be fighting with it before he nodded "Sure."He said I smiled "Say Prince house."I said as I walked into the fireplace.

I moved out of Olivers way and jumped to tell Professor Snape before Oliver shown up threw the floo "Oliver found me."I said as the fireplace flared green and Oliver came tumbling out. "Again Mr Wood" Snape was sitting in his chair when we came in, His face curled in the disgusted humor look that he usually had when I or anyone did something that he didn't like that was idiotically funny. "Sorry."He said as he brushed off the soot, "Can he stay for a little while?"I asked Professor Snape frowned and then nodded "As long as you aren't annoying or loud."He added I smiled and grabbed Olivers hand taking him and my purchase to the Potions room.

I found my stuff still sprawled out and the Calming potions sitting in the same spot, "What is that?"Oliver asked taking a seat, I brought out my tinctures and set them in front of the two other potions that where not marked "Calming potion."I said as I pulled out my wand and started up my quill "Wow."Oliver said as the quill moved as I started to talk "I gotten Lavender and Chamomile, The Lavender has a relaxing send while the Chamomile has a nice mild taste, I hope to alter the horrible taste of the Calming Draught."I looked over at Oliver who looked over at the parchment "I have oil base and Alcohol base tinctures, The alcohol is at least 80 percent and I have no idea If it will alter the affects of the Calming draught."

"I have separated two containers of calming draught one for alcohol and the other oil, I am going to be using nifflers to see the affects of the Calming draught. Finite" I stated and the quill fell on the parchment, "So I am going to ask you since... You know what is going to happen this year." I looked up from dropping in the Chamomile to look at Oliver "Why isn't Harry owling me?"He asked my mood dropped and I let out an annoyed sigh "Do you honestly thought that those muggles would let him owl his friends?"I told him as I stirred in the oil base Lavender.

I smiled as the sent changed from dog breath to a light lavender sent, "Isobel"I heard him get up and face me on the other side of the table "Is it Dobby?"He asked I hoped my face didn't let on as I looked up and at Olivers hazel eyes. "Maybe."I said "You are now deciding to stop talking about this coming year? After you already told me that Dobby would cause trouble for Harry."He exclaimed, I tagged the two and halved the other beaker of Calming potion to put a half and half mixture of the oil and alcohol tinctures. "I did tell you that but..." I paused looking around "fine Dobby is trying to keep Harry safe-","By stealing his letters?"Oliver asked "Eh...yeah."I said walking over to the niffler cage and pulled out four into individual nifflers in four individual cages.

I set them on the table and tagged each of what I was going to give them and the time and wrote it down along with my other notes and drew a chart with different times on it. "Aren't you going to stop him?"Oliver asked I shook my head "No because it is suppose to happen... I want too but..."The reason as its always been fades and I got back to giving the Calming Draught to the nifflers who try to fight the dropper with the potion, I noted that the Niffler given the normal Calming Draught fought it more than the others.

It was hard having Oliver in here, Him asking questions getting my mind off of my work which was not helping my note work that still needed work. I sighed and sat down on the stool watching the nifflers gauging their reaction "So this is what you wanted to do for your birthday." Oliver asked me, I nodded "I already spent a time celebrating my birthday."I exclaimed watching the niffler with just the alcohol tincture stumble and then pass out, I covered my mouth in shock, The niffler passed out drunk. "Okay so alcohol is bad."I muttered writing it down and crossing out the just alcohol additive.

"When did you do anything for your birthday?"Oliver asked leaning on the table "At twelve, Snape and I had dinner and then when I woke up, I hoarded in my room opening presents."I explained watching the normal Calming Draught with the Niffler who calmed down and was starring at the all oil one who was hurling chunks, I crossed out the oil with a wince and looked at the half and half with the normal potion. I pulled out my wand and cleaned the Niffler and the cage and placed him in with his buddies and face Oliver who was watching silently "I just need a few more minutes and then later I will show you my presents."I said with a smile. Oliver nodded and pulled out a small long box "For you."He said with a smile.

I slowly reached for it and untied the bow and opened the box, A charm bracelet sat, a quaffle was hanging from the first one "For the next keeper."Oliver said I smiled and closed the box "Thank you Ollie."I said as he nodded and looked fondly at it "I thought that you could add to it though your years at Hogwarts, I mean you do have six more years."He said rubbing his neck with a light blush on his cheeks. I smiled my eyes warmed at my brother who I knew I loved with everything I had, I was slightly disappointed when he didn't comment me being 18 no he was celebrating my 13th not my actual age. "Where did you get the charm?"I asked, "There is one at Diagon alley but also one in Hogsmead."He explained I smiled as I looked over at the now active Niffler, I looked at the tag and was amazed to find it to be the normal potion, The other niffler looked calm and still aware but calm. I grinned as I turned to Oliver who was confused to why I was suddenly so excited "Do you know what this means Ollie?"I asked barley able to hide my excitement.

"I have no idea?"He said as I clapped my hands and done my happy dance "If I take this potion and I react the same way then" I paused for a dramatic affect. "I have successfully altered a Calming Draught!"I shrieked as I hugged Oliver before dancing around the potions lab. I placed everything up and grabbed the altered Calming Draught that was half Chamomile Oil and Lavender oil, I swirled it around and smelled the fragrance. Instead of a wet dog odor it was a lovely Lavender smell "Does this smell peaceful to you?"I asked holding the potion under his nose, I smiled as he visibly relaxed "Very.."He muttered as I pulled it back and sat it on the table.

"I thought you where kidding..."He said jumping as the dresser started to rattle and shake trying to bust out "Imobulous!" I stated as the dresser froze "This is my room."I stated as Oliver looked around "Its all very...clean."he said noticing my mess on my bed. I blushed as I forgot about the mess that was all over my bed including my now melted ice cream cake "Dobby!"I yelled before even thinking about it, "Yes mistress?"He asked bowing in front of me "Clean up this mess."I ordered Olivers eyebrow rose as he watched Dobby clean the mess "Anything else?"The house-elf asked "No. thank you."I said as he disappeared.

"Maybe I don't like you hanging around the Slytherins."He said as he sat down on my bed, I shrugged "It can't be helped, I wish but now I am in too deep."I said as I shook my head at how stupid my own answer was "I should have told you no."He said I picked up the thrown book and placed it on my desk. "but you didn't and I need a broom, So what if I now have to help Lady Malfoy plan a summer party and deal with Flint."I said "They are actually amusing actually if you get past the unpleasentness they put me through."

Oliver picked up the two books and read the cover "Hermione?"He asked holding up the book on magical growth, "Yup"I said as I picked up the twins box and slid it under my bed and then my scarf I hanged on the wall tack that held my gryffindor poster "I see the weasleys sent you something."Oliver said I nodded "Pranks from the twins, Scarf and treacle tart from Mrs Weasleys, and chocolates from Ron, I think a few are missing." I said laughing. I reached over and took the two book from Oliver but he hand his hand tightly around The Tales of Beedle the Bard.

"Who sent you this?"He asked I looked down and took the book from Hermoine and slid it onto my bookshelf. "Um.."I paused as he gave me a look "Flint."I said as I took the book before the ranting started "Why?"He asked simply, I frowned and eyed Oliver for a moment "Its just something I guess he found out I liked" I lied yes but if I told him Flint read it to me than well shit Flint would be flint. "How nice of him."Oliver said the quirk on the nice that made me have to hide my smile, My knowing smile, It was nice of him to read to me when he should have hexed me but Marcus Flint has always been full of surprises.

"Becareful tomorrow." Oliver said in my ear as he pulled me tight in a hug that made me feel comforted and safe, something I knew I wouldn't feel again until the beginning of the new year and then only one more year before Oliver Wood was gone in training and being a reserve player in Puddlemore United. I backed up my tears as I pulled back "You too."I said softly as he smiled and nodded "Sure, Goodbye Professor."He said as I back away from the fireplace as Oliver did the opposite.

Once Oliver was gone I did the last part in my experiment, and I smiled as I felt a strong surge of calming draught with a relaxing smell and the taste was the soft calming taste of Chamomile. I very nice sensation and even more so than the bitter sink or taste of the normal Calming Draught. I walked over to my trunk and pulled out my gown and I slid into it, I was so relaxed that I didn't even bother to charm the dresser that was shaking louder than ever. I slid under the cool covers and I felt my body carry my mind off before I even touched the pillow.