I do not own Harry Potter. All rights go to J. K. Rowling as well as Warner brothers (For the movie rights).
Daughter of Darkness
Chapter Twenty-Two
Izzy stepped into the Defense classroom practically tasting the nervous energy. This was Professor Lupins first defense class with the third years, and many were waiting to see what kind of teacher he'd be. From what the fifth and sixth years were saying, he was one of the best defense teachers Hogwarts had had in a while. After just one lesson, the older students were saying he appeared to be a smart man, knowledgeable in defense, but his emphasis was in dark creatures.
"Anyone got any idea what's in there?" Ron whispered, looking pointedly at the wardrobe that was shaking ominously every now and again as whatever was inside of it wanted to get out.
"No idea," Izzy muttered. She wasn't sure if she wanted to find out.
They didn't have to wait long as Professor Lupin eventually showed up with an easy going smile that partially abated the tension in the room.
"Now, as you can all see before you, there is a wardrobe with something inside it," he lectured, walking slowly with practiced strides up towards the front of the room. Would anyone like to venture a guess as to what's inside?"
"That's a boggart that is," a student said, one Izzy had ever really interacted with even though he was a Gryffindor.
"Correct, Mister Thomas. Five points to Gryffindor," Professor Lupin said. He turned to the class on the ball of his heel. "Now, can anybody tell me what a boggart looks like?" he asked.
"No one knows," a voice came from Izzy's right. She turned to see Hermione standing there, her hair in a bun with flyaway strands poking out. She looked rather tired. "They take the shape of whatever a particular person fears the most. That's what makes them so-"
"So terrifying, yes," Professor Lupin interrupted. "Another five points to Gryffindor. Thank you miss Granger. Now, there is fortunately, a very simple charm that can repel a boggart," he said as he stood in front of the shaking wardrobe. "Let's practice it now. Without wands, of course," he said, earning a laugh from the gathered students. "Repeat after me; Riddikulus!"
The class repeated the incantation together several times.
"Very good," he said. "Now unfortunately, the incantation is not enough to repel a boggart. Only laughter will truly finish one off and force it to retreat," he explained before picking Neville as an example.
Izzy couldn't remember a time she'd laughed so hard as when she saw the image of Snape dressed in Neville's grandmother's horrid clothes, that awful vulture perched atop her head.
All too soon it was her turn, and she was both equal parts nauseas and excited. She had watched kid after kid face their fears, and she was determined to face hers as well. She didn't know exactly what it would be, but she would face it.
She stood in front of the boggart as it looked at her before changing into a swirling shape that then transformed into a familiar girl. Izzy's heart stopped as she took in the image.
"You're pathetic," the boggart that looked like Hermione hissed. It shifted its face.
"You think anyone actually cares about you?" Ron said.
"You're just a worthless orphan that nobody could ever love," Harry said. It shifted again, the body collapsing to the ground, bending and cracking before it stilled. Suddenly its head rolled over, and Izzy saw a hate filled bloody face staring at her.
"You killed me, tore our family apart," Adrian whispered. Izzy broke out of her fear induced stupor, pulling her wand out with a shaking hand. "Do it," Adrian whispered. "Kill me again," he hissed. Tears streamed down Izzy's face as she ran out of the room, pushing past every student in her way. She made it out the door before falling to her knees as everything she had eaten for lunch came back up onto the floor outside the defense class.
Izzy startled when she felt a hand on her back, or rather, multiple hands. She blinked away the tears in her eyes to see the faces of her three friends.
"You alright, Izzy?" Ron asked.
"Of course she's not alright, Ronald!" Hermione scolded before turning a gentle look back to Izzy. "We're here, if you want to talk about it," she said, not pushing, something for which Izzy was grateful. Harry put his hand on her shoulder, and she looked to him.
"The same goes for me. Us orphans have to stick together," he said, giving the same crooked grin he often did. Izzy gave a laugh that half sounded like a sob as she pulled her friends into one big hug. They all returned it tightly, and Izzy felt better knowing that she was surrounded by friends who loved her.
"Come on. I wanna go face that creature again," Izzy said as she scrubbed at her face. All three friends gave her a concerned glance but ultimately nodded, knowing there was no dissuading her once she had her mind set on something.
The four stepped back into the classroom where Lavender Brown was facing down her worst fear. Herself, covered in pimples. When the end of the line was reached, Izzy was in front with Harry, Hermione, and Ron right behind her. Apparently they hadn't faced the boggart, choosing instead to follow her out of the class.
"If it's alright, Professor, I'd like another shot at it," Izzy said. Professor Lupin nodded encouragingly, stepping away from the wardrobe and letting the creature out again. This time, Izzy only let it get to the shape of Ron before she hit it with the charm, transforming Ron in a cloak, to Ron in a pink frilly dress.
"Sorry Ron!" Izzy wheezed as she stepped aside. Harry came up next as the Ron-boggart considered him. Suddenly Professor Lupin was in front of Harry.
"Here!" he shouted. The boggart took on another shape, one that glowed surrounded by a white mist. He uttered the incantation and the glowing sphere deflated, flying around the room like a balloon before slamming back into the wardrobe.
"Good job everyone, I think fifteen points to Gryffindor are in order. First, to Miss Verona, for coming back and facing her fears like a true Gryffindor. Second, to , for sticking by a friend in need, and another five for for being a good sport," he said. The bell rang, so he dismissed them immediately without any further explanation.
"Why do you suppose he didn't want you to face the boggart?" Ron asked.
"Who knows," Izzy said. She looked to Hermione to see if she had any guess, only to find that her best friend was nowhere to be seen. "Where the hell did she get off to now?" Izzy asked.
"Who knows. Mental that one is, taking so many classes," Ron said. Izzy rounded on him and pointed a finger in his face.
"She just cares about her education, Ron. Don't knock her for that," she insisted. Ron nodded.
"Alright alright. I just think she should, you know, relax a bit. Even I can see she's getting stressed, and it's not even the end of the first month of classes," he said. Izzy nodded and apologized for snapping at him like that.
"It's alright. She's your best friend. I'd be worried for Harry if he was doing the same thing," Ron said. Izzy nodded as they headed back to their dorms where they somehow found Hermione already waiting there with a pile of books on the common room table. This time they said nothing, knowing it was near impossible to convince Hermione to take a break when she was in the zone.
Defense and Runes became Izzy's two favorite subjects over the next two weeks. Professors Babbling and Lupin were very competent in their craft, but Izzy had to say that Runes was by far more fascinating then the dark creature's professor Lupin taught about. Besides, the interesting creatures like werewolves, vampires, dragons, manticores were only talked about towards the end of the year. Defense would be interesting later, Izzy told herself.
She found she was reading much further ahead in Runes than she ever had in any other class, such was her fascination.
She was sitting in the common room, writing down rune schemes in the leather journal that odd woman had given her, when she heard Hermione and Ron begin to go at it. It was an argument that had started in Diagon Alley, according to Harry. They were arguing about something either Scabbers, Ron's rat, did. Or something that Crookshanks, Hermione's cat, did.
"YOUR STUPID CAT IS A BLOODY MENACE!" Izzy heard Ron thunder, a moment later, a crash followed it.
"He's a cat Ronald! No, don't hurt him!" Hermione squealed. Izzy closed the journal quickly and got up from her seat and left the corner she had been hiding in. She pushed through the crowd to see Ron and his stomach, Hermione nervously stroking her cat, and Harry looking confused as to what to do.
"What's going on here?" Izzy asked. Ron looked up as he pulled Scabbers out from under a desk by his tail.
"Her bloody cat tried to kill Scabbers! There's something not right about it!" Ron shouted.
"He's a cat, Ron, of course he's going to try and go after Scabbers. You'll just have to pay attention to him more often," Izzy said.
"Well what about your snake? She isn't always going after poor Scabbers!" Ron pointed out. Izzy sighed.
"Umbra is a scavenger feeder, Ron. Besides, with how big she is now, I honestly don't think that a rat like Scabbers would be interesting to her," Izzy sighed.
"Well maybe that stupid cat needs to learn a thing or two from Umbra and leave Scabbers alone," Ron pouted.
"Enough," Izzy said. "They're animals who don't know any better. Honestly Ron, you do need to take better care of Scabbers. He's always wandering around and you're always losing him," Izzy said. Ron's face got red as he placed Scabbers in a bag.
"Why aren't you saying anything to Hermione about her cat!" he exploded.
"Ron, I'm sorry, but I can hardly fault a cat for being a cat, now can I?" Izzy sighed. Ron's face contorted in anger before he stomped up the stairs where Izzy heard a door slam a few moments later.
Izzy turned back to talk to Hermione, only to find her sitting back down at the table, her nose buried in her book. Izzy shook her head, as she had been intending to tell Hermione to keep a better eye on Crookshanks, as Harry sat down to continue studying as Izzy sighed and did the same, working on the runes she had been translating.
Herbology the next day was awkward, as Harry and Izzy worked together, trying to pull Ron and Hermione into the lesson. Ron barely talked at all, sending scathing glances Hermione's way every now and again as Hermione simply tried to complete the assignment on her own. It didn't really work out all that well, and the four ended up getting an 'A' for the day before they headed to transfiguration.
At the end of the class, Harry approached Minerva, having been convinced by Ron to try and convince her to sign the papers his aunt and uncle hadn't signed, only to be turned down.
"Well can't you at least try and convince her?" Ron asked in frustration. Izzy growled and slammed her rune book shut.
"I've told you, Ron, that Minerva is a stickler for the rules. I can convince her no more than I could steal an egg from a nesting mother dragon!" Izzy hissed. Ron's face contorted before he stood up.
"A simple no would've been fine, some friend you are!" he said before retreating. Izzy stared at him in the back with shock. The parting words had been a slap to her face as her hair and eyes turned a deep shade of purple with blue streaks. Luckily Hermione had heard it and offered words of comfort to the young metamorph.
"He didn't mean it. He's just upset that you didn't side with him in our argument," Hermione explained.
"Still," Izzy said in an unusually quiet voice.
"He'll come around, Izzy," Hermione said, though her voice didn't sound too sure of that. Izzy nodded numbly, but the feeling she had had back in Diagon Alley returned. She put her hand into her pocket and thumbed the odd galleon, a calm wave settling over her mind.
That next day, Ron and Hermione had departed for Hogsmeade, leaving behind Harry and Izzy who had chosen to stay behind for the sake of her friend, plus, she had already seen Hogsmeade.
"Come on, what's say you and me just explore the castle," Izzy said with a smile. Harry shook his head.
"If it's all the same to you, I think I just want to be alone for a bit," Harry said. Izzy nodded before giving a small smile and turning away so her friend wouldn't see the hurt on her face.
Izzy couldn't help the worry that took hold in her heart, nor could she crush it this time. Her friends were splitting apart. Ron and Harry were usually found sitting apart from Hermione, not that she noticed with how engrossed in her studying she was, and Izzy was usually hard pressed to figure out who to sit with. Most of the time she ended up choosing Hermione, who would ignore her existence as she flipped through page after page of her books.
"Please, I need those to write my article!" a high pitched voice echoed through the hall. A barking laugh followed it soon, but Izzy couldn't make out the words that came from whoever laughed. She walked towards the sounds, only to hear whimpering. As Izzy rounded the corner, she saw nobody, but the little noises got louder as she came closer to a broom closet. It was locked, but Izzy was certain someone was in there.
"Alohamora," Izzy said, unlocking the door. She did not expect to see a girl in nothing but her underwear curled up in a ball between some dusty old brooms.
"Hey," Izzy said gently, kneeling down and shutting the door. "Who did this to you?" she asked. The little blonde girl looked up with wide eyes that dulled a moment later as they looked down at her feet.
"There's a terrible nargle and wrachspurt infestation in the castle," the girl muttered.
"Well I don't know what nargles are, but I know I heard someone asking for their things back," Izzy countered.
"Nargles aren't the nicest of creatures. They're mischievous little creatures that steal your things. They'll give them back eventually, but only once it's too late to get any use out of them," the girl explained. Izzy did her best to suppress her anger. She didn't know what was up with this strange girl, but she clearly had come up with her own ways to explain the bad things people did. Like steal her belongings or lock her in a closet.
"My name is Isabella. Can I get yours?" she asked. The blonde looked up hesitantly, studying her for a moment before a smile lit up her features.
"Luna," she said "Luna Lovegood, though everyone just calls me Looney," she said.
"Well, I don't think you're looney. Rather unique, actually, just like me," Izzy said as she shifted a few of her features, namely her hair and eyes.
"Oh, I've heard about you. You're the metamorph people have been talking about," Luna said. Izzy cocked her head to the side.
"Talking about me? I haven't heard anyone talking about me. What have they been saying?" Izzy asked.
"Nothing but lies I'm afraid. The Slytherins seem to think you stole your powers from one of them. Pansy Parkinson claims that her family used to be full of metamorphs, until a few years ago of course. But that's ridiculous. Metamorphs are incredibly rare," Luna reasoned.
"Well thank you for not believing such ridiculous lies," Izzy said. She took off her hoodie despite the draft in the castle and handed it to Luna.
"Come on. Let's get to the great hall and warm you up by the fire," Izzy said, offering her hand and helping up the girl.
The two made their way to the great hall where they sat in front of a roaring fire and talked about the fantastical creatures Luna believed to be true. Nargles, Wrackspurts, and Wibbley-stumpers just to name a few. Izzy suspected that Luna had either made them up for some reason, or someone had tricked her at a young age and she simply believed in them. Either way, Izzy didn't comment on the viability of such creatures. She found it was rather fun to talk to Luna. As she was talking, she heard footsteps behind her and turned to see Susan.
"Hello Susan," Izzy greeted.
"Izzy. I thought you'd like to be informed that Professor Flitwick managed to clear everything with the board of governors about an official dueling club," Susan said. Izzy's face was split by a grin she hadn't heard anything and was about ready to go ask Professor Flitwick herself later on.
"Really? That's excellent news! When does it start?" Izzy asked. Susan's face fell.
"Unfortunately, because it took so long to get approved, Professor Flitwick wasn't able to secure proper dueling equipment like properly warded stages so he'll probably start it up once he's got what he needs," Susan explained.
"What about the one Lockhart used?" Izzy asked. Susan scoffed.
"According to Professor Flitwick, that wasn't a proper dueling platform. That was for challenge duels. They've long since fallen out of favor. Professor Flitwick said that Lockhart didn't know what he was talking about, of course I'm sure for you that that makes the club only that much more interesting," Susan said with a smirk.
"Of course it does!" Izzy gushed. "So I'm assuming that the club will get started later?"
"Yes. He thinks he can get the club up and running by the beginning of the second term. By then, he should have at least a proper warded platform and the beginners books to help teach us," Susan explained.
"Excellent. Thanks for keeping me in the loop," Izzy said.
"No problem Izzy. Auntie has been teaching me some dueling after our little impromptu duel. I think I could put up a decent challenge now," Susan smirked.
"Alright. Just hope you're not all talk," Izzy taunted with a smirk. Susan threw her head back and laughed before giving a wave and walking off to go meet up with friends of her own.
The day wore on, Izzy and Luna eventually deciding to go back to their dorms where Izzy saw her friends all together, laughing and eating candy that Ron and Hermione had brought back from Honeydukes.
It stung, that none of them had come to find her, but she shoved it aside at simply seeing her friends all laughing and having fun together again.
"There you are!" Hermione said excitedly, looking a lot more relaxed than Izzy had seen her in recent weeks. "Come on, Ron was just telling us about some of the more creative 'predictions' he's had in his tea leaves for divination!"
"Oh, this I've got to hear!" Izzy declared. It was well known by those in divination class that some of Harry and Ron's predictions were great fantastical tales that only a drunk like Trelawney would believe. In the back of her mind though, she couldn't help but notice that Ron, Harry, and Hermione were awfully chummy once again.
In the dorm that night, Izzy lay in bed, flipping the odd galleon from the woman between her fingers. She placed it on her bedside table before turning over and drifting off to sleep.
Soon enough it was Halloween, and things had gotten much better for the four friends. They were all talking again, not choosing sides or sitting apart as they had been for the last week and a half. Izzy continued to sit near Luna and talk with her whenever she had an opportunity.
Unfortunately, two of her three friends didn't get along with Luna. Hermione refused to believe anything about the creatures Luna believed in and insisted were real, while Ron just thought she was plain crazy. Harry was nice about it though in that he genuinely listened to Luna, even if he didn't believe in her creatures. Izzy wasn't going to give up her friendship with Luna however, even if her other friends thought it was weird, simply because she had her other friends back.
Sitting down at the table for an excellent feast, Izzy enjoyed the company of three of her friends. She had sent an encouraging wave to Luna earlier before the feast started. She was sad to see that Luna was sitting alone, but there wasn't anything to be done about it. Both of them were required to sit with their houses during important feasts.
Eventually the feast was over and the four were returning to the common room behind a group of their year mates when suddenly everyone was piled together on the moving stairs.
"What's going on?" Ginny asked.
"Who knows. Maybe Neville's gotten himself locked out again," Ron joked.
"Hey!" an indignant shout came from behind us. It was Neville.
"You'll have to forgive him, Neville. Where Ron's brain should be is often used for extra food storage during feasts," Izzy said sarcastically. Hermione and Harry busted out laughing. Nobody was laughing as a voice seemed to echo out in the moving staircases.
"I am Head Boy! No one is to enter the dorms until they have been properly searched!" Percy, Ron's older brother shouted.
Dumbledore came flying up the steps a moment later with Filch right behind him carrying his cat. The crowd parted just enough that Izzy was able to catch a glimpse of the portrait of the fat lady looking a lot worse for wear. Several large holes had been cut into the portrait and several pieces were laying on the ground.
"Mister Filch," Dumbledore began. "Round up the ghosts. Have them search the castle for the Fat lady."
"No need for ghosts, Headmaster. She's up there," Filch said, pointing a gnarled finger to a painting a few floors up. It was like a stampede as all the children went to the hippo portrait, curiosity burning inside them. Dumbledore followed a moment later before pushing through the children.
"Dear Lady," he gasped. "Who did this to you?"
"Eyes like the devil he's got!" the portrait whimpered. "And a soul as dark as his name. He's here, Headmaster. In the castle, the one the kids all talk about. Sirius Black!" she replied, a short shriek followed as she hid behind the hippo once more.
"Secure the castle, Argus. Call all students back from their common rooms and have them gather in the great hall. Have all heads of house do a head count," Dumbledore ordered. Filch nodded, far more seriously than Izzy had ever believed she'd seen the man be in the time she'd been at Hogwarts.
That night in the great hall had to have been one of the worst nights ever. Everyone was so wound up that hardly anyone got any real sleep. Thankfully for everyone the next day was a Saturday so they were able to sleep in a little once the castle had been searched. Even though Sirius Black wasn't found, everyone was one edge even more than before. Many students ran with the rumor that Black was hiding in the castle, or polyjuiced as another student. Draco became no less annoying, constantly taunting Harry with worry that Black would come and kill him. Many teachers took to subtly keeping an eye on him, escorting him everywhere even though it was the weekend.
It was a welcome distraction when the day mail came Sunday morning and Izzy saw Tonks' loopy handwriting on a letter clutched in the talons of their family owl.
'Dear Izzy,
Hope this letter finds you well and that you've had a good term so far. Sorry I haven't been able to write to you lately…I'm fairly certain you and all of Britain know why I've been busy. The manhunt is insane, and it feels like we've searched Britain twice over now.'
Izzy thought Tonks sounded more than just frustrated in her letter.
'Sometimes I wonder what I'm gonna feel like when we catch him…He was family once upon a time, and I loved him. Mum always referred to him as her favorite cousin. Then he went and did what he did.
Anyways, I just wrote to ask how you were doing in your classes and how things are at school. Meet any cute boys yet? Cute girls? Ha! Messing with you of course even though I'd be totally supportive of you no matter what. I would love to hear back from you.
Wishing you the best,
-Tonks'
Izzy set down the letter with a smile before she noticed that breakfast had just wrapped up.
"Hey. I'm gonna go to the owlery when I finish writing to Tonks. Wanna come?" Izzy asked Hermione.
"No, Izzy. I have to study for this Muggle studies exam," Hermione muttered around a bit of toast that she had barely put any jam on.
"Hermione, just take a break for thirty minutes. I'm worried about you," Izzy said. Hermione glanced over the edge of her book before her eyes returned to the pages.
"Your worry is appreciated but unnecessary," Hermione dismissed as she turned the page. "I'm fine." Izzy bit her lip, wanting to argue that Hermione looked worn out and thinner than she had at the start of term.
"Alright. You know your limits better than anyone else so…just be careful," Izzy said. Hermione didn't respond as the metamorph left the great hall.
'Dear Tonks,
Thanks for the letter. It was good to hear from you. Things at Hogwarts are tense. Between the dementors stalking the grounds, beginning to study for the winter exams, and the scare we had the other day, people are on edge. Even the teachers have begun to become on edge.
I'm doing well in my classes and enjoying ancient runes and defense. Professor Lupin is a fantastic teacher. A bit odd sometimes, but he really knows what he's teaching(dark creatures, mostly) and he really seems to care that we enjoy the class.
I'm sorry to hear work has been stressful for you. How's your mum doing? I can't imagine it to be easy for her.
Hoping you're safe,
-Izzy'
Defense on Monday was decidedly not fun. Professor Lupin was out sick, and Snape of all people was teaching the class.
"Oh boy," Izzy muttered as he walked in with his robes billowing. "The bat has escaped the dungeon," she muttered, eliciting suppressed snorts from Ron and Harry. Hermione had only just made it to class before Snape and as such, she was huffing and puffing as she pulled out her books.
"Sir, where's Professor Lupin?" Harry asked.
"Not that it's any of your business, but your professor finds himself incapable of teaching at the present moment," Snape sneered. "Now since your favorite teacher is so disorganized that he cannot be bothered to eaven make a suitable curriculum, we will begin-"
"Please sir, we just finished up with Grindylows and were just about to start-"
"Be quite, Granger. As I was saying, we will begin today's lesson with werewolves," Snape said, and Izzy thought she caught a smirk just beginning to tug at his lips.
"But sir!"
"Page 394. Now," Snape said, deadly calm. All the students dutifully pulled out their books and flipped far back into the book, much further than even Izzy had read ahead.
"Can anyone tell me the difference between a werewolf and an animagus?" Snape asked. He kept his back turned, ignoring Hermione's raised hand. "Nobody? How disappointing," he drawled.
"Please sir. An animagus is someone who chooses to turn into an animal. A werewolf has no choice," Hermione explained.
"Miss Granger, that is the second time you have spoken out of turn. Five points from Gryffindor for being an insufferable know-it-all," he snarled. Hermione looked about ready to cry, and it showed how much most people disliked Snape when they were all glaring at him. Draco and his cronies of course were snickering.
"She gave you an answer!" Ron said as the room became deathly quiet. "Why would you ask a question if you don't want the answer!" It showed how much the stress of the last few weeks was getting to even Ron if he was willing to stand up to Snape in such an upfront manner.
"Silence," Snape snapped. "Mister Weasley, another five points from Gryffindor and a detention with me tonight!"
Nobody dared even breathe. Eventually Snape started the lesson on Werewolves, reading from the texts in the book as everyone took notes from some of the tidbits he'd throw in every now and again. When the bell finally rang, he held them back.
"For your Homework, you will write two rolls of parchment on how to correctly identify and kill a werewolf," Snape barked as the students tried to leave. They all groaned, even the Slytherins. Harry sighed, as did Izzy when she saw Hermione making a run for it out the door of the defense class.
Red=angry
Gray=nervous/anxious/irritated
Orange=happy/excited
Blue=sad/overwhelmed
Purple=worried/concerned/frustrated
Green=jealous/suspicious
Brown=content/relaxed
Yellow=afraid/shocked
Pink=amusement
Silver=determination
Light blue=embarrassment