Here We Go Around Again
Chapter 5
They hadn't even taken three steps towards the Great Hall when Harry, Hermione and Ron all burst through the doors, already guessing what'd happened and started bombarding her with questions; after asking Nicholas to go in for breakfast-she'd be there soon-Isabel, as calmly as she could, proceeded to recount the events of minutes before, from her and Nicholas' encounter with Anya Malfoy-the boy had filled her in the name of the little pest-to her outburst in the hallway, leaving out their conversation afterwards.
Their reaction was exactly as she had expected.
-WHAT?!,-hollered both Harry and Ron, while her mother simply rolled her eyes and sighed annoyedly.
-Daddy, calm down, I'm fine.,-Isabel began, but her father was having none of it.
-Where is she?!,-he hissed, looking around for a blond head, that would surely be as hurtable as her father's was when they were all kids.,-Where is she? Oh, I'm going to throttle the little s-
-Daddy!,-Isabel exclaimed, scandalized.
-Harry!,-Hermione contributed, glaring at her husband with her hands on her hips.,-You will do nothing of the sort!
Ron was sniggering quietly at the family quarrel, diverted.
-Damned if I won't!,-he said angrily.,-Nobody insults my girls and gets away with it!
-Harry.,-Hermione began calmly.,-That is all very sweet, but you're a grown man and she is only just a child. A very rude one, but still just a child.
-Yeah, Malfoy's child.,-he spat out the name as if it left a bad taste in his mouth.
Behind her, Ron was nodding sagely.
-And you're her teacher! We don't need another Snape, so I don't want you to pester her because she likes to torment our daughter. You hated that, remember? That goes for you too, Ron.,-Ron spluttered indignantly behind his friend.,-Besides,-she continued,-Isabel is more than capable of dealing with her.
-Thanks, mom.
-You're welcome, dear.
Both men were pouting at them.
-You're all against me...,-Harry mumbled, turning around to walk dejectedly back to the Great Hall, an equally deflated Ron following behind him.
Mother and daughter gave eachother identical grins, and then turned around to head in for breakfast.
***
Ten minutes later a disgruntled Catherine-who was not a morning person and admitted to having abandoned a "Petrificus Totalus-ed" Robin in the Common Room after he greeted her with a "good morning, stupid"-joined them at the Gryffindor table, sitting next to her cheerful brother and asking Isabel to hand over the porridge.
The fourteen year old, distracted at that moment by her beckoning father, absently handed it over and got up to join him by the door.
Cathy gaped after her, completely awake now.
-Nick.
Her brother stopped in mid bite, looked at her, then swallowed.
-What?
-She levitated the porridge to me.
Nicholas grabbed another toast from his plate and bit into it.
-So what? Anyone can do that.
-Nicholas. She didn't use a *wand*.
He shrugged dissmissively at her.
-Well, that's it...,-he said.,- she doesn't actually need a wand.
***
-What's this?,-Isabel asked, glancing at the paper her father had just handed her and then back at him.
Harry smiled.
-It's your schedule; I forgot to give it to you earlier, before breakfast.,-his smile dimmed a little and he looked at her worriedly.,-By the way, I'm sorry about that, sweetheart... I should know I can't protect you all the time and that you're a big girl...
Isabel smiled, throwing her arms around her father.
-It's okay, daddy... you know you'll always be my hero...,-she said sweetly, missing him flinch. Leaning back from the hug, she looked more carefully at her schedule.,- I've got Transfiguration first and then...,-she frowned.,-darn, Charms and Potions with the Slytherins.
Harry let out a theatrical sigh, bringing his hand to his forehead.
-Oh, why must Merlin frown upon us so?,-he cried.,-We Potters are doomed to bear generations of Slytherins and Malfoy's until the end of time!
Isabel giggled at her father's silliness and he smiled.
-Did you see our present?,-he asked, and she gave him a fond look.
-Yes, thank you, daddy, I loved it...
He grinned.
-Well, I'm glad. There's something else, though.,-she looked at him questioningly.,-Your special training with Dumbledore starts next Monday and then every two days, weekends excluded.
Isabel grimaced.
-Fine...,-she noticed the twins walking over in their direction, and turned back to her father.,-listen, daddy, I have to go to class now, I think. Wish me good luck?
He smiled lovingly at her.
-You don't need it, but...,-he leaned down to kiss her forehead.,-good luck, Izzy, I love you...
-I love you too, daddy...
***
Robin rushed into the classroom just in time and managed to sit next to Isabel with a glare at the Harper girl; Isabel gave him a concerned look.
-Are you alright?,-she asked.
-I'll be when I get back at the blond-haired demon over there.,-he said under his breath, which earned him an elbow on his stomach.
-Shush, Robin, that's not nice.
He was about to retort when Professor McGonnagall strode into the classroom with a handful of books and parchments in her hands. Setting them on top of her desk, she turned to face the students with a stern look.
Isabel started fidgeting on her seat; she'd met most of Hogwarts' staff outside the school-all of them but Snape were very close with her parents and, thus, her-and McGonnagal was no exception, but she was also the only one who had warned her beforehand about not giving her special treatment because of her last name.
She appreciated that, very much, but it also made her a little uncomfortable.
-Oh, boy...,-she thought.,-I wonder if class with mom and dad will be any different...
Somehow, she doubted it.
The professor cleared her throat lightly to catch their attention, (even though it wasn't necessary, as every face was turned her way), and then began to speak.
-Good morning, Gryffindors, and welcome to another school year. Today, we will start learning how to body-transfigurate. As you know-
She was interrupted as the entire class-but Isabel-cheered; the young Potter just looked surprised.
-Body Transfiguration?,-she said aloud and Nicholas, who was sitting next to her on the other side, looked strangely at her.
-You don't know what it is?,-he inquired.
Robin supressed a laugh and Isabel looked injured.
-Of course I know what it is! I'm just surprised, that's all.
Catherine gave her a blank look, while Robin smirked and nudged Isabel in the ribs.
-Looks like you're gonna ace this subject too, huh?
Isabel, who had been scowling at him while rubbing the spot where she'd been hit, suddenly looked pensive.
-Robin, is there anyone else here who can-
-Perhaps you'd like to share it with the entire class, Miss Potter?
Isabel jumped, startled.
Professor McGonnagall was looking directly at her, brow furrowed; blushing, as everyone now was staring at her, Isabel lowered her eyes and started fidgeting.
-I, ah..., -she tried, but failed to continue.
-Well?, -the Professor prompted, and Isabel shrank back in her seat, mortified.
Nicholas was looking worriedly at her, as was his sister. Robin just looked amused.
-Er... I... well... I-i just thought it was strange that you're covering Body Transfiguration until... just... now...,- she said weakly.
The whole class-except for Robin- looked very surprised.
-Why is it so strange?
Isabel was at a loss for words; she hated being the center of attention, and yet she found that she had become just that lately. When she didn't say anything, the Professor turned to Robin.
-Mr. Weasley?,-Isabel glanced at her best friend, surprised; he was looking nervously at the old woman.,-Well?
Was he going to tell them?
-Isabel's an Animagus, ma'am...
Oh, yeah.
Silence settled over the students and the teacher for a moment, as everyone in the room stared at her; Isabel felt she was going to die of embarrassment. Then Professor McGonnagall spoke up again.
-Is that so?,-she stated, rather coldly.,-Well, the fact that you're gifted does not make you any different from your classmates, so don't expect me to treat you as if you were. What're you lot looking at? Let's get back to class.
And with that, she walked back to her place in front. Isabel glanced down at the table, her eyes filling with tears; she hadn't meant to let everyone know, and she was a little mad at Robin for speaking up.
The rest of the class was spent with the Harper twins and Robin alternating between concerned glances at her, and glares at the woman that had hurt their friend so.
***
When the lesson ended and the classroom started filling out, Isabel was surprised to hear her name being called by the Transfiguration Professor and, telling them to wait outside for her, she gave them a nervous look and slowly walked up front, her eyes fixed on the floor.
-Yes, Professor?,-she asked meekly, not daring to look up.
-I'm sorry I spoke so harshly at you earlier, but that was the only way I could think up to stop the questions to come up, dear...
Isabel looked up in disbelief; the old woman was looking apologetically at her, a kind smile on her face.
-Excuse me?
Professor McGonnagall sighed.
-I didn't know you were talking about that, Isabel, and I'm sorry I pushed Mr. Weasley into telling me...
Isabel shook her head tearfully.
-Oh, no, Professor, you were right about me not getting any different treatment, and it was wrong of me to suppose...
The older woman shook her head.
-No, dear, you are a special girl, and it's not your fault that you're ahead. Way ahead. It's no wonder, though, with your parents being who they are...
Isabel was dumbfounded, but relieved.
-You really think that?,-she asked timidly, and the Professor smiled at her warmly.
-You truly are your parents' child...,-she whispered.,-smart and powerful, just like them both. Did you know they were my favorite students?,-the girl shook her head 'no'.,-Well, they were, and I loved them both dearly, as if they were my own children... Your mother is so smart, Isabel, and your father... well, your father is so brave, and he never believed himself any different because of who he was... I don't want you to do that, either. You're an amazing girl as you are now, alright?
Isabel flashed a grateful smile and threw her arms around the Professor, which the woman returned gladly.
A/N: Whoa!!! This chapter was difficult to write... so, how do you guys like it?
Muirnin, That was the quickest review I've received ever! I'd just posted the story like half an hour before when I read your message. Thank you! And, ooh, I'm so jealous!!! We can only expect the book in December! Thank GOD I have an american friend who is sending it to me in a few days... I've read some spoilers that say there's some H/Hr hinting in it, but could you confirm it to me? And if yes, how so?
Jenny, Thanks for reading the side-story!!! That's a good question. Well, I see it this way; I know for instance that it's more difficult to learn something in large groups-or at least it's easier in a personalized teaching. I studied four years of french at school, and my group was of only ten-in my second year of french, they merged the three groups of french and we ended being 23; I nearly went crazy with so many people, and we all did so poorly that on the next year they decided to divide it again. If you've read the actual story, (well if you see this answer it means you have), you'll see that Isabel is a VERY unstable girl, and she tends to cling a lot to her parents-which isn't entirely her fault. That Hermione home-schools her doesn't makes her learning poorer, or so I think, because Izzy's very bright, and her mom's totally qualified to teach her; it's Hermione! And, I haven't said this yet-at least not clearly-but at the time 'The Love of a mother' happens, Harry and Hermione were only thinking of home-schooling her through Elementary school, meaning until before she went to Hogwarts... when it was actually time to go, Isabel's own insecurity didn't allow her to go.
Of course, I see what you mean, but I had to make it work like that!