Here We Go Around Again
Chapter 8
That night after dinner, Isabel regaled her parents and Ron with the events of her first Potions' lesson, with which the girl was most diverted, although clearly not because of its 'fun'; Snape had been, in fact, a torough pest all throughout class-apparently, having to coexist with three generations of Potters was his life karma-but hadn't succeeded in extracting points from Gryffindor on her account. She was as smart as Hermione, a fact that surprised no one but completely backfired his plan of insulting her intelligence, as he'd done with Harry on his first day ("What would I get if I added powdered root of asphodel to an infusion of wormwood?" "I believe that would be the 'Draught of Living Death', sir, a powerful sleeping potion that-" "Enough! Where do I find a bezoar?" "From the stomach of a goat, sir..." "What's the difference between monkswood and wolfsbane?" "Er... they're the same, sir, but they're also known as 'aconite'..."), but wasn't as eager as her to participate, and that kept her from being accused as an insufferable know-it-all; she was a perfect mix of her parents, and Snape had yet to find a reason to lose her points.
She was very surprised at his choice of questions-which were expected from first years-though, and when she'd voiced this to the the adults her mother and godfather had burst out laughing, but Harry hadn't been too amused.
The Dream Trio was extremely proud, albeit for different reasons; Hermione celebrated her accomplishments, while the men were delighted at her having left a sulking Snape.
When Harry walked her back to her dorm later that night, the only one still up was Catherine, who was sitting by the fire, scribbling away, but who looked up as she entered.
-Hi.,-she greeted, putting down her quill and smiling warmly at her.
-Hi, Cathy...,-Isabel answered, plopping down on a chair across the blond.,-homework?
Catherine nodded.
-Yeah.,-she said.,-Tough first day?
Isabel shifted a little on her seat.
-Very.,-she admitted.,-I'm not used to this...
The other girl gave her a lopsided grin.
-Well, you have nothing to worry about... this is practically child's play for you, or so I've noticed; you're very smart...
Isabel chuckled, leaning back against the chair.
-I wasn't talking about schoolwork, though...,-she said softly.
The two girls looked at eachother in silence for a minute.
-I know what you mean,-Catherine said, finally.,-and you still have nothing to worry about... you have Robin, and Nick and I are here for you... we're friends, right?
They shared a smile, and Isabel noticed with amusement that she had used the exact same words her brother had said to her that morning.
-So,-continued the blond.,-how do you like Hogwarts so far?
Isabel tilted her head to the side.
-It's cool... ,-she said.,-everyone's very nice-except for the Slytherins, of course, who have been really rude, if you ask me, but that was to be expected.
Catherine giggled.
-Oh, yeah, my brother told me what happened after Charms; it was great!,-her eyes glinted.,-And Robin's 'little' announcement spurred quite a bit of rumours.
Isabel grimaced.
-I was kind of hoping they would forget that...,-she frowned.,-I expected everyone to ask...
The other girl snorted.
-Oh, believe me, they didn't forget, and they would have asked if the boys hadn't stepped in and taken things in their own hands.
Isabel's eyes widened and she straightened up on her seat.
-What do you mean?
-Robin threatened everyone with purposely losing to Slytherin on our first Quidditch match if they said anything to you. And Nick supported him.
Isabel let out an indignated cry.
-They didn't have to do that!
Catherine shrugged.
-Robin's a good friend,-she said.,-but don't tell him I said that.,-she added quickly.
Isabel raised an eyebrow with a smile. She contemplated showing Catherine her Animagus form; she knew she was curious-who wouldn't be-and she was a nice girl, no matter what Robin said. She figured there was no harm in it.
-Go ahead, ask me...,-she said calmly, leaning back and looking at her.
Cathy blushed, looking down.
-What do you transform into?,-she asked, timidly, making Isabel grin.
-Why don't I show you instead?
Catherine's eyes bulged out and she jumped lightly as Isabel disappeared with a PLOP!, leaving a large, grey-eyed, silver female wolf in her place; the wolf-Isabel was looking at her calmly, but her eyes were flashing with mirth.
-Sweet Merlin...,-the blond whispered under her breath, bringing a hand up to her mouth.
With another PLOP!, Isabel turned back into her fourteen-year-old self, but looked a little pale as she gripped the armseats tightly; she looked wearily up at her new dorm mate and friend.
-Well?,-she said, a little hoarsely; Catherine was looking at her with amazement and respect.
-That was bloody brilliant...,-she said softly, making her friend smile tiredly.,-when did you first, you know...
-Become a wolf?,-Isabel said, then sighed.,-Two years ago in December; I'd come down with this major cold and wouldn't stop sneezing,-she frowned.,-it seems that I have no control over my magic when I'm sick, so I was causing havoc with all my sneezing, and in the middle of it I just kind of... turned into it...,-she cleared her throat, not looking at Cathy.,-it really freaked my parents out for a moment; thought I'd been bitten by a werewolf, that is, until I sneezed again and turned back to myself. I can control it now, but it really drains me out...
An awkward silence settled between the two young women, until Isabel couldn't take it anymore. Pulling out her wand from its holder, she conjured two steaming cups of tea and offered one to the quiet teenager in front of her.
Catherine was staring at her, a curious look in her face as she took the cup in her hands.
-What?,-Isabel asked.
-I thought you didn't need a wand...
Isabel blinked.
-Huh?
-Nicholas told me about you.,-she admitted, blowing at her drink.
-He did? How does he know?
Cathy shrugged.
-Robin's his best friend.,-she said.,-They talk a lot...
-Oh...,-Isabel suddenly felt very tired.,-I think I'm going to have to have a 'little' talk with Robin tomorrow...
Her friend looked worried.
-Why? Is it too terrible?
Isabel blinked, surprised.
-No, it's not terrible, or at least I don't think it is...,-she tilted her head at Cathy, wondering what it was about these Harper siblings that made her want to tell them everything.,-it's just about my magic...,-she admitted.,-and the fact that it's a little... unusual...
Catherine sighed, smiling at her.
-It's alright if you don't want to tell me, Isabel... I understand that it's very personal...
Isabel returned the smile, and shook her head.
-No, it's okay, I want to tell you...,-she looked down, fixing her eyes on her tea.,-I have to admit I don't know much about it myself-my parents don't talk about it much, but I understand my uniqueness lies in my ability to control magic with my mind.,-she forced a smile at Cathy's sharp intake of breath.,-Well, talking about control is a lot, because I have an extremely hard time at it... technically, I don't need the aid of wands or spells, I just have to think about it and it happens, but I'm very bad at keeping my magic in line so most of the time I use my wand...,-her face took on a somber expression.,-it really scares me, because when I lose it I have absolutely no control over it and... I'm afraid I'll hurt someone when I do...
You could hear a pin drop-it was so quiet.
Catherine wasn't saying anything, and Isabel suddenly felt very exposed and self-conscious; she twirled the now freezing drink on her hands, not daring to look up in fear of what the other girl's reaction would be.
And then Catherine was kneeling in front of her, taking the cup from her and taking her hands in hers; she was looking up at her with tear-filled eyes and her lips were trembling a little.
-I am *so* sorry, Isabel... and I promise to help you in any way I can...
Fighting her own tears from spilling, Isabel only managed a grateful nod.
A/N: I'm not entirely happy with this chapter but... oh, well. Yeah, yeah, the idea did come from Lori's 'Paradigm of Uncertainty', I know.
On the other hand, I think I've been abandoned by my faithful reviewers, usha88, thefly, and Rachel. A. Prongs, ***sobs*** but I hope they have a say in the next chapters. ***grins***
Now, for my *other* faithful reviewers, kat6528, PhoenixGirl1234567, and Muirnin, I have something to ask you, but I'll tell you later...
oneiros lykos, well, I'm glad you like my story, and I hope you keep reading and reviewing. ***grins***
jandl, sorry!!! No Harry yet, but he's coming; I love him too much to let him out of the picture!!! ***grins*** I hope you liked this chapter.