We Held Hands
04
Competition
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Isis' POV
Previously…
Have powers. He can't be serious. Isis thought. I'd give everything to be, as much as possible, just a witch. Isis was never fond of her powers even if she's a witch. Her parents confessed to her that they were both what wizarding people called Squibs. It seemed quite weird to her when she first received an invitation from her previous school.
Oh, honey. This is just great! Her mother's voice echoed through her mind.
Why mom? Why? She thought. She's a Squib and misses magic around her terribly. Sometimes I felt her jealousy with me being… not just a witch. I hate my power. She sighed as she felt Draco catching up with her. I have to calm down if I don't want them to know more about me. It's weird enough that our new professor is… from A.W.W.I. She wasn't quite as enthusiastic about leaving her parent's side but she's glad she's leaving the school. I don't like the competition there, just one bit.
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Minerva's POV
"Now, Can anyone explain to me why Mr. Longbottom just got a brand new set of feet attached to his arms?" Professor McGonagall's voice showed every bit of frustration; try as she might to conceal it. It seems to infuriate her so that after so many years of teaching this young man from basic Transfiguration to advance, she can't quite grasp the idea that every time he gains knowledge and skill, he's so prone to accidents. She would've thought that when he and his friends went to that escapade to the Department of Mysteries, he would've changed.
Apparently, there is still much work to be done. Professor McGonagall's eyes roamed the room.
A hand immediately graced Professor McGonagall's line of sight and undoubtfully, she knew it was Hermione Granger. This girl was one of her favorites, not that she really favored her or anything, she just kind of like to teach girls like Hermione. She remembered in the girl's first year, that triumphant eyes held admiration to her too, she knew. And when Hermione asked for Apprenticeship… Her professor would not hear of it.
She's got the whole world waiting for her after Graduation, why stay here? Professor McGonagall thought while observing Neville clumsily use his new feet, well originally was supposed to be a pair of hands, and Hermione rather looking silly waving her hand. I really do hate it when Severus accepted her for an Apprentice… She could've-
Something caught Professor McGonagall's line of sight and it was the hands of Isis Black. The professor knew little of her background and what she could do. Apparently, Professor Dumbledore loves it when he keeps secrets. When she was at A.W.W.I., visiting the school and trying to catch up with her friend, Semele, she met Isis. When visiting Semele, of course, she'd have to deal with the kids, but she rarely did see this girl. It was always the usual company of Joshua, one of Semele's twins. One Dumbledore is quite enough and a second one could give me another nervous breakdown anytime. The boy shouldn't have left and went here at Hogwarts so should the girl. She should've just stayed at her school too where it's safe. The Professor looked intensely at the girl. She knew quite well the girl's attitude, reserved and cunning, whilst unaware of the girl's real self. I never will know, what with Albus smirking at me like I don't even know how to say 'lumos'!
"Yes, Miss Black?" Professor McGonagall said, and heard a loud noise, a noise that sounded like a combination of hands colliding with the polished wooden table and a huff. She looked around and saw Hermione's disappointed face. Isis stood up and smiled at her Professor. Merlin, the nerve of that girl, oh well she DO know me.
"Often times, a wizard gets that feeling of being foreign in an object. Usually if that object is magical and he wasn't quite used to it, brand new. For me, I think Mr. Longbottom just got to practice more with his brand new wand." Isis said and sat down.
Professor McGonagall's brows creased, and suspicion boiled up the room. How could she just let herself be exposed like this? I knew she's just like… But, she was right to the point, it is indeed a new wand Longbottom is holding, I recall her grandmother fussing over it one time when I visited Diagon Alley.
"Wait, how did you know that this wand is brand new?" Neville asked Isis, who was at the far back of the room. And sitting beside Draco Malfoy. Professor McGonagall's suspicion increased furthermore. Albus really ought to explain why he ever let this happen.
"Well, a brand new wand, whether used for just two to five weeks of purchase may still ignite bluish or greenish spark after performing some certain spells that would react to the magic that made the wand intact. It's quite natural really, it means your wand was recently made, not those that were stocked for years." Isis said fluidly, not aware of half of the class in awe-the others casting suspicious looks at her-except for Hermione Granger, that is. Hmm…Isis, you'll do just fine in your classes, even if you risk showing what you can do. The only setback is that, Hermione Granger is angry with you, and you wouldn't really like that. Professor McGonagall thought, stifling a mild chuckle for she knew Hermione Granger like she knew herself.
Hermione Granger has met her match.
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Hermione's POV
"Now, Can anyone explain to me why Mr. Longbottom just got a brand new set of feet attached to his arms?" Professor McGonagall's voice showed every bit of frustration; try as she might to conceal it.
I knew Neville should've practiced with his new wand. He could've done well today. He's using his own wand now, not his father's. Hermione thought. She knew perfectly well the answer to Professor McGonagall's question. Of course, since when does she not know the answers to Professor McGonagall's questions, or perhaps, even most of the Professors' questions?
Hermione raised her hand almost instantly and she knew her professor saw her did. But why wasn't Professor McGonagall admitting her to answer? She glanced around and saw the new girl-Isis Black-in her aloof look as she raised her hands too, apparently, she too knows the answer. So, Hermione, waved her hand now, willing to even stand up so she could be the one to answer it. Ah, for the love of Merlin, it's just grades, Hermione. She told herself. A single point always stands between winning and losing. Hopeful to be called, she kept on waving her hand. But to her shock and utter disappointment, her favorite professor just chose the new student over her. What the- ?
"Yes, Miss Black?" Professor McGonagall said. Hermione's hand dropped noisily after that and huffed rather loudly than she would allow. She saw Professor McGonagall look at her but she wasn't aware at all if she minded or not. All she knows is that, for the first time ever, ever, she wasn't the one called to answer the question. That was supposed to be for her. No, no, Hermione. Gryffindor House. Hermione told herself. Isis stood up and smiled at her Professor. This seemed to infuriate Hermione too. She smiled at Professor McGonagall? Do they know each other from somewhere-?
"Often times, a wizard gets that feeling of being foreign in an object. Usually if that object is magical and he wasn't quite used to it, brand new. For me, I think Mr. Longbottom just got to practice more with his brand new wand." Isis said fluently, as if it was all natural to her and it wasn't such a big deal. After she finished, she smiled serenely again and sat down.
Only Luna Lovegood has a smile so irritatingly serene but now, there's two irritating smile to be irritated at! Hermione's utter disappointment increased further. Professor McGonagall's brows creased, and suspicion boiled up the room. That's right, Professor. I wonder how she got that instantly too. How can she know Neville just bought another new wand? She couldn't have known Neville that easily.
"Wait, how did you know that this wand is brand new?" Neville asked Isis, who was at the far back of the room. And sitting beside Draco Malfoy. Maybe Malfoy told him? But how can that ferret know about Neville's wand? He wouldn't even care. Hermione's suspicion increased furthermore. What's happening here, first at the Defense class and then here in Transfiguration? How come it felt as though this new student-Isis-knew the professors, and them, her?
"Well, a brand new wand, whether used for just two to five weeks of purchase may still ignite bluish or greenish spark after performing some certain spells that would react to the magic that made the wand intact. It's quite natural really, it means your wand was recently made, not those that were stocked for years." Isis said fluidly, not aware of half of the class in awe-the others casting suspicious looks at her-except for Hermione Granger, that is. Be like Malfoy, Isis. If competition is what you seek, you'll find a contender, and that's me. Hermione thought, still casting that kind of glare at Isis. She heard a silent chuckle and was about to snap at the person but she found out it was the Transfiguration Professor who stifled a mild chuckle.
Hermione Granger has met her match.
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No One's POV
It was the same cycle as always. After two straight weeks, nobody at Hogwarts was left ignorant of the fact that every time Hermione Granger and Isis Black crossed their paths at classes, a silent war wages. Another hand raised, another point earned and then the other tries to get more points by performing magic. It was almost charring to the skin. The competition between the two scintillating students even reached the faculty.
At the School Faculty…
"Albus, the two students have really out done themselves! It was just yesterday that I almost told them that they could just not attend my classes. It's as if they know the spells by heart!" Professor Flitwick quipped at the Headmaster.
"I am afraid of that, Filius." Was all the Headmaster said. "Too much rivalry could cause…" The headmaster paused at that.
"What do you mean by that? Albus, to think, I'm quite amused to watch the both of them Transfigure things everywhere every time we have practicals. It's almost hilarious to watch Miss Granger give those glares at Miss Black. She always reminds me of myself. Bless her." Professor McGonagall reminisced as she finished off marking Hannah Abbott's essay with a B-.
"I assume what Albus is trying to imply here is that those two are off their wits. You haven't seen them when brewing potions! It's as if there's a race! Mind you, Miss Granger was a pity to look at every time she double checks her modified procedure and Miss Black was already walking calmly to get the needed ingredients. I'd never even hope to see the day when Miss Know-It-All is finally conquered by a Slytherin." It was quite surprising that Severus Snape should take part of any conversation such as this at the faculty. It was just so unlike him to talk about students. But, after all, one of the students in question was his handle.
"You were really glad she was put to your house, weren't you, Severus? Oh, what a great student she is, from A.W.W.I., "Professor McGonagall continued, "But what I really wanted to know is why exactly Miss Black transferred here, Albus?"
"Galadriel Montgomery suggested she needed a new setting. Hogwarts, she says, is competition free zone. I told her it would be useless and dangerous what with Voldemort-" Many flinched at this but the Headmaster continued, "running amok."
"And even though you knew this competition between the two witches would ignite, you accepted the Headmistress of an advanced school's proposition to relocate the girl here at Hogwarts? There is-are other reasons why you agreed, am I right to assume that, Albus?" McGonagall asked.
Almost everyone at the room stopped to listen to the Headmaster's answer. Only the four Head of the Houses, Professor Vector and Professor Sinistra were there, checking essays and preparing for the next lesson respectively. Professor Trelawney had stayed at her usual dwelling and Firenze was off with a mission. It was as if customary that Hogwarts staffs spend time together at least thrice a week or more at the School Faculty.
"As soon as you've seen what the girl can do, you can ask me. Other than that, I wish you would just control both witches in your lesson and hope neither of them get into some serious trouble." Albus said critically and left.
"What could be so serious about a competition between two students?" Professor Sprout wondered while piling the earmuffs, she considered she'd have another go with the Mandrakes for the second years.
"Well, if you've seen Potter and Malfoy fight in a duel, you'd think it was nothing compared to a girl fight. I've seen one myself back at A.W.W.I." Professor Chaffconham entered, with a piece of paper in hand.
"How was the meeting, Joshua?" Professor McGonagall asked apprehensively. She looked at the piece of paper he was holding rather fearfully.
"Oh, the meeting? The Ministry seemed quite hard to persuade but well, we finally had reached the point where they said 'yes'." The Defense professor smiled at his former mentor. "Oh, I'd really like to see what Isis and Miss Granger would do next! Did you know Miss Granger almost out-jinxed Isis one time we tried a duel practice? I paired them off myself! Even Mister Potter and Mister Malfoy stopped a rather exhilarating duel! I tell you, those two should be in All-England Wizarding Duelling Competition! The last thrilling duel that I watched there was, well, a long time ago." Joshua Chaffconham smiled at the Charms Teacher.
The look on Professor McGonagall's face was unreadable. But one thing's for sure, for the next Defense class-she prayed it wasn't for the sixth years-mayhem and havoc would ensue. Minerva McGonagall groaned and left the room with a huff. Merlin, help us!
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She raised her hand, which was turning from white to blue to green to black per millisecond. Everyone around her backed up to the wall as fast as they can, the aura around the girl with black hair was scorching to the bone. The teachers who watched the two witches can't do anything at all, seeing as they were frozen in mid-air after trying to end the chaos that they now watched from below.
'I told you, I didn't do it! I swear, so please stop that!' the mandarin girl stepped back as the raven-haired girl walked towards her with determination. It was unreadable if the mandarin girl is still up for a fight or is considering defeat by then.
'Don't deny it Yui. Reed told me. He told me you were the one who took it! Give it back! It doesn't belong to you!' the raven-haired girl bellowed. Thunderbolts seemed to seep out from her hands now, her eyes changing from crystalline blue to jade green. 'It doesn't belong to you, Yui. And it's very important to me! I've kept it my whole life, so I'd like it if you'd just admit that you hid it!
'I told you, I didn't! You think I'd be jealous of you, jealous of just that? I'm better than you! You hear me? Compared to a mudblood like you, I'm a pureblood! Our competition was rather a waste of time, really. So, if you'd just leave me be! I didn't took that stupid pendant okay?' The girl, Yui, finally brought up her own enforced shield and her feet took of the grounds.
The raven-haired girl, angered by what she heard, walked with determination and floated to face the other girl. She released her fisted hands and it revealed what seemed like, a black orb. It looked like a black hole as it rose to the air above her and ominously hovered there after a few seconds.
'Tell me where my pendant is, Yui, before things starts to get worse.' The raven-haired girl said, a cold voice to hear at, to Yui. 'If I were you, you'd admit it and tell me or this hole right here will swallow you whole.'
'Miss Black! Stop that this instant! You are not allowed to use your magic inside the school campus!' Their Headmistress, Galadriel Montgomery, came running inside the Hall.
The woman beside her drew her own wand out as if of precaution. 'Stop all of this! Isis.'
'I am not Isis.' The raven-haired girl snapped. She cast an indifferent stare at the two elder witches. 'I am Eris.'
With a scream, Isis woke up. She woke up in the middle of the night, sat up, looked around and sighed that her roommates was still asleep. It's okay. It's just a nightmare… She glanced around, trying really hard to convince herself. It won't ever happen again. Ever. After that, she lay back to her bed, sobbing until sleep claimed her again.
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Author's Note: This fanfic is inspired to my latest dream that has pushed me to the front of the computer screen and made me type it with enthusiasm…
Author's Note 2: Argh! Okay, okay. I know. I confused you guys with this chapter. But I think Isis's character needed to be… you know. shrugs never mind. I think that a few flashbacks and a view of Isis and then be back to the original flow of the present, don't you think? And okay, a few questions, I know, some of you have, so please, R/R!
PLEASE READ AND REVIEW! So it might shut those plot bunnies for other fanfictions in my mind. OH AND PLEASE READ MY OTHER FANFICS! -
E-mail me if you want to ask some questions regarding this fanfiction or any other fanfiction of mine. Oh, and PLEASE, PLEASE REVEW!