Chapter 22: The Face of Politeness

August 17, 2007

The next morning Bella found herself seated in the Headmistress' office, trying not to stare at the many portraits of former heads of the school. Minerva had left to deal with an urgent owl from the Ministry, so Bella just sat, waiting.

It just so happened that when she dared to lift her eyes, the black haired man in one of the canvases whom she knew to be Severus Snape was boring his eyes in her direction.

"Afraid of a painting, Miss Swan?" he goaded.

"N-no. I'm just...giving you guys some privacy."

"Disguising your fear with a futile attempt at courtesy will get you about as far as a squib in this world."

"I'm not afraid." She took a deep breath, willing herself to keep eye contact.

"And yet your shoddy spell work would suggest otherwise."

"I can do some spells. Just...the mentally-based ones."

He simply sneered at her reply. "Don't delude yourself, ridiculous girl. All magic originates in the mind. Every spell and incantation can be conjured from its depths if one is willing to find it."

"But I'm not a regular witch."

"You successfully apparated according to Mister Longbottom's report. Either you truly are unintelligent, or something in your mind is shielding your most fundamental abilities. The mind is capable of far more than you realize, Miss Swan."

The office door opened, and Professor McGonagall swept in, rather flustered.

"I trust all was well in my absence?" She glanced not at Bella, but at the portraits.

"Severus and Isabella engaged in rather an illuminating discussion if I do say so myself," said a particularly bright-eyed, white bearded wizard in the portrait next to Snape's.

"Hardly," Severus drawled. "It may well be that Miss Swan has exhausted her magical ability and is simply a stupid girl bumbling around Hogwarts on little more than dumb luck."

"That is quite enough." Minerva dismissed them, though she stared at Bella with deep shrewdness in her gaze.

"As you are probably already aware, Professor Longbottom has made quite the entreaty on your behalf, Miss Swan. I confess I have never seen him so insistent."

"Yeah, he-he's really great," Bella replied quietly.

"Indeed," Minerva agreed. "I have granted his request, and I am willing to offer you a place in this school. There are three classrooms that would benefit with the aid of an assistant. I will allow you to choose whichever is most desirable."

Bella picked up the list Professor McGonagall slid in her direction and saw three classes written in meticulous script:

Divination

History of Magic

Muggle Studies

Muggle Studies wasn't her cup of tea as a few of her new friends might say, and Hermione had already warned her to steer clear of Divination, so there was really only one feasible option.

"I'll help out with History of Magic."

The headmistress raised a brow. "You are full of surprises, Miss Swan. Professor Binns requires assistance with handing out texts, testing materials, and collecting coursework throughout each term. You will be expected to aid him in administering grades, so I trust you will do your best to keep up with the research materials on your own."

It didn't seem to be any less work than her anthropology studies at the university.

"I shouldn't have any trouble with that kind of work. Why can't Professor Binns do those things...if you don't mind me asking?"

"Cuthbert Binns has been a ghost for the past fifty-seven years. I suggest that you try to keep up with the staff and students, Miss Swan, if it is your wish not to attract attention."

"Thanks." Feeling humbled, Bella exited into the hall to get some fresh air.

She made her way down the deserted seventh floor corridor and came across a large door covered in burn marks and creased with ashy dust. A strange sense of déjà vu enveloped her senses as she neared the wall, but shaking her head, she returned quickly to the Grand Staircase. After everything she'd learned about the wizarding world thus far, she wasn't about to walk into another strange place without being completely certain of what was there.

After wandering around the castle for several more minutes Bella found her way to the Great Hall and spotted several members of the staff eating lunch. Neville, who had saved her a seat, motioned with a tilt of his head for her to join him. Hannah Abbott was a few seats away from him, looking particularly well coiffed.

"So it turns out that some of us Hufflepuffs were pretty fair at Potions after all!" Hannah laughed amongst the other teachers as she daintily sipped pumpkin juice. "In the end going back to school was the best decision my friends and I ever made."

Bella sat down next to Neville, who stared at her with silent intensity, and their encounter from the night before flashed through her brain. With a blush she stared at the plate in front of her and tried to pay attention to the ensuing conversation.

"Rumor has it that you turned down a research post at St. Mungo's to teach here," the Astronomy professor noted. "What brought you back to Hogwarts?"

Bella spied the blonde's eyes flickering over to Neville for a fraction of a second. "I suppose part of me will always be attached to this place."

…

It wasn't like Bella didn't trust Neville. She did. It was just irritating to see that someone else obviously had feelings for him too. Still, she resolved to be welcoming and polite – for now.

"So how many of you and your friends ended up getting your NEWTS in Potions?" She did her best to smile.

Hannah stared at her, blinking several times – possibly from shock. "Only two of us – Zacharias Smith and myself." Then without blinking she posed her own question to Bella. "And what brings you here, Isabella? I suppose you'll be attending as a student? You must be terribly behind."

Bella turned red from embarrassment. She wasn't that young! Thankfully Professor McGonagall interrupted Hannah's clear attempt at provocation.

"Miss Swan has no need for further instruction, Miss Abbott. She is staying indefinitely to assist Professor Binns."

"Binns?" Neville nearly choked on his pumpkin juice beside her. "Surely a position more...interactive would suit Bella better."

"No...I like History. I'm sure it'll be great."

Neville leaned in close to her ear, and his breath tickled her skin. "You say that now, but trust me; your tune will change by week's end."

"We'll see." Bella was determined to prove everyone wrong. Surely this Professor Binns couldn't be that horrible.