The Life of Isabella Potter (COMPLETE)

Chapter 2

After dinner, everyone started leaving the Great Hall to head to their dormitories. But, just before I could enter the Gryffindor dormitory, Harry reached out and pulled me back, waiting until everyone was in and we were the only ones out in the corridor.

I looked away, knowing what was coming next. Harry was going to try and talk to me about what happened at dinner. Harry leaned up against the wall, waiting patiently for me to look at him. Finally, I did, and he immediately jumped into his questions.

"What in the world is going on?" he asked. "And don't lie to me. I want the truth."

I sighed. I should've known he'd want me to speak the truth. "I don't know. I just feel nauseous. I have been for weeks on end. I don't know why, either."

Harry stared at me, a concerned expression on his face. "The Dursley's didn't do anything to you, did they?"

I slowly shook my head. "No. Unless they poisoned my food without me knowing, they didn't do anything."

Harry gave me an exasperated look. "Enough sarcasm, Bella. Are you really okay?"

But before I could answer, we heard footsteps coming down the hallway toward us. We both looked up, to see Professor Dumbledore and the man I had nearly given a dark look to at dinner standing there.

"Harry," Professor Dumbledore spoke. "I would like to speak with your sister, if it is alright with you."

Harry nodded, not missing a beat. "Of course, Professor," Harry looked down at me. "Go, I'll be in the Common Room when you get back," Knowing there was no way I was ever going to get out of this, I turned and followed both Professors to the Headmaster's office. 

"I overheard you and your brother talking at dinner," Dumbledore started.

I looked up to see the other man standing behind Dumbledore. He must have noticed where I was looking, for he started making introductions.

"Ms. Potter, this is Professor Snape. He will be your Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher," Dumbledore said, his eyes never leaving my face. Nodding, I turned back to look at Dumbledore.

He continued when he saw that he had my full attention once again. "Is everything alright between you and your brother?"

I shrugged, looking down. "I guess..."

Dumbledore only continued, oblivious to the fact that I wasn't really giving him good answers. "And how are things at the Dursley's?"

The minute he mentioned them, I felt my heart beat increase. I began sweating, and my breathing increased, to the point where I was taking in shallow gasps of air. Dumbledore leaned forward, seeming concerned.

"Ms. Potter, is everything alright?"

I couldn't breathe. The only thing I could do was grip the arms of the chair I was currently sitting on. I hated the Dursley's. They were horrible people to live with, and I was rather afraid of them most days. As my breathing became shallower and quicker, I began feeling lightheaded. I must have become quite pale as well, because Dumbledore looked up at Snape and told him to hurry and fetch Harry. As Snape quickly left the room, Dumbledore turned his attention back to me.

"Ms. Potter, take deep breaths," he told me.

I shook my head, not able to do so. I needed Harry; Harry could help me. A few minutes passed, and as they did, I began to feel very faint. Lifting one hand, I noticed how badly I was shaking. Dumbledore stood and began to move around his desk just as Harry and Snape entered the room.

"Bella!" Harry called out, rushing to my side. He knelt in front of me and placed his hands on either side of my face. "Bella, you need to calm down," Harry stared into my eyes, his thumbs moving back and forth across my cheeks. "Bella," he whispered. "Stop. You're okay. Deep breaths, Bella, relax. You're okay, nothing's going to happen to you. I promise."

It was at this point that tears were streaming down my face. Harry wrapped his arms around me as I cried, telling me that everything was fine, that nothing was going to happen to me. "Shh, Bella, you're okay. You're fine."

After a few more moments of Harry telling me to relax and breathe, my heart beat began to slow and my breathing returned to normal. When Harry knew that I was calm enough to function again, he held me at arm's length and looked me in the eyes. "Are you good now?"

I nodded, but avoided looking at his face. Harry gave me another hug before he pulled away and sat next to me, taking my hand in his own. "Professor, what exactly happened before Professor Snape came to get me?"

Dumbledore sat back down, and began explaining. "I began asking her if things were alright between the two of you, as I heard you speaking at dinner. Then, when I asked her if things were alright at the Dursley's," he cut off, noting my expression.

I began to feel my heart accelerate again, and Harry quickly turned to me and squeezed my hand. "No, Bella, breathe. Stop, you're fine," When I was calm enough, Harry asked Dumbledore to continue.

"When I mentioned their name, she began having a panic attack," Dumbledore finished. "That's when I asked Professor Snape to fetch you."

Harry leaned back in his chair and sighed, rubbing a hand over his face. "Bella..." he muttered, turning to look at me. "You can't keep doing this."

"It's not my fault!" I told him. "I'm trying, what more do you want?" Tears threatened to spill over again.

Harry looked at me. "I want you to stop doing this."

I stood up, angry now. "I said I'm trying, Harry. But it's not as easy as it sounds!" I ran from the room, tears streaming down my face. As I was just about to turn the corner, I ran into someone and tripped, falling backwards.

"I'm sorry, are you okay?" a familiar voice questioned.

I looked up to see Draco standing before me. Embarrassed that he was seeing me cry, I stood up and ran past him. Draco called out for me to wait, but I only continued to run. A few moments later, I found myself standing outside the school, sitting on the front steps, letting my tears continue to fall.

"...saw her run this way," I heard Draco's familiar voice say. Next, I heard footsteps running, coming closer to where I was.

"Bella," Harry breathed a sigh of relief when he saw me sitting there. "Don't look at me like that," he said when I shot him an angry and upset look. Harry sat next to me on the steps, placing an arm around my shoulder. "I'm sorry," he said, pulling me closer to him. "I shouldn't have yelled."

Fighting the urge I had to pull away from him, I rested my head on his shoulder. "Harry?"

"Yeah?" he responded, rubbing my arm. His head was resting on top of mine.

"Do you really want to know what happened?" I asked him, knowing if I didn't tell him the truth, things would only get worse and worse.

"Yes, Bella, I do," Harry said, looking at me now.

Okay, I thought. Here goes nothing.