A Potter Secret

Friendships Grow

"Izzy, come on!" Cedric calls, smiling. He pulls her along as they run around her room. "I want to show you something."

Isabella laughs and follows behind. When they reach the doors, Isabella transforms and jumps into Cedric's pocket. Since Cedric helped Isabella, Severus has allowed them to spend time together. She helps Cedric study and he helps show her a good time. Cedric carries her through the twisting halls and out the front doors. Students are laying out in the sun reading. Everyone gets to go home within a few days. Cedric keeps going until they reach an open meadow. Isabella turns back into her human form and walks with Cedric. "Where are we?"

"A meadow off the quidditch pitch. I've never seen anyone come here."

Isabella smiles and kneels down in the flowers. "It's so pretty here!"

Cedric smiles and sits beside her. "I thought you'd like it. I figured that since I'm leaving in a couple days for the summer, you could come here are remember all the good times we've had this past year. And we could meet up here after the first day of classes during the next term."

Isabella looks at him, her head tilted. "Why do you have to go away?" She whispers, lean closer until she's sitting in his lap. "Why can't you just stay here?"

Cedric sighs and wraps his arms around her. "Because I have to go see my family. I miss them," Cedric replies. "Don't worry, I'll be back at the start of term and we can keep hanging out. I promise!" He pulls out a small chain, holding it up for her to see. "I made this necklace in class. I figured that you could wear it and think of me over the summer. We'll be back together before you know.

Isabella nods and turns, leaning the side of her head against him. He clasps the necklace behind her neck. "I'll miss you." Isabella transforms into her kitten form and Cedric picks her up, laying in the grass and running his hand through her fur.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Isabella watches from the window in the great hall as everyone boards the Hogwarts express. Tears spring to her eyes as Cedric leaves her sight and she pulls her knees up to her chest.

That's where Severus finds her a few hours later, sitting against the wall, cradling her small necklace. "Isabella, what's wrong?" Severus asks.

"Cedric went home," Isabella whispers. "Why did he have to go?"

"Isabella, he has a family just like you do with me and the other professors. He needed to go home to see them. For him, it's been quite a few months since he's seen his family. How would you feel if you spend a year away from your family?"

Isabella thinks it over for a moment. "I guess I'd be kind of sad."

Severus nods and picks her up. "Come on. Let's get you ready for bed, Isabella."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The days pass slowly as the summer drags on. Isabella continues her education in the school, going through the fourth-year classes. She reads pages upon pages of information, gathering all the knowledge. Severus and Minerva quickly realize how she does so well. After a couple quick tests, her eidetic memory is apparent.

Half the summer flies by and with each day, Isabella sits by the window watching for the train that won't come for a few more weeks. As Isabella sleeps in her room, Severus walks to the headmaster's office. "Ah, Severus," Albus greets. "I was wondering when I'd see you. How is Isabella doing?"

"She's sad and misses Cedric. She has thrown herself into her school work so far that she has taken the exams and passed the fourth-year curriculum. Albus, she's so sad. Perhaps if we took her away from here for a while?"