A Potter Secret

Smiling Summer and Schooling

          Isabella sits in the center of the pitch, hugging her knees to her chest. Warm tears slide down her face as she holds the amulet tightly. She stands up, sitting back on the broom and letting it fly her in slow circles around the field.

Cedric flies up, stopping just at the edge of the pitch. He smiles when he sees a lone broom circling the field. He flies over quickly, coming to fly just beside the broom. "Izzy?" Cedric calls.

Isabella's head pops up and she turns. "Cedric?" she asks. A smile stretches across her face and she jumps over to him. "Cedric! You're here!"

Cedric is quick to catch her, holding her close as the brooms stop. "It's so good to see you Izzy," Cedric smiles back. "I've missed you. How have you been?"

"I've missed you so much, Ced," Isabella starts. "It's been so lonely here without people and constant magic. No one is really free to play!"

"Well, I'm here! And I'm willing to play! Come on!" Cedric brings her over to her broom. She climbs on and they start chasing each other around. She laughs as they chase the golden snitch about. Cedric flies right beside her and they play until the sun starts to set.

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Severus walks onto the pitch and watches as Isabella laughs and plays with Cedric. He sighs as he realizes he has to put a stop to their fun for the day. "Cedric, Isabella," Severus calls. They both turn and start flying over. "It's time for dinner."

Severus takes their brooms as they land, leading them inside and to the great hall. As they arrive, Isabella notices someone new. "Papa, who's that?" She asks, hiding behind him.

Cedric laughs and takes her hand, pulling her forward, "That's my dad, Izzy. Come on, I'll introduce you!" Cedric runs up and stops just in front of them. "Dad, this is Isabella. She lives here at Hogwarts with Professor Snape. Izzy, this is my father, Amos Diggory."

Isabella smiles and sticks her hand out, reaching to shake his. "Pleasure to meet you, sir. How are you?"

Amos chuckles and shakes her hand. "My, what manners you have, Isabella. I am fine, thank you. I don't suppose you can teach Cedric some of your manners?"

Isabella blushes and sits down beside Cedric. "It's been wonderful seeing Cedric again. It gets so lonely here. No one my age ever comes, even during the year, and I have to stay hidden from most of the students," Isabella admits. "I like having such a great friend." Cedric hugs her closely before they all dig in.

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At the end of the night, Cedric heads home and Severus tucks Isabella on. A smile spreads across her face in her sleep as she remembers her glorious day with Cedric. Severus smiles at her, brushing the hair from her face.

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Throughout the next few weeks, Isabella studies hard and working through the fifth-year courses. Teachers start to return three weeks before classes start, picking up with Isabella's lessons. Cedric visits once a week, playing with Isabella and taking some potion lessons with her. Isabella works hard, practicing spells and reading books, trying to soak up as much information as she can.

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"Dumbledore, what are we going to do?" Severus asks. It's a week before classes start and Isabella has finished through fifth-year classes is a year and a summer. The only problem now is fifth-year students take a ministry exam. "Isabella must take her O.W.L.'s bit we can't let the ministry know about her."