A Potter Secret

Werewolf

"Isabella!" Severus calls. It's halfway through the school year. Isabella started up with sixth year classes at the beginning of the year and is almost finished with them. She still plays with Cedric and now, Severus has a surprise for her. Isabella runs into the room and smiles when she sees Cedric.

"What's up?" Isabella asks.

"There are some people I'd like you to meet," Severus introduces. "They are in Cedric's year."

Isabella looks around and sees identical twins standing there, smiling. "Hello there, beautiful. We're Fred and George Weasley!" they say in unison.

"I'm Fred," one says.

The other one jumps in, "And I'm George!"

Isabella laughs and steps forward, shaking their hands. "I'm Isabella. It's nice to meet you!"

George smiles. "Pleasure to-"

"Meet you," Fred continues.

"Too!" they finish.

"We hear that you'd like some friends," Fred starts.

"Ands living with the castle dungeon bat," George notes. "He'd scare off a dragon!"

Severus glares at them and they smile. "They have agreed to keep your identity secret and have sworn to it. It's up to you whether you become friends or not."

Isabella nods and hugs Severus. "Thanks, Papa." They head off and Severus smiles as they play in his lecturing room.

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Isabella sits by the window as everyone leaves for the holiday. Cedric gave her a present before he left and she gave him his. As the train pulls away, Isabella heads back towards the potion's classroom so she can take her exams. Isabella is excited. If she passes these with a good enough score, she'll be on to her last year. Through Ragnok, she's been getting regular updates about her accounts and investments.

"Are you ready?" Severus asks. Isabella nods and Severus hands her the test. He grades as she works through all the tests, trying to get through all his students' work. They spend the day going through their work in almost complete silence before Isabella finally finishes her tests. "How do you think you did?"

"I hope I did pretty well," Isabella smiles tiredly. "I thought your extra occlumency exam was gonna do me in!"

Severus nods and places them on his desk. "You're exhausted, aren't you?"

Isabella nods and crawls up onto Severus' lap. "Can I just sleep here, Papa?" Severus chuckles and picks her up and carries her to his room. He transfigures her clothes into pajamas before sitting against the headboard. It's been a while since he held her as she slept and he's missed it.

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

Isabella sits at her cauldron as Severus continues to grade. "Papa, does this look right?" she asks.

He walks over and peers in carefully. "Is this wolfsbane potion?" Severus asks. "Why are you making Wolfsbane?"

Isabella shrugs and continues working. "You know we sent Uncle Remus a letter from you inviting him over. I thought when he showed up, I could give him a present of some potions to help him. Being a werewolf for so long can't be good for him and this potion is really expensive because not many people can make it well and make it effective. I thought it would be a nice gift."

Severus nods. "This is quite the gift, Isabella. I remember back in school, he hated the nights of the full moon because of how hard they were on him and how he had no control. This potion seems to be perfect, as are all your potions. All that's left is to let it cool and bottle it, yes?" Isabella nods and puts the cauldron aside before starting another batch. "How much are you making?"