A Potter Secret

Meetings

Severus watches as the students copy down notes as they read their books. He's been looking for a reason to give Harry detention for a couple weeks. Surprisingly, Harry was relatively well behaved. As they sit in silence, whispering turns Severus' head. Ron Weasley and Harry Potter were talking. "Mr. Potter, perhaps you'd like to direct your questions towards me and not your classmate," Severus calls. Everyone turns to watch. Harry stays silent. "No? Then I'll see you in detention tonight."

"Yes sir," Harry replies dejectedly. Severus turns back to his grading and surveying. He could finally let Isabella meet her brother.

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

"Isabella?" Severus calls, stepping into her room after classes conclude. He peers around before finding her asleep on a couch. He smiles and sits beside her. "Isabella, wake up sweetheart."

Her eyes flutter open and she turns over, looking up at Severus. "Papa?"

Severus picks her up and sets her in his lap. "Why are you so tired, Isabella?"

"Trasfigation mastry xam," Isabella slurs.

"Well, just rest then, alright? I'll wake you up a little later," Severus replies, rocking her. It's not long before she's asleep again. He sets her down again, changing her clothes into pajamas and wrapping a blanket around her.

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

In his classroom, Severus sits grading the papers from his earlier classes. Minerva steps in just after dinner. "Severus, is Isabella in your rooms?" Minerva asks.

"Of course," Severus assures. "She's exhausted from her mastery examination earlier."

Minerva sighs, smiling, and sits across from Severus' desk. "I came to give her the certificate of mastery. Perfect score as expected. She seemed tired even before the test. Has she been getting enough sleep?"

"She's anxious. She wants to meet her brother face to face," Severus explains. A knock sounds at the door and both professors stand. "Enter."

Harry opens the door and walks through. Minerva turns back to Severus. "Why have you given one of my students detention?" she inquires.

"I've been looking for an excuse to give him detention for weeks. How else would I keep others from getting suspicious?" Severus retorts. "I'm sure there would be no talk at all if I had just asked Gryffindor's golden boy to stay after."

Harry looks between the two heads of house, nervous. "What am I to do?" Harry asks.

"Follow me," Severus instructs. "You're welcome to join us, Minerva."

They walk into Severus' quarters, Harry following timidly behind. Minerva notices immediately. "There's no need to be so nervous, Harry. You aren't in trouble."

"But I'm in detention," Harry reminds. "And students aren't normally permitted into professor's quarters."

"Yes," Minerva recognizes. "But in this case, it's also your sister's quarters."

Harry brightens immediately, trying to look past them. "I get to meet Isabella? Really?" Minerva nods, smiling.

They reach the main living quarters shortly. Isabella is still asleep on the couch. Sitting on the couch beside her, Severus gently shakes her awake. "Isabella," Severus says as her eyes flutter open. She yawns and sits up, leaning towards him for a hug. "It's time for you to meet someone."

Severus waves Harry forward and moves away so Harry can sit beside her. "Isabella?"

Isabella smiles and wraps her arms around Harry's neck. "Harry," she states.

He hugs her tightly. "I can't believe I'm finally meeting you," Harry sighs.

Isabella giggles and nods. "It would've happened," Isabella assures.

"We'll leave you for a bit," McGonagall says, pulling Severus out.

Harry pulls away slightly and looks at Isabella. "How are you?" Harry asks.

"I'm fine," Isabella assures. "It's been a long day of testing. What about you? How are you liking Hogwarts?"

"This place is amazing," Harry smiles. "Magic is amazing. I have two good friends, Ron and Hermione. Hermione's the smart one and Ron likes to have more fun. You should meet them."

"I know two of the Weasley's; the twins," Isabella replies. "They're a lot of fun. Also another boy in their year."

"Well, I'd love to meet them at some point. So, what have you been doing since we last spoke?"

"I've gotten my apparation license and am officially a potions master and just took my mastery exam for transfiguration. Oh, and I've achieved my flight mastery. I don't really have too many options as to what I can do," Isabella explains. "You?"

"I'm just trying to keep up with classes. Magic is great but if you're not raised in the wizarding world or aren't studying all the time, it's hard to keep up."

"Well, if you need help, you can always come to me. I've taken all courses offered by Hogwarts," Isabella offers. "I can help you study."

Harry smiles. "I might take you up on that," Harry accepts. "Any tips on getting Professor Snape to like me?"

"Our dad didn't really get along with Papa," Isabella explains. "Actually, dad kind of was a bully at that age, according to Papa. You look a lot like dad and you're in Gryffindor. That's a lot of bad memories for him."

"Oh," Harry sighs. "Great, so he hates me because of my parents."

Isabella shakes her head. "Not necessarily. He was jealous of dad because he liked mom," Isabella explains. "Mom made him my godfather for a reason, despite all their arguments."

Harry nods. "Can I call you Izzy? Isabella seems really formal."

"I'd prefer it," Isabella replies.

"Hey, I made the Gryffindor Quidditch team!" Harry cheers. "First game is against Slytherin."

"I thought I heard something like that. Dad was amazing on a broom," Isabella notes. "And I'll find a way to be there, I promise."

"Only if it's safe, alright?" Harry checks. "I don't want you in danger."

"Maybe I'll go as Papa. I'm a metamorphmagus so I can change myself to look like him," Isabella plans. "Or I'll go in my Animagus form."

"What's an Animagus?" Harry asks.

"It's when you can turn into an animal at will. I turn into a kitten and a phoenix! I could hide in your pocket or a bag," Isabella assures.

Harry nods. "How about this, I'll leave my bag open during breakfast one morning and you come and hop in," Harry explains. "I can pull Hermione and Ron aside and you can meet them!"

Isabella smiles. "Perfect! How about the day after your first quidditch match?"

Harry nods and pulls her in for a hug. A knock sounds behind them after a moment. Severus walks in. "It is time for Mr. Potter to be on his way," Severus states. "Or he may miss curfew. If you wish to see your sister, just give me a ludicrous reason to give you detention. Preferably something that doesn't actually require punishment." Severus pushes Harry out the door quickly before turning back to Isabella. "And it's time for you to get to bed."