A Potter Secret

Death's Tricks

          As the classes of the day start, Isabella runs down the path towards the dark forest. She follows the path she remembers seeing through Harry until she reaches the unicorn. Three centaurs surround the unicorn. "What are you doing here, young one?" a centaur asks. The other two turn to look at her.

Another one says, "It's not safe for you out in these woods, especially for someone your age." Isabella stays quiet. The centaur watches for a moment before kneeling down to seem smaller and signaling his comrades to step back. "My name is Firenze. What's yours?"

"Isabella," she says. "I'm not supposed to be here but I- I thought I could help. Please don't tell Papa I came out here."

The centaur smiles. "I won't if you don't. Are you lost, young one? I can help you out of the forest."

Isabella nods. "Ca-can I try something first? I want to help the unicorn."

Firenze sighs. "There's nothing that can be done, I'm afraid. He's already gone. If you'd like, perhaps you could find some flowers for him."

Isabella steps closer and kneels beside the unicorn. Gently stroking the unicorn's mane, Isabella sets her hands flat against the creature. A glow starts to surround her hands and where they are on the unicorn. After a moment, the glow dies down and the unicorn jolts up, startled. "Hey, it's okay," Isabella tries. "Calm down, I'm not going to hurt you. Shh." The centaurs stand there, shocked. Firenze moves forward and helps the unicorn stand up. Isabella picks an apple out of her pocket and holds it up. "You must be hungry. Here you go."

"How did you do that?" Firenze asks.

Isabella shrugs as the unicorn trots away after the snack. "I almost died as a baby. Death came and gave me this ability in return for my life. He said too many had died who weren't meant to. Can you look out for the unicorn? I just want to make sure that he'll be alright."

Firenze nods. "Of course. Would you still like help finding your way out?" Isabella smiles and nods.

"Please don't tell anyone about me," Isabella asks on they way back. "No one is supposed to know about me but I wanted to help the unicorn."

"Of course, young one. Stay safe, alright?" Firenze calls as Isabella clambers off of him and starts running towards Hogwarts, waving.

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

"Isabella, how did your Charms examination go with Professor Flitwick?" Severus asks after his classes finish.

Smiling, Isabella turns towards him. "It went really well. I passed!"

Severus smiles. "Congratulations, Isabella. One step closer to complete mastery of magic."

"Papa, I was wondering- I've done some research that says that so long as a teacher believe the student is ready, they can take mastery examinations without completing the apprenticeship but the examination is much harder. I was hoping you'd let me do this for a couple subjects," Isabella asks.

Severus raises an eyebrow. "And which subjects would this be?"

"The easier or more theory based subjects," Isabella assures. "I made a list."

Isabella hands him the parchment and he reads it over. "History of Magic, Muggle Studies, Astronomy, Magic Theory, Study of Ancient Runes, and Arithmancy," Severus reads. "Not a bad list. Any chance I could convince you to add Divination to this list?"

Isabella giggles. "But I actually like divination. And I'm good at it!"

"You're good at everything, Isabella," Severus reminds. "And I feel that you can't learn anymore by being in an apprenticeship under Trelawney. It's one more you could check off your list. That would leave four more mastery levels to achieve." Isabella looks to her feet again before stepping forward. "I was actually hoping that I would have some free time to learn other courses that aren't offered here at Hogwarts."

Severus watches her carefully. "Such as?"

Sighing, Isabella takes a deep breath. "Defensive and Offensive fighting," Isabella starts. "In case I ever run into a situation where I don't have my wand, I feel being able to fight would help."

Severus nods. "Perhaps," he relents. "I will consider this but why do I get the feeling that you're holding something back."

"Because I am," Isabella continues. "I was also thinking that since Grandpa Dumble and you don't believe Voldemort to be gone forever, perhaps I could benefit from knowing the dark arts-"

"Absolutely not," Severus shouts. "I won't have you make the same mistakes I did when I was younger. You will not be learning the dark arts!"

"Papa, please, hear me out!" Isabella tries.

"No!" Severus continues. "Isabella, being exposed to dark magic almost killed you when you were barely a month old." Tears come to his eyes as he continues. "I can't lose you, Isabella. You're like a daughter to me. I don't want to see you get hurt."

"But Papa," Isabella interjects. "If I know the dark arts inside and out, like Voldemort, I'll know how to defend against them. I can predict his moves and react better to his actions. And not all of the dark arts are dark. It depends on how the spells and charms are used." Isabella watches Severus, carefully.

Sighing, Severus leans down and picks Isabella up, hugging her to him. "Your logic is sound," Severus accepts. "I believe I am too close to his to make this decision for you concerning your future." He takes another breath and sits down on his bed. "As such, I will bring this matter to Dumbledore. If it is agreed upon that you are to be taught the dark arts, I will teach you what you will need to know. Despite being the law enforcers, Aurors are required to learn the dark arts so it would not be frowned upon, especially if a war does come about."

Isabella smiles and hugs him a little tighter. "Thank you, Papa. I- I know that this is hard for you. I know you love me and just want me safe. I love you too, Papa." Isabella pulls at the blankets and curls up in Severus' side.

Severus smiles. "I do love you, Isabella. I love you so much. I know how dangerous the dark arts are, though, and how tempting they can be. They are considered dark because many, if used by the wrong people or for the wrong purpose, give the user desires that are against nature. The younger you are, the more dangerous."

"I'm not sure what they'd give me. I have my big brother, I have good friends and great professors. I have a warm home and I've never gone hungry. Most of all I have the most amazing father. You didn't have to take me in that night and you didn't have to care if I lived or died but you did and because you did, I've had the best life I could ever imagine. You're the best father that I could ever imagine."