A Potter Secret

Summer Fun in the Sun

          Isabella dashes through the trees, look over her shoulder every couple of moments. She runs faster, dodging roots and shrubs. As she gets closer to the school, she smiles. Just before the entrance way, a weight pulls her down. She rolls through the grass before pulling away and pushing herself the last few feet before collapsing. "Yes!" Isabella shouts. "I win!"

Cedric laughs and crawls over. "I almost had you."

Isabella nods. "Almost. You also tried to cheat!"

Shrugging, Cedric picks himself up before helping Isabella to her feet. "I'm gonna miss you, Isabella. I'll write whenever I can; promise!"

"I'll write you, too," Isabella promises. "And we can get together at the end of summer, right?"

"Of course," Cedric reassures.

Amos and Elizabeth walk towards them. "Sorry to break up your fun," Amos starts. "But we must be on our way, 'else we'll miss the portkey."

Isabella hugs Cedric one last time before they leave Hogwarts. Shortly after, Isabella returns to her room to continue studying. Halfway through the summer, the Diggory's decided to take a family vacation. Isabella had been apprenticing under Professor Sprout to earn her herbology mastery. Since taking her N.E.W.T.'s, Isabella's mind has only grown. She's takes all the information available to her and betters herself with it. With five mastery courses remaining and two courses to start from scratch, Isabella keeps the pace quick. For the past three weeks, Isabella has been working on her herbology and care of magical creatures mastery which consists of caring for all seven Hogwarts greenhouses as well as any plants on the grounds that require extra assistance and all the creatures in the surrounding woods. Yesterday was the last day before Professors Sprout and Kettleburn assess her work and, if it is fitting, give Isabella her mastery.

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"Papa?" Isabella calls. "Papa, where are you?" Isabella walks throughout the rooms before heading towards he potion's lab. "Papa, are you in here?"

A blonde-haired boy turns and stares at her. "Who are you and why are you here? Never mind, you aren't supposed to be here; leave."

"I live here," Isabella replies. "I've lived here since I was just a baby. If anyone is not supposed to be here, it's you."

The boy looks her over. "Draco Malfoy," the boy says. "Business required my father to send me here to my godfather, Severus Snape's residence. Why are you at Hogwarts."

"Perhaps we'd better find Pa- Professor Snape," Isabella says. "He'll explain."

Draco nods and walks to the living room, sitting down. Isabella checks the rooms again, this time catching Severus coming from his classroom. "Papa," Isabella whispers. "There's a blonde boy here. He's seen me. I couldn't stop him, Papa. He says he's your godson. I'm sorry I couldn't-"

Severus kneels down and hugs her. "Shh," He tries. "It's alright. Nobody is perfect. Now, I want you to go to your room and stay there until I come, alright? You're not in trouble."

Isabella nods and runs off to the room. Severus steps into the living room and Draco turns to him. "Uncle Severus," Draco greets. "I'm sorry about coming without a heads up. My father had urgent business to attend to so he sent me to stay with you a week. Uncle, there is a young girl running about in your quarters."

Severus sights and sits across from Draco. "She lives here, with me," Severus replies. "She, like you, is my godchild. The difference is, her parents died when she was young so I took her in."

"How is it I've never seen her on any of my visits?" Draco asks.

"She's stayed with other professors," Severus explains. "Draco, it is of the utmost importance that no one learns of her existence, not even your parents. If she is found, she could be in grave danger. Do I make myself clear?"