A Potter Secret

Summer School

          "Isabella," Severus says, shaking her in an attempt to wake her up. "Isabella, it's time to wake up." Isabella bats him away, pulling the blanket up over her head with the other hand. "Isabella."

"Papa," Isabella whines. "Please let me sleep?"

Severus shakes his head. "Come on. You've been slacking off on your studying. Come on." He picks Isabella up and sets her on her feel. "It's time for your pop alchemy master exam, followed by your Defense against the Dark Arts Mastery exam."

Isabella pops up, scrambling to get ready. "M-my exams?!" She shouts.

Severus smiles, handing her wand to her as she scrambles. "Head to the lab. We'll start your alchemy mastery in a few moments."

"Shouldn't I get time to study?!" Isabella cries. "Please?!"

Severus shakes his head again and pushes her along. "Nope. I believe that you should be able to show proficiency in the subject at all times, no matter the stress." Isabella sighs before grabbing a piece of toast of the table and running to the lab.

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"What was the point of all this?" Isabella asks as she sits down that evening after the exams.

Severus smirks as a house elf bring their food to the table. "The point of that was to see if you were ready. Congratulations, Isabella, you have passed all of your masteries with flying colors." Isabella smiles as she gets up and cheers, dancing around Severus. Severus laughs at her antics before they both calm down. "Now, with you having reached proficiency in all fields of magic taught here at Hogwarts, I, with the supervision of Professor Dumbledore, will be teaching you combat skills and the Dark Arts." Isabella's about to break out in squeals but Severus puts his hands up. "With these permissions, you will be expected to treat them with the utmost care. You are never to use the dark arts unless in a lesson and with professors there to assist. If I ever hear of you doing so, without prior permission or for your own defense, you will be severely punished. Do you understand?"

Isabella smiles, nodding quickly. "I promise, Papa. You won't regret letting me do this." Severus sighs and begins eating as Isabella cheers quietly in her seat.

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Severus watches her closely, as well as Minerva and Dumbledore. The dark arts are extremely tempting to those of youth because of the cursed benefits it may bring. Through the entire summer, they keep Isabella isolated at Hogwarts, watching as she takes in each lesson and carefully practices the spells they teach her. Most of the lessons are theory based, so she understands the spells and has the wand motion perfected. Only some of the more minor curses that are still legal to use did they actually teach her.

They then move on to dueling. They use all manner of spells, charms and even some potions with the only restrictions being the unforgivable curses. Isabella duels with each teacher, learning something specific from each to better her abilities. Amos Diggory, Lucius Malfoy, Arthur Weasley and his two oldest sons also stop by to give Isabella more practical practice with dueling against unknown opponents.

Throughout all this, any time not spent learning the dark arts is spent in a gym. Severus teaches her physical combat ranging from brawling to the most precise kinds of karate. Any form of fighting is shown to and used in duels against her. It quickly shows it's worth as her dueling improve tenfold. The energy she's spend on defensive spells is cut in half as she can easily just dodge.

Her abilities come easier with each lesson she takes and each duel she fights. By the end of summer, she is able to hold her ground against most of the professors, even beating a few of them at times. She spells come naturally to her as she casts, as if a part of her mind is telling her what to cast, when to cast and where exactly to cast a spell.

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It's early in the morning that Minerva rushes into Severus' rooms, waking him and unknowingly waking Isabella up. Isabella stands outside the kitchen as Severus and Minerva speak. "Severus, this is important. Isabella could be in danger!" Minerva insists.

Severus sighs, drinking from his coffee. "Isabella is perfectly safe. Black can't get through Hogwarts' wards without express permission," Severus reminds. "Besides, Isabella is one of the most well-trained witches in the world. She can protect herself if it comes to that."

"Severus," Minerva cries, annoyed at how nonchalant he is acting. "This is a very serious situation."

"I am being completely serious," Severus assures. "Perhaps if you won't take my word for it, then you'll take Isabella's." With that, the door swings open and Isabella is revealed. "Isabella, you know that I don't like it when you're eavesdropping."

Isabella wipes at her eye. "I heard all the shouting. I didn't need to be just outside the door to hear everything."

Minerva sighs and kneels down to Isabella's height. "Isabella, I don't mean to scare you but it's important that you know this-"

"Uncle Sirius has broken out of Azkaban?" Isabella asks. "And you think he'll go after me and Harry."

Minerva nods. "Isabella, Sirius Black may be your godfather but he is undeserving of the title. He- He is the reason your parents are dead."

Isabella's about to correct her but Severus shakes his head, warning her off. Instead, Isabella sighs and hugs her Grandma Minnie before climbing onto the countertop and into her papa's arms. Severus holds her close as he picks her up and takes her back to bed. They wait for Minerva to leave before he tucks her in, whispering. "Tomorrow morning, I'll head out to search for Sirius, alright?" Severus asks. "I know school starts tomorrow but I can at least try to find him."

Isabella nods. "And me?"

"You'll stay here and make some nutrition and strengthening potions as well as some food enchanted to last a long time. He's been stuck in Azkaban for so long, he'll need it. Also, as much chocolate as you can get your hands on for the-"

"Dementor effects," Isabella finishes. "I'll find some of your other clothes for him, too. Something to keep him warm."

Severus smiles. "You are well taught, Isabella," Severus smiles. "I expect nothing less from you."

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Severus spends the entire next day searching for Sirius, returning just before the welcome feast with Sirius. "I must go," Severus says, helping Sirius to one of the guest rooms before getting up. "I trust you know what to do?"

Isabella nods, pulling out a couple potions and some food. Severus leaves quickly as Isabella gets Sirius to eat a few bites of food, then a potion. This process lasts until all five vials are empty. "Isabella," Sirius smiles, hugging her. "It's so good to see you."

Isabella smiles back and hugs him carefully. "It's good to see you too, Uncle Sirius. How do you feel?"

Sirius grimaces, his arms wrapping around his ribs. "Sore, exhausted."

"Do you think you could eat any more right now?" Isabella suggests. Sirius shakes his head. "Alright, try to sleep. We can talk more in the morning."

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