Inside My Mind (A Harry Potter Fanfiction)

Chapter LXV

Hogwarts, Unplottable Location, Scotland, Great Britain

Saturday the 4th of September 1996

1:00 PM

"Professor Babbling," Bella greeted. She smiled at the Rune Mistress and nodded to her. Professor Bathsheda Babbling looked at her, apprehensively. She was a heavyset woman, slightly heavier than Mrs. Weasley. She had a stern look on her face unlike Mrs. Weasley's kind face. She also looked disbelieving.

"Potter. Professor McGonagall told me of your request to join my N.E.W.T Ancient Runes class. She insisted upon it, actually," Babbling said. Bella nodded, her half-smile never leaving her face though her eyes hardened, slightly. The woman sounded condescending in some way.

"That is true. I did ask and she said I'd have to take a placement test," Bella explained. Babbling nodded once and she slapped a scroll of parchment on the table between the two women.

"Yes. However, I have no idea why you would wish to do that. My class is rigorous and even more so just before the N.E.W.T. It has come to my attention that you wish to get your Mastery along with your N.E.W.T. It is my personal opinion that you do not have what it takes," Babbling said, sharply.

Bella stopped and her eyes narrowed. She brushed a lock of hair behind her ear and her half-smile looked a little forced now. She crossed her arms, defensively, and she shifted her weight.

"Excuse me?" Bella asked, stiffly. Babbling gave her a smug look.

"Potter, I don't think you have what it takes. Ancient Runes is a fine art and you may be gifted into fighting and Quidditch but that doesn't mean you have the delicate hand for writing Runes. Now you best get the idea of Ancient Runes out of your pretty head and run along," Babbling said, coolly. Bella's smile looked extremely forced now and she sat down, stiffly. She obviously surprised Babbling as she pulled out her quill and ink.

"It's fine, Professor. I think I know what I'm doing," Bella hissed between gritted teeth. Babbling gave an easy shrug and sighed, almost pityingly.

"If you're sure…I hope you prove me wrong. I doubt you will," Babbling said, softly. The woman walked back to the teacher's desk and sat down. Bella leaned down and began to write, furiously.

Her eyes narrowed on every rune as she named what they were used for.

Twenty minutes went by and suddenly Bella was standing in front of Babbling with the scroll in her hand. Bella was smirking, smugly. She placed the scroll on Babbling's table. Babbling snatched it and looked through it with a critical and judgmental eye.

Her eyes widened in shock.

"Every…everything is correct…and you added other things that I didn't ask for…" Babbling whispered. Bella nodded with a smile.

"Yes. I did."

"You're…you're welcome to join my class," Babbling said, grudgingly. Bella nodded and she tilted her head as she tapped her chin with a gloved finger.

"Professor, I hope you enjoy teaching me in class. Personally I don't think you'll not hold up very well, you see, my personal opinion is that you do not have 'what it takes.' That you cannot keep up with me. I hope you prove me wrong...I doubt you will."