Nick saw when Isabella glanced his way. For a second he wondered if he should stop by her table or sit with her, but he pushed those thoughts away. He'd be sitting next to her in Herbology anyways.
In class, they were actually busy (taking care of plants, feeding them, and some of which were blooming had to be moved to bigger pots), so he didn't get the chance to talk to her. And History of Magic was a long lecture of some war (goblins, maybe), Nick wasn't sure, he dosed off at some point.
The bell rang, dismissing the Students. Isabella who was used to leaving with Mira, had forgotten about Potter.
"Bella! Wait up!" Nick ran up to her.
"Right! So, you gonna tell me the whole thing with Michelle?" She asked when he started walking next to her.
"Yeah, but sit at my table. Don't want to face her if I don't have to..." he said... his expression turning fearful remembering that day. He certainly regretted that day. He should've listened to all who had tried to stop him. But he had been too stubborn. To focused on the prank to even consider the consequences.
"Mira!" Isabella called out. "I'll meet you later!" Mira gave her a thumbs up in reply. 'She's going with... Potter? There must be something between them... I suppose it is time to get Kaylene into this.' Mira thought.
Isabella had never really sat down with Nick willingly to talk. But she really wanted to know why everyone was so afraid of waking up Michelle.
She was busy thinking of it, she didn't notice Nick shooing his friends away.
"C'mon, Bella." She sat down next to him.
"Alright then, what exactly happened? I want all the details." She said as she grabbed food. The chicken was calling to her. So was that potato salad.
"So this happened last year. I was pretty big on pranks. Slytherins And Gryffindors never got along so, I stupidly decided to pull a prank. It was a Saturday morning, probably 8 am or so. Most people were still asleep. Me and my buddy, Frank, had gotten some horns, dung bombs, firecrackers and what not from the Weasley's Wizard Wheezes, the joke shop in Diagon alley. We snuck into the slytherin common room that morning and set off the firecrackers and everything. We knew we'd get in trouble, but we thought it would be worth it. We ran into Kaylene and Mira on our way to the Slytherin common room. They told us not to do it. 'Unless you'd like to face Michelle Baasch' were Mira's exact words. I had no idea who Michelle was at the time. "
"This is already not looking good." Isabella said. But she did imagine it would be funny at first. Of course the dung bombs on the other hand... that wouldn't be very pleasant. Or funny at all.
"It started ok. People ran out of their dorms, running around. Honestly funny at first. But then we heard this loud voice. It was scary. It was Michelle Baasch. 'WHO DARES INTERRUPT MY BEAUTY SLEEP.' She stormed down the stairs, this utterly terrifying look on her face as she glared at everyone. Me and Frank tried to sneak out... but she saw us. The look on her face... I swear I thought she was going to kill me. We ran. But we didn't get far. Somehow, I ended up on the courtyard. Frank had gone a different direction. She was right behind me, her wand pointed straight at me. I thought I'd be able to get away, but then I tripped. In that moment she was able to catch up to me. I tried to stand up but it was too late. I don't know if you've ever seen her wand but it's pretty thick, especially the handle part. She knocked me back down. The she-"
"Oh no.. she h-"
"Hit me. Yeah. The back of my head. I'm surprised I didn't get a tumor..." he reached to touch the spot where Michelle Baasch had hit him. It was truly a miracle that no critical damages had been done to him. She'd really slammed into him. The look she had given him.
'Let this be a lesson to you. Disturb my precious sleep... wake me up during a nap... just be warned. I won't hold back next time. You'll feel the wrath of Michelle Baasch. Don't worry, it won't kill you. But it sure ain't gonna tickle.' She'd said, and left him on the ground. Quite brutal for 12 years old. Perhaps she had bluffing but Nick doubted it. He took the threat seriously. She'd made her point- don't mess with her sleep. From that day forward, Potter never messed with Michelle. He avoided her at all costs.
"We got a two months detention and I was banned from the next Quidditch game."
"Honestly you deserved it all."
"Quidditch is my life! It pained me to be watching and not helping me team!"
She laughed at him. "I get it. But still. You definitely deserve it."
Isabella considered going back to her friends. But instead she stayed with Nick the entire lunch. Mostly teasing him.
"I'll see you later bella!" He said afterwards.
"Don't be late to our study session!" She'd yelled.
"Got it!" He'd replied, running off to class. 'He'll probably be late..." she thought.
DADA
Isabella didn't want to avoid her fear. Perhaps facing it now, now that she had let it off her shoulders, she'd be able to successfully cast the spell.