Ready?

Many students were eager to continue yesterday's lesson. People were also still teasing Gavin about the ducks. Honestly, it was hilarious. Isabella even thought she saw Professor Penrose laughing.

"Never, in my ten years of teaching, have I ever encountered a student afraid of ducks. I understand the chicken fear... those chase you around! The ones at Muggle farms! But ducks...? It must be incredibly traumatic for you, Gavin." She told him at the end of class. More laughter erupted from the class.

"Alright, Alright class. Everyone is dismissed! I'll let you all go early since you did good today."

Isabella stayed behind, except this time, Mira was there with her. She had to face the boggart. As much as she didn't want to, she had to. It was about darn time to face this fear. For so long she hid it, never talked about it. It was a mere thought that she kept in the very back of her mind, at the very bottom, ever so deeply hidden. She had never let it resurface. She was glad she had finally talked about it with someone she truly trusted.

"Isabella. I see you have brought a friend." Professor smiled. "Someone once said 'Fear is only as deep as the mind allows'. Are you ready, Isabella?"

"Take deep breaths." Mira put her hand on Isabella's shoulder. The reassurance was enough.

Inhale

Exhale

Inhale

Exhale.

She was ready this time. She held her wand, steady, no tremble. One last breath.

"I'm ready."

And then the wardrobe opened.

The Boggart shifted. Just like last time, it turned in to a door. The door creaked open, the room trashed. Isabella blocked out the thoughts.

'I won't let this overcome me.' She repeated it over and over again in her mind.

"RIDDIKULUS!" She pointed her wand straight at it. She felt relief flow through her body as she saw the boggart shift. It turned into her parents. They were making funny faces, as they had so long ago. She cracked up, it had been years since they had last done that. She heard Mira chuckle behind her.

"You did it!" She said.

"Good job, Isabella. That'll be an A. It's a big fear, complicated story I'll bet. I'm proud of you. Now go, enjoy your evening." Professor Penrose shooed them off.

Isabella left the DADA room with a smile.

"Oh, Mira I'll see you at dinner, I have a study session with Potter."

"Alrighty." She waved her off. "Go to your boyfriend."

"Wait a second! He's not my-" But Mira had already ran off. She'd definitely talk with her later.

Unfortunately, Isabella hadn't noticed that Potter had been standing behind her.

'I'm offended, Bella. Have I, the grandson of The one and only Harry Potter, kin of The Boy Who Lived, been friend zoned?' He thought. Well that's a first.

"Bella, what's the hold up? We goin to the library or not?" He finally said.

"Oh, didn't see you there. Yeah let's go." She seemed completely unfazed by what Mira said. 'Maybe she really doesn't like me.... nahhhh impossible!' Nick pondered it the whole walk to the library.

"Potter! Focus, will you? And stop staring at that Hufflepuff girl." She smacked him with her notebook, trying to get his attention. He'd dozed off, but he hadn't noticed that He'd been staring.

"Jealous, much, Bella?" he expected to at least get a little blush from her. But noooo.

"You wish. I just don't want that poor girl to think that a pig is trying to hit on her."

"Hey! I am not a pig!"

"You're right." She said, looking straight into his eyes. For a second he thought she might say something that was actually nice. He opened his mouth but didn't get the chance to say anything.

"You're more of a stubborn ape." She smirked and stuck her tongue out at him and then turned back to her notes.

Nick sat there gaping at her for a while before coming back to his senses.

'Stubborn ape... he was no stubborn ape...' he thought. He'd get her back somehow. He just wasn't quite sure how to do it yet.

As they were leaving the library, Isabella almost forgot to tell him something.

"I won't be able to come study with you tomorrow. But if you can, even though you probably won't, you should try to study on your own. We have a quiz on Friday."

"Ok. No promises. Oh and what's Blink's name, (a quizzical expression appeared on her face) oh sorry, I mean your owl."

"Wait, you named him?"

"Well I didn't know what to call him, and Blink just seemed to fit...."

"His name is Perseus, occasionally goes by Percy. But I do like the name Blink. Probably one of the only good ideas you've had." She said, smiling.

"I'm smart, I simply just choose not to be..."

"Hmmmm... sure"

And they bickered all the way down to the Great Hall.

.