Every House Has Flaws
August 31st, 1993
Belle was painting a landscape that had been commissioned by a man as a wedding gift for his soon to be wife as she looked up to see her daughter leaving.
"Where are you going young lady?" Belle asked, stopping her daughter's exit.
"I'm meeting Ginny for ice cream at Florean's." Samantha exclaimed with a ballerina twirl. "She and her family are in town to get their things for school tomorrow."
"Ginny Weasley?" Belle wracked her brain, she knew Ginny was Samantha's friend, "The one who likes writing right?"
"Yeah the one who attacked all those muggle borns last year." Jack chuckled slyly before taking a bite of an apple while he leaned against the counter and read some book about Philosophy. He'd taken a real interest recently in the ideas of the world and how it worked. Belle wasn't complaining, at least he had an intelligent hobby.
He was also planning to try out for the Quidditch team. He was a thin looking fourteen year old, so Belle considered he'd be a decent Keeper.
Samantha sent her brother a disproving look in response, "She couldn't help it, she was possessed by You-Know-Who!"
Belle just shook her head in response, the school had almost closed due to muggle borns being petrified. The problem was seemingly solved and the students were perfectly safe. However now, the real fear was that the mass murderer, Sirius Black was on the loose. If you had told sixteen year old Belle that the little Black boy would eventually betray his best friends, she wouldn't have believed it. He was a prankster and could occasionally be mean, but he was otherwise harmless.
In better personal news, all worries about Samantha's social life had practically disappeared in the last year and a half. Midway through her second year her letters began including the names of friends. There was Colin Creevey who liked photography and Ginny who also liked writing and Quidditch. There was also Penelope Clearwater, Genevieve Horner, and Cedric Diggory, older students who were very onboard with the idea of helping Samantha start a school paper. She also occasionally mentioned Ernie Macmillan, a Hufflepuff boy in her year who she often stood beside in Herbology.
"All right, well, only if Jack goes along." She insisted, which caused both children to groan.
"You know I don't want you two running around alone with Sirius Black on the loose."
"But mum. Jack's going to see Cassius and Adrian later. They don't like me." Samantha argued with a roll of her eyes and a cross of her arms.
Jack's friend group had also grown slightly with the new addition of Adrian Pucey, a stocky Slytherin who'd been held back a year.
"Well you punched Cassius, of course he doesn't like you." Jack rolled his eyes looking up from the apple he was eating.
"You did what?" Belle asked turning to look at her daughter in her little floral dress and pig tails.
Samantha's shoulders raised and she cowered slightly. "Warrington took Colin's camera and threatened to break it. So I punched him."
"I wasn't there, but he had a damn good black eye." Jack laughed almost proudly, but didn't look up from his book.
"Watch your language young man. I hope you don't talk like that at school." Belle exclaimed putting her hands onto her hips before turning back to her daughter. "You could have told a teacher."
"I'm no snitch." She pinched her face, "Besides, they would have broken it by then."
"He would have. Cassius is not exactly on the ambitious level to coming up with more maniacal ways of torture towards those he finds inferior." Jack tilted his head. "I believe it has something to do with his desire to seem bigger than those around him, because he is deeply hurt by his lack of intelligence."
Belle was almost proud of his observation, but still found the situation problematic. "That's very insightful Jack, but it doesn't excuse Cassius' behavior. And Sammy get a teacher next time, even if your intentions were genuine."
"I mean Colin's camera got broken when he was petrified anyway. So it didn't make a difference." Samantha slouched. "Do I really have to bring Jack to see Ginny?"
"Yes you do." Belle nodded before motioning to her son, "But only until he sees Warrington and Pucey. Do me a favor and stay with your friends."
"Ok mummy." Samantha smiled widely, Jack groaned but tucked his book under his arm.
"Fine." Jack conceded and followed his sister out the door.
Belle put her head into her hands. How in the world could she feel both proud and disappointed in her children all in the same breathe? Was she failing? Was she not strict enough on them? What was she doing wrong?
The bell to her store rang and she sat up into her chair. She didn't look to see who it was. "Welcome to Belle's Designs, how can I help you?"
"You can help me find a wonderful young woman I know." A familiar Scottish voice called and Belle stood to embrace Professor Minerva McGonagall.
"Good to see you Minerva." Belle let go of her former professor.
"Oh dear, you have paint on your forehead." Minerva motioned to her head.
Belle reached down and grabbed a cloth from the floor. "Oh goodness. I must be a right site. One painting and two gowns needed before the end of tomorrow."
"No wonder you seem a wee bit flustered." Minerva observed with a small austere giggle. "I saw your children heading towards Florean's."
"They are the other reason I am flustered." Belle admitted wiping her face and hands.
Minerva tilted her head. "I had a small inclination."
"It comes with motherhood I assume." Belle rolled her eyes and laughed.
"I have no experience to agree or disagree." Minerva said with a small pinch of her lips. Belle would have argued that Minerva knew plenty, but she decided it was best not to express that.
"It's so good to see you, do you have time for a spot of tea? I won't take no for an answer."
"Then I won't deny you."
Just a few moments later they were sitting in her back room, surrounded by fabric and sitting at a small table sipping tea together. They caught up quickly, with them both discussing the previous year and the nerves they shared knowing Sirius Black was on the loose. Minerva seemed to eventually tire of those conversations and moved on.
"Now I must know, because my mind can only surmise so much, but what have your children done to fluster you?" Minerva asked before sipping her tea.
Belle rolled her eyes, "Oh nothing out of the ordinary, I think. Jack's decided he's a philosopher this summer and has been analyzing anyone and everyone he can. I'm doing my best to learn along with him, but I worry he may get a head of me."
"I may need to, as the kids say, come clean." Minerva pinched her mouth again and put down her tea. "I know who may have sparked your young Jack's interest."
Belle took a deep breath and began curiously wondering who it could have been.
Minerva didn't keep her wondering for long. "Severus it seems thought it would be best to challenge the boy. I don't know if you know this, or if I should really be the one to inform you, but Severus is quite skilled in the art of Legilimency. He's no natural at it, but he certainly believed your son's mind would benefit from a bit of philosophy."
"Really?" Belle had never thought of Severus Snape, much until she heard he was Sammy and Jack's teacher. She remembered him a little as a child and she knew he had been on both sides of the war. "I'm not sure whether to thank him or send a howler."
Minerva giggled a long.
"Jack didn't pick up the swearing from Snape I hope."
"I believe he learned that from his peers." Minerva nodded. "Let me please assure you that he is an excellent student, even if he is opinionated. I almost hope he doesn't make the Slytherin Quidditch team because of his talent."
"That does make me feel a bit better." Belle breathed a sigh of relief. "Now that I think about it though, maybe the universe has already sent Snape a slight bit of karmic revenge. Sammy has informed me that she's dreadful in potions. So I assume, he has his hands full with her."
"I would not know. He has never mentioned her. I know for a fact she is not the worst student, she hasn't blown anyone up, yet." Minerva picked up her tea and took a sip.
"Samantha is more than competent in my class. She's quite advanced, reminds me of you really." Minerva began slightly gushing, "She's a mature young lady with a lot of ambition. I'm excited to see how she and Miss Clearwater get on with this little newspaper endeavor. I've offered to be their mentor of course."
"You see, it's things like that, which confuse me about Sammy." Belle said almost dropping her tea cup, "One moment I think she's brilliant and the next moment I'm finding out she punched a classmate."
Minerva stopped drinking her tea mid sip and Belle realized her mistake.
"I didn't just get her detention did I?" Belle asked as Minerva began laughing exuberantly.
Minerva continued her laughter and even dabbed her eyes, "No, as I was unaware until this very moment and I am off school property. It does answer the perplexing question of how Mr. Warrington received his black eye last year. Did she explain her motives?"
"Apparently, she was standing up for her classmate, the one with the camera. Colin I believe." Belle shook her head. "She's a damn Gryffindor if I ever knew one. I never imagined I'd have a Gryffindor for a child. I should have expected it when I realized she'd be a Leo sign."
"Now what could possibly be wrong with her being a proud member of my noble house?" Minerva sat up a bit straighter and her smile wiped from her face.
Belle pursed her lips and tried not to laugh, "Even you have to admit Gryffindors are more likely to punch first and think later."
"Ravenclaws don't always act quick enough, they must overthink their actions." Minerva argued back with a smirk and a wave of her hand. "Every house has flaws and positives."
"I did once hear that Gryffindors made the best snoggers." Belle jested. "If you can call that a positive."
The two burst into laughter.
October 10th, 1971
"Hello Professor." Belle greeted as she passed Professor Sprout planting something on the grounds as she and Cissy walked the grounds during the evening.
"Greetings Miss Brenna and Miss Black." Pomona waved at them. The little tree she was planting moved and waved about. "Hope you are enjoying your first month of classes."
"Of course!" Belle said with a big smile as they kept walking.
"There you go again Brenna, being so odd this year." Cissy chuckled taking her arm and flipping her long hair. "Talking to some of the Professors like you are all old friends."
"Well who else was I going to talk to all summer?" Belle asked with a grunt. "The bloody house elves in the kitchen?"
"Point taken." Cissy laughed and fixed the lime green sweater she was wearing, "It's not just that. It's the working with Flume and the incredible attention you've been spending on your studies."
"I've always paid attention to studies." Belle watched her feet. She might need new boots, these were falling apart. She just didn't want to message home for new ones. She'd need to practice taking care of herself.
"Yeah, but it's sixth year, we're supposed to be taking minimal classes and actually enjoying our time. It's not like we will need any of this after school."
Belle rolled her eyes as they started making their way back towards the castle. Unbeknownst to Cissy, Belle could in fact need the skills she was learning. Cissy had no problem with the idea she would be expected to marry well and spend her days popping out children.
They were just coming into the courtyard when they heard what sounded like a little girl crying.
Gideon Prewett was comforting a little red haired Gryffindor girl as she cried. A little black haired Slytherin boy was silently picking up books that were strewn about.
Belle's heart jolted as she saw him. She'd been avoiding all possible conversation with him. She tried to hurry her walking, but Cissy continued at a slow pace.
"They knocked over all our books!" The little red haired girl exclaimed pointing at the poor greasy little Slytherin boy. "And called him Snivelly."
The Slytherin boy continued picking up his books but looked at the little red haired girl with pride.
"As a prefect, I'll report them I promise." Gideon said as he helped the little boy pick up the books. "You said it was the Potter boy and Sirius Black?"
"Yes, it was those boys. Thank you very much." The little girl said as she took the books from the boy.
"Come on Lily, we can study someplace else." The little boy said with a nod as he stood.
Gideon stood with his hands on his waist and watched the children walk away. He'd gotten even taller over the summer. He had freckled skin, a longer nose and red hair. Belle had always liked his soft brown eyes and his soft lips. He had been excellent at snogging and she occasionally longed for the days when they would find a quiet corner or two.
"One of your siblings or relations I assume?" Cissy asked watching the children walk away as they continued their walk through the courtyard.
"Why would you assume that?" Gideon asked turning and noticing the pair.
"The red haired girl?" Belle mentioned, but avoided eye contact when he offered it.
"I just assumed she had to be a Prewett." Cissy explained. "Red hair is a family trait I assumed. Both your brother and your sister have that hair."
"It's a family trait in the Weasley family too." Gideon laughed and crossed his arms."But I think that young lady is muggle born."
Gideon kept trying to get eye contact with Belle who kept shooting her eyes anywhere but at him.
"How are you ladies today?" He asked with a kind tone.
"Just fine." Cissy said raising her nose.
"Good." Belle said shortly and looked out towards the grounds again.
"I didn't see you on the train Belle, and I haven't had the chance to say hello in any classes we share." Gideon mentioned and rubbed his neck. "And I had to miss that dinner party Slughorn threw."
"That's because she stayed here this summer. Taking special classes" Cissy bragged. Belle glared at her, she'd promised to keep that a secret. "And she's continuing with special training so she has to study very studiously."
"That's pretty far out." Gideon responded with an impressed nod. "Hey, if you two are interested, Frank, Ted and I snuck a few muggle records into the school. Led Zeppelin III and the L.A. Woman Album by the Doors. We're thinking of having a little shindig under the Quidditch bleachers after the game Saturday."
"No thank you." Cissy responded before Belle could. They began walking again. "We will have plans to celebrate elsewhere because Slytherin is obviously going to win. Besides, we don't listen to that muggle trash."
"We also have the new Fleetwood Album." He called, causing Belle to stop. She loved Fleetwood Mac.
"And why would we care?" Cissy asked with a raised eyebrow. "Come on Belle."
They kept walking and Belle found herself deeply regretting her break up. She enjoyed Cissy's company, but she had a feeling come Saturday she'd prefer to be under the bleachers with some good muggle music.
Cissy obviously suspected her trepidation, "You could do far better than him. All Gryffindor boys are too proud and think with a certain body part and I'm not talking about their brain, I'm talking about their-"
"Heart" Belle interrupted as a set of first years ran past them.
Cissy laughed heartily to Belle. "Well, you would know. Why else would you have broken up with Gideon last year? I'm sure you just got bored of his do-first, think later attitude."
Belle's heart ached, she still cared for Gideon, but she couldn't tell Cissy that. She decided to switch directions, "Certainly never kept you from snogging with Elias Jordan under the bleachers last year."
"Snogging is not talking. Something you also well know." Cissy qualified, "And I still stick to my perspective about them, but you have to admit that they can really snog. I wouldn't ever date a Gryffindor seriously though."
"Oh I understand now." Belle rolled her eyes.