Thursday, June 30

It was one of those days when the sun couldn't decide weather it wanted to shine or hide behind the clouds. The wind rustled the leaves and lightly lifted Melody's strawberry blonde hair. Blue-green eyes stared lazily at the clouds through the branches of a willow. Her lips were set in a small smile as her mind wandered. Dirt was smudged on her button nose and brown freckles were scattered across her cheeks giving her a childish image. She wore a grass and mud stained baseball jersey and faded blue jeans with holes in the knees.

An impish grin suddenly appeared on her face and she stood up. Grabbing hold of a sturdy branch on the willow she began to climb to her favorite spot. The wind played with her hair and the leaves of the tree tickled her skin. When she reached her branch she found it already occupied by an owl. She looked at it curiously and it stared back at her.

"Shouldn't you have flown off by now?" she said voicing her thoughts.

"No." it said.

Melody gasped and almost lost her grip on the branch.

"I've brought you a letter." It continued, then pulled a letter out from under it's wing.

Melody stared at it incredulously, " Are- are you talking to me."

"Well there certainly doesn't look like there's anyone else around." It said.

The owl hoped forward and handed a rusty yellow envelope to her. Melody had just taken the envelope when the door to her house banged open.

"Melody Jennifer Curran get down out of that tree right now!" a high voice screeched.

Surprised Melody's grip on the branch slipped and she suddenly found herself on her back on the ground the envelope still clutched in her left hand and the thin body of her adopted mother looming over her.

"Are you all right?" she asked gruffly.

Melody sat up slightly dazed, "Uh huh" she said.

"Well get up off the ground, you silly girl!"

Melody stood up automatically.

"Just look at you!" the women screeched, "Mud and grass everywhere. You march into the house and take a shower immediately!"

Normally Melody would have said something mean but she was too eager to read the letter and hurriedly did exactly what her mother said.

She climbed the stair to her attic room and sat down at the old oak desk by the window. Out of habit she glanced out the window. Her window faced the back yard and gave a clear view of the house behind them. She had a particularly good view of one of the bedrooms. A boy with black hair and glasses occupied that room. She normally saw him lying on his bed doing schoolwork. What she found amusing was that he used a long piece of paper and a feather quill. She'd been curious about what school he went to since she'd seen him leave every summer about a week before her school started. He didn't go to the public school she was sure of that. She heard that he went to a school for problem children. But he didn't seem like that type of person. But then how was she going to judge, her mother doesn't let her talk to people other then at school.

Today the boy was looking out his window as if searching for something. With a shrug she turned back to the envelope. She'd seen him do that on occasion and an owl would fly to his window. Melody thought it was an interesting postal service.

Looking at the front of the envelope in green letters it was addressed

To Miss. M. Curran

Attic Bedroom

6 Clandestine Court

Little Winging, Surrey

"Attic Bedroom?" she said allowed, how did they know she slept in the attic...and who was 'they'?

She was about to open the envelope when Patricia started pounding on the door.

"Have you taken your shower?!" she yelled through the door.

Melody sighed, "No Ma'am!" she said, loud enough for her mother to hear.

"Well don't you think you ought to before your father gets home?" she said then Melody heard her footsteps walk away.

Melody groaned, Peter her 'father' would ground her for life if he saw her in what she was in. She put the letter in between the pages of her math book then went and down stairs to take a quick shower.

After dinner Melody escaped to her room. Peter had brought home guests from his work and she didn't want to take the chance of getting into an argument with one of his co-workers again. Closing her door she let out a sigh of relief. She sat down on her desk and pulled out one of her spirals about to do the essay she was assigned to complete for her 10th grade English class. She was fifteen but would be sixteen in a few weeks and she went to an all year school, but she was on two-week break.

She stared out the window trying to think of a why to start it when an owl swooped down in front of her window towards that boys window. She remembered the letter and but down her pen and pulled it out from the book.

A purple wax seal that looked like a code of arms she'd seen in her history class, only it had a big H in the middle with four animals surrounding it, a lion, snake, raven, and badger. She broke the seal and pulled out four papers. She read the top paper aloud quietly.

HOGWARTS SCHOOL

of WITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY

Headmaster: Albus Dumbeldore

(Order of Merlin, First Class, Grand Sorc., Chf. Warlock,

Supreme Mugwump, International Confe. of Wizards)

Dear Miss. Curran,

We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment. Due to your age you will be placed with the 6th year. We ask that if you accept your role as a witch and wish to come to our school that you come two weeks in advance so you may catch up with the rest of your classmates.

Term begins on September 1. We await you owl by no later then July 31.

Yours sincerely,

Minerva McGonagall,

Deputy Headmistress

Melody read and re-read the letter.

"You've got to be kidding me!"

Melody set the letter down and looked at the second page, it was a list of things she was positive you couldn't get in England. She put that one down as well. The next page was different it was a note from Minerva McGonagall.

If you have any questions, please ask Mr. Potter for the use of an owl. We will send another owl tomorrow for your reply if you are not able to use his.

The next paper was an envelope addressed to a Mr. Potter.

Melody looked out her window just in time to see a snowy white owl fly from the boy's window. Is that the Mr. Potter?

She bit her lip trying to decide whether she should go and see. Well why not? She asked herself, it's probably just a joke, or maybe he can explain it to me.

Her mind made up she grabbed the envelope addressed to him and quietly made her way down stairs. Peter was in a deep conversation with Mr. Parker, his guest, about some type of car. Patricia was discussing dinners and desserts with Mr. Parker's wife.

She easily slipped out the front door and made her way to 4 Private Drive.

* * *

The Dursley's and Harry were sitting at the dinner table. Harry finished off his meal as fast as possible. He was waiting for a letter from his godfather Sirius Black.

"Can I be excused?" he asked once he had finished.

His uncle gave a curt nod and Harry quickly put his plate in the sink and headed for the stairs. He had just placed his foot on the first step when a light knock came at the door. He knew that his uncle wouldn't have heard it, it was too soft. Curious he went and opened the door. To Harry's surprise a girl about his age stood nervously on the porch. She had strawberry blond hair cut short almost as short as his. She wore dark blue jeans and a tight fitting blue shirt with 90% Angel on it and well-worn tennis shoes. Her eyes reminded him of the picture of an ocean he'd seen and it almost looked like the colors were swirling together. But what he found most curious was the small eight-point star on her cheek, it didn't look like a tattoo more of a birthmark.

"Mr. Potter?" she asked.

Harry looked at her shocked, "Harry," he corrected her, "but how'd you know my last name?"

She smiled, "I didn't I was guessing you were Mr. Potter."

"Can I help you?" He asked.

"I hope so, a Miss. McGonagall told me to ask you if could borrow your owl if I had any questions pertaining to the letter she sent me, and boy do I have questions." She said.

Harry's green eyes widened, "You're a witch?!"

"So it wasn't a joke." She said.

Harry looked at her curiously, "How old are you?"

"Fifteen, why?" she asked.

"Your only now finding out that you're a witch?"

"Well it's only know someone's said anything about it, how was I supposed to know before hand." she said defensively.

Harry was confused, "You're supposed to start at our school when you eleven in your first year."

She shrugged, "I'm not Miss. McGonagall said I was to start in my 6th year, but I am supposed to go two weeks early. Oh and she wanted me to give this to you." She pulled the envelope out of her back pocket and handed it to him.

Harry heard the click of dishes and knew that dinner was over for the rest of the Dursley's.

"Come with me." He said and stepped back to let her into the house.

He quickly led her to his room and closed his door. She looked at him questioningly but didn't say anything. He offered her a seat on his bed and took the chair by his desk He opened the envelope and pulled out the first paper.

Dear Mr. Potter,

The young girl who should have given this to you is named Melody Curran. For some reason we were not able to detect her magic ability until recently. We've asked her to join us at Hogwarts and we hope she will except. In closed in the envelope are tickets to an early train to Hogwarts. We are aware that you have been invited to the Weasly household and have talked to the parents and they have agreed to take her in as well. We're sorry for any inconvenience and if you have any questions please feel free to owl.

The Weasly children will be accompanying you as well on the early train.

Sincerely,

Minerva McGonagall

Harry looked up and saw Melody examining Hedwig. Hedwig gave a hoot and Melody stepped back a look of shock. She turned to Harry, "Does your owl always talk?"

Harry looked at her confused, "No, Hedwig doesn't talk, she's an owl."

Now she looked confused, "Then I think I'm loosing my mind." Hedwig hooted again and Melody glared at the owl, "That wasn't very nice."

Harry looked at her amused and curious, "What she say?"

"Your owl thinks all humans are crazy, me especially."

Harry laughed, "You can understand Owls?"

Melody shrugged, "Either that or I'm nuts."

"No, I talk to snakes…but that's funny," he said realizing something, "When you talked to Hedwig I could understand you."

"Maybe it's because Hedwig understands the human language, we just don't normally understand hers."

Harry nodded, "That makes sense."

"So are you going to come to Hogwarts with us?" he asked.

Melody sighed, " I don't know, I'm not sure Patricia will let me."

Harry smiled mischievously, "Well I could always talk to her for you."

Melody looked at him surprised and curious, "And you think you can convince her?"

Harry walked over to his trunk and began shuffling through it, "Oh, I'm sure if she's like any other muggle it wont take very much convincing."

He turned to face her with a grin on his face he held up what looked like a long stick. Melody's eyes widened, "You're not going to hit her are you?"

Harry laughed, "It's a wand."

Melody blushed, feeling slightly like an idiot, "Oh"

He smiled, "Where do you live?"

"There." She said pointing out his window.

Harry looked slightly startled. "Well this shouldn't be to hard then."

Melody looked at him confused, "Why do you say that?"

Harry shifted nervously, " They've come over here for dinner before."

"And?"

"And they're about as muggle as my aunt uncle and cousin. They've noticed strange things about you, and if it weren't for the check they receive from the country every month, they'd have put you right back in the orphanage."

Melody snorted, "That's nothing new."

Harry smiled, " I don't think they'll mind at all you being gone for most of the year."

Melody looked thoughtful, " I suppose you're right." She grinned, " I certainly don't mine."

Harry turned to the door, "Come on then. If you're going to go to the Weasly's with me you'll need to start packing. I'm leaving tomorrow."

Melody stood up, "How are we going to get past your Aunt and Uncle?"

Harry thought about, he could probably slip out unnoticed, but getting back in might be tricky. Harry all but smacked himself on the head, DUH! The invisible cloak."

He walked over to his trunk and pulled out the cloak, "This."

Melody looked at it, "It's very beautiful, but I don't see how that will help us."

Harry grinned and quickly put it on.

Melody let out a yelp of surprise, "Harry?"

"Right here." He said suddenly appearing with in a few inches from her, grinning.

Melody gulped and felt her heart quicken, he was very close. His startling green eyes stared at her intensely, the mischievous look was gone.

She took a step back to distance them, her brain was turning to Jell-O and she wasn't used to boys effecting her like that. For a second she thought she saw a look of disappointment in his eyes, but it was quickly replaced by a determined look.

"Well." She said her voice shaky," I guess we won't have a problem then, with an invisible cloak." She smiled. He grinned, "Nope non. Lets go." He grabbed her arm and threw the cloak around them pulling her close to him. She felt her pulse quicken and her skin heat at his touch.

This is ridiculous! She said to herself, you're acting like one of those women in Patrica's romance novels

She followed Harry closely, and quietly.

When they made it outside Harry threw off the cloak and Melody stepped away quickly.

"Lets go." She said turning a jogging down the street.

"Hey wait." Harry called. She didn't slow down but He cached up to her quickly.

They made it to her house without breaking a sweat, but Harry seemed a little out of breath.

"Ready?" she asked.

Harry nodded, "Yeah."

Melody opened the door and stepped into the foyer, Harry right behind her.

Patricia came out of the sitting room, clearly annoyed.

"Where were you?" she demanded, then noticing Harry, "And what's he doing here?"

"Patricia, I received a letter from Hogwarts today." She said quickly cutting to the chase.

Patricia looked confused, "Who's Hogwarts?"

Harry snickered, "Not who ma'am, what."

She glared at Harry, then looked back at Melody, "What is Hogwarts?"

Melody grinned, "A school for witches and wizards."

Patricia turned pale, "PETER!" she screamed.

Peter came running in, "What is it, what's wrong?"

Patricia pointed accusingly at Melody, "She's a witch!"

Melody and Harry exchanged looks, this isn't quite what they expected.

Peter glared at Melody, "Did you receive the letter?"

"Yes sir." She said.

Peter rubbed the bridge of his nose, "It just figures." He looked back at Melody, "When do you leave?"

"The Professor asked me to stay at the Weasly's until the Term starts." She said.

He looked at Harry, "Are you a Weasly."

"No, sir. Harry Potter. The Weasly's are a friend of mine. I'm going to stay the rest of the summer with them. They're coming to get me tomorrow."

"Good." He said coldly. "Melody go to your room and pack whatever you need. Be at where ever they're going to get you tomorrow." With that both Patricia and Peter went back into the sitting room.

"Well." Harry said slowly." That was unexpected."

Melody smiled, "Cool."

Harry looked at her strangely.

She looked at him innocently, "What?"

He shook his head and smiled, "Nothing."

She shrugged, "You want to come up?" she asked pointing up the stairs.

Harry thought about it a minuet, "Sure."

She led him up the stairs. They were walking down the hall, when Harry asked her confused, "Where are we going?"

She looked over her shoulder at him, "To my room, it's the attic."

"Oh." He said surprised.

She led him up a second set of stairs that were hidden in a small nook between a hall closet and a bathroom. At the top was purple door with a sign that read in red lettering " Beware a witch at work!!"

Harry laughed, "And to think how right you were."

Melody laughed as well, "Go figure."

She opened the door and led him inside.

Her room was of average size. The wall in front of them sloped and had a small window with blue lace curtains and computer desk in front of it. The desk had books lined up on top with a lamp with a stain glass shade on it. There was a laptop closed, sitting were a normal sized monitor would have been. A stack of schoolbooks and spirals in the middle with a few pens and pencils in a medium black cup. To Harry's surprise there was also a quill. Her bed was up against the wall with door, it had dark blue comforter with gray clouds. She had one stuffed animal and it was pretty ragged looking, like she had had for a long time, and it looked distinctly wizard. It was a black teddy bear with a wizards hat, but that wasn't what made it wizard. The teddy bear was wearing purple pajamas with brooms, quaffles, bludgers, and golden snitches everywhere. She had a night table with a lamp, a clock and something that looked remarkably like a wand. She had a six drawer tall dresser next to that.

Harry began to wonder how it was she could possible have been Muggle for so long when he saw the pictures on the wall. There was one big one that looked exactly like Hogwarts above her bed. It looked almost like a photograph but in pencil. Scattered across her walls were pencil or pen drawings of witches and wizards, and even one that looked like Diagon Alley.

"Are you sure you're Muggle born?" Harry asked.

Melody looked up from her the suitcase she had pulled from under her bed. "Yeah" she said faintly, a thoughtful look on her face. "At least I think so. Why do you ask."

Harry pointed to the picture of Hogwarts, "That's Hogwarts."

Melody looked at him surprised, then at the picture and she frowned thoughtfully.

She wasn't telling him something, he could feel it.

"What is it?" he asked.

She moved over to her dresser taking her eyes away from the picture, "It's nothing, I was just thinking."

"About?" Harry pressed.

She turned to him, "About how nosy you are. Are all wizards like this."

Harry blushed, he knew she was changing the subject and he couldn't press her anymore.

"Not all." Reta Skeeter came to mind, "Though there is one wizard, who you want to watch out for."

"Who?" she asked curiously

"Reta Skeeter, she's a journalist who twists anything and everything you say…or don't say."

Melody snorted, "That sounds like Lisa Mecuri, from my Math class."

Harry nodded distracted again by the pictures on her wall. He began circling her room. In some of the pictures he could swear the people were moving, but if he looked to close they were still.

"How do you do that?" he asked.

"Do what?" she asked, stuffing some jeans into her suitcase.

"Make the pictures seem like they're moving." He said.

"It's a type of drawing skill I have...don't know where I picked it up from."

"Oh. It's cool." Harry said.

He continued walking around the room until he saw a picture of five people. Four he remembered seeing at Hogwarts, under each person there was a name. The first was a sinister looking man, under him was written Salazar Slythrein. The next was a kind looking women slightly overweight under her was Helga Huffelpuff. Next to her was a tall man with a cocky grin, under him was the name Godric Gryffindor. Next to him was a girl that looked remarkably like Melody only older, and with no mark on her cheek. She smiled sweetly, in one hand she held a book and in other the hand of a girl about fourteen that was the replica for Melody. Under the first was Rowena Ravenclaw, and under the girl was Melody Martama.

"Melody, where'd did you get this one?" He asked.

Melody came up behind him and looked at the picture he was pointing at and for a moment Harry forgot what he was questioning.

"Oh, um..that one, well most of them are from free drawing."

"Free drawing?" Harry asked confused.

"Um yeah, "She turned away and headed back to her bed, " I close my eyes and let my hand take over. Sometimes I get pictures sometimes words."

"Odd." Was all Harry said. Who was she? Something is defiantly different about her.

"It's getting dark." Melody commented, changing the subject yet again, "You might want to head home before your Aunt and Uncle realize you're gone."

Harry snorted, "Yeah right, when the world turns upside down and Voldemort rules it."

"Voldemort?" she asked.

Harry shook his head, "Nevermind, I'll explain it later. Be at my house at six o'clock tomorrow morning." He slipped on his cloak, the door opened and closed and she heard the fifth stair creek.

"Six o'clock it is then." She said to herself.

~*~*~*~

A/N: Well what do you think? Should I continue? I guess if it isn't any good I could just remove the story? I am after all working on another one.

Well Tell me what you think and Review, I'd be grateful J and here's a rose for all who review @-}--^-----