It was the last day of our sixth year. The last and most depressing day of the year. None of us even bothered talking to each other. I was up in my room packing, Hermione was most likely with Ron, and Harry had locked himself in his dorm.
In our own way we were all preparing for Dumbledore's funeral.
After all this time, I couldn't believe he was gone. There was no warning, no "I'm going to leave you now, take care", he was just gone. Murdered. The closest thing I had to family. As selfish as it was I couldn't believe I was alone. Well, not completely alone.
Putting my necklace on, I walked down to the common room. I was already dressed for the funeral, wearing the same black dress I wore almost two years ago. I was surprised to find that instead of it being too small, it was very lose.
"Melrose." Hermione rose when I came down and went to give me a hug. I just stood there. For some odd reason, the thought of interacting with other people seemed impossible, disgusting even. "Are you alright? You don't look like you got any sleep..." I nodded.
Seeing Hermione and Ron so close together reminded me of the first time I met them. It had also been the first day I arrived at Hogwarts...
Flashback
The rain was coming down hard as the girl made her way to the giant castle, a safe haven in her crazy life. Dragging one one back behind her and with another two on her back, it had taken her awhile before she reached the doors.
Scrambling inside, she took off her bags and rain jacket. Moments later a cat came around and started rubbing against her legs, purring and walking in circles against her.
"Hey. Whoa there kitty cat! Aren't you friendly!" Reaching down to pet the cat, she looked around. According to what her godfather had told her, the Great Hall should be right down the hallway. Groaning, she picked up her bags and started walking down the hall. Hearing the hum of voices in her head she knew she must be getting close.
Hungry. The cat chased after her. Hungry, she said again.
"Yes yes kitty cat. I hear you. Give me a minute."
Stopping in front of a huge pair of doors, she assumed this was the Great Hall, seeing as how this is were the voices in her head were the loudest. The cat continued rubbing against her legs. Opening the door, she tried taking a step but ending up falling and getting tangled up in my bags.
"Damn cat!!!" She yelled out, and everyone in the Great Hall turned to look at her. "I told you in a minute!"
Standing up she pulled and tugged her shirt to get it straight. Looking up, her mouth broke out in a giant smile. "Godfather!" She ran up to the front of the hall and hugged Dumbledore.
"Melrose." Giving the half smile he perfected Dumbledore introduced her to the rest of the staff. Then she had to be sorted into a house.
While all this was happening, the rest of the students were whispering among themselves, trying to figure out who this weird girl was.
"Did you see what she looks like?"
"Do you really think she's his goddaughter?"
"Where did she come from?"
"What do you think her accent is?"
As soon as the sorting hat was sitting on her head everyone shut up. They were all hoping the new girl would be a part of their house. It took the hat several minutes to figure out what house she should be in. After 15 minutes, people were starting to lose interest when suddenly,
"GRYFFINDOR!"
After being sorted into the right house, Dumbledor quickly ushered her out of the Great Hall. Soon after, he followed.
When dinner was over, as three friends were making their way to their common room they were called to Dumbledors office. Fearing they were in trouble, they took their sweet time getting there. But when they arrived there the new girl from the great hall was there waiting for them. Dumbledor asked them to help her around campus, show her around, introducing her to people and what not.
"Hi." She said, with that same weird accent. "My name is Molley. Molley Cole." Only later would they be allowed to call her Melrose.
"Nice to meet you Molley. Thats Ron, Hermione. And my name is Harry. Harry Potter."