"HOGWARTS SCHOOL OF WITCHCRAFT AND WIZARDRY, headmaster: Albus Dumbledore, Order of Merlin, First Class, Grand Sorc., Chf. Warlock, Sup..." - Valentine Day read slowly. "Skip the titles, mr. Valentine." - a voice sounded from the bath. "Dear Mrs. Black, 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. Term begins on 1st September. We await your owl by no later than 21 July. Yours sincerely, Minerva McGonagall, deputy headmistress." - Valentine finished just as Melody finished her bath, she left the bathroom with a towel wrapped around her body, water from her wet hair dripping on the wooden floor. "Send Night, mr. Valentine." - she turned and made her way to her room, just across the hallway. "I believe there's a second page, miss." - Valentine stopped her and waited for her nod to start reading. "First-year students will require: three sets of plain work robes (black), one plain pointed hat (black) for day wear, one pair of prote..." "Mr. Valentine, please, we are not yet shopping, would you please save the reading for another time." - the girl hissed in annoyance, she entered her room and closed the door. Valentine put the two papers back into the envelope and saved it into his suit pocket, he left for the messenger owl.
Three knocks on the door then silence, followed by a sigh. "Miss Melody? Lunch is ready." - the high-pitched voice of Mary Thompson barely made it through the thick door. She sighed, knocked on the door and then retreated. "I'm not hungry." - the voice from the room whispered.
Night came, the sky was illuminated by infinite number of stars, Melody watched as tree branches danced with the wind, she let out a breath she never realized she was holding. One knock on the door, a couple of second later Valentine opened the door and entered the room. "Is it time already?" - her question was answered with a nod, Melody moved away from the open window, she laid down on her bed as Valentine worked his magic on her hand. "Is my cousin of age as well?" - she asked trying no to think of the throbbing pain in her hand. "No, miss, next year he will be of age." - Valentine replied while waving his wand above the almost healed wound. "Alright, shall we go to Diagon Alley tomorrow?" - she asked, her eyes were closed. "My apologies, miss, I took the liberty of buying everything from the list." - Valentine answered while putting away his wand. "Oh." - her voice was void of emotion, but Valentine knew the young witch was disappointed. "If you wish, miss, I could take you to Diagon Alley anyway." - Valentine offered. "No, thanks, mr. Valentine, I guess I'll just read the books you bought." - she turned her back to him. Valentine tucked the covers around the girls body and left the room, silently closing the door behind him.
"Melody, come say hello to your aunt." - she heard the voice from downstairs, she ran down the carpet covered stairs, her giggles resonating through the mansion. "Aunty!" - she screamed in joy as she jumped into the woman's arms, the black haired witch spun them around. Her aunt put her down and just as her small feet touched the golden carpet, the front door to the mansion busted open in an explosion. A piece of the wooden frame embeded itself into her mother's chest as crimson and golden mixed on the floor. Melody's head rang and her sight was fuzzy, she fell to the ground as horrid dark creatures flew through the mansion, following black smoke. Melody wanted to scream, but one of the creatures noticed her, it flew down to her and opened its mouth, she fainted. Screams filled her head.
"Miss Melody, miss Melody, please, wake up." - she recognized Valentine's voice, she sat up straight and the old butler almost fell over. "Are you alright, miss?" - he asked as he stood up straight. "Yes, mr. Valentine, I'm alright. What time is it?" - she got out of the bed and walked to the window. "It is barely 6 am, miss." - he answered while stifling a yawn. "You can go back to sleep, mr. Valentine." - she dismissed the butler and opened the window. Fresh morning air entered the room and Melody shivered. Summer was coming to an end.