A/N: Thanks again to my beta Azzie for looking this over! :)

Chapter Two: Goodbye and Hello:

Sunlight streamed in through the window, but Melody ignored it, except to snuggle further into the blankets. So soft...Her eyes were wide open, and had been for most of the night.

I could stay here...nothing would change. Except now I know. That there's something else out there...for me. That could be mine. That this is a lie. That I've been living a lie. That I could live the truth. Learn who I am. Meet my father...does he even want me? Does it matter? I have a half-brother out there too...does he know about me? Does he want to meet me? Does he hate me? She bit her lip, thinking, but in her heart her decision was already made.

I could stay here and live my scripted life...or go on the adventure I've always dreamed of. Learn magic the way I never truly believed possible, yet always wished for. I could live one of my fantasy adventure stories, or remain trapped in reality. Except this is the lie...therefore not reality. She got up and picked up her phone.

Hey who's up to hang out today? Got lots to tell everyone!

She received various affirmatives as she dressed and grabbed a snack on her way out. "I'll be back!" she yelled over her shoulder. She didn't get a response, nor did she expect one.

I'm so used to being alone...what if they expect me to share everything with them? Be a normal family? I've always wanted that...but I don't know if I can trust anyone that much anymore. Deciding she would cross that bridge when she came to it, she glided effortlessly into the park where some of her friends were already waiting.

"What's the big story?" Bria called.

"Wait till everyone gets here!" Melody yelled back, shaking her head. How can I leave them? She ran over eagerly, hugging everyone as they all laughed for the sheer joy of it. By the time she had greeted everyone, they were all there, gathered around and waiting for her to start explaining.

"So...I met this man yesterday..." she began, then cringed. She'd forgotten how boy-oriented her friends were.

"Oooh..." they collectively teased.

"A really old man." she corrected herself.

"Eeew! Mel, I didn't know you were like that!" Holly screeched as they all pulled faces.

"Nothing romantic happened whatsoever, okay? Shut up and listen!" Melody snapped. They shut up, but still smirked at her. "He kept asking questions...my name, how old I was. He asked to see my parents. Said he was looking for the long-lost daughter of these two people he knows...thought I was her. Turns out I am. My mom ended up marrying someone else...they were murdered...but my dad and half-brother are still alive, in Scotland. My mom was the cousin of the man you know as my dad."

"Wow." Bria whispered.

"Epic story!" Holly laughed. The others nodded, smiling, thinking it was a joke, one of her elaborate plot lines for a new story.

"Except I'm serious. And I'm going."

"What? No, Mel, c'mon! Stay! What's wrong with this?"

"Nothing. Except it's all a lie. I've been living a lie all my life and didn't even know it!"

"Isn't that the point of living a lie?" Bria commented sarcastically.

"I'm leaving." Melody insisted stubbornly. "You know what I've been through here...this is my chance to start fresh. I'll still write, I promise."

"And email! And text! And you are sooo getting a Skype!" Various demands for continued contact were issued and promised.

"As much and as often as I can." Melody promised over and over. "Now who's going to help me say goodbye?" Cheers went up from the whole group, and they spent the day visiting old haunts and hangouts. The air was always full of laughter, and there were plenty of hugs to go around.

By the time people had to start heading home, Melody had enough pictures and memories to last her a lifetime...or a few. She waved goodbye to the last few as they left, feeling emptiness fill her heart, and yet excitement flowed through her veins for the next chapter of her life to unfold.

I'm ready to leave.

"Well." Dumbledore chuckled. "That was quick." He looked up into the dark eyes across from him. "I suppose you had better get ready to meet your daughter."