"No, seriously, don't do anything for my birthday." I insisted for about the fifth time that afternoon. My birthday was the next day, and I honestly didn't want anything.

"But we didn't do anything for you last year," my mom said, "The last birthday present I gave you was two years ago. Please allow me to get you something you want."

I sighed, "How about this? When I go to the shop with grandpa, I'll look in the windows of other shops and if I find anything I'd really, really like, I will tell you."

Mom sighed, "Deal?"

"Deal... all right?"

"All right."

I gave a nod. What I should have said was my best birthday present was from grandpa, being able to work in his shop for the first time. But I was also hoping for the letter and list of books for the new school year. It was to be my third year at Hogwarts and we had chosen elective classes the year before to take from third year to seventh, and last, year. I had chosen to do Study of Ancient Runes and Care of Magical Creatures.

The other such electives were Divination, Arithmancy, and Muggle Studies... Divination was a fortune-telling class, which I really didn't believe in. As for Muggle Studies, I had already lived like one so there was no point in taking the class, and also because if I took it I would be hated by other Slytherins. Didn't need any such thing.

At the wand shop - after being unable to find anything I wanted from other stores - I sat at the side of the shop. Grandpa wanted me to 'watch and learn' how he picked wands for other students… or adults, heaven forbid.

"Tomorrow you will start doing my job, and we'll see how you do," he had said.

Watching had its interesting parts, but it wasn't my best day. I'd already seen him do it once before.

At lunchtime, grandpa nudged me.

"What?" I asked monotonously.

"You aren't enjoying this?" he asked in surprise.

"I think seeing you do it with thirty people today was enough."

"I did about ninety –"

"Exactly." I said, placing my head on my hands, elbows balancing on knees.

"Do you want to go home for the day and then start selling tomorrow?" he asked.

I nodded, stood up, and left.

The way we got to Diagon Alley that day was with floo powder. So I took some floo powder from a bag grandpa had given to me. He had said, "It's best to bring this everywhere in case you need to get somewhere quick and there's a chimney." Only if it supports the floo network, I'd thought.

I found a good chimney, stepped in, took a handful of floo powder, and held it out in front of me. "Malfoy Manor," I said, throwing down the powder.

As I traveled through what seemed like a windy pipe, keeping my arms tucked in, I thought, I hope I don't get in trouble for doing this first.

I finally landed, and stumbled down to the ground. I muttered softly to nothing as I stood up and dusted myself off.

"I have no news of your father."

Looking up, there was Lucius Malfoy, father of my friend, Draco. He, so far, was the only person I told that I know that my dad is the Dark Lord, since he is a trusted Death Eater of his.

"How'd you know I would ask?"

He gave a small smirk. He was looking down at some paperwork and hadn't even looked up at me. "It was a guess. You know your father, he won't come out into the world until he's certain he will be able to get on top."

"Really?" I asked in surprise. "I hadn't thought of that."

"Sarcasm or sincerity?"

I chuckled, "Maybe both." What I had found exciting was he wasn't sounding afraid of me as he did the year before when I told him about myself. I guess my being good friends with Draco made him feel more comfortable around me. "Draco here?"

"Up in his room."

"Thanks." I made my way towards the door.

"Does your family know you're here, Melody, dear?" Lucius asked. Dear?

"Uh, I was just with my grandpa at the shop, he thinks I just went home." I said.

"Best keep your visit short, then," he said, looking up at me, "I know your mother's temper."

"I think I've seen it at its worst, but I'm sure she won't snap at me for checking with Draco." I said.

He shrugged and looked back at his work, "Hope so, too." How odd of him, worrying for me.

I went upstairs to Draco's room and knocked on the door.

"What?" came the snap. Dang, angry at mom and dad or something?

I opened the door a crack and popped my head in to give a small, "Hi?"

"Hey! What are you doing here?" he asked, his features softening considerably. He had a pale, pointed face and pale blonde hair with gray eyes. My eyes were gray as well, but his were paler by comparison, mine were the silvery Ollivander eyes.

Draco was sitting at a desk in his room, I guess doing homework. I went over to sit at the edge of his bed.

"Just wondering, when are you going to get your school supplies?"

"Our school list comes tomorrow, so maybe then."

"I would go with you," I said, "But I'll be in the wand shop with grandpa."

"He's letting you help out at the shop?"

"Yes, I'm so excited!" I said with a big smile, clapping my hands together.

Draco laughed.

"What electives are you taking next year?" I asked, curiously.

"Care of Magical Creatures and Arithmancy, you?"

"Care of Magical Creatures and Study of Ancient Runes…. Why Arithmancy?" I asked.

"It sounds better than any of the other classes, except for Care of Magical Creatures," he said with a sneer, "Why Study of Ancient Runes?"

"Are you kidding? To be able to read ancient runic scriptures of magic sounds amazing –"

"Wait, wait… I forgot who I was talking to," he said holding his hands up with a laugh. Then he became excited. "And do you know what else we get to do this year?"

I shook my head.

"We can go to Hogsmeade."

I smiled, "Really? Well, great!"

He nodded, "Something to finally be able to do."

"Right, because you're always so bored." I emphasized sarcastically.

He burst out laughing. "It would be even funnier if we left Becky behind while we went."

"Noo… she'd kill you and me." Becky enjoyed bothering him. Though, I had to admit that I loved her sense of humor.

"She came here earlier and said she'd tell you too, but since you're not at home yet I'll tell you... her parents know about it and don't want to sign the form when it's sent home."

"Wait… why?" I asked concernedly.

Draco shrugged, "Beats me, maybe she'll actually tell you."

I nodded and quickly left him to see if I could get home before Becky left... that is if she hadn't already.

Jumping into the chimney, I took out some floo powder and threw it down saying, "Ollivander Home."

"Melody? You're home early."

It was mom who said that with a note of shock. Becky was sitting at the dining room table and looked up when I entered the room.

At least I didn't fall to the ground like before, I thought, dusting myself off. "I'd had enough of just watching grandpa, I'll be there all day tomorrow though... erm, Becky and I will be upstairs if you need us."

Becky followed me and, once I closed us in my room, gave a breath of exhilaration. "Thank goodness, how do you know just what I need?"

"I was just at Draco's, but before I ask my important question.. what classes did you sign up for next year?"

"Care of Magical Creatures and Study of Ancient Runes."

"Me too," I said, high-fiving her, "Anyways, he told me that your parents are refusing to sign your letter for Hogsmeade. Why?"

"Does your family get newspapers?"

I shook my head, "Grandpa doesn't want to read 'that garbage.'" I used my fingers to emphasis the quote.

Becky chuckled, "My mom says the same thing, but my dad reads it and got the news that Sirius Black escaped from Azkaban. They would prefer I stay close to the school were he to ever go to Hogwarts."

I stared at Becky blankly. "Who's Sirius Black, and why in the world would he go to Hogwarts?"

"You don't know who Sirius Black is?!" she asked in shock.

"Remember, I haven't been in the wizarding world for very long and besides, I don't get news."

She looked grimly at me, "He's a big supporter of You-Know-Who. He was the one who betrayed the Potter family to You-Know-Who and killed thirteen Muggles with one curse. He's a mad man... been in Azkaban for twelve years."

"How easy is it to escape from Azkaban?"

"To put it this way... he's the first to ever escape. That shows just how dangerous he is."

"Out of curiosity..." I thought aloud, "What kind of wizards serve as prison guards then?"

"None, the prison is guarded by Dementors," she said, and when I looked at her questioningly, she elaborated. "Creatures that, when they get near you, suck all the happiness out of you."

I crinkled my nose.

Becky then looked at me mischievously, "And I've heard that once they catch Sirius Black, they're going to have them perform the Dementor's Kiss on him. That's where they suck out his soul and his body will just be an empty carcass."

"Oh my gosh," I said, holding my hand to my mouth, "I was already disturbed, but with that I believe I've lost any appetite I may have had for dinner."

Becky laughed. How typical of her.

"Melody!" my mom called.

"Huh?" I asked. I was up in my room rereading Hogwarts: A History. When I looked at the clock I groaned. Three AM. She was probably going to chew my head off, staying up till one in the morning when I had to work in the shop the next day.

Mom burst in excitedly, holding a letter from Hogwarts. She handed it to me. Thank God!

I ripped it open, happy to be safe from her anger and to finally have the book list. I read aloud to her:

Dear Miss Riddle,

Please note that the new school year will begin on September the first. The Hogwarts Express will leave from King's Cross station, platform nine and three-quarters, at eleven o'clock.

Third years are permitted to visit the village of Hogsmeade on certain weekends. Please give the enclosed permission form to your parent or guardian to sign.

A list of books for next year is enclosed.

Yours Sincerely,

Professor M. McGonagall

Deputy Headmistress

Pulling out the Hogsmeade permission form, I handed it over to mom who instantly went in search of a quill and ink while I continued on reading my list of books.

The Standard Book of Spells, Grade 3 by Miranda Goshawk

Intermediate Transfiguration

The Monster Book of Monsters

Ancient Runes Made Easy

"Wow," I said, "I add a couple classes but I have a shorter book list."

"Because you already have the needed books for your classes, just remember to bring those to school," mom said, giving me the form. "Are you sure you didn't want any books from the store? None sounded interesting?"

"I think I should cut back on books." I said with a laugh.

"Melody, you're reading Hogwarts: A History for about the hundredth time and you're telling me you should cut back on books? No, I'm getting you more books." Mom was persistent when she wanted to be. But really?

I groaned. But... more books wouldn't be so totally amiss.