To Melissa's surprise, the strange wizard robes were extremely comfortable, though she felt awkward in them. Tonks had given her blues and purples, claiming the colors had recently gone out of fashion. She apparently figured fashion would not be important to Melissa, whether because she was a Muggle or in hiding Melissa didn't know.
After giving her the clothes, Tonks stayed the rest of the day. Melissa was able to see first-hand how a witch could operate the strange kitchen and enjoyed a sandwich with the woman. Luckily, Melissa didn't mind her toast well-done because it had taken Tonks several tries to get it paler than charcoal.
Despite having tried to shoot her two days ago, Melissa found that she enjoyed Tonks' company, if she was a bit abrasive at times. Besides, anyone was better than no one. When the vibrant woman left, the house seemed even more empty than before. Melissa collected her book from the kitchen and walked slowly back to her room. The halls were bright, but the solitude made them forlorn. Dark clouds approaching from a distance foretold an oncoming storm, and Melissa could feel the ominous air affecting her mood.
She was feeling bitter towards the wizards she had met with the previous night. Not one of them, even the friendly Tonks, had acted as though she were a sentient being. Severus had interrupted on her behalf, but had not argued her case at all. Melissa resented that they treated her like an inferior, like an animal unable to make choices.
From what Melissa could see, there was no physical differences between Muggles and wizards. The only separation was one controlled magic, and kept the other ignorant of its mere existence. And this Lord Voldemort! A man who considers himself at least royalty, at most a deity, had targeted her and started the entire situation.
As frustrated as she was, Melissa tensed remembering the flashes of fear on their faces when he was mentioned. If he was so dangerous, the wizards should at least inform everyone about him instead of leaving them in blissful ignorance with death around every comer. Surely there was some protection for Muggles against wizards.
"Hello," Severus said quietly behind her.
Melissa whirled around. He had just exited the door to the fourth hallway and was approaching her. "Could you at least try to not sneak up on me?" Melissa snapped, her pondering stirring upon anger to every wizard.
Severus looked amused. "Perhaps you need to pay more attention to your surroundings," he supported.
Melissa snorted. "It wouldn't help—you walk like a ghost." She paused suddenly. "Are there ghosts?"
"Yes," Severus replied calmly.
"Really?"
"Yes, really. You'll find that most of your stories have some truth to them," he told her. "Speaking of stories, you haven't gotten very far in that book," he observed.
Melissa lifted the book, looking where her scrap paper bookmark rested. "Actually," she replied, affronted, "This is my third time reading it."
She was proud when he looked impressed. "And…?" he inquired.
"Fascinating," she affirmed. "I've got so much to learn, and I love it."
Severus awarded her with a smile. "I suppose you've never 'stitched' a chimera," he said.
"Or a gradon, basilisk, or flobberworm," she agreed. "Are there… are there any other books I can borrow?"
Severus paused, and gently took the book from her hands. He analyzed the clean cover and decidedly not dog-earred pages. "I can bring you another book whne I see you at the dinner tomorrow right," he offered. "Any particular subject?"
"More animals. Wands. Something I don't even know about," Melissa lifted. "It would really help me stay sane."
"Sane?" Severus repeated questioningly. His face was still, as though he worried she would suddenly go Muggle-crazy on him.
"I'm getting extremely bored," she explained, grinning at his worry.
"Ah," he replied. "Then I'll be sure to get you a new book." He nodded to her, and turned to leave.
"Um," Melissa began. The man turned back to her. "Thanks for what you did earlier. Letting me talk at the meeting."
He paused, opened his mouth, snapped it shut, and nodded solemnly to her. Then he swept away, leaving Melissa standing alone in the long hallway.
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After being late to the meeting, Melissa made sure to go early to dinner on Sunday. She was not the first one there. A large, stout, red-haired woman was scurrying around the table, setting the silverware.
"Hello," Melissa greeted.
The woman turned to her and smiled widely. "Hello dear. Are you new?"
"Yes," Melissa replied shortly. She stuck out her hand. "Melissa," she introduced herself.
"Molly," the woman replied. "Now, you just sit right down now. Everyone else will be arriving soon—dinner's in a half hour."
Melissa watched quietly as the woman set up the table and then left to the adjoining kitchen to gather a pot of stew. "Do you need any help?" Melissa asked.
"No, no, you just relax," Molly insisted.
Vance and a squat man in a top hat entered and sat at the other end of the table, completely ignoring Melissa. Slowly, others trickled in and the long table filled up with food and wizards. Tonks sat next to Melissa and drew her into a casual conversation. Just before seven, Severus slinked in and saw at the corner of the table.
"I'm glad you all could come this month," Kingsley said, standing at the head of the table. "Allow me to introduce Melissa—she'll be staying in the safe house for the next few months." Melissa nodded to the curious Order members. "Enjoy the food!"
There was a general clamor as everyone reached for the platters of food in the middle of the table. Seeing that Melissa only took a small portion of the food, Molly tutted and loaded her plate to the point of overflowing. "I don't see how anyone could eat this much," Melissa said, smiling.
Molly smiled. "Oh, I'm sure you can manage!" she said. "You should see me sons eat—I've got seven children," she confided.
"Wow, so many?" Melissa said, equally impressed and horrified. "Do they all live at home?"
"Not anymore." Molly's cheerful smile fell. "My oldest five all have their own lives and jobs now. Ron is eighteen now, but he missed out on his seventh year to help harry."
"Who?" Melissa asked politely.
"Why, Harry Potter," Molly said as though it was obvious. "My Ron is his best friend."
Melissa shook her head. "Sorry, I don't…" She faded out at Molly's expression.
"You don't know who Harry Potter is?" she asked in shock. Their conversation was beginning to draw the attention of those around them.
"Well, no," Melissa muttered, embarrassed by the curious stares. "I guess I've been a little out of the loop."
"A little?" snorted Vance, snickering from across the tbale.
Kingsley cleared his throat, drawing everyone's attention. "Melisa, uh, is a Muggle," he informed the group.
The wizards all began talking at once, getting progressively louder as they tried to make their opinion heard over the others.
"Really?" the red-haired man on Molly's other side said excitedly, leaning over towards Melissa. "Fascinating!"
Melissa didn't know how to react to all the voices going on around her, so she slunk down in her chair and avoided eye contact with anyone. She head several shouts over the crowd, few complimentary.
"Shut up!" Tonks bellowed, standing up and slamming her hands on the table.
"Thank you, Tonks," Kingsley said. "I understand that some of you may have objections, but it is already settled. Miss Blackmore stays here."
"Kingsley," reasoned a man, "this is against the law."
"I know," Kingsley replied. "but she's in danger and we're going to protect her. Now, any further comments can be brought up with me later."
"Let's get back to the food," a jolly looking man exclaimed, tucking in heartily.
Conversation returned to a normal level, but many eyes stayed on Melissa.
"Molly, switch seats with me," her husband said urgently. Rolling her eyes, the woman indulged him. "Hello, I'm Arthur," he introduced himself, shaking her hand eagerly. "A Muggle in headquarters!"
Melissa nodded, not sure how to respond.
"So, how long have you known about magic?" he asked.
"Since Wednesday," she said.
"Hm," Arthur said. "So," he continued, moving off the subject of her personal life without further thought, "would you mind telling me how computers work?"
Melissa faltered. "To be honest, I don't really know much. Wrong generation."
"More than I do," Arthur assured her. "Please? I'm planning on buying one, but I have no clue what they really do, you know?" he said, like understanding computers was at the same level as understanding quantum physics.
Melissa described the functions and processes of computers for Arthur until dinner was over. Several times she lost track of what she was saying when she'd catch someone's condescending stare or hear someone talking about her.
She ate ravenously when Arthur took over the conversation briefly. "I guess you like my food," Molly remarked happily, leaning over Arthur to view her empty plate.
"It was really good," Melissa told her. "Besides, I haven't eaten much since I got here—I can't really figure out the kitchen."
"Severus!" Molly shouted. The table turned to look from Molly to Severus in unison. He raised his eyebrows in reply. "Why haven't you been making Melissa food?" she asked protectively, face growing red. The maternal woman looked suddenly terrifying.
"It's okay," Melissa argued quietly. "I'm perfectly fine."
Molly ignored. "Well?" she thundered.
"I am not a cook," he replied acidly, bristling under the table's scrutiny.
"Well, figure it out! You can't let her starve because you're lazy~" Molly argued hotly.
"I don't have time to waste cooking."
"Molly, please calm down," Kingsley said smoothly. "And Severus, please take a little time to feed Miss Blackmore and yourself. It doesn't have to be fancy," he instructed firmly.
Severus nodded his consent and the conversation around the table returned to normal again. "Don't worry, Melissa dear," Molly said. "I'll bring by decent food whenever I can."
"Thank you," Melissa replied politely though annoyed the woman had caused such a ridiculous scene on her behalf.
After a seeming eternity, the Order cleared out in small groups. Molly stayed late to clean up with Melissa bravely trying to help though the sponges seemed well certified to handle the job by themselves.
Once everyone had gone, Melissa sighed and began walking to her room. "Melissa, Severus said softly, stopping her. "You should have told me that you could not work the kitchen." His voice was sincere.
"It's all right," Melissa assured him. "I was fine by myself. It's not your job to babysit me."
"Fine," Severus snapped with a venom Melissa had not anticipated. "Well, breakfast is at seven sharp. If you'd rather take care of yourself, don't bother coming by. Goodnight." He shoved a new book in her hands and swept away before the bewildered Melissa could say another word.
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Men, Melissa thought huffily. Where did they get off being so stubborn? After the dinner a week ago Severus had hardly acknowledged her. At meals he was in and out quickly, eating so little that Melissa would have felt guilty he was cooking for her if he wasn't being so rude.
He was like a land mine and she had unknowingly tripped his switch. Melissa was just grateful he had given her a new book to her before storming off. The book, called Care of Magical Creatures for the Owner, was intriguing and surprising in every sentence. Melisa was stumped by some terminology, but did her best to interpret.
Magical animals ranged from the astoundingly unique to surprisingly mundane. Why would the wizarding world hide the existence of flobberworms?
The tension at the dinner table lingered over their heads like a storm cloud, waiting to break into a downpour and lightning. The door was simple and bland, but Melissa didn't dare complain. She looked between her book and Severus, wondering if he would bite her head off if she broke the silence. Finally, she said, "Do hip—" She cleared her throat when he looked up at her sharply. She started again. "Do hippogriffs five live birth?"
"I assume so," he replied tersely.
"Well, I'd assume so too because its back half is horse, but I don't know. The way these other creatures defy natural laws, I don't think I'd be surprised if hippogriffs spontaneously popped into existence. I mean, look how basilisks are born," she said. "So, do you know how they're born?"
Severus looked surprised for a brief moment before straightening his expression. "Are we only talking so you don't 'go insane with boredom?'"
"No," Melissa said, trying not to shout at him. "I want to know how the bloody hippogriffs are born. Me, Muggle, you, wizard," she explained coolly. "You know what I want to know—that is why we're talking."
His obsidian gaze searched her face for several seconds, capturing like the stare of a cobra. He blinking, breaking the connection. "Yes, they give live birth," he said finally. "Their beaks are born soft though, to protect the mother, but harden upon contact with air."
"Yeah, I was wondering about that," Melissa nodded. "So…" She paused, looking at him to gauge his attitude. "What about chimeras?"
His answers remained stubbornly short, but Melissa prodded for details until he began providing information without her asking. Melissa was impressed by his broad range of knowledge. "Do you work with these animals?" she asked after a detailed explanation of mooncalves.
"No," he said immediately, lip curling in disgust. "Decidedly not. I am a professor, so I need a general knowledge of all subjects."
"What do you teach?" Melissa asked. Her plate was long since empty, but if Severus wasn't going to leave she was not going to stop their conversation.
"I'm the Potions Master at Hogwarts," he told her.
"Hogwarts—Is that some wizard university?" Melissa asked.
"It is a boarding school for wizardry and witchcraft. The students stay from 11 to 17 and then either move on to a specialization school or go into the work force. Most people choose the latter."
"No college?" Melissa asked. "Can you learn everything in seven years?"
"Yes. They learn a broad amount: the main classes are Charms, Transfiguration—how to change one thing into another, History of Magic, Defense Against the Dark Arts, and, of course, Potions," he explained.
"What, no English? What about math, physics, or foreign languages?" Melissa demanded, taken aback. "Do wizards not get an education in life?"
"Writing and some math are required for most classes…" Severus explained as though it were obvious.
"And no plain history? Wow," Melissa laughed.
"What is funny?" Severus asked stiffly. His arms were crossed defensively over his chest and he glared at her. "Well?"
"It just seems so…illogical," she said diplomatically. "Does magic replace intelligence?"
"Excuse me?" His voice was icy.
"Not like that," she assured him, though that was exactly what she meant and he knew it. "More… well, if you are designing a building—wizards need architects too, right?—does magic make sure the angles are correct? Do wizards have magic tax-completing forms? What about grammar? Do correct sentences form themselves with a wave of that wand? If not, kids need to learn it at school. And if so… your minds must be mush."
"Does my mind seem like 'mush' to you?" he replied tartly.
Melissa waved a dismissive hand at his anger. "I mean the average wizard. Can he do a simple geometry problem?"
Severus's face was blank and his eyes were fixed unmoving on her. "No."
"And if a wizard is applying for a job, can he write a decent résumé?"
"We do correct grammar along with content in their essays," Severus said. "Besides, we have no need for a written résumé."
"What if he applied for a Muggle job?"
He raised an eyebrow. "Highly unlikely."
"You mean every wizard has a job in magic?" she asked disbelievingly.
"The vast majority."
"That's elitist," Melissa said.
"We have magic, so we do jobs with magic," he said.
"Well, I've got legs. Does that mean I should be a professional athlete? We're all human and we've all got brains. Should we all be in intellectual jobs? Unless every wizard is equally competent, you're being ridiculous."
"I concede the point," Severus said, standing up and picking up his plate and glass.
Melissa followed him to the sink. "Are you saying you agree or that you're tired of arguing?"
"I'll think over what you said," he replied vaguely. He drew his wand, waved it, and the dishes were immediately scrubbed clear of any hint they had been dirty.
"All right then," Melissa said. "Well, do you have any questions about Muggles?"
"Our existence is secret to you, but we know about you," he told her, waving his wand again to send the dishes to the cabinets.
"You can't know everything," Melissa argued. "You don't work with us, talk to us, or anything."
"Perhaps most wizards just don't care," he snapped.
"You're not curious about how we survive without magic? I know I'm curious how you do with magic," Melissa urged, not ready to give up on the first conversation she'd had in a week.
"I suppose I've never bother to think about it," he told her.
"You suppose a lot. The truth now. Do you wonder?"
"You go into a jungle and meet a tribe. They are in awe of the wonderful technology you bring them. But do you ask them how to build a canoe? No, you have factories for those. You have no need for the more primitive method," he told her. His calm tone was infuriating.
"Primitive?" she snapped. For a moment she considered shouting or hitting him, but then took a ragged breath, grabbed her book, and stormed out. She stopped at the door and shot back over her shoulder. "I suppose I'll go enlighten myself about your far superior animals. Flobberworms… Ha!"
Melissa stalked back to her room, muttering under her breath. "Primitive? We invented GPS, cell phones, the Internet. They can't even cook a decent meal without their little magic to do the dirty work. Primitive! We've done the best of human ability. Condescending, stupid, close-minded bastard!" She slammed her bedroom door and sat huffily on the edge of her bed.
She glanced over and saw her scowling reflection. Melissa rose and looked herself in the eyes. "Primitive?" she wondered. They had scoffed at the idea of stitches. When you could wave a wand and bloodlessly seal a wound, then she supposed she did seem barbaric. And who needs high-tech planes when you could blink and appear anywhere?
She sighed and meandered back to her bed, feeling gloomy. Well, even if she was just a primitive Muggle, what could she do? They had made it very clear that you either had magic or you didn't. It was like taunting a man without legs that he couldn't win a race. Melissa fell backwards on her bed, frustrated.
There was a sharp single knock on her door. Melisa sat up cross-legged on her bed. "What?" she called sharply.
"Can we talk?" Severus sighed.
"Go ahead," Melissa replied.
"Face to face?"
"I'm sure you can just magic the door open," Melissa retorted.
"I'm not going to do that," Severus answered. "Come out here… please."
Maybe it was discretion or the please, but Melissa found herself opening the door. She crossed her arms and stayed in the doorway. "Yes?" she asked, keeping her anger out of her voice as well as she could. Now that they were looking at each other, Severus seemed to have forgotten what he had come to say because all he did was stand there silently, looking at her. "You wanted to talk?"
"Yes," he began. "I admit I was unfair in what I said earlier. It was harsh. Melissa did not reply. He was obviously unsure of what to say, but was clearly avoiding any words associated with 'sorry.' "We shouldn't argue about this," he continued. "We were born in different worlds, but now we have to live in the same house."
Melissa nodded, but kept her expression cool. "Unfair," she repeated. "So what description would you consider fair?"
He looked momentarily discomfited by her continued anger. "You are not a barbarian," he told her. "I wanted to make that clear to you." He nodded to her and began to turn away.
"Actually," Melissa said, stopping him, "I concede that wizards are probably intelligent even with the crutch of magic. Now, what do you think is a fair description of Muggles?"
He paused. "Muggles are humans that live without the aid—crutch—of magic."
"Diplomatic," Melissa said. "Apology accepted," she told him, holding out a hand to shake.
He eyed the hand. "That was not an apology," he told her, but shook her extended hand briefly anyways. "I was simply acknowledging—"
"That you were wrong and unfair. That's an apology," Melissa told him. "Don't worry—I won't tell anyone."
He looked unsure how to respond to her teasing. He nodded to her and left. Melissa leaned against her doorframe, smiling at his retreating back.
Look at all these nice long chapters! I would love some long reviews to go with them….