Chapter 6
Moving, fights, and horrors
Sitting by the lake after dinner, Melody thought back over the past few weeks. It was all such a blur to her. Going to classes with Bunny, eating with Fred and George, sleeping in her dark corner of the first year Gryffindor girls' dorm. Nothing seemed to change much. Melody was still very jumpy about going to Transfiguration with Professor McGonagall and oddly enough her favorite class was Potions with Professor Snape. His quiet voice and stern tone didn't scare her as it should. If anything it gave her a sense of protection. It reminded her of a voice from her past that sounded like that, maybe her fathers' voice.
One thing was certain though; she avoided Harry Potter like the plague. Thankfully no one asked her if she was related to him. There were odd moments in the day when she would hear things that she couldn't place where they came from but other than that, Melody was trying to forget about him entirely. 'He's a little too…something. I can't place what makes me so nervous about him but there it is. I wonder if I make him nervous?' Sighing softly, Melody looked down into the reason for her trip to the lake.
Dear Miss Potter,
It has come to my attention that you have yet to attend classes with Slytherin, and Gryffindor. You have also failed to sleep in any dorm besides Gryffindor. I would like to remind you that you are required to associate with each house so the sorting hat may place you where you belong at the end of the term. I do not wish to give you a schedule to adhere too, however, should you continue to favor Hufflepuff without seeing the other houses I shall have to do just that. Hope you have a pleasant week.
Sincerely,
Albus Dumbledore
Sighing once more Melody thought about which house she should bed down in tonight. 'Well I can't sleep in Gryffindor anymore. At least until I've slept elsewhere. I just don't know where any of the other dorms are…how am I suppose to find them if I don't know where to even start looking in this HUGE place!' Getting frustrated, Melody didn't notice that the air around her was rapidly cooling off and the lake was freezing over. 'He always does this to me! Even at the start of term when I didn't know anybody! He just said 'You'll be fine wherever you go' and left! I'm just a first year! Maybe I really don't belong here...maybe I don't belong anywhere.' Staring off into the darkness, Melody failed to notice a new figure moving towards the lake.
'Who in there right mind would be sitting by the lake after hours? It's a girl! Looks like a first year...I wonder what made her come out here by herself.' Taking a closer look at the girl, her thoughts continued. 'She's been crying and it looks like she's been here a while. Man is it cold out here…and look at the lake! It's frozen solid! She's not wearing a coat or anything either. I hope she doesn't get sick...maybe I can help her out…' "Umm…are you alright?"
Startled by the voice beside her, Melody blinked and then looked up into deep brown eyes. The person beside her was tall…really really tall! She couldn't tell in the fading light but it looked like blonde hair graced the top of the figures head. Quickly standing and wiping away her tears, Melody softly said in a voice roughened by crying, "Yes, I'm alright. Who are you?"
Looking the girl over, the girl made a decision and said, "My name's Amanda. But I should be asking you that question and what on earth are you doing out here when it's this cold without a coat?" Looking around, Melody saw the frost and said, "I didn't notice it was cold...I was thinking. Oh!" It finally hit her who she was talking to! Amanda Rose was the head girl, and she was a Ravenclaw. Saying a quick thank you to her parents who watched over her, Melody said, "Sorry, I'm Melody. Melody Potter and you can actually help me with my problem." Grinning at Amanda's stunned look, she quickly said, "I was trying to figure out how to get to the different dorms when I don't know where they are but since your head girl you know where they are, right? So could you maybe show me where your dorm is? See Prof. Dumbledore sent me this note..."
So for the next ten minutes, Melody explained to Amanda her situation. At the end of Melody's tirade about mad old profs., Amanda smiled and said, "You know, I've never met a first year who griped about the headmaster. Most are too scared of him. I like you Melody so here's what I'm gonna do. You follow me and I'll show you where Ravenclaw is and you can sleep there tonight. Tomorrow, go to classes with us and then tomorrow night I'll show you where Hufflepuff and Slytherin are. How's that sound?" Melody beamed up at Amanda and said, "That sounds great!" Ruffling Melody's hair, Amanda led the way back into Hogwarts and up six flights of stairs to the Ravenclaw dorm. Melody gasped when she saw the guardian portrait! There before her was a painting of seven girls dressed as angels and each one was waving at her frantically. "Look! It's Melody! Hi Melody! We're the Solar Angels and we guard the entrance into Ravenclaw! We were told by Professor Dumbledore to tell you that you don't need a password to get into any of the dorms. Since you're the only one in the Heart of Hogwarts all the portraits will open for you if you just say please. Welcome to Ravenclaw Melody!"
Stunned by what the angels had just said, Amanda and Melody moved quickly into the Ravenclaw dorm. Melody pulled up short when she saw the common room was full of students who were all looking at her with wonder. "Amanda! What's she doing here? She's not in Ravenclaw! How did she get past the portrait?" Shouts were heard from all the students until Amanda shouted, "ENOUGH!" Once everyone had quieted down, she softly said, "Everyone this is Melody Potter. You're right, she wasn't sorted into Ravenclaw but she does have a bed here. If you look at the name plate on the first year dorm you will see her name there. Now if you want to know more I suggest you ask Melody and if she wants to tell you she can. Otherwise I suggest you just think of her as a housemate and if I see anyone being mean to her I will make you pay!" Flashing her teeth, Amanda laughed as all but three of the students turned and immediately began doing their work again. "Don't worry about them Melody," she said to the cowering girl. "They're just a bit cautious about who comes into our dorm. After all we don't want copiers in here do we?" Finally Melody laughed softly and shook her head. "Amanda you're kind of strange, do you know that?"
Laughing, Amanda said, "Yup and I try very hard to keep it that way. Oh by the way these are your roommates. This is Amy," she pointed to a girl with blue hair and sky blue eyes, "Michelle," pointing to the girl next to her with sea green hair and eyes, "and Amara," pointing to a tomboyish looking girl with sandy blonde hair. "Guys this is Melody. Could you show her the dorm please? Thanks! I've got to finish my rounds." Winking at Melody, Amanda quickly jumped back through the portrait hole and was gone.