"Enough about us..." "...How was your summer?" - the redheaded Weasley twins asked. Melody giggled, she loved it when they finished each other's sentences. "Yes, explain this sudden growth spurt. What kind off magic was it?" - Katie pouted, Melody was towering over her. "Well, I-" - suddenly the train stopped and seconds after that the lights went out. Melody stood up and was about to open the cabin's door when the train shook and she fell over on top of one of the Weasley twins. The redheaded jokesters helped her up and she sat back down in between Katie Bell and Oliver Wood. The temperature dropped and Katie's tea froze, a familiar feeling of dread filled Melody's stomach and memories flashed before her eyes. In fact, they felt so real, for a moment, she thought the foul creature was really here and then it opened its mouth and she couldn't move, she realized.
"dy, ak p...Mel, Melody, wake up." - someone was shaking her, but the darkness was so comfortable and then she remembered. She sat up and her head hit something so she fell back down, she waited for the stars to disappear. She opened her eyes to see Oliver above her, a visible bruise on his forehead, Katie was crouching next to her, the twins were standing behind her and in the doorway stood a familiar figure. Ever so slowly, she sat up. "Melody." He greeted her. "Mr. Lupin." - she answered. "Will there be a day I won't meet you under these circumstances?" - he laughed, Melody shook her head, a small smile on her lips. Remus Lupin pulled out a wrapper from his pocket, he broke a piece of chocolate and gave it to Melody. "Eat, you-" "-I'll feel better, I know." - Melody interrupted him and he smiled fondly. "Well, I have to go now, but don't worry, they won't be coming back." - Lupin closed the cabin door and left. "So, what were those?" - Katie asked. "They're called Dementors, they're the worst kind of beings, well, except you-know-who." - Melody answered, she shivered. "Can we, please, not talk about them? Oliver, how was your summer?" - Melody tried changing the subject. Oliver looked at her weirdly before answering. "Can't tell you, top secret, only for Gryffindor's quidditch team." - he said, the twins and Katie sighed, Melody smiled fondly.
The school choir was performing a welcome back song, led by professor Flitwick. As soon as the choir left, Dumbledore stood up. "Welcome, welcome, to another year at Hogwarts. Now, I'd like to say a few words, before we all become too befuddled by our excellent feast. First, I'm pleased to welcome professor R.J. Lupin who's kindly consented to fill the post of the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. Good luck, professor." - both students and teachers applauded him as he gave a small bow. Amidst the commotion, Draco called out to the Potter kid and mocked him about fainting. Melody glared at the boy even when Dumbledore continued speaking. "-his place will be taken by non other than our own, Rubeus Hagrid." - everyone clapped again. "-Hogwarts will until further notice play host to the Dementors of Azkaban-" - Melody went pale, she looked at the plate before her and felt slight dizziness overcome her.
Melody was walking out of the great hall, she didn't really notice the students pushing each other around until one of them pushed her. She braced for the impact with the cold ground, but it never came, instead, she bumped into someone behind her and he held her steady. "Thank you." - she turned around and met with a face she never excpected. "Marcus!" - she screamed and he grinned, a glare set itself on her face and she punched him before walking off. "Sorry, sorry!" - he ran after her until she stopped. "What are you doing here?" - she glared daggers at the poor guy, he smiled sheepishly in return. "I failed my N.E.W.T.s and my parents were so pissed, they forbid me from contacting anyone. That's why I didn't write to you." - he explained and her glare softened a bit. "I assume you won't be playing with us." - she looked at him saddly. "You assume wrong." - they both grinned and made their way to the dungeons.
After two hours of Potions with Snape, Melody had the rest of the day free. She was interested in how Hagrid's first class would be like, so she joined the third-years. Melody followed them to Hagrid's cottage and told him she was there just to watch. They went into the forest, Melody sat on the stone fence while the other students formed a group near a boulder. Hagrid caughed to get their attention and showed them a Hippogriff, he introduced him as Buckbeak. Melody read her book while silently observing the scene before her, she found the creature quite fascinating. "Now, who'd like to say hello?" - Hagrid asked and everyone fell back, except Potter. "Well done, Harry, well done." - Potter just then noticed everyone, Weasley gave him a slight push and Harry walked forward. "Now, you have to let him make the first move, it's only polite. So, step up, give him a nice bow then you wait and see if he bowes back. If he does, you can go and touch him. If not, well, we'll get to that later." - Melody giggled from behind the group. Harry bowed to the proud creature, but the hippogriff spread it's wings. Harry went back, but a branch snapped, everyone gasped. Slowly, Buckbeak returned the bow and Harry approached him. Harry patted the creature's head when Hagrid pulled the boy into his hands and put him onto the creatures back. When Buckbeak finally landed, Harry and Hagrid exchanged whispers, Draco threw his apple and went forward. "Draco, no!" - Melody jumped from the fence and went for her cousin, but it was already too late. Draco was on the ground, Melody kneeled next to him when Hagrid picked him up. "You're gonna regret this-" "Class dismissed." "You and your bloody chicken." The students picked up their bags and quickly left, too scared of the proud animal. Buckbeak nudged Harry and the boy just stood there. Melody looked at the hippogriff, she stood up and took a few steps closer, she bowed down while Harry glanced at the creature. The hippogriff bowed back and Melody smiled, she made a few steps forward and stood with her arm outstretched. The hippogriff closed the gap between them, allowing the girl to pat it's head, Melody giggled as the feathers tickled her palm. "You're a smart creature, Buckbeak, I'm sorry for what Draco said." - she left the boy-who-lived and the hippogriff and ran to the castle, slightly worried for her cousin. Later, the same day, Melody walked into the great hall and immediately went to see Draco. "Does it hurt terribly, Draco?" - a girl asked him. "It comes and it goes-" Melody waited for the boy to finish before speaking. "Draco." The boy turned towards her and nodded. "Melody." "Are you alright?" - she asked while looking at his arm. "Yes, I am. I-" "Well, that's great. I hope it heals fast, good bye." - Melody said in a hurry, she ran off to sit further down the table. "He's been sighted, he's been sighted." - a Gryffindor boy shouted and Melody froze in her seat. "Who?" - a couple of voices sounded at the same time. "Sirius Black." - the same voice answered, she heard the Granger girl comment how he's in a village near by.
"My name is professor R. J. Lupin, I am here to teach you how to defend yourselves." - Lupin said as the students sat in their seats. "Follow me." - he called and left through a door, the students followed, they gathered in front of a shaking closet. "Now, I understand your former teachers haven't told you about this, so, can anyone tell me what this is?" Melody raised her hand, but a Ravenclaw beat her to it. "That's a boggart." "What does a boggart look like?" "It is unknown, boggart's are shape-shifters that take the form of their opponent's greatest fear." - Melody answered and Lupin nodded. "I'm sure many of you know this spell already, but lets repeat it just in case, without your wands, please. Repeat after me, Riddikulus." "Riddikulus." "Nice, nice. Now, form a line and you can all have a go at it." - Lupin then opened the closet and a creature came out. The fears ranged from parents to teachers, from animals to plants, now it was Melody's turn. She was about to step up, but decided against it, she let the next student go, while she stood to the side, she approached Lupin. "Professor?" "Yes?" "What if a person has many fears, or if those fears don't really have a shape?" - she asked the professor and he looked at her. "Well, then-" "One of the students didn't cast a spell fast enough and Lupin had to interwine. "Class dismissed." - Lupin announced once he caught the creature.
"So, why aren't you going?" - Marcus was leaning against the wall and so did Melody, she stood in front of him, he loomed over her. "My guardians forgot to send me the permission slip, what about you?" - she turned her head and found him smirking. "They thought I needed to study more, so I can't go this time, but I can go next time." - he said and Melody nodded. "So, is there any reason why you're leaning on me?" - she asked while looking at the students leaving for Hogsmeade, Potter stood in front of them. "No reason, you smell nice." - he said with a grin, Melody couldn't help the tug at her lips. "Thanks, you smell nice too." - she said while turning towards him. "You know, we could go there together, just the two of us, next time." - Marcus said while throwing his arms against the wall, so the girl couldn't leave. "I don't know, I'm not that interesting as company." - Melody shrugged her shoulders, Marcus rolled his eyes. "C'mon, just the two of us, as a...you know..." - Marcus looked into her eyes for recognition, Melody looked back confused. "As a what?" - she asked just as someone behind them coughed. "Oh, professor Snape, just the person I was looking for." - Melody said and approached the professor who was glaring at Marcus. "I was wondering about this potion recipe I found at home, it had no description, so I don't know what it does." - the two walked to the potions classroom.
After Snape discovered what the recipe was, Black Fire Potion, he gave Slytherin 15 points, he then left and Melody walked around the castle. She approached a window and looked at the cloudy sky, she glanced lower and saw two figured on the bridge. Curiosity took over and she just had to check who it was, she recognized Potter and Lupin. "-you'll come to see just how much." - she heard as she approached them. The two were leaning against the wooden fence and almost jumped over it when the boards beneath her feet creaked. "I'm sorry, professor Lupin, could I talk to you?" The professor exchanged a look with Harry and then nodded. "Sure, miss Black." "Bye." - Harry left the bridge and went back to the castle. "So, what do you want to talk about?" - Lupin asked while looking at the sky. "I was wondering...I read about a spell that could protect someone from Dementors and I was wondering if you could teach me, it's called the-" "The patronus spell, I am well aware of it." - Lupin interrupted. "I would love to teach you that and I know you have what it takes to learn the spell, but because of your relations, I don't think I can, miss Black." "But-" "No, I am not allowed to teach you the patronus charm, that's the end of it. Now, is there anything else?" "Yes, I was also wondering about your condition. How have you been?" - she asked the professor and he went pale. "W-what condition are you talking about, miss Black?" - he asked the girl. "Mr. Moony?" - she whispered. Lupin went even paler, he stumbled across his words and looked anywhere but the girl. "I-I have to go now, go back to the castle, miss Black." - the professor walked away, Melody went back to the castle.