Chapter 7 – A Change of Atmosphere

The night passed restlessly. The morning light twinkled through the window and Sirius awoke from his state of half-consciousness.

"Morning," Melanie croaked tiredly from her perch on the bed.

"Why didn't you wake me up?"

"It was already light, I was okay."

Sirius rose from the chair, sat on the bed and clasped Melanie's hand in his own. He looked at her face and saw that it was pale from lack of sleep and there were dark circles under her eyes.

"How are you feeling?" Sirius asked.

"Awful."

"Do you want some coffee or anything?"

"Sure, that'd be great; I'll come down with you."

"No it's okay; you stay up here and rest."

"Sirius, I'm not going to let you wait on me hand and foot all day."

"Mel – but…"

"No buts, so don't even try it."

Melanie rose up off the bed and started walking down the stairs, leaving Sirius no choice but to follow. Lily, James and Remus were all already sitting at the kitchen table. All of them had bags under their eyes and Lily's eyes were puffy and bloodshot as if she had been crying. As soon as Sirius and Melanie walked into the kitchen Lily jumped out of her seat and wrapped Melanie in a huge hug. She was followed by James and Remus, and then all five of them sat down at the table.

"Mel, we've got to let you know now, Dumbledore will be here in half an hour. We're going to have to take some serious security measures after last night," Remus said.

Melanie nodded. "Do you know what's going to happen?"

"Not a clue, that's all Dumbledore told us last night. Makes sense though. You and Sirius were already upstairs by then, and it's your safety we're talking about. You have every right to have a say in what's being done," James said.

The next half hour passed in silence. The only movement that occurred was someone getting up to refill their mug with coffee. Finally, there was a knock at the front door and Dumbledore entered.

"I don't think I have to tell you all the seriousness of last night's events. It is only by lucky chance and quick escape skills that Ms. Walker is sitting here with us," Dumbledore started. "That being said, you are sitting here with us Melanie, and we would very much like to keep it that way. Obviously, your own house is no longer safe for you or Ms. Evans to inhabit. My suggestion and I feel the safest answer for both of you is to stay here, in this house that you can only say the address of.

"But sir…Albus," Melanie said, "The house, it's far too small for us to live here, not five people."

"That can be fixed my dear," Dumbledore replied. He flicked his wand towards the kitchen window and before their eyes the house started building onto itself. In a matter of minutes a whole other section had been added to the house. "I do believe you will find an extra three bedrooms, and well as a lavatory and a sitting room in there, "Dumbledore said with a twinkle in his eye. "Now before I bid you farewell, any objections, questions?"

"Sir, how did the Death eaters know where Melanie lived, or who she was?" Lily asked quietly.

"This I cannot answer at this precise moment Lily. I have many theories about that, each one more unlikely and horrible than the next. However, rest assured I will find out."

"Albus, what would have happened… if they had found me?" Melanie asked.

Dumbledore hesitated before answering. He looked towards Sirius, who nodded. Dumbledore then looked Melanie directly in the eye and spoke.

"My assumption is that you would have been taken directly to Lord Voldemort. Once you were in his presence you would have been tortured, tortured until you gave Voldemort all the information you knew, including the location of the headquarters. Had you not given any information you would have been tortured to death or insanity. Had you given him information, you would have been killed when he no longer had a use for you."

Melanie sat back in her chair, and Sirius reached for her hand. Dumbledore looked kindly at Melanie.

"That, however, did not happen. Simply put it to the back of your mind and try not to let it worry you. Good day to you all. I shall see you all shortly for our next meeting."

"With that Dumbledore walked into the front hall and vanished with a loud crack.

Later in the day, James, Lily and Remus all left to pay a visit to James's parents. Both Melanie and Sirius declined the offer to go with them. They all agreed that they would go across the street when lily, James and Remus returned the following day to collect Melanie and Lily's things from the house.

Melanie and Sirius sat on the couch most of the day in silence, both from tiredness and fear. They were both drifting off to sleep when Sirius turned to her, a very serious expression on his face.

"I want you to tell me honestly Melanie, are you okay with moving in here?"

"Dumbledore thinks…"

"This isn't about what Dumbledore thinks, this is about you. I want you to tell me if you, yourself, are okay with this, because if you feel awkward or uncomfortable with it, I don't want to force you into it."

Melanie looked at Sirius intently, and then kissed him lightly on the lips.

"I can't think of anywhere else I could possibly want to be."

Sirius pulled Melanie close and rested his chin on the top of her head.

"I thought I lost you last night. As soon as I saw the Mark above your house I thought you were gone."

Melanie pulled back from Sirius slightly and slowly slid so she was lying down on the couch, pulling him with her. She began kissing him, first lightly, then more intensely. For just a moment she broke away and whispered into Sirius's ear.

"I'm not going anywhere."