Daughter of the Dark Angel

Chapter Seven: Introduction to Magic

Melody looked around nervously as she reentered the Great Hall, looking for any sign of the teacher for her next lesson. Seeing none, she settled herself on a bench to wait and relax.

Shortly after, the stern elderly witch arrived, and started in surprise when she saw her student there so early.

"And what exactly did you do to get out of half of potions?" she exclaimed. Melody shrugged.

"He didn't say I'd done anything wrong. " Professor McGonagall's eyes widened.

"Well then, you should consider yourself lucky." she informed the younger witch. "For it is likely to never happen again. Now what do you think Transfiguration is?"

"Transformation" Melody replied with a sigh. School was still school, magical or not.

Several hours later found Melody trudging back up to the castle from greenhouses, her mind swirling with plants and charms. She would have the afternoon for individual study while the staff had a meeting. She ate little, ignoring the professors' concerns.

I daresay I know my body better than they do. She never ate much , and when she did, she tended to get sick.

Having finished her introductory assignments in half an hour, the teen wandered out towards the lake, looking for a place to lie down and take a nap.

She was woken by Hagrid shortly before dinner, where Dumbledore curiously inquired as to her favorite subject, to which Melody immediately replied "Potions", much to the shock of the staff and dismay of her father. Unaware of the mayhem this statement caused, the girl reached eagerly for the nearest bowl of fruit, unknowingly snatching it from the terrifying Potions Master. The rest of the staff flinched in sympathy for the girl while awaiting the fury that never came. Dumbledore sighed. Giving the girl such special treatment this early on would draw unwanted suspicion, but Severus didn't much seem to mind at the moment.

Perhaps it's a good thing he won't acknowledge her as his child. It might keep him from spoiling her rotten, Minerva thought, eyeing the black- robed wizard's expression as he watched his daughter interact with the others. She kicked him lightly under the table until he turned to glare at her. She raised her eyebrows meaningfully and tilted her head towards the rest of the staff. Snape huffed and turned away, leaving the table minutes later. McGonagall sighed heavily, and upon Dumbledore's inquisitive glance, waved away his concern and rose as well.

"Severus!" she called a few minutes later. "Wait!"

The stubborn wizard refused to stop, and eventually the elderly witch gave up. "Of all the ungrateful…" she muttered crossly, pausing when she noticed Melody staring at her from the bottom of the staircase. "Oh, hello. Finished already?" she asked brightly. "Well don't mind me. Some people are simply too stubborn for their own good." The teen snorted, smirking, as she started up the stairs at a jog.

"They're everywhere." She complained sarcastically. Minerva laughed and walked the girl up to her rooms.

"Oh, yes." She agreed softly, still chuckling. "Leaving us to chase after them until we throw our hands up in exasperation." Melody laughed outright at this, and Minerva smiled at seeing the younger witch express some emotion other than unease. "Listen." She said, catching her companion's arm. Melody froze anxiously, but the professor shook her head. "Relax. We mean you no harm here." Melody tilted her head, but nodded. "You have a pretty laugh." Her teacher added softly. "Don't forget how to use it." Melody relaxed and grinned at the older woman.

"Thanks." She said quietly, nodding farewell and disappearing inside.

Perhaps she just needs a different kind of magic for her to settle down.