AN: Sorry for the slow update. I've been battling computer problems and finally ended up victorious.

Another chapter up! Thanks to all of my favorite people (a.k.a. the best reviewers on the planet!) for reading and reviewing the last chapter. I'm glad you're all enjoying it! This one covers the end of year two and the summer before year three.

Read & Review!

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or anything related to him. They are the sole property of J. K. Rowling. However Melanie and any other unrecognized characters are mine.

XXX

Chapter 9: Happy Endings and Beginnings

It surprised her that Dumbledore's office didn't look at all overcrowded with all the people inside. Dumbledore himself was there, back from wherever he had gone after being suspended, as well as Professor McGonagall. Mr. and Mrs. Weasley had arrived at the school when they had first heard that Ginny had been taken into the Chamber. Harry told her that they were called when Ginny had unknowingly left a message on a wall saying that two students had been taken into the Chamber of Secrets. Ron was there with his family, shock still hanging over him. Mrs. Danielson was there beside her, kissing her hair softly every so often and rubbing her back comfortingly. Melanie was grateful for this. She needed comforting, and no matter how many times Mrs. Weasley hugged her and thanked her, it couldn't fill the gap that Mrs. Danielson filled. That motherly comfort.

It was then, even though conversation was still going on around them, that Melanie began to feel guilty. Harry, who sat on her other side, had no parent to comfort him, even though he had risked the most. They were both parentless, but Melanie had Mrs. Danielson. Where were Harry's aunt and uncle? Sipping tea at home completely unaware and uncaring.

Melanie's attention was brought back by Dumbledore's voice, which seemed to prod her out of her musing.

"What interests me most," he said gently, "is how Lord Voldemort managed to enchant Ginny, when my sources tell me he is currently in hiding in the forests of Albania."

Other than the news of Lord Voldemort being alive, something in what her Professor said quirked her interest. In the Chamber, Riddle had said that Lord Voldemort would return. But what Voldemort had to do with the Chamber of Secrets, Melanie didn't know. And how Tom Riddle knew him, when Lord Voldemort was after his time, she didn't understand either.

"W-what's that?" Mrs. Weasley stuttered. "You-Know-Who? Enchant Ginny? But Ginny's not… Ginny hasn't been… has she?"

"It was this diary," Harry said holding up Riddle's diary. "Riddle wrote it when he was sixteen."

While Harry handed the journal to Dumbledore and it was looked over carefully, Melanie said, "I realized it was controlling Ginny too late."

She looked at the Weasleys, who were now watching her carefully. "I noticed she was acting strange. First I thought it was just stress from school, but then she came up to me. She tried to tell me it was her. And then I went to Moaning Myrtle's bathroom…"

Harry was looking at her now. "I remembered what you said Harry," Melanie told him. "That it was Myrtle who had died fifty years ago. So I asked her. She eventually told me it was Ginny who was going down the Chamber of Secrets."

Mrs. Weasley gasped and hugged her young daughter tighter, causing more silent sobs to escape Ginny.

"I tried to stop her," Melanie said. "But the diary… Riddle, took over again."

Professor Dumbledore looked at her thoughtfully, and Melanie looked away to Mrs. Danielson. She had little idea of what was going on, but she knew the severity of what happened. Melanie could tell by the tight grip the elderly matron had on her shoulder.

"Professor?" Melanie asked. "What does all this… the diary, the Chamber… what does it have to do with Lord Voldemort?"

"Very few people know that Lord Voldemort was once called Tom Riddle."

A gasp escaped Melanie's lips. Tom Riddle was Lord Voldemort? A young Lord Voldemort? She had never imagined such a thing was possible.

"I taught him myself," Dumbledore said, "fifty years ago, at Hogwarts. He disappeared after leaving school… traveled far and wide… sank so deeply into the Dark Arts, consorted with the very worst of our kind, underwent so many dangerous, magical transformations, that when he resurfaced as Lord Voldemort, he was barely recognizable. Hardly anyone connected Lord Voldemort to the clever, handsome boy who was once Head Boy here."

Silence and shock enveloped the room, as each person tried to process what they had just heard. Melanie was still in disbelief; how could someone so cruel, so malicious, have once been a young, innocent child? Then again, was he ever innocent? Or has he been evil since birth?

"Perhaps," Dumbledore began, "Miss Weasley and Miss Danielson should go up to the Hospital Wing straight away. This has been a terrible ordeal for the both of them. Bed rest and perhaps a large, steaming mug of hot chocolate. I always find that cheers me up."

Melanie, though in all honesty thought she was fine, stood and walked towards the door. She wasn't about to refuse hot chocolate and sleep. Mrs. Danielson followed her, and then Mr. and Mrs. Weasley and Ginny, but before they left Dumbledore spoke.

"You will find that Madame Pomfrey is still awake. She's just giving out Mandrake juice. I daresay the Basilisk's victims will be waking up any moment," he said.

Waking up? That meant…

"So Hermione's okay?" Ron said, unmistakable brightness in his tone.

"No lasting harm has been done," Dumbledore answered.

Excitedly, Melanie left the office and made her way down the hall, eager to reach the Hospital Wing even more so. Hermione was awake! She was alright!

Her thoughts were interrupted when a hand touched her shoulder and Melanie turned to find Ginny looking at her.

"Thank you," she said, "for trying to stop me. I was hoping you might figure me out. I didn't want to do those things…"

Melanie smiled and gave Ginny a hug. "It's okay. It wasn't your fault. No one could have resisted that kind of magic," Melanie told her.

Ginny smiled thankfully and together they walked towards the Hospital Wing, neither wanting to break the restful silence.

When they reached the Hospital Wing, many beds were occupied; most patients were sitting up comfortably, talking. Madame Pomfrey noticed them first, and hurried Ginny and herself over to available beds, before bustling off to get their hot chocolate. Melanie looked around, eager to find Hermione, but she did not see any sign of her friend.

She could not think on it any longer because Mrs. Danielson suddenly appeared at her side.

"I don't understand much of what happened," she began, her voice gentle. "But I do know from what your Professors have said that you were in great danger in this…chamber. And I have to tell you, that had we… lost you… I couldn't have found it in me to tell the girls."

Melanie felt tears prick her eyes as Mrs. Danielson took a shuddering breath, trying to keep her composure. She continued, "I always wondered what I had done letting you come to this school…"

"No, please!" Melanie exclaimed. "Don't take me away!"

Mrs. Danielson smiled. "Of course I'm not taking you away. This is where you belong, Melanie. You have friends here. And though we all miss you, we would never take you away from your true home."

Madame Pomfrey brought her hot chocolate and Melanie sipped it quietly as she listened to Mrs. Danielson tell her about what was going on at the home. Marissa was studying for her final exams; Mrs. Danielson said she planned on taking summer courses. Faye was still missing her terribly, and couldn't wait for Melanie to return for the summer. At hearing this, Melanie swore to be better that coming summer; she knew that Faye had been a bit annoyed by her last visit.

Melanie slowly finished her hot chocolate and was tucked into the soft, warm sheets of the bed. It was all over and her conscience could rest. There would be no more attacks, Hermione was awake, she wasn't arguing with Harry. All was well at Hogwarts again.

It was no wonder that sleep took her so easily.

Melanie had been asked by Madame Pomfrey not to disturb the other sleeping patients, even though Melanie wanted to run over to Hermione's bed and wake her. She did as she was told, and left the Hospital Wing alone, as Mrs. Danielson had left earlier that morning.

Melanie first went to the Gryffindor Common Room, in order to change out of her still filthy clothes. She smiled as she caught sight of the familiar portrait hole, the Fat Lady grinning widely at her as she approached.

"Welcome back!" the Fat Lady sang brightly.

Melanie smiled back. "Thank you!"

She entered the Common Room and was hit with yet another surprise. Half the house was sitting in the Common Room, and as soon as she entered Neville, Seamus, and Dean ran over.

"I'm so sorry, Melanie!" Neville apologized. "I'm really sorry!"

"Me too!" Dean added.

Seamus grinned. "Yeah. Besides, we didn't really think you were doin' it."

"Alright, there!"

"Back off!"

"The Dark Princess needs…"

"… her space people!"

Melanie laughed. "Are you two ever going to stop?"

Fred and George grinned at her. "That depends," Fred said.

"On?"

"Whether that monster's still alive," said George.

More people gathered around eagerly, listening to hear what she had to say. Melanie had not expected to become spokesperson on behalf of the others, but she knew she had to say something.

"It's over. There won't be any attacks anymore," she said.

The entire house erupted in cheers and clapping; overjoyed at the good news. Melanie was hugged by a few people, and got many claps on the back, but somehow she managed to escape to her dorm.

The end of term feast was fantastic! It was every year, but this year there was something else, something that Melanie couldn't put her finger on. It might have been the joy of the attacks being over, or the anticipation she had waiting for Hermione, but either way it was marvelous!

Melanie was sitting in between Harry and Ron, who were both talking animatedly with the others. She was pleased to see that everything had gone back to normal. Almost.

"Harry!" Neville said grabbing their attention. "It's Hermione!"

Melanie looked towards the doors to the Great Hall and saw Hermione standing there with the biggest smile on her face. Melanie began to smile too as she stood up from the table with the boys. Hermione ran down the aisle between the two tables and hugged her. She hugged Harry too, but Melanie could only giggle when it came for Ron's turn. They both stopped, and awkwardly shook hands.

"Welcome back, Hermione," Ron said, his face turning red.

"It's good to be back," Hermione replied. "Congratulations, I can't believe you solved it!"

"Well, we had loads of help from you," Harry told her. "We couldn't have done it

without you."

"But it was Melanie that gave me the idea," Hermione said, looking at Melanie.

Melanie furrowed her eyebrows. "I did?"

"That day I went to the library," Hermione said. "You were wondering how a great monster could be strolling around in the corridors in plain sight. That's what gave me the idea!"

"Oh," Melanie said, still unsure of how that really helped. "You're welcome, then."

Their laughter was cut off when Professor McGonagall's voice cut through the Great Hall. "Could I have your attention please?" she called.

Melanie and the others sat down at the table and looked towards the staff table, where Professor Dumbledore stood.

"Before we begin the feast," he began, "let us have a round of applause for Professor Sprout and Madam Pomfrey, whose Mandrake juice has been so successfully administered to all who had been petrified."

Melanie joined in the loud cheering and clapping that echoed through the hall, giving Hermione a warm smile.

"Also," Dumbledore continued, "in light of recent events, as a school treat, all exams have been cancelled!"

The noise level in the Hall rose even higher as the students welcomed this treat. Only Hermione seemed to be disappointed.

Professor Dumbledore sat back down and just as the feast was about to begin, the doors to the Great Hall opened wide. Melanie grinned as Hagrid stepped into the Hall; she had never been more happy to see him.

"Sorry I'm late," he apologized. "The owl that delivered my release papers got all lost and confused. Some ruddy bird called Erol."

Melanie looked at Ron, whose face turned scarlet, as Hagrid walked down the table towards them. She turned in her seat and looked up at him, to see he was getting teary-eyed. And of course that made Melanie's eyes water.

"And I'd just like to say that," Hagrid said to them in a quieter tone, "if it hadn't been for you Harry, and Ron, and Melanie, and Hermione o' course… that I'd still be you know where and I'd just like to say… thanks!"

Harry stood up from the table. "There's no Hogwarts without you, Hagrid," he said, giving Hagrid a hug.

The Hall erupted in clapping and cheering again as students rushed over to Hagrid, and Melanie was nearly in tears when she finally got to give him a hug.

Melanie woke up early the next morning so that they could get to the train on time, and was not surprised to find Hermione already awake and waiting for her. Melanie grinned as she thought that this was the way it was supposed to be. As strange as it sounded, Melanie had missed Hermione waking her up early.

She dressed and grabbed her things before following Hermione down to the Common Room. Harry and Ron were waiting for them and together they left Hogwarts for the summer.

The train was packed with students as always, and Melanie ended up separated. She was searching different compartments when she came upon and almost empty one.

"Glad to see you're still walking," Mark said as a grin formed on his face.

Melanie smiled. "It's nice to still be walking."

"So I guess you're friends with Potter again?"

"Yep," Melanie replied, smiling.

Mark nodded. "That's good."

A strange silence passed over them and Melanie turned to leave when he called out, "I'm glad you're okay! Wouldn't have been nice to lose a friend like that!"

Melanie just smiled at him and left the compartment, knowing the end of her second year adventure was at an end and her next one was about to begin.

XXX

Melanie found that the summer before her third year was a particularly long one. In most normal circumstances a nearly thirteen year old girl would have been pleased with this fact, but not her. No, Melanie, though having enjoyed the time spent with her family was bored out of her mind. She was soon learning that she didn't have much in common with her sisters. She wasn't allowed to tell them she was a witch, therefore she couldn't talk about classes, or school, or anything magical at all. Melanie would give anything to hear Harry and Ron go on and on about Quidditch again!

But as she had promised she would, Melanie acted like a better friend to Faye, who she had thought was neglected the summer before. But Melanie found it difficult to talk about Muggle music or movies, or to help Faye with her summer Math assignment. In the end, Melanie found the most enjoyment reading her school books again (she thought Hermione would be so proud), or sending her friends letters in secret.

That was something else that worried her. Like the last summer, Harry was not responding to any of the letters that Melanie or the others sent. But she knew it couldn't be Dobby this time, so what?

On Melanie's birthday, the fifteenth of July to be exact, the girls threw her a surprise party, which was really just a big breakfast. Faye dragged her down the stairs and a still groggy Melanie found all of her sisters packed into the small kitchen. After a very loud chorus of 'Happy Birthday', Melanie and the others dug into a delicious feast, courtesy of Mrs. Danielson.

Then came the presents. Just as she had been the Christmas of her first year, Melanie was weary of opening all her gifts. But after a few minutes of prodding they managed to talk her into opening at least one gift.

Mrs. Danielson passed her a neatly wrapped present and Melanie tore back the paper. Inside was a brand new, leather journal along with a fresh bottle of ink and a beautiful feather quill. Melanie beamed and thanked each and every one of them.

"Now, now dear!" Mrs. Danielson interrupted. "Open it up!"

Melanie looked around curiously at the other beaming faces before opening the front cover, finding a tiny message written in the top corner on the inside of the journal.

A place to keep all of your thoughts and dreams; and maybe a little bit of magic.

Grinning, Melanie thanked everyone again before retreating to her room with her other presents.

Hermione had gotten her a book (surprise!) and knowing Melanie had really enjoyed the one about famous witches of the age, she had gotten her the second edition.

Ron had given her loads of sweets and a beautiful butterfly hairpin (he said Ginny had found it and thought it would be perfect).

Hagrid had also sent her a book, though Melanie wasn't quite sure what to do with this one. After it nearly bit her hand off, she read The Monster Book of Monsters. She didn't understand why Hagrid would pick this for her, but she managed to trap the literally snarling and snapping book and stuff it in a box under her bed. Hopefully it stayed there.

Harry, though unsurprisingly given his situation, had not sent her anything. Melanie wasn't the least bit unhappy about that information. She knew that if he could have, he would have. But he couldn't and that was understandable.

Melanie set her presents away out of sight and climbed onto her bed, where her stuffed lion from Harry lay. She smiled and sat it on her lap, while pulling out her new journal and quill.

Dear Journal,

I've never had one of these before, so I'm not quite sure how to go about this. Perhaps I should start out by saying that whatever I put in here won't exactly be 'normal'. Then again, nothing about me is quite 'normal' either.

My name is Melanie Danielson, but that's not my real name. I don't know my last name, or my parents, or anything about my 'real' family. I'm an orphan and have lived in a Muggle (you'll understand soon enough) home ever since I can remember. I love it here; I have fifteen sisters and Mrs. Danielson is really like a mother to me.

That may seem pretty normal, but here it comes. I'm a witch. No, not like a scary Halloween witch with a wart and green skin. But I can do magic, well at least I'm learning. I go to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. That's where they teach young witches and wizards to do magic.

I met my three best friends at Hogwarts. Hermione Granger is the most brilliant person I have ever met. She's at the top of all our classes and is constantly on me about my homework. But she's a lot deeper than that, which seems to surprise other people. She doesn't think about just work, she and I have had countless conversations about many other things.

Ron Weasley is another of my best friends. He's not nearly as brilliant as Hermione (though neither am I) but he's great fun. He's excellent at Wizard's Chess (same concept, just more 'barbaric') and is the funny one of our group. He always knows how to make us laugh, or get on our nerves.

And then there's Harry Potter. I've known him the longest out of all of them and can relate to him better than the other two, I think. See, Harry's an orphan too, but his tale is far more tragic than mine. His parents were murdered by Lord Voldemort, an evil wizard who I know for a fact is still alive. He tried to kill Harry when he was very young, but for reasons nobody seems to know, it didn't work. Everyone thought that Harry had gotten rid of him (at only a year old) and call him 'The Boy Who Lived'. But in my eyes, Harry is just… Harry. He gets into trouble, loves Quidditch and is one of the greatest friends I'll ever have.

I'm going into my third year at Hogwarts and I just know (looking back on past years) that this one can only get more interesting.

XXX

A few weeks passed rather normally for Melanie, until the day she found an owl waiting outside her window, looking annoyed at being kept outside. And it wasn't just any owl. It was Hedwig. Melanie rushed over to the window and flung it open, knowing that Faye would be coming up for bed soon. Hedwig gave a grateful hoot and fluttered inside, perching herself on Melanie's bedpost.

"You can't stay long, Hedwig," she said, "If Faye catches you…"

Hedwig hooted again only to be shushed by Melanie. She quickly untied the letter from the owl's leg and ripped it open. Glancing at the closed door for a moment, Melanie began to read.

Dear Melanie,

Sorry I haven't written my uncle wouldn't let Hedwig out. And happy birthday! I'll give you your gift when we meet up.

You won't believe what happened, Mel. I blew up my aunt! She's alright; the Ministry's sorted her out and erased her memory. I don't know how I did it; she was just talking down to my mum and dad and just sort of… inflated. I know Hermione won't be too pleased, and Ron will probably have a good laugh, but I know you would've done the same thing.

I suppose you haven't heard the news either. Someone escaped from Azkaban. Sirius Black they said. He was a big supporter of Voldemort when he was at large. No one knows how he did it, but there are tons of wanted posters around here.

I'm at the Leaky Cauldron by the way. I ran away after the whole 'blowing up my aunt' thing. Fudge was here when I arrived, but he wasn't mad at all. And he didn't do anything about the underage magic I did. I'm grateful, but I don't understand why.

I've written to Ron and Hermione already. Ron said his family just got back from Egypt (I don't know if you heard about that) and Hermione just got back from Paris (she probably did tell you about that). I was hoping we could meet up to get our school things. I've already got mine of course, but I can't wait to see you all again!

If you can't owl me back in time, come to the Leaky Cauldron whenever you get to Diagon Alley.

Harry

"Melanie?"

She looked up quickly and darted to the door. Melanie leaned all her weight on it and watched as the doorknob shook.

While Melanie tried to shoo Hedwig out the window, Faye called through the door. "Melanie, what're you doing in there?"

"Uhh… I'm changing!" she yelled back.

There was a pause. "So?"

"Hedwig, go!" Melanie whispered hurriedly, flailing her arms in the owl's direction. Hedwig, however, either didn't care about Melanie's situation, or didn't notice. Melanie thought it was the former.

"Melanie, open the door!" Faye yelled, now banging on the wood.

Quickly glancing around, Melanie saw a pillow not too far out of reach. Still keeping most of her weight on the door, she bent over and stretched her arm towards it.

"Melanie!"

The pillow brushed the tips of her fingers, and after stretching just a little farther, Melanie was able to grab the pillow.

"If you don't open the door right now…!"

She picked the pillow up and threw it in Hedwig's direction. Just as she had hoped, the owl jumped up frightened and flew out of the window in a hurry.

"Melanie…!"

She opened the door and Faye nearly flew into the room. After regaining her balance, Faye looked at her.

"What were you doing in here?" she asked Melanie.

Melanie tried to give her a confused look. "What're you talking about? I told you I was changing."

Faye gave her a skeptical look before turning to her bed. "If you say so," the girl replied. "It's just that you've been acting rather strangely lately. No offense."

Melanie gave her a meek smile. "Don't think about it," she answered.

"Anyway," Faye continued. "I was thinking we could talk."

"Talk?" Melanie asked, still not moving from her position at the door.

"Yeah, like we used to," Faye said. "We never just talk anymore."

Melanie nodded slightly and joined Faye in sitting on her bed. They both sat in silence for a while, neither one could think of something to say to the other.

"So, your boarding school…," Faye finally said.

Melanie inwardly groaned. "What about it?"

"Well… are there any boys?" Faye asked.

"Umm… yes," Melanie answered.

Obviously though, that was not the answer Faye had been looking for. She gave Melanie a stern look. "You'll have to do better than that you know."

"What do you want to know?"

Faye smiled. "Do you have a boyfriend?"

"Yes… wait, no!" Melanie said. "I have a friend that's a boy. But he's not… none of them are…"

A giggle came from Faye before she said, "Melanie, relax. Tell me about them. Your friends."

Melanie smiled slightly. She supposed this was something she wouldn't have to lie about. "Well, one of my best friends is Hermione. She's very smart. Then there's Ron, he's got a huge family. And Harry, well, I've known him the longest. He's an orphan like us too, only he lives with his aunt and uncle. They're terrible to him. Anyway I've known them since my first year. And I suppose… Mark. He's a year above me and I only met him last year. But he's really nice."

Faye grinned. "You know, that's about the most I've learnt about you in three years," she said.

"I'm sorry," Melanie apologized.

Faye waved the apology away. "Melanie, I get it. We only see each other during the summers. There's bound to be little to talk about. I'm fine with that, so long as you don't forget me."

Melanie grinned back at her. "Trust me. I couldn't forget you if I tried."

XXX

"Now you're sure you have everything with you?" Mrs. Danielson asked for the hundredth time that morning.

"Yes, I'm sure!" Melanie laughed.

She was waiting for Hermione and her parents to pick her up from the home. Together they were going to the Leaky Cauldron to see Harry, and Ron and his family were supposed to meet them there. And yes, Melanie did have all her things; at least she had her clothes and wand. She would by her books and other equipment in Diagon Alley.

"I was just making sure, dear," Mrs. Danielson said, looking out the window again for Hermione's parents.

Melanie turned to Faye who was smiling sadly at her. "We'll miss you," Faye told her.

"I'll miss you too, Faye," Melanie answered.

Faye gave her a tight hug. "Remember to write, okay?"

"They're here, Melanie!" Mrs. Danielson told her.

Melanie waved goodbye to her sisters and gave Mrs. Danielson a hug before walking out the front door. Hermione got out of the car and raced to meet her, engulfing Melanie in a tight hug.

"I've missed you so much! You have no idea!" Hermione cried, helping Melanie drag her trunk to the car.

"I think I have some idea, Hermione," Melanie laughed as Hermione's parents came into view. "Hello Mr. and Mrs. Granger! It's nice to see you again!"

"You too dear," Mrs. Granger said. "How was your summer?"

"Long," Melanie admitted. "It feels good to be going back."

Mrs. Granger smiled while Mr. Granger squeezed her trunk into the back with Hermione's. Melanie hopped into the backseat with Hermione, who immediately started chatting about her trip to France.

"You wouldn't believe the witchcraft there!" Hermione exclaimed. "Of course I had to rewrite my History of Magic essay when I got back. How was yours?"

Melanie looked at Hermione with a blank stare. "My History of Magic essay?"

"You didn't do it?!" Hermione cried.

"I forgot!" Melanie replied. "Besides there's plenty of time to do it still."

Hermione still gave her a disapproving look, but decided it would be best not to push the matter.

Melanie enjoyed talking to Mr. and Mrs. Granger and of course Hermione. Before she knew it they were in London and Mr. Granger stopped the car outside of a dingy looking pub. Melanie smiled at the sight of it, which would seem odd to someone who didn't know what was beyond those doors.

She dragged her trunk inside with Hermione, while Mr. Granger approached Tom, the barman. It seemed though that Mr. Granger didn't exactly know how to go about asking for directions or rooms, so it was lucky that Tom recognized her from the first time she had come with Hagrid.

"I remember you!" he shouted, causing Melanie to jump in surprise. "You'll be looking for Mr. Potter I suppose?"

"Yes," Melanie answered. "And we'll also need a room for until term starts."

Tom nodded and led Hermione and herself up a set of stairs. Dust covered everything and Melanie sneezed a bit as Tom unlocked a door for them. Inside was a small room with two beds, but there wasn't much else. Not that Melanie minded; they were only staying for about a week anyway.

Melanie placed her trunk at the foot of one of the beds before she followed Hermione back down the stairs to where her parents were waiting.

"Have a nice term dear," Mrs. Granger said, giving Hermione a hug. "And you as well Melanie."

"Thank you," Melanie said.

"Be good, girls," Mr. Granger added. He gave his daughter a hug and then both of them left the pub.

Hermione looked over at Melanie. "Now what do we do?"

Grinning, Melanie answered, "Now we find Harry."

Harry, however, wasn't in his room (Tom had told them which one it was; it happened to be directly across from theirs) and so Melanie supposed he was out in Diagon Alley. She returned with Hermione to their room where they collected their money, deciding that they may as well get some of their shopping done.

Diagon Alley was crowded as usual and they quickly lost the idea of finding Harry in the mess. So they headed towards Madam Malkin's to get new robes and took a look inside a new shop called Miss Madeline's Maiden Shop. It was a shop full of things for girls, including charmed mirrors and something called an Ever-Straight Hair Brush. They even sold beautiful pieces of jewelry there, but one look at the price and Melanie and Hermione bolted.

Hermione also stopped them outside the Magical Menagerie and when she did so Melanie gave her a curious look.

"I've always wanted a pet," Hermione said, "And I do have enough…"

However, when they left the shop, Hermione was not carrying an owl like she had planned. Instead, a large orange cat with a flattened face called Crookshanks rested happily in her arms. Melanie couldn't help but laugh, the thing looked ridiculous. She was sure the boys would get a kick out of it.

They returned to the Leaky Cauldron and were immediately greeted by the Weasley family. Mrs. Weasley gave them each a bone-crushing hug and Mr. Weasley shook their hands. Fred and George made a joke about Hermione's cat which earned them a glare from the cat's owner. Ginny smiled and gave Melanie a hug; she had chosen to avoid Crookshanks.

When Ron finally reached them, he didn't even get a word out before Crookshanks went absolutely mad. He started hissing and spitting angrily and it was only then that Melanie noticed Scabbers, Ron's ancient rat, on his shoulder. Scabbers didn't stay there long however and soon both Ron and Hermione were chasing after their pets, which were chasing each other.

Melanie was watching the scene with an amused look. Hermione and Ron had finally managed to control their pets, though Crookshanks was still eyeing Scabbers, but now they were having a go at each other.

"I'm warning you Hermione! Keep that bloody beast of yours away from Scabbers, or I'll turn it into a tea cozy!"

Melanie grinned and then heard a quiet snicker from above her. She looked up and saw Harry watching the argument too. Her face lit up at the sight of him and he smiled down at her. Placing a finger to her lips to keep him quiet, Melanie turned back to the other two.

"It's a cat, Ronald!" Hermione argued, "What do you expect? It's in his nature!"

"A cat?! Is that what they told you?! Looks more like a pig with hair, if you ask me!"

"Oh, that's rich!" Hermione said, "Coming from the owner of that smelly, old shoe brush!"

"Oh, hello Harry! How are you?" Melanie exclaimed louder than was necessary.

Ron and Hermione looked from her to Harry, who grinned. "Oh, I'm wonderful Melanie! It's such a lovely day! Pity some people spend it arguing."

"Alright, Harry," Ron said, rolling his eyes at them.

Knowing that the fight was over for the time being, Melanie finally got to greet Harry giving him a big hug, which he returned.

"I'm sorry I didn't reply to your letter," she said. "Faye nearly caught Hedwig in our room so I didn't have time. Oh, and I'm also sorry if she came back with a temper."

Harry laughed. "Well that would explain it. I have your birthday present upstairs. Want me to go get it?" he asked.

"I have to get yours anyway," Melanie answered and they left Ron and Hermione down stairs.

Melanie went into her room and rummaged around in her trunk for his gift, which she found with little effort. Then she went across the room and saw Harry waiting on his bed. Melanie sat down beside him and passed him his present.

"Happy Birthday Harry," she said.

He grinned and tore back the wrapping paper, smiling at what he saw.

"I figured now you wouldn't have a reason to bug Hermione for the time," Melanie said.

She hadn't been able to get him a gift that was magical, so she had settled for a watch. It was true, Harry was constantly asking for the time.

"Hermione helped me put a charm on it so that the battery won't ever run out. That and it'll work at Hogwarts. I also thought, with Quidditch and everything, that you'd need something that wouldn't break too easily, so I put a reinforcement charm on it."

"It's brilliant, Mel!" he said, putting the watch on his wrist. Then he picked up her gift. "Your turn," he said.

Excitedly, Melanie ripped the paper off and found a box inside. She gasped when she opened it, revealing a gorgeous silver charm bracelet.

"Harry, it's beautiful!" she exclaimed.

"I was told you could add charms to it," he told her. "I picked out a few already for you."

Melanie looked at all the different charms. There was a lion, for Gryffindor obviously. Also, there was a tiny, silver broomstick. Melanie looked at Harry with a raised eyebrow.

He laughed. "Just so you remember who gave it to you."

"Harry this is so great," she said. "Thank you."

When they returned the others were already eating lunch at a large table (she supposed that Tom had extended it to fit all the Weasleys and Harry, Hermione and herself). Melanie and Harry sat down beside Hermione and Ron, the latter who showed them a picture of his trip to Egypt.

"Egypt! What's it like?" Harry asked.

"Brilliant!" Ron exclaimed. "Loads of old stuff like mummies, tombs… even Scabbers enjoyed himself!"

"You know the Egyptians used to worship cats," Hermione stated as a matter of fact as she held Crookshanks close to her.

"Yeah, along with the dung beetle," Ron replied, causing Harry and Melanie to laugh.

"Not flashing that clipping about again, are you Ron?" Fred asked.

"I haven't shown anyone!" Ron grumbled.

"No not a soul! Unless of course you count Tom -"

"- the day maid -," George started.

"- the night maid -"

"- the cook -"

"- that bloke who came to fix the toilet -"

"- and that wizard from Belgium!"

Melanie laughed at the scowl on Ron's face before she turned to the twins. "It's good to hear you two again," she said.

They grinned at her.

"Melanie!" George exclaimed. "Simply splendid to see you!"

"Marvelous!" Fred interrupted, elbowing George out of the way. "Absolutely spiffing!"

She continued to laugh and by the time she had stopped, Melanie realized that Harry wasn't sitting with them. She looked around quickly and saw him talking in hushed whispers with Mr. Weasley in the corner. She wondered what they were talking about and why they were being so secretive about it.

XXX

The week came to an end and Melanie was carefully packing her trunk, making sure she had all of her books and supplies. Crookshanks was sprawled out on Hermione's bed while she read one of her textbooks.

She had just finished packing her school robes inside when Hermione said, "I wonder what we're going to get into this year."

Melanie looked up and grinned. "I don't know. But I can't wait."