Harry slowly pushed open her door. Melatiah was laid on the bed, facing away from him, and sobbing her heart out. She was curled into a ball, and sucking her thumb. He didn't care about Molly; Melatiah needed him. He lay next to her, putting his arms around her.

'I'm sorry; so, so sorry. I didn't mean to upset you, honestly. I just wanted to help.'

She continued to cry.

'Is Susan you're real name?' He felt her nod. 'I like that; it's a pretty name. I like Melatiah too; that's special. Pretty and special, just like you are.' That brought on another fit of sobbing. 'You are, to me. I…I love you, and I'll never do anything to hurt you. I was wrong to force you to do something you didn't want, and I'll never do it again. I want you to know that, but I'll always be here, when you're ready.'

She turned towards him and burrowed into his arms. As her sobbing slowly subsided she fell asleep and they stayed like that for several hours.

Dinner that evening was quiet, and very polite. Molly did make food she knew they liked – a steak and kidney pudding – and then produced a treacle tart for desert. Harry knew it was a peace offering. Once they had finished eating he indicated that Ron and Melatiah should go ahead. He felt a bit awkward once they'd left, though.

'Mrs Weasley?' He was looking at the floor. 'I'm sorry.'

Molly put her hand on his cheek. 'I understand you feel something for her, Harry. I was young once myself, but you've got plenty of time ahead of you. Just don't rush things, yes?' He nodded. 'She's very…'

'I know. Hermione told me the same thing, honestly she did. When can she come back?'

'I'll ask Professor Dumbledore. I know it wasn't her fault.' She gave Harry a hug. 'You're a good boy, Harry. Now, go and enjoy the evening.'

Ron had come back to them as well, so they spent a quiet a quiet evening playing games and listening to the radio. It was almost fun; with just Hermione's empty chair reminding them everything wasn't perfect.

Harry said goodnight to Melatiah on the landing.

'I think we should stay in our own rooms, don't you?' She didn't look convinced. 'If they think I'm not good for you they might send you away, as well, and I don't want that. If you have a nasty dream, though, I'll come in. OK?'

Melatiah nodded and hugged him, and then they kissed and went to bed.

She lay there, unable to sleep. She still couldn't see what was wrong with them sleeping in each other's arms. How could anything that felt that nice be wrong? But it must be, or else Hermione wouldn't have had to go. What had she done to deserve that? Melatiah couldn't work it out.

There were lots of things she couldn't work out. Everything in her life had been simple, until now. She'd been naughty today, and broken her promise. She shouldn't have done that. But everyone else talked, and nobody got cross with them. It didn't seem fair.

Still, one thing she knew for certain, she would be a good girl from now on. Comforted by that she rolled over and fell into a deep and undisturbed sleep.

-o0o-

Things were almost back to normal the next day. Harry took her to the zoo. Ron decided he would rather stay at home; he had enough of animals at home.

It was a lovely day out and Harry kept buying them ice-cream and lollies. He always got big ones. They walked around, looking at all the animals and Harry explained what they were and where they came from. Melatiah knew most of them from picture books, but she'd never realised quite how big they were. The elephants were huge! They were almost as big as the cars and lorries they'd seen! She liked them. They were big, but they looked friendly.

Then, after some lunch, Harry took her into the reptile house. It was strange in there. It was darker than outside and had a funny smell. Melatiah held his hand very tightly, not sure if she liked it. They stopped in front of a big glass window.

'This is a Boa Constrictor' Harry told her. 'He knows me!' She looked at him doubtfully. 'He does! I came here once with my aunt and uncle – and Dudley.'

Harry looked round to make sure there was nobody near them and leaned very close to her ear. 'I can talk to snakes. Watch.'

He tapped gently on the glass and the Boa opened one eye.

'Hello. How are you? Long time no sssee.'

The snake slithered over to the glass.

'Indeed. I sssuppossse ther'sss no posssibility…?' He looked meaningfully at the glass and Harry laughed.

'Not today. Sssorry.'

'I thought not. Never mind. Who'sss that with you? Not the sssame asss lassst time.'

'No. Thisss is Melatiah, ssshe'sss a friend of mine.'

'Isss ssshe? Jussst a friend, eh? Not your girlfriend, by any chanssse?'

Harry smiled and blushed at such a direct question. Thank goodness nobody else was listening. He waggled his head a bit. Then Melatiah tugged at his hand, and he looked at her. She nodded her head emphatically and Harry, without thinking, turned back to the snake smiling widely.

'Ssshe sssaysss ssshe isss…' He froze and slowly turned to Melatiah, who was looking down shyly.

'You can understand what we're saying?' She nodded, as if it were a statement of the obvious. 'But…I'm speaking…that's impossible.'

Melatiah shrugged. She didn't know what he meant. Harry was talking to the snake and she could understand them, so how was that a problem? Melatiah got a little worried. Had she been naughty again?

'I think we should go. Come on.' Harry took her hand and almost dragged her away.

'Oh, fine. Goodbye. I'll sssee you around sssome day.' The Boa slithered back to his branch. Friends and girlfriends; they never mix.

They got out into the sunshine and Harry headed for the nearest bench. He had to sit down. He took some deep breaths and started to think logically.

No, it was ridiculous. Of course Melatiah hadn't understood what they were saying. She'd caught the gist of the conversation from the looks the snake gave her, and Harry's reaction, that was all. Out here, in the sunshine and with children running around, it was obvious.

He gave himself a shake, and laughed. Honestly, he'd be scared of his own shadow next. If he was going to stand any chance against Voldemort he needed to calm down and grow up. He looked at Melatiah, giving her a big smile and a hug. She smiled back, happy he wasn't angry with her any more.

'Let's go and get an…ice-cream!'

She laughed and stood up. He could eat more ice-creams than anyone in the whole world! And he still had room for dinner when they eventually got back.

-o0o-

'Professor? Can I come in?'

Dumbledore put down the parchment he was reading and smiled. 'Of course, Miss Granger. Anything to report?'

Hermione sat down at his desk. 'I've found out some things, but I don't know if it's of any use to anybody.'

'Let's see, shall we?'

'Well' said Hermione, looking down at a piece of parchment in her hand, 'I'll start at the beginning.

Melatiah's real name is Susan Scrivener, the only daughter of Michael and Angela. There are no indications they have any connection with our world. Susan – Melatiah – was born when they were at University, in 1978. It was at the end of their first year. She's actually older than we are; I'd never realised that.

Michael was a local boy; the University was quite close to where he was born. Angela's from further afield. She comes from a place called Grymesdyke, in Lancashire. Apparently it's one of these old mill towns.'

Dumbledore had taken his glasses off, and was regarding her. 'Grymesdyke, you say? That's interesting.'

'Is it? I've never heard of it.'

'You know somebody who lives there.'

'Do I?

'Yes, and it's worth talking to him.' Dumbledore crossed to the fireplace and threw in a pinch of Floo Powder. 'Severus, are you at home?'

A disembodied voice came back. 'I am, Headmaster, or I would not be able to reply to you.'

'Very good. Are you busy? I have a timetabling problem for next year. If it's convenient can I ask you to step into my office?'

A few moments later, Snape unfolded himself from the fireplace. He did not acknowledge Hermione. 'A timetable problem? Was that the best you could come up with?'

Dumbledore waved his wand at the fireplace, sealing it. 'I don't know how secure the Floo network is these days. Please, have a seat. Tea?' Snape shook his head.

'Miss Granger has been doing some research for me about this girl, Melatiah.' Snape did not move his head to look at her. 'Do you know anybody from Grymesdyke called…?' Dumbledore looked at Hermione, who went back to her parchment.

'Angela Scrivener…no, wait, that was her married name. Angela Ormerod, born in 1960.'

'The name does not sound familiar. She was a Muggle?'

'Yes.'

'Then, no.' He had not taken his eye off Dumbledore. 'I had no contact with any muggleborn in Grymesdyke.'

'Except one.'

'Except one' Snape acknowledged, with a slight tilt of his head. 'Was that all, Professor?'

'Yes, thank you Severus. I shall not detain you further.'

Snape stood and made his way back to the fireplace. As he did so he looked at the large pieces of parchment lying on a near-by table. Dumbledore had indeed been working on the new timetable. Snape's face showed the first sign of emotion since he had arrived.

'6th Year DADA first thing Monday morning? Did you do that on purpose, Headmaster?'

'Dumbledore tried to restrain a smile. 'Of course not, Severus! It's just the way things turned out.'

'I don't suppose any of us are happy about it, are we Professor?' said Hermione to Snape.

'I'll look on the bright side, Miss Granger. It will be far worse for you than it will for me. I assume you've already memorised the book? So much easier than having to..think. Good day, Headmaster.'

He was gone, and Hermione had a blush on her face.

'Ah' sighed Dumbledore, smiling. '"We few, we happy few, we band of brothers".' He tried to appear businesslike. 'Tea, Miss Granger, and then we must pay a visit to Harry's Aunt Petunia. Have you ever met?'

'No, I've only seen her at King's Cross' replied Hermione, totally confused. 'Why are we going there?'

'Mrs Dursley also hails from Grymsdyke; it's a popular place, isn't it? So, by default, did her sister Lily – Harry's mother. They were born around the same time, so may have known each other at school. Now, if you will excuse me whilst I change. I do not think I should walk along privet Drive dressed like this. What would the neighbours say?'

Hermione laughed and agreed with him. 'Yes, we have to keep up appearances.'

He returned a short while later, wearing brown corduroy trousers and a hacking jacket that had seen better days. Hermione thought he looked just like…a professor, a rather batty one.

'Headmaster, I've been thinking.'

'I knew Severus was wrong; of course you can. Were you thinking about anything in particular?'

'Well, this trip. Is it really necessary? I mean, they were both born in the same town, but isn't it just a co-incidence?'

'It is far too big a co-incidence to actually be one, I think. We shall see.' He paused. 'Do you honestly memorise all the books? How extraordinary.'

Hermione was left opening and shutting her mouth, like a goldfish.