I woke up feeling extremely excited for the day, even though it was barely past seven in the morning. I could not call myself a morning person but today was the start of Quidditch tryouts.

There were many things I loved in my life, my sister, my friends, Draco, reading, school and especially Quidditch. There was nothing more thrilling than soaring on a broom at high speeds, chasing after the Quaffle. This would be my third consecutive year of being Gryffindor's head Chaser. I was looking forward to this season much more than the rest because I would be playing against Draco and his Slytherin team. We had played against each other countless times over the last three years of my career but I was definitely more enthusiastic about the competition given our very close relationship. And even though the entire Gryffindor House would hardly look in my direction, I was still excited for today's tryouts. I jumped out of bed and pulled on my old practice uniform and quickly tied my hair into my usual braid. Hermione was still sleeping soundly so I tiptoed out of our room.

The anticipation fluttered in my stomach as I sped to the Great Hall for a quick breakfast. Tryouts wouldn't be starting for another hour or so but I wanted to get there first. I hoped I would be able to talk to Harry alone before any of our teammates arrived at the Quidditch Pitch.

Harry felt nothing but anger towards me now since he had first seen Draco and me together, it had been two and a half weeks since then. The closer I became to Draco, the angrier Harry was, he was livid now. Draco and I were nearly inseparable. We spent every moment possible together and I still wanted more time with him. I was surprised he hadn't been waiting for me outside Gryffindor as he usually was every morning, but I knew he had to prepare for his own tryouts too.

As I continued to walk I spotted Professor Trelawney standing in the middle of the corridor. There was no one around her and she seemed to be muttering to herself. The Divinations professor was also one of the few educators at Hogwarts that knew of my telepathy so we had always been close, though most found her to be very odd.

"Hey Profes-"

Professor Trelawney suddenly grabbed hold of my shoulder, I thought she would rip through the material of my shirt. Her eyes were blank as she stared beyond my face. I quickly searched her mind and found nothing clear.

"You will bear the fruit of a poisonous tree, but you will change the roots within." She mumbled in a rush.

"Professor!" I shrieked, her grip becoming tighter on my shoulder.

I shook her forcefully but she remained frozen and kept repeating the phrase until suddenly she blinked rapidly and released my shoulder. She stared at me with alert eyes and smiled.

"Morning dear, everything alright?"

I searched Trelawney's mind again and she had no recollection of her vision. She only remembered leaving her room this morning.

"Fine, headed to breakfast. See you!"

I quickly sped away from her and towards the Great Hall. A shiver ran down my spine as I processed her words. She was known to have many outbursts like that at any given time, she had scared the hell out of Harry in our third year. But that prophecy had been correct, was this one too? But what did it mean? Who was the poisonous tree? Draco? He was the only one I could think of that had a toxic background. I shook Trelawney's words from my mind as I entered the Great Hall, I could not be distracted today of all days.

There were a few students from each house scattered at their own tables. Every single pair of eyes were on me as I sat down at the Gryffindor table, I was the only one at my table so far. As I began to pile some food onto my plate Professor Dumbledore approached me.

"Good morning Miss Everard, up bright and early for tryouts this morning are we?"

I smiled kindly at Dumbledore and nodded. "Yes sir. I couldn't sleep."

"Not nerves I hope. I've always thought you were one of the best Chasers at Hogwarts."

"Thank you sir, a little nervous I suppose but more excited than anything."

"Very well, where are your companions? I feel like I've seen you on your own quite a bit, or with Mr. Malfoy."

I looked up at Dumbledore with wide eyes, I didn't realize he kept up with the social aspect of Hogwarts. I nodded hesitantly and he chuckled once. I knew what he suspected about Draco, it's what everyone suspected.

"They're certainly peeved at me sir. I suppose no one expected Draco and me to be so close."

"Perhaps not, but I think it's good for him. That boy has a very troubled life, he deserves to have some positivity for a change."

"Thank you sir, I think so too, but no one else does. Hence my sitting alone this morning and many other mornings."

"Others don't see people the way you can Miss Everard, but it will all come to the surface very soon I suspect. Look out for that boy will you? Merlin knows I have tried, he's not very open to having help."

"Help with what sir?"

"His life Miss Everard, his life. Anyways, I've monopolized enough of your time. Good luck out there, not that you'll need it."

"Oh professor?"

Dumbledore turned around and smiled warmly. "Yes Miss Everard? Something else on your mind?"

"Well, I had the most bizarre encounter with Professor Trelawney and she seemed to predict something. She said 'You will bear the fruit of a poisonous tree, but change the roots within.' What could that possibly mean sir?"

"Professor Trelwaney is quite gifted Miss Everard, a lot like you. And if she has made a prophecy-as vague as it might seem right now-you can be certain it will come true. When is a completely different story. Be wary, but try not to overthink anything, it's already been decided after all. Anything else?"

"Well, how common is Occlumency sir?" I asked hesitantly.

"Not common at all Miss Everard, it's a very complicated and ancient brand of magic. It is not easy to learn. I've spent many years trying to perfect the act, even your friend Harry has dabbled in it, quite unsuccessfully." He said with a laugh.

"Someone has taught Draco and I don't know why. I was born telepathic, it's not something I learned, so I don't necessarily associate myself with Legillimens but I know even they are not common anymore. And no one but a select few knows of my birth given ability, yet Draco has been taught Occlumency, I think to evade me. I'm too terrified of the reason to ask Draco."

"That is rather worrisome. We all know of Draco's family's alignment, perhaps they taught him to protect their secrets rather than his own, but I will do some investigating and enlighten you when I am able. Stay safe Miss Everard, your mind especially is very valuable and precious to our world."

"Blimey, thanks sir."

Dumbledore nodded once and left me alone. I looked to my food until I realized my friends had been watching Dumbledore and I the entire time. They looked confused. I held my hand up to wave to them but Harry only glared and turned away from me and out of the Great Hall. I stood up and chased after them.

"Harry please!" I called.

Hermione whispered harshly into Harry's ear and tugged on his Quidditch uniform. She was begging him to stop and listen to me. Harry stopped abruptly and charged towards me, he snorted when he saw I was in my uniform.

"You actually think you'll be given a spot on the Gryffindor team? We all know whose side you're on and who knows what you'll tell that damn Slytherin about my team. You can't be trusted."

"What?" I shrieked. "Are you banning me from the team Harry?"

"Exactly. You've made your bed Mel, now you can lie in it, with Malfoy."

My hand twitched at my side, I wanted to slap Harry across the face for speaking to me so disrespectfully. He had never been this cruel to me before. But as I looked directly into his eyes, my anger faded. Harry was so devastated by my relationship with Draco it had morphed into spite.

"If banning me from the team is going to make you feel better about yourself Harry, then so be it. Good luck on your season with some second rate Chaser. Go Slytherin!" I cheered loudly so the onlookers could hear.

I glared at Harry, his face remained unchanged and stared at Hermione and Ron who stood speechless beside him. The line had clearly been drawn and neither of them defended me. I huffed loudly and stormed past them towards Slytherin house. I could hear Hermione calling after me as I walked but I didn't turn back.

Harry had never treated me so badly, we had been like family. I couldn't believe he would take Quidditch away from me after the three hard years I had spent on the team. If that wasn't abuse of power I didn't know what was. I trotted towards Slytherin and whispered their password. I could hear Pansy Parkinson groan as I entered the common room, she couldn't stand the sight of me.

"He's not even here Everard, shove off."

"I am not in the bloody mood Pansy."

I scoffed at Pansy as I walked towards the boy's staircase. Draco's room was empty as I walked inside, I was surprised Pansy had been telling the truth. I searched through Draco's drawers to find a Slytherin t-shirt, he had never been one to show school spirit but I hoped he'd have one. As I lifted his shirts I noticed a crumpled note at the bottom.

Get your act together or you will find that time will be running out quickly.

I shoved the note back into Draco's dresser as I heard his doorknob turning. I could hear his excited thoughts before he entered the room. Draco grinned as he saw me standing in his bedroom, he hadn't seen me rifling through his things.

"So you are here Melody, I was thinking it was an awful joke. Shouldn't you be at tryouts?"

"That's precisely why I'm here. You don't happen to have a Slytherin shirt do you? Or is that an idiotic question?"

Draco chuckled. "Switching teams huh? I should have one somewhere."

"I'm trying to make a statement. Harry has banned me from the team this season."

Draco choked on the breath he inhaled and burst into laughter. "Are you bloody serious? Why? Don't tell me it's because of me? Is Potter completely stupid? He's a brilliant Seeker of course but that team will be nothing without you. Maybe Slytherin will have a chance now."

"You're too kind, you're just saying that because you have to."

Draco wrapped his arms around my waist and smirked. "Now you know I'm not type to just tell you what you want to hear. You're amazing Melody, Potter's a damn fool."

"Thanks love. You have that shirt or not?"

Draco smiled and nodded before pecking my lips once. He jokingly pushed me aside and searched through his dresser. He stopped for a brief moment when he found the note he had hidden in his dresser, his mind became silent immediately as he tried to nonchalantly crumple it in his hand. I instantly became nervous as to why he would be hiding it from me.

"Ah, here it is."

Draco tried to remain calm but I sensed the nerves in his voice as he stuttered slightly. What could he be so anxious about? His mind was still quiet. I closed the space between us and touched Draco's arm.

"Are you alright Draco?" I asked softly.

Draco reached for my hand and brought it to his lips. He nodded against my skin and sighed. Something was bothering him. I couldn't understand why he wouldn't tell me. But I decided not to pursue an answer, Draco was still struggling with being open and I didn't want to pressure him; he had enough of that. Dumbledore wasn't wrong when he said Draco had a very troubled life, I never wanted to remind him of that.

Draco pushed the shirt into my hands and I held it in front of me. I chuckled. He clearly had gotten it during his early years at Hogwarts because of how small it looked compared to his current height, but it looked brand new.

"It's a bit small for me now, so you keep it." Draco said sweetly, he liked the idea of me having his clothes.

I smiled somberly, his mind was wide open again. He deliberately tried to avoid thinking about the note in his dresser.

"Thanks love, it's perfect. I can't wait to see the look on Harry's face."

"How mature of you Melody, I knew I loved you for something." Draco teased. "Did you want to try it on first?"

Draco swallowed hard and I could see his cheeks reddening beneath his usually pale skin. I gazed into his eyes, his returning stare was intense. The nerves quickly formed in my stomach. Draco and I had kissed pretty heavily before but I had not exposed myself to him at all yet. I knew I loved him but I had only been intimate with one person while Draco had been kind of infamous for his relationships. I forced the doubt from my mind and lifted my shirt over my head. I loved who Draco was now. I stood in front of Draco in only my bra, his eyes widened as he stared at my seminude body. He was afraid to come near me.

"I'm not made of glass Draco." I teased gently.

Draco rolled his eyes and walked towards me. He touched my shoulders carefully and smiled, he couldn't believe how beautiful I was. He kissed me softly on the lips and took his shirt from my hands. He held my arms above my head and slipped my shirt on for me; it was a perfect fit. I giggled as Draco pecked my nose. He pulled my braid from beneath the shirt and smiled.

"I love your hair back Melody, I can really see your beautiful face."

"You are the sweetest Draco, thank you."

Draco kissed my lips softly and held me securely. "I wasn't trying to pressure you Melody, I'm sorry if I got carried away."

"You hush Draco, I love you."

"I love you too Melody, I really do. And I have to say these Slytherin colors look stunning on you."

"Well good, because I'll be sitting on your side of the Pitch from now on. Those ruddy Gryffindors can go to hell."

"You so don't mean that." Draco said with laugh. "But I love your spirt."

"Harry is such an ass."

"Oh I agree with you on that but I can fully understand his position. Those three hate me, for good reasons, Hermione punched me in the mouth remember? And I broke Harry's nose just at the start of term. Yet, here you are. I'm surprised every day that you're still here, I keep expecting you'll come to your senses and leave me."

Draco's tone was light at first but now he was much more serious. He really was afraid that I would leave him.

"Afraid not Malfoy, you're stuck with this mudblood lover." I teased.

Draco touched my face and scoffed. "I don't think I'll ever adjust to hearing you answer my thoughts. It's extraordinary."

"And a bit off putting. I try not to do it but it's hard when there's no real difference between anyone's thoughts and what they say aloud, it's the content that's usually different. But I try not to be imposing."

"How much stress that must cause. Well you don't have to hide a thing from me Melody, I understand."

"Same goes for you Draco. I love you, I'm not going anywhere."

Draco smiled brightly but behind his shining eyes I could sense the real fear he felt about losing me, he thought it was inevitable. Rather than answer his thoughts, I hugged him tightly. I was becoming more afraid of how serious Draco's secrets were. But like Dumbledore had said, they would all come to the surface eventually. When was a different story.