By Monday morning, the news that a first year had been attacked had spread through the school. He was a Gryffindor by the name of Colin Creevey. Since then, most first years walked around the castle in groups, they were that terrified about it.
When Draco heard of the news, his mouth dropped open, "That's the kid Potter was giving an autograph to!"
"Interesting to know… while he's in the hospital wing petrified!" Becky shrieked. She hated what was going on, especially knowing that a mere first year was attacked… I had the annoying thought, though, that she didn't feel bad about it as much as I did. I let the thing out that attacked him, anyhow, so that was his life on my hands if he didn't have the camera.
What had most interested Draco was hearing that there was a big trade of talismans, amulets, and many other protective devices, of which I was certain wouldn't work against the Basilisk.
I always noticed Ginny in the hallways. She did her best to avoid my gaze considering Tom didn't want us to speak for another while. What did he tell her, though? It looked as though he said something that caused her to dislike me, or worse… hate me to the ends of the earth. Was it, perhaps, the idea that Slytherins and Gryffindors are supposed to hate each other? Sucked for me, I couldn't help making friends with them.
I didn't trust Tom, but of course I still had to do his bidding. Why couldn't he allow at least a few times for me to speak with him? Ginny's actions toward me bothered me so much that I felt a bad sensation grow in my chest.
"You all right, Melody?" Draco asked once during one of our tutoring sessions.
Draco had been working on an essay for potions that afternoon, the day before it was due, and I read a book that Professor Snape had given me so I could study up on my next private lesson with him.
I put it down to ask, "Do you have any questions about the essay?"
"Melody," Draco said adamantly, "Are you okay?"
I flinched. "I'm fine, now how is the essay going?"
"I'm almost finished, but…"
"But…? What?"
"You're not even reading that book. You look like you just suddenly drift away from reading it into 'Melody Land.'" Draco said, so seriously that I couldn't help but laugh nonstop.
"What?!" Draco asked, wondering what the matter was now.
"'Melody Land,' huh?" I asked when I finally gained control over myself. "That's good. I wish I'd have thought of that. Next time you go off into 'Draco Land,' I'll let you know."
Draco gave me a big grin, he was pleased with himself, and it got him off my case.
In the free time after my tutoring session with Draco, I met up with Hermione in the library with hopes that I might finish my potions book.
"You're close to Snape, right?" Hermione said quickly, the moment I sat down.
The outburst shocked me so much that I stared at her, thinking that through. "Not famously."
"Does he like you?"
"I'm not so certain."
"Does he trust you?"
"I'm not so certain about that, either."
Hermione looked at me in exasperation. Why is she asking me these ridiculous questions? Who would Professor Snape like or trust? That is way out of the question, he may prefer some people compared to others, but I'm certain he doesn't like anyone let alone me.
Hermione's lips tightened nervously.
"Come on now. Spit it out. Why are you asking me these questions? Do you need help with something?"
From behind me came Ron and Harry, sitting down on either side of Hermione whose face reddened at my inquisitive look. For some reason, looking at the three of them sitting across from me made me feel like an unwanted criminal.
"Yes. We need your help, Melody." Hermione said.
Ron and Harry's eyes widened at both Hermione and I incredulously. They weren't expecting that any more than I was.
"What for?" I asked.
"Yeah, what for? What makes you think she'll help us, Hermione? She's a Slytherin." Ron said, looking at me a little disdainfully.
Even Harry looked dubious.
"She may ask that we do something ghastly in return." Ron said.
One of my eyebrows rose up in entertainment, "Why draw such conclusion about me? Even your twin brothers know me better than that."
Ron stared back at me in confusion.
"Stop talking in circles, Melody, we really do need your help!" Hermione said.
"Well, what do you need my help with? It'd be helpful to know something." I said with a shrug. I had to realize that Ron and Harry noticed me so much more now that it was just us four. In Hagrid's hut they paid no attention to my being there and talked as though no one was listening in on the conversation.
"We… we need to steal a couple things from Snape's store."
"Whatever for?" I asked in shock.
"You've done it now Hermione," Ron said, burying his face in his hands, "We're done for."
"Can we keep that secret?" Hermione pleaded.
"I swear on my life that I'll help you if you tell me why you need potion ingredients from Snape and what they're for." I said, much to Harry and Ron's shock. They didn't expect me to be so willing.
Hermione gleamed with happiness as she told me, "We've been making a Polyjuice Potion, and we need a few ingredients that I know Snape has. A bicorn horn and boomslang skin. We're just not sure how to get it."
"Okay. What're you using the potion for?" I asked.
This is where all three looked extremely uncomfortable.
"Okay, now I wished I hadn't asked." I said, bringing my hands up in defeat. "I'll leave it alone."
All three sighed in exhilaration… so I'll have to help them without knowing their intentions. I could work with that.
"I have never been involved in stealing something, so I'm not quite sure as to how I could be of much help. Something I do know, is he has his office under lock and key. I'll get you the key if you think of how you'll get in. A good chance for you to do that will be during class tomorrow." I said, wondering to myself about how I might get the key without Professor Snape noticing it's gone.
"What we need is a diversion. Then one of us can sneak into Snape's office and take what we need." Hermione said, now looking at Harry and Ron's nervous faces, "I think I'd better do the actual stealing. You two will be expelled if you get into any more trouble, and I've got a clean record. So all you need to do is cause enough mayhem to keep Snape busy for five minutes or so."
Harry gave a small, nervous smile and Ron looked horrified.
"I hope we get away with this…" Ron said softly.
"We will," I said, wishing to get back to reading the potions textbook, "So long as we don't get caught in the act."
Ron scowled at me, "Very helpful."
I smiled. It didn't look like Hermione's plans for us to 'best friends' would work out. "Well, I mean that literally for the sake of not having Professor Snape's temper set on us. We're making Swelling Solution tomorrow, so if you're diversion has anything to do with the potion then we'd best not get splashed.
Ron suddenly had an idea, "I know… though I don't want to be the one to carry it out…"
"I'll do it. What is it?" Harry asked.
That night I left the common room donned with the Disillusionment Charm, and made my way to Professor Snape's classroom first. I spent some time with gloves on my hands (in case he was capable of checking the key for fingerprints) trying to figure out where it was considering the key was invisible - something I found out during one of the few times he picked it up off the wall and put it in the lock to access his stores. Funniest part was him trying to play it off like it wasn't an invisible key.
Once I found it, I used the duplication spell he taught me before putting the original back where I found it and the duplicated one in my pocket. I left to go let the Basilisk out for its nightly prowl. I took off my gloves along the way, pocketing them as well.
As it went out on its little midnight hunt, I sat down next to the pipes leading into the chamber. I was curious about what could be down there besides the Basilisk.
A sudden chill by my other side brought me to my senses, and my head whipped around to look. It was only Myrtle. I was feeling tense but knowing it was her I relaxed.
Myrtle noticed the reaction, but didn't say anything. But she certainly seemed touched by it.
"Hey, how are you?" I asked.
"The usual," Myrtle muttered softly, "Very few people come here, and if they do they just ignore me."
"Except for me," I said, then voicing a question I had been pondering. "Last time we spoke you said you 'didn't want to force me to be friends with you.' I had thought ghosts only stayed if they had a wish to stay alive…."
Myrtle looked indignant at this, I could feel the tension through the really extreme cold I suddenly felt emanating from her.
"Please, don't think I'm trying to be rude," I said quickly, causing Myrtle to calm, "I just feel like I, personally, would find it hard to stay aloof. If I have no purpose or friends, continued life would feel empty… I'll have you know the offer of being my friend still stands."
"I don't know…" Myrtle said, "Even when I was alive, Slytherins made fun of me almost worse than Olive Hornby did."
"Why? And who's Olive Hornby?" I asked, thinking Olive was been a boy with a crush on Myrtle. I was sadly mistaken.
"She's the reason I'm dead!" Myrtle cried out. How I wished I could put my arms around her to comfort her like I could for Ginny. "If she hadn't teased me on end about my glasses, I wouldn't have been in this bathroom crying the day I died."
I was afraid to ask her how she died. The things she might say… she stabbed or hung herself, or worse.
"How about we not talk about that? What House were you in?"
"I was a Ravenclaw. But I got left out a lot because I'm Muggle-born."
I looked down at my hands. If Myrtle had only gone to school when my mom had, then she would've had three wonderful friends. If one could really call Quirinus and Gilderoy wonderful… but she would have still had mom.
"My mom and everyone on her side of the family were Ravenclaws." I said, "Maybe you knew them, the Ollivander family?"
Myrtle looked at me with shock. "That's not possible! The family of wandmakers?!"
I nodded. "My mom kept my dad's last name, Riddle."
"So, your dad's last name was Riddle… I remember him. A year ahead of me, but so incredibly handsome. He'd had girlfriends over the years, but never stayed with them long." Myrtle said, but she looked and felt tense.
"He was really mean, wasn't he?" I asked.
"I - I just –"
"Nah, I can understand…" I said softly, "Considering my friends are incredibly mean to others, I can guess how much he may have been just like them."
"I've heard the Slytherins of this decade… his was about a hundred times worser."
My eyes widened. He was an awful person! Tom Riddle may have never been a good person, then… "That may be why Peeves is afraid of me." I said with a small chuckle.
At this statement, Myrtle bubbled in fascination, asking if I might stop him from teasing her.
I agreed with a sly smile.
The next morning at breakfast I was tired, but happy, I'd had such a good time talking to Myrtle that I didn't even chastise the Basilisk for arriving so long after the time I set for it to go prowling… Oh, gosh, I'm becoming a mother to the thing. I rolled my eyes at the thought.
The daily mail came flying in, and the jet black owl I had sent to mom dropped a letter right onto my lap. Took her long enough! I didn't want to open it just yet though, because she had certainly taken her time in sending it to me. A month, to be exact.
Just as I was about to stuff it into my textbook, Draco, Vincent, Greg, and Becky quickly stopped me with "No, no, no, no, no!"
"What, what?!" I asked in shock. What the hell is wrong?
"Melody, the color…" Becky said.
I looked at it, and felt the color drain from my face. It was red… Mom sent me a Howler? What? Oh no…
"Damnation take me." I muttered under my breath as I opened it up, my shoulders tensing more and more the closer I got to fully unsealing it. I dropped it on the table once it was opened.
The loud shout in the Great Hall was louder than Ron's Howler had been, but it was also short, said with an extreme shriek:
"No, Melody!"
Then the Howler burst into flames and curled into ashes. The Great Hall was silent for a few moments, and my shoulders slackened in disbelief. As the usual chatter went back to normal, I could only stare at the remains of the Howler with shock.
Becky spoke softly into the silence between us, so soft I almost didn't hear her, "What was that about?"
I didn't answer due to a lack of trust in my voice.
"At least it was short." Draco said almost cheerfully, or at least trying to be.
"Are you kidding me? Yes, it was short, but that was the loudest Howler I have ever heard. You could've probably heard this one from all the way down in the deepest part of the school and up to the top of the towers!" Becky said.
Draco glared at Becky, "I was trying to make her feel better. You've probably just made it worse!"
"Well…" I cut in, "I guess I'll be staying over the holidays."
"Melody," Becky said, placating, "You know you shouldn't just stay at school for the unreasonable. You should talk everything out with your mother and –"
"– No, I shouldn't. I asked her a simple question and she's being unreasonable in sending a Howler. Really, Becky, I could understand a Howler for what Ron Weasley and Harry Potter did driving a car here…. Ugh, I don't want to go home, I'm going to go tell Professor Snape to put me on the list for those staying."
"I'll do that, too." Draco said. Though I had heard he already was deciding to stay, so I wasn't sure about why he was telling me this.
Becky voiced it for me, "Don't give her false hopes, I thought you had already decided to stay for the holidays."
"It wasn't set in stone. My father says he and mother might not be home for the two weeks… they might not go, but why take the chance when I can be here for Melody?"
Becky harrumphed at his explanation and agreed to stay, too. Vincent and Greg decided to stay as well, but I feel like it was only because of Draco.
"Thanks, guys." I said gratefully.
We made our way to Professor Snape's class early and told him to put us on the list of students staying. Now, whether it was a curse or blessing, he instantly told us that every class day we were distracting from the learning environment by talking nonstop to each other. So he scattered our seats around the classroom.
The rest of the class came in and Professor Snape got some students in the inescapable predicament of sitting next to one of us. What really got me surprised about this was when he told Hermione she had to sit next to me, and he sent me a wink that seemed to say good luck with her, you'll need it. He was amused… he would be no longer.
"What's going on here?" Hermione muttered to me in confusion.
I explained to her Professor Snape's idea of separating me from my friends. "It's quite lucky that today was the day he decided to do it," I mentioned, taking the key out of my pocket and succinctly handing it to her.
Her reaction was both grateful and surprise. "Thank you for helping, Melody."
"It's no problem. Really." I replied, shocked by her surprise.
"It's just… you have a clean record like me, but you don't hang around with well-known troublemakers. This could very well get you in trouble with Snape and cause him to never trust you."
"I am a very careful person. He won't ever know I was a part of this." Even if he did find out, I'm sure I can manage him.
"But, this is the key to his office. If –"
"It's a duplicate of the real key," I told her, "And if he checks the real one for fingerprints, he won't find any. He can't possibly assume a student would do something so clever."
"You are a genius!" Hermione said softly, "I'm so glad I asked for your help."
I gave her a smile, "What's a friend for?"
The class went along as usual, and I'd been right that Professor Snape was having us make a Swelling Solution today. He gave snide remarks at the Gryffindors' potions, and praised the Slytherins' potions, mine most of all.
Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed Hermione turn and nod to Harry. I braced myself for what was coming and paid attention only to my potion. This may hit me, I thought with a sigh.
Greg's potion suddenly exploded, showering the whole class. The whole class was in confusion as Hermione left quickly to slip into Professor Snape's class, and I felt tense the entire time she was in there. Hurry, Hermione!
Professor Snape did his best to restore calm, "Silence! Silence!" not a way I would try, but it worked "Anyone who has been splashed, come here for a Deflating Draft – when I find out who did this –"
I was glad Greg was across the room from me, so the most I had to go to the front of the room for was my left hand swelling up to a stupidly funny proportion. Draco hurried ahead of me with a swelling nose.
When it was my turn, I made sure to discreetly block Professor Snape's view of Hermione raiding his store. "Who could have done this?" I asked him softly.
"I don't know," he responded dangerously, "but I intend to find out."
When I sat down, Hermione was already there waiting and passed the key back to me under the table. I did best not to look at her as Professor Snape went over to Greg's cauldron and took out the burnt remains of the Filibuster firework that Ron had gotten from Fred.
Professor Snape whispered, though was loud enough for the whole class to hear it, "If I ever find out who threw this, I shall make sure that person is expelled."
Around a week later, Harry and Ron had gone back to ignoring the fact that I existed. It was fine with me, though Hermione was utterly disappointed. They didn't like that I was a Slytherin, so I was automatically untrustworthy. And I suppose the remarks I often made didn't give Ron any motivation to like me. Harry just felt awkward about the year before with Lord Voldemort, the confusion of why he kidnapped me.
Becky and I were eating breakfast, waiting for Draco, Vincent, and Greg to show up.
I was still angry about mom sending me a Howler, so I'd sent a letter home saying I was staying at Hogwarts for the holidays. I had to forcefully restrain myself from taking it further than that because I didn't need to anger mom even more than necessary. She could be downright dangerous when she was angry.
Draco came to the table excitedly, with Vincent and Greg lumbering behind. "There's going to be a Dueling Club in the Great Hall tonight at eight, let's go!"
"Sure," I said.
"Cheer up, Melody. It's going to be fun! It might take your mind off of everything with your mum."
At eight o'clock when we went, I stood off to the side of the golden stage placed in for the occasion to watch the whole thing. I didn't really want to be there, and had very good reason to run out when I saw Professor Lockhart walked onto the stage in the Great Hall.
"Gather round, gather round! Can everyone see me? Can you all hear me? Excellent!"
"Now, Professor Dumbledore has granted me permission to start this little dueling club, to train you all in case you ever need to defend yourselves as I myself have done on countless occasions – for full details, see my published works.
"Let me introduce my assistant, Professor Snape. He tells me he knows a tiny little bit about dueling himself and has sportingly agreed to help me with a short demonstration before we begin. Now, I don't want any of you youngsters to worry – you'll still have your Potions master when I'm through with him, never fear!"
Okay, I guess I can stay for this, I thought. Professor Snape looked about ready to murder Professor Lockhart, and I dearly wished he would.
Their demonstration didn't last long, I already knew the proper way of a duel was to face each other, give a bow, and give the accepted combative position of holding the wand like a sword in front of you. However, I was sure that if I ever had to duel someone there wouldn't be all the rubbish of bowing to each other. I wouldn't trust my opponent enough to do all of that.
The best part of the whole lesson was when Professor Snape's disarming spell blasted Professor Lockhart off his feet and back off of the stage, slamming into the wall. I clapped with the other Slytherins.
Of course, Professor Lockhart acted as though he'd meant for it to happen. Professor Snape, and I secretly, glared daggers at him for the lie.
"Enough demonstrating!" Professor Lockhart said, "I'm going to come amongst you now and put you all into pairs. Professor Snape, if you'd like to help me –"
They went through the crowd, putting partners together. When Professor Lockhart tried to put me with someone, Professor Snape saved me, "Miss Riddle is far more advanced than any of the students here. She would intimidate them."
"Why, then she'll have me as a partner!" Professor Lockhart said, not scared by Professor Snape's description of me.
I gave Professor Snape a shrug and a look that said you tried. However, I had an idea, "But, Professor Lockhart… if you have me as a partner you'll be too preoccupied with trying to disarm me that you won't be able to pay attention to the mayhem that could let loose if you and Professor Snape aren't watching."
"Oh, quite right, quite right Riddle."
I felt a sudden jolt of surprise… had he ever called me by my last name before? No, he called me by my first name like a sign of affection. What happened?
"You flatter him too much." Professor Snape said with gritted teeth. He hated the man.
"It's the only way in which I can get him away from me." I said with a shrug. "It's really a small price to pay."
As I had expected, mayhem broke out everywhere. No one stuck with only disarming, and quite a few people were injured… that much, I had not expected.
The biggest problem began when Professor Snape and Professor Lockhart put Draco and Harry on the stage to give another demonstration of a duel. They're going to kill each other. Bye Draco, it was fun knowing you!
"Three – two – one – go!" Professor Lockhart shouted.
When Draco first shouted out, "Serpensortia!" my whole body tensed up. How did he know that spell?
A long black snake erupted out of the end of his wand, and it was angry.
Professor Snape looked pleased. He'd planned this out with Draco. "Don't move, Potter. I'll get rid of it…"
"Allow me!" Professor Lockhart said confidently.
When he cast a spell at it, it didn't go away. With a bang, it instead flew about ten feet into the air, and smacked back onto the floor. It was so angry it made its way to Justin Finch-Fletchley, a second year Hufflepuff, posed to strike.
I almost made my way over there when Harry did. What tensed me up more was when he said in Parseltongue to the snake, "Leave him alone!"
My mouth dropped open. How…?
With all the whispers that went around, I disappeared out of the Great Hall shortly before Justin did, donning myself with the Disillusionment Charm. I went straight to the out of order bathroom and just sat there, the shock running over me. Harry spoke Parseltongue? How? Why? I know he heard the snake that night on Halloween, but I didn't think he understood it!
I just couldn't get over the shock, and just sat there after removing the Disillusionment charm. What can I make of it?
"Everything all right?" Myrtle asked, watching me closely from a distance.
I looked up at her, feeling all the fear in the world. It was possible that Harry could find out about where the Chamber of Secrets was since he knew Parseltongue… except, he'd been surprised by all the fear of the people in the room. He probably didn't know he could do it. People would believe he was Slytherin's heir… and that he would make another attack.
"I… I need to be alone for a bit, Myrtle, could you wait a bit?" I said.
Myrtle complied, though eyeing me suspiciously, as if she were certain I wouldn't hold to my word and just didn't want to talk to her again.
"Open," I said to the Chamber opening, "Come out."
The Basilisk took it's time, coming up and looking at me with sleepy eyes. I felt like I was the worst person in the world considering what I was about to do.
"I'd like you to start your hunt early… and don't come back until you've made at least one attack."
It gave a nod and left.
"Myrtle!" I said.
Myrtle came in quickly and sat down beside me.
"I'm sorry… it was just the dueling club my friend, Draco, forced me to. My nerves are wracked." I told her everything that happened.
Myrtle was my shoulder to cry on… though if I literally tried, I knew I'd only fall to the floor.
It was early morning and the Basilisk still hadn't come back. A little into breakfast, I asked. "Can you go tell Professor McGonagall I'm not well and can't come to Transfiguration today?" I asked Myrtle.
Myrtle agreed, and I felt very thankful to her. But I had my worries about what I was missing in class today, and may have make up for some other time.
She came back and told me that they weren't doing anything I didn't already know.
"Thank you so much, Myrtle." I said to her. Myrtle's blush was obvious and I gave her the best smile I could, considering I was still shaken about the night before. I was even regretting the fact that I told the Basilisk to not come back until it had attacked someone. Did I say that from anger? I don't even know!
When the Basilisk did come back, Myrtle had gone to get Peeves, since I'd promised I'd get him to stop teasing her.
"Who did you attack?" I asked it.
The Basilisk gave what sounded like a chuckle. "Petrified a ghost and another student."
Once it had gone down and I closed up the chamber, I fell to the floor almost in a faint. A student and a ghost…
When Peeves and Myrtle came in, Peeves was chanting around Myrtle "Goggle-eyes! Goggle-eyes!"
Myrtle was close to crying.
"Peeves, shut up." I told him irritably.
"Wha–" Peeves said in surprise.
"Stop teasing Myrtle!" I said.
He harrumphed, crossing his arms over his chest, muttering, "Next you'll be telling me not to tease or prank students."
"No, I won't do that. You can annoy other students, and Argus Filch, to your heart's content. But, it would be prudent of you to stop teasing Myrtle… I.. I won't bother you ever again if you stop." I knew that would win him over, but I would regret it later.
"All right, see you in never, Riddle!" he said, floating out of the room with a cackle.
"Oh, Melody, I would hug you if I could!" Myrtle said joyfully.
I gave a weak smile, "Don't mention it… anything for you, Myrtle."
I walked through the corridors under the Disillusionment Charm trying to secretly look for whomever the Basilisk had petrified. Unfortunately I found it.
What luck was it that Harry Potter was at the scene, looking at the body of Justin Finch-Fletchley and Nick the Gryffindor House Ghost? Justin was rigid on the floor, but the petrification of the ghost was the strangest I had ever seen by far.
Nick was no longer pearly-white and transparent as he had been when I saw him, but black and smoky. No longer floating vertical with grace, but immobile and horizontal.
Peeves came and made it worse, my breathing became quicker. The third attack, but now on two people… if you could technically call a ghost a person.
Ernie Macmillan had come along as well, and pointed at Harry dramatically.
After everyone had left, Professor McGonagall with Harry, and the bodies of Nick and Justin to the hospital, I followed Ernie.
"Not exactly fair, don't you think?" I asked aloud after becoming visible.
Ernie turned around quickly and scowled. "What do you want, Slytherin girl?"
"Only an answer," I said coolly, "What makes you think that Harry Potter, vanquisher of the Dark Lord, could possibly be Slytherin's heir?... one of his closest friends is Muggle-born."
"He might not kill her off, but he certainly don't like the rest… besides, no one knows why You-Know-Who went after him. This may well be it. He wanted to rid himself of another powerful Dark Lord."
"You're drawing a very unlikely conclusion." I growled.
"Riddle, Macmillan, what are you doing standing about in the hallways?"
It came from behind me and I cursed my stupidity in my head. "Just leaving," I said, about to leave when Professor Snape touched my shoulder to stop me.
"I would like to speak to you privately, Miss Riddle. As for you, Mr. Macmillan, get out of my sight before I dock points for Hufflepuff."
Ernie sped off as fast as he could.
Professor Snape took me to his classroom. "Where did you go yesterday?" he asked once we were safely alone.
I knew he knew about who my dad was, so it would be a good plan to tell him an almost full truth about the day before. It wouldn't daunt him in the least. "I went to the bathroom Moaning Myrtle haunts and stayed with her for the night."
"Why?"
I'm lost.. I thought to myself.. he actually cares about what's going on with me? "Just… it was everyone's reaction to Harry stopping that snake from biting into Justin. What was so wrong in that?"
Professor Snape folded his hands on the tables, "He spoke Parseltongue, dear girl."
I gave a confused look. "If that's some strange language I don't get your meaning. He said it all in plain English, I heard what he said and everyone"
"What did he say to the snake?"
"He ordered it off, said to leave Justen alone… and it obeyed." I said.
Professor Snape thought on that a moment. "You're staying for the holidays, correct?"
I took a deep breath, "Yes."
"You should get your mind off of what happened yesterday. You will continue your tutor studies with me through the break. Clear?"
"Clear." I said. I wasn't sure what his intention was for doing it, but I knew that it would at least replace the wand lore I was looking forward to studying with grandpa.