Disclaimer: I own nothing except my characters, Tammie, Melinda and Barrass.

Note: Thanks guys for reading this, I'm so happy this story is getting read. This is actually my first fan fiction that I debated putting out publically for years. I'm so glad I decided to swallow my fear and put it on this site. Sorry if the beginning is boring and filed with detail, I really wanted it to read like a "real" story and sort of built it from the ground up. But hang in there, it gets better! Let me know what you're thinking, I love feedback. Again thank you all for visiting and reading, it means a lot to me.

11: Melinda's Discovery

"Can I read it?" I asked as I pulled the book out of her hand without seeming like I was being too forceful, she still looked to be in shock.

"Yeah, go ahead" she said, her eyes a little glossy as she stared at the book which was now lying between us. Not wanting to disrupt her thought I didn't bother picking the book up, instead I leaned over to read.

Virginia Hue Felton was recognized with the Merlin Award for her excellence in the Q.U.E.S.T, (Quite Unusually Educated Students Trivial—wizards and witches 16 or over only allowed to participate) of 1956; she participated in all subjects, including the extra (but not required courses). Though she came out in the top five percentage of most gifted students she was most successful and stood out brightly in her favorite, and most versed subject, Charms. To this day her record score of 862 (the previous unmatched score was set in 1919 but William Howard with a 629) cannot be passed in the subject.

After the Q.U.E.S.T Virginia was offered several positions, including Head Curse Breaker at Gringotts, Charms Warning Advisor, Auror, and the highly sought after job Charms Maker and Specialist Level 6 with the Ministry of Magic; However, she declined all offers and instead found her true calling as a Healer Consultant in St. Mungos Hospital. Shortly after she started work however, she rekindled her romance with an old Slytherin schoolmate Paul Gerber (the well decorated and highly charismatic son of legendary Henry Gerber). About two years after their relationship started they became engaged.

Soon after they married they moved to America, to avoid both constant "bothersome nosey reporters" and ridicule from both families. There, Virginia gave birth to three sons: Vincent, Lee and Paul and a daughter Mary. Though it was too early to see any signs of magical abilities Virginia and Paul shared their history with their children. And though all were hopeful, none of the four were sent letters and there was no mention of any of them in any area wizarding school records. Both reports and news declined on the well aspiring talented couple and their family and now, only the records of their accomplishments remain in wizarding books. Though recently updated in an issue of Witch Weekly, is that their daughter, Mary Gerber married a Hennings; they currently reside in the Eastern part of North America and have given birth to their first child, Melinda Hennings.

I read through the short article once more, almost laughing at the end; Melinda's name was actually in a Hogwarts book. A history book, her family, her whole history. I knew once the shock settled she'd be just as outwardly thrilled as I felt. I skimmed the page again, and then started to close the book when I realized there were pictures on the following page. At first I assumed they weren't connected to what I just read, but I only needed to take one look at Virginia's face to know it was her. Melinda looked just her; they both had the same brown hair, the mouse-like face, and the bright blue eyes. And Paul, her husband, he looked almost the opposite of Virginia. Where she was alert but beautiful and welcoming he looked cold, rigid and slightly distant. I couldn't help but picture an old Draco as I giggled at the picture.

Below that one was the couple again, only this time they were wearing formal clothes. Really formal, it had to be their wedding. It looked, nice. Simple, nothing exaggerated but nice. I wondered why neither of them went more dramatic, they both seemed to be well stocked in Gringotts, maybe it had something to do with their parents. I continued looking at the pictures, the next one was the couple again, only this time Virginia was quite obviously pregnant. She looked thrilled, it must have been her first or a girl, Paul seemed to have the same expression. I tried not to turn up my nose at his picture; didn't being with Virginia make him happy? Didn't he want that? I asked myself as I started to turn the page again. "Go back, there's more on the other page" Melinda said quietly, making me jump a little, I had momentarily forgotten she was there. I nodded and flipped back to where I was originally reading.

Virginia studied at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, becoming a Ravenclaw Perfect in her fifth year and a Head Girl in her seventh. Though she was highly dedicated to her studies she did become romantically involved with on and off again boyfriend Paul Gerber. Though most often there wasn't anything other than gossip regarding their relationship due to highly reluctant opinions from both families's parents. Before the Q.U.E.S.T. it was quite clear, or so rumored that Virginia had moved on, and though Paul was quite taken aback and his Slytherins (rightly) appalled they kept their distance until a fated encounter brought them back together after Henry Gerber received a near fatal bite from a venomous Transylvanian Bat. It was never clear if either families's came to term with the children's decisions or if Henry even acknowledged the help he received from Virginia.

I looked back up at Melinda who now seemed to be looking off in the distance.

"Are you okay?" I asked as she slowly looked back at me.

"My grandma is a witch…and no one told me…" she took a deep breath in and looked at me, the shock still clear. "Why didn't they tell me?" she asked, but I knew it was a rhetorical question; even so, I'm sure she could think of plenty of reasons. Again I shook my head and closed the book, Charmers of the Century by Rita Seeker. I frowned.

"Who's she?" I asked aloud mainly to help get Melinda's mind refocused.

"A reporter, I guess she used to be good or whatever, but, now she just writes rubbish; one of the girls in the common room were showing me something she wrote recently, not very good; it's junk and obviously not true. I don't know how she can even make it so unbelievable, it's history, how much can you really change and it wasn't like real news and history gets that boring?" Melinda asked in a rushed tone.

"Okay, one, relax…" I said pulling the book closer to myself. "I know this is difficult for you to take in right now, but, you can't start freaking out." I said even though I knew that did nothing to help her. "I'm sure they had their reasons…" I said trying to be helpful even though I was doubtful she was even listening.

"Maybe" Melinda finally said with a shrug.

"Hey, at least there's a reason why you're in Ravenclaw and everyone knows you as Hennings" I said cheerfully. "And hey, look, she married a Slytherin. At least you know you have a chance!" I joked as I dodged the rolled up piece of paper she flung at me. "Just saying, it could happen" I added with a smile.

"Shut it" she said though she too was smiling. I was glad to see her lighten up; if she remained looking tense she might actually start crying. "I just, I still can't believe all this, it feels so unreal…" she said quietly as she shook her head.

"What does?" a light cheerful voice asked appearing from behind Melinda.

"Hello again" an identical voice said following the first one. I looked up and smiled, happy to see Fred and George, but surprised they knew the library existed.

"We were reading up on our heritage" Melinda told them as George pulled up a chair next to her and Fred pulled one uncomfortably close next to me. I felt myself tense as knowing he was closer than a foot.

"Hi" I said nervously as he smiled back at me. He really did have a nice smile, like in my daydream, up close and all. It looked sincere enough, at least for the moment, it reached his eyes; it was hard not to start twitching.

"Bummer eh?" George said, brining my attention back to him and Melinda.

"I think it's wonderful" Melinda replied breathlessly. I watched the twins make a face, but neither of them responded.

"Let's just hope mine is just as good" I said happily as I felt the twins looking at each other with some kind of coded message. Again.

"You haven't actually looked up anything on your heritage, have you?" George asked looking at me curiously, but I just shook my head.

"Nope," I replied as I relaxed a little, I had to start getting accustomed to Fred's presence, he was after all, going to be teaching me how to ride a broom and I was sure that involved being incredibly close.

"I take it you're not exactly in a rush about it either" Fred joked as he shifted positions, now crossing one leg over the other and resting his arm on the back of my chair. I looked at Melinda who I knew was trying desperately not to start laughing, I silently thanked her for that.

'She's never in a rush about anything" Melinda joked as she waved at me. I shrugged and gave them a lazy smile.

"It's true" I said with a nod.

"But no, we haven't gotten to Tammie yet" Melinda told the boys.

As if pretending they didn't care both boys shrugged off the thought and took out their bags. For a split second I actually though they were going to do work but I only had to catch Fred's wink to know he was doing anything but that. George pulled out a magazine or catalog or something of sort and pretended to read between glances at Melinda who seemed extremely inattentive—though I didn't blame her—as she moved on to her Charms book. I went back to reading my Transfiguration book until Fred started nudging me to play a game of Hangman. "We're thinking of something like this as a…future investment" he said as I guessed my first wrong letter. I didn't have to ask what he meant because just then the stick figure started walking toward the stick-like gallows.

"Wait, if I get this wrong…" I started as I guessed another innocent word, the figure moving up one step.

"He'll hang," Fred replied cheerfully.

"That's awful!" I hissed in slight disbelief as he let out a little laugh.

"That's life" he joked as he nudging me but I shook my head. "Oh, c'mon, it's not a hard word, very simple, very…inappropriate" he hinted. I only had think for a few seconds, giving how little lines he used to finally come up with the word. I shook my head at him as the little figure sat down on the step.

"You're awful" I told him, accidently locking eyes with him. This time, I couldn't help but twitch. "Sorry, cold" I lied, relieved to see he only smiled a little as his ears turned red.

It was good that it was actually time to eat when the librarian kicked us out. We had to wait a little longer before Melinda and George came out. I should've figured Fred wouldn't have lasted long in the library, and I knew I was giggling too loud. I was somewhat amused Melinda didn't tell me to quiet down. Maybe it was because she knew she wouldn't be getting in trouble; or perhaps she knew I liked Fred and would benefit from getting a little one-on-one time with him before we went flying. Either way, I was thankful but didn't get to chance to tell her until we got to the Great Hall and separated from the twins.

"That was nice of you, risking getting kicked out of the library so I could flirt with Fred" I joked as we slowly moved toward the Gryffindor table.

"Psh, I knew I wasn't gonna get kicked out, she was looking at you and Fred the whole time. But I'm glad you admitted you were flirting, Fred certainly did seem to like it" she said with a smirk as she started toward her house table. "Hey, what's that?" she asked as she stopped to point to the empty space next to Hermione where a folded up letter sat.

"Dunno" I answered walking over to examine it. "That's funny, it has my name on it" I told her as I waved the letter at her.

"Who's it from?" she asked moving closer to examine it herself. I shrugged and opened it up.

Butterbeers at Hog's Head (Hogsmade)-you and Hennings