Harry looked confused at seeing me, but he mostly looked at Professor Quirrell, and I knew his surprise. All that time of thinking it was Professor Snape.

"You!"he said with a gasp.

Professor Quirrell smiled calmly at him.

I looked at Harry with a blank face. I had to play it safe, if dad lost to this boy again I couldn't be seen helping him. Maybe I could make it seem like he was in control of my mind. What is making me feel like this isn't going to end well for dad? How can I be sure of it?

"Me," Professor Quirrell said, "I wondered whether I'd be meeting you here, Potter."

"But I thought – Snape –"

"Severus?" Professor Quirrell asked with a cold, sharp laugh. He was enjoying himself. "Yes, Severus does seem the type, doesn't he? So useful to have him swooping around like an overgrown bat. Next to him, who would suspect p-p-poor, st-stuttering P-Professor Quirrell?"

"But Snape tried to kill me!"

"No, no, no. I tried to kill you."

I have to keep myself innocent, something doesn't feel right with this situation! Surely dad won't want me to be hated by the world because I helped him, right? Got to stay immobile for a while.

"Your friend Miss Granger accidentally knocked me over as she rushed to set fire to Snape at that Quidditch match. She broke my eye contact with you. Another few seconds and I'd have got you off that broom. I'd have managed it before then if Snape hadn't been muttering a countercurse, trying to save you."

"Snape was trying to save me?"

"Of course. Why do you think he wanted to referee your next match? He was trying to make sure I didn't do it again. Funny, really… he needn't have bothered. I couldn't do anything with Dumbledore watching. All the other teachers thought Snape was trying to stop Gryffindor from winning, he did make himself unpopular… and what a waste of time, when after all that, I'm going to kill you tonight." Quirrell said, snapping his fingers, causing rope to spring out of thin air and wrap themselves around Harry.

I stood standard, uncertain as to what to do or when to do it. Do it to show dad who I really want to help, or something else?

"You're too nosy to live, Potter. Scurrying around the school on Halloween like that, for all I knew you'd seen Melody here coming to look at what was guarding the Stone."

I felt shame as Harry's eyes bore into my head. I forced my emotions behind another barrier to keep my face from burning red. He turned back to Professor Quirrell. "You let the troll in?"

"Certainly," he responded. "I have a special gift with trolls – you must have seen what I did to the one in the chamber back there? Unfortunately, while everyone else was running around looking for it, Snape, who already suspected me, went straight to the third floor to head me off – and not only did my troll fail to beat you to death, that three-headed dog didn't even manage to bite Snape's leg off properly.

"Now wait quietly, Potter. I need to examine this interesting mirror."

I stood there, awkwardly waiting for something to happen. Professor Quirrell looked over at me and beckoned me over to whisper in my ear, "Why are you standing there as if you can't move?"

Good lord, I hate this, I thought as I imagined all the ways I could explain myself wrongly and end up dead. As I whispered, I attempted to keep my lips from moving too much. "I have a bad feeling about this."

"Whatever for?"

"Dad couldn't kill this boy when he was a baby, what's going to stop that from being the case now? He's sharing your body… what's to stop him from being defeated again? Potter wasn't supposed to be able to follow us down here, so I beg you both to abandon this. I want to protect my dad at all costs, please."

He frowned deeply and looked back at the mirror. With that, I figured it could be possible for me to free Harry and get out of there; warn Professor Dumbledore. I always noticed that once Professor Quirrell got lost in thought, it would be forever before he could get out of it again.

I pretended to shake my head as though just waking up, and looked around. Soon as I looked a few times between the two of them, I widened my eyes at Harry. Gauging my reaction, he jerked his head to the side as if to say 'come on,' and moved his lips to say "slow." I quietly backed away from the mirror towards Harry, but was stopped the moment Professor Quirrell snapped his fingers.

Suddenly, I was pushed right into the wall by an unseen force and chained tightly to it.

"Hey!" I screeched.

He looked at the mirror as though he hadn't been doing anything different from usual. As I struggled, a cloth appeared over my mouth and tightened around my head… I couldn't speak. Does this mean I said it wrong so he doesn't trust me anymore, or did he just want to keep going with his plan and ignore my worry over dad's life?

Professor Quirrell murmured to himself, "The mirror is the key to finding the Stone. Trust Dumbledore to come up with something like this… but he's in London… we'll be far away by the time he gets back…"

Professor Dumbledore isn't here… I thought to myself, feeling panicky. Oh no, what have I gotten myself into? I struggled even more, trying at my best ability to get out, and Harry could see my desperateness.

Harry blurted out, I guess to keep Professor Quirrell talking, "I saw you and Snape in the forest –"

Professor Quirrell still wasn't paying much heed to him, walking around to the back of the mirror for more study, but replied, "Yes. He was on to me by that time, trying to find out how far I'd got. He suspected me all along. Tried to frighten me – as though he could, when I had Lord Voldemort on my side…"

Oh, but you did get frightened, I thought angrily, making sure that if either of them were to read my thoughts — they would read this. Obviously your head swelled too big for your own good once we got down here.

Coming to the front from behind the mirror, he looked back into it hungrily. "I see the Stone… I'm presenting it to my master… but where is it?"

Harry struggled some more. He said, "But Snape always seemed to hate me so much."

"Oh, he does, heavens, yes. He was at Hogwarts with your father, didn't you know? They loathed each other. But he never wanted you dead."

"But I heard you a few days ago, sobbing – I thought Snape was threatening you…"

He'd heard Professor Quirrell from when we were in the classroom… after I'd left, I hope… I thought.

Professor Quirrell's face was now full of fear, "Sometimes, I find it hard to follow my master's instructions – he is a great wizard, and I am weak –"

"You mean he was there in the classroom with you?"

I felt absolutely useless, because all I was doing was being chained there, struggling for my life to get out. My heart was in my mouth, there is no way I'll be able to get out of this. What if he does get the Stone? What will I do then? It's just.. I feel certain that something is going to happen… but what is it? What does my subconscious know that I don't?

"He is with me wherever I go," I heard Professor Quirrell say quietly. "I met him when I traveled around the world. A foolish young man I was then, full of ridiculous ideas about good and evil. Lord Voldemort showed me how wrong I was. There is no good and evil, there is only power, and those too weak to seek it…. Since then, I have served him faithfully, although I have let him down many times. He has had to be very hard on me." Professor Quirrell then suddenly shivered, and I knew why. "He does not forgive mistakes easily. When I failed to steal the Stone from Gringotts, he was most displeased. He punished me… decided he would have to keep a closer watch on me…" his voice trailed away.

I was silent and still as Harry looked to be contemplating the story.

"I don't understand…" Professor Quirrell said in confusion, still staring into the mirror, "Is the Stone inside the mirror? Should I break it?"

Harry suddenly tried edging to the left, but then tripped and fell over. Professor Quirrell ignored him.

"What does this mirror do? How does it work? Help me, Master!"

"Use the boy… Use the boy…" dad said, much to Harry's horror. I pretended to be horrified too, much like I felt on the first night I saw him. Ooh, so good to finally let that feeling show.

Professor Quirrell turned around and said, "Yes – Potter – come here." He clapped his hands, the ropes became unbound and Harry slowly stood up.

Professor Quirrell repeated himself, "Come here. Look in the mirror and tell me what you see."

Harry closed his eyes, stepped up in front of the mirror, and opened them again. He looked into it, seemingly terrified, and then shocked. As I watched… I suddenly saw something like a heavy weight bulge in his pocket.

Did he just get the Stone?! I asked myself in shock.

Professor Quirrell was impatient. "Well? What do you see?"

I could tell Harry lied. Since I did, I knew dad would, too.

"I see myself shaking hands with Dumbledore," he'd said, "I – I've won the House cup for Gryffindor."

"Get out of the way!" Professor Quirrell said irritably, and Harry complied.

Harry was slowly making his way toward me, when suddenly dad said, "He lies… He lies…"

Professor Quirrell commanded, "Potter, come back here! Tell me the truth! What did you just see?"

Dad replied instead. "Let me speak to him… face-to-face…"

"Master, you are not strong enough!"

"I have strength enough… for this…"

Professor Quirrell then unwrapped his turban, dropping it on the ground, and turned around so Harry could see dad. Harry looked petrified.

"Harry Potter…" dad began. "See what I have become? Mere shadow and vapor… I have form only when I can share another's body… but there have always been those willing to let me into their hearts and minds… Unicorn blood has strengthened me, these past weeks… you saw faithful Quirrell drinking it for me in the forest… and once I have the Elixir of Life, I will be able to create a body of my own…. Now… why don't you give me that Stone in your pocket?"

Harry stumbled backward. So I'd been right, the Sorcerer's Stone appeared in his pocket when he looked into the mirror.

Dad snarled, his face looked dangerous, "Don't be a fool! Better save your own life and join me… or you'll meet the same end as your parents…. They died begging me for mercy…."

"Liar!" Harry bellowed.

Professor Quirrell started walking backward toward Harry. Dad was smiling uncontrollably.

Dad was very much an evil snake here, scary down to the pits of Earth where we were. "How touching… I always value bravery…. Yes, boy, your parents were brave…. I killed your father first, and he put up a courageous fight… but your mother needn't have died… she was trying to protect you…. Now give me the Stone, unless you want her to have died in vain."

I would certainly hate being told something like that if mom ever died, I thought.

"Never!" Harry shouted, springing toward the door.

"Seize him!" dad shouted, he repeated this many times throughout.

Professor Quirrell grabbed onto Harry's wrist before he could get to the door, and both of them screamed. I was absolutely confused… Harry struggled to get away from Professor Quirrell, and he just let him go to look at his hands… they were blistering.

Dad shrieked to Professor Quirrell again to "Seize him! Seize him!" and so he lunged at Harry, knocking him to the ground as he put both hands around his neck. Professor Quirrell howled with agony and Harry looked about ready to pass out. I wasn't understanding what was going on with all the screaming and Professor Quirrell's hands blistering.

"Master, I cannot hold him – my hands – my hands!" Professor Quirrell said, letting go of Harry, but still keeping him pinned to the ground.

Dad screeched impatiently, "Then kill him, fool, and be done!"

Professor Quirrell was about to do a curse when Harry reached up and grabbed his face…

Professor Quirrell rolled off of Harry, who now held on to him as best as he could to keep him preoccupied from killing him.

I struggled to get out of the chains, and blocked my mind from what I was seeing, because it gave me pain just thinking about it. As dad kept shrieking at Professor Quirrell to "Kill him! Kill him!" Professor Dumbledore walked in and pulled Professor Quirrell off of Harry, who now fell to the ground in a faint.

Not only that, but as soon as Professor Dumbledore touched Professor Quirrell… he was dead. I was the only one seeing a spirit-like aura move right out of him straight toward me. Professor Dumbledore seemed to not have noticed as he looked down at Harry.

Suddenly, my mind felt invaded as a new brain and a new spirit jumped into my body… I screamed, surprising Professor Dumbledore. It was muffled because my mouth was covered, but also loud because dad shocked the hell out of me. He wasn't sharing my body, just hanging around in my mind. I felt lucky I'd blocked it before he came in, so he wasn't in my real thoughts, but I wouldn't be able to unblock it until he got out. I could kick him out easily… I thought to myself, satisfaction at the very thought. But I can't. He needs my help now more than ever before with Professor Quirrell dead… mom's old friend….

"Melody!" Professor Dumbledore said in surprise, coming over to help me. After undoing everything with a wave of his wand, I fell over and he caught me. "What are you doing here?"

"How am I supposed to know?" I asked, shaken. "How am I supposed to know why Voldemort wanted me here? He kidnapped me… he had control over me…. why?"

"How did Quirrell get you down here?" Professor Dumbledore asked, dragging me over to where Harry was and gently laying me down so he could check him over, too. The professor had a look of surprise by my use of dad's feared name.

"At the end of the exam, he said he wanted to show me something tonight. So, at about ten thirty, I left the common room and that's when he got me.…" I sat up, dad somehow gave me a little extra strength. He didn't have much to spare, though, that was clear. "Everything else is a blank until I woke up and saw he'd tied Harry up."

Professor Dumbledore looked at me. "You may not understand now why Voldemort wants you, but you will know when the time comes."

I shifted uncomfortably. Except I already know, so when the 'time' comes what is supposed to happen? "Is he okay?" I asked anxiously about Harry, so innocent with his eyes closed.

"He will be all right. I need to get him to the hospital wing. Can you walk?" he asked.

"I think so," I said, standing up, I wobbled a little bit but otherwise I was fine. My body ached from being slammed into the wall.

We went back up into the school, in the place where the Devil's Snare was, Professor Dumbledore took a platform, just a piece of wood, and charmed it so we were able to fly up through the trapdoor. Fluffy was fast asleep, the harp playing again for it.

Outside of the third-floor corridor were Ron and Hermione, looking anxious, but they were happy to see that Harry was still alive. Hermione was shocked to see me.

"Melody! What –?"

I held up a hand. "Please, don't ask," I muttered, feeling awful.

How could you know a Mudblood? dad asked in my head, repulsed. You really were against me -

I mentally rolled my eyes. I was trying to get close to someone in the Gryffindors so I could have an eye on Harry Potter. She was the closest person to that because she's his cleverest friend, the other one would never talk to a Slytherin. As far as what went on down there, I had a bad feeling that it was going in the wrong direction. Until you really come to power, I can't show my true colors.

Dad contemplated it. Good, he said. I've taught you well. You really are like me.

I breathed a sigh of relief, Good, because I don't need you hurting me while I'm being so accommodating as to let you stay in my mind.

"What's wrong? Did you hit your head?" Hermione asked.

I shook myself. Looks like talking to you leaves my body lifeless. We have to wait until we're in my dorm to talk. To Hermione, I said, "I'm fine, I only got slammed into the wall."

"Get back to your dorms." Professor Dumbledore commanded us, and we obeyed, going separate ways. "After tonight, you need rest."

The following mornings I was exhausted and in pain. I didn't even want to go into the common room. I literally just sat in my four poster bed and talked to dad. Becky was worried because, to her, it was me just sitting there staring off into space. It even worried our roommates, funnily enough, to where I was constantly being asked if I was all right.

You can't stay in my mind forever, I thought, Everyone's worried about me.

Stop fussing about it. We need to find somebody else for me to be with until I can formulate my next plan. Dad was feeling infuriated, impatient, feeling like he trusted the wrong man to be with. Now that Professor Quirrell was dead, I wondered if Professor Snape would be given the Defense Against the Dark Arts post. He did want it.

Or something… I thought, I could ask mom for a pet snake, or just keep one hidden, and you can be in control of it. I could only hope he wouldn't accept that. I didn't like dealing with him now, why would I want him at home too?

Excellent! Hmm… however, not a domesticated snake. I've got a better plan.

What is it? I'm dying to know. I realized I sounded a bit sarcastic there.

Tonight, you will sneak out into the forest, transform into a cobra and go on in, I will tell you where to go. I've met many snakes who want to help me out in there.

So it was set. I stayed up until everyone came back in and went to sleep, only leaving the room once everyone's breathing was at a steady pace.

I donned myself with the Disillusionment Charm and headed out. I was happy dad didn't say anything, because I found out that even just him talking caused my body to just stop moving altogether. I don't know how in the world Professor Quirrell got used to having him on the back of his head.

Once at the edge of the forest, I removed the Disillusionment Charm and changed into a cobra. I made my way through, dad's commands given every once in a while until I came into a clearing where a whole bunch of snakes were piled on top of each other.

Now stay calm, dad said, worrying me slightly, I need access to your mouth, I will only speak to them for a few minutes.

No problem, I said.

When he spoke through my snake mouth, in Parseltongue of course, I could feel myself talking but didn't think through what I was saying. It was a weird sensation.

"It is I, Lord Voldemort. I have come to ask that one of you give yourselves entirely to me as you'd promised a few months back when I was in the body of that idiot you all hated." I honestly hadn't expected the many snakes that came up to us, I thought only a few would really want him inside their heads.

While he looked them over, I pointed out to him — thought-to-thought — the one, long green one, I supposed was the poisonous one. She looks good, I noted thoughtfully.

"You," he looked at the snake I pointed out. "What's your name?"

"Nagini."

"I'll take you."

As suddenly as I had lost it, I suddenly had full control over my body again. It felt great. All the snakes slithered away, except the one that my dad now had full possession of.

We made our way back to the castle together. Dad spoke to me through Nagini's mouth, and it seemed Nagini didn't mind.

"We may not see or hear from each other for a while, but I will give you some instructions for next year… Lucius Malfoy has a diary of mine, and I want him to get it into Hogwarts next year. There's going to be a little… surprise in there."

I nodded silently. And then I asked, "Does he know who I am?"

"If you tell him you're my daughter and he does as you ask, then he proves his worth to you… We may not speak for a while, but you will know when I need you. I will come to you."

I nodded again, and we split ways. I went up to the castle, transforming back into myself and donning the Disillusionment Charm while dad went in a different direction, the destination unknown.

The next day, everyone was surprised at how much better I was. I smiled, moved around, and even went to the library for a couple hours, indulging myself in books because I needed something to do where no one would nag me.

Alas, at some point in that time, Hermione came into the library, spotted me, and hurried over. "Harry's told Ron and me what happened that night with the Sorcerer's Stone. Have you been –"

"I've been fine… I guess it was just a shock. It's a shock even now knowing I was sitting in bed for days just staring off into space."

"I'd heard. Madam Pomfrey wanted them to bring you to the hospital wing, but Professor Snape said staring into space was nothing serious. Was it? Might it be possible you need to go?" Hermione asked anxiously.

"I'm fine, Hermione, thank you, I just needed a few days off to myself. At least this all happened after the exams." And thank gods Professor Snape didn't see it as anything serious….

"And you got better today for our last day here," Hermione noted.

"Lucky that." I said, happy I wouldn't have to hear from dad for a while. But I wondered what the diary he spoke of had inside… I'd just have to have a time where I could go spend some time at Draco's house and get a moment with Lucius to ask about it. "Will Harry be going to the feast tonight?"

"I think so, it wouldn't be any good without him. He's a legend again." Hermione said. "Well… I guess I'll see you next year."

I nodded. "Do we still have our regular library times?"

She nodded, looking puzzled. "I'm surprised you haven't said 'I told you so'… after what I thought about Snape."

"Please, don't even remind me about that fight," I said grimly. "I may have been right, but I wish it was Professor Snape. He wouldn't have had Voldemort on the back of his head!"

She flinched at Voldemort's name. I had hoped for laughter, but it was too much to hope for even from a Muggle-born witch "I'm surprised you can say the name. Harry and Professor Dumbledore can, but -"

"It's a name, not a curse." I said. I expected a calm reaction from someone who didn't grow up in a terrified wizard world… disappointing.

At the feast I excitedly talked with my friends about spending time with each other over the summer. All the dates were at Draco's house, except for our meeting in Diagon Alley to get our things for the next school year.

All chattering stopped for about a minute when Harry Potter walked into the room. It resumed until Professor Dumbledore got up to speak.

"Another year gone! And I must trouble you with an old man's wheezing waffle before we sink our teeth into our delicious feast. What a year it has been! Hopefully your heads are all a little fuller than they were… you have the whole summer ahead to get them nice and empty before next year starts…

"Now, as I understand it, the House cup here needs awarding, and the points stand thus: In fourth place, Gryffindor with three hundred and twelve points; in third, Hufflepuff, with three hundred and fifty-two; Ravenclaw has four hundred and twenty-six and Slytherin, four hundred and seventy-two."

The Slytherin table was abound with cheering and happiness. Draco banged his goblet against the table, and Becky and I laughed at how absurd he looked doing it.

"Yes, yes, well done, Slytherin. However, recent events must be taken into account."

Draco's happiness faded into puzzlement. I knew he was probably awarding the bravery of Harry in the little battle against dad.

"Ahem, I have a few last-minute points to dish out. Let me see. Yes…

"First – to Mr. Ronald Weasley… for the best-played game of chess Hogwarts has seen in many years, I award Gryffindor House fifty points.

"Second – to Miss Hermione Granger… for the use of cool logic in the face of fire, I award Gryffindor House fifty points.

"Third – to Mr. Harry Potter… for pure nerve and outstanding courage, I award Gryffindor House sixty points."

With every award, Gryffindor cheered and cheered. With the added points, they were now at the same number of points as us, causing Draco's and many other Slytherin students' faces to fall. All I could think of was, Chess? What game of chess? Was that what Quirrell had muttered under his breath when pulling me through that dark room? Guess we skipped it.

Dumbledore raised his hand, bringing silence once more as he continued with a smile. "There are all kinds of courage. It takes a great deal of bravery to stand up to our enemies, but just as much to stand up to our friends. I therefore award ten points to Mr. Neville Longbottom."

All three of the other House tables broke into such loud cheers that I was sure someone from a mile away could've heard it. Especially with the explosions all over the place.

Draco couldn't have had a worse expression on his face.

"Which means, we need a little change of decoration." Professor Dumbledore said brightly, clapping his hands, which changed the green and silver hangings in the Great Hall to scarlet and gold. The serpent slowly molded into the lion.

It was a good night for the other Houses, but Slytherin was devastated. Me? I was glad I survived the year in one piece.

On the train ride home, I was sad knowing it would be a while before we'd be back here again. But, I had a summer with my family and friends to look forward to. That was something that made me smile as I stared at the castle until it slowly disappeared behind the thick foliage of the trees.

My first year of Hogwarts ended on a considerably safe note after the insanity that preceded it. Deciding to help my dad — giving him my absolute loyalty — rather than rat him out to Professor Dumbledore was only the beginning of a long series of dilemmas for me. For as the domino effect goes… things tend to keep rolling in that direction no matter how hard you try to stop it. You can try to take out a piece before the dominoes reach it, but it's already been hit before you can reach it.

My choices would only worsen from there.

One last author's note from me, LJ, before you close this book (hypothetically speaking). I hope Melody's journey has changed to a satisfactory note and that when I finally continue through Order of the Phoenix that everything will fall perfectly into place. Thank you all for your support!