Hello all. There are a few things I need to fix. Number 1) I know that the characters I have made evil aren't really evil in the book. Well...... I guess it's because I really don't like main characters. No offense to anyone. Number 2) In my last chapter the chapter had two different names. I didn't mean to do that. Choose your preferred title. And if you haven't read any off "Our Pathetic Attempt At A Harry Potter Fanfic" by Lady Christina and myself (LC and RC)you really should. Please review it! We have two chapters and no reviews! Please read it!! That's all. Here is you next chapter. Enjoy! -Rc

Chapter Three: Settling In

By Random Classmate

Disclaimer- Several of the names and locations in this fanfic belong to Tamora Pierce. Not me. Just wanted to clear that up. Random Classmate is broke. So don't sue her. You would only get a copy of Cats and Dogs. That's all. Maybe a piece of wire and a handful of saltine crackers covered in pocket lint.

Mel wiped her eyes on her sleeve. She told herself to pull herself together and get over herself. If they didn't want her there then she'd just adapt to her new home. She pushed herself out of the dirt, dusted her skirt, and walked towards the house. They were waiting for her at the door. They both smiled in unison then stepped inside. The ceiling was around 12 feet. The walls were made of oak and pine. Pictures hung about the room and everything was in need of a good dusting. She looked to the kitchen. There were dishes piled sky high. Someone needs to lean how to clean up after themselves. She thought looking around at the mess. She shook her head and pulled out her handkerchief. She began dusting. Demitre stared at her. Most workers would have stood there until you told them to clean up and even at that, their work wasn't nearly as good as her's. He smiled. Numair noticed the same thing. (My grammar needs help)"Well look at that,",Numair said softly to his son, "she cleans..." The men chuckled. She didn't think anything was funny. It was pathetic. Two grown men standing there staring at her commenting about the fact that she is mature enough to clean house while they sat and commented on it.

"Do you cook?", Numair asked gently.

"Yessir.", she answered promptly.

"Good."Numair walked up stairs to his study. She continued her work. Demitre felt it was only proper for him to help her. She may be a slave but he wasn't the type of person who discriminated against others because they had a lower social status than himself. She paused then continued. She remembered what happened every time she stopped her chores at her old home. She was beaten by her uncle. She always thought he was a sadist. Her aunt was a bigot and her cousins were a mix between the two. She wished that she could be with her parents. But that was a little impossible they were in the--

"Um... not meaning to be rude or anything, but how old are you?" Demitre asked timidly, "I don't mean to be..."

"I'm 18 years old." she said. Girls were to be seen not heard.(I think that's how it goes.)

"I just turned nineteen. Weird huh........"he said obviously nervous, "So umm.....do you have any hobbies?"

"Anything you or your father tell me."

"I mean like.... things you like to do."

"I haven't been allowed to do anything enjoyable since I was five."

"What happened when you where five?"

"I prefer not to talk about it." She dropped her head. "Maybe I should cook dinner...." She left him there. He continued thinking about her. What it must be like to be a slave. Poor girl.

End Of Chapter Three

How was it? I didn't the cut off inner monologue thing again. You will one day figure out what happened to her parents. I am thinking about writing a prologue to this story. What do you all think. E-mail me and tell me. C-ya! -RC