Suddenly it felt as if she were suffocating inside the compartment. As she
felt the tears she had held back for too long well up behind her eyes,
Melissa stood quickly and made her way out of the small room. None of the
boys made a move to stop her, which she was grateful for.
Melissa made her way down the train, clutching Angie's letter and a small leather bag that Severus had given to her. It had belonged to her mother while she was at school, and Melissa was pleased to have it given to her. She had put her journal in it along with her favorite book. Melissa was suddenly overcome with a wave of homesickness so paralyzing she allowed herself to slide to the floor with her back to the wall.
With tears falling gently down her face, she reached into the envelope and removed Angie's letter carefully. She read it over, which was a task, made difficult due to her tears, and held it close as if to extract her friends' comfort. Remembering Davey's scarf, she pulled it out of the thick envelope and held it to her nose.
It smelled like Davey's cool, refreshing scent. He always used the same cologne, which Melissa, Angie and their other friend Trix had bought as a Christmas present for him. She found that his smell took away a small part of her hurting, as if he were next to her again. Davey had always been the closest of her guy friends, and treated her like a little sister who he adored. "I miss you guys."she whispered, knowing they couldn't hear her words but needing to say them all the same.
"Ginny!" came a cry and she was suddenly hefted to her feet. Before she could protest, a tall redheaded boy hugged her tightly. "Ginny, what's wrong?" Melissa was too shocked to move, let alone speak. Who is Ginny.she wondered vaguely as the boy continued speaking. She was too confused to make out his words, but they sounded comforting. What she did make out was that he smelled like Davey. Maybe they did hear me.she mused silently.
"Uhm.Ron?" Came a feminine voice, sounding extremely confused.
"Yes, Hermione?" The boy hugging Melissa questioned.
"Who is that?" Came another voice, this one another boy.
"It's Ginny, Harry. You know, my sister. Don't be-"
He was cut off by the girl laughing and pulling Ron off Melissa, who was looking quite confused. Melissa took in the three quickly: the girl had long hair that would fall in curls if it weren't so bushy. She must be Hermione Melissa mused, turning the rather odd name over in her head.
The boy who had hugged her was tall and redheaded, with plenty of freckles. Melissa assumed he was Ron. He was giving Hermione a rather poisonous look as she was attempting to tell him something through her laughter. He finally turned to the other boy, asking if he knew what Hermione was on about.
The last boy, who was slender and short, although tall compared to Melissa, just smiled, looking from Ron to herself before shaking his head as if to say "you're pathetic" and walking into a compartment. Ron followed, repeating the question again and sounding upset.
Hermione looked at Melissa and attempted to control her laughter. When she finally did, she extended her hand saying, "Hi, I'm Hermione Granger."
Melissa took it quietly and offered a small smile, hoping her face wasn't red from her tears. "Melissa Lewis," she replied simply. This set Hermione off laughing again. Melissa began to feel embarrassed.
"I.don't know what.happened.I was.and then he.and.." She attempted to explain, but found herself at a loss for words. Hermione shook her head.
"Don't worry he's not crazy," she assured Melissa, nodding her head towards the compartment. "Just.confused." Melissa tilted her head to the side to show her confusion. Hermione turned to enter the compartment and motioned for Melissa to follow her, which Melissa did hesitantly.
Hermione closed the door behind her, and motioned for Melissa to take a seat across from Harry and Ron. Ron looked as if he were in a bad mood, because Harry and Hermione were laughing so hard over him comforting his sister. Even though he knew Ron was frustrated, Harry couldn't contain his laughter. Melissa sat back and watched the scene unfold.
"Harry, what's so funny," Ron demanded crossly.
"She.." Harry attempted to reply but was overcome with laughter. Hermione found the laughter contagious and joined in. Melissa shook her head in amusement.
"Hermione," Ron began, trying to calm himself, "Come on, talk to me."
Her response was more laughter. Harry and Hermione caught one another's eyes, causing them to laugh even harder. Melissa noticed that Ron hadn't given her one glance. His poor sister, she thought, he seems overprotective yet.distant.
"Maybe I can clear a bit up," Melissa began. Again, she noticed the effect of her accent as Ron's attention snapped to her immediately, his eyes wide. She smiled a bit as she continued, "I'm Melissa Lewis, and you may be?"
Melissa offered her hand to him as she watched him grow red with embarrassment. He reached out his hand, not taking his eyes off her as if had too many heads.
"I'm Ron Weasley," He replied after a moment. Melissa then turned to the others, waiting to be introduced.
Hermione smiled and announced herself to be Hermione Granger, and added what a pleasure it was to meet her. Melissa smiled and returned the pleasantry before turning to the boy with dark hair. He seemed to consider her a bit before holding out his hand.
"Harry Potter," He stated simply. Melissa was shocked, but did her best to hide it. She took his hand and shook it.
"Pleased to meet all of you," She replied politely before turning to Ron with a sly grin. "I feel as if we're family already." This time even he laughed quietly, apologizing for everything.
"It's just that," He said, looking at her, "You look so much like my little sister, Ginny. Especially because I just saw your hair, and.I guess my big brother instinct kind of kicked in and.."
"Don't worry about it," Melissa reassured him with a smile. He seemed to think a bit before speaking again.
"If you don't mind telling us.what was bothering you? You seemed..well, something was obviously wrong." Melissa chewed her lip for a moment in thought. What should I tell them? After a while, she decided to tell them the truth, assuming that they would not accept "nothing" as an answer.
The story spilled out, and although Melissa had planned to tell them the basics, she ended up giving a detailed report.
"I grew up in America, although I am born English, and was quite happy there. Until a few weeks ago, that is. Apparently my parents had fled England shortly after the Dark Lord's rise to power to avoid being forced to join. I never was told why they would be forced, I just knew that they didn't want to take that risk," She paused a bit, wondering how to phrase the next part of her story.
"I.I don't mean to panic any of you but." Melissa looked into their faces, which were focused on her intently, "But, he's back. The Dark Lord, that is." Harry, Ron and Hermione exchanged glances before encouraging her to continue.
"Although the Dark Lord is gaining more power, he needs supporters. Somehow his attention was brought to my parents once again, and he decided to send a group of his Death Eaters to recruit in the Americas. I had no idea that any of this was happening until they showed up on my doorstep two weeks ago."
She stopped here to take in their expressions, expecting them to either panic or deny what she said was true. It had been hard enough to make her own friends believe this much, let alone the rest. Melissa was stunned, however, to see not disbelief but quiet acceptance. It's as if they already knew, Melissa thought before shaking the idea off. It was absurd.
"I.I was the one who opened the door," She continued, tears coming to her eyes, "I opened when they knocked, knocked as if they were civilized people. They were wearing all black, and their faces were covered. Most of them pushed right past me, and one of the last ones told another 'Take care of the girl' and disappeared.
"The one who was left grabbed me before I could think to run away, and pushed me out the door. I was so scared, I didn't think to fight back at all. I had no idea what was going on."
Melissa paused here, her face assuming a blank look. Harry recognized the look, it was the one he'd seen in the mirror all summer after his fourth year. Even though he was seventeen now, he'd only come to accept the details of that traumatic night this past summer. He sympathized with the fact that she was trying to block out the events, he had done the same thing, but knew that it would be easier once she accepted it as truth.
Harry reached over and took her hand in a friendly gesture, encouraging her to continue. Ron, who still was seeing Melissa as Ginny, glared at Harry in an overprotective-brother way. Hermione put her arm around Melissa's shoulders.
"Go on," She prompted the distraught girl.
Melissa turned to Hermione as if she were the only other person there.
"He helped me," She stated simply.
"What?" Ron asked. Harry wore the same mask of confusion, and Hermione nodded for her to continue.
"Just like I said, he helped me. He led me away from the house quickly, and of course I followed like a mindless idiot. After we were about a few blocks away, he suddenly stopped and pulled me down a dark alley. That's when I came to my senses and tried to fight back, but he forced me to sit. I had no idea what he was doing. Then he said 'Girl, would you be quiet? I'm helping you, don't you see that?'
"I had no idea what to say to that, so I asked where my parents were. He let go of me and turned around and I barely heard him. 'Either they're being branded with the Dark Mark or.' I asked him 'Or what?' even though I knew the answer.
"Without looking at me he replied 'or they've been killed.' I muttered 'they're gone then.' and it was silent for a moment. Then he turned around and pulled me to my feet, even though I was crying and asked if I knew how to fly a broom. I had to admit that I'm not the best on a broom, and asked why.
"He pointed to one against the wall of the alley and then picked it up. He mounted it and asked 'Who is your closest relative?' I mentioned my father's sister, but also that she wasn't very fond of me. Then I remembered 'my mother has a brother in England, I believe he.he's my legal guardian in case anything should happen to my.my parents.'
"He asked where my Aunt lived, and I told him. He explained that my Uncle would be in contact with me soon, but I'd have to stay with my Aunt until then. Then he stared at me as if expecting something. Finally he seemed to grow impatient and asked 'Well, are you going to get on this broom or let the others find you? Come on, girl, I haven't got all night!'
"So I climbed on behind him, he threw an invisibility cloak over us, and flew me to my Aunt's home. When we got there he told me to explain the situation to her. So I did."
Tears were streaming down Melissa's face as she recalled the evening, and she shuddered involuntarily. Ron moved to comfort the girl he regarded as his sister, and Hermione searched for a handkerchief to offer to Melissa. Harry sat back in quiet reflection, watching as Melissa's small frame was racked with sobs.
Outside their compartment, Drew Halothane stood, holding a book titled Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austin in his hands. It had fallen out of Melissa's bag when she had ran from the compartment she was sharing with the other Slytherins. He had gone to find her, and had heard her voice among the three Gryffindors. Drew had been about to enter when he became interested in the conversation.
When Melissa finished her tale, he was shocked. Not by the details, for he had already known those, but to hear her telling them so easily. Of course, he reasoned Gryffindors tend to be able to gain trust easier than Slytherins. Taking a deep breath and gaining his composure, Drew slid the compartment door open.
Four pairs of eyes looked up to see who was joining their party. Three of the eyes narrowed warningly at the sight of the Slytherin. The last was rimmed with red and filled with tears. Ignoring the hostile glares from his classmates, Drew walked into the compartment without a word and knelt before Melissa.
"Here," he stated softly, pressing the book into her hands, "you forgot this in our compartment, Melissa."
"Thank you so much, Drew. I would have been so upset if I had lost it, it was-"
"-Your mother's," Drew finished. When he saw her inquiring glance he explained, "I saw the inscription. I thought you'd appreciate it."
"I do," She replied, tears streaming down her face gently. Drew took the handkerchief that Hermione had forgotten she was holding out to Melissa. He wiped her tears, and gave her a quick, comforting hug before standing.
"I believe you're in capable hands here," He stated and turned to leave.
Hermione, Harry and Ron looked after him in confusion.
"Did I just see that right?" Ron asked in a bewildered voice.
"What?" Melissa asked.
"A Slytherin caring for.someone other than himself," Hermione responded, sounding equally amazed.
"I have a feeling there's more to Drew Halothane than we know," Harry stated, sitting back pensively. Melissa was still staring open eyed at the place where Drew had been standing. There is definitely more to him. I can't be imagining how familiar he seems to me.
Melissa made her way down the train, clutching Angie's letter and a small leather bag that Severus had given to her. It had belonged to her mother while she was at school, and Melissa was pleased to have it given to her. She had put her journal in it along with her favorite book. Melissa was suddenly overcome with a wave of homesickness so paralyzing she allowed herself to slide to the floor with her back to the wall.
With tears falling gently down her face, she reached into the envelope and removed Angie's letter carefully. She read it over, which was a task, made difficult due to her tears, and held it close as if to extract her friends' comfort. Remembering Davey's scarf, she pulled it out of the thick envelope and held it to her nose.
It smelled like Davey's cool, refreshing scent. He always used the same cologne, which Melissa, Angie and their other friend Trix had bought as a Christmas present for him. She found that his smell took away a small part of her hurting, as if he were next to her again. Davey had always been the closest of her guy friends, and treated her like a little sister who he adored. "I miss you guys."she whispered, knowing they couldn't hear her words but needing to say them all the same.
"Ginny!" came a cry and she was suddenly hefted to her feet. Before she could protest, a tall redheaded boy hugged her tightly. "Ginny, what's wrong?" Melissa was too shocked to move, let alone speak. Who is Ginny.she wondered vaguely as the boy continued speaking. She was too confused to make out his words, but they sounded comforting. What she did make out was that he smelled like Davey. Maybe they did hear me.she mused silently.
"Uhm.Ron?" Came a feminine voice, sounding extremely confused.
"Yes, Hermione?" The boy hugging Melissa questioned.
"Who is that?" Came another voice, this one another boy.
"It's Ginny, Harry. You know, my sister. Don't be-"
He was cut off by the girl laughing and pulling Ron off Melissa, who was looking quite confused. Melissa took in the three quickly: the girl had long hair that would fall in curls if it weren't so bushy. She must be Hermione Melissa mused, turning the rather odd name over in her head.
The boy who had hugged her was tall and redheaded, with plenty of freckles. Melissa assumed he was Ron. He was giving Hermione a rather poisonous look as she was attempting to tell him something through her laughter. He finally turned to the other boy, asking if he knew what Hermione was on about.
The last boy, who was slender and short, although tall compared to Melissa, just smiled, looking from Ron to herself before shaking his head as if to say "you're pathetic" and walking into a compartment. Ron followed, repeating the question again and sounding upset.
Hermione looked at Melissa and attempted to control her laughter. When she finally did, she extended her hand saying, "Hi, I'm Hermione Granger."
Melissa took it quietly and offered a small smile, hoping her face wasn't red from her tears. "Melissa Lewis," she replied simply. This set Hermione off laughing again. Melissa began to feel embarrassed.
"I.don't know what.happened.I was.and then he.and.." She attempted to explain, but found herself at a loss for words. Hermione shook her head.
"Don't worry he's not crazy," she assured Melissa, nodding her head towards the compartment. "Just.confused." Melissa tilted her head to the side to show her confusion. Hermione turned to enter the compartment and motioned for Melissa to follow her, which Melissa did hesitantly.
Hermione closed the door behind her, and motioned for Melissa to take a seat across from Harry and Ron. Ron looked as if he were in a bad mood, because Harry and Hermione were laughing so hard over him comforting his sister. Even though he knew Ron was frustrated, Harry couldn't contain his laughter. Melissa sat back and watched the scene unfold.
"Harry, what's so funny," Ron demanded crossly.
"She.." Harry attempted to reply but was overcome with laughter. Hermione found the laughter contagious and joined in. Melissa shook her head in amusement.
"Hermione," Ron began, trying to calm himself, "Come on, talk to me."
Her response was more laughter. Harry and Hermione caught one another's eyes, causing them to laugh even harder. Melissa noticed that Ron hadn't given her one glance. His poor sister, she thought, he seems overprotective yet.distant.
"Maybe I can clear a bit up," Melissa began. Again, she noticed the effect of her accent as Ron's attention snapped to her immediately, his eyes wide. She smiled a bit as she continued, "I'm Melissa Lewis, and you may be?"
Melissa offered her hand to him as she watched him grow red with embarrassment. He reached out his hand, not taking his eyes off her as if had too many heads.
"I'm Ron Weasley," He replied after a moment. Melissa then turned to the others, waiting to be introduced.
Hermione smiled and announced herself to be Hermione Granger, and added what a pleasure it was to meet her. Melissa smiled and returned the pleasantry before turning to the boy with dark hair. He seemed to consider her a bit before holding out his hand.
"Harry Potter," He stated simply. Melissa was shocked, but did her best to hide it. She took his hand and shook it.
"Pleased to meet all of you," She replied politely before turning to Ron with a sly grin. "I feel as if we're family already." This time even he laughed quietly, apologizing for everything.
"It's just that," He said, looking at her, "You look so much like my little sister, Ginny. Especially because I just saw your hair, and.I guess my big brother instinct kind of kicked in and.."
"Don't worry about it," Melissa reassured him with a smile. He seemed to think a bit before speaking again.
"If you don't mind telling us.what was bothering you? You seemed..well, something was obviously wrong." Melissa chewed her lip for a moment in thought. What should I tell them? After a while, she decided to tell them the truth, assuming that they would not accept "nothing" as an answer.
The story spilled out, and although Melissa had planned to tell them the basics, she ended up giving a detailed report.
"I grew up in America, although I am born English, and was quite happy there. Until a few weeks ago, that is. Apparently my parents had fled England shortly after the Dark Lord's rise to power to avoid being forced to join. I never was told why they would be forced, I just knew that they didn't want to take that risk," She paused a bit, wondering how to phrase the next part of her story.
"I.I don't mean to panic any of you but." Melissa looked into their faces, which were focused on her intently, "But, he's back. The Dark Lord, that is." Harry, Ron and Hermione exchanged glances before encouraging her to continue.
"Although the Dark Lord is gaining more power, he needs supporters. Somehow his attention was brought to my parents once again, and he decided to send a group of his Death Eaters to recruit in the Americas. I had no idea that any of this was happening until they showed up on my doorstep two weeks ago."
She stopped here to take in their expressions, expecting them to either panic or deny what she said was true. It had been hard enough to make her own friends believe this much, let alone the rest. Melissa was stunned, however, to see not disbelief but quiet acceptance. It's as if they already knew, Melissa thought before shaking the idea off. It was absurd.
"I.I was the one who opened the door," She continued, tears coming to her eyes, "I opened when they knocked, knocked as if they were civilized people. They were wearing all black, and their faces were covered. Most of them pushed right past me, and one of the last ones told another 'Take care of the girl' and disappeared.
"The one who was left grabbed me before I could think to run away, and pushed me out the door. I was so scared, I didn't think to fight back at all. I had no idea what was going on."
Melissa paused here, her face assuming a blank look. Harry recognized the look, it was the one he'd seen in the mirror all summer after his fourth year. Even though he was seventeen now, he'd only come to accept the details of that traumatic night this past summer. He sympathized with the fact that she was trying to block out the events, he had done the same thing, but knew that it would be easier once she accepted it as truth.
Harry reached over and took her hand in a friendly gesture, encouraging her to continue. Ron, who still was seeing Melissa as Ginny, glared at Harry in an overprotective-brother way. Hermione put her arm around Melissa's shoulders.
"Go on," She prompted the distraught girl.
Melissa turned to Hermione as if she were the only other person there.
"He helped me," She stated simply.
"What?" Ron asked. Harry wore the same mask of confusion, and Hermione nodded for her to continue.
"Just like I said, he helped me. He led me away from the house quickly, and of course I followed like a mindless idiot. After we were about a few blocks away, he suddenly stopped and pulled me down a dark alley. That's when I came to my senses and tried to fight back, but he forced me to sit. I had no idea what he was doing. Then he said 'Girl, would you be quiet? I'm helping you, don't you see that?'
"I had no idea what to say to that, so I asked where my parents were. He let go of me and turned around and I barely heard him. 'Either they're being branded with the Dark Mark or.' I asked him 'Or what?' even though I knew the answer.
"Without looking at me he replied 'or they've been killed.' I muttered 'they're gone then.' and it was silent for a moment. Then he turned around and pulled me to my feet, even though I was crying and asked if I knew how to fly a broom. I had to admit that I'm not the best on a broom, and asked why.
"He pointed to one against the wall of the alley and then picked it up. He mounted it and asked 'Who is your closest relative?' I mentioned my father's sister, but also that she wasn't very fond of me. Then I remembered 'my mother has a brother in England, I believe he.he's my legal guardian in case anything should happen to my.my parents.'
"He asked where my Aunt lived, and I told him. He explained that my Uncle would be in contact with me soon, but I'd have to stay with my Aunt until then. Then he stared at me as if expecting something. Finally he seemed to grow impatient and asked 'Well, are you going to get on this broom or let the others find you? Come on, girl, I haven't got all night!'
"So I climbed on behind him, he threw an invisibility cloak over us, and flew me to my Aunt's home. When we got there he told me to explain the situation to her. So I did."
Tears were streaming down Melissa's face as she recalled the evening, and she shuddered involuntarily. Ron moved to comfort the girl he regarded as his sister, and Hermione searched for a handkerchief to offer to Melissa. Harry sat back in quiet reflection, watching as Melissa's small frame was racked with sobs.
Outside their compartment, Drew Halothane stood, holding a book titled Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austin in his hands. It had fallen out of Melissa's bag when she had ran from the compartment she was sharing with the other Slytherins. He had gone to find her, and had heard her voice among the three Gryffindors. Drew had been about to enter when he became interested in the conversation.
When Melissa finished her tale, he was shocked. Not by the details, for he had already known those, but to hear her telling them so easily. Of course, he reasoned Gryffindors tend to be able to gain trust easier than Slytherins. Taking a deep breath and gaining his composure, Drew slid the compartment door open.
Four pairs of eyes looked up to see who was joining their party. Three of the eyes narrowed warningly at the sight of the Slytherin. The last was rimmed with red and filled with tears. Ignoring the hostile glares from his classmates, Drew walked into the compartment without a word and knelt before Melissa.
"Here," he stated softly, pressing the book into her hands, "you forgot this in our compartment, Melissa."
"Thank you so much, Drew. I would have been so upset if I had lost it, it was-"
"-Your mother's," Drew finished. When he saw her inquiring glance he explained, "I saw the inscription. I thought you'd appreciate it."
"I do," She replied, tears streaming down her face gently. Drew took the handkerchief that Hermione had forgotten she was holding out to Melissa. He wiped her tears, and gave her a quick, comforting hug before standing.
"I believe you're in capable hands here," He stated and turned to leave.
Hermione, Harry and Ron looked after him in confusion.
"Did I just see that right?" Ron asked in a bewildered voice.
"What?" Melissa asked.
"A Slytherin caring for.someone other than himself," Hermione responded, sounding equally amazed.
"I have a feeling there's more to Drew Halothane than we know," Harry stated, sitting back pensively. Melissa was still staring open eyed at the place where Drew had been standing. There is definitely more to him. I can't be imagining how familiar he seems to me.