Melissa was adjusting to life at Hogwarts well. It had been three weeks,
and she was doing well in her classes and getting along with her housemates
as well. At first the fact that she was friends with the Weasleys, Harry
and Hermione didn't go over so well.
"Melissa," Draco confronted her one day, "Slytherins don't go around fraternizing with Gryffindors."
"Well, Draco," Melissa replied smoothly, "Aren't I lucky that I'm a Zivivian?"
And with that the matter was settled. It had become habit for Melissa to wander outside after her classes and sit on a bench beside the lake. Half an hour to an hour later, Hermione, Harry, Ron, and sometimes Ginny would accompany her. They would finish their homework, using one another as references in place of their books.
After that they would talk in a circle, which often times became a riotous game of tag of some sort, which often ended with one of the girls being thrown into the lake. Then they would all hike up to the castle for dinner after the latest victim of the lake had rung her robe and hair out. Melissa would wave and saunter over to the Slytherin table, where they shook their head, wanting to hate her but finding her lightness hard to resist.
On the third night after Melissa had been claimed by the lake, Drew Halothone asked, "Melissa, what happened to you?"
"Well, it was Harry this time."
"Harry?" He asked, his eyebrows shooting up in surprise.
"Yup."
"Harry's the reason you're all wet."
"Yes. Don't worry, I'll get revenge."
"But...how did Harry get you wet?"
"He threw me in the lake."
"In the lake?"
"Yup."
"Harry Potter?"
"That's right."
"Threw you in the lake?"
"Don't sound so incredulous. You have to keep your eye on that one."
"Who would have guessed?"
"Guessed what?"
"Harry Potter would try to drown a poor, innocent girl."
"He didn't try to drown me."
"But he threw you in the lake."
"I can swim."
"I see."
"And what's this about the 'poor innocent girl', huh? I can take care of myself."
At this Drew turned to look at her better. The conversation had been breezy and careless, but he looked serious now. His mouth was set in a worried frown, and his eyes seemed darker with concern. Melissa shifted uncomfortably under his scrutiny, but he soon gave her a smile and turned back to his meal.
"I suppose," was all he said. Melissa didn't bother to argue back. She tried hard to shake the eerie feeling that she had gotten. I wish he wouldn't give me that look. It always makes me feel as if he's not telling me something.
Severus was keeping a close eye on Melissa. To his disdain, she seemed to spend more time than he'd like with Potter and his gang. He was pleased to see that she was getting along well with Slytherins, also, Draco Malfoy included.
One night a student walked into his office where he was grading papers. Thinking it was someone with a question on homework, he coldly informed the person that he was busy. instead of leaving with a muttered apology as he expected, he heard the student sit in one of the armchairs. He looked up, ready to snap, when he rolled his eyes instead.
"Should have known," he muttered, returning to his grading.
"Known what, Uncle Sev?" Melissa asked, mimicking Draco Malfoy's slow drawl. She took it a bit farther, however. Instead of drawling in British, she incorporated a heavy Louisiana accent.
"That it was you."
"Why's that?" Melissa asked, still speaking Southern.
"Only you wouldn't take my hint to get out while you can."
"Well now, I do reckon I ignore those hints of yours, don't I?"
"Will you continue to use that infuriating accent all night? If so, I shall fetch a silencing potion and force feed it to you, Missy."
"Ah, now dahlin, why would you want to do that?"
Before Severus could reply, the door swung open. Draco stood in the opening with Drew by his side. Crabbe and Goyle, for once were not around. In Draco's hand was a letter. Both boys looked grim.
"Oh, hello boys. My Uncle dearest was just about to inject me with silencing potion. Care to join?" Melissa greeted them happily with her drawl.
"Is she still on that?" Draco asked his Professor, rolling his eyes. He would have been amused, but he was far to serious for that at the moment. Drew took the letter to the Professor, an intense look on his face.
"He's summoned us, Professor," Drew said simply.
"There's a list of all the students that are to be there. We have a week," Draco added. He closed the door behind him as he stepped inside.
"Melissa," Severus began, "why don't you let me-"
"No, professor," Drew cut in. Severus raised his eyes.
"She...Melissa's been summoned too. He knows. I don't know how, but he knows," Draco replied.
Melissa looked from her uncle to Draco to Drew. Her eyebrows knit in confusion. She chewed on her bottom lip nervously. "Am..am I in trouble?"
Drew moved around to the front of her chair and knelt down so that they were at eye level. "Not if you play your part right, Melissa."
She leaned forward, feeling apprehensive, "Play my part?"
"Yes," Drew replied, gazing at her steadily.
"For who, though? Who's summoning me?"
"He's summoning Drew and I, also," Draco replied, "as well as many others. We'll be there too, Melissa."
"Who is it?" She asked softly, dreading the answer.
Drew looked up at Draco, who placed a hand on the girl's shoulder. Drew sat on the arm of her chair, his arm securing her around the waist. All three looked up at Severus, who had been watching the exchange. I've never seen Draco and Drew as concerned about anybody else before he thought. Melissa must have influenced both of them more than he had thought.
Taking a deep breath, Severus stood and sat on his desk across from the protective Slytherins and the frightened girl. He tried to think of a gentle way to break it all to her, but could think of none. After a while, he softly responded, "The Dark Lord, Melissa. Voldemort (All three students flinched at the name) is calling a meeting for the children of Death Eaters."
"But...my parents..."
"You're in my custody now, Melissa."
Melissa let this sink in for a while. She felt her eyes fill with tears, and anger caused her to shake violently. Drew's arm tightened around her, and Draco said something in an attempt to soothe her that she didn't hear. He fixed her gaze on her uncle in despair.
"You...you killed my parents..." She whispered in agony. She felt as if she had lost her parents all over again, only this time more painfully because someone she knew and had trusted had took them.
Severus moved quickly from his perch on the desk to kneeling like Drew had before.
"Dont' you ever say or think that again, Melissa Lewis," the man instructed, "it's the farthest thing from the truth I've ever heard. Melissa, when I was younger, much younger, I made a choice. A bad one, that I wish I could take back, but a choice nonetheless. I joined the Dark Lord in his conquest for power.
"As soon as I discovered that he would have me murder my family, my sister, I turned on him. I couldn't just leave, it's not a choice. I was not powerless, however. I had information that could lead to Voldemort's destruction. So I went to Dumbledore.
"I was still forced to work for Voldemort, to keep my cover, but lately it has been restrained to giving a report on the students. I give incomplete reports, but enough to keep in satisfied. I leave out reports for those who would be apt to join him.
"He must have known your connection with me, Melissa, I swear to you that I did not give you over to him. And I don't plan to. As Mr. Halothone said, you simply have to play your part well infront of him. Perhaps, if you are brave enough and strong enough, you can help Mr. Malfoy, Mr. Halothone and I in giving information to Dumbledore."
Melissa nodded her head slowly, feeling her anger subside and her muscles relax. Her uncle was being truthful, and she was not alone in her troubles. She had Harry, Hermione, and Ron. Feeling Draco and Drew's comforting presences beside her, she realized that they would be there for her.
She felt tired, as if she hadn't had a decent night's sleep in ages. Drew allowed her to lean against him, and she closed her eyes. How did this all happen? How did I end up in this mess? She wondered.
"I don't know, Melissa, but don't worry. Drew and I will take care of you, all right?" Draco said. Melissa realized with a start that she had thought aloud. A moment later, Draco added, "And your uncle."
"All right," she murmured softly.
"Take her to her dorm," Severus instructed Drew and Draco. "She's had a long day."
"Yes sir," they replied.
Looking down at Melissa, Drew saw that she was already asleep. Noticing this also, Draco picked her up. He nodded goodnight to his Professor. Drew held the door for him and they took the sleeping girl up to her dorm. Once there, they woke her and left the room as she changed.
A minute later, she opened the door to say goodnight. Draco whispered something to Drew. Drew nodded and looked at Melissa. Draco said goodnight to her and walked down the stairs. Drew allowed himself in and took Melissa by the elbow, leading her to her bed.
"What are you doing?" She asked with a yawn.
"Putting you to bed, little Missy," he replied.
She froze slightly at the name, but resumed her walking in a bit. Little Missy she thought. That's a new one. She climbed into her bed and Drew pulled the covers up to her chin. Melissa looked up at him, as if seeing him for the first time.
"Hey, you're not supposed to be up here," She accused sleepily.
"I know," Drew replied, pushing her hair out of her face. She closed her eyes, seemingly dismissing the fact that he was breaking the rules.
"Good night, Drew."
Drew leaned forward and kissed her on the forehead.
"Good night, little Missy. Sleep well."
When she had drifted off to sleep, Drew stood and left the girls dorm room. He went down and found a girl in her sixth year, like Melissa, talking quietly to Draco. She was small and blonde, with blue eyes and a sweet face. Drew had always wondered why she was in Slytherin. She wasn't exactly the type, except she was ambitious.
"...you've been called also," Draco was finishing. The girl nodded a bit, and then Draco stood. He looked at Drew, "Is she okay?"
"Sleeping like a baby. Poor girl was tired, hmm?"
"Yes...Vivian?" The blonde girl looked at Draco curiously.
"Yes, Draco?"
"Will you do us a favor?" Draco asked, nodding towards Drew to include him in the favor asking.
"Of course," the girl replied softly.
"You know Melissa Lewis?" Drew asked.
"Yes, I know her."
"Keep an eye on her tonight, all right? She isn't taking the news too well."
"Sure, don't worry about it. I'll make sure she's all right."
"Come and get us if she asks."
"All right, Draco. Goodnight."
"Goodnight," the boys replied in unison.
Vivian turned and walked up the staircase. She changed into her pajamas and woke up a girl with a bed next to Melissa's. She explained that Draco Malfoy wanted her to watch the new girl, and the other girl grudgingly changed beds. People just don't mess with Draco Malfoy.
The blonde watched Melissa doze peacefully before she fell asleep herself. In the morning, she woke Melissa and the two girls went down to breakfast in understanding silence. ***
A/N: Thanks to everyone who reviewed for the last few chapters. I promise to keep the characters as "fresh" as possible. Hope you liked this chapter, and I'll try to get the next one out soon.
"Melissa," Draco confronted her one day, "Slytherins don't go around fraternizing with Gryffindors."
"Well, Draco," Melissa replied smoothly, "Aren't I lucky that I'm a Zivivian?"
And with that the matter was settled. It had become habit for Melissa to wander outside after her classes and sit on a bench beside the lake. Half an hour to an hour later, Hermione, Harry, Ron, and sometimes Ginny would accompany her. They would finish their homework, using one another as references in place of their books.
After that they would talk in a circle, which often times became a riotous game of tag of some sort, which often ended with one of the girls being thrown into the lake. Then they would all hike up to the castle for dinner after the latest victim of the lake had rung her robe and hair out. Melissa would wave and saunter over to the Slytherin table, where they shook their head, wanting to hate her but finding her lightness hard to resist.
On the third night after Melissa had been claimed by the lake, Drew Halothone asked, "Melissa, what happened to you?"
"Well, it was Harry this time."
"Harry?" He asked, his eyebrows shooting up in surprise.
"Yup."
"Harry's the reason you're all wet."
"Yes. Don't worry, I'll get revenge."
"But...how did Harry get you wet?"
"He threw me in the lake."
"In the lake?"
"Yup."
"Harry Potter?"
"That's right."
"Threw you in the lake?"
"Don't sound so incredulous. You have to keep your eye on that one."
"Who would have guessed?"
"Guessed what?"
"Harry Potter would try to drown a poor, innocent girl."
"He didn't try to drown me."
"But he threw you in the lake."
"I can swim."
"I see."
"And what's this about the 'poor innocent girl', huh? I can take care of myself."
At this Drew turned to look at her better. The conversation had been breezy and careless, but he looked serious now. His mouth was set in a worried frown, and his eyes seemed darker with concern. Melissa shifted uncomfortably under his scrutiny, but he soon gave her a smile and turned back to his meal.
"I suppose," was all he said. Melissa didn't bother to argue back. She tried hard to shake the eerie feeling that she had gotten. I wish he wouldn't give me that look. It always makes me feel as if he's not telling me something.
Severus was keeping a close eye on Melissa. To his disdain, she seemed to spend more time than he'd like with Potter and his gang. He was pleased to see that she was getting along well with Slytherins, also, Draco Malfoy included.
One night a student walked into his office where he was grading papers. Thinking it was someone with a question on homework, he coldly informed the person that he was busy. instead of leaving with a muttered apology as he expected, he heard the student sit in one of the armchairs. He looked up, ready to snap, when he rolled his eyes instead.
"Should have known," he muttered, returning to his grading.
"Known what, Uncle Sev?" Melissa asked, mimicking Draco Malfoy's slow drawl. She took it a bit farther, however. Instead of drawling in British, she incorporated a heavy Louisiana accent.
"That it was you."
"Why's that?" Melissa asked, still speaking Southern.
"Only you wouldn't take my hint to get out while you can."
"Well now, I do reckon I ignore those hints of yours, don't I?"
"Will you continue to use that infuriating accent all night? If so, I shall fetch a silencing potion and force feed it to you, Missy."
"Ah, now dahlin, why would you want to do that?"
Before Severus could reply, the door swung open. Draco stood in the opening with Drew by his side. Crabbe and Goyle, for once were not around. In Draco's hand was a letter. Both boys looked grim.
"Oh, hello boys. My Uncle dearest was just about to inject me with silencing potion. Care to join?" Melissa greeted them happily with her drawl.
"Is she still on that?" Draco asked his Professor, rolling his eyes. He would have been amused, but he was far to serious for that at the moment. Drew took the letter to the Professor, an intense look on his face.
"He's summoned us, Professor," Drew said simply.
"There's a list of all the students that are to be there. We have a week," Draco added. He closed the door behind him as he stepped inside.
"Melissa," Severus began, "why don't you let me-"
"No, professor," Drew cut in. Severus raised his eyes.
"She...Melissa's been summoned too. He knows. I don't know how, but he knows," Draco replied.
Melissa looked from her uncle to Draco to Drew. Her eyebrows knit in confusion. She chewed on her bottom lip nervously. "Am..am I in trouble?"
Drew moved around to the front of her chair and knelt down so that they were at eye level. "Not if you play your part right, Melissa."
She leaned forward, feeling apprehensive, "Play my part?"
"Yes," Drew replied, gazing at her steadily.
"For who, though? Who's summoning me?"
"He's summoning Drew and I, also," Draco replied, "as well as many others. We'll be there too, Melissa."
"Who is it?" She asked softly, dreading the answer.
Drew looked up at Draco, who placed a hand on the girl's shoulder. Drew sat on the arm of her chair, his arm securing her around the waist. All three looked up at Severus, who had been watching the exchange. I've never seen Draco and Drew as concerned about anybody else before he thought. Melissa must have influenced both of them more than he had thought.
Taking a deep breath, Severus stood and sat on his desk across from the protective Slytherins and the frightened girl. He tried to think of a gentle way to break it all to her, but could think of none. After a while, he softly responded, "The Dark Lord, Melissa. Voldemort (All three students flinched at the name) is calling a meeting for the children of Death Eaters."
"But...my parents..."
"You're in my custody now, Melissa."
Melissa let this sink in for a while. She felt her eyes fill with tears, and anger caused her to shake violently. Drew's arm tightened around her, and Draco said something in an attempt to soothe her that she didn't hear. He fixed her gaze on her uncle in despair.
"You...you killed my parents..." She whispered in agony. She felt as if she had lost her parents all over again, only this time more painfully because someone she knew and had trusted had took them.
Severus moved quickly from his perch on the desk to kneeling like Drew had before.
"Dont' you ever say or think that again, Melissa Lewis," the man instructed, "it's the farthest thing from the truth I've ever heard. Melissa, when I was younger, much younger, I made a choice. A bad one, that I wish I could take back, but a choice nonetheless. I joined the Dark Lord in his conquest for power.
"As soon as I discovered that he would have me murder my family, my sister, I turned on him. I couldn't just leave, it's not a choice. I was not powerless, however. I had information that could lead to Voldemort's destruction. So I went to Dumbledore.
"I was still forced to work for Voldemort, to keep my cover, but lately it has been restrained to giving a report on the students. I give incomplete reports, but enough to keep in satisfied. I leave out reports for those who would be apt to join him.
"He must have known your connection with me, Melissa, I swear to you that I did not give you over to him. And I don't plan to. As Mr. Halothone said, you simply have to play your part well infront of him. Perhaps, if you are brave enough and strong enough, you can help Mr. Malfoy, Mr. Halothone and I in giving information to Dumbledore."
Melissa nodded her head slowly, feeling her anger subside and her muscles relax. Her uncle was being truthful, and she was not alone in her troubles. She had Harry, Hermione, and Ron. Feeling Draco and Drew's comforting presences beside her, she realized that they would be there for her.
She felt tired, as if she hadn't had a decent night's sleep in ages. Drew allowed her to lean against him, and she closed her eyes. How did this all happen? How did I end up in this mess? She wondered.
"I don't know, Melissa, but don't worry. Drew and I will take care of you, all right?" Draco said. Melissa realized with a start that she had thought aloud. A moment later, Draco added, "And your uncle."
"All right," she murmured softly.
"Take her to her dorm," Severus instructed Drew and Draco. "She's had a long day."
"Yes sir," they replied.
Looking down at Melissa, Drew saw that she was already asleep. Noticing this also, Draco picked her up. He nodded goodnight to his Professor. Drew held the door for him and they took the sleeping girl up to her dorm. Once there, they woke her and left the room as she changed.
A minute later, she opened the door to say goodnight. Draco whispered something to Drew. Drew nodded and looked at Melissa. Draco said goodnight to her and walked down the stairs. Drew allowed himself in and took Melissa by the elbow, leading her to her bed.
"What are you doing?" She asked with a yawn.
"Putting you to bed, little Missy," he replied.
She froze slightly at the name, but resumed her walking in a bit. Little Missy she thought. That's a new one. She climbed into her bed and Drew pulled the covers up to her chin. Melissa looked up at him, as if seeing him for the first time.
"Hey, you're not supposed to be up here," She accused sleepily.
"I know," Drew replied, pushing her hair out of her face. She closed her eyes, seemingly dismissing the fact that he was breaking the rules.
"Good night, Drew."
Drew leaned forward and kissed her on the forehead.
"Good night, little Missy. Sleep well."
When she had drifted off to sleep, Drew stood and left the girls dorm room. He went down and found a girl in her sixth year, like Melissa, talking quietly to Draco. She was small and blonde, with blue eyes and a sweet face. Drew had always wondered why she was in Slytherin. She wasn't exactly the type, except she was ambitious.
"...you've been called also," Draco was finishing. The girl nodded a bit, and then Draco stood. He looked at Drew, "Is she okay?"
"Sleeping like a baby. Poor girl was tired, hmm?"
"Yes...Vivian?" The blonde girl looked at Draco curiously.
"Yes, Draco?"
"Will you do us a favor?" Draco asked, nodding towards Drew to include him in the favor asking.
"Of course," the girl replied softly.
"You know Melissa Lewis?" Drew asked.
"Yes, I know her."
"Keep an eye on her tonight, all right? She isn't taking the news too well."
"Sure, don't worry about it. I'll make sure she's all right."
"Come and get us if she asks."
"All right, Draco. Goodnight."
"Goodnight," the boys replied in unison.
Vivian turned and walked up the staircase. She changed into her pajamas and woke up a girl with a bed next to Melissa's. She explained that Draco Malfoy wanted her to watch the new girl, and the other girl grudgingly changed beds. People just don't mess with Draco Malfoy.
The blonde watched Melissa doze peacefully before she fell asleep herself. In the morning, she woke Melissa and the two girls went down to breakfast in understanding silence. ***
A/N: Thanks to everyone who reviewed for the last few chapters. I promise to keep the characters as "fresh" as possible. Hope you liked this chapter, and I'll try to get the next one out soon.