~Best and Worst of Times ~
Summary: Before the start of the Seventh year term, Hermione is at home. When a Death-eater attacks. Sending her back in time. There she meets the love of her life.
Gryffindor Tower
Girl's bathroom
Sirius just had to say something. Groaning Melody jumps off the bench. "I didn't wan to make a big deal about it," states Melody getting ready for her shower.
"Big deal of what," asks Chloe.
"Sirius promised that he would teach me to fly a broomstick," sighs Melody. "He wants me on the pitch over dinner."
"Really," gushes Caroline as she turns on the water in her stall. "Then count you're blessings."
"Why," questions Melody.
"Sirius is beater," replies Lily. "He's use to things hitting him." Looking at each other before laughing, everyone gets on with their showers.
Gryffindor Tower
Boy's bathroom
Holding in his hand a struggling rodent, James shows Remus what exactly has Sirius in a foul mood. Blinking twice at the rat, Remus takes a sharp breath.
"Well," growls Sirius menacingly. "Peter. You better have a really good excuse for being in the girl's room when the ladies were taking a shower."
Progressively turning back from his rat form into a boy. Peter looks for mercy from his friends. Squeaking, "Come on Sirius. I was trying to prank Caroline with that hair changing dye that you made last week."
"That was last week," huffs Sirius thoroughly pissed off.
"That very well might be the case," snaps Remus glaring at Peter. "But our girlfriends are in there. I, seriously don't like the fact that they were just about to shower when you decided to pull this prank."
"Neither do I," snaps James.
Dinning Room
Gryffindor Table
Entering the dinning hall, Melody easily spots a freshly showered Remus, James and Sirius. All right where is the rat? Glancing about, Melody could spot him anywhere in the hall. Blimey! What did they do to him? "Hey guys," greets Melody as she takes her seat. "Where's Peter? Is he not hungry?"
The boys snicker amongst themselves before James answers, "Oh Peter. Just remembered he has extra Transfiguration homework."
As Chloe approaches Remus pulls her closer to him, before kissing her check adding, "Don't worry about Peter, I'm sure it will be done before the game on Friday."
Whoa, just what did they do to him? "Oh ok," laughs Melody. Lily and James whisper lovingly to each other, as Melody shakes her head, picking up her fork to start her dinner.
"So Melody," questions James. "Are you ready?"
Blanking out and looking at them, Melody replies, "For what?"
Laughing James looks at Sirius. "See she is already blocking the experience out," says James before he turns his twinkling eyes on her. "Flying later tonight."
Then it dawns on her what James is referring to. Tonight? Flying, oh Merlin. "Not really," groans Melody giving Sirius a pleading look. "Sirius we can totally forget about it."
"No way," laughs Sirius as he shares a laugh with James.
Just what have I just gotten myself into?
Hogwarts Grounds
Quidditch field
Sirius held out one broom while sitting on another. Looking directly at Melody Sirius asks, "What do you know about flying?"
"That I like my feet on the ground," promptly answers Melody taking a small step backwards. Laughter greets her statement from behind her. Turning she notices James and Lily both on brooms.
"Come on," pleads Lily. "Sirius is really good at flying instructions."
"She should know," laughs James pointing to Lily. "He taught her to fly."
Knowing that they wouldn't give up, she holds up her hands in defeat. "Ok. Ok, I will try."
"That's all anyone can ask," states Sirius as he holds out the broom. "First you need to get on the broom."
Rising an eyebrow at him, Melody crosses her arms over her chest. Retorting, "Don't you mean, put the broom on the ground and say up until it jumps into my hand?"
"Nope, I find that a lot of people are afraid of flying because they never flow before," states Sirius. "Therefore the broom doesn't come up." Sirius winks at James as he continues, "Now quite stalling and get on the broom." James and Lily fly away from them. Giving them space to start the flying lesson.
"Alright," huffs Melody as she straddles the broom. Gripping the handle tightly tension raises up as she waits for him to let go. After a few minutes she looks at him. "Are you going to let go?"
Smiling softly at her, Sirius says, "Not tonight, maybe later." He slowly floats them up twenty feet and starts to circle the field.
Gryffindor Tower
Common Room
Gasping and groaning from the pain, Peter struggles to change his physical from back to that of a boy. With hard rasping breaths he tries again. When I change back, I'm so going to get the St. James girl. Focusing his energy.
Pop. Pop. Pop.
Pain explodes in Peter's brain. Blinking his eyes, he twitches his limbs. At lest I have managed to change back my hands. Now for the rest of my body.
Pop. Rip. Wheezes. Pop.
More pain comes, Peters sighs. Bloody hell, this hurts! Now I have my feet back. Groaning from all the effort that he has put forth, Peter yawns. I'll just have to get her tomorrow. He toddles up to the boy's dormitory.
Quidditch field
Bleachers
Taking the seat next to Chloe, Melody smiles upwards in delight as the Gryffindor team practices their moves for the upcoming game. Watch out! Good grief their worse then Ron and Harry! Soft steady footsteps approach them, looking towards the footstep Melody spots Caroline, lily and Remus heading their way.
"So how was your first flying lesion," demands Caroline as she smirks at Melody.
Laughing at her smirk, Melody answers, "Very good. Maybe Sirius should consider becoming a teacher."
"Ah, Melody," asks Lily. "We were wondering if we could call you Mel, you know for short."
"Sure why not," laughs Melody. All the girl's laugh as Remus rolls his eyes grabs a boom and joins the boys high on the field.
"Ok," starts Melody, gesturing to the flying boys. "Tell me, who is what?"
"James in the seeker," proudly gushes Lily. "Sirius is a beater, Remus is a back-up beater. Frank is the keeper, Jarod is another beater and the chasers are Sam, Oliver, and Angel."
Next Day
Dinning Room
Walking arm in arm with Chloe, Melody and her almost collide into Severus Snape. "Good morning," greets Melody smiling at him. Watching his facial expressions change he glares to stares at her. Oh someone's in a bad mood.
"Something wrong," asks Melody as Chloe just walks to the table.
"I was wondering," ponders Severus as he looks at her. "Are your eyes really that colors or is it the glasses?"
Taking off her glasses, she looks him dead in the eyes. "You tell me. What color are they?" Watching him lean in closer to her, he narrows his eyes. All that flashes in Melody's mind is a small part of Red Riding Hood. My what black eyes you have. All the better to see you with my dear.
"They are a wonderful shade of violet," whispers Severus turning when he hears Sirius footsteps approaching the room. "Too bad you're not in Slytherin." He swiftly walks to his table. That was weird.
Shrugging her shoulders at Chloe as she walks over to join her, she doesn't notice Peter standing in the darken doorway plotting against her.
Charms Room
Professor Flitwick's
Class
"Good morning students," says the small teacher, known as Professor Flitwick. As he stands on several books to be seen by his students.
"Normally today we would be working on our healing charms. But since Professor Sprout is running low on several key herbs and fungus. I thought you would be willing to help her out by spending the day in the Forbidden Forest gathering them for her."
Low muttering and grunts of disapproval, greet the professor's statement. Although no one steps forwards to make a complaint. Looking around the classroom to make sure they understood him.
Professor Flitwick continues, "so everyone will need to change into play cloths or something that you wouldn't mind getting dirty. Then meet in front of Hagrid's Hut," seeing his student's still in their seats. "You can go now."
This is going to be a long day, especially if the boys act up.
Gryffindor Tower
Melody and Chloe's Room
Changing quickly, Melody was ready before Chloe. Smirking at her, Melody informs Chloe that she'll wait for her in the common room. Bouncing down the steps, Melody bounds into the common room. There sitting on the comfy chairs are James and Sirius already to go.
Gryffindor Tower
Common Room
"Melody," laughs James looking slight pensive. "About Hagrid, ah… he's… ummm, lets see…" stutters James. Let's see a half giant? A nice man? Someone who was framed? Observing James snapping his fingers and clearing his throat. Merlin, his just like Harry. "Hagrid is a good friend to the Gryffindor's. Lot's of ah… people are weary of him because he's tall."
Tall? Nice one, James. Smiling at him, Melody says, "Ok look, if and when I have a problem with anyone I will tell you. In fact you'll be begging me to shut up about it."
Shaking her head at their abash faces. "Stop thinking I'm going to do or say something and let me be me."
"You tell them," laughs Chloe as she pulls her out of the common room. "Follow me I'll show you where Hagrid lives."
Watching them leave. Sirius states, "you know she's right."
"Yeah."
Hogwarts Grounds
Hagrid's Hut
On the grounds outside the castle Chloe points out Professor Sprout. Just incase anyone was watching them. She was standing next to Hagrid and Fang. Nudging Chloe with her elbow Melody asks, "Do the Slytherins bother Hagrid?"
Glancing around, Chloe whispers, "No, but from what I hear they are afraid of him because of his height." They continue the walk towards Hagrid's Hut in silence. Oh it's so good to see him. Walking up to Hagrid, Melody offers him her hand. "Hi, I'm Melody St. James."
Observing him blush as he kindly shakes her hand. "Rubeus Hagrid, Keeper of the Keys and Grounds at Hogwarts. Just call me Hagrid."
"Thanks I will."
Smiling softly at him, Melody practically skips back to where Chloe is standing. Reaching Chloe, Melody turns her attention back to Professor Sprout, spying Lucius Malfoy and Severus Snape were both watching her with avid fascination. Do I even want to know what they're thinking?
"Ok class," shouts Professor Sprout claaping her hands to get everyone's attention. "We are going to separate into two different groups. The Slytherins will look for the herbs while the Gryffindors look for the fungus." Handing out a piece of paper to each group. "Now please select a team leader, and remember don't get separated from your group but if you do send up red sparks."
The Slytherins selected Lucius Malfoy. They enter the forest without looking back.
The Gryffindors selected James Potter for their leader. Holding up the group, James gives more instructions. "Ok everyone listen up," states James giving Sirius a fake glare. "We are pairing up, four to a group. Everyone is to check in every two hours. I don't want to lose anyone in here." The pairing up didn't take long and into the forest they went.
Frowning at Chloe then Lily. Melody comments, "I would have bet money on James pairing himself up with Lily. And you with Remus."
Lily laughs while Chloe shakes her head. Lily states, "James would have but he likes to keep an eye on the Slytherins. Especially when we're both in the forest." Stepping around a tree trunk, Lily adds "Don't worry they will be checking up on us, like every half hour."
Just off Hogwarts
Grounds
Forbidden Forest
Working diligently along with the girls Melody did indeed find that James, and gang often would check on them. Sometimes, they would check every fifteen minutes making it hard for them to find the fungus.
Moaning how hungry she was Chloe unintentionally got Remus attention. Soon many of the other Gryffindor students were saying the same thing. James called a group meeting. Feel a body slam into her, Melody is winded as Peter quickly mutters his apologies and scurries away. Bloody stupid fool. I wish I could hex him!
"Look we have only have two more fungus to find," states Lily. "Why don't we have half the class go back now and the rest will join them once they're finished?"
"But Lily," wines Peter giving her a pleading look.
"Those who want to stay," clarify Melody. "Can and those who are hungry can go. There is no point in having everyone here looking for this when only a few are really needed."
"Fine. You have me there," agrees James. "I'll leave Peter in charge and see everyone else out, then come back and join you."
"James don't be ridicules it will be almost impossible to find us in here," laughs Lily. "You'll just have to trust that Peter will take care of us."
Melody rolls her eyes at Lily's statement. I wouldn't trust him with handling my dirty shoes much less then my safety. James and Sirius were busy taking note of who was hungry and who was willing to stay. Peter was protesting the whole time.
When the count was finished, it turns out the Melody and Lily were the only ones left in their group. Sirius and James quickly make then join up with another group. Feeling more secure about leaving Lily and Melody the boys roam the forest towards the entrance as the sun starts to set.
Within the hour the last two fungus are found. As Lily and Melody were in the process of packing it up, they could hear snickering from somewhere near around them. This is not good.
Glancing around Melody silently questions Lily if she could detect where the snickers where coming from. Bloody hell. It dawns on the both at the same time that they have separated from the group.
"Lily," whispers Melody. "Let's hurry this up. I have a bad feeling about this."
"Me too Mel."
Nervously they pack up the fungus. Quickly as the can Melody and Lily head back towards their group that were closer to the castle. Crabbe and Goyle jumped out from nowhere, blocking the way. "Going somewhere mudblood."
Goyle moves to clock Lily's way when she tries to go around he. Crabbe gripes Melody's arms from behind. Sneaky Slytherin. "Yes," snaps Melody, kicking Crabbe in the sins forcing him to let her go. "Back to the castle."
Rushing forwards both Lily and Melody attempt to escape, running as fast as they could. Goyle's "Colaspism." echoes around the forest. Shaking the forest grounds, stirring the inhabitants, the ground under their feet gives ways.
Watching the two Gryffindor girls drop somewhere in the ground, Goyle and Crabbe smirk at each other. Picking up the bottled fungus, the two Slytherins make their way back to the castle snickering to each other.
Feeling the ground shake under him, Peter quickly looks about for Lily and Melody. Not finding them near his group. He surveys the forest closest to him. "Hey, Allen where is Lily or Melody?"
Watching her glance around her, "I… ah… I don't know."
"What?" squeaks Peter. "Where was the last time you saw either of them?"
"I don't know Peter," groans Matt. "It was too dark to notice."
Sudden loud clicking noises interrupt the boys. The noises were getting closer be the second. "Drop everything and start running back to the castle now! Don't stop running until you in the castle." As they were just on the brink on the forest, the group could easily see the large spiders following them
Hogwarts
Dinning Hall
Bursting thought the dinning room hall; the last group from the forest was out of breath. Dinner was just about to start. Gasping for breath Peter wonders over to Dumbledore explaining as quickly and proficiently as he could what had happened.
Glancing over to the Slytherin table Sirius notices Lily's jar of fungus. "James, look over there, see that jar?"
Watching his friend look over and shake his head. "It looks like Lily's."
"My thought exactly," growls Sirius. "But where are Melody and Lily?"
"Attention everyone," demands Dumbledore as he stands up. "Dinner will be served in the common rooms tonight. No student is allowed out of their common rooms, anyone found out of their common room will face a grave sentence."
Gryffindor Tower
Common room
Jumping out of the chairs when the portrait opens, Sirius and James were disappointed when Professor McGonagal steps through. Getting everyone's attention, Professor McGonagal clears her throat.
"I know you're wondering where Melody and Lily are," Professor McGonagal states. "There was an accident in the forest, causing them to separate from the group."
"It was not accident," snaps James. "We saw Lily's jar on the Slytherin table right before dinner started."
"Mr. Potter," gasps Professor McGonagal while she struggles to control the urge to agree with him. "I understand that you're upset, so I will let that comment slide. As I was saying both Lily and Melody at this very moment are still in the Forbidden Forest."
Instantly both James and Sirius pull out their wands. Holding up her hands Professor McGonagal prevents them from rushing out of the common room. "There is already a search party, Mr. Potter and Mr. Black. Dumbledore wants everyone to remain in the common rooms, that includes you two."
"What," demands Sirius looking extremely agitated. Professor McGonagal gives Sirius a pointed look. When she steps back out of the portrait to leave, James, Sirius and Remus share a look.
James and Remus stand guard as Sirius goes to the portrait. Pushing against it, Sirius finds that it has been sealed shut. "Bloody hell!" hisses Sirius. Frustrated he heads back into the common room, stating loudly, "She sealed us in."
Merlin please let Melody be fine. And Lily too.
Slytherin Basement
Common Room
Professor Sinclair sweeps into the room, glancing about him. "Slytherins," snaps Professor Sinclair. Getting some of their attention. "Today two fellow students were left in the Forbidden Forest. A Lily Evens and Melody St. James both of whom are in Gryffindor. Dumbledore wants everyone to remain in their common rooms. I trust that you shall."
A general mummer of agreement is issued as everyone goes back to what they were doing before he entered the common room. Feeling dismissed by his house, Professor Sinclair huffs stalking out.
Watching the old man stalk out through the secret passageway, Severus grips his wand tightly. Slowly making his was towards the exit, hoping to do so without attraction any of his fellow Slytherins attention. Coming upon the wall, Severus finds that it has been sealed shut. Bloody hell! Oh well, at lest I tried.
Forbidden Forest
Night Time
Groaning, Melody looks around her. Reaching back for her wand, she finds it missing. Bloody hell! I lost it. Hitting the ground with her hand. Melody coughs to clear her lungs. "Lily, where are you?"
Moaning comes from her right. "Over here. You ok?"
"Yeah, my wand is missing. You?"
"Yeah," rustling on the ground. "Oh god, Mel."
"What?"
"My wand is broken," cries Lily.
"There are worst things Lily," laughs Melody. "Can you stand up?" Struggling to her feet, Melody finds herself unsteady. Hearing Lily moan then gasp in pain. A loud hard thud follows. "Guess not." Walking over to her, Melody asks, "Where does it hurt?"
"My left leg," whimpers Lily. Touching her leg, Melody realizes that Lily isn't going to be able to walk out. Since Melody couldn't carry Lily or levitate her, they were stuck.
"Ok, your leg is sprained pretty bad," states Melody. "I don't think you can walk on it." Lily struggles to control her low whimpering. Merlin, I'm not going to just leave you here. Has she ever been in the forest at night? "So I suggest that we get comfortable for the night."
"You're not going to leave me," whispers Lily.
"Nope," reassures Melody. "Let's lean against this tree and use our robes as blankets, until the search party finds us."
Until Later