Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Harry Potter characters, J.K. Rowling is the genius behind them. Melanie is my own creation :)
"Harry, there's a new girl down the table," Ron whispered, poking his best friend in the side. The boy who lived, along with his two best friends were enjoying their beginning-of-term feast, and now all turned to see who Ron was talking about. Sitting near the end of the Gryffindor table was a smiling girl with short brown hair, that had a slightly punk edge to it.
"Looks like one of those...oh, what do Muggles call it?...Panks?" Ron said, still not taking his eyes off of her.
"Punk," Hermione corrected him, "And would you stop staring?" But it was no use, Harry had joined in the obvious gawking.
News spreads fast at Hogwarts, and so by the time everyone returned to their dormitories, they all had a basic life story of Melanie. Harry, Ron, and Hermione headed towards their favorite chairs by the fire place in their common room, but they saw Melanie telling a group of wide-eyed first years about her.
"Okay...so, my name is Melanie Patch. Both of my parents are Muggles, but when they found out I was accepted here, they were really happy and supportive. I love acting and singing and shopping, and I am so happy to be here!"
"Ron! Harry!" Hermione impatiently hissed. The guys had not realized that they were listening to Melanie, probably for the fifth time. It took a few more minutes of prodding, but they eventually each heaved a sigh and headed towards their rooms.
The next day was the first day of classes. As Harry and Ron stood in the stairwell comparing schedules, Melanie swept past, exclaiming, "I've got Potions first thing this morning! Sounds exciting!"
Harry stifled a laugh and Ron called after her, "You'll regret saying that later!"
The first class of the term went pretty well for Ron, Harry, and Hermione, and as they were walking to their next class, Melanie walked past, grinning. When she saw who she passed, she turned around and happily walked back.
"How was Potions?" Harry asked, "Dreadful?"
"What?! Oh, no, it was wonderful!"
"Oh, I get it, you're in denial, right?" Ron asked.
"No! I'm serious! Professor Snape gave me five points for our house...isn't that great?" she asked, her eyes glowing.
Hermione nearly choked on her chocolate frog she was eating. "You!? He actually gave a Gryffindor points??"
"Yup! He said that I don't flaunt my knowledge, but that I use it wisely!"
As she, well, skipped down the hallway, Hermione practically had smoke coming out of her ears. "Do you think she knew he was talking about me?"
Ron opened his mouth to say something, probably how Hermione had basically called herself a know-it-all, but closed it quickly, thinking better of it.
They spent the rest of the day not only getting back into the routine of school, but also wondering what quality Melanie had that made Snape act civil towards her. By the end of the day, they had not reached a conclusion, but knew that becoming friends with Melanie may be better than they thought.
Hermione wanted to get a start on this friendship that evening, but they did not see her at dinner, nor in the common room that night. Harry didn't realize until much later that night that there was someone else missing from dinner.
"Ron, you awake?" Harry asked.
"Enhh?? What?...Oh...Harry, what's wrong?"
"Who else was missing from dinner tonight, Ron?"
"What? Do you really think I took role call?"
"No! But were we not without sneering glares?"
"Bloody hell! Where was Snape?" Ron asked so loudly that Neville woke up. A few minutes later, he was back asleep, and Ron and Harry continued talking, now much quieter.
"I haven't a clue," Harry said, "But I am thinking that Melanie might."
Ron agreed, and they decided to tell Hermione about their theory the next morning, then figure out what Melanie and Snape were doing during dinner.
