Chapter 18 - Cries in the night.
"So you'll be able to handle it?" Mel asked anxiously. Mrs Weasley raised her hands in exasperation.
"We've been through this before Mel. Megan hasn't even had any nightmares since she's been here. I doubt she'll start tonight, but if she does, you have already told me what to do" Mrs Weasley said, in a tone as exasperated as her vicious hand movements.
Mel frowned slightly.
"I just worry about her. She's all I've got" Mel said softly.
Mrs Weasley's expression softened and she hugged her cousin warmly.
"She'll be fine" Mrs Weasley assured her.
Mel smiled slightly.
"Yeah, you're right" she replied.
Mrs Weasley smiled down at her.
"So how long until you have to go?" Mrs Weasley asked.
"Not for another 10 minutes. How about a cup of tea?" Mel asked.
Mrs Weasley got up to make tea and Mel took the newspaper from the table and began to read as she waited. Her eyes scanned through the top story of the day and she gasped.
"What is it dear?" Mrs Weasley asked, rushing to her side. Mel pointed at the heading of the article.
"DEATHEATERS ESCAPE ASKABAN"
Below it were pictures of several deatheaters. Among the photos, a man with blond hair stared up at them with a smirk. It was Lucious Malfoy.
"The dementors have joined ranks with Voldemort then" Mel said softly. Mrs Weasley nodded slowly.
"Albus warned the ministry that they would." She said sadly.
"Fudge is an idiot" Mel said in disgust as she threw the paper down and picked up the tea instead.
She drank it down in one gulp and got up.
"I have to get going Molly. I'll be back in the morning" she said.
Molly watched her go and sighed. She didn't know how her cousin managed to get by. She hardly seemed to sleep. Shaking her head, she put away the dishes and made her way upstairs to bed.
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Harry awoke to hear strange noises coming through the wall. Disturbed, he looked at the clock. It was after 2 am. Surely no one would still be up at this hour? He thought to himself as he flung the covers off him and went to investigate. He put on his glasses and the muffled sounds increased in volume. It sounded like someone was talking very loudly. Fear gripped him. What if deatheaters had found their way here. That would explain why there were noises so late in the night.
He grabbed his wand from the desk before moving towards his door and opening it slightly. The sounds were not as prominent out here. He closed his bedroom door and found that he could barely hear the noises. He frowned as he walked down the corridor, stopping in front of each door to listen. He got to a door and stopped. He could hear someone crying as if in pain. His stomach gave a jolt of fear when he realised that this was Megan's room.
He entered the room slowly, his wand out ready to attack the person who was hurting her. But there was no one there. He glanced down at the bed and realised that Megan was crying in her sleep. He closed the door softly behind him and decided the best thing to do would be to wake her up. He walked over to her bed.
"Get away from me!" she yelled and continued to sob. Harry froze. "Don't touch me!"
"Megan wake up" Harry said softly, trying to wake her up.
He placed a hand on her shoulder and she shuddered slightly. He shook her gently.
"Wake up" he said, a little louder this time.
She was still sobbing. He tried shaking her a little harder. Her eyes flung open and she swung her arm out, pushing him hard onto the floor and knocking the wind out of him. She stared at him shocked for a moment before crawling out of bed and sitting beside him on the floor. . "I'm so sorry" she said in a whisper. "I didn't realise it was you"
Harry quickly caught his breath and sat up.
"It's alright" he said, rubbing his chest, which was still aching from the blow.
"Are you ok?" She asked softly, watching him rub his chest with a guilty expression.
Harry chuckled softly.
"I've been a lot worse" he said with a grin.
She smiled weakly at him before rubbing the tears off her face. Harry frowned slightly.
"What were you dreaming about?" he asked softly.
She looked away without answering. Harry sighed.
"Alright, you don't have to tell me. I just wondered if there was some way I could help" he said reassuringly.
She looked up at him again. Her eyes met his with a searching gaze, as if trying to determine whether he was being sincere or not.
"There's nothing you can do" she said softly as she got up and sat down on the bed.
Harry assumed that she wanted to get back to sleep and got up reluctantly.
"Well, I'm going to go back to bed" he said awkwardly.
He reached for the doorhandle, but stopped when he heard her call out.
"Wait!"
He turned and looked at her. She seemed to be fighting an internal battle. After a moment she spoke again.
"Can you sleep here with me?" She asked softly.
Harry's eyebrows shot up questioningly and Megan's eyes widened when she realised that what she had said could be taken in two ways.
"Just sleep" she clarified, "My mother usually sleeps with me after I've had a nightmare, but she isn't here" she explained.
Harry looked at her for a moment deep in thought. He was wondering what Sirius would say if he found out that Harry and Megan had slept in the same bed. He decided that he could always just stay until she fell asleep, then make his way back to his own room. Decision made, he nodded slightly and made his way over to her bed.
Megan slid under the covers and held them open so that he could hop in after her. He climbed in beside her and she stared at him for a moment before taking his glasses off him and putting them on the bedside table.
"Goodnight" she said softly as she rolled over. Harry sighed and sank his head back on the pillow. A moment later her hand grasped his and pulled his arm around her. She hummed softly to herself and Harry smiled slightly before falling asleep.
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Mel closed her eyes. The man sitting across from her gave a small sigh
"I'm sorry Melarin" he said sincerely.
She nodded silently, not looking at him. She picked at some invisible lint on her robes.
"How long?" Mel asked softly.
"I don't know for sure. Anywhere between 6 and 12 months" he replied.
Mel nodded again. "Have you decided what you're going to do about your daughter?"
Mel sighed and shook her head.
"I'll work out something" she said softly.
"What about her father?" he asked gently.
Mel shook her head.
"Not an option" she said.
The man frowned slightly.
"Any other relatives you can turn to?" he asked.
Mel shook her head.
"My cousin has enough mouths to feed, she can barely afford the children she's got. As for my brother's family." Mel trailed off and shook her head. "She can't live with them"
The man sighed.
"Well it's up to you, but we don't have much time left" he said as he stood up.
"I know" she said softly. "I'd better be getting back. They'll be wondering where I am"
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Mel crept up the stairs quietly. She could hear Molly in the kitchen cooking breakfast, but didn't want anyone to know that she was back yet. She had to talk to Megan. She sighed, wondering what she was going to say. She opened the door gently and started in surprise when she saw Harry lying in Megan's bed with his arm around her.
She hesitated for a moment before walking across the room and tapping Harry's shoulder gently. Harry's head shot up and he stared at her groggily. He looked over at Megan and his expression changed. He gently pulled his arm away from Megan, so as not to wake her up. He put on his glasses after he got up, then walked outside the room with Mel. She turned to him after she closed the door.
"What happened?" she asked in a tired voice.
"She had a nightmare and asked if I could sleep with her. Nothing happened" Harry said quickly.
Mel frowned
"She had another nightmare?" she asked, her eyes narrowed.
Harry nodded. Mel sighed.
"Alright. Go downstairs. Molly is making breakfast for everyone. I need to speak to Megan about something" Mel said quietly.
Harry nodded, looking a little nervous as he made his way downstairs. Mel opened the door again and walked into the room.
"Megan?" she asked softly.
Megan stirred and turned around.
"Mama" she said softly.
Mel smiled as she walked over to her daughter and pulled her into a hug. Megan smiled up at her mother. She hadn't really spoken to her properly in a long time. Mel looked around the room, still trying to work out how best to explain to her daughter. She glanced a badge on the desk.
"What's this?" Mel asked, picking it up.
"Prefect badge" Megan replied with a shrug.
"You're prefect?" Mel asked, surprised. Megan nodded. "Why didn't you tell me before?"
"You haven't been around" Megan said. "Ever since we got here you've been away all the time. I hardly see you anymore"
Mel sighed and closed her eyes.
"Megan, there's something I need to tell you" she said.
Megan nodded, looking at her mother suspiciously.
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Harry got downstairs and noticed that Mrs Weasley was the only one in the kitchen.
"Good morning dear" she said chirpily. "You're up early this morning! How did you sleep?"
"Fine thanks" he mumbled as he got into a chair and she placed a plate of food in front of him.
Harry just stared at the food, too tired to eat.
"Anything wrong dear?" Mrs Weasley asked as she sat down herself to read the paper and drink her tea.
Harry shook his head and began to eat. They sat in silence for a few moments before there was a loud noise from upstairs that made them both jump. It sounded like a slammed door.
"Megan wait!" they heard Mel cry out.
The portrait of Mrs Black began to yell out insults at the two for disturbing her sleep at this ungodly hour. Harry jumped up from where he was sitting and ran up the stairs to the entrance hall in time to see Megan run through the hall and exit through the front door. Mel came running after her looking distraught, but was stopped by Mrs Weasley and Harry ran after Megan.
"Megan!" he yelled out as he ran after her.
She had slowed to a hard power walk now. Harry caught up to her easily and was shocked to find her in tears. He grabbed her shoulders forcing her to stop.
"What's wrong?" he asked.
"Why should I tell you?" she asked angrily.
Harry was startled.
"Because I care about you and I want to help" Harry said feebly.
"No you don't!" she yelled. "No one cares! Everyone leaves! First my father abandoned me and now my mother too! Go away Harry! I don't need you! I don't need anyone!"
She pushed him away from her and began running again. Harry heard footsteps behind him and turned. Mel was walking up to him. She was wiping tears from her eyes.
"Just let her be" she said softly. "She just needs to cool off. She'll come back when she's ready"
"What did you say to her?" Harry asked.
He was hurt by Megan's behaviour towards him and was trying to make some sense of it. Mel sighed and wiped fresh tears from her eyes.
"You'll find out soon enough, I'm sure. It doesn't matter right now. Come back inside" she said softly and led him back towards the house.
Harry looked as if he was not happy with this response, but knew that there was nothing he could do. When they got back inside, Sirius and Ron were standing in the entrance hall. Emily and Sera were standing on the stairs. They all looked at Harry and Mel expectantly. Mel sighed.
"Megan's a little upset. She's gone for a walk" she said softly.
The others nodded and made their way down to the kitchen. Emily trailed behind and pulled Mel aside for a moment.
"Perhaps you should tell them why" Emily suggested.
Mel's eyes shot up to the small figure who was staring at her coldly.
"How do you know?" Mel asked, her face slightly pale.
"I know many things" Emily said mysteriously. "But it's your story to tell. I won't tell them if you don't"
With that, Emily headed down to join the others, leaving Mel alone with her thoughts.
"So you'll be able to handle it?" Mel asked anxiously. Mrs Weasley raised her hands in exasperation.
"We've been through this before Mel. Megan hasn't even had any nightmares since she's been here. I doubt she'll start tonight, but if she does, you have already told me what to do" Mrs Weasley said, in a tone as exasperated as her vicious hand movements.
Mel frowned slightly.
"I just worry about her. She's all I've got" Mel said softly.
Mrs Weasley's expression softened and she hugged her cousin warmly.
"She'll be fine" Mrs Weasley assured her.
Mel smiled slightly.
"Yeah, you're right" she replied.
Mrs Weasley smiled down at her.
"So how long until you have to go?" Mrs Weasley asked.
"Not for another 10 minutes. How about a cup of tea?" Mel asked.
Mrs Weasley got up to make tea and Mel took the newspaper from the table and began to read as she waited. Her eyes scanned through the top story of the day and she gasped.
"What is it dear?" Mrs Weasley asked, rushing to her side. Mel pointed at the heading of the article.
"DEATHEATERS ESCAPE ASKABAN"
Below it were pictures of several deatheaters. Among the photos, a man with blond hair stared up at them with a smirk. It was Lucious Malfoy.
"The dementors have joined ranks with Voldemort then" Mel said softly. Mrs Weasley nodded slowly.
"Albus warned the ministry that they would." She said sadly.
"Fudge is an idiot" Mel said in disgust as she threw the paper down and picked up the tea instead.
She drank it down in one gulp and got up.
"I have to get going Molly. I'll be back in the morning" she said.
Molly watched her go and sighed. She didn't know how her cousin managed to get by. She hardly seemed to sleep. Shaking her head, she put away the dishes and made her way upstairs to bed.
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Harry awoke to hear strange noises coming through the wall. Disturbed, he looked at the clock. It was after 2 am. Surely no one would still be up at this hour? He thought to himself as he flung the covers off him and went to investigate. He put on his glasses and the muffled sounds increased in volume. It sounded like someone was talking very loudly. Fear gripped him. What if deatheaters had found their way here. That would explain why there were noises so late in the night.
He grabbed his wand from the desk before moving towards his door and opening it slightly. The sounds were not as prominent out here. He closed his bedroom door and found that he could barely hear the noises. He frowned as he walked down the corridor, stopping in front of each door to listen. He got to a door and stopped. He could hear someone crying as if in pain. His stomach gave a jolt of fear when he realised that this was Megan's room.
He entered the room slowly, his wand out ready to attack the person who was hurting her. But there was no one there. He glanced down at the bed and realised that Megan was crying in her sleep. He closed the door softly behind him and decided the best thing to do would be to wake her up. He walked over to her bed.
"Get away from me!" she yelled and continued to sob. Harry froze. "Don't touch me!"
"Megan wake up" Harry said softly, trying to wake her up.
He placed a hand on her shoulder and she shuddered slightly. He shook her gently.
"Wake up" he said, a little louder this time.
She was still sobbing. He tried shaking her a little harder. Her eyes flung open and she swung her arm out, pushing him hard onto the floor and knocking the wind out of him. She stared at him shocked for a moment before crawling out of bed and sitting beside him on the floor. . "I'm so sorry" she said in a whisper. "I didn't realise it was you"
Harry quickly caught his breath and sat up.
"It's alright" he said, rubbing his chest, which was still aching from the blow.
"Are you ok?" She asked softly, watching him rub his chest with a guilty expression.
Harry chuckled softly.
"I've been a lot worse" he said with a grin.
She smiled weakly at him before rubbing the tears off her face. Harry frowned slightly.
"What were you dreaming about?" he asked softly.
She looked away without answering. Harry sighed.
"Alright, you don't have to tell me. I just wondered if there was some way I could help" he said reassuringly.
She looked up at him again. Her eyes met his with a searching gaze, as if trying to determine whether he was being sincere or not.
"There's nothing you can do" she said softly as she got up and sat down on the bed.
Harry assumed that she wanted to get back to sleep and got up reluctantly.
"Well, I'm going to go back to bed" he said awkwardly.
He reached for the doorhandle, but stopped when he heard her call out.
"Wait!"
He turned and looked at her. She seemed to be fighting an internal battle. After a moment she spoke again.
"Can you sleep here with me?" She asked softly.
Harry's eyebrows shot up questioningly and Megan's eyes widened when she realised that what she had said could be taken in two ways.
"Just sleep" she clarified, "My mother usually sleeps with me after I've had a nightmare, but she isn't here" she explained.
Harry looked at her for a moment deep in thought. He was wondering what Sirius would say if he found out that Harry and Megan had slept in the same bed. He decided that he could always just stay until she fell asleep, then make his way back to his own room. Decision made, he nodded slightly and made his way over to her bed.
Megan slid under the covers and held them open so that he could hop in after her. He climbed in beside her and she stared at him for a moment before taking his glasses off him and putting them on the bedside table.
"Goodnight" she said softly as she rolled over. Harry sighed and sank his head back on the pillow. A moment later her hand grasped his and pulled his arm around her. She hummed softly to herself and Harry smiled slightly before falling asleep.
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Mel closed her eyes. The man sitting across from her gave a small sigh
"I'm sorry Melarin" he said sincerely.
She nodded silently, not looking at him. She picked at some invisible lint on her robes.
"How long?" Mel asked softly.
"I don't know for sure. Anywhere between 6 and 12 months" he replied.
Mel nodded again. "Have you decided what you're going to do about your daughter?"
Mel sighed and shook her head.
"I'll work out something" she said softly.
"What about her father?" he asked gently.
Mel shook her head.
"Not an option" she said.
The man frowned slightly.
"Any other relatives you can turn to?" he asked.
Mel shook her head.
"My cousin has enough mouths to feed, she can barely afford the children she's got. As for my brother's family." Mel trailed off and shook her head. "She can't live with them"
The man sighed.
"Well it's up to you, but we don't have much time left" he said as he stood up.
"I know" she said softly. "I'd better be getting back. They'll be wondering where I am"
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Mel crept up the stairs quietly. She could hear Molly in the kitchen cooking breakfast, but didn't want anyone to know that she was back yet. She had to talk to Megan. She sighed, wondering what she was going to say. She opened the door gently and started in surprise when she saw Harry lying in Megan's bed with his arm around her.
She hesitated for a moment before walking across the room and tapping Harry's shoulder gently. Harry's head shot up and he stared at her groggily. He looked over at Megan and his expression changed. He gently pulled his arm away from Megan, so as not to wake her up. He put on his glasses after he got up, then walked outside the room with Mel. She turned to him after she closed the door.
"What happened?" she asked in a tired voice.
"She had a nightmare and asked if I could sleep with her. Nothing happened" Harry said quickly.
Mel frowned
"She had another nightmare?" she asked, her eyes narrowed.
Harry nodded. Mel sighed.
"Alright. Go downstairs. Molly is making breakfast for everyone. I need to speak to Megan about something" Mel said quietly.
Harry nodded, looking a little nervous as he made his way downstairs. Mel opened the door again and walked into the room.
"Megan?" she asked softly.
Megan stirred and turned around.
"Mama" she said softly.
Mel smiled as she walked over to her daughter and pulled her into a hug. Megan smiled up at her mother. She hadn't really spoken to her properly in a long time. Mel looked around the room, still trying to work out how best to explain to her daughter. She glanced a badge on the desk.
"What's this?" Mel asked, picking it up.
"Prefect badge" Megan replied with a shrug.
"You're prefect?" Mel asked, surprised. Megan nodded. "Why didn't you tell me before?"
"You haven't been around" Megan said. "Ever since we got here you've been away all the time. I hardly see you anymore"
Mel sighed and closed her eyes.
"Megan, there's something I need to tell you" she said.
Megan nodded, looking at her mother suspiciously.
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Harry got downstairs and noticed that Mrs Weasley was the only one in the kitchen.
"Good morning dear" she said chirpily. "You're up early this morning! How did you sleep?"
"Fine thanks" he mumbled as he got into a chair and she placed a plate of food in front of him.
Harry just stared at the food, too tired to eat.
"Anything wrong dear?" Mrs Weasley asked as she sat down herself to read the paper and drink her tea.
Harry shook his head and began to eat. They sat in silence for a few moments before there was a loud noise from upstairs that made them both jump. It sounded like a slammed door.
"Megan wait!" they heard Mel cry out.
The portrait of Mrs Black began to yell out insults at the two for disturbing her sleep at this ungodly hour. Harry jumped up from where he was sitting and ran up the stairs to the entrance hall in time to see Megan run through the hall and exit through the front door. Mel came running after her looking distraught, but was stopped by Mrs Weasley and Harry ran after Megan.
"Megan!" he yelled out as he ran after her.
She had slowed to a hard power walk now. Harry caught up to her easily and was shocked to find her in tears. He grabbed her shoulders forcing her to stop.
"What's wrong?" he asked.
"Why should I tell you?" she asked angrily.
Harry was startled.
"Because I care about you and I want to help" Harry said feebly.
"No you don't!" she yelled. "No one cares! Everyone leaves! First my father abandoned me and now my mother too! Go away Harry! I don't need you! I don't need anyone!"
She pushed him away from her and began running again. Harry heard footsteps behind him and turned. Mel was walking up to him. She was wiping tears from her eyes.
"Just let her be" she said softly. "She just needs to cool off. She'll come back when she's ready"
"What did you say to her?" Harry asked.
He was hurt by Megan's behaviour towards him and was trying to make some sense of it. Mel sighed and wiped fresh tears from her eyes.
"You'll find out soon enough, I'm sure. It doesn't matter right now. Come back inside" she said softly and led him back towards the house.
Harry looked as if he was not happy with this response, but knew that there was nothing he could do. When they got back inside, Sirius and Ron were standing in the entrance hall. Emily and Sera were standing on the stairs. They all looked at Harry and Mel expectantly. Mel sighed.
"Megan's a little upset. She's gone for a walk" she said softly.
The others nodded and made their way down to the kitchen. Emily trailed behind and pulled Mel aside for a moment.
"Perhaps you should tell them why" Emily suggested.
Mel's eyes shot up to the small figure who was staring at her coldly.
"How do you know?" Mel asked, her face slightly pale.
"I know many things" Emily said mysteriously. "But it's your story to tell. I won't tell them if you don't"
With that, Emily headed down to join the others, leaving Mel alone with her thoughts.
