Ch. 11 - Another Year, Gone
The Hall was buzzing with the excitement of the end of the year. Everyone was eager to hear who had won the house cup this year and the Quiditch cup had already been awarded to Gryffindor. Draco had asked Dumbledore earlier in the week if he could sit with the Gryffindors because he no longer felt comfortable sitting with his own house. So there he was, sitting in between Melina and Ron, wearing his house colors, laughing with them at something Harry had said. Snuffles was lying on the floor under Melina's feet, having stayed in the rest of the school year. Dumbledore cleared his throat and the Great Hall was quiet, all eyes turned to him.
"Another year, gone. So much has happened this year. We have a new 5th year student. And a new 6th year student," He gestured to Adara and Melina. "we learned not to judge all books by their covers," He looked next to her at Draco. "and we found out that in order to survive this world we must be united. You all showed that this year when our school was in danger and I am very proud of you all." He gave them all a smile that said exactly that.
"Now, I'm sure you are all wondering who has won the house cup, and I am now going to give the points." He paused dramatically before continuing. "In forth place with 675 points, Ravenclaw." The hall cheered. If that was forth place, then first had to be pretty high. "In third place with 698 points, Hufflepuff." More cheers. "In second place with 766 points," Another dramatic pause. "Slytherin. And that leaves in first place with 792 points, Gryffindor."
The hall had erupted already when he had said 'Slytherin' because that obviously meant that Gryffindor had won, but they were even louder now that they knew how many points were given. "Wonderful job Gryffindor. Before I let you all eat, I have a very special award to give. For immeasurable courage in the face of impeccable danger, a cool head under pressure, and wit that rivals Ms. Granger's." The students all laughed. " I award Ms. Melina Arien Potter with this." A snowy owl appeared on the table next to him and it flew over to Melina. "Her name is Billow and she is yours." Melina's face lit up as she rubbed under Billow's chin.
"Thank you professor." She said ecstatically.
"You're welcome. Now, let's eat." Dumbledore said. Food appeared on all the plates and Billow flew to Melina's shoulder, nipped affectionly at her ear and flew off to the owlry to eat with the other owls.
"You've got the same kind of owl as Harry." Draco whispered.
"I know. That's because they're the most loyal owls you can find." Melina whispered back. She dished some food onto a separate plate and put it on the floor for Snuffles.
"He's probably getting tired of eating like a dog." Ron whispered to her. "OW!" He jumped, feeling Snuffles nip at his leg. "Stop that." He told the dog. "You've bit me once already." He said. They laughed and continued to eat.
"Draco." Melina said setting her fork down and turning to him after a while. "Have you decided whether or not to stay?" She asked quietly.
"If I do, will you stay with me?" He asked her.
"Of course I will, you know that." She told him. "You have to ask Dumbledore before the feast ends. Go now." She nudged him up and he walked up to the teacher's table.
"Excuse me professor. I apologize for interrupting your meal but I have something rather important to ask you." He said. Dumbledore looked up from his plate and smiled.
"Go ahead Mr. Black." Draco smirked at the use of his new name.
"I'm wondering if. . . I could stay here for the summer. I'll understand if it's to late, I could always follow Melina home." He said quietly. Dumbledore chuckled.
"I anticipated you would ask and already made the proper arrangements." He told the Slytherin who sighed in relief.
"Um. . .did you anticipate I'd ask if Melina would be allow to stay with me?" He asked with a smile.
"I did. But that is something she needs to ask Lupin." Dumbledore nodded over to the DADA teacher.
"Right. Thank you professor." Draco said and he went back to the table.
"What did he say?" Melina whispered as he sat down.
"He said he already knew I was going to ask. He also said he knew I was going to ask if you could stay with me. He said that's something you need to ask Remus." Draco told her and she groaned slightly.
"I knew he was going to say that." She sighed. "Alright I'll be right back." She stood and walked around the teacher's table to the other side and kneeled down next to Remus.
"Can I have a word?" She asked as he turned to look at her.
"Does this have anything to do with Draco coming up and talking to the headmaster?" Remus asked.
"Perhaps." Melina said. "Yes, it has everything to do with it. Draco doesn't feel safe to go home so he asked Dumbledore if he come stay the summer. Of course he said yes, but Draco wants me to stay with him." Remus sighed. He knew she was going to say that. "I can get Snuffles to stay if that'll make you feel any better."
"He is the least responsible person I know." Remus said after a moment. "You, however, are the opposite. Minus that little incident in the hall, you have never done anything to make me question your responsibility." He told her.
"Is that a yes?" Melina asked, eyes wide.
"Yes, it's a yes." He laughed as Melina flung her arms around his neck in appreciation.
"Thank you, thank you, thank you!" She said and pulled away and ran back to the table.
"What are you so happy about?" Harry asked as she sat down, grinning.
"Draco's staying here for the summer so I'm going to be staying with him. I hope you don't mind that I'm staying with him and not you." She told him.
"No big deal. Maybe I could ask Dumbledore if I could come back a month early." Harry said with a thoughtful smile. Melina rolled her eyes and leaned downed to look under the table.
"Snuffles?" She said quietly. The dog looked up from his plate at her. "Draco and I are staying here for the summer. You're welcome to stay with us if you like." Snuffles tail wagged and he woofed quietly. "Great." Melina said and she straightened herself back up in her seat. "Snuffles is going to stay." She told Draco who sighed dramatically.
"Great. We won't be able to do anything. Is Lupin staying?" He asked, pretending to sound aggravated.
"No. He has a prior engagement. Don't ask me what it is 'cause I'm not going to tell you." She answered.
"Fine be that way."
"I told you Draco, I'm not telling. It's none of your business anyway." Melina said as they rode with Harry, Ron and Hermione toward the train station for the three leaving to take the Hogwarts express back to London. Draco chuckled and put an arm over her shoulder.
"I'm just checking to see how well you can keep a secret. Don't take it personally. I do it to everyone." He told her as the carriage came to a bumpy stop and the five of them got off.
"Remus told me about the Dursley's, Harry." Melina said to her brother. "Just keep thinking about going to Ron's, or here, for the last month of the summer. And don't try to curse them. Until after our 17th birthday that is." Harry laughed and gave her a hug
"I think I'll tell them about you, see if they even know if you exist." He said and Melina laughed as the train whistled.
"Don't do anything stupid Harry. Ron, when you see him, don't let him do anything stupid." She said as she gave the redhead a hug.
"Got it." He said as he followed Harry on to the train and Melina gave Hermione a hug.
"Make sure you keep them both in line when you see them." She told her.
"I will, don't worry. See you at the beginning of the school year." With that, Hermione followed the boys onto the train. Melina shrieked slightly as someone else nearly knocked her over.
"Adara, what did I tell you about trying to get me a heart attack?" She said as she hugged the younger girl back.
"Not to do it?" Adara answered before she let go and walked onto the train. Melina rolled her eyes and waved as the train started moving down the track at Harry and Ron who were waving their hands out one of the windows.
"Well," Draco said after the train was nearly out of sight. "I think a nap is in order." He and Melina walked back to the carriage and made their way back to the castle.
"I think we're going to have fun this summer." Melina said as she leaned out of the carriage and watched the school getting closer. "Lot's of fun." She turned to Draco and grinned. "'Cause I've charmed a snake."
THE END (sort of)
(I know the last lines kind of corny, but I had to fit the title in some how)
I have a sequel started (not much done) so let me know if you want it or not.
