CHAPTER 5!
"So what sort of a concert is it?" Ginny asked.
"It's a rock concert," Melissa explained. "This band Evanescence that my friends and I love. Here, I'll play it for you," she pulled out a CD and put it in Harry's old CD player. They listened for a while, and Ginny and Hermione sat with smiles on their faces.
"Well, I like it," Ginny said after a while.
"Me too," Hermione agreed.
"And we'll just come anyway!" Harry said, laughing.
"Ok, well hurry up and get dressed caz we're gunna need your bedroom," Melissa said grinning. The smile faded from Harry's face, and he pulled out some of his new clothes.
"What am I going to wear?" Ron asked.
"You're going to wear – " Melissa pulled out a pair of Harry's new jeans, and long sleeved top and a short sleeved top. "These. Put that one on over that one okay? And you're wearing this," she handed Harry a pair of jeans, a singlet and a shirt. "Leave the shirt open okay? Bye!" she pushed them out the door and grinned maliciously.
"So, what are we going to wear?" Ginny asked. "Hermione and I have no clothes.
"Ok, well I have a selection of clothes. It just depends how short and skimpy you wanna go,"
"As conservative as possible. I realize I'm going to have to spruce it up a bit, but still. A pair of pants maybe?" Hermione said.
"How well can you walk in heels?" Melissa asked.
"Really well actually. My old friends and I used to walk around in them all the time,"
"Then I have just the thing!" Melissa exclaimed. She pulled out a pair of tight, skinny leg black jeans and black suede, pointy toed, stiletto boots that were ruffled at the tops. Hermione gave a squeal of delight.
"They're gorgeous!" She put them on and pranced around.
"Alright what top?" Melissa asked.
Hermione went through her bags and pulled out a red wraparound top.
"What could I wear under this?" she asked.
"Sexy or sweet?"
"A little bit of both," Hermione replied, looking a little sheepish. Melissa pulled out a black lacy halter-top that just poked out from the sides and gave a little edge to the outfit. Hermione put the top on and was instantly transformed.
"Wow," Melissa and Ginny echoed.
"Thanks. Can you do my hair too?"
"Yeah, sure, no problems. Let's just work out what Ginny's wearing next,"
Ginny chose a pair of black "daisy dukes" and a very revealing white halter-top, with a pair of black boots.
"Gin, you look hot," Hermione said, grinning. Ginny twirled on the spot.
"Can you do my hair as well?"
"Sure, I'll do everyone's, even the guys," Melissa replied. She pulled out her own clothes. A very short pleated camouflage skirt, a black singlet tied around the waist that bore the "NO TOMORROW" label her friend Alex had created, and black boots to match the others'.
"Ok, hair and makeup. Who wants their hair up?" she asked. Hermione said she did, so Melissa set it in curlers before turning to Ginny.
"Can I funk you up?" she asked.
"Go for it! I wanna look hot!" Ginny replied. They slipped a dressing gown over the top of her clothes and took the boots off so the boys didn't see. Then Melissa led her to the bathroom where she put black fudge colours through her hair. When they returned to the bedroom, she twisted and braided it all alternatively.
By the time she was finished Hermione's hair was set, so she took out the curlers and pinned the curls up one by one on top of her head, so it just looked like she had a messy bun, with curls shaping her face. She straightened her own hair, and then teased it so it stood out.
Next came the makeup. Foundation came first, mixed in with moisturizer so it didn't do anything bad to their faces and it didn't look too clumpy. She did their eyes all the same, dark, thick and blackest black. Then she did their lips differently. She gave Hermione soft pink lips because the rest of her outfit was so bold. She gave Ginny bright red lips to be the standing point of the outfit, and she herself had a pink lip-gloss that had glitter through it so she would shine all night long. They all put the dressing gowns back on so boys couldn't see their outfits, and then called them in.
"Wow guys, you look pretty hot," the girls mused.
"You too. You all look so different!" Ron exclaimed.
"Wow, Gin, Hermione. Love the makeup. What's under the dressing gowns?"
"Nothing yet, that's why we're wearing them," Melissa replied. "Now, can I do your hair?" they both nodded, and Melissa played.
She'd always enjoyed doing boys hair, it was fun. She gave Harry a bit of a Mohawk, but not too big, just a little cute one. She put the same colours through Ron's hair that she had Ginny's and then spiked it all up.
The boys were allowed to sit in while the girls chose their jewelry, but had to leave whilst they were "getting dressed". In this time they were actually marveling at how hot the boys looked, and thanks to Hermione, had some alcohol that had been 'magically whipped up!' so were having a little pre drink. When they did get dressed, they put coats over the top.
'The idea is to not let them see until we get there. Especially with you Ginny, because Ron's going to be really protective because you're his sister," Melissa explained. The girls nodded and they walked out the door of the bedroom.
Uncle Vernon stopped them at the front door.
"Where do you think you freaks are going?" he asked them turning purple.
"We're going out to a concert," Melissa explained.
"Not without my permission you're not,"
"Mhmm, whatever," she replied, opening the door. "Don't wait up!" and they walked out into the night.
"You're going to get me in so much trouble girl!" Harry exclaimed.
"Oh that man is such a bore! I mean come on!"
They met Melissa's other friends at the park, did the introductions and then set off.
The venue was in an underground club. It was an all ages event, and ten pound each.
"That's like how much?" Ron asked.
"It's about the equivalent of two Galleons," Melissa replied.
"We'll have to pay you back!" Ginny exclaimed, slightly embarrassed.
"Oh my God, do you know how little ten pound is these days? We'll let it go, and you can shout me lunch when you're rich and famous!"
"HA! Ginny? Famous? Are you kidding me?" Ron laughed.
"She'll probably get further than you could ever dream of!" Hermione retorted. Ron gaped at her for a minute and stayed silent.
When they got inside, the girls went into the cloakroom, and when they came out, the boys gaped at them.
"Looks like you worked your magic again!" Alex marveled.
"Yeah, well, they were both totally gorgeous, just needed to funk it up a bit," Melissa replied, grinning at Ginny and Hermione. They grinned back, then laughed at the gob smacked look on Harry and Ron's face.
"Oh, get over it, it's just a bit of make up and some heels," Hermione said dryly, walking off with the rest of the girls.
"Is that really Hermione?" Harry asked.
"Is that really my sister!" Ron exclaimed. "My mother would DESTROY me if she found out I let Ginny go out like that!"
"That's why she won't find out," Ginny replied over her shoulder. As they got further into the club, the music got louder and louder. Melissa recognized the song as Field of Innocence, one of her favorites. The club had provided tables, because Evanescence wasn't as much dancy, it was dark and gothic, and Ron, Hermione, Ginny and Harry weren't used to it.
They ordered drinks, scoring alcohol because they all looked so much older, and it was a dodgy club. This gave the boys their first taste of Vodka, and they quite liked it. They sat and listened for a while, talking every now and then. Melissa, Alex, Sarah and Shona barely said a word though the entire time. Evanescence was their favorite band, and after downloading their songs and buying their albums, they were stunned to be there. Half way through the concert, the chords struck up, and David Hodges began to sing Fall Into You. Harry listened for a while, then stood up and looked at Ginny.
"Dance with me?"
"Yeah, sure," she replied, flabbergasted.
He held out his hand and she took it, standing up and following him to where other couples were dancing.
"They look so – "
"Hermione? You wanna dance with me?" Ron asked, cutting her off. Hermione looked amazed for a minute and then took his hand and followed Harry and Ginny. Melissa's other friends slowly disappeared with members of the opposite sex they had no intention of ever speaking to again, until Melissa was left at the table alone. She was so absorbed in the song, that she never felt the tap on her shoulder.
"Do you wanna dance?" a voice asked her. She turned around, and stared into the dark eyes of her boyfriend, James.
"Hey! I'd love to!" she replied. He grabbed her hand and led her out to where her other friends were. Ginny had her head on Harry's chest and was smiling soft and Hermione and Ron were dancing awkwardly and laughing every now and again. James grabbed Melissa around the waist and spun her around, before pulling her in tightly and hugging her whilst dancing slowly.
"Looking back, there is one thing that I know,
I can't make it all alone again,
Caz I'm too weak to stand on my own,
When all I need is you," James sang softly to her. She smiled and snuggled into his shoulder.
"So lead me, guide me, hold me, hide me, in love, with all that you are, and all that you do," she sang back.
"Come with me," he whispered, and took her hand. She followed him slowly, smiling.
"I miss you," he said, when they got to the cloakroom.
"I miss you too," she replied.
"I thought you were at boarding school?" he asked.
"Oh, I am, but it's still holidays, so we can leave whenever," she explained, cringing at her pathetic lie.
"Oh, well, I don't want you to go back," he whispered.
"I don't want to go back. I want to stay with you, but I can't. Apparently there's people after me," she replied, worrying about the words that had just left her mouth. She regretted them instantly.
"What! Melissa, why didn't you tell me! I could've helped you!" he exclaimed.
She gave a feeble laugh. "No one could've helped me,"
"Come here," he said softly, and pulled her into a hug. She couldn't put her finger on it, but it felt wrong. Maybe I just don't love him anymore… she thought. It wouldn't be the first time…
They stood like that for a while, and then she slowly pulled away.
"We should go find the others, the songs over,"
She led him back to the table where the group were sitting, and they joined them, smiling.
"Where did you guys get up to?" Shona asked.
"We had some talking to do," Melissa replied, smiling. Harry and Ginny were laughing animatedly at something and Ron and Hermione looked sheepish.
"What's up with them?" Melissa asked Ginny.
"I think the alcohol got to their heads,"
"Why?"
"Because they kissed, and now they both want to take it back," Ginny replied, laughing again.
"Oh," Melissa said, suddenly feeling the urge to laugh also. She looked over at Hermione, who shot her a look.
"Come dance with me Hermione!" Melissa exclaimed, grinning. Hermione gratefully followed her onto the dance floor, where people were dancing to Surrender.
"Are you okay?" Melissa asked.
"Find me someone, anyone, to get the taste of Ron out of my mouth!" she exclaimed.
"Honey, I'm sure there's no taste…'
"IT'S THERE!"
"O…k, how about that guy?" Melissa asked, pointing to the back of a guy with medium length hair. His friend tapped him on the shoulder, and he turned around. Melissa gave a small gasp.
"He's hot," Hermione observed.
"Not that guy, anyone but that guy, he's off limits," Melissa replied, pointing to a guy with short dark hair. "How about him?"
"That's your boyfriend, Melissa. You know James?" Hermione replied. Melissa's eyes were focused on the stranger.
"Who cares? It wouldn't be the first time he'd cheated on me, I'm sure you can talk him into it," Melissa replied. "Excuse me for a sec,"
She walked up to the guy and he grinned.
"I knew you'd come,"
"Evan," Melissa said, simply.
"Hey Liss, I've missed you," he pulled her into a tight hug and kissed the top of her forehead.
"You left me, I didn't go anywhere," she replied.
"Boarding school, couldn't help it," he whispered. "So, you and James huh? I always thought there was something there," he smirked.
"It's almost over. Funny, I'm off to boarding school too," she replied.
"I doubt you'd be at the same one as me. I'm special! And anyway, I'm done, thank God!" he exclaimed. "Uh oh, boyfriend just realized who you were wrapped around," Melissa pulled away just in time to jump out of the way of the fist James sent hurtling in Evan's direction. Evan ducked, and it missed. Barely.
"James!" Melissa exclaimed.
"I told you to stay away from her!" James yelled.
"You what? You knew he was here?" Melissa yelled.
"Of course I knew he was here. He showed up insinuating about how he was going to steal you away from me,"
"James! How could you do that! You knew how much I missed him!"
"Exactly!" James yelled. Melissa glared at him for a moment, then grabbed Evan's hand and pulled him away.
"Harry, do you mind if I go? I'll meet you at the park ok?" she said, as she walked past the table.
"Yeah sure, do you want me to come?"
"Nah, I'll be fine," Harry looked suspiciously at Evan. "It's ok," she reassured him. "He's an old friend," she walked out of the club, Evan following behind her. James made to follow, but Harry and Ron stood in front of the exit, and he had no choice but to back away.
She dragged Evan all the way to the park, and sat him down on one of the swings, standing with her legs straddled in front of him.
"What are you doing here?" she demanded.
"I finally finished! I came back to see the town, to see you,"
"You didn't worry about leaving!"
"I hated leaving! It was the hardest thing I ever had to do!"
"But you did it! God I hated you!"
"Liss, I'm so sorry, please pup?" she smiled weakly at the name. He'd always called her pup, because her puppy dog eyes made him melt, and she always got her way because of them.
"I've missed you,"
"I missed you too," he replied. "Come here," he pulled her into another hug and held her tight. After a few minutes she pulled away.
"You got a lip ring," she remarked.
"Yeah, you like it?"
"It looks hot," she replied.
"You got a nose ring. It suits you,"
"Thanks," they stood in silence for a minute. "This is awkward," she said, looking around.
"Awkwardly awkward," he replied. She laughed.
"Nice,"
"Thanks,"
"When do you go back?" she asked.
"To boarding school? I don't, I'm finished, remember?"
"Oh. Well, then that's probably a good thing, um…I mean, I – " her phone ring cut her off. "Hello? James I don't want to talk to you! No…Yes…Yes he's here with me…No you can't talk to him…James, let's face it, I'm going off to boarding school, this isn't gunna work…Yes I'm breaking up with you…Screw whoever you like, I just don't care anymore!" she hung up the phone and smiled. It rang again and she turned it off. "Sorry," she said.
"You just broke up with James,"
"Nice observation," she replied dryly.
"I'm sorry,"
"It's not your fault, he was an arsehole anyway,"
"Yeah but I caused it,"
"No you didn't! I would've broken it off anyway, one of the guys at my school has twin brothers!" she exclaimed, laughing.
"Trust you,"
"Shut up!" she replied, laughing again. They remained silent for a minute and she was about to say something when he leaned in and kissed her. Quickly and softly, but it's meaning came through. He was sorry for leaving her, and she knew it. He pulled away slowly.
"I really have to go," he whispered.
"Don't leave me here alone," she protested.
"Looks like your friends are showing up now anyway," he replied. "I promise I'll see you soon,"
"Bye," she replied. She stepped out of the way and he jumped off the swing. He waved to the others who were coming towards them, and they waved back. Harry and Ron gave a small nod, which Evan returned, and then he was off.
"Melissa! You just kissed Evan!" Shona said accusingly.
"He kissed me, and it's not like I did anything wrong,"
"Um, what about James?"
"We broke up," she replied.
"When?"
"About 5 minutes ago actually!"
"Melissa!" Alex exclaimed.
"What! Oh my God, he was an overprotecting, cheating arsehole, you know it and so do I!"
"He was a nice guy!" Sarah protested.
"Yeah, he was, but he was a lousy boyfriend!"
"Not meaning to interrupt, but we should go," Harry said meaningfully to Melissa.
"Yeh, look guys I really have to go. What about these guys?" she asked, indicating Ginny, Hermione and Ron.
"They can stay at mine…ours. We just have to make sure Uncle Vernon doesn't see them,"
"Will that be difficult?" Ginny asked. "Because we can catch the Knight Bus to the Leaky Cauldron,"
"The what to the where?" Shona asked, looking confused.
"Whoops," Ginny whispered, looking apologetically at Melissa.
"It's the school bus. Our school has like a hotel for the people who go there, and we can call at whatever time if we need to,"
"Rich school," Alex said quietly. Melissa laughed.
"Lucky I'm on a scholarship!"
They hugged for a while, then Alex, Sarah and Shona left and Harry turned to Melissa.
"It might be best if we all stay at the Leaky Cauldron tonight," he said quietly. "If we wake up my Auntie and Uncle they'll kill us,"
"Yeah, ok. But we have no clothes or anything for tomorrow," she replied.
"No problem," Harry put his fingers in his mouth and whistled three times. Remus Lupin came out of the shadows.
"Harry," he said, with a grin.
"Remus," Harry replied. They shook hands, and then Remus pulled Harry into a hug.
"How have you been?"
"Good, awesome actually! Melissa's great fun!"
"How are you coping with…" the words that Remus couldn't say echoed in his heart and Harry's. Sirius's death hung above the others with a heavy shadow.
"Yeah, okay I think. Right now, we have an issue,"
"What's your issue?" Remus asked laughing.
"We're staying at the Leaky Cauldron tonight, but we have no clothes, and we're underage so we can't use magic to get them out,"
"Oh, well that's easy. Accio suitcase!" Remus whispered into the night, his wand held towards Harry's room. A suitcase with Melissa's, Ginny's, Hermione's, Ron's and Harry's clothes inside came zooming out of the window and landed with a soft thud on the ground.
"Thanks Remus," Harry said laughing.
"You're welcome. Just promise me you'll be careful," Remus warned.
"As if you won't be watching me," Harry replied. Melissa grinned, and Remus stuck out his wand arm. Immediately a large purple bus came shooting down the street and stopped directly in front of them.
"Welcome to the knight bus – Mr. Potter! Come aboard come aboard! No charge sir, for you and your friends," the young wizard bowed so low he nearly fell over and Melissa laughed.
"This is awesome! Can we go down the back?" she asked, moving in and out between the beds.
"Yeah sure, no problem," Ginny replied. Harry stared at her.
"You were always one of the popular kids who sat in the back of the bus at school weren't you?" he asked.
"Yeah, why?" she replied, almost sheepish.
"I hated those kids!" he muttered under his breath, following down to the back.
Tom booked them in to room number 11, grinning at the prospect of customers as he handed them the keys. They trudged up to the room and opened the door.
"Um, there's only three beds," Ron said slowly.
"Uh-oh," Harry whispered, almost laughing.
"We have a problem," Hermione added, looking at Ron.
"There's no problem. Hermione, you can sleep on your own, Ginny you sleep with Harry and I'll sleep with Ron ok?" Melissa took charge, knowing no one else would.
"That sounds good to me!" Ginny exclaimed, and climbed into the bed. Harry climbed in next to her, and she snuggled into his chest before falling asleep. Melissa looked at Hermione who nodded and took the bed next to the window. Ron looked at Melissa sheepishly.
"Are you okay with this?" she asked.
"Yeah, it's just I've – I've never…" he trailed off.
"Never been in such close proximity with a girl? You'll live, it's nothing special!" she laughed, unzipping her boots and climbing into the bed. He still looked worried, so she pulled back the covers and tapped the bed next to her. "Come on, you'll be fine. I promise I'll be gentle!"
"It's not you I'm worried about," he muttered. She laughed and tapped the bed again. The minute he got in she pulled them back and looked at him.
"There's not much room in these things is there?" he asked.
"No, we might have to snuggle a bit," she replied seriously. He put his arm around her and she fell straight to sleep.
When the girls awoke the next morning, it was to find the boys gone and the sun streaming through their window. Ginny sat up in bed, stretching and yawning loudly.
"You right there Gin?" Hermione asked.
"Yeah, I'm all good, how about you?"
"Tired as, that concert was awesome. It was a pity you had to leave Melissa, although we weren't far behind you I guess,"
"Yeah, I know," Melissa replied, pulling down her skirt from where it had risen during the night; up to her waist! "Did you find someone else to hook up with?"
"Nope, so I just sat and knocked back this drink in a tiny little glass that Ginny gave me, and all of a sudden I couldn't taste or feel anything except burning.
"Tequila shot," Melissa said simply. They stood up and looked around.
"I guess the boys went downstairs," Hermione said. The door opened on cue, and the boys walked in with plates of bacon and eggs.
"Room service!" Harry exclaimed, setting the three plates he was holding down onto the table.
"Come and get it!" Ron yelled, setting his two plates on the table next to the others.
"Aww, thanks you guys!" Hermione exclaimed, she ran up and hugged them both. Ron cringed slightly when she hugged him, but slowly hugged her back.
"Yum!" Melissa exclaimed. "So, Ron, I take it you survived in such a close proximity to a girl?"
"Yes Melissa," Ron replied dryly.
"Yeah, you too looked very comfortable," Ginny remarked, grinning.
"Nah, I just can't see it," Hermione replied. "Besides, who was Mr. Tall-Dark-Handsome guy with a lip ring? He was hot, why couldn't I take him?" she asked, laughing. Melissa grinned.
"His name is Evan, and we went out about four years ago, then his parents sent him off to boarding school," she replied.
"How old?" Ginny asked.
"Eighteen. He just finished at his school, so yeah,"
"Cool. He was totally hot. So if you used to go out, why did you kiss?" Hermione asked.
"My, you did see a lot! Um, I dunno, it was just kinda, spur of the moment I guess,"
"I see…" Ron said. "So, do you always do that? I mean, hook up with guys and then class it as spur of the moment? I mean, you can't be a very faithful girlfriend, can you?"
"Ronald!" Ginny exclaimed.
"What? I'm just asking a question!"
"Actually, I am a very faithful girlfriend. If I'm single, then I'll hook up with anyone I bloody well like!" Melissa exclaimed.
"Ooh, touchy," Harry said, laughing.
"Shut up, moron," Melissa replied, grinning. "Do you have an issue with me Ronald?"
"No, I just think it's strange, I mean, girls at Hogwarts don't do that. Must be the difference in morals and ethics,"
"What they actually have them?"
"Yeah, that," he replied.
"Well, you've come out of your shell haven't you?" she asked, laughing lightly.
"Just a little, and I'm finding it very rude so shut up now Ron!" Hermione exclaimed.
They all sat and ate their food in silence for a few moments.
"Well…" Ginny said quietly when her food was finished.
"Yes, well…" Harry replied.
"Um, thanks guys, that was great. I think I might guys have a shower now,"
Ginny stood up and shook out her hair. Melissa grinned at her.
"I can't believe how long those braids and stuff have stayed in!" she marveled.
"I know. How long will the color stay in though?"
"Oh God, the color will be in for a while. It generally lasts up to 20 washes," Melissa replied.
"Could you do it permanent?"
"Yeah, sure. But only when that comes out, I don't want to ruin your hair, it's gorgeous!"
"I hate red hair,"
"Join the club, that's why mine's full of blonde and black as well," Melissa grinned at Ginny, and Ginny grinned back. She pulled her clothes out of the suitcase and went to have a shower.
"Harry, what's going on with you and my sister?" Ron asked.
"What? Nothing! Sorry! Huh?" Harry replied, slightly confused. Everyone laughed at him. "You think something's going on?"
"Well it's so obviously clear that you like each other and all, but if you break my sister's heart I'll kill you,"
"That's what I said," Melissa agreed.
"I won't break her heart. Besides, we're not going out, and we won't. I have no doubt if I asked out your sister my nose would end up very off centre!" Harry began to laugh.
"Damn straight," Ron muttered. Melissa laughed.
"What? Did I miss something?" Harry asked, looking from one to the other. Hermione scowled at the two of them.
"Ron! Melissa! That's not very nice you know! I don't think it has anything to do with you what Harry and Ginny get up to Ronald, if they like each other, leave them be!"
"Ooh, touchy," Melissa whispered. This set Ron off again in a fit of giggles.
"Honestly, you two. You're perfect for one another, as immature as each other," Hermione muttered. They stopped laughing and looked at each other.
"You've got to be kidding right? Me and him? Hermione, you saw Evan last night right? Yeah, that's my standard! Sorry Ron, but you just don't match up!"
"No offence taken, I've got my eyes set on someone else," he winked at Hermione and she stormed off in disgust. Ron started laughing again. "Gets her every time!"