CHAPTER 8!

Melissa would never quite work out how she got through everything over the next few weeks. Between her lessons during the day, her weekly lessons with Dumbledore, the homework from both and whatever socializing she wanted to do, she felt like she was going crazy. She'd accepted Dumbledore's offer of the other room, and often had friends from both houses join her at night times (although not at the same time of course!). Much to the disgust of Harry and his friends, she remained friends with Pansy Parkinson and the Slytherin sixth year girls, and much to Pansy's disgust she remained friends with Harry and his friends. She'd also started speaking to the other Slytherin fifth years in the classes she wasn't with Ginny. Their names were Tempe, Anouska and Manuela and it had taken them a few lessons to warm up to her.

If people hadn't really paid attention to Melissa at the start of the year, everyone knew who she was now. She was the Slytherin who had befriended the Gryffindors, and whispers followed her in the corridors, though she never heard them. At the start of the second week she'd begged Dumbledore to bewitch her m:robe and her phone so that they worked in Hogwarts. She'd had to pass a test first (Make a pineapple tap dance across the table) but he'd done it for her, so unless she was with Ginny or the others, her headphones were stuck in her ears and she happily blocked out the world.

The lessons were a slight problem for her. While she was catching up quickly because of her lessons with Dumbledore, she was still having slight problems. She used History of Magic to catch up on her written homework, and was up until after midnight practicing the practical spells. When she wasn't studying she was trying to catch up on missed sleep, and she rarely ate anymore, unless it was sneaking down to the kitchens at 11 o'clock at night for her first meal of the day before bed.

It was on one such night that she was studying with Ginny, and, both feeling slightly peckish, had returned from the kitchens with half the leftovers from the night's dinner (tomato soup, roast chicken with veggies, chocolate pudding and an extra snack from the house elves, two dozen scones with jam and cream). They were practicing the Locomortor charm on their potatoes and laughing as they watched them race around the room, their arms and legs working overtime to carry their weight. Melissa had put her m:robe on it's speakers, and Ginny had put a Silencing charm on the room, so they could have the music as loud as they wanted without bothering anyone.

"Oh my God! I totally forgot to tell you the news! Did you hear about Hermione and my brother?" Ginny exclaimed.

"Ron? Oh my God, really?" Melissa asked laughing.

"No Dorkbrain! George! He asked her out and she said yes! She finally has a boyfriend!"

"What about that Bread guy?" Melissa asked.

"Krum," Ginny corrected, laughing at Melissa's mistake. "They decided that an overseas relationship was way too hard, especially since he's always traveling with Quidditch,"

"Oh ok. So, Hermione the brain is going out with George the Prankster twin? How very interesting!"

"Yes, so there's only one twin left! You might want to get in fast!" Ginny replied, grinning.

"Nah, someone else can have him! Boyfriends annoy me! But anyway, what about you and Harry? What's going on there?"

Ginny blushed.

"What! Nothing! I mean, he's my brothers' best friend for Gods' sake! Nothing would ever…ok is it that obvious I like him?"

"Yeah, kind of…well to everyone except him at least. And it's obvious to everyone except you that he likes you,"

"He what! But he knows I'm going out with Dean! As if he would like me! I actually – never mind…"

"What?" Melissa asked.

"Nothing," Ginny replied, sheepishly.

"No, what?"

"I actually kinda thought he liked you…"

"Me? Nah, he knows what I'm like to live with! Besides, he also knows that I'm off limits,"

"Well, so am I!" Ginny exclaimed.

"Oh really? So if Harry Potter were to walk in right now and ask you out, you would say no because you're with Dean? Is that what you're trying to tell me?"

"I don't cheat!"

"I'm not saying you do. But if you had two options; you vould say yes, but I have to break up with Dean, give me some time, or no, I'm sorry I care too much about Dean…you're telling me you would say no?"

"No," she mumbled.

"Pardon?" Melissa asked grinning.

"No, you're right, I'd say yes, ok? Are you happy now?"

"No,"

"What?"

"Now it's just a matter of getting you two together!" Melissa exclaimed, laughing at Ginny's shocked face.

"Melissa, stay out of it!"

"Oh, please, as if I would dream of interfering. This is something you have to do on your own!"

"Good. I – agh!" she squealed. They had left their potatoes go without watching them, and they'd both slammed straight into the wall with a sickening squash.

"Oops," Melissa said, and she fell about into fits of giggles. Ginny looked at her for a minute before joining in. Then the door opened with a bang and Harry burst in, which set them going even harder. He just stared at them for a moment before sitting down on the bed, putting his hands together and waiting patiently for them to stop. But he looked so funny sitting there that he made them laugh even harder. 5 minutes later they sat up properly, stomachs aching, panting hard.

"Are you done now?" Harry asked.

"Yes, I think so,"

"What did you spill on the wall?" he asked.

"Mashed potato," Melissa replied, which set Ginny going again. Harry looked at her for a minute, a slight smile on his face, before turning back to Melissa. "Hogsmeade weekend is coming up, did Dumbledore sign your form?"

"Yeah, yeah he did, why?"

"Well, do you wanna come in with me?" he asked.

Ginny stopped laughing and straightened up against the wall. She fell silent and picked up her books. Melissa could have sworn she saw tears.

"Pardon?" she asked.

"Well, Hermione, Ron and I are going in to meet Remus, caz we can't really talk to him during school, ya know, and I thought you might like to come with us. You too Ginny," he added.

"Don't invite me just as an afterthought Harry, I'm a big girl,"

"I'm not adding you as an afterthought," he said quietly. "I really want you to come. Of course if you're going with Dean…"

"No, I'm not. Well, he hasn't asked me or anything,"

"Ginny and I were planning on going in together, so we'd love to come, thanks. Why did you burst in before anyway. You seemed excited,"

"Oh! Yeah I forgot! Did Ginny tell you about Hermione and George?"

"Yeah, why?"

"Well, George is coming in to see her, and Fred's coming with him, and Hermione was all excited, and Krum just wrote her to tell her that he was coming too because his team is in London for some reason or another. So it's going to be very interesting. Thought you'd want to come for the show!"

"It's not a show, she could have some serious problems! I mean, sure she and Krum broke it off, but he might not expect her to have a boyfriend so soon. How would you feel if there was a row?"

"Shitty, but entertained! Come on, you have to come! And you have to meet Krum too! I reckon you'd like him!"

"Like him how?"

"Well, he's an awesome guy, not that attractive, but he is older and famous!"

"I'm not interested in every older guy in the world Harry! Yeah, alright, I'll come. But as moral support for Hermione, not to see the show as you so meanly put it!"

"Awesome. By the way, Pansy Parkinson's looking for you," he started to leave.

"How do you know?" she asked.

"Because she told me. Look, I get that they're your friends, but do they have to talk to me?" he asked, laughing. "Seeya later! Bye Ginny,"

"Bye," she replied stiffly. "Told you he likes you,"

"He doesn't like me! He invited you too!"

"Yeah, as an afterthought! Look, I'm gunna to bed, I'll see you tomorrow,"

"Don't be ridiculous Ginny! It's after curfew, you're sure to get caught. Stay here the night, there's enough room!" she replied, almost laughing. She had an entire dormitory to herself on the fourth floor.

"No, look seriously, I just – "

"Ginny! Just stop, ok? Listen to me, very carefully okay? You are sleeping here the night. You're going to climb into the set of pajamas we left here just in case this ever happened, and you are going to close your eyes and sleep. You are going to dream lovely dreams, and when you wake up, you are going to walk over to my bed and say to me: I'm sorry Malicia, I know Harry Potter doesn't like you, and I'm so sorry for being so horrible. Ok?" Melissa grinned, but Ginny sat rooted to the spot.

"What did you call yourself?" she asked. Melissa looked at her for a second, recounting every last word she'd just said until she realized she'd called herself Malicia. She grinned.

"Um, my name! You know, Melissa? That's me!"

"No, you said Malicia…"

"No, no I didn't. I think you really need some sleep. Goodnight!" she exclaimed happily, quickly changing into her pajamas and climbing into bed.

When Ginny was changed, in her bed and snoring softly, Melissa turned the light off. How could I possibly have messed up like that! I've never thought of myself as anything but Melissa!

Two beds away, Ginny lay wide awake, hoping her fake snores would fool Melissa. They seemed to be, but she couldn't be sure. Malicia…I know that name, how do I know that name! She asked herself, over and over again. She resolved to ask Fred and George the minute she saw them on the weekend…

On the morning of the Hosgmeade weekend, Melissa overslept, and awoke to Ginny throwing a pillow at her head.

"Come on! We're supposed to leave in like 5 minutes!"

"Shit!" Melissa exclaimed, rolling over and looking at the mirror next to her bed. "Double shit!" she climbed out of bed and pulled on the denim skirt she'd been wearing the night before. She threw on her 'BAM' t-shirt, slipped on her ugg boots and pulled her 'Camp Kill Yourself' beanie on over her hair. She looked in the mirror, pointed her wand at her face and said 'Bella Facia', and instantly her face was made up ready to go. She grabbed her purse, diary, mobile and m:robe and shoved them unceremoniously into her bag, before following Ginny down the stairs to the Entrance Hall.

"Just on time," Harry said, laughing at them running down the stairs.

"Yeah, just. Sleepy here just woke up!" Ginny replied, pointing at Melissa who was yawning loudly.

"What?" she asked, smiling at them. "Geez Hermione, are you okay?"

"No! I'm like, a bundle of nerves!"

"Why?" Ron asked. "I mean, so your ex and your boyfriend (ugh!) are going to be in the same room together with you! So what! I personally think you're well shot of Vicky anyway!"

"Yeah, now you're just pissed caz she chose your brother next!" Harry pointed out.

"Irrelevant!" Ron replied, waving a dismissive hand.

"Oh please!" Hermione huffed, and walked out the door. Melissa and Ginny linked arms and ran after her. Ron and Harry shrugged before following them.

- - - - - - - - - -

They were walking down the main street when Harry heard his name.

"Harry! Hey Harry!" it was Neville and Luna, running down the street. The group stopped to wait for them. "Hey, guys. Do you mind if we hang out with you?" Neville asked.

"Uh, well Neville – "Harry began, but Melissa cut him off.

"Yeah, sure, guys. That's fine. We're on our way to the Three Broomsticks," they set off again and Harry pulled Melissa over.

"What are you doing?"

"Oh come on, they're your friends, and they obviously wanna hang around with you. Will it kill you?"

"I guess not…but you could have asked," he replied, begrudgingly.

"I don't answer to you, I never have and I never will. But if you're so against it, then let's put it this way; they're my friends and I want them with me, it just so happens that I'm with you, ok?"

They stared daggers at each other for a moment before they heard Ginny shout, "Hey guys! Are you two coming or what?" They ran to catch up.

"What was going on there?" Ginny whispered.

"Just a little disagreement," Melissa replied. "Your boyfriend was being pigheaded,"

"He's not my boyfriend!" Ginny hissed, opening the door to the Three Broomsticks.

The place was packed, and they had a hard time finding a seat, but a bunch of Ravenclaw seventh years left five minutes after they arrived, so they jumped from their bar stools and ran to the table. Melissa sat down on one side just as Draco Malfoy sat down on the other.

"It's mine!" they both shouted at the same time.

"Listen you little ferret, I got here first, fair and square. So fuck off ok?"

"Listen here you little tart, I don't care if you got here fair and square, I'm here now and I'm telling you to leave!" Crabbe and Goyle appeared behind him and grinned at Melissa.

"Please?" they asked, cracking their knuckles.

"Malfoy!" Pansy Parkinson shrieked, "Leave them alone! We have to go to the Hog's Head anyway remember? We have to meet my cousin! Hey Liss, I'll see you later ok?"

"See ya Pansy! Thanks," Pansy waved and Malfoy stomped out of the bar, not looking back. Melissa drew up more chairs and everyone came and sat down.

"So what time are Fred and George getting here?" Ron asked. There was a loud ' pop! ' and a voice from behind a bunch of people replied: "Right now little bro!"

The twins maneuvered their way around everybody to arrive at the table, and they conjured up chairs for themselves; George next to Hermione and Harry, Fred between Ginny and Melissa.

"Hey little sis, how ya going?"

"Yeah, pretty good, you?" Ginny replied.

"Awesome. Business is booming! Who's this?" he asked, looking at Melissa.

"Melissa Simmons," she replied. "Melissa, this is my brother Fred, and my other brother George," she pointed to George, who had just stood up and grabbed Hermione's hand.

"Nice to meet you, drinks anyone?" he asked. Everyone put their hand up for a Butterbeer and handed over their money, and Hermione and George disappeared into the crowd.

"Oh, so you're the one who stayed with Harry yeah?" Fred asked.

"Yep, that's me," she replied.

"Got it, the Slytherin,"

"Yes," she replied, smiling.

"Cool, nice to meet you,"

"You too. Is this place normally so full?"

"Um, well it's usually pretty busy, but not normally this bad. I think it's more that it's fairly safe place to meet with friends, and there aren't that many safe places around anymore," Fred replied, looking grim.

"Fair enough. Thanks," she took the drink George handed her and smiled gratefully.

"Oi Hermione what time's Viktor supposed to be here?" Harry asked, sipping his Butterbeer.

"Viktor? Viktor Krum? Hermione!" George exclaimed.

"Oops," Harry muttered.

"Look, it was his only weekend off and a friend needed to come here, so he wanted to come and see us, Harry and Ron included!"

"Oh really? And does he know about me?"

"Well no, not exactly. But I have every intention of telling him today, and then I'm just going to try and palm him off to Melissa for a while," she replied. Melissa choked on her drink and looked up at Hermione.

"What? That wasn't in the deal!" she exclaimed loudly.

Hermione shrugged. "Would you have come if you knew?"

Melissa slumped down in her chair and sulked. "Why am I always the distraction?"

"Maybe because you're so hot?" Fred replied. Melissa glared at him, and he muttered a quick sorry, before putting his head down and pointedly examining his Butterbeer bottle.

"Anyway, to answer your question, he's supposed to be here in like, five minutes. His friend had to meet his cousin in the Hog's Head at twelve, and he said he'd meet us all here at twelve thirty. What time are we meeting Remus, Harry?"

"Not until three," Harry replied.

"Ok then, well then maybe after Viktor gets here we could show Melissa around yeah?"

"Yeah, for sure. Hey isn't that Krum now?" Harry asked pointing to the door.

"Yeah that's him," Hermione waved her hand at him so he could see, and he signaled to someone behind him. "Oh my gosh,"

"Hello everyone,"

"Vik, this is really busy can't we just – shit,"

Melissa looked up at the sound of the voice and her mouth dropped. "Evan?"

"Hey, Liss. Um, how ya been?"

"Oh my God. Oh my God, this is so not…excuse me," she picked up her drink and ran out of the bar.

"Melissa! Hey everyone, um…Melissa!"

-

He followed her outside and found her sitting on a large outside Scrivenshaft's Quill Shop.

"Melissa?"

"This is weird," she replied.

"Tell me about it. Scoot," he said, and she moved over slightly so he could fit.

"How can you – no never mind. This is weird,"

"Yeah, you've said that,"

"I'm sorry, it's just so…weird! How?"

"Well, about four years ago, some weird, Bulgarian guy showed up at my doorstep and told me I was adopted, and I had to go to some magic school in Bulgaria, because that's where my real parents wanted me. How did you find out about Hogsmeade?"

"I go to Hogwarts," she replied.

"Oh…well that's…weird,"

"You're telling me. We should go back in,"

"Yeah, we should. I'm so sorry I didn't tell you, pup,"

"Nah, that's cool. I get why you couldn't have. I would have thought you were crazy,"

"You already do,"

"This is true," she replied, laughing. He punched her shoulder lightly, and she shoved him into the wall of the Three Broomsticks before running through the door.

"Hey guys, sorry about that,"

"Pfft, it's nothing. Melissa this is Viktor, Viktor this is Melissa," Harry replied.

"Hi, nice to meet you," she extended a hand and he kissed it.

"Nice to meet you," he replied, his accent heavy. She almost laughed, when Evan came up behind her and waved to everyone. They waved back and Melissa poked him.

"Um, this is Evan, everyone, Evan, this is Harry, Ron, Hermione, Fred, George, Ginny, Neville and Luna," she said, pointing to each in turn.

"Hi," they all replied together. Harry grabbed two chairs from the nearest empty table and Viktor and Evan sat down.

"So Evan, are you at Durmstrang too?" George asked, looking at Krum and putting his arm around Hermione protectively.

'Uh, no," Evan replied, looking between George and Krum. "I finished last year, so I'm just kind of, bumming around until I find my own place. My cousin said she saw a place around here, and that's why I had to meet her. She was showing me around,"

"Cousin?" Melissa asked.

"Yeah. She's a year above you, I think. Pansy,"

"Oh, God!" Harry replied, looking disgusted. "And here we thought you were almost alright!"

Evan laughed and put his hands out, palms facing the group. "I am alright! I don't like her much really, but this place is really cheap and I don't have much, so yeah,"

"Hey! She happens to be one of my friends, people," Melissa exclaimed, laughing.

"Hermione, can I speak with you for a minute?" Krum piped up, drawing his gaze away from George.

"Uh, sure, hang on," she picked up her drink and walked around to Melissa. "Please help me!"

Melissa nodded and Hermione grinned gratefully. She followed Krum through the crowd and outside.

"What's going on there?" Evan asked, interested.

"He's her ex," George snarled.

"Oh and you're jealous because he's good looking, famous and rich, right?"

Melissa hit him. "Not helping!" she whispered.

George put his head down on the table and punched it. "Arsehole!"

They were all staring at him, not quite knowing what to say, when Hermione and Krum returned, both looking angry and frustrated. Hermione looked pointedly at Melissa, who nodded and stood up.

"Hey, um, I'm feeling kinda hungry, so I think I'm going to go get something to eat. Anyone wanna come with me?" she looked around at everyone as if to say 'don't even think about it' and they all shook their heads. She looked at Krum. "What about you?"

He started to shake his head but she grabbed his arm and pulled him. "You look like you could use something warm and chocolaty, see ya guys!" and she hauled him out of the room.

"I really vould prefer not to," he said quietly.

"Nonsense! You were here a couple of years ago, surely you remember where to go?" he nodded slightly and she grinned. "Well, there you go! As of now, you're officially my guide, coz I aint got no fuckin' clue!" she grinned. He looked at her for a minute, then stood up begrudgingly.

"Not too long," he replied gruffly.

He led her to Honeydukes and they picked out the largest bar of chocolate they could find, paid for that plus two mugs of hot chocolate, and went and sat out underneath a tree on the outskirts of the village.

"So, Viktor Krum, tell me a bit about yourself," she said, sipping some of her hot chocolate.

"Vell, I'm sure you vould know all about me…" he replied, looking a little unsure.

"Um, well, actually no. Evan said something about you being famous, but that's the extent of my knowledge,"

"Oh, vell, in that case…I play Quidditch for the Bulgarian national team. And I – " he was cut off by the sound of her phone. She picked it up, looked at the number, and turned off the phone in disgust.

"Sorry, ex boyfriend. You were saying?"

"Um, I finished school two years ago, and I haff been traveling vith my team for the past two years, but I am thinking of quitting,"

"How come?"

"It doesn't really make me happy anymore,"

"Fair enough. That's why I quit singing at school too, although I guess it's a bit different!" she replied, laughing.

"You sing?"

"I used to. I'm a bit rusty though! The only time I sing now is in the shower!"

"I vould like to hear you,"

"Well, unless you plan to take a shower with me, that ain't gunna happen," she replied, laughing. He looked at her for a minute before joining in.

"I haff no intention of showering vith you. Please sing for me?"

"Oh but I…alright," she sang him a few bars of 'Anything For You" by Evanescence, and he clapped when she finished. She laughed and took a half bow. "Thank you, thank you very much,"

"You are very good,"

"Thanking you,"

"You are very velcome," he replied. They sat in silence for a minute, finishing their hot chocolates. Melissa looked at her watch.

"We should go back now. They'll be wondering where we are. We said we were buying chocolate, not going somewhere to eat it too!"

"Alright, let's go," he picked up the untouched block of chocolate, and they walked back to the Three Broomsticks.

The crowd had dispersed slightly, but there were still no extra chairs, and when they arrive back at the table, Melissa found her seat had been taken by Dean Thomas. Krum sat down next to Ginny, and Melissa just stared around for a minute before leaning on Ginny's chair.

"Here, sit here," Krum pulled out his chair and patted his legs.

"Thanking you," she replied, and sat down. Hermione looked at Melissa and grinned.

"Thank you," she mouthed.

"No problems," replied Melissa,

"So where did you two get off to?" Evan asked.

"We went and bought chocolate and sat down outside," Melissa replied.

"Oh, Honeydukes chocolate hey? What does it taste like, I've heard it's great,"

"Um, I'm not sure actually, we didn't get around to eating it," Melissa replied holding up the bar of chocolate. Evan looked at her, then Krum, then back to her, and laughed. "Oh please Evan! Grow up!"

"Vat?" Krum whispered in her ear.

"He thinks we hooked up," Melissa replied.

"Oh. Vell, he is stupid then. No doubt I vill get questioned ven ve leave. Speaking of," he looked at his watch. "Evan, ve must go, I told the coach I vould be back in ten minutes,"

"Oh, okay. Well, bye everyone! It was nice to meet you!"

"You too!" they all replied.

"Goodbye," Krum said, waving. He grabbed Melissa's hand and kissed it again. "See you soon I hope. I vould love to hear you sing again," he said quietly. She laughed and waved goodbye.

Everyone was grinning at her when she turned around.

"Oh shut up! We just talked! Minds out of the gutter people!"

"Sure, whatever! Well, I'm just glad you kept him out of my hair for a while!" Hermione exclaimed, sighing loudly.

"Me too!" George added, grinning.

"Harry! Harry!" they all turned around to se Lavender Brown and Parvati Patil running towards them.

"Hey guys what's up?" Harry asked.

"Never mind! Professor Lupin told us to come and get you! He's been attacked!"

They all stood up so fast that eleven chairs clattered to the ground.

"What? Where?" Harry asked panicked.

"Out by the shrieking shack, it looks like he's been choked, but I don't know what with! He said to come and get you and tell you Wormtail did it, and then he fainted!

They all ran out of the Three Broomsticks and down the busy street to the deserted Shrieking Shack. They could see what looked like a tangled ball of robes in front of the building, but as they moved closer, they saw it was Remus Lupin, his body spread in all directions. He could barely breathe, and his throat was fast turning purple. He tried to sit up as they moved closer but Harry pushed him softly down again.

"Don't, don't even try," he said, his voice getting caught in his throat, and tears pouring down his face. "What happened?"

"Wormtail…Lestranges…cornered me, tackled me…silver hand…poison.." and he fainted.

"Remus!" Harry screamed.

"Harry! Harry it's all right! He's fainted, that's all. Dean, can you run up to the Three Broomsticks, use the fire to floo to the school and get someone immediately!" Melissa said calmly. "Harry, you should go with him too," Harry protested but Hermione agreed.

"We didn't hear what he said properly, and he may not wake up for a while. You're the only one who can alert Dumbledore properly!" she said anxiously, looking at Remus.

"He will wake up!" Harry snarled, choking back more tears.

"I know Harry, of course he will. Go!"

Harry and Dean ran to the Three Broomsticks, while everyone else huddled in a big circle trying to figure out what had happened. Melissa stayed with Remus, trying to wake him up.

"Come on Remus, you have to wake up. Enervate!"

He opened his eyes slowly.

"Professor! What were they after, why did they attack you? Why did my parents attack you?" she asked urgently. He held up his hand and she grabbed it, just as he slipped back into unconsciousness. She felt a piece of paper in his hand and pulled it out. The front of it read Malicia Lestrange. She stuffed it into her pocket before anyone could see, and conjured up a bowl of water and a towel to clean him with.

Meanwhile, the group as trying to work out exactly what Lupin had said.

"I could have sworn I heard Wormtail!" Ron said to Hermione.

"It is entirely possible. That would explain why the marks on his neck are so swollen and inflamed. He probably has silver poisoning,"

"Did he mention the Lestranges too?" Neville asked.

"I think he may have Neville," Ginny replied. Neville put his head down. Everyone present knew why. The Lestranges had been responsible for torturing Neville's parents into insanity, and the Prophet had unabashedly reported it, without any concern fort he parties involved. Luna put her arm around his shoulders.

"What's Melissa doing?" Fred asked.

"I think she's trying to clean him up," Ginny replied.

"Why would anyone do this? It's such a malicious thing to do!" Dean exclaimed.

"Malicious…" Ginny whispered. "Fred, George can I talk to you for a sec?"

"Yeah sure," Fred replied. They walked away from the group, under a nearby tree. "What's up little sis?"

"Do you know anyone named Malicia?"

"Um…the name sounds familiar," Fred replied.

"Yeah, it would. Remember, Mum looked after that kid just before Ginny was born, Fred. It was only for a few weeks, and then Dumbledore took her to live with some Muggles. Mum raved about her for ages. That's probably where you know it from Gin. Why?"

"Oh, just a dream I had. Why did she have to go live with Muggles?"

"Um, from what I remember, and this is just a memory mind you, I was only three at the time! But I think Mum and Dad said something about her parents being in Azkaban…I think. Don't hold me too it!" he exclaimed.

"Oh I remember her! She was a cute little thing! I remember I thought she was our sister because she had red hair too!"

"Yeah, she was a cutie. Is that all Gin?"

"Yeah, yeah that's all I wanted. Thanks guys! Oh, Harry's back with Dumbledore!"

They ran back over to the group, which was now surrounding Remus, and watched as the Headmaster conjured a stretcher and put him on it. They followed him back up to the castle and into the Hospital Wing. Madam Pomfrey shrieked at the sight of him and went for Potion rack immediately.

"What's the matter with him Dumbledore?" she exclaimed.

"Silver poisoning," Dumbledore replied. Madam Pomfrey looked at him, shocked. "It was the Death Eaters Poppy,"

"Oh no. Dumbledore, I'm not entirely sure if I can handle silver poisoning…" she said, looking anxious.

"Just give him something to ease the pain, I'll contact St Mungo's immediately, and he can be taken there. Harry will be staying with him until he is taken there. Can I ask all of you to return to your dormitories and not mention this to anyone,"

They all nodded somberly and left, Harry took the seat next to Remus and grabbed his arm.

"Will he be alright Professor?"

"I'm not entirely sure, Harry. It's an extensive injury. I'll ask Dilys to keep an eye on him while he's there, and keep us posted as to his progress but that's the best I can do. I'm so sorry," he put a hand on his shoulder, squeezed gently, then strode out of the room. Melissa turned to Harry.

"Do you want me to stay?" she asked.

"Thanks, but I think it'll be okay. It won't be long until he leaves anyway. Thanks,"

"That's okay. I'll see you later,"

"Bye,"

She walked the empty corridors, dazed and confused, until she got to her own room, where she lay down on her bed and stared at the roof. The piece of paper fell out of her pocket and she picked it up, amazed that she had forgotten all about it in such a short time. Her fingers trembled as she opened it up, and read the small, loopy handwriting.

My darling child,

Our last meeting was not very fortunate, and for that I apologize. I also apologize for the state we have had to leave your friend in, Wormtail got carried away. I am your mother, and I urge you to please, come and join me. I have missed you ever since the day you were born, in Azkaban, when I forgot myself I still remembered your face as clearly as day. Please, Malicia, follow your birthright, come to me. You will be rewarded.

Love, your mother.

Melissa looked at the letter in disgust, before tearing it up and setting fire to the pieces with her wand. As they burned, they let out a shrill scream, which made Melissa herself scream. A voice echoed through her room, screaming at her over and over again.

"You will pay!"