Disclaimer: Sorry, but I am not J.K. Rowling (unfortunately).

A/N: So, if you didn't notice, this story is loosely based off the fifth book. Some events and things may be changed in order to accommodate the new character (Melody) and George's POV.

It wasn't until Harry came to Grimmuald place about a month later that I got another chance at alone time with Melody.

I wasn't quite sure what his problem was. I got the gist of it through mine and Fred's Extendable Ears (we weren't eavesdropping . . . on them, anyway, but Harry was interfering). Something about them (Ron, Hermione, and Melody) not telling him about this place and what was going on, seeing as how he did this and that at school. I had tuned out slightly until Melody spoke up.

"You don't understand, Harry –" she stared to say.

"I DON'T UNDERSTAND? NO, MELODY, YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND! YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND WHAT IT'S LIKE TO LIVE WITH THE DURSLEYS AND HAVE TO DEAL WITH THEIR TORTURE EVERY SINGLE DAY! YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND WHAT IT'S LIKE TO NOT HAVE FAMILY! YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND WHAT IT'S LIKE TO WAKE UP AND KNOW YOU WON'T SEE YOUR PARENTS!"

Fred and I turned to look at each other following that moment of silence. Then, there was the sound of a hand hitting skin. I couldn't help but wince, feeling bad for whoever was on the end of that slap. There was another long pause before Melody said, "You're a right git, Harry, you know that? Going on about all your bloody accomplishments and how bloody horrible your summer was! Well, I'll have you know you're not the only one! How do you think we feel, huh? All of us and the adults being made to come here because we're trying to help you arse out in this bloody war!"

There was another pause. The door opened behind us and I could hear her voice again, but louder. "Oh and by the way, maybe I don't know what it's like to live with the Dursleys! Maybe I don't know what it's like to not have family because I considered you, Ron, and Hermione my family! But I do know what it's like not to be able to see my parents! Death Eaters killed my parents, damn it! So you before you start to go off at the mouth about the things you've done and the things you don't have, think about all Ron, Hermione, and I have done to help you and the things we've lost because of it!"

The door slammed. Melody walked off, angry tears streaming down her face. She didn't even notice Fred and me leaning slightly over the banister.

Fred and I looked at each other again, waiting for the yelling to continue but it didn't. I removed the earpiece from my ear, sitting back on the bed. Fred was still trying to listen to the adults' conversation downstairs. I was somewhat surprised that Melody's yelling hadn't alerted them or the pictures.

Fred took the earpiece out of his ear sighing. "In another couple of minutes, I think I'm gonna go in there, make sure they're okay, maybe try to distract them a bit. You reckon you should check on Melody?"

I looked in the direction she had gone. "Yeah, I think I will."

"Just make sure she doesn't slap you," Fred joked half-heartedly as I walked off.

I found Melody down the hall in what Sirius had told us used to be his father's den. She sat on the desk, kicking her feet back and forth.

"Hey," I said.

She glanced over her shoulder at me. "Hi, George," she said.

I walked over and sat behind her on the desk. She pressed her back against mine, leaning against me. "So, Harry made you a bit mad, huh?"

She gave a cute little snort. "You heard that?"

"Mel, I think people in the States heard yours and Harry's argument. Not to mention the nice hit you gave him."

"He just pissed me off so bad! I mean, who does he think he is, anyway? For a minute, he reminded me of Gilderoy Lockhart." She shivered slightly. "And I just couldn't believe the things he said to us."

Her voice cracked slightly and she sniffed. "He hurt your feelings," I said.

" . . . yeah, he really did. I just . . . I always thought we had a better friendship than that."

I waited for a second, letting her wipe away the tears on her face. "I might have something that'll cheer you up," I said.

"What?" she asked.

I held out my hand to her and she took it. My stomach did little flips as I led her back towards mine and Fred's room. Now, don't get any wrong ideas. I'm not that stupid.

"Wow," Melody said, looking around at all the unfinished inventions. "Is this what you guys do all day?"

"Yep," I said, moving some junk off my bed so that she could sit down. "Well, besides eating and sleeping."

"Harry told me about the money he gave you," she said. "Are you going to open that joke shop?"

I smiled. "I didn't even know you knew about that."

She rolled her eyes. "How could I not? You've talked about it with Fred ever since I've known you guys. So are you going to do it?"

"Yeah," I said, turning back to my search. "There's a place in Diagon Alley we want to get. We're thinking about starting it right after we graduate from Hogwarts."

"That should be great. I can't wait to shop there."

"I can't wait for you to buy there."

"What are you looking for?"

"I had something I thought you might like. . . . Aw, here it is." I straightened up and tossed my gift to her. She unrolled it, smiling. "It's my first Quidditch jersey, from second year. I thought you might like it to play Quidditch in."

She stood up and held the jersey up to her body. The sleeves that had stopped between my elbow and my shoulder fell all the way down to her elbow and the bottom of the shirt fell down to her knees. "It might be a little big," she giggled.

"Well," I said grinning. "Maybe you can use it as a night gown."

She laughed, hugging me. "Thanks. You really did make me feel better, George."

I could feel my ears get hot as stepped away from me. I opened my mouth to say something, anything, but then the pictures downstairs started to scream.

Melody rolled her eyes. "Tonks probably knocked over the umbrella holder again. Let's go."

She grabbed my hand this time and pulled me from the room, down the stairs, clutching my/her jersey to her chest.

Of course, I had a gigantic grin on my face, but how could you blame me.