The fates were against me, and that night I had a dream about Fred. It wasn't major, or anything smut related. But we had been in a field of tall grass, holding hands and walking. I was watching as a bystander behind the other me and Fred. Something seemed wrong, but at the same time they both looked happy. But, before I could inspect any closer I was shook awake by Clarisse.

"Melissa, get up, I gave you an extra ten minutes, get up or you'll be late."

"I don't wanna." I replied childishly as I pulled the covers up higher and pulled my knees to my chest.

She sighed and ran her fingers through her dark hair. Her hazel eyes looking pretty tired and makeup free.

"Melissa, get up now or ill make you get up."

"I'd like to see you try." I challenged, though my words were slightly slurred.

"Fine."

Next thing I knew I was in the air, along with my mattress, then I was falling, then I was on the ground with my mattress on top of me. Needless to say I was wide awake now and fully alert. I scrambled around to get out from under the mattress and saw the other girls in our dorm room stifling giggles and rolling their eyes, smiling nonetheless.

"Clarisse, I hope you don't think me rude. But, are you insane!" I yelled. I was smiling but my life had passed before my eyes and I thought I was dying.

"You challenged me, so I simply used the most sure fire way to wake you up and get you out of bed at the same time."

"Smart ass."

"At least I'm not a dumbass." She replied coyly.

I grumbled curses under my breathe and stumbled to the bathroom. I checked my hair and determined I was to shower when the day was over. I hated morning showers. They just never clicked with me. I did the normal face wash, brushing routine and went on to makeup. Some brown mascara, almost translucent shimmery pink eye shadow, and peppermint flavored lip gloss. I wore this everyday, never anything different, it was easier to stick to a routine.

For my hair, I arranged it into two low pony tails at the base of my head. I changed into my uniform. I was alarmed to find that all my knee highs were dirty, and was forced to go sockless. I slipped on a pair of black ballet flats and rushed out the bathroom, to my bed, grabbed my bag and met Clarisse at the bottom of the stairs.

The two of us were walking calmly down to breakfast when we heard a little cough come from behind us. I looked over my shoulder and saw Professor Umbridge. In my mind I sneered, but outside I placed a pleasant smile on my face and asked, "Can I help you Professor?"

"Well, you see, that outfit is rather risqué don't you think? It would be much more appropriate with a couple, minor adjustments. Wouldn't you agree?" she giggled at the end of her sentence but it didn't cover up the malicious intent behind her gaudy pink wardrobe.

With that she whipped out her wand, flicked it, and then my skirt which had already been at a modest length was pulled down to just brush against my knees, my tie was tightened, and the top button on my uniform was done. She didn't do anything about the socks I was relived. I hated the look of flats and socks together. It just didn't mesh well in my mind.

I gritted my teeth and said, "Thank you Professor, wouldn't want to look trashy."

"But of course dear, any time." She smiled sickeningly sweet and giggled as she walked off down another hallway.

"I hate that dreadful woman." I said through still gritted teeth.

"Come on Melissa, she's not worth it. Lets just get to breakfast. Id like to eat before class today."

"Whatever, maybe my day will get better."

With that we continued on, and I loosened my tie. It was my tiny act of rebellion. I didn't challenge authority despite any circumstances. I was a bit of a coward and was terrified of getting in trouble, failing, or letting others down. So to avoid it I followed the rules mostly, didn't argue against teachers, and didn't do anything that could mean performing an act of bravery. I just wasn't like Harry Potter, or the twins. I wasn't destined for greatness or anything.

We arrived for breakfast and I was shocked at just how many people were there. It was almost full.

"I suppose we're later than I thought." I said to Clarisse.

She nodded in agreement and walked over to where our friends were sitting.

I followed suit, but when I saw Cho Chang I made a brief detour. We weren't super close, but we knew each other and studied together sometimes. She looked sad, I said hello and gave her a warm hug. After Cedric dying she wasn't the same. She was very forlorn. She smiled sadly at me when I stood up and I placed a comforting hand on her shoulder before walking away. Normally I was horrid at comforting people, but I saw somebody do that on the little talking muggle box when I went to Clarisse's house over the summer.

I sat down and picked up a croissant and began to nibble on it. But then the little bit of silence that was there was broken by somebody shouting, "Look at that!"

Everyone looked up to see that all of the pumpkin juice in the room had flown into the air and was elaborately spelling out a message in the air. It was amazing to watch and looked very complicated. It was writing in a beautiful cursive. But then I realized the message,

"Melissa Andrews, will you be my girlfriend, Fred Weasley."

My mouth was wide open and I felt the entire room staring at me awaiting the answer. I took a deep breathe, stood up and held out my wand. I then used a simple spell that allowed you to write in the air as though it were parchment and wrote, "of course."

The entire place boomed with applause and I felt a huge smile on my face. I then felt a tap on my shoulder and turned around to see Fred.

"Hi." I said shyly, completely losing my nerve. The butterflies in my stomach were going crazy.

He then smiled, then spoke in an absurd, nasal accent attempting to sound like a snob and said, "Would you accompany me to Hogs Meade next week?"

I followed suit with the accent and replied, "Of course sir Fred. I'd be delighted."

He then smiled, leaned fore ward to lightly kiss me on the cheek, winked, and then rushed back to his table. I sighed and sat back down, knowing I must look like an idiot.

"Oh my Merlin, I can't believe he went through all of that trouble to ask you out!" Jacob said with his eyes wide.

"Me neither, he must have it bad for you too." Clarisse added.

I saw the head girl looking at me disapprovingly, and in the heat of the moment I stuck my tongue out, finished my croissant and went to my first class with Clarisse in tow.

The rest of the day went smoothly with people congratulating me, Fred walking me to class, and everything just falling into place. But with my luck, this wasn't guaranteed to last long. And darkness was slowly coming, slow and sure. When it hit, things would change. And everyone around me, would come to terms with what lingered in the back of every one's mind since Cedric died the year before at the tri wizard tournament. Has he who must not be named, finally returned?