A/N: SO here I am with a new chapter, sooner than you expected! I hope you enjoy it. The story is going to begin to be pretty complex within the next few chapters, so get excited!
Anomaly
Chapter 11
Suddenly, Noah pulled away. With a strangled sigh, he leaned his head into his hands and ran his fingers through his hair. Melanie leaned back in the sofa and waited for him to gather himself.
Then, he looked up at her with rueful eyes and said, "I can't do this, Melanie."
She cocked an eyebrow inquisitively. "What?"
"I'm sorry," he grimaced. "Look, I just, I really would like to just be friends."
For some reason, Melanie did not feel upset in the least. Exasperatedly, she said, "Are you serious, Noah?"
"I'm really sorry," he repeated. "Please. I couldn't tell you why. I just, I just wanna be friends."
She had no idea why, but she smiled at him. "I'd like that, Noah. Just friends?"
He breathed a sigh of relief. "Merlin, I thought you were gonna kill me!"
Shoving him playfully, she let out a laugh. "Come on," she said, "you don't think I'd risk Azkaban prison over you?" It was relieving. Her attraction to Noah had been a struggle while he'd been interested in her, but if he didn't want anything it'd be easier for her to brush it off as just that-an attraction.
"Hmm, the Muggle girl knows about Azkaban," he teased, dodging her fist as it came to his face.
"I'm a witch," she said proudly.
"That's not what the decorations today were saying," he said, laughing.
"Shut up!" she cried, shoving him again.
He grinned his cocky grin, and then abruptly grew serious. "I've never had an actual girl friend before, Melanie," he said.
Melanie snorted. "Yeah, uh huh. Sure, you haven't."
"I'm serious!" he said. "I haven't."
"Noah, you're like Hogwarts Casanova. Of course you've had girlfriends. Don't try your vulnerable boy routine on me. We already decided to just be friends," said Melanie wearily.
"No, no! I meant friends who are girls," he explained.
"Oh." She paused. "Are you—really? Never?"
"Nope." With a wry smile, he shook his head.
"That," she took a pondering breath, "is unexpected. What about the Royal Group? Like the family people."
Rolling his eyes, Noah shrugged. "Melanie, none of the girls in the-the Royal Group are related to me. So nearly all of them are into me," he said.
"Modest, you are."
"Shut up. You know what I mean," he said, shoving her this time.
Giggling, she nodded. "Yeah I do," she said apologetically. "But I'm sure some of them aren't into you. Myra Peyton, for one."
He turned to her, surprised. "What makes you think Myra isn't into me?" he asked.
"Well, she fancies James, doesn't she?"
Noah chuckled. "Damn right, she fancies James. If only the morons would get it. She's fancied him forever, you know," he told her knowingly.
"How long?"
"Oh, I dunno, since their third year, maybe?"
Melanie let out a low whistle. "Damn."
"Damn is correct."
"But anyway, isn't Myra your friend?" Melanie asked, bringing the conversation back to the initial topic.
"Er, well, most people don't know this…" he said uncomfortably.
"Well, I'm your friend, so you're now obligated to tell me," she said, grinning.
He rolled his eyes at her, and continued, "Myra doesn't like me."
"She doesn't like you? What's not to like?"
"Thanks," he smiled at her, "but she really, really does not like me. I don't even know why—I never did anything to her as far as I know. I didn't like, break her heart or anything—"
"Are you sure about that?" she teased.
"No, really," he insisted. "The people who do know think that's why, like we had a secret affair or something, but we didn't. Nothing like that. She's just never liked me."
"So why is she in the Royal Group? You're like, the leader and the most popular out of all of you," Melanie asked.
Noah merely gave her a look.
"Right. James. Got it."
He shrugged. "It's never really bothered me. I don't really know her. She just doesn't like me for apparently no reason."
"Well, all right," said Melanie. "Then I suppose I'll do you the honor of being your first friend who is a girl."
Noah looked at her, grinning. "I'm glad, Melanie. I'm glad."
The next day was Hogsmeade Saturday, and Melanie was relieved to get away from the ridiculous gossip that followed her around night and day. Some first years even stared and pointed openly at her while they whispered. If she could do satisfactory magic, Melanie might be tempted to curse them into oblivion, but for now she fantasized about dueling them the Muggle way: with her fists.
She was thankful that Al and Rose refrained from questioning her about the conversation she had obviously had with Noah the night before, even though it was clear that they were dying to know what had happened. So, they sat awkwardly at breakfast, exchanging pleasantries and odd looks (at least between Al and Rose), until Noah approached her in the middle of the table.
"Hey," he said with a smile.
"Hi."
Everyone's eyes were on them, including Al's and Rose's.
"You all wanna come with us to Hogsmeade?" he said, flashing his flirtatious smile at Rose. She gasped very slightly.
Melanie rolled her eyes. "Why?"
"I dunno," he said, shrugging. "Hogsmeade is something I do with my friends."
The people within earshot literally gaped, mouths wide open.
Smirking, Melanie replied after a moment, "Sure. We'll go. Yeah?" She turned to her friends.
Al cleared his throat and said, "Uh huh. Sure." Rose was still dumbstruck at the moment.
"Great," said Noah. "See you in the Entrance Hall."
She nodded and smiled, waving at him as he went back to his seat at the end of the table.
"Okay, that's it," said Rose, slamming her fists on the table.
Melanie jumped slightly. "Whoa, what?"
"You know exactly what, Melanie Daniels," said Al, glaring at her.
"What the hell happened last night?" Rose demanded.
She smiled mysteriously at them. "I'm not really sure," she teased, "but we're friends now."
"Yes, we can see that," said Rose sardonically.
"Come on, Melanie," Al begged. "We're, like, your best friends ever. We should know."
"Oh, God, ew," she said, throwing her hands up in surrender. "All right, all right. Just stop groveling. I'll tell you."
They cheered, causing people to turn around and stare, probably drawing ridiculously incorrect conclusions. Melanie glared at her friends.
"Thanks for that," she hissed.
"Not our problem," said Rose. "If you'd just gone ahead and told us earlier, that wouldn't be an issue."
With a sigh, she replied, "Yeah, you're probably right. Anyway, basically all that happened was we talked and we kissed and we talked and we decided to be friends and that's it."
Al and Rose stared at her with open mouths. Glancing around in panic, Melanie hissed at them, "Close your bloody mouths! Do you want more gossip?!"
They closed their mouths abruptly. "Sorry, Melanie," Rose whispered. "But are you serious? All that-that drama, and you're just gonna be friends?"
Melanie shrugged. "Yeah, I guess," she said. "It was his idea, not mine."
"Noah Prewett has never been asked a girl to be just friends before," said Al in awe. "What did you do to him?"
"Unlike you guys, I don't really know him that well, and I didn't know him before I met him, obviously, so I can't answer that question."
Al stuck his tongue out at her. "I'd tell you it was a rhetorical question but you'd probably just find another way to mock me," he said.
"You know me so well," she quipped, and flashed a smile at him.
"Oh, shut up."
"Anyway, it's probably for the best," Melanie said as she took a bite of her eggs.
"Why do you say that?" asked Rose.
"Well," said Melanie, glancing on the other end of the table where a clump of redheads were laughing robustly. "I've been learning that a LOT of girls fancy Noah, you for example,"—Rose let out a cry of protest—"so I don't really want to get in anyone's way. A lot of people like him more than I do."
"That's true, but a lot of those girls don't really know him," Al pointed out. "They just like him cause he's attractive and popular."
"I know, but there are girls who actually know him and like him," said Melanie. "I'm talking about those girls."
"If you're talking about me, then don't worry about it," said Rose.
"I'm not, but what do you mean?" said Melanie.
"I mean that I like Noah, but it's just a crush. I know I'm never gonna be with him, nor do I really want to," she said.
"What? Why not?"
Rose shrugged indifferently. "When you get to know Noah, you start to get that you shouldn't go for him."
"Because he's a playboy?" said Melanie knowingly.
"No." Rose shook her head. "It's not because of that. It's—I can't really explain it. It's just what all the cousins say."
"That is actually true," Al agreed. "A lot of the cousins say not to go for Noah, especially the older ones."
"That sounds really bloody mysterious, but it's for another day," said Melanie. "Let's go to Hogsmeade. I wanna see a real Wizarding village."
While the giant group traipsed around Hogsmeade, Melanie paid close attention to Myra. Her arm was draped affectionately around James's shoulders, and she was laughing along with everyone else, but whenever Noah said something, the light would disappear from her eyes. As she watched James check out girls passing them by, Melanie felt her heart break slightly for her friend. It was so very obvious that Myra was head-over-heels in love with James Potter.
"So, is Molly still back at home with Lucy?" asked Rose.
"Yeah," said Fred, nodding his head. "She's gonna stay for a couple more weeks. Aunt Audrey was pretty disturbed—she's insisting."
"What about Uncle Percy?" said Al. "Is he doing okay?"
"Mostly," said Fred. "Knowing him, he'd be more focused on making Aunt Audrey and Molly feel better now that Lucy's pretty much all right."
"I'd really, really like to meet this family one day," said Melanie. It was the truth; the largeness and the closeness of this family seemed like something one should witness if given the chance. Immediately, the group swelled with enthusiastic cries.
"Of course!"
"We'd love for you to come!"
"You're seriously gonna love it."
"The family is wonderful."
"It's amazing, Melanie," said Myra. "Their family is, like, the most welcoming group of people I've ever seen."
"Come for Christmas," Al encouraged.
"You know, I think I might," said Melanie thoughtfully. It would really be nice for her mother to spend her time with such loving people. "When would it be best for you?"
Rose laughed. "That is the most ridiculous question I've heard in a while."
"Grandma Weasley rules the family," Al said. "And once we tell her you're coming for Christmas, you'll be staying for a week."
"Er, I don't want to impose," Melanie said hesitantly.
"Yeah...the word 'impose' isn't really in the family's vocabulary," said Fred, grinning.
"Agreed. My family's staying at the Burrow for about two days," said Xander. "And those two days are Christmas Eve and Christmas day."
"Don't you all need family time or something?" said Melanie.
"Oh, no, they're all about family time," Myra said. "It's just, they consider literally everyone family."
"Are you staying there, too?" Melanie asked her.
"Damn right, she is," said James, putting an arm around her waist. Everyone but James noticed Myra blush.
"All right, well, I'll talk to my mum," said Melanie.
"To warn her?" said Fred.
"Er, no, to ask her if—"
"No, there will be no asking," Rose assured her.
"But—"
"Seriously, Melanie," said Al. "Warn her that she'll be getting an owl from Mrs. Molly Weasley letting her know that there will be a room ready for you and her around Christmas day."
"Oh, no, if Xander's family is already gonna be there Christmas day—"
"I'd advise you not to argue," said Rose.
"She's right, Melanie," said Noah. "My family's there for Christmas Eve and Christmas day, too."
"So's mine," said Myra. "Except we're only coming for Christmas Eve dinner and Christmas day lunch, and then we'll have to leave."
"What?" James protested. "Why? Nobody told me about this."
"I just did," said Myra humorously. "We're travelling to Finland to see my uncle."
"Grandma Weasley's just gonna insist he come here," said James.
"No, my mum's already talked to Mrs. Weasley. My uncle really can't come," said Myra.
"Why the hell not?" demanded James.
"Because he's really ill with scrofungulus and the Healers aren't letting him leave," she explained.
James fell silent.
"I'm sorry, Myra," said Noah.
She avoided his eye. "It's all right. I don't know him too well."
Noah nodded and looked away.
Melanie glanced at her watch. "Oh hell, I've got to go meet my mum! I'll see you all in a bit!" With that, she hurried away.
Mrs. Daniels had been overjoyed to see her daughter smiling, and had agreed heartily to staying with the Weasleys during the Christmas vacation.
"It'll be lovely to be with some happy people for a change," she had said enthusiastically.
"I thought so, too," Melanie had agreed. She'd noticed that her mother had cut and dyed her hair—in short, light brown layers. She looked several years younger and more relaxed than she had when Melanie had left.
Later that evening, back in the dormitories, Melanie pondered this. Could her mother be possibly dating a new man? Was it possible she'd moved on from her husband's death so quickly? The idea made Melanie extremely uncomfortable; her parents had been happily married and in love, and it seemed wrong that her mother could forget him so soon when Melanie was struggling so much with it.
Rose stepped out of the bathroom and started slightly when she saw Melanie sitting on her bed, staring into space.
"Merlin, Melanie, what are you doing?" she said, rubbing her hair with a fluffy towel.
Melanie fell out of her reverie and looked Rose properly in the face before shrugging apathetically. "Nothing," she replied.
"All right," said Rose, now brushing her hair. "Can I ask you something, Melanie?"
With a ponderous sigh, she lay back on her bed and gazed up at the ceiling. "Ask away."
"Where's your dad?"
Shocked, Melanie sat upright and stared at Rose. "What?"
"I'm sorry," Rose amended. "I-I should've been more, er, tactful, I suppose. I'm sorry."
"What did you mean?" Melanie demanded.
"Just—you only ever say anything about your mother. You've never said anything about your dad. So I-I was just wondering…" Rose trailed off, looking extremely apologetic.
For a moment, Melanie considered lying. She considered telling Rose that her father had died many years ago and she had barely ever known him, so she didn't talk about him very often because there was nothing to talk about. She considered saying that her father had left her mother and she hated talking about him. But she couldn't do that. She couldn't taint her father's memory that way.
"He-he died," she said, her voice cracking. "He died in summer. In-in the car accident. The one that m-made me a witch." Tears brimmed her eyes.
"Oh, Melanie," Rose whispered. She came and sat next to her and wrapped her arms around her shaking friend. "I'm so, so sorry."
"It's all right," Melanie murmured. "I'm doing all right."
"I'm so sorry we've been bugging you with the shallowness of our lives for so long," she said. "I can't believe you've been dealing with it like this."
Melanie shrugged. "To be honest, it kind of helps," she admitted.
Rose pulled away and held Melanie at arm's length. "Really?"
"Yeah," said Melanie, nodding. "It does. I-I dunno if you've noticed, but I'm not a needy person. I'd really rather deal with this thing on my own. So going on like normal—you know, gossip, drama, boys—it makes it easier. I don't have to think about it all the time. I can-I can get over it slowly."
Thoughtfully, Rose nodded. "That makes sense," she said. Then, she smiled. "So tell me about this new so-called friendship, with Noah…"
A/N: So now that Melanie's come clean to at least one person, her fieriness will cool down a little bit. That is, until someone lights her up again! I'll post again soon, remember to review!
~Maya
