*Three weeks ago*

When she blinked, the man possibly-but-not named Hans fell to the ground. There was shouting and upturned voices. The nice lady offered her a drink. Then she blinked, and drifted away.

Melissa opened her eyes. She was in the common room. At least… what was left of it. The ground was littered with crystals. The door was… well, it was gone . "What the hell? I just cleaned this place!"

"There's no need to shout." Jareth commented idly. He was observing a crystal, almost casually. Then he tossed it, allowing it to flow through the hole.

"What happened here?"

"We had a guest!" He answered loudly in a tone that suggested that she oughtn't be surprised.

"What?!"

"Your half-clever professor with a foul temper." He answered. "I told him not to touch anything, but he didn't listen."

Melissa looked down the hole with a sense of dread. "How much did he see?"

"Well," His tongue clicked, "considering the number of memories flouncing about like a nightmarish ball, I'd say he didn't have time to see much of anything."

She understood the implication immediately. "He went to the bottom?"

"He went to the bottom." The Goblin King punctuated. "Which means I must return these memories to their proper places all over again." He lifted another crystal up for cataloguing.

"Wait!" She commanded. A thought occurred to her. A memory summoned into her hand. She watched it. Watched herself running to the forbidden forest before all hell broke loose in her mind, causing her to collapse. "We've been doing this all wrong. I'm supposed to protect my memories, but I've just been forgetting them."

Jareth approached her, watching the memory repeat with passing interest. "Be that as it may, this construction has technically run as it is meant to. A legilimens entered your mind, only to be forced away."

"Yes, and then look at what happens! I can't even control myself out there." She tried thinking about the past day's events, but no crystal appeared in her hand. "I don't even really know what I'm doing out there." She whispered to herself.

After a moment of watching her expressions, Jareth gave an exasperated huff. "Oh, very well, then! So what are we to do?"

She considered it for a moment. "We break the crystals for now. Anything meant for the first three levels, at least, we let loose. Anything meant for levels 4 and 5 we keep with River until we have a better option."

"And those remaining in the lower levels?"

Melissa gave a reluctant sigh. "We pray we don't need them any time soon."

*Two weeks ago*

Melissa fell flat against the couch in the Slytherin common room. "I should have stayed crazy. It would have been easier."

Domonkos slunk into a chair. "Only if we could have joined you."

"Otherwise we would have had two headaches." Amy added, reclined on the empty spot of the couch.

Jacqueline looked at all of them with exasperation. "Oh, come on. The exam wasn't that bad." A collection of seven heads turned to her with annoyed looks. Only Garrick seemed to find the whole exchange amusing.

"To be fair, it wouldn't have been too awful if Professor Snape wasn't the one proctoring the exam." The boy noted.

The comment caused Amy to switch her focus to her neighbour. "Seriously, Melissa, that's two defence teachers and now Snape! What did you do to him?"

"I DON'T KNOW!"

The older students were given a reprieve after exams in the form of one last weekend trip to Hogsmeade. For Melissa, some of that time was arranged in the form of lunch with the Weird Sisters. Myron, Kirley, and Donaghan even came to visit. The group had plenty to discuss when it came to their summer plans in the studio and song selections.

In Barbary's case, it was also a time to tease. Word had spread after the events with Quirrelmort, and it didn't take long until the news reached the Prophet. The tale of "Heroic Heartthrob saves the Boy Who Lived" was on everyone's lips, both in and out of Hogwarts. Barbary, despite his usual nature, took the headline with pomp. After all, adoring fans is something a wannabe rock star won't turn away. For the past week his peers have taken to praising and joking about him as a hero saving a damsel in distress …though people in Slytherin seemed to alternate for whether that damsel was Melissa or Harry Potter.

(That said, Melissa, Heathcote, and even Draco noticed an awkward polarity in Slytherin house. A slytherin was considered the Hero of Hogwarts. In fact, two slytherins helped in the mission. …Though they did the rescue with Harry Potter and a gryffindor …against a man both Potter and Barbary say was working for You-Know-Who …whose crime was kidnapping a muggleborn slytherin ...who had You-Know-Who possessing him in his weakened, bodiless state.

Suffice to say, a good portion of slytherins were very confused by the whole ordeal.)

Fortunately, the bustling table at the Hog's Head had no such reservations. "Three cheers for Heathcote!" Herman shouted. His cup of butterbeer sloshed as his arm raised high. "The Hero of Hogwarts!"

"The Hero of Hogwarts!" They all shouted.

"My Hero!" Melissa added with the flourish of a damsel's swoon, just in time for Barbary to choke on his drink.

"Please- " He wheezed. "Never talk like that again." He coughed again. Kirley patted him hard on the back to help him out.

Melissa guffawed. "I can't. Not when it gets me that kind of reaction!"

He coughed once more. Resting an elbow on the table, he pointed an accusatory finger at her. "You're evil."

She raised a glass to him. "So glad you noticed." Then she took a gulp of butterbeer.

"It's too bad we're not coming back to Hogwarts." Gideon mused. "It'd have been nice to ride on your high, Heath."

Now it was Melissa's turn to spit out her drink, choking in the process. "Wait!" She coughed. "What do you mean you're not coming back?"

Orsino shrugged his shoulders, leaving Gideon to provide an answer. "Meaning we have our OWLs done, so we're graduating."

"But what about your NEWTs?" She turned to the two seventh years in the group, eyes pleading for help in the matter.

Barbary and Wintringham looked at each other, eyes communicating in silence. Wintringham looked back at her apologetically. "I mean, we didn't really know what we were going to do with our lives beforehand. Not to mention we weren't sure if the Weird Sisters would have much of a future; but the debut album has been a smashing success."

"Not to mention the publicity going on with Heath." Donaghan added. "So we discussed it, and agreed that we should keep going while the numbers are high. It wouldn't do with half the band at school while the rest of us are working."

"I guess…" Melissa turned, then, to Merton. "And what's your story in all this?"

"I'm staying until I'm done with our OWLs." He replied. "Plus we'll have workshops during the Hogsmeade weekends. I won't be too out of the loop."

"Well, that's something at least." Melissa conceded. "I didn't think you all would be leaving so soon." She thought about it a moment, trying to dismiss the emotion away. "Ah, well, forget about it. Let's focus on more important things." She raised her glass to them all. "You guys are graduating, the band's going strong, and Barbary gets to avoid me for four more years."

"Here, here!" He raised his own glass.

"But not my music!"

"Ugh, don't remind me!"

She grinned at the boy, then raised her arm up high. "To the Weird Sisters!"

"To the Weird Sisters!"

*one week ago*

"I DIDN'T FAIL!" Melissa cheered as she finished reading her exam results.

Rusalka looked bewildered at her house-mate. "You have exceptionally low standards this year, Bennett."

Melissa leaned comically towards Rusalka. "Ignitov, please, I literally went insane days before the exams. Before that, I was suffering from memory loss. The fact that I didn't fail a single class is nothing short of a miracle. I even have some EE's!"

The other witch conceded. "Whatever you say, Bennett. Congratulations." She added flatly.

A few minutes later, Harry approached their table. "Hey, Melly. I heard you shouting earlier. I take it your marks went well?"

"Hell yeah, it did. Take a look!" She launched it in the boy's face. He took it graciously, then handed her his own results. She gandered at Harry's marks, and felt her jaw slowly drop with each line. "Six Os, and EE's in potions and history." She turned to him, well noting his cheeky smile. "Now that's just showing off!"

"I told you I'd get higher marks." He boasted playfully.

She narrowed her eyes a moment, slowly recalling their conversation from two months ago. She then tried, but failed, to look upset. "...You're annoying, but I'm proud of you." She then ruffled the boy's hair into a wild mess. Harry protested the act, then switched their results back and made a speedy retreat.

"This still means I'm putting you through a movie marathon!" She called after him.

"I expected nothing less!" He called back.

*Four days ago*

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DEAR MELISSA! HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!"

The group cheered loudly when the song was finished. A few sparks even flew from wands in celebration. Melissa thanked everyone, then turned to the frosted cake the house elves had provided for the birthday picnic. She took a deep breath and blew at the candles.

Then yelped as the flames launched six feet into the air.

Everyone slowly turned their gaze to Weasley twins. Not even looking away from the group, the boys each pointed a finger at the other brother.

When the cake was finally unenchanted and eaten, the group moved on to presents. Most were sweets and trinkets. Merton and Corin had gotten her CDs. Domonkos received both a glare and props when he gifted Melissa with a Beginner's Guide to the Balalaika. Then Harry approached with a narrow rectangular box. Which she unwrapped to find an instrument case.

"I noticed you don't have any woodwind instruments, yet. So I got you one to start with."

"Aww, thanks Harry!" She grinned at the sweet gesture. She then opened the case to find a shining flute. A shining, gold flute.

"I asked around for the most recommended brands, and then had one Mister Flamel customize it for you as a return favour."

Melissa couldn't speak.

"So, what do you think?"

What do I think? She stared at the instrument in her hands.

It's a golden flute.

A solid gold flute.

Probably the last item turned to gold by the last philosopher's stone made in centuries. A stone that will or has been destroyed.

Making this flute a thing of legend.

Do NOT tell anyone how much this is worth!

She enveloped Harry into a hard and wordless hug.

*Today*

Melissa lounged happily in the compartment with her friends. They chatted about summer plans and watched the scenery pass by as the Hogwarts Express raced them back to London. Midway through the journey a knock came at the door, and Harry's face popped through as it opened. "Hi, everyone. Can I borrow Melly for a bit?"

"Sure, Kid." Melissa stretched and got out of her seat. Bidding a quick goodbye, she walked through and closed the door. The two of them began to walk the halls. "So, what's on your mind?"

"I've just been thinking about everything with Voldemort." Harry said. "We'll have to tell everyone back home about what happened."

"Yeah. Letters don't really say everything, do they?"

"No." Harry sighed. "I'm trying to picture who's been taking it the hardest, and it's hard to guess."

"Well, if it helps, we can all have dinner tonight and say everything at once?"

"Not a bad idea." He commented. "Do you think next year will be anything like this?"

"I sure hope not." She groused.

Harry stopped in his tracks, eyes narrowed. "I knew it!"

She turned back to him. "Knew what?"

"That there's a chance Voldemort will be back next year, and that you don't want to tell me about it." He said assuredly. He fixed her with an expectant look. "Come on, what's he going to do?"

"Harry, you don't need to worry about-"

"I'm cashing in on my birthday bet." He announced. "One question about the future. Honest answers only, Melody. What's he planning?"

Melissa's jaw clenched closed. Looking about the hallway, she found it to be empty of curious ears. Finally, she took a deep breath. I better not regret this. "Fine. He's going to possess Ginny Weasley, have her open the Chamber of Secrets, and have Caireen attack a bunch of muggleborn students."

Harry was motionless at that answer, fixed into a look of disbelief. "He's going to possess Ginny Weasley… so that Caireen attacks …that would never work."

"Well my knowledge of history says otherwise."

"But she would never attack a student!" He reasoned.

"Maybe he tells her that they're muggles and not students?" Melissa dismissed casually.

"Then I'll just tell her that muggles can't get into the school. That would stop everything."

Melissa conceded to the logic. "Like I told you, kid, it's not something we have to worry about."

"I guess." Harry shook his head in disbelief. "So, wait, after everything that happened this year, he'd rather focus on muggleborns than on getting revenge?"

"Apparently."

The two of them slowly made their way back to the compartment. Finally, Harry finished analyzing the entire scenario and came to a single conclusion. "He's an idiot!"

"YEP!"

Author's Commentary: And so ends Year 3! Next week I'll be posting part one of the Summer of '92 (because apparently Summers had to become a Thing.) See you then!