Author Commentary: My head is fuzzy and nonfunctional this week, but I'm happy to say that last week I surpassed 500k words while writing the Second Task. Woot!

Also, I have gotten some really insightful comments lately on here and AO3 that makes me want to go over Summer & Year 6 chapters to make alterations and/or add fun filler chapters. Y'all are beautiful, just saying!

Chapter note: For this chapter there are quotes taken directly from POA chapter 15

The rest of February gifted Melissa with less obligations. It was partly due with the end of Valentine's Day (enjoyable as it was), though the best part came with the nasty bout of flu that spread through the school. Perhaps illness shouldn't be something worth celebrating, but it resulted in Trelawney getting so sick she lost her voice. So… that was a bonus!

February ended, as it had the past two years, with a school-wide chess tournament. Melissa won a fair bit of coin over the whole tournament, especially so when Ron Weasley got into the semifinals. The tournament no longer had specialty rounds, but Weasley won a decent bit of coin when he won the semifinals (seems she should have bet high again, after all), and also won a passionate kiss from Lavender Brown. There were plenty of wolf whistles at that sight, as well as a lot of confusion since this was for a chess tournament of all things. Still, it was a cute sight and all in all a high note to end the month.

A full minute of silence fell in the defence classroom.

Then two minutes.

Then ten.

Luisa finally relented on her assault, and both she and Melissa panted heavily. When they caught their respective breaths, Luisa rolled her shoulders back and gave Melissa a proud smile. "Congratulations, Miss Bennett. With that showing, you have proven yourself strong enough to graduate from learning occlumency."

Melissa collapsed into a nearby seat. She breathed an utterance of, "Thank god", and allowed her body to sag onto the desk. "That was… so much."

"Yes, but you did what you had to do. Best yet, you are aware of both the attack and the conscious world around you at the same time. With your new shields you'll be able to fight back against most legilimens, even in a relaxed state."

"That's good." Her eyes closed as she sighed, "And now, I nap."

A huff of laughter came from Luisa's direction. "Oh? Does this mean you are no longer interested in learning legilimency?"

Her eyes opened into slits. "That is a very mean tease. You know I want to learn that."

"Well then, Angelita, best you stand up so we can begin."

Slave driver, the words came silently. Only an idiot would insult the Captain to her face. At least, this time, Melissa was the one on the offensive. There'll be no more assaults on her end!

Until she tried the spell and got blasted away by Luisa's mental shield in the process.

The weekends of March were an important time for Slytherins. Snape, their Head of House, made it a prerogative that all second, fifth, sixth, and seventh year students be interviewed over their course selections, O.W.L.s, and N.E.W.T.s; while the other years had interviews scheduled on an as-needed basis. Melissa had avoided them the past two years. Understandable, with the constant tensions between her and her Head of House. Because of this, she was surprised to learn he had scheduled her for the 20th (the notion of 'mandatory' must be stronger than she had anticipated.) So, with bated breath, she knocked on his door at precisely 3:00 pm.

"Have a seat, Miss Bennett."

He glanced at her only briefly before looking over her records. "Twelve courses, two of which are merely supplementary for your O.W.L.s in Divination. Your professors have noted that the management of your workload is admirable, and, in some instances, successful. Though improvements can be made."

"Understood, Professor."

"When last we discussed your aspirations," his eyes remained down, "you expressed an interest in leaving after fifth year to pursue your GCSEs."

"Yes," she answered. "Then you pointed out that that'd be a waste of time since Hogwarts offers forged records for muggle exams and that Professor Flitwick will sign off on the ones I need."

"True." Snape finally met her eyes, his hands clasped on top of his desk. "Though I'm curious if you have withdrawn back to that possibility?"

A flick of a smile crossed her face. "Are you asking, or are you hoping?"

The wizard huffed. "I cannot pretend that I enjoy teaching an adult woman posing as a teenager. Particularly one with your temperament and history for demonology and violence, even if angels have brought your back soul to this time."

Well, that certainly sets a tone. "With all due respect, Professor," you don't like teaching anyone , "I'm not an adult. I'm a teenager with some past life memories of an adult. I've got a teenaged brain working in a teenaged body. Sure, I'm juggling past memories and future scenarios, but I'm still a teen in the present. As for the temperament…" she raised her palms, "can you blame me for wanting to embrace my inner child with all the crazy that goes on in my life?"

"One would think," he drawled, "that being reborn would offer a sense of maturity."

"Who's to say I'm not?" Melissa said with a smirk. "I mean, think about it, would I have ended up in Slytherin if I had been born an ordinary kid without any inborn aspirations in life?"

The comment caught him off guard. She could practically hear the gears in his head as he processed that scenario. "...It's almost disturbing how much that explains you." The comment was met with a nod, and Snape pinched his eyes briefly. "To think, I could have been spared your nonsense from the beginning." He looked up in exasperation before returning eye contact. "And what, pray tell, are your aspirations in life, Miss Bennett?"

"Same as they've always been," she answered with cheek. "Make money and make sweet movie music!" He narrowed his eyes flatly, so she amended, "Fine! Fine- and help prevent a few catastrophes, when I can."

Somehow that made his expressions worse. "Catastrophes, plural?"

"You did read about that part in Discourse with Demons about the 20's being a shit-show, right?"

The professor scoffed, "It cannot be that horrible."

Melissa rolled her eyes up in thought, and started counting with her fingers. "Let's see: risks of World War Three, everything on fire, a global pandemic, UFOs, Murder Hornets, worldwide police brutality protests, bubonic plague making a comeback, half of Beirut explodes-"

"You said that you died in 2022!" He said incredulously.

"Yeah," she clipped, "and I'm just listing the major headlines for each month."

Silence reigned.

Snape took slow, deep breaths. Melissa raised her brows in a 'see what I mean' manner.

Neither spoke during the unusual stalemate.

The professor glanced back down at his notes. Parchment ruffled audibly.

"...Music composition. Right." The words that followed came in a mechanical drone. "Charms can be a useful tool for testing compositions, and those that make instruments benefit from knowing Runes and Arithmancy.

"...Preventing catastrophes. Defence would be most useful, as well as Divination to keep abreast of possible changes, and Potions to combat… plague." The poor man looked thoroughly disturbed having said those words.

"I'm only planning to take five N.E.W.T.s," she reminded him gently.

Snape released a strained breath. "Work for all six, Bennett," he snapped. "We can address your options after your results are posted!"

"Roger that," she said, failing to hide a close-mouthed cringe. In hindsight, maybe I shouldn't have told him all of that? Whoops!

Tuesday March 29th, 1994

As usual per a time-jump day, Melissa stayed behind after 5th year Divination. This time, instead of using "a quick word" with Trelawney as an excuse, she actually had a task to do by the professor. She was to bring out shallow pots for each table and supply wood to the lot.

Melissa gasped when the reasoning clicked. "Oh, wicked! We're starting fire omens today?"

"Indeed," the professor said with an edge of mystery. "The sands have shifted, demanding that we must stay the course for events to unfold as they should."

A questioning frown marred Melissa's face. We have to stay on course to… make sure things stay on course? Isn't that, like, obvious? She didn't ask the question out loud, and simply brought out the required materials.

As students clambered inside, excited chatter rose through the room. The third years moved into pairs and trios, claiming many of the cramped tables. Ron, Lavender, and Parvati took the last table beside hers; the former of the two holding hands and being adorable in the process.

"I hope I'll be able to read fire omens! Can you imagine how useful that would be?"

"I'm sure you'll be great at it, Lav. I mean, this is your best class, right?"

"Aww, you're the sweetest, Won-Won!" She kissed him on the cheek.

D'aww! Isn't that sweet!

A body slammed into the chair across from Melissa. She looked up to the noise with a start. The seat was claimed by Granger, who was red in the face and looked positively furious.

Melissa addressed her nervously. "...You okay, Granger?"

"No," she answered tersely. "I missed my lesson on cheering charms! I can't believe I- I just know it's going to be on the exam and I missed it!"

"Have you taken any naps?" She asked slowly.

"Falling asleep," she said murderously, "is what got me in this mess in the first place!"

Hoo, boy! "Alright. I'm sure Professor Flitwick will understand and let you make up for it later."

"Maybe," the word growled out. Melissa allowed the topic to drop and listened as the Professor gave instruction about how to 'relax their external eyes' so that they can 'clear their Inner Eye' to see within the flames.

Beside her, Ron sniggered at the instructions, causing Lavender to flash him a warning glare. The boy flinched in response. "What? It's funny, innit?"

Melissa leaned in a bit. "She's just being dramatic, but she has a point. I mean, I say loads of things without thinking about it all the time that turn out to be true. I think that's all she really means. She's just being poetic about it."

"Oh," Ron blinked. "I guess."

A strange thought occurred to her. A thought of old familiarity. "Actually… Ron, I have a feeling you might have a shot at this."

The trio looked at her with a start. "What do you mean?"

"...It's just a feeling, but…" Wasn't there a fan theory about Ron doing exactly that? I wonder… "Give it an honest try. Look in the fire while completely relaxed. Treat it like cloud watching. Nothing has to happen, but if it happens, it happens. Let it flow naturally, you know?"

"Huh. Um, sure. I can do that."

"Great!" And then, just to be a little shit, she added, "May the Lord of Light bless you, Ronald Weasley, for the night is dark and full of terrors."

Their shocked expressions were hysterical to see! So much so that it took occlumency to keep her expressions in check.

They lit their small fire pits and watched as the flames grew higher. The class was mostly quiet as they watched their fires. Minutes passed, with few reactions but for blinking from their intense staring into the brightness. Across from her, Hermione began to lose patience, whispering furiously to herself. "This is such a waste of time! I could be practicing something useful. I could be catching up on Cheering Charms! I-"

"I see something!" Ron cried out.

Everyone turned in shock. Heads craned and voices whispered or outright asked after what he saw. "Hold on, let me focus," Ron said. He leaned closer to the flames. "It looks like a- WHOA!" He flinched backwards. "That was a dragon!"

Chairs screeched as people clambered out of their seats over to his table. Melissa, too, started to look at his fire, as if there was any chance she could see what he's seeing. She couldn't, of course. Still, it was fun to play along in case he was really seeing something. "What's it doing?"

"I don't know," Ron said. "It's strange. It looks like it's in a hole? With people?"

Hmm… Could it be the Triwizard Tournament or the Gringotts Break-in? "Is it chasing them?"

"No, I don't think so…" He said slowly. "It's chasing something, though-"

"Oh, honestly, Ronald!" Hermione huffed loudly. "You only think you're seeing something because Bennett's tricked you into thinking you can. There's nothing there!"

"Bugger off, Granger. That's a dragon! A blind troll can see that! You're just jealous because you can't handle being rubbish at something for once!"

"EXCUSE ME?!" Hermione shrieked.

Professor Trelawney gave a loud sigh. "I'm afraid he has a point, my dear," she said. "From the moment you have arrived in this class, it has been apparent that you do not have what the noble art of Divination requires. Indeed, I don't remember ever meeting a student whose mind was so hopelessly mundane."

Oh, hot damn! Melissa and the rest of the class winced at that put-down.

Hermione looked aghast at their comments. Then, with a breath, she shouted, "FINE!" She slammed her textbook into her bag and swung it onto her back. "Fine! I give up! I'm leaving!" The girl then marched over to the trapdoor, kicked it open, and climbed down with a huff.

Silence suffocated the classroom. Then, after an appropriate amount of pause, Melissa gave a stiff nod in Professor Trelawney's direction. "Wow, you are really on point with your timing, Professor! Brava! That is impressive!"

The class looked between them and the trapdoor with confusion. Suddenly, Lavender cried, "Oooo! That's right! You saw her leaving, didn't you, Professor? 'Around Easter one of our number will leave us forever' You said that ages ago, Professor!" She then whipped her head to Melissa. "And that's why you started laughing! You knew it, too!"

"Yeah, but I didn't know when it would happen. That was all the Professor, wasn't it, Ma'am?"

Trelawney smiled at both of them. "Yes, my dears, I did indeed know that Miss Granger would be leaving us. One hopes, however, that one might have mistaken the Signs. …The Inner Eye can be a burden, you know…"

"Oh, don't I know it," Melissa grumbled in an understanding tone. Professor Trelawney nodded appreciatively at the comment. Then, when the others settled down (and Ron lamented that the draconic apparition was gone), Trelawney claimed Hermione's seat at Melissa's table.

"Now, my dear, how fares your own practice of fire omens?" The question was answered with an awkward hum, and Melissa made a comment about being distracted by the earlier events. The professor was understanding, and commented, "Fear not, child. Take all the time you need. Luisa has already anticipated your absence."

"What? Oh!" Oh, right! How am I going to Turn back for Defence class? "Oh- right- I had warned her at the start of last term, didn't I?"

"That would explain her acceptance."

"Right," she answered hesitantly. Huh. She really is good at this.

After class, Melissa weaved away from the North Tower in a direction opposite of Defence. Her destination was Professor McGonagall's office, or, barring that, Gryffindor Tower. She lucked out with her first destination, doubly so as a lion-maned Hermione was seated across from her.

"You are to wait before entering, Miss Bennett."

"I apologize, Professor, but I figured I ought to join you two to discuss the new schedule."

McGonagall blinked, realizing what the girl was implying. "Yes," she said slowly, looking across to Hermione briefly, "I suppose that will be required. Please wait outside until I call you in."

Melissa nodded and left obediently. It wasn't a long wait, and she was soon enough called into the room. Professor McGonagall clasped her hands together, peering at the girls under scrutinising glasses. "Miss Granger is officially no longer enrolled in Divination. Which, as I understand it, has been a crucial part of your own scheduling, Miss Bennett."

"That's correct, Professor. I have alibis that are structured around my having double-divination."

"I see. May I have a copy of your timetable?" McGonagall took the sheet, then sat with pensive silence for a long time as she reviewed them. She pouted as an idea ruminated. "Considering the challenges required to keep use of the Time-Turner secret," she took a slow breath, "it may be best that the use of the Time-Turner be …shared."

Hermione looked offended. "You mean we take turns with it?!"

Even Melissa was surprised by the idea, yet McGonagall nodded in the affirmative. "The two of you interacting together has been simple by sharing class together. Now that that is no longer the case, it will be hard to justify your interactions in between periods. I would recommend, on Tuesdays, Miss Granger keeps the Time-Turner for the full day, as it contains all of her electives, then before her final class, you turn during supper back to lunch, and give Miss Bennett the time-turner to do her afternoon courses. Then on Thursday, Miss Bennett, you take your first classes, then have your exchange from lunch to breakfast for Miss Granger to complete her full day. I believe this will be the best use of both your times."

"Makes sense," Melissa said with a nod. If they do this in a way that works for her, she could keep the time-turner for a full 48 hours a week! Imagine the possibilities! "Does that work for you, Granger?" She asked gently.

Hermione stewed on the idea before giving a reluctant sigh. "I suppose… if that makes the most sense, Professor." The nod received by McGonagall placated her nerves.

"Um- if it's alright with both of you-" Both Hermione and McGonagall looked her way before answering with a nervous voice. "I'm not sure if you still have classes today, Granger, but- I still have defence, and…"

"Oh," Hermione blinked. Her hand went haltingly to the necklace. "Yes, I suppose- Sally-Anne did just tell me that she hasn't seen me all day. Here-"

Melissa accepted the necklace graciously. "Thanks, Granger; and, sorry how things turned out." She put the time-turner around her neck and excused herself from the office.

She snuck into a closet and spun the dial back. As it did, options percolated in her mind. She's already been excused from class. Still, there is legilimency to learn, plus a much needed nap, then dinner. And then, once all is said and done, she and Granger are going to have a little chat.