I packed up my bags in silence, Becky watching me with an expectant look on her face. No one understands. I can't tell them anything. Just look at what happened with Severus.
Ever since that night, Severus avoided me. It was amazing how good he was at it. And, though I told him not to tell Professor Dumbledore, I couldn't really tell if he did or didn't. Professor Dumbledore was busy taking care of Harry's needs and, most likely, planning for a war in the — whether near or distant — future.
Though I knew Professor Dumbledore and Severus should know about how I'd been working with dad — how long and everything — I just couldn't bring myself to do it. I made excuses in my mind. Things such as that Professor Dumbledore already had enough on his mind, and that Severus would be even angrier with me.
Lissy and Trixy came in, looking from me to Becky.
"She still hasn't said anything!" Becky shrieked.
"But she has to have some sort of explanation for where she disappeared to..." Trixy replied softly.
"It's amazing how you guys can forget that I'm in the same room as you," I said casually.
Lissy spoke with worry. "We just want to know where you went. When we got to the hospital wing, Madam Pomfrey was raving about you leaving without her permission again. And you didn't return to the common room or the dormitory until late."
"It's not important," I said softly. "I don't know how many times you want me to repeat that before you understand."
Becky threw up her hands in defeat and left the room.
Lissy sat down on my neatly made bed. "Draco's been worried about you not leaving your dormitory. He can't come up here to comfort you, you know."
He won't come comfort me when he finds out the truth, so I can't expect him to do it for me now.
I forced a small smile as I looked back at her. "I don't need comfort, I'm perfectly fine. I've got a little sister I can take home and enjoy the summer with."
She giggled. "Come on, the end-of-year feast is about to begin."
The end is only the beginning, I thought as I zipped up my suitcase. "Good thing I'm all done."
The feast wasn't as noisy as it usually was for the end of the year. The real Mad-Eye Moody was at the staff table, flinching and jumping whenever someone spoke to him. Severus would glance at me every now and then, but mostly ignored me for most of the feast. Draco held his arm around me, trying to engage Becky and I into laughing at jokes that only Lissy and Trixy were openly enjoying.
Professor Dumbledore stood up at the staff table and the room petered into silence, awaiting his end-of-year speech.
"The end," he said, looking around at everyone, "of another year." He paused, his eyes falling upon the Hufflepuff table, the faces of whom were paler than anyone — even Addy's.
"There is much that I would like to say to you all tonight," he continued, "but I must first acknowledge the loss of a very fine person, who should be sitting here," he gestured to the Hufflepuff table, "enjoying our feast with us. I would like you all, please, to stand, and raise your glasses, to Cedric Diggory."
Everyone stood, many with tears on their faces, to raise their glasses as a silent toast. Then we all sat back down again.
Professor Dumbledore continued his speech. "Cedric was a person who exemplified many of the qualities that distinguish Hufflepuff House. He was a good and loyal friend, a hard worker, he valued fair play. His death has affected you all, whether you knew him well or not. I think that you have the right, therefore, to know exactly how it came about."
I looked up at him in mild surprise. Does he really think that's a good idea?
"Cedric Diggory was murdered by Lord Voldemort."
I guess he does. People stared at Professor Dumbledore in panic-stricken horror. Draco shook his head so calmly that I wondered if his father had sent him a letter about it.
Professor Dumbledore continued. "The Ministry of Magic does not wish me to tell you this. It is possible that some of your parents will be horrified that I have done so — either because they will not believe that Lord Voldemort has returned, or because they think I should not tell you so, young as you are. It is my belief, however, that the truth is generally preferable to lies, and that any attempt to pretend that Cedric died as the result of an accident, or some sort of blunder of his own, is an insult to his memory."
As if telling the truth ever mattered to you. You're just as much of a liar as the Ministry of Magic.
Draco pulled away from me to mutter something to Vincent and Greg. Becky wrapped her arms around Trixy, who looked wide-eyed and surprised, and I did the same for Lissy who gripped my arm tightly.
"There is somebody else who must be mentioned in connection with Cedric's death," Professor Dumbledore said. "I am talking, of course, about Harry Potter." Whispers went around. I heard a scoff from Draco. "Harry Potter managed to escape Lord Voldemort. He risked his own life to return Cedric's body to Hogwarts. He showed, in every respect, the sort of bravery that few wizards have ever shown in facing Lord Voldemort, and for this, I honor him."
He turned gravely to where Harry was seated at that Gryffindor table and raised his goblet to him as well. Nearly everyone did the same... except for most of the Slytherins.
Professor Dumbledore then looked to the guests from the schools of Durmstrang and Beauxbatons. "Every guest in this Hall will be welcomed back here at any time, should they wish to come. I say to you all, once again — in the light of Lord Voldemort's return, we are only as strong as we are united, as weak as we are divided. Lord Voldemort's gift for spreading discord and enmity is very great. We can fight it only by showing an equally strong bond of friendship and trust. Differences of habit and language are nothing at all if our aims are identical and our hearts are open.
"It is my belief — and never have I so hoped that I am mistaken — that we are all facing dark and difficult times. Some of you in this Hall have already suffered directly at the hands of Lord Voldemort. Many of your families have been torn asunder. A week ago, a student was taken from our midst.
"Remember Cedric. Remember, if the time should come when you have to make a choice between what is right and what is easy, remember what happened to a boy who was good, and kind, and brave, because he strayed across the path of Lord Voldemort. Remember Cedric Diggory."
And at some point in time, I thought dryly, remember someone who went in the opposite direction in favor of a father that valued power over life. A girl who allowed evil to overtake her heart, and darkness power over her soul. Melody Riddle, daughter of Lord Voldemort...
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The windows on the train ride back to King's Cross Station showcased a bright, sunny day. My mood certainly wasn't all smiles and sunshine, but I made sure not to show it to anyone. Lissy's model of Viktor Krum flew around the compartment as the younger girls laughed joyously. I tried to imagine Becky and myself when we were their age. Did we laugh as much as they do? Did we enjoy living in the moment like them?
Becky wasn't with us.. instead sharing a compartment with Fred, George, and some of their friends. I noticed immediately how strange it felt that she wasn't sharing the train ride back with us... but I supposed a lot of things were about to change for the years to come.
With an hour left in the journey; Draco, Vincent, and Greg stood up to leave. Funny that they left making fun of people to the very last minute.
"I'll probably be back after the train stops. But.. if you get off before we get back," he gave me a swift, sweet kiss on the lips.
I kissed him back longingly, holding a hand to his soft cheek to make it last just a moment longer. This may be my last kiss. Better enjoy it to the fullest.
He pulled away, "What was that?"
"Just some encouragement for you to come back before we get off so we can do it again," I said, knowing he wouldn't be back in time anyway.
He grinned cheekily, "I'll see you later."
I forced a small smile, "Be careful, there are some very emotional people on this train."
He gave a wave of his hand with a snort and the three of them left.
Not another moment later and Marcus had appeared at the compartment door — the real Marcus — fuming just as silently as when I had released him from his bonds in the out-of-order girl's bathroom. Again, Myrtle had been more than happy to attend to him when I asked her assistance.. even offered to keep him after his fists kept clenching as he stood glaring at me that day. It was really as if he debated with himself on whether or not he wanted to yell at me or give me the silent treatment... he had decided on the silent treatment, as if that would be effective in hurting my feelings.
"Just a moment," I told Lissy and Trixy softly as I stood up. "This won't take long."
I followed him into the hallway, closing the compartment door behind me as I looked up at him expectantly.
"Why couldn't you ever trust me?" he asked, his voice surprisingly longing.
"Why couldn't you have taken the time to prove some form of trustworthiness?" I replied. "In any case, you haven't spoken to me since I let you free.. why are you talking to me now?"
"To beg for another chance —"
"— is already vetoed," I interrupted quickly to his dismay. "I have no interest in someone I can't trust. Now, if that will be all... you can go."
His lips tightened, growing white until he leaned close into my face to say, "I hope you know that if you can't find love in me, that you'll never find it in Malfoy."
I pushed him roughly away from me, biting back the wish to grin maliciously. "Well, Marcus.. why would you say something like that unless you felt truly threatened by him?"
He had no response.
"I thought so... we're done here, so I won't warn you again.." I opened the compartment door, glaring at him before I went inside. "I don't want anything to do with you. Never speak to me again."
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The train seemed to stop a lot sooner than expected. I dreaded the thought of another summer pretending to my family that everything was dandy fine. Especially when everything had only gotten worse... someone died... someone else lost their soul....
Lissy and I grabbed our trunks and went out to meet my mother who... now what is that look on her face? I thought curiously, realizing with complete surprise that she was all alone. She first hugged Lissy with a smile on her face, and when she hugged me, she whispered in my ear, "You and I need to have a private talk when we get home."
I stiffened automatically. That cannot be good.
She drove us home, with Lissy sitting in the front seat excitedly telling her about her first year at Hogwarts. I think Trixy rubbed off on her or something, because it actually lasted the entire ride home.
At the house, mom gently told Lissy, "Grab your trunk and go inside. Melody's room is on the top floor, the one door left open so you could find it. I've placed an extra bed in there just for you."
"Thanks!" she said excitedly, doing as she said. She skipped joyfully into the house.
I smiled in spite of the fact that I could feel mom's anger simmering. Surprisingly, she kept it down enough to calmly — but icily — talk with me. My smile dropped into a frown immediately.
"I got a letter from Professor Snape... explaining that you already know about your father... even went with him to go see him."
I put up a wall in my mind, fighting the urge to burst my own anger at her. "Yeah. I know and dad knows."
"How did you find out?" This came out as more of a snap.
"If I can state it correctly, dad figured out who I was and told me in utmost secrecy."
"Tell me — and with none of these 'long enough' lines that you've been telling Severus — how long have you both known?"
"Well, then, I won't deign to answer that question on the grounds that it may incriminate me."
Mom growled in frustration.
"Look, I didn't tell you because I wanted you to tell me. You kept insisting that my father died before I was born when it's not true! Why haven't you ever trusted me enough to just tell me?"
"For exactly this reason, Melody!... You've been willingly helping him!"
"I know you're scared, but I can be useful to Professor Dumbledore this way — I can be a spy like Severus! Why don't either of you understand?"
"You're too young!"
"I've known for a while and no one has figured out my involvement. I've been doing a pretty good job as a young spy, if you just —"
"Melody.." her voice had darkened to such a degree that I felt a shock of fear run through my body. "I had to protect you from the truth! Do you even realize how hard it is to control Dark Magic? I already see it in your eyes, the angrier you're getting the redder they become, just like his! You're following his footsteps.. and once you start down that path, you can't look back. I'm afraid I've already lost —"
"You did, mom! You broke free from —"
"By separating myself from the magical world for a little over a decade. Believe me, it was easier said than done... just.... Why didn't you tell me, or Dumbledore, or even Severus when you found out? It could have saved a lot of trouble —"
"And then what? Severus said something about precautions, which I obviously expected, but I don't need them! I can be trusted, mom, why don't you understand that?"
"You're too impressionable! I'm sorry to say, but you have already proven that you can be easily corrupted. A boy died because of your actions... a man lost not only his own self, but his soul is gone because of your actions.... After all my hard efforts at keeping you away from all that— keeping you safe from him...... Finding out that you've known about this for a while and have been consciously helping the darkest lord of all time back to power...... Melody, I can't find any more trust for you!"
That hit me hard. She helped him way back then, why is it such a problem that I've also been helping him? I stared at her for a moment, tears threatening to escape my eyes, and then I immediately opened the car door and ran out yelling, "I hate you!"
I sped past a confused Jim in the front room as he tried to ask, "Hey! How was... —"
Upstairs in my room, I threw myself onto my bed and buried my face into my pillow.
Lissy looked over at me curiously from the new bed on the other side of my room, "Are you.. okay?"
I blinked back furious tears, pushing my face further into the pillow. What a long summer this will be...
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My secret was out... and there was no knowing what was going to happen. Mom and Severus didn't trust me anymore and, if I knew Severus, he had probably already explained what he knew to Professor Dumbledore. I thought to myself that losing everyone else's trust couldn't possibly be worse than what I went through with those two... but it was not about to be that simple...... I could have never possibly imagined what was to come next.