Angel Of Mercy

Angel Of Mercy--Chapter 3

Summer vacation flew by. Harry and Hermione had begun dating and, along with Melody, spent most of the summer together, usually at Hermione's and never at Harry's. Vernon Dursley didn't say much about Harry's absences because he wanted to stay on good terms with his sister.

September the first came and Harry, Hermione and Melody arrived at King's Cross Station together, having gotten a ride from Melody's mother. They passed through the barrier to platform Nine and Three-Quarters, to almost run into a familiar redhead.

"Ron!" exclaimed Harry. The two boys embraced warmly and then Ron hugged Hermione, picking her up in the process.

"Put me down!" exclaimed Hermione. He did what the lady asked and turned to Melody.

"Hi, I'm Ron," he said.

"Melody, but I'll answer to anything. Harry and Hermione here have a whole list of names for me," said Melody. Harry and Hermione began rattling off some of the names.

"Mel."

"Mellie."

"Maniac Mel."

"Smelly Mellie."

"Hey, I think that's enough," said Melody, thwapping Harry playfully for that last name. They all decided to grab their stuff and board the train. They found an empty compartment at the back of the train and settled in.

For the most part, their trip was uninterrupted. They were visited by many fifth- and sixth-year Gryffindors. All the while Melody told her new friends about her life in America. She had a gift for storytelling, and she made Ron, Harry and Hermione feel like they were experiencing the stories as she was telling them.

"One time, I put one too many snake fangs in a potion I was making, and it just exploded, drenching everyone in it. I got detentions for a month cleaning out all of the bathrooms and the bedpans in the infirmary," Melody said, laughing slightly. "I still royally suck at Potions, but I've learned my lesson."

"I would hope you have. We don't need another Longbottom in that class. One is too many," said a cold voice from the door. Draco Malfoy stood there, unflanked by his bodyguards, Vincent Crabbe and Gregory Goyle.

"Hey, Ferret Boy," said Melody cheerfully. Harry had told her about 'Draco Malfoy, the Amazing Bouncing Ferret'. Malfoy's face turned slightly red in anger. Apparently the memories were still painful.

"You'd do well to show me respect," he said stiffly.

"What are you going to do, scurry away like the little rodent you are?" asked Melody with a snicker. Malfoy seemed to have enough. He pulled out his wand and pointed it at her, only to be faced with four wands pointing in his direction. Melody had a cold smile on her face. "I ask you again. What are you going to do?"

Malfoy withdrew his wand. "This isn't over." He turned and swept down the corridor. The foursome replaced their wands and resumed their seats in the compartment.

"I hate people who think they're better than everyone else because of their blood. When it comes down to it, scietifically we're all the same," said Melody. The other three agreed, and they spent the rest of the trip eating sweets from the candy cart and Harry, Ron and Hermione told Melody more stories about their past years at Hogwarts. Melody burst out laughing when they told her about the second-year Polyjuice Potion fiasco.

"You turned into a cat? That's hilarious, Herms!" roared Melody.

"I could easily tell Ron how you got the nickname 'Smelly Mellie'," said Hermione with an evil smile. Melody stopped laughing immediately.

"You wouldn't," she said, slightly nervous.

"I would," said Hermione. She opened her mouth to tell the story, but Melody practically leapt across the comaprtment and began mercilessly tickling Hermione. The boys were enjoying the sight immensely. (a/n-16-year-old boys, got to love them). Melody didn't stop until Hermione began gasping and begging for mercy.

"Okay, stop, I won't tell!" she exclaimed. Melody stopped tickling and got off of Hermione. Just then, a voice boomed overhead, telling the train's passengers that they would be in Hogsmeade soon and that if you weren't in your uniforms yet, to change into them now. The girls shooed the boys out of the compartment and changed in silence.

The boys, however, had a lot to talk about. On the way to the bathroom, Ron asked Harry a few questions, all about Melody.

"Herms amd Mel seem really close..." he began.

"They're not together," said Harry before Ron could finish. For some reason, Ron let out a sigh of relief.

"How did you meet her?" he asked.

"She's my cousin through marriage, and she ended up staying at Privet Drive before she could move into her new house, which is just down the street from the Dursleys'," replied Harry. They finished changing and went back to the compartment they shared with the girls. They entered to find Melody and Hermione reading, the latter Hogwarts: a History and the latter It by Stephen King. Melody had changed the hoop in her eyebrow to a barely-noticable barbell. They saw the boys enter the compartment and put their books back into their trunks.

"You two ready?" asked Harry. The girls nodded and they walked down the corridor, Harry and Hermione in front and Melody and Ron bringing up the rear. Harry and Hermione laced their fingers together, and Ron saw.

"You never said in any of your letters that you two were dating!" he exclaimed. The two turned around to face a surprised Ron.

"We thought you would be mad, so we didn't say anything," said Hermione.

"No, not angry, just surprised," said Ron, still slightly bewildered. They all decided to drop the subject, but Melody could see the jealous glint in Ron's eyes. They found an empty carriage and the trip to Hogwarts was almost wordless. They arrived at the castle and were almost immediately approached by Professor McGonagall.

"Miss Phillips, you gave us quite a scare. Hagrid thought you hadn't arrived," the stern-looking witch said.

"Sorry, Professor. I just wanted tospend some time with my friends," said Melody.

"It's quite alright, come with me," McGonagall led Melody away to the group of first-years congregating outside of the Great Hall doors. Harry, Ron and Hermione made their way to the Gryffindor table.

The sorting seemed to take forever. Ron and Harry passed the time by making silly faces at Melody, trying to make her laugh. Hermione just rolled her eyes at the boys' immature antics, and Melody just stuck her tongue out at them. Finally, Dumbledore stood.

"The Sorting is not yet finished. We have a sixth-year transfer student from the Salem Witches' Institute. May I introduce Miss Melody Phillips!" Melody stepped up and sat on the stool and McGonagall placed the Sorting Hat on her head. The entire Hall, Harry, Ron and Hermione in particular, were on the edge of their seats. Finally, the Hat seemed to have made its decision. Melody Phillips would be a...