Angel Of Mercy

About a week before the ball, on a Friday, Melody was sitting at her usual spot at the Gryffindor table beside Ron and across from Harry and Hermione. She was talking to her friends when a post owl landed in front of her with a letter in its beak. Melody was a little puzzled, but took the letter from the owl. It nipped her finger affectionately and flew off.

"Whose owl was that?" asked Ron.

"It's my mum's," Melody replied. "But my birthday isn't until next week."

"Well, open it," said Hermione. Melody broke the wax seal and unrolled the parchment.

Dear Melody,

I hope this letter finds you well. I was interested about your last letter, and I just had to reply. You have a boyfriend now, huh? What's he like? How long have you been dating? How did you meet him? I want all of the details!

I was planning on making this a surprise, but I guess I'll tell you now. I'm coming to visit! I was hoping I could meet this Ron fellow when I came. Why don't we meet at the Three Broomsticks at one o' clock on Saturday?

Send a reply soon!

Love,

Mum

"Your mum wants to meet me?" asked Ron after he had finished reading the letter over his girlfriend's shoulder.

"Yes," replied Melody. "Is there a problem?"

"No," replied Ron. "I just didn't think that this would happen so soon."

"Look on the bright side," said Hermione. "At least you don't have to deal with an overprotective father polishing his wand while he asks you questions like 'What are your intentions with my daughter?'"

"Too true," said Ron. Melody, having finished her breakfast, got up from the table. Since she and Ron didn't have classes first thing that morning, they were going to go 'study'.

"You coming, Ronnie?" she asked. Ron's ears turned a little red at Harry and Hermione's good-natured laughing. He got up and wrapped a protective arm around Melody's waist before leading her out of the Great Hall. As soon as they were out of sight, Ron leaned in and kissed her.

"You're gorgeous," he said when they had to come up for air. His ice-blue eyes gazed into her raven-black ones. He thought he had seen those eyes before, but he couldn't remember where.

"No I'm not, not really," said Melody, rising onto her tiptoes to return Ron's kiss. When they finally broke, Ron had lifted Melody off the ground. He gently set her back down to earth.

"Yes you are," Ron said firmly. They always had this argument, and it drove their housemates crazy.

"Fine, I won't argue with you," said Melody, smiling. Hand in hand, they left the castle for a walk around the grounds.

"So, why don't you have a father that would polish his wand and ask awkward questions?" asked Ron when they got outside.

"I'm not the person to ask, because I don't know myself," replied Melody softly. It hurt a little to talk about this topic, because she knew without knowing that her father was alive somewhere. And he was close, very close.

"Oh," said Ron. They walked together in silence for a few seconds until a voice addressed them.

"What are two Gryffindors doing outside, when you should be in class?" asked the silky, unmistakable voice of Professor Snape. Ron and Melody turned and glared at the Potions Master. Snape seemingly looked surprised, but covered it up well.

"For your information, Professor, we don't have a class this morning," Melody replied. "Don't worry; you'll still be tortured by us in Potions this afternoon."

"Five points from Gryffindor for talking back to a teacher," said Snape automatically. Without another word, Snape turned and strode purposefully back to the castle, his robes billowing out behind him. Melody stuck her tongue out at his back.

"I really hate that guy," said Melody. Ron wrapped an arm around her shoulder.

"Come on, let's go back to the castle," he said, leading Melody up to the school. Melody followed submissively not eager to start a fight now.

*****

The afternoon Potions class was, for lack of a better word, hell. Snape was extremely vindictive, taking points for absurd reasons. A few of them included breathing too loudly and smiling too widely.

When Harry, Hermione, Ron and Melody finally got out of the dungeon classroom, they were looking forward to the weekend. It was a Hogsmeade trip the next day, and Harry and Ron were excited to restock their pranking supplies. That is, until Melody reminded Ron that they had to see her mother.

"Oh, right," Ron said, making a face.

"Come on, it won't be that bad," said Melody. "As long as you stay away from 'I'm the guy making out with your daughter', you should be okay."

"Are you sure?" asked Ron, uncertain. He really liked Melody, and hoped her mother liked him.

"Of course I'm sure," said Melody with a smile.

"I hope you're right," Ron said, still doubting his girlfriend.

*****

The next day, the foursome made their way down to the small wizarding village. It was a few hours before Ron and Melody had to meet her mother, so they made their way to Honeyduke's Sweet Shoppe. They perused the aisles in search for their favourite candies. Ron was in search for Chocolate Frogs so he could get the cards and Melody wanted some Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Beans.

When they were finished at the shop, Harry and Ron went to Zonko's and Hermione and Melody went to a little out-of-the-way bookshop that Hermione had found in her fourth year. They looked for nothing in particular, just browsing, when Hermione asked Melody something.

"So, how are things with you and Ron?" she asked.

"Fine," replied Melody. "Any reason why you're asking?"

"No, no reason," said Hermione. "Are you nervous about seeing your mother?"

"Why would I be?" was Melody's response. She checked her watch. "Oh crap, I have to go meet my mum in fifteen minutes! See you later 'Mione!"

Melody bolted out of the bookshop and ran into Ron, who had just come out of Zonko's across the street. She slipped her hand in his and they went to the Three Broomsticks together. They entered and found a table in a corner, away from everyone else.

"Nervous?" asked Ron.

"No," replied Melody. "Are you?"

"Just a little bit," replied Ron. "Are you sure your mum will like me?"

"If she doesn't at first, she will eventually," Melody replied. Just then someone approached the table.

"Is this a private party, or can anyone join?" Melody turned to see her mother standing behind her.

"Mum!" she exclaimed, jumping up and hugging her mother. Ron just sat there, not sure what to do. When the two Phillips women broke apart, Julia looked at Ron.

"So, this is Ron?" she asked, turning to her daughter. Melody nodded and the two women sat at the table, Melody next to her boyfriend and Julia sat across from them.

"H-hi," stammered Ron, suddenly growing shy. Julia smiled slightly.

"You can relax, you know. I'm not going to curse you or anything," she said.

"Of course not," said Ron. "Wasn't thinking about that."

Just then Madam Rosemerta came by and asked if she could get anyone anything. Julia ordered redcurrant rum and Melody and Ron ordered a Butterbeer each.

"So, what attracted you to my daughter?" Julia asked Ron. The redheaded sixteen-year-old shot Melody a look that plainly read 'I thought you said I wouldn't be asked questions like that'. Melody just smiled smugly. Knowing that he wasn't going to get any help from his girlfriend, Ron answered the question.

"I guess it was her outspoken nature," replied Ron. "She's the only one besides my friends and I to talk back to this one professor."

"Really? Which professor is that?" asked Julia, her interest perked.

"A miserable old bat that goes by the name Snape," Melody began. "I swear that man is a born bastard. If I hadn't seen him outside yesterday, I would have sworn he was a vampire or something." She stopped talking when she saw her mother's amused expression. "He's standing right behind me, isn't he?"

"Very perceptive, Miss Phillips," said a silky voice. Melody turned and feigned a bright expression.

"How nice to see you!" she exclaimed brightly, hoping Snape would believe it. Evidently, he didn't.

"Save it, Miss Phillips," he said curtly. "But if you don't want any points taken, I suggest you express your opinions in a less public setting." With that, Snape swept out of the pub, his robes billowing out behind him characteristically. Melody gave him the finger behind his back.

"Snape has left the building," said Ron with a grin.

"So, that was Professor Snape, huh?" asked Julia. Melody nodded. "I can see why you think he's a vampire, if you compare him to the Muggle movies with vampires in them. Unfortunately, real vampires look nothing like him."

Ron was a little surprised; Melody wasn't. Melody grinned at her boyfriend's shocked expression.

"Close your mouth, you're catching flies," she said, pushing his jaw closed with her index finger. "Where did you think I got my outspokenness from?"

"I don't know," was all Ron said. He checked his watch. "I'm going to see if Harry's still in the Quidditch shop." Ron got up from his seat and pecked Melody on the lips before leaving.

"He seems like a nice boy," said Julia when Ron was out of earshot.

"He's really sweet. Was a bit oblivious in the beginning, though," said Melody. "He guessed most of the guys in our year when he was trying to guess who I wanted to go to the Halloween dance with. It took me storming out and Herms practically spelling it out to him before he got it."

"I could see that happening," Julia said with a laugh. She abruptly changed the subject. "Do you happen to know Professor Snape's first name?"

Melody looked horrified. "You don't fancy him, do you?" she asked.

"No, don't worry, you won't have to see him in his boxers or anything," said Julia with a laugh. Melody shuddered at the thought of Snape in his underwear, but sighed with relief nonetheless. "He just reminded me of someone that I worked with in the past."

"Oh," was all Melody could say. "I should probably get out of here. Ron's probably wondering what's taking me so long."

"You go, then. Don't worry about the bill, I'll get it," said Julia. They rose, and mother and daughter shared another embrace. "You take care of yourself. I don't want any owls telling me that you've gotten yourself in major trouble."

"Don't worry mum, that won't happen," said Melody. She left her mother in the pub and went in search for her boyfriend and her other friends. Julia smiled and just shook her head. That kid was going to get in a lot of trouble if she didn't keep her mouth shut.

*****