Secret Behind The Mask

Chapter two- The new Pansy Parkinson

"How do you feel?"

"Lighter."

"And you look great!" Sherry exclaimed. "Mel, you certainly outdid yourself."

Melly grinned broadly. "Now, ready to show Hogwarts the new Pansy Parkinson, Prefect of Slytherin?"

Pansy nodded her head. She did look different. Melly had a way with muggle make up, so she really put in effort to make Pansy look different. Her hair was brown, but it was place in a ponytail, and the hair was curled. Her face showed of little color, it was pale, with a tint of pink in her cheeks. Her lips were pink and shiny. Lip gloss, is what Melly had called the lip stuff. Blush, was the stuff that made her face pink. She had something called black mascara on her eyelashes. Her eye shadow was a shimmering green, and her eyeliner was black, and was traced all around her eye.

Pansy looked in a life-size mirror Sherry transfigured, and gasped. She not only looked sexier than the CosmoGirls did, she was also incredibly skinny. No wonder she felt lighter.

"Ready?" Melly asked as Sherry transfigured the mirror back to its original size.

Pansy nodded.

---

Harry and Ron walked to the North Tower for Divination, Ron being uncommonly quiet. He couldn't get the image of Melly out of his head. The battle of butterflies becoming more and more violent every step he took.

"Are you all right Ron?" Harry asked as they rounded a corner and approached the trap door. "You're awfully quiet. It's disturbing."

Should he tell Harry that he was starting to have feelings for Melly? What would he say?

No, I'm not starting to have feelings for Melly, he corrected himself. I already do! Oh! Bugger!

"I'll tell you later," Ron mumbled as they climbed into the classroom.

Professor Trelawny put them in pairs. Harry and Ron were sorry that they couldn't be partners.

"I'm going to start doing this now, because some of you are failing to get aquainted with each other. This project is about getting to know your fellow house mates better."

She placed Harry with Neville. Lavender and Parvati of course were together. Seamus and Dean...

Ron got a nervous pit in his stomach as Professor Trelawny called pairs. The list was about to end soon. She hadn't called his name. What if she put him with...

"Ronald and Melly."

Ron's stomach did a back flip, causing him to choke.

Melly walked over to him, and sat down where Harry was sitting before he went over to Neville. Harry noticed how Ron acted when Professor Trelawny paired him up with Melly. He would have to ask him later.

Melly sat down and Ron's senses lost control. Her perfume was of...he didn't know how to describe it. It was so much better than when he smelled it earlier that day. Just the feel of her presence next to him--more like a few inches away- was getting him all wild up. He couldn't help smiling. Harry eyed him suspiciously.

"Now, with your new partners, you're going to have to get to know them. Be like their...adopted best friend..."

Melly sighed and leaned back in her chair. And what does this have to do with anything psychic?

Just be lucky I wasn't teaching at this moment Melly. Snape thought. You know Sybill. Gets crazy with her work and everything.

Melly sighed again. I have to adopt this guy as my new best friend for who knows how long. And what for? God only knows what.

Who's your 'adopted friend'?

Ron Weasly. Melly looked around and saw that everyone was getting started getting to know each other. She assumed that Professor Trelawny had finished.

Weasly? You know, I think I remember you saying something to him, or actually thinking to him, that you wanted to get him back for taking those house points off.

I am...I gotta stop thinking to you. Need to get to know Ronald Weasly.

Have fun. Talk to you later tonight.

Melly grunted in return, only to be disappointed to remember that Snape couldn't hear her.

Ron turned to her and smiled. "So--uh--Mel..."

"Ron?" she asked expectantly. She sighed. "So, my new 'adopted best friend', What should we talk about?"

"I want to know more about you," Ron said, quicker than he wanted.

Melly looked taken aback, then, after examining the rest of the room, she decided that she would tell him all she could.

"Where to begin? Let's see...I was born in July, in London. My father, wasn't all that excited to have me. My mother and father got in a big fight, and my mother left my father, with me, when I was three. I started to get tutored for my magic, and...singing," she said while blushing.

"Singing?" Ron looked amazed. "Now, when was the last time I met someone who could sing? I mean really sing?"

"Well, my mum wanted me to be everything a little girl ought to be...and that included singing. Well, when I was ten, my mother died, and I was sent to live with my father. He promised that he wouldn't kill me (just because I was his daughter), and since he loved my mother so much, he just couldn't bring himself to do so. And it wasn't until just two years ago I found out that he was my godfather. My real father took claim for me at fifteen, and he also promised not to kill me, for he loved my mother also. I got my Hogwarts letter when I was eleven. Came here, with my best friend, Sherry. Got sorted into Gryffindor, much to my disappointment. I have no friends in Gryffindor. I only hang around the two CosmoGirls, obviously. But, that doesn't mean we're friends or anything. I've become friends with those in Slytherin, despite my being a Gryffindor. They all know who I am. A pureblood whose mother was a dark witch. I am now eighteen, and I don't really like doing this. So, what about you?" she finished with a smile. A smile that would make Ron do a hundred back flips just for her.

"I-uh, I-well..." Ron stuttered. "I was born into a family of five kids, all being boys, and all red heads. A year later, my sister was born. My life wasn't that exciting. I got my Hogwarts letter at eleven, no surprise there..." Melly laughed a little at this, and that made Ron smile back at her. "...I met Harry on the train. Then, I and Harry became enemies of Malfoy and Hermione. I got sorted into Gryffindor, much to my enjoyment, I mind you. That Halloween, Hermione ended up being our friend, now she's one of our best friends. I and Hermione helped Harry a few times against..." He leaned in closer to her and whispered, "You-Know-Who." Melly smiled and nodded. "And, if you want to, you could start hanging out with the three of us...Harry, Hermione, and me. Just until this stupid thing is over," he ended with a smile.

Melly smiled warmly at him. "That would great. Just as long you three don't talk every minute about boys and make-up."

Ron nodded and promised.

"And, just as a warning, I'll only hang around you when it's impossible for me to hang out with my other friends," Melly added. "Like during class, or meals, or when we're in the common room. You know I can't go on tagging along beside you through the entire year...or, however long this thing lasts. Got it?"

Ron nodded again, wanting to give her her space. He did have feelings for her and all, so he wanted to be a gentleman about her personal space.

Melly smiled in thanks.

He's such a gentleman. She thought. Maybe Sherry's plan might work after all.

Professor Trelawny dismissed the class without explanation on why they were doing what they were doing.

Melly and Ron walked out of the tower without Harry, who had to run to catch up with the two.

Melly smiled and listened to Ron talk about his brothers. "And they flew out of here! You saw it didn't you? Well, they now have a shop in Diagon Ally called--"

"Hey! Ron! Wait up!" Harry called as he caught up with them. He reached the two and had to place his arm on Ron's shoulder to prevent him from falling over in exhaustion.

Melly couldn't help but laugh at his performance.

"Hey Mel!" Sherry called. She had seen Melly walking with Ron, and wanted to save her from his existence.

"Hey Sherry," Melly said as Sherry walked over to them.

"You should get a look at Pansy!" Sherry exclaimed. "She's turning heads that aren't even guys! She's looking for you." Sherry pulled Melly, and she followed where Pansy was.

Ron looked after her. He didn't want her to go, especially without saying good-bye.

Harry noticed Ron's unhappy face, and, when he caught his breath, dragged Ron to the Common Room.

"Okay, what's wrong," Harry demanded. Ron gave him a look that told him that Ron didn't know what he was talking about. "You know what I mean! First, you aren't talking that much on the way to Divination. Second, you nearly killed yourself choking when Professor Trelawny partnered you up with Melly. Third, you leave me behind after the class. And fourth, you watch her leave with Sher, your eyes getting all misty!"

Ron opened his mouth, then closed it again. He narrowed his eyes, and thought. This is what he was going to talk about to him anyways, so why not tell him now?

"Well, Harry, it's like this," he said. "I...I..."

"No!" Harry exclaimed. He lowered his voice. "You like her?"

Ron smiled sheepishly. "I actually think it's more than just like her. I actually think I've got something towards her."

"What about Hermione?" Harry sat down, followed by Ron.

"I don't think it's like that anymore. Harry, I'm serious! I'm not a jealous boy who has a simple crush on someone anymore. I actually like this girl! Hell, I think it may be even more!"

---

Sherry ran, Melly following, down to the Great Hall. Melly started laughing when she saw a group of guys, and some girls (probably asking for beauty tips).

Pansy caught sight of Melly, and escaped the herd of people following her. They ran into the safety of the library.

"Did you see that?" Pansy exclaimed. "It's like I'm a new person!"

"You certainly look the part," Melly said excitedly. She smiled as Pansy squealed. She clapped her hands, while jumping up and down, and hugged Melly.

"Excuse me!" Someone yelled from not so far from where they were. The three girls turned to see Hermione glaring. "The library is for studying. Please, quiet it down."

"Why?" Melly asked innocently.

"Because, I've got some complaints from the other students. Now, be quiet, or you're going to have to be kicked out." With that, she turned on her heel and left.

"The complaints were probably her own," Pansy whispered to Melly. They all sat down at a table. "I'm so sorry that you have to be in Gryffindor with her."

"It must be terrible!" Sherry exclaimed. "Having her always on your tail every where you go."

"It gets annoying, at times," Melly said. She smiled as she looked around to make sure no one was listening, then leaned forward and spoke softly, so the other two had to lean in also. "Remember that plan you talked about earlier?" She asked Sherry.

"What plan? Oh! 'The closer you get to the best friend, the closer you get to Potter' plan?"

"Yes, exactly."

"What's that?" Pansy asked, really seeming interested.

"Exactly what the title says," Sherry said a little annoyed. "The closer that Melly gets to Ron Weasly, because it looks like he fancies her, the closer she gets Potter."

"Only one problem..." Melly said, looking over in the direction where the Head Girl sat. The other two looked where she was looking. "She's got a thing for Ron as well."

"You mean..." Pansy said, looking back at Melly, who nodded. "Granger?" Once Melly nodded again, she couldn't help laughing.

"Ssh! Quiet!" Melly whispered.

"She's coming over," Sherry said, looking back to the other two. "Let's clear this quickly. Me and Pansy are going back to the Common Room. You go seek Ron, and ask him to that Valentine's Day ball. Got it?"

"I warned you three," Hermione said as she was close them. "You made another noise, get out."

Sherry nodded at Melly, then the three of them walked out, Pansy laughing on the way out.

Hermione watched them leave. She likes Ron? Hermione thought. If I don't get to him first, she's going to ask him to the ball. Who would I go with? No! She won't ask him.

With that, Hermione grabbed her stuff and ran back to the Common Room, not having to worry about running into Melly on the way.

---

"Ron!" Melly called as soon as she got back into the Common Room. He was sitting in front of the fire, doing Potions homework when she came in.

He lifted his head and smiled when he saw her. Hermione and Harry were there also.

She bit her bottom lip. "Uh, could I talk to you in private?" she asked him.

He smiled and nodded. He stood up and followed her to a small corner where she could talk to him alone. She noticed, though, that Hermione was uncommonly smiling, a lot.

"Well," she said, lowering her voice so much that Ron had to lean in to hear her. "I wanted to know if you wanted to come to the ball with me?"

Ron's eyes went wide, but he slowly brought them back to normal size. He looked at her, seemingly brokenhearted. "I'm sorry. Mel," he said. "I'm already going with someone."

Melly's face fell. Oh well, she thought. Can't do it this time. She looked back at him, but it's his sad, ashamed, brokenhearted, puppy-face that made her even more sad. Part of her, then, really wanted to go with him.

"Who?" she asked, almost near tears, unknowingly.

"Hermione."

Melly opened her mouth, then looked at the ground.

"Did you really want to go with me?" he asked. He sounded very hopeful at that moment.

Melly looked back at him, and nodded.

"Well, maybe I could work something out. I'm sure Hermione'll understand." He smiled once he saw that Melly looked hopeful as well. "As matter of fact, I know she'll understand. She can go with Harry if she."

With that, he walked over to his two friends, and talked to Hermione.

"So, you see, Hermione, I have to go with her." Ron had told her what he had told Harry earlier.

Hermione looked from Ron to Melly, and back again, then smiled. "Of course. IF you'd rather go with her, then, fine." She smiled and walked up to her dorm.

"She doesn't hide her feelings very well," Harry observed as Ron walked over to Melly.

He smiled brightly. "I'd love to go with you!"