Secret Behind The Mask

Chapter 17- A Long Term Decision

Melly sighed as she trudged back into the Common Room. She was surprised to see that the fire in the fireplace was still going strong like it was just lit. She walked up to the couch, and rested her hands on the back, staring dreamily into the fire. She sighed, and looked down. She smiled when she saw Ron curled up on the couch, sleeping. Melly walked around the couch, and kneeled down in front of him. She took her hand, and brushed away his red hair from his face. His eyebrows furrowed, and he slightly opened his eyes. Once he saw Melly, he jumped up.

"Melly!" he cried. Melly stood up after Ron, and he took her in his arms. "You're okay! What happened?" he asked her, looking into her eyes, brushing away her hair that was in her face.

Melly shrugged. "I was unconscious most of the time. I don't really know," she lied. She started to curse herself for lying to him. Why was she feeling guilty? Her smile slowly faded, and she looked down.

Ron lifted her chin with his finger. "Are you okay?" he asked.

Melly nodded, and sniffed, uncertain if she was really crying or not. She wanted to. She wanted to tell Ron everything. Everything that's been happening between her and Snape; between her and Voldemort; that she really did know what happened two mornings ago. Tears filled her eyes and she began to sob softly. She pressed her face into his chest, and cried onto his shirt. She wanted to tell Ron, Hermione, and Harry. She just wanted them to hate her so everything could go back to the way it was before she and Ron got together. When everyone was ignoring each other.

Ron wrapped his arms around her, shushing her. He sat down with her, and held onto her. He patted her head, and made her look up at him. He looked down at his pants pocket, and took out two dangling shiny things. Melly gasped as she saw him give her the bracelets that she broke. She smiled at him, and cried onto his shoulder.

Melly, stop crying! You can't start to feel this way! You can't! she yelled at herself.

Melly Fate Avalon! How dare you speak to yourself that way! This young man cares for you! He loves it when you cling onto him, needing his comfort right now! Faith screamed. He loves you! Now, don't tell me that you don't feel the slightest love for him?

Melly didn't want to admit it, but she knew that her mother was right. She knew that she did start to feel something for him, and that just made her cry harder, and that made Ron hold her tighter.

She pulled away, and looked into his eyes. She sighed. She admitted it; her mother was right. She did like him, a lot. She smiled as she realized the truth. She slowly moved in closer to him, touched his nose, smiled and giggled as he closed his eyes and wriggled his nose hers, and placed an unsuspected kiss on her lips.

Melly's eyes flew open, totally unprepared by the kiss, but melted in his arms quickly. She smiled as he pulled away from her. She couldn't bring herself to look away from his eyes; he did that for her. Ron brought her into a short hug, and they sprawled themselves on the couch, watching the fire.

Ron had his arms wrapped around Melly, and was playing with her now fully blackened hair.

"What happened?" he asked, looking at her hair with concern.

Melly shrugged. "I don't really know," she lied. It was so easy to lie to him. But, when your mother is screaming in your head not to lie, then it was a bit of a challenge. "I-I was stupefied most of the time."

Melly Fate Avalon! Use your brain! Don't lie to him! You can't lie to him!

Oh, will you give it a rest? Melly yelled at Faith. I'm not like that. Do you know how many times I've lied to him?

No, but that doesn't mean it's all right!

She closed her eyes, and shifted so she was in a comfortable position. Maybe tomorrow, she thought, and she fell asleep.

---

Ron slowly opened his eyes. He never slept so well before. It was a warm, happy feeling that caused him to sleep dreamlessly and perfectly last night. He looked around, and saw Melly sitting on the couch down near his feet. She seemed to be concentrating at the empty fireplace. He wondered what time it was.

Melly looked at Ron as she felt him moving. She saw him looking at her, smiling at her, but she couldn't bring herself to smile back. She looked back at the fireplace.

It's all your fault! she thought to her mother. You made me feel guilty! Why?

Now, that has never happened before, Snape put in.

I'm sorry Severus, Faith said; but this is an A/B conversation, so C your way out!

Can't do that, I and M are sorry.

Now, why do you feel guilty? Faith said, ignoring Snape's remark. You shouldn't be feeling guilty. No, wait, scratch that out, yes you should! You have lied to this boy, I don't even want to know how many times. You deserve to be guilty! Did I not teach you anything?

You did, but Lucius Malfoy kind of erased it all and added everything a Death Eater needs to know in my brain.

Did he erase your memory?

No!

"Melly? Are you okay?" Ron asked, sitting up.

Melly looked at him, but didn't know what to say.

Say no, that you want to tell him the whole truth.

What? What happened? I want to know! Tell me!

Severus, hush! You're confusing her.

Why don't you both shut up! Melly shouted at them, a look of irritation on her face.

"Are you all right?" Ron said, taking notice of her face.

Melly looked up at him, biting her lip, wondering what she should say. Okay, she sighed. I'll tell him later. Now isn't a good time.

Now is a perfect time, Faith said more encouragingly. Now, you know that he's alone, and now, you know that you can talk to him now. Later isn't a better time.

Now who's confusing her?

Severus...

You're confusing me!

Well, if you weren't listening, then you wouldn't be confused.

I kind of don't have a choice. You're kind of there in my mind!

Melly sighed. Please, will you two shut up? Let me concentrate at the situation at hand?

"You still haven't answered me," Ron said, pulling Melly into a hug. Melly sighed, and nodded.

"I'm fine, really, I am," she said. "Just thinking about my mother."

"What was she like?" Ron asked. "You never told me about her."

Melly pulled away from him, acting like he just recited the Hogwarts' School Song by adding obscene to the lyrics.

"Of course I have!" she shrieked. "I told you when you were assigned to be my partner! Were you listening to me?"

Ron did listen to her. "No," he lied. "I was too distracted by your beauty." He smiled and pulled her back to him.

Melly sighed again. "You're really bad at lying, do you know that?" she said, looking up at him.

You should talk, Faith said.

Talk about what? Snape asked.

---

The lecture for Transfiguration went by slowly. Harry had finally accepted the fact that Melly would probably be tagging along beside him and the other two, but that still didn't mean that he forgave her. Only once she's answered his two questions, correct and truthfully, will he consider forgiving her.

Melly sat next to Hermione, both paying exquisite attention to the lecture, and both really wanting to learn how to become an animagi. Ron and Harry just sat there, staring off into space, Hermione every once in a while nudging Harry, who would nudge Ron, who would nudge Harry back, who would nudge Hermione, who would sigh in irritation and give up.

Melly wondered if the three would ever notice if she wasn't there. Is this how they acted when she wasn't around? How would they act if she weren't around? She then thought that she was an outsider, and wanted to go back to the back of the room where she always sat, with Lavender and Parvati.

"Now that you all know what to do, you will all be givin something to practice on, and once you have fully transferred your object into the animal of your choice. You will all come up and perform the spell, and show the class and myself the animal of your choice. Your next assignment, for homework, is to write a two-foot essay on why you chose the specific animal. Last time, you all listed the reasons, now it is your task to write them out." Professor McGonagall glanced at Harry and Ron, and continued. "Remember, this is your NEWT year, so everything will become harder. You may start. I will hand each of you an object, and you will get started immediately."

Ron leaned over to Harry. "She's said the same thing about this year every time we come into her class this year!" he whispered. Harry nodded in agreement.

The four of them were givin their objects-Ron a goblet, Harry a plate, Hermione a book, and Melly a quill-and they each got their wands out. Harry and Ron looked at Hermione and Melly. Hermione was explaining the incantation to change the object to what she wanted. Melly nodded, and watched intently as Hermione did the spell.

Harry and Ron looked at each other. "Hermione?" Harry said as he looked back at Hermione. "Do you think...?"

Hermione sighed before she said the spell. "You should've studied, you two."

"Well, why are you teaching Melly?" Harry countered. "She didn't study either!"

Hermione lowered her voice and glared at Harry. "She had other things to take care of. Didn't it occur to you that she has been having a tough time right now?"

Melly placed her hand on Hermione's shoulder. "Relax Hermione, just teach them."

Hermione sighed, and decided to just give up, and do as Melly said. When did she start listening to Melly? Oh well, did it matter now?

She waved her wand in circular motions above the book. "You think, hard, about your animal, and then...Animagus Objectus," she said. There were red sparks, and the book changed into a beautiful black kitten. "I like to introduce you to Valeray, French for valor, strong. But he is adorable. Don't you think?"

Harry and Ron both looked at the cat with amazement as the cat walked up to Melly, and began playing with her hair. Melly giggled. She reached to Valeray, and scratched him behind the ears. He purred, and Hermione picked up, and placed him back in front of her, much to Valeray's dismay. She sighed, quite taken with the cat, but waved her wand over the cat, and muttered "Finite Incantem." The cat shifted back into an old and ratty book.

Melly smiled at Hermione, and then at Ron. She looked down at her quill. It was green, silver, and purple. She wondered how her animal would turn out to be like. She decided on making her animal a serpent.

She raised her wand over her quill, and thought about a serpent. What did serpents look like? What color did she want it to be? Or was that even up to her? She waved her wand like Hermione did, and muttered the incantation. "Animagus Objectus." Green sparks emitted from Melly's wand, and the quill slowly took form. The feathers shrunk, and the quill grew a little. She saw a tail forming, and then the head, and then the long skinny body of the Mexican Black King Snake came into full form.

Melly set down her wand, and slowly reached for it. She ran her fingers against the soft and cold feel of the snake's scales. She always admired snakes. The snake slowly slithered towards the edge of the table, but Melly quickly picked it up and held it with her hands. The snake coiled around her hand as it stared at her. Melly and the snake stared at each other. The snake would stick out its tongue, and Melly would do it just as a fun little game. The fun little game for her turned into a fun little game for both of them.

Hermione, after watching Melly stick out her tongue a number of times, and watching the snake do the same, finally nudged Melly, and motioned for her to change the snake back.

Melly sighed, and changed the snake back. The snake slowly changed into a quill, which she now held in her hand.

"I love snakes," she said to Hermione after putting her quill down. "They're something else to me."

Hermione nodded just as McGonagall addressed the class. "We now have forty-five minutes until class is out. Let me tell you now, if you do not get a chance to show your animal, then your homework won't be able to be done long as those who have presented. Now, who would like to go first? Miss Granger?"

Hermione took her book and her wand to the front of the class, did the spell, and was proud to see everyone's amazed looks at the black cat. McGonagall looked especially pleased.

"A cat, Miss Granger? My, you certainly have a fine taste in your animals. Who's next? Miss Avalon?" McGonagall said surprised. This had to be the first time in seven years that Melly volunteered automatically. "Very well, let's see your animal."

Melly did the exact same thing as Hermione; only she got a different reaction from everyone except for Ron, of course, and Hermione. The girls all shrieked as the snake hissed, and the boys, most of them, turned pale. Harry glared at her, his acceptance for her almost completely gone. Why almost? Because of Ron who sat next to him, admiring Melly's skill and animal.

McGonagall nodded, scared of the snake as well. "V-very well, Miss Avalon," she said, holding her hand to her throat for dramatic effect. "You may sit down now. And will you please stop holding that snake in front of my face?"

Melly transformed the snake back into a quill, and sat down, beaming. Hermione smiled at her, and congratulated her silently.

Harry, being jealous of her, decided he would go next. He managed to turn his plate successfully into a black shaggy dog. Hermione and Ron both looked at each other, sympathy for Harry in their eyes. Melly was confused. Why would Harry chose a dog? She thought that he would probably go for a lion, or better yet, an elephant, which wasn't as bad as it sounded. At least it would get McGonagall off her bonkers and dismiss the class. But, he had chosen a dog, and Melly wasn't going to complain, no matter how much she wanted to.

Melly also notice McGonagall give Harry a sympathized look as he sat down.

Ron raised his hand, and went up, not for any special reason, just because the other three went before him; he thought they were all going just for the fact that they all wanted to get it done, so that was his reason, not jealousy like it was for Harry, but he didn't know that.

After Ron had successfully transformed his goblet into a hawk-though no one knew why-the class was dismissed for lunch.

The four of them went down to the Great Hall. Harry stopped Hermione, and let the other two walk into the Great Hall, not noticing Hermione and Harry's disappearance.

Hermione sighed. "What is it now?"

Harry shook his head. "I have to do it."

Hermione looked at him puzzled, also afraid of what he might mean. She squeezed her eyes shut, bit her lip, and opened her eyes once again. "What?" she said, almost afraid to ask.

"I have to go to Dumbledore!" he exclaimed. "The snake! Was the snake not enough proof for you?"

Hermione sighed. "Now you're just being silly, Harry," Hermione said. "Just because her animal of choice was a snake, didn't mean anything."

"It did to me," Harry said, turning on his heel, and stalked off, regardless of the objections coming from Hermione, telling him to come back. He stalked all the way to Dumbledore's office.

---

Hermione was quiet all throughout lunch. Melly and Ron tried to get her to talk, but she wouldn't say anything more than a mere monosyllable word. Melly and Ron decided to give up, and they ate in silence after then.

Hopefully Harry was only joking when he said he was going to tell Dumbledore about Melly. She prayed that he was only toying.

Hermione was soon having doubts when she didn't see Harry at all through lunch. She didn't even see him when the next class started; Defense Against the Dark Arts. Hermione couldn't concentrate. She was worried for Melly. What would Dumbledore do? Force her to become a spy? Send her to Azkaban?

Professor Lioncourt was just about done explaining what the assignment for the night was (a five-foot essay on vampires-the way they live and how to vanquish them) when a knock was heard at the door.

Hermione stiffened, biting her lip. While looking at Melly. Melly turned around to look at her Harry walked in.

Harry was soon followed by Professors McGonagall, Snape, and Dumbledore.

"Please excuse us for the interruption," Dumbledore said. "Professor Lioncourt, may we borrow Miss Melly Avalon?"

Professor Lioncourt nodded, and excused Melly. Melly looked at Ron and Hermione helplessly, and slowly stood up. Hermione and Melly knew what this was about, but Ron was completely blind.

"And also Miss Granger and Mr. Weasley," Dumbledore added as he saw the three's looks they were giving each other.

Professor Lioncourt nodded once again and the three students exited out, followed by Harry, Snape, McGonagall, and Dumbledore.

The seven of them walked toward Dumbledore's office; Dumbledore, Snape, and McGonagall in front, distantly followed by Hermione, Melly, and Ron, who were closely followed by Harry.

What's going on? Melly asked Snape.

Unless you have an exquisite reason for being out there in that clearing as you were announced a Death Eater other than being announced as a Death Eater, I don't think you want to know, answered Snape.

Did I do something wrong?

Snape sighed. Potter told me that you weren't going to take your NEWT's this year. What does that tell you?

Melly stopped dead in her tracks. She turned around and stared disbelievingly at Harry. Harry gave her a look that told her to keep moving. Melly obeyed, and trudged behind Hermione and Ron, slowly going for her wand.

Melly Fate Avalon! Don't you dare! Faith yelled.

What? asked Snape.

Put your wand away, now, this instant! Faith screeched.

Snape faintly smiled. He what she about to do. I'll distract Harry, he thought.

NO! Faith cried, causing Melly and Snape to flinch and cringe at the high-pitched cry.

Snape turned to Dumbledore. "Sir," he whispered, "I'm going to have a small talk with Melly. She doesn't know about me. Maybe I can change her mind before you do anything drastic."

Dumbledore stopped walking, and looked at Snape. HE sighed, and nodded. "Take Harry with you," he replied. "We will be at my office."

Snape bowed his head as everyone else continued walking. Snape placed a hand in front of Melly and Harry to stop them. He motioned for them to follow him.

Where are we going? Faith and Melly asked at the same time, looking up at Snape. With Harry?

Snape looked over at Harry. I've got a plan, he thought.

The walked until they reached the Entrance Hall, Faith the whole time screaming obscene objections to Snape.

Ready, Melly? Remember, run as fast as you can, and don't stop until you safely apparated away from here.

Melly nodded slightly.

Ready? NOW!

Melly whipped out her wand. "STUPIFY!" she yelled. Sorry, Snape! she thought as the curse hit Snape and he fell to the floor. Before Melly could do anything, Harry had his wand out, pointing it at Melly.

"Expelliaramus!" he shouted at Melly.

The spell hit Melly and she flew across the hall, holding as tight as she could to her wand. She had practice with that with Lucius.

I knew this would happen! Faith shouted.

You're here to help me! Melly shouted at Faith as she stood up. She glared at Harry, her wand at the ready. Do you want me to go to Azkaban? HELP ME!

Faith sighed. She shifted Melly's body so she was prepared for anything, and threw curses at Harry.

Harry dodged as many as he could, but Faith got quicker. She made Melly start edging towards the door.

Faith continued. "Petrificus Totalus! Expelliaramus! Stupefy!"

The expelliaramus hit Harry, and right after the stupefy hit him. Melly stood, staring at Harry for a few seconds before Faith shouted at her to run. Melly turned around, and ran as fast as she could to the forest.

---

Hermione had her arms on the windowsill, and she had her head in her arms, looking out at Hagrid's cabin.

"What did Snape want?" she heard Ron ask.

"Snape was going to see if he could talk some sense into Melly," McGonagall said. "Harry went just so she was outnumbered if she tried anything.

Hermione gasped as she saw something dash across the school grounds. She broke out in tears. Ron ran up to her, and hugged her. "What's wrong?" he asked her.

"Look out the window," Hermione whispered as quietly as she could so only he could hear her.

Ron's eyes moved from Hermione to the grounds. His eyes caught something gleaming near the forest's edge. He squinted his eyes, and he saw what was making the gleams. He moved closer to the window.

He mouthed her name. Melly stood at the forest's edge, holding her bracelets that he gave back to her last night. She sighed, crouching down, and dug a hole. She placed the two bracelets in the hole, and covered them back up. She stood up and looked back at the castle. Tears streamed down her face as she turned around and ran into the forest.

Ron let go of Hermione and dashed out of the office, Hermione following him. Dumbledore and McGonagall looked at each other, and then dashed out of the office after them.

Ron ran as fast as he could, oblivious to the fact that he was running out of breath. He skidded to a halt once he saw Snape and Harry laying on the floor, unconscious. He looked out the opened doors that led to the grounds. He dashed outside just as he heard Hermione shriek at the sight of Snape and Harry. She ran to Harry.

Ron ran as fast as he could to the place where he saw Melly disappear from. He saw a little mound of dirt, and ran to it. He fell on the ground, and quickly uncovered the bracelets. He picked them up, and noticed a piece of parchment under some of the dirt. He placed the bracelets in one hand, and took out the parchment.

He unfolded the small piece of parchment, and stood up, while reading the note.

Ron-

I'm sorry. Tell everyone I'm sorry. I shouldn't have lied to you. I was going to tell you this morning, or last night, but I was afraid to. I look over at you, and I get a happy feeling inside of me. I smile and go back to writing this- my supposed to be notes for DADA. I ask you, will you show this Harry and Hermione as well? I want them to know what I'm about to say; it's pretty important. Harry...stop gloating, I know you are!

Harry was right about me. I was tricking you all. I did know what happened two days ago in the library, I'm not under a spell. I did mean it when I said that I didn't like you three.

But, that all changed last night. Just before Ron and I were ambushed, I discovered a new part of myself that came to me at the library. My mother's spirit now lives inside of me. She's like my conscience. She's nagging to me about not lying, but I do it anyways. She's telling me to write this, telling me what to write, mostly.

And, speaking of last night, I knew what happened, I just didn't want to worry any of you. I was stupefied, yes. But, I do know that Bellatrix LeStrange was the one to stupefy me. And I know that she was trying to kill me. My mother came out of me, and saved me from her.

She's convincing me that what I have, sort of, is great, and I should make it real. What she means by that is to stop making this all an act. Stop lying to you, stop pretending everything. Let everything go, and just live with everything as it is now.

Honestly, this is harder than it sounds. When I write this, and when I thought about it last night and this morning, I discovered that I want everything to go back to the way it was before. When we were all ignoring each other. When we were just housemates, nothing more.

Well, that's all I've got to say right now. If you three don't ever want to talk to me again, then I'll understand.

-Melly

P.S. Harry, to answer you on your two questions, I still don't know. I'm still too young to choose sides, especially when I was born and raised a dark witch. I can't change the way I've lived for eighteen years, that's harder than it sounds as well.

P.S.S Ron, you may have my silver bracelet. It signifies love.

P.S.S.S. Hermione, you may have my other bracelet. It signifies protection.

Ron looked out into the forest where he saw Melly disappear to. He felt a hand on his shoulder, and he quickly turned to around to find Harry and Hermione behind him.

"I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner, Ron," Hermione whispered.

Ron smiled, and shook his head. He looked back out to the forest.

So, everything was a lie? How could she do this to him? But, she did say that everything changed. Was it him that changed her? The way she wrote it sounded like that's what she meant.

"What's that?" Harry asked, indicating the letter.

Ron handed him the letter, still looking at the forest. He gave Hermione the bracelet that Melly told her that she could have, and looked down at his own.

Love? Was it really love all along? His face slowly darkened to red. She didn't love him at all. It was all an act? The thought just made him want to take back everything that he's ever said to her, and stamp on them.

He closed his hand around the bracelet, and walked towards the lake. Hermione looked after him.

Harry's jaw clenched as he read the letter. So, he was right. He knew it! He knew it all along! He shook his head, and threw the letter on the ground, and walked over to Ron, who now stood by the lake's edge.

Hermione bent down and picked up the letter. She gasped as she read it. When she was done, she looked down at her new bracelet. She forgave Melly, she didn't know about the other two, but she forgave her. After all, she might not be able to see her ever again. She missed Melly already.

She grasped the letter, and walked to the two boys.

---

She fell to the ground, hoping that she was far enough away from Hogwarts. As soon as she confirmed it, she leaned her back against a tree, and cried.

She just lost everything that she had. She lost her friends, her chance to pass her exams and apply for a good job like she wanted, she even lost her first ever boyfriend whom she actually loved.

Look on the bright side, Faith said. At least you've got me, and Snape still, and you've got the Death Eaters.

Death Eaters? They aren't what made me happy! Melly cried. I wasn't as happy as I thought I would be with them. I was much happier with Hermione, and Ron, especially. I was even happier with Harry! I wasn't happy with Voldemort, I wasn't happy with Bella, for sure. She was trying to kill me! And now what am I going to do about getting Harry to Voldemort? What will he do to me, now?

Listen, if I could hug you right now, I would. Let me say, that I love you. I know he wouldn't do anything to harm you. How do I know? Because I told him not to. Now, can we talk about this later? You really should get to some place safer than here.

Melly sighed, and stood up. I'd rather be here than anywhere else. Nowhere is safe for me anymore.

With that, she apparated to the one place she knew she wouldn't get caught, and the one place she knew where it was; Malfoy Manor.

She walked up the gravel path up to the front door. Being as she's lived there for almost ten years, she walked in.

A house-elf appeared right in front of her, and once it caught site of her, gasped. "Miss Melly! But, what are you doing at Malfoy Manor?"

"I live here, stupid," she said, wiping away her tears. "I expect my room to be presentable for me. I will not be leaving soon."

The house-elf bowed and disappeared.

Melly looked around. The house was empty. All except for the furniture and the portraits of past Malfoys. She looked around for the huge grandfather clock, and saw that it was only 3:30. What? it's so early! Narcissa wouldn't be home for another three hours.

She walked into the first parlor she saw, Lucius's parlor. She saw the redwood desk set near the fireplace. She missed Lucius so much; hard to believe, but she did. She wondered if Bellatrix ever freed him from Azkaban. And if she did, where was he hiding?

She looked at the desk, and saw that things were moved. She gasped, and walked up to the desk. No one was permitted to move anything. To make sure that no one did move anything, Lucius placed a spell on the desk, so no one could move anything except for him, and the way the things were moved could only mean one thing: he was free.

Melly ran out of the parlor, and up the stairs, which were located next to the parlor doors, and ran into the master bedroom. No one was in there, so she decided to try the next likely place to find him: the library.

She ran into the library, but found no one. No one, except for Narcissa. She was sitting at a small desk near the back, reading one of her favorite books: Interview with the Vampire.

Melly ran up to her. Narcissa looked up at her, and shrieked. She stood up, holding her hand to her heart. "What are you doing home?" she demanded. "You should be at school!"

Melly nodded, ashamed. "I know. If you want to know, then ask Snape. But, I'm not worried about that right now. Where is he?"

"Who?"

"Lucius! Where is he, Narcissa?"

Narcissa looked around. "Don't shout," she whispered hoarsely. "He's in the dungeons, hiding. Although I would highly advise not going down there. He's in a foul mood, and you're being out of school won't lighten his mood up."

Melly sighed, and nodded.

"I've received a letter from the Dark Lord indicating me about you," Narcissa said, taking a letter out of her black robe and sitting down. Melly took the letter.

"A letter? What is it?" Melly asked.

"It's a piece of paper with things written down on it, but that's not important right now," Narcissa replied with a smirk. Melly glare at her, and Narcissa sighed. "He's saying about how much he can't wait for you finish school so you can start ruling next to him. You're out of school, but you didn't finish."

"It was at the right time too. I'm already at the age for using out of school magic and apparating. So, what do I need to finish school for?"

Narcissa sighed. "You sound like those Weasley twins two years ago. Hopefully you're not thinking about opening your own joke shop?"

Melly shook her head.

"I'm going to see him," Melly said, walking out of the library.

"Don't say I didn't warn you!" Narcissa called after her.

Melly ran out of the library, and into Lucius's parlor. She stopped right in front of the hearth, and tapped her wand on it.

After a few moments, a gust of warm air blew on her. The fire in the hearth went ablaze, and the hearth slowly turned to reveal a secret passage. She cautiously stepped into the secret passage, and walked on, looking for Lucius.

Lucius's hearth secret door was protected by a special spell that would only allow certain people through. He thought it would be more secret and harder to get into when there wasn't a password to try and figure out. A wizard would place their wand on the hearth, and if the wand was permitted, then the hearth would open. If not, the fire would ablaze, and the fire would spit at the person who wasn't permitted. He made sure that all the Death Eaters, which included Melly and Draco, Narcissa, and the house-elves were the only ones permitted, along with himself, of course. He wouldn't permit any of the servants for fear that they may not be on his side, and would try to get in.

There were more than just the dungeons behind the secret door. There was a kitchen, a room, a washroom, a bathroom, a dining room...it was a house under a house.

Melly passed the foul smelling dungeons, and entered the house part. She thought she would try looking for him in the library, where he always was when he was alone.

To her dismay, he wasn't in there. She decided to try the next place he would be: the bedroom. The bedroom was about the size of the master bedroom, her room, and Draco's room all put together. Why did Lucius have this room the largest? No one but him knew.

To her disappointment, he wasn't in there either. She thought she would just give up, knowing that he never stepped foot into the kitchen, and wouldn't dare disturb him if he were in the washroom.

She entered the dungeons when she heard a low moan. She whipped out her wand, and spun around. Surely that wasn't Lucius? It couldn't have been. He didn't sound like that.

Let me take over, Faith said.

Melly allowed Faith to take over her body. Faith walked slowly back to whence she came. There was another moan.

Definitely not Lucius! Melly commented.

The moan was a low, manly moan. Faith cautiously walked to where the moans were coming from. It was coming from a certain cell. The door was closed. Faith stepped up to the door.

What's behind here? she asked.

Melly didn't know.

Before Faith could do anything, there was a sound of someone muttering under their breath, a curse of which Faith knew all too well.

The dungeons were soon filled with the screaming cries of pain emitting from the cell. The screaming stopped, and they heard a low, all-to-familiar laugh.

"Now, sleep well," he said, near growled at the man. He laughed again, and walked towards the door.

Faith stepped back, and saw Lucius emerge from the cell.

He caught sight of her. "Melly?" he said, unbelieving.

Faith let Melly take over. She saw him, and her mouth dropped, tears raging to come out.

Lucius's face was paler than usual. His eyes sunk deep into their sockets. His face looked like it was shrunk to his skull. His nose was the only thing that wasn't sunk into his face.

His long, beautiful blond hair was no longer long and beautiful, although it was still blond.

"Lucius?" Melly said in a high-pitched disbelieving tone.

Lucius smirked. "Aren't I the most handsome man you've ever saw?"

"Actually, you look horrible!" Melly said.

His smirk disappeared. "I know that. What are you doing here? Aren't you supposed to be in school?" he asked, his voice taking on venom.

Melly put her wand back into her robes and looked down. "I should. But I didn't have a choice." She looked back at his hideous gray eyes. "I would've gone to Azkaban, or been forced to join the light side if I didn't run away!"

It's not like it would've bothered you. You would have been with that young man, Faith pointed out.

Lucius nodded. "You're a Death Eater now?" he asked. Melly nodded, and he motioned for her to follow him. "How was it?"

"Kind of a surprise, actually," Melly said. She explained what happened. She told him that Snape was ordered to put her under a one-year memory charm. She told him that her Dark Mark didn't appear until the night she found out she was a Death Eater. She told him that Voldemort and the rest of the Death Eaters wanted him to be there, but he was thrown in jail. Melly noted that he seemed disappointed in hearing that.

"How did Dumbledore find out that you were a Death Eater?" he asked as they arrived to the kitchen. "Are you hungry?"

Melly shook her head. "Harry knew. He told the Headmaster. I had to run away. Snape helped me escape. I had to stupefy him though, along with Harry."

"How is Severus?" Lucius asked as they continue walking.

"He's doing fine. Although I think that he's a little stressed out with my becoming a Death Eater. I actually felt sorry for him when I cursed him."

Lucius chuckled. They stopped in front of his bedroom. He held out his hand. "I'm glad you are one of us. I always knew you would become. Did I not?"

Melly took his hand and smiled at him. "Yes, sir, you did."

Faith, without the consent of Melly, made Melly wrap her arms around him, and hug him.

Why did you do that?

Because he's a father to you for all these years. You must repay him some way.

Lucius was taken aback by this, but he wrapped his arms around her, but only for a moment. He stood up straight as he pushed Melly away.

"You're with us for good, right?" he asked.

Melly looked down, and thought about it for a while. She didn't realize that question would be asked of her a lot. She looked back up at him. "Of course I am."

Lucius nodded, and watched her walk away. Melly was one of them now. Now that she confirmed it with Lucius. One question still remained in her mind...

What would she do if Harry was dying at the hands of Voldemort?