Taking Over Me

Chapter Eight - A plan and a promise

"You say you know a way to get us out of here, Mala?" Ron asked.

"Of course," Mala replied. "I was here for four years before I was set free. Of course, Miss Malfoy said I somehow escaped, when really she was the one who helped me..."

"Okay, moving on away from Melly," Harry growled.

"Well, when they go into the cells, watch what they do," Mala continued. "They don't touch the doors or do anything. They just hold out their hands and walk through. It's incredibly queer, I know. But it works."

"How do you know?" Harry asked, taking on his array of questioning and disbelieving.

"Cuz I escaped before!" Mala replied proudly. "Though, I got caught, and brought back here was given a beating that is not meant to be repeated."

"Do you think it'll work?" Hermione asked, holding onto Harry's hand.

"Of course it will. You just better hope you don't get caught. I swear! The young Mr. Malfoy has eyes, not just on the front and back of his head, but all over his body!"

Hermione, Harry, Ron, and Affinity all shuddered at the thought.

"And he's quick to boot."

Suddenly, the torches flickered on, and Journey appeared at Hermione's feet.

"Quickly!" she squeaked. "Must get the two misses to the kitchens!"

Hermione squeezed Harry's hand, Affinity smiled at Ron, and the three disappeared down the hall just as Melly and Draco came bounding down the hall.

"I heard something!" Draco bellowed.

"It was probably your imagination!" Melly assured.

"Yeah?" Draco stopped and rounded on her. "Well, guess what? I don't have an imagination!"

He whirled around and continued running. Melly chased after him. She grabbed onto his arm, causing him to stop and whirl around at her once more, in front of the three occupied cells.

"What did you hear?" Melly asked, calmly and her voice reserved and low. "Maybe I'll help you, if I knew what you heard."

"I heard talking," Draco responded. "I heard that little wretch talking!" He pointed to Mala. "And two others!"

Melly raised her eyebrows at Harry and Ron.

"No, not them, girls. They were two other girls. I'm positive!"

"Well, there are no other girls here!"

Draco looked around, and reasoned Melly was right. He crossed his arms over his chest and leaned back on the wall, glaring and even the tiniest spot on the stoned wall.

Melly shook her head. "Journey!" she called. In an instant, Journey was at her side. "Get two cups of tea ready for Draco and I in the parlor. Go!"

Journey bowed and popped away. Melly turned to Draco. She pointed towards the exit.

"Tea, now!" she ordered.

Draco sighed and walked out. Melly sighed as well.

"You really have that sort of effect on him?" Ron asked.

Melly turned to him and smiled. "It isn't as much I have that sort of effect on him than my father does."

Ron's eyes grew and he winced. When was the last time she actually was in the mood to converse with him?

"Well, I can see why," Ron agreed, although he didn't know what she meant.

Melly laughed and walked up to him. She crossed her arms on the door and lay her head down on her arms. She could tell he didn't understand. He showed it.

A thought struck her. When did she last laugh merrily in front of him, and actually mean it?

"So, how's your day?" Melly asked, smiling.

Ron shook his head. "Why do you even care? You're keeping me locked up in here. It's day?"

Melly nodded. "Actually," she said, pushing herself off the door and walked to Harry's cell, still smiling, "it's two days until Harry Potter's twenty-sixth birthday, if I'm not mistaken?"

Harry nodded his head. "I'll be twenty-six."

"You got big over the years," Melly commented.

Harry and Ron were confused at the sudden change in Melly's mood.

"I got a present for you," Melly whispered.

Harry furrowed his eyebrows.

"Hermione came to visit me yesterday," she continued. "She really misses you."

Harry nodded.

"And, well, after seeing her again brought back memories...happy, good memories, of Hogwarts and all that such. I'm making a promise to her, that you will not be harmed, in any death threatening way."

"Well, you're certainly doing an up-banging job of that," Harry replied sarcastically. "Look at me! My life is safe, just as long as I stay in this small cell. Just as long as I never see my friends or family again, I'm safe. My life is in Melly Avalon's hands! No, wait!" He got close to the door, ignoring Melly's grimace and sneer. "It isn't Melly Avalon anymore. It's Melly Malfoy! Hey! Ron! My life is safe in the hands of a Malfoy! Who would've thought?"

Melly rolled her eyes. Harry was starting to get on her nerves. She sighed and opened the door forcefully, making sure to leave a bump on Harry's forehead, closed it, and left.

Harry lie on the ground, unconscious, a large bump forming on his forehead.