Harry Potter's New Life

19) Explaining

"Jocelyn, wake up. You've got to take your medicine," a voice said gently.

Slowly, Melina opened her eyes. She sat up with a start.

"What day is it? What happened? How did I--"

"Too many questions! You've been in and out of consciousness for three days after hitting your head on the bathroom sink," she explained.

Melinda sank back into the bed and took the cup.

"What's this for?"

"Professor Snape made it. Said it would help with some swelling, but I don't see any. Well, he insisted on making it for you."

"Oh. What's all this?"

"Presents, of course. Everyone wishes you to get well soon."

"May I open them?"

"After you drink that."

Melinda drank it and it tasted like some sort of berry. She tossed the cup aside and began sorting through the presents. She found a package from Harry, Ron, and Hermione that contained a bunch of Every Flavored Beans. A couple candy bags from her good friends and the Quidditch team, Dumbledore had sent fairly large lollipops, one of the ever-lasts, she presumed. And there, nestled down at the bottom, was a small little box, another thing from Harry. Inside were chocolates and a note telling her that he was taking care of Hessi.

"I see you've got a little admirer," someone said.

Melinda whirled around and looked straight into Dumbledore's face.

"It's only from Harry, professor."

"Melinda, the boy really likes you. He immediately asked to watch the snake and he's been at your bedside every day. But first I must tell you--"

"You know my name?"

"When Hermione found you in the girls' bathroom, she immediately ran to Harry and he came to me. I questioned him and he made me promise not to tell anyone else. If he hadn't told me, well, you wouldn't be so safe."

"And exactly what does that mean?"

"It means that I had to tell Professor Snape about the incident, the whole staff knows, Melinda. They will all call you Jocelyn Mayes, don't worry about that, but they had to be warned, incase this happens again."

"He wants me dead."

"Voldemort wants everyone dead. Only those who agree to follow him may live. What did he tell you?"

"It's a little personal."

"It won't go past this bed."

"He er, he told me I had to spy for him when I snuck out to meet Peter."

"You snuck out of Hogwarts? Melinda, I'm shocked. You of all people should know that wasn't safe."

"He wasn't there, only Peter Pettigrew, and I'm not afraid of him."

"Most people don't worry about little Peter."

"I wasn't talking about him, I was talking about my father," she snapped.

"Don't forget who you're talking to, Melinda. I see you have you father's quick temper. Learn to keep that in check."

"Sorry, sir."

"Now, please tell me what your father said to you."

"Er, he said I looked at Harry with love in my eyes and if I wouldn't betray him, I would never look at him again, so he, well, I don't exactly know."

"Love?"

"Please, leave that out."

"Yes, yes. So, you turned down becoming a spy?"

"Obviously."

"Good. You make sure to drink that entire potion every day. It acts as a, well let's just say, repellent. Occlumecy without the struggle. But it's not very strong, so keep up your guard."

"Of course, Professor."

"And, no more sneaking out. Don't listen to any summons from Peter or Voldemort or anyone, for that matter."

"Got it, but Professor, please don't tell Harry."

"Don't tell him what?"

"That I love him."

Dumbledore nodded.

20) Of Snakes and Love

"Hessi, whatever have you done?" Hermione exclaimed. The snake had been curled up on the table, and ink and paper was spilled everywhere.

"Hessi, down," Harry commanded in parseltongue.

"Why?" it hissed back. "Melinda always gave me a cozy hard surface to sun on."

"There's no sun here."

"There's light. Same difference. All I want is the heat. But if you insist. Pratt," she added as she slithered down and into the box Harry had given her.

"Girls." Harry muttered in normal tongue.

"What did she say?"

"She called me a pratt."

"Oh, why?"

"I told her to get off and she argued that Jocelyn always allowed her to sun herself on the table."

"She is an odd one. Tell me, do you enjoy talking to her?"

"When she isn't arguing."

"It must be great to speak parseltongue."

"Sometimes. I mean, I'm considered a freak for doing so."

"Man, you should get a pet snake. A boy one, I mean. It would be so cool," Ron said. "You can talk to it all day!"

"Yeah, well... I don't think it'd work out. I mean, come on, I have Hedwig, and do you honestly believe Snape would let me get one?"

"Guess I never thought of that. You going down to see Joss?"

"Can't. Meeting."

"What about it?"

"I have one today. It's expected to last all day, if not into the night."

"Well, why didn't you go see her earlier?" Hermione questioned.

"What are you, an interrogator? Give Harry a break Herm."

"She was probably still out anyway. It doesn't matter. I really have to go. Hey, just keep an eye on Hessi. She gets cranky if you pull her away from something, so just repeat these words over and over. Sigh. Ess. Ee. Eth. Sighesseeth."

"I'm not in anything!" Hessi hissed, offended.

"Sorry."

"What'd she say?" Ron asked, curious.

"She said she wasn't in anything. Sighesseeth means "leave it alone" in parseltongue. Be sure to say it with a hissing voice, or else she won't understand you."

"Hermione will have no problem with that!"

Harry smiled and walked out the door. As he walked down the corridor, he thought of Melinda. He felt a deep burning within him just thinking about her.

I'm not in love, he thought sternly. I'm not. She just a friend. Mel is just a friend. Or is she more than that? Is she the one for you? Suddenly, Harry wasn't feeling so sure about his true feelings.

He came upon the portrait of Sir Grem, the wizard knight over the entryway of the conference room.

"Oh geez. Er... Bogart?"

"Imposter! Imposter!" the portrait shrieked.

"Crap... Poltergeist?"

"Did someone call me?" Peeves popped out of nowhere as Sir Grem raised the alarm again.

"Damn it! Peeves-you-arss!"

The yelling stopped and Harry smiled to himself. What a great password Dumbledore came up with. Peevesyouarss. Great! Harry walked in leaving dumbfounded Peeves outside the door.

"There you are, Harry," Dumbledore greeted him. "Melinda is awake."

To my faithful readers who are still hanging in there, I thank you. Sorry for taking so long. Writers block and school didn't help with the updating. Please keep hanging in there and be patient.