章 7: The Study of Time and Empathy, the First Petrification
"So you really don't know?" Tom asked once they left the classroom.
"Well, yeah, I only have a theory, one that I was not willing to share with everyone," Melody said, going through her bag to put her agenda back in.
"Why not?"
"Because I believe I have a right to my own feelings. If my theory was different, one that speaks generally, not singling out one, well, 'thing', then maybe I would've been willing to share it."
"Feelings regarding what?"
Melody was thinking of a way to respond without giving anything away. It was what Tom always did; asking questions that seemingly make you want to answer.
"Nothing. It doesn't bother you."
"But does that necessarily mean that it doesn't concern me?"
"I swear it is almost impossible to have a normal conversation with you because you keep using that–that, Slytherin charm of asking too many questions in a way that people can literally never keep secrets!"
"And Gryffindors generally either 'subtly' sneak Veritaserum into said person's drink or just keep pestering said person for information which only works 20% of the time," Tom finished.
"One day, you two are going to use mathematical equations in your conversations, which will make your conversations even more confusing to understand than they already are," Cheryl joked, falling into step with Melody. Tom was called over by Orion, so he went to join his 'friends.'
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Rumours of the love potion incident quickly spread, and by the time everyone went to the Great Hall for lunch, lots of people had heard it and began questioning Melody until she snapped. And although she couldn't be sure, but when a few other Gryffindors said that they were going to see Slughorn, Melody was almost a 100% sure it was regarding what happened in class. Thankfully, the rumour hill hadn't reached its climax. Yet.
Melody only shared her theory with her friends, Cheryl and Katie. Her theory was that the high level of hatred in the potion was probably because Melody and Tom were mortal enemies 30% of the time, then the level of love or whatever, was because Melody still has empathy for Tom. That empathy is Melody's concern for his practice in the Dark Arts and how she cares enough to try and help him stop them.
But of course, if she said that out loud, she couldn't imagine the chaos it would cause. Slughorn would probably suggest she go visit Madam Covas, the school matron, as, 'There is no way Tom would be practising the Dark Arts, isn't that right, Tom?' And then Tom would put on his false cheery expression and say,'No, sir.'
Besides, there would be people who would believe her, and people who just wouldn't. Basically, it would made a huge split between Melody and many others. Which was why Melody kept her theory to herself, Cheryl, and Katie.
On days when Melody was alone, she'd think about what would happen if she failed to save Tom. She couldn't imagine how far he'd go with the Dark Arts, and his new quest for immortality. She saw Tom checking out books regarding life and the 'Darkest of Magic,' so she put two and two together. Anyways, when Melody thought of all the possibilities the future would end up as, she'd always wish she had more time or a way to accomplish her quest. Because right now, the Muggle saying,'When there's a will there's a way,' wasn't sounding too genuine to her. (In this story, Tom discovers the Chamber earlier, before Halloween and Christmas)
Then it hit her.
Time.
Why didn't she think of it before?!
Okay, well, there may be about a dozen reasons why, but that's besides the point..!
So Melody darted to the library.
But right as she rounded the corner to get to the library, which was only three hundred meters away, Melody tripped over something.
"Ouch!"
She rolled to the side, and much to her horror, she recognized Minerva McGonagall from her House, laying there, eyes wide open in terror, not blinking, and completely still. Like literally petrified.
Wait..
What if she was?
There was no pulse, but if McGonagall really was dead, her body would've slumped down with her, unless something used the full body bind and then somehow...killed her?
To test the latter, Melody tried a Finite Incantatem.
Nothing. McGonagall's arms, which were over her mouth, didn't slump down. So Melody levitated her into the air and made her way to the Hospital Wing.
But she still didn't forget her delayed trip to the library to study more about time.
________________________________________________________________________________
Melody knew that it wasn't good to jump to conclusions, but she had a feeling Tom had something to do with the petrification of McGonagall. Because when Headmaster Dippet made the announcement the next morning, Tom's concern and worry didn't seem very convincing. Because first of all, when did Tom ever show empathy for others? No less a girl he didn't even know. Because whether it was to keep up appearances (to fake concern for his usual model-student act), or to hide something, there was a 50% chance Tom had nothing to do with it, and a 50% he did have something to do with it.
But honestly, Melody didn't want to confront him about it yet, nor did she want to see him at that moment. 'Cause if she did see him, she'd obviously be uncomfortable or suspicious, which would then alarm Tom. Not that she cared, but she somehow didn't want to alarm him. And the confrontation matter wouldn't be possible as Melody didn't have enough proof to accuse Tom of the petrification. So unless the Gorgon, Medusa somehow came to Hogwarts, Melody didn't really have any idea on how McGonagall was petrified. Yet.
So Melody went to the library that day after classes ended for the day, for three reasons.
One, her study for time.
Two, petrification.
And three, empathy and if it was possible to be emotionless.
Madam Rivera, the librarian, was quite friendly when Melody politely asked for books on relevant subjects. She suggested a few good books which she borrowed and began reading at the back of the library. Whilst when a nosy second year Ravenclaw tried to enter the Restricted Section, Madam Rivera quickly shooed her away and glared at her whenever she merely looked at the Restricted Section.
Well that taught Melody to never mess with Madam Rivera.
Unless, of course, you were Tom Riddle. Melody frowned at the thought of Tom manipulating Madam Rivera to allow him into the Restricted Section. She certainly hoped Rivera wasn't easy to be fooled, because what would make matter even worse, is if Tom were to discover the secrets of the Darkest Arts.
After flicking through many pages, Melody stopped dead short.
(INSERT BASILISK PAGE)
Melody double checked in another book, and sure enough..
'The Basilisk's indirect glare or gaze, petrifies.'
Melody's mouth formed an 'O'.
If that was the case, then was that how McGonagall was petrified? But without more proof, could Melody really prove so?
But then Melody remembered that day in the girls bathroom.
____________________________________________________
'I only have three years, either I do it within this time, or ...'
Melody missed her mum. She'd have known what to do. Her friends were just as clueless as her.
Melody didn't know how long she stayed there for, until she turned on the tap to wash her hands. As she reached for the tap, she saw some serpent engraving. Huh?
After she finished washing her hands, she examined the serpent closely. 'Odd...'
_____________________________________________________
'Could it have a connection with it?'
Melody continued to ponder about her new discovery as she packed the books in her book bag. Melody still had a somewhat glazed look on her face as she left the library to go back to Gryffindor Tower.
But when she rounded a corner (man, corners sure are bad luck), she found another thing to add more questions, but answer some of her own as well...
(THE CHAMBER OF SECRETS HAS BEEN OPENED, ENEMIES OF THE HEIR BEWARE)
Melody gaped at it.
Enemies of the Heir? 'What's that supposed to mean? I thought the Chamber of Secrets wasn't made to terror everyone.. Then who was correct, all those books, or..my parents?....'
Melody fled from the scene, not sure how the staff would react with Melody being at the scene of the crime. Immediately, once she entered through the portrait hole, she went over to Charlus Potter.
"Charlus, could I tell you something? In private?.."
Charlus nodded and told his friends to wait. Then Melody led Charlus to the corner of the common room and put up a silencing ward.
"I found something disturbing on my way here...." Charlus ogled and nearly gasped as Melody recapped her story of what she discovered in the library that could possibly have a connection to the petrification of McGonagall, and then by the time Melody got to the part of the writing on the wall, Charlus was speechless, staring at her with wide eyes.
"Should we inform anyone?" Melody asked anxiously.
Charlus shook his head. "I say we should tell the Headmaster tomorrow morning, then the professors will decide on what to do, we don't want to cause a panic."
"Alright, but still, we've got to warn everyone to not sneak out tonight, I'll stay down in the common room to keep watch as I'm not tired," Melody interjected. Charlus nodded. Then the two went to stand in front of the portrait hole (which was now closed).
Charlus cleared his throat. "May we have your attention please."
Everyone stopped whatever they were doing to listen.
"Due to such recent events, such as the petrification of Minerva McGonagall, all late night pranksters, please refrain from sneaking out tonight, as we cannot say for sure if the corridors are even safe anymore."
Melody then continued. "As McGonagall's attacker has yet to be identified, we do not think it safe to wander around the corridors alone or with a group."
Whispers broke out.
"Why?" someone asked.
"As Charlus explained, due to recent events. You may be in for a shocker tomorrow. But please, none of you try to sneak out. This isn't just to spite you, this is for your own safety," Melody said gravely in a sort of pleading tone of voice to get her point across.
"Yes, it is, which is why she will be monitoring the common room for the night to prevent anyone from sneaking out," Charlus finished, giving a few of the annoyed pranksters, a look.
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Charlus placed a ward on each of the exits from the Girls and Boys Dormitories to alarm them if anyone tries sneaking out. Seeing as the students all have bathrooms in their dorms, there was no need for anyone to leave their dorms for the night.
Melody was absolutely exhausted the next morning.
A / N : Next chapter coming out today or tomorrow. Yeah, I do not like cliffhangers, so I do not want you all to suffer from them as much as I have.
Once again, I DO NOT OWN HP OR TR OR HOGWARTS or anything that JKR made, full credits go to J K Rowliong, who has kindly given us fans a story, past, present, future, characters, and a few strings to pull
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