Hidden Slytherin

Chapter 35.5 Mel-icious

Mel had watched as the girls friends all sat down but there was no sign of her. After that package had arrived it was like a pack of starving dogs had been released and they all descended on her. It was fucking disgusting that they seemed to manage respect for the other houses but once it was Slytherin they thought they were fair play. He knew that the Houses involvement with the last Dark Lord had tarnished their reputation but these were children. First years, some with no idea what had happened in the past let alone being held responsible for it.

He headed for one of her friends, the boy that always seemed to be at her side. He tried to dredge the name up from memory. Rem-Roman. His name was Roman something... Grey. For someone who prided themselves on their information, he really did have a shit memory for names when it came to students.

"Where's Jane?"

He glared, "why do you want to know?"

Across the table a pale haired boy spoke up. "Professor Potter wanted to speak to her after Defence Against the Dark arts class."

"Why?"

"Didn't say. She waved us off. Told us she'd meet us here."

Mel hummed and walked off. He sauntered out of the hall but as soon as he was out of sight he nearly ran up the stairs to the tower that held the defense classroom.

As soon as he reached the door he heard voices and as he reached out his hand to push the door open Mel froze.

"-McGonagall that you were raised muggle. This all must be a big change for you."

"It's quite different." It took him a moment to recognize the cold emotionless tone as the girl he had met before and he found himself listening in.

"I just wanted to check in. Slytherins have a tendency to say their fine even when they need help. I know from experience. Draven's father, Draco, and I went through school together. We had our differences but we ended up good friends. So, if you need to talk I'll listen."

Mel tried not to snicker. Yeah, he had heard about their relationship from one of his father's Shadows. To say they were merely friends was understating it a bit. He didn't have a problem with it at all, you love who you love, but trying to use it to interrogate a student was breath takingly hilarious. From what he had learned from further probing was that the Potter marriage was over, they were only making a show of it for their kids and the public.

"Really, Draven hadn't mentioned that," the girl answered in a clipped tone. He thought Jane was trying to hold in her irritation and only being mildly successful.

"Slytherins do like to play it close to the chest." Mel idly wondered why Potter wasn't using a privacy charm for this little interrogation but figured the headline 'Potter Locks Himself With Female Student Using Privacy Charm'would be reason enough.

She huffed, "I didn't have anything to do with any of the packages harassing students if that's what your hinting at." Mel nearly choked. Apparently she was done playing nice and he silently thought this attitude suited her.

"I wasn't saying that at all. I just know people can be quick to jump to conclusions." Potter sounded regretful now, Mel noted.

"Yes, they can. So, have you spoken to all the students that were harassed or just me," Jane said with a flat voice. To Mel it sounded like she knew the awnser but was trying to give him the benefit of the doubt.

"No, I haven't. McGonagall asked me to look into the matter as a favor. I just want the students to be safe." Potter seemed slightly uncomfortable and Mel wondered if he realized she had taken total control of the interrogation.

"Then why start with me," she demanded.

"You got a package most reverently. It was a good a place as any to start. So could you please tell me what happened."

"If the Headmistress asked you to look into this hasn't she already told you," jane questioned.

"I want to hear it from you."

Jane fell silent and Mel was about to interrupt when she gave a quick and thorough description of what happened. Mel felt as if she was giving a detailed report. It was more detailed and exact then even some of their family's Shadows managed and Mel found he was impressed despite himself.

When she finally wound down there was a pregnant pause. Mel could practically feel the pressure and decided now would be an excellent time to make himself known.

He pushed the door open and let his voice bounce off the walls slightly. "You do realize it's illegal to interrogate a minor without their guardian?" He watched as Jane's head whipped around to face him. He caught the stormy look in her eyes and the gritting of the teeth. Oh, did the snakelet have a headache? He let a predatory smile flash as he strutted in.

"No interrogation, just a friendly chat," Potter tried to reassure.

Mel tried not to snigger at the attempt. It would be rude... er.

"I'm afraid I need Jane for something so you'll have to excuse her." Mel simply marched over and put her satchel on his shoulder before grabbing Jane's wrist and giving it a gentle but firm tug towards the door. "Good day Professor," he called over his shoulder as he marched her out the door.

"Mel what are you doing," she whispered as he led her down the hall.

"Interrupting your interrogation it seems. Why exactly did you answer any of his questions," he countered.

"Just cause." He caught her shrug out of the corner of his eye. He didn't know how to feel about this but he knew he needed to inform his family about what he heard. He let go of her wrist and passed Jane her bag. As she reached to grab the strap he caught sight of her fingers and yanked it back out of her reach.

"What in Merlin's Beard happened to your fingers? There blacker then pitch."

"Hell if I know." Jane rolled her eyes.

"Well get them checked and hurry up to the Hall before all the food is gone."

"Yeah, ok," she huffed.

He watched her walk away and was about to leave to when he saw her pause. Jane turned and called over her shoulder. "Thanks by the way," she hollered before walking off.

Mel gave a smug smile before heading off in the opposite direction and cleared his face of emotion.

He wanted all of this to be done and they didn't need the ruddy Aurors involved. If whoever was threatening them could just disappear then Bane could come home safely. It was more for his family's sake. Mel was interested in his sister but didn't really miss her. He barely remembered her. He vaguely recalled twinkling eyes and a high giggle. He had seen photos. Mel found himself more interested due to the letters they had started exchanging.

A grin ghosted across his face as he recalled her sarcasm and the way she had already gotten her nose into business as soon as she entered school, playing her cards close to her chest in till she felt they really needed to know. He felt giddy excitement swell as he shifted into a hidden hallway to report to his father's Shadow.

He couldn't wait to meet her.