A Cruel Fate of Endless Devotion

Chapter two: The Duel

Melody screamed as she came face to face with the dragon. Its fiery eyes glaring into her very soul as Professor Fig swung his arm out in front of her, keeping her from falling out of the torn carriage. There was a terrible ringing in her ears from the dragon's roar and the howling wind. Her eyes went wide with panic as the dragon opened his mouth, she could see the sparks of fire spewing in the back of the creature's throat--

"MELODY!"

A gasp echoed through her room as she bolted upright. The beating of her heart hammered hard against her chest, causing her pain. Weeks had gone by without a single night's sleep as she had the same nightmare. After noticing that she was safe in her dorm room, with no dragon in sight, Melody was able to steady her rapid breathing.

"I think this will help," Melody's roommate, Poppy Sweeting, said kindly as she placed a cool, damp cloth on her forehead.

"Poppy I-I'm so sorry"

When Melody moved the cloth down to her chest, she felt her heartbeat slow down, but the pain lingered.

"I told you it's alright. It would be a good idea to see Nurse Blainey. Perhaps she can provide you with a calming draught that will help you sleep. You wouldn't be judged if you needed it." Poppy said softly, sitting on Melody's bed across from her.

"I suppose you're right. I haven't slept an ounce since the day I arrived, and it's getting hard to stay awake in class." Melody admitted.

"I'd be happy to walk with you to the hospital wing before breakfast"

Melody was grateful for the girl she considered a friend. After the sorting ceremony, Poppy welcomed her into Hufflepuff and was even more welcoming once she discovered they would be roommates. As a distraction following Melody's first nightmare, Poppy stayed up with her, helping her and getting to know one another. She revealed to Melody that she also struggled to make friends, and that she spent most of her free time with magical beasts. It was easier than getting to know people. Though Melody sensed Poppy's struggle to trust humans had a deeper reason, she didn't question it. They found each other comforting, even if they didn't speak, even while reading or doing homework, simply having each other nearby brought them a sense of peace.

"I told Natty I would sit with her at the Gryffindor table for breakfast, would you like to join us, Poppy?"

Melody grabbed her uniform from the trunk at the foot of her bed. Luckily, Professor Weasley had spare uniforms for her to wear until she could make a trip to Hogsmeade to replace her supplies.

"Well um... I... I don't know"

"Natty is really nice, Poppy. Besides, you made me promise to help you branch out this year. Having breakfast with Natty and I would be a perfect little step. What do you say?"

"I suppose it wouldn't hurt to try it once" Poppy said, giving in to her best friend's pleading puppy dog eyes.

**********

Seeing Poppy and Natty talk about the magical creatures of Uganda made Melody smile. Her best friend's eyes sparkled as she listened to Natty recount the stories of a thunderbird, a rare beast. As Melody played with the food on her plate, she watched the students in the Great Hall when she was blocked from her view by a Gryffindor uniform.

"Since when do we invite Hufflepuffs to eat with us?" A boy with slicked back red hair asked as he sat down across from her.

"Don't be a twat, Prewett" Natty immediately scolded him.

"It's alright. We can leave" Poppy said in a quiet voice. Her head was dipped down to hide the disappointment on her face. Her disappointment stemmed from feeling excluded and unwelcome among her peers. She had hoped to be accepted and included in their social circle, but the comment made by Prewett only reinforced her sense of being an outsider.