The Mudblood

Chapter 33 : Year 3

The next morning was our first day of classes, and everyone in the Great Hall was buzzing excitedly as we ate breakfast.

"Ew—Transfiguration first," Astoria complained after Snape handed out our schedules.

"We always have Transfiguration first," I said as I bit into an apple. "What would you rather have?"

Astoria shrugged as she placed her schedule down on the table. "Free period. Or—they should have a makeup class."

"Or Snogging 101," Anderson suggested with a wink. Astoria just rolled her eyes.

"I'm a sufficient snogger, Vince, you'll see. I've had plenty of practice with Muggle Evan."

"Ew—please—"

Before I could rant about how gross it was that she snogged my brother—and wanted to talk about it in front of me—a horde of owls came swooping into the Great Hall, my eagle owl Dev landing swiftly on my shoulder. He dropped a single letter on my plate and then—to my surprise—jumped over toward Astoria and dropped a letter on her plate. Then, just as I was about to have a freak out, he jumped over to Melody's shoulder and dropped another letter on her plate.

"Um—excuse me?" I snapped at my bird. "You don't work for them—you're my owl. Why are you bringing those two letters?"

Astoria ignored me as she greedily opened her letter. Melody was still reading her book and seemed not to have noticed that there was a large eagle owl on her shoulder.

"Is that from Evan?" I asked Astoria hastily.

"Of course it is—Awe! He said I love you! I know you love me, Evy—everyone does."

I rolled my eyes dramatically before turning my attention to Melody. "Is that a letter from Lyle?"

"No," she replied slowly as she looked up at me. "I've just been paying your owl to transport my mail because my owl died over the summer."

"How'd it die?" Harper asked as he excitedly leaned over toward Melody.

"I killed it because it was being loud and obnoxious," she replied, her voice monotone.

"Oh my gosh," Astoria sneered as she scooted herself away from Melody.

"Owl killer!" Ashley shrieked, pointing her finger in Melody's face. "You deserve death—"

"How'd you kill it?" Harper questioned, still eager. 

"Harper!" I scolded incredulously. I couldn't believe the two of them were taking this so lightly. Even when I'd been angry with Dev for betraying me, I never actually thought about murdering him.

"Let's just say I spent a lot of time cleaning my Muggle neighbor's ax afterward," Melody replied, a sadistic grin appearing on her lips. 

"Ew!" Astoria shrieked. "Muggles... What is an ax?"

I rubbed my forehead agitatedly. "Aside from that truly horrifying story, how have you been paying my owl, Melody? What could an owl possibly do with money?"

She shrugged, glancing over at the owl on her shoulder. "Devil's smarter than you'd think."

"Wow, Melody, great pun, really," Harper enthused, clapping his hands sincerely. "Talk more—I love your voice—"

"Bloody hell, Harper—it's time to get over Melody," I groaned.

"But who else is as amazing as Melody?" Harper pondered. "Maybe I should try out her sister."