Melody Riddle and the Goblet of Fire

Chapter 4: Adoption for Discussion

After being fitted into new school robes, I was fitted for the dressrobes. I had to admit that the color certainly was pretty, but they didn't have a mirror in the shop for me to look at myself. Mom did stare in awe, though, as Madam Malkin worked on me and put the lace where she directed. She gave me short puffed sleeves that my mom said actually looked surprisingly good.

"I just got a box of fake flowers this morning, I could get all the dark blue roses and make them a part of the dress," Madam Malkin suggested.

"That sounds like a great idea," I said, wondering how many more flower decorations we would add.

She finished quickly enough. We thanked her profusely as we paid for everything, and then went on our way. Mom had both the robes, folded and draped neatly over her arm so they wouldn't wrinkle.

"All right," mom said, kissing my forehead. "I will take my leave so you can get back to a boring day at work."

I snorted, "It's not boring, mom."

Her face became stern as she looked at me. "I suppose it wouldn't be if you treat customers the way you treated the lady that came in Madam Malkin's."

I suppressed the urge to roll my eyes. "Oh no, that's not the case. Customer service was turned off while I was a customer, myself. When I'm in the wand shop, customer service skills are turned back on."

Mom grimaced, "I should hope I taught you to go through life with more than just customer service, Melody. There's a rule called 'respect your elders,' and you did not showcase that today. I didn't appreciate seeing that."

I winced, her tone of voice proving how upset she felt. Perhaps I did go too far... on the bright side, it doesn't seem like she knows I threatened the woman with magic. "I'm sorry, mom.... I do plenty to respect my teachers and other adults, but —"

"There are no 'buts' in my book, Melody," she said. "I don't care how rude some adults may be, it is still your duty to be respectful. I better not see you act that way towards anyone ever again, or you're in trouble."

She Disapparated before I could even say 'I understand.'

I grumbled to myself, kicking rocks with my hands stuffed into my pockets as I made my way back to the shop. Dad would've been proud to see me stand up for myself against such a rude person... actually, scratch that. He would've preferred that I kill her...... Think how that would've gone.

I fought back my laughter as I imagined what dad's disappointed speech would have been like. 'I don't care who it is, if they disrespect you you go for the kill. No more of this nice personality you want to give, you must force people to respect you.'

My fantasy was cut short as the wand shop was finally in view... and I watched Lissy and Miss Roachers enter it.

This should be fun, I thought mischievously, thinking of the best way to mess with the woman without threatening or saying something rude.... grandpa may agree with me about her, but I preferred not to take the risky chance of talking back to an adult in front of him.

I walked around to the back of the building and entered through the back door... so I could act as though I hadn't seen them, of course. I heard grandpa talking to them the minute I walked in.

"Please, kind sir! Give her a wand that won't hurt anyone she points it at! Perhaps a fakey wand?" Miss Roachers begged. As they came into my view, Lissy was standing right next to her with a look of barely held back irritation.