Melody Riddle and the Goblet of Fire

Chapter 23: Friends Always Help

December started and I ended up immersing myself into working harder than ever. When homework was finished I would read a book about a hundred times over just so no one would talk to me. It took a while before anyone got the message that I wouldn't socialize.

I know I'm being stupid about all this, but... I thought as I sat around in the library, I really just want to be left alone.

Hermione, Fred, George, and Becky had shown up moments afterwards and repeated my name several times to try getting my attention.

"Melody."

I mean, it's not like I loved him back anyways.

"Melody."

I don't get why I'm so upset about it.

"Melody."

Of course, I'm not upset for any sane reason.

"Melody."

It's because I really don't care about what he's done.

"Melody."

How could I be so blind about this issue?

"Melody."

It means that I really can't love, doesn't it? That what Marcus told me back then was true....

"Melody!"

That being dad's daughter means I could never love....

"Melody!"

I know I forget to tell my family I love them sometimes, but could that really mean...?

It might've gone on like that for minutes or hours, I didn't know.. I just tried to ignore them as I agonized over my complete lack of emotions. At one point, Fred finally knocked the book I was reading out of my hands.

"Alas! A book that finally wanted to get away from you."

Everyone laughed but me.

"Melody, please," Hermione implored. "Will you at least talk to us a little bit? Fred and George can't get you to laugh, Becky can't get you to give one of your sarcastic remarks, can I at least get you to say something?"

I groaned, folded my arms on the table, and dropped my face down so I couldn't see them. I only went to the library for peace and quiet, I hadn't wanted them to follow me in. It was an hour before breakfast... I know, it must've really been bugging me if I woke up that early.... How Becky could have been able to get up and fetch them was beyond me, unless the twins gave her their common room password.

"That Marcus is a twit," Fred said angrily. "I ought to smash his head in. What do you think, Melody?"

I didn't respond.

Correct, I thought, that he is. I am, too. What was I thinking? The Dark Lord's daughter having a love life, that's hilarious and impossible. My own mother can't even find true love that lasts. For me to have believed his lie... no more for me.

"C'mon, Melody," Fred and George said, each grabbing one of my arms and hauling me to my feet. "We've got someone who wants to see you... later Hermione.. and Becky."

I couldn't help but notice that George had been the one to say that last sentence, and when he said Becky's name it was like... it was as though... I don't even know what to say about that emotion anymore.