Melanie could hear her own heartbeat echoing through her ears as she made her way across the hall to see her brother. The hall had cleared alarmingly quickly and yet Meliorn still resided at the head table as if nothing had occurred. He had pushed his chair back and kicked his legs up onto the table and sat picking his nails with a fork as if a scandal hadn't just happened within the school. Reaching the table, Melanie laid her trembling hands on the edge as her brother lazily rose his eyes to met hers.

"Hello little raven." He cooed at his sister and rose from the chair. He had always called her that because of her dark hair, but something about the nickname seemed sour now. As if it had been tarnished by whatever darkness surrounded her brother. But she knew it was a mask- or at least hoped it was. But she saw the pain in his eyes as he swaggered around to greet her. He was not stupid, he knew that even the walls had ears around here. Silently, he leaned forward and pressed a kiss to his sisters brow. "Maybe we should speak somewhere more . . . Secluded." He spoke, choosing his words carefully.

The only sign of acknowledgment Melanie gave her brother was a slight nod, not trusting her voice in the slightest. Gripping Melanie's elbow tight even ouch that it hurt, he led her out of the hall to where Dumbledore had set him up for the time being. Melanie scanned the room. It held a double bed with a plain wooden frame, the bedspread a deep emerald - where it was Dumbledore's reminder of Meliorn's Slytherin roots was up for debate. The rest of the room was bare, with the exception of a set of oak chested drawers and a suitcase in the corner, which Melanie assumes contained her brothers belongings. "Welcome to my humble abode." He hissed, waving his arms. Melanie only huffed at his dramatics.

"Tell me what's going on Meliorn." Melanie demanded, and her brother arched his eyebrow. "Whatever do you mean?" His voice was as sweet as sugar and Melanie had to stop herself from cringing as she waited for him to take that mask off. But he didn't. Not yet. Silently he moved around the room, checking for anyone that could be spying before he cast a silencing charm around the entire room.

"You're paranoid Meliorn." She sighed, sinking down onto the bed, rubbing her face with her hands. "And you-" he drawled, sitting beside his sister. "Need to remember who you are."

"Meliorn I'm not in the mood. Just tell me what's happening." She whined. "Please." And there it was. The mask fell off. Her brother smiled softly, but Melanie instantly noticed the changes in him. He was stiffer and showed her minimal affection. Usually by this point Meliorn would've bundled his sister into his arms as asked a million questions. But here he sat, his hair was duller - the usual sheen gone. He had deep bags under his eyes and his face seemed gaunt, his skin deathly pale.

"Nothing." He breathed. "There's just more eyes on us these days so I couldn't risk being overly affectionate in my letters. Affection is -"

"Weakness. It's an opening for our enemies." Melanie interrupted, her jaw tightening. She remembered her parents lessons well enough. "I know Meliorn. But just stop speaking in riddles for two seconds and just answer me bluntly. Who are these eyes? And what the hell was that letter from Mother and Father? I'm assuming you knew what they said before they sent it." Meliorn nodded. "Melanie dark times are coming. Really dark times."

"What? Is this because of what happened at the World Cup? I don't understand Meliorn."

"Melanie there's a lot you don't understand. And it's gonna be that way for a while. Mother and Father, they have plans and when the time comes we have to do as we're told." His voice was laced with sadness as he spoke.

"They're bad aren't they?" Melanie whispered, staring down at her lap. "All the rumours about our parents - they're true. I'm not stupid Meliorn I know you hide things from me, but people talk." Meliorn was silent for a long while after that, but his silence was answer enough. "Why are you here?"

"Mother and Father just want to get some brownie points." He chuckled and Melanie's gut flipped. He was lying to her. "Melanie just stop worrying, nothings happening right now, okay? Just continue your lessons, you've got to keep those grades up." This time it was Melanie's turn to not respond. She was so bewildered, nothing was making sense. But Meliorn was stubborn and it was clear their parents had given him his orders, and that was something he wouldn't budge from.

"Melanie." He spoke softly, placing his hand on his sisters shoulder. "That Hufflepuff boy."

"I know." Melanie breathed, blinking back tears at this point. "It's dangerous, Mother and Father wouldn't let me have anything to do with him if they knew."

"Melanie they would disown you."

"Would that really be so bad?" She sniffed, turning to face her brother. "I - I mean it's a nightmare being their child Meliorn. Going to this school with that name -" She trailed off at the realisation that her brother knew only too well about attending Hogwarts with the Hallows name. "Melanie it's too dangerous, you can't let it go any further. Friends is pushing it and you know that."

"I can't Meliorn I can't stay away from him. I just I -" Meliorn held his hand out, signalling her to stop speaking. "Melanie don't tell me anything. I'm not in a position to keep secrets these days." Melanie's heart tugged in pain. Something was happening. Something bad. "All I know currently is that you are friends with Cedric Diggory, a Hufflepuff boy. An occurrence like that is totally common when you share classes. Nothing more nothing less. So don't tell me anything else. Please."

Melanie felt sick. Her brother was reporting back to her parents. Why Melanie didn't know - couldn't know. Not just yet according to her brother. But the pleading in his eyes, the quiver in his voice. He was in pain. So much pain. And even now, even with whatever their parents were forcing him to do - he was still trying to protect her. Trying to warn her that he couldn't do it for much longer, that eventually she would be pulled into this mess. Melanie pulled her brother into a hug and felt how tense he was. "I love you." She told him, feeling him sigh in relief at her words. "I love you too Mel. So much"