Quad #3: He couldn't wear the scarf because he didn't want to be tormented. And yes, that was a fun twist making him a Slytherin. Glad you liked it. <3 Next chapter ahoy!

Chapter 3

I waited until I was hidden behind the darkness of the trees to let my tears fall. I could only imagine what people would say if they saw me crying. Probably some testosterone saying that boys shouldn’t cry. Why did this world have to be so cruel? It wasn’t that I enjoyed crying; I just couldn’t help it. When my anger was at a boiling point, instead of throwing punches or breaking things like other boys, I secluded myself and let the tears fall. For a long time now this habit has been labeled as a girl thing, but it helped me cool off. It was better than hurting my fist or breaking something valuable to me.

Letting myself sink to the mossy ground, I wrapped my arms around my legs and set my forehead on my knees. I took a few shaky breaths, before controlling the sobs that were threatening to escape my lips. That was one thing I refused to do and that was make any noises while I cry. It gave somebody a chance to find me crying alone.

My chest was still constricted in pain, when I heard a twig snap behind me. I jumped and quickly leapt to my feet. It took a second for my eyes to adjust to a shadow in the trees. I wasn’t alone. My hands started shaking again, this time not out of anger but out of fear.

“Rough day?” The high-pitched voice came from the shadow. The voice sounded familiar, but I said nothing. Instead, I watched as the shadow walked cautiously toward me, letting the hood of her cloak fall from off her head. I recognized the face immediately. It was the same woman I had seen when I was only seven years old. The same woman I had dreamt about last night. What was she doing here? Who was she?

“Do you want to talk about it?” she asked, a soft smile gracing her lips.

Realizing, I had a few dry tears still on my face, I wiped my hand across my eyes and ran my arm under my runny nose. “Who are you?” I asked.

“I am somebody who watches over you. Sort of like a guardian angel.” She giggled childishly.

A guardian angel? If she was my guardian angel, why was my life such a nightmare? Wouldn’t she have helped me all those times I was being bullied by my peers? What? Was she asleep or something?

She must have seen the questions running across my face because she stepped closer to me and set a hand on my shoulder. “I am sorry I haven’t been there to help you when times have been tough, but I can’t be with you all the time. If I were to be seen, I would probably be locked up for being a loony.” She frowned, looking away from me.

Guilt began to run through my veins at her words. She was like me in a way. She had to hide from the world just like me to keep other people away. It wasn’t fair for her. I wished I could help her somehow. “I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be sorry for me Elliot. I am here for you remember?” she smiled angelically at me.

“How do you know my name?” I asked dumbfounded.

“What kind of guardian angel would I be if I didn’t know your name silly?” she giggled again, running her hand through my dark brown hair.

I smiled sheepishly at her, a little embarrassed of my question. What do I call her though? “What is your name?” I asked.

“I go by many names, but you can call me Melody.” She smiled.

Melody. I was fond of the name. It reminded me of music. One of the things in this world that truly made me happy. I couldn’t help but trust her. Melody chose me to watch over and I felt grateful.

“So what has you down dear Elliot?” She asked, sitting down on a boulder daintily.

Hesitantly, I sat down in front of her and brought my knees to my chest. “Some kids were making me feel bad about a stupid scarf.” I mumbled.

“You know what always makes me feel better?” She waited until she had my attention before continuing. “Music.”

Music! How did she know? Music was one of my passions and it always cheered me up. Currently I only played the violin and the piccolo (which was part of the woodwinds family). I wanted to learn every instrument I could. When I was making music something inside me let go and I went into this zone that nobody can pull me out of. It was hard to get into the zone while at school though, with so many people around and so many people to make me miserable. How I want to get into the zone right now. Melody knew how to catch my attention, and my eyes were glued to her face.

I watched as she reached into her cloak and pulled something wooden from her pocket. I recognized the hollow piece of mahogany wood right away, and my eyes widened in anticipation. A smile fell onto her lips as she watched me practically bouncing on the ground. She then handed the small flute to me.

“I am no where as good as playing as you can be.” Melody said crossing her legs on the boulder.

My heart began pounding as I gently ran my fingers over the smooth wood. I watched in fascination as my fingers lightly covered the eight holes, which were carved into the flute. It was making the tips of my fingers tingle. When I brought the mouthpiece to my lips, I let out a testing breath through the mahogany wood and smiled with glee when the noise was heavenly. Not knowing much on how to play the flute, I didn’t have much to go on. But this didn’t bother me in the least as I started playing what sounded right. Already I could feel myself going into the zone and it was like the world was lifted off my shoulders. I let the harmonic sounds float around me as my eyes fluttered closed.

I don’t know how long I sat with my eyes closed letting the music move me, until my stomach growled. Frowning, I opened my eyes again and saw that it was slightly darker than when I first closed them. Melody was still sitting on the boulder watching me with a serene smile on her face.

“Sorry.” I mumbled, slightly embarrassed that I had forgotten she was there.

“Don’t be sorry. That was beautiful.” She said, slipping off the rock. With her dainty fingers, she brushed herself off and I stood up also.

When I began to hand her back her flute, she waved her hands at me and shook her head. “No, no, no. You keep it. It’s my present for you.” She said, her honey eyes twinkling back at me.

“Thank you.” I said, overwhelmed by her fine gesture.

“Your very welcome. Whenever you want to talk, or just want an audience, play Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.” She winked. I nodded at her and showed her I knew how to play it.

Melody smiled at me before she started walking away. I began to turn back toward the castle, when she suddenly called me back.

“Oh Elliot. Can I ask for a favor?” she asked, walking back toward me.

“Yes.” I said. How could I refuse her after all the good she has done for me today?

“Can you not tell anybody about me or our little meeting? I know it is a lot to ask, but I don’t think people will like it much that I am here. Then it will make it harder for me to see you.” She bit her lower lip uneasily.

“I won’t tell anybody.” I promised.