Prologue
The air was stifling in the cold, dark chamber. Harry didn't know how he got in there, but there he was. He remembered his foot getting stuck in the trick staircase, and he remembered he had felt a pulling sensation on his leg. Then everything had gone dark. "If I don't find a way to get out of here quick, I'll be late for Potions," he murmured to himself. Just thinking of what Snape would do if he was late sent a cold, ominous shiver down his spine. His feet hit the stone floor and sent forlorn echoes throughout the chamber, bouncing off walls. Harry peered into the darkness. Taking out his wand, he gave it a flick and muttered, "Lumos!" The tip of it illuminated just enough for him to see where he was going. The ceiling was low and there were a few pillars, but other than that the room seemed wide and spacious. "Err, h-hello?" He called out softly. Stupid git, he thought to himself. If there is anything in this place, it isn't likely to be friendly. I wouldn't want to draw attention to myself.
"Helllooo?" Harry spun around so fast he almost collided with a- "Agh!" The shock and surprise sent him falling to the damp ground. Luckily, his hands got there before his head. He was able to stop himself before he got a concussion. After taking a few deep breaths, he slowly turned his head to look up at the sad, disconsolate face. Her skin was pale, her eyes were green and penetratingly staring into his, and her hair lay in soft, black curls, enveloping her thin face. She was in an old black cloak, and was barefoot. She was holding up a torch. "And you are?" Her mouthed shaped the three words with great frailty, as if she could hardly bare to move her blue lips. Harry found himself not really knowing who he was. He didn't know what she was. She was not a ghost; he has seen enough of them to now what they looked like. But she was transparent, in some form. Unlike a ghost, he could not see through her, to whatever she was in front of. But, she did not seem solid either. This perplexed him deeply, and his curiosity finally defeated his fear. "I'd like to know the same thing." He breathed the words so quietly; she had to lean over him slightly to hear her. She laughed. Her laugh was desolate and seemed more like a cry, but it also shared a hint that it was once melodious and resonant.
"Who am I? Who am I!" She collapsed into a fit of giggles before she finally gasped a full breath of air and sighed sadly. "Oh sir, if only I knew myself who I was."