CHAPTER 2: PUZZLE PIECES

Yeah. It's the usual. Back to the welcoming ceremony with your uniform and robe. Eat. Chat. And stare at him. I mean Draco, of course. I could point something wrong about him through my observations, something not normal at all. I guess I was wrong earlier. There is something bothering him. He's not the same boy six years back. The way he looks, talks—more serious, walks and he's not even bullying Potter like he used to. Is this the new Draco? Incredibly matured and serious? I'm just wondering, and I can't adapt to this new environment. I know time flies and people change so fast, but is it really like this? I have to find out. And finding that thing maybe the most dangerous thing I've ever done. It's like Death is coming for me. I can feel the cold wind touch my spine and that made me tingle in my bed. It's eleven in the evening, am I the only one in the world thinking about this thought so deep, that I really care?


The flash of white came back and I immediately opened my eyes. Catching my breath, I sat up and looked at the clock, three in the early morning. Maybe I fell asleep when thinking about that ridiculous thought. I watched the persons sleeping in the pictures until I came with the last one. Inhale. Exhale. I'll get back to the dream when my heart beat's normal. I can't think like this, scared and distracted.

My breathing went normal. The picture's still vivid in my mind. I saw the same dream again with another scene added to it. This time, I heard the spell come from an older man. The voice was cold and dark. It was the forbidden spell. I won't even dare think of it, most definitely not say it. The vision is getting more terrifying. It's telling me something I don't get. Like a missing puzzle piece. But what are missing here are so many pieces. I want to put it all together now, as soon as possible. It's bothering me every time, I won't rest in peace even if Celine insisted that she wouldn't come up with the whole 'secret' topic. I think it's time to open up and tell someone about it, maybe Harry Potter and his friends. That would help them a lot. So that's it. I have to tell now and get rid of the promise of not telling anyone until my last breath. I won't suffer anymore. But I don't want them to be harmed because of me. It can free us all. I hope Romeir and Celine won't mind that. I hope everything will be alright. I hope.

As I got back to sleep, the dream was gone and I drifted into the most peaceful sleep I had before the visions entered my life.


Morning came, and I got up more early that I used to. I was so anxious to spill it all to them. Tell the trio about the visions I'm encountering. Harry, Ron, and Hermione. I quickly changed and went downstairs hoping to see them. And for the first time in my sixth year, I was lucky, they're there discussing something. It can be their problem. This is my very first time too, to talk to them in six years, probably surprising for them. I walked up to them, made a deep gulp, and stopped outside the circle just behind Ron and Hermione. Harry was sitting on the couch. I haven't seen Ginny Weasley from where I came from, can be blocked by the crowd or something.

"Hi! Good morning. I know I haven't talked to you all before, all those years. I'm Iris Frances." That's when I saw Romeir curiously staring at me from afar. I can make up an alibi later, just focus on what's more important now. Before Weasley could speak, Potter coincidently cut him off.

"Oh. Good day then. What brings you here to surprisingly talk to us?" Rather confused as I expected from all of them. I just have to confess the vision and get it over with. Ugh. Romeir was now whispering to Celine, eyes on me both. It's getting worse. Then I realized I was only talking to Harry, the other three just listening attentively and watching me. I could feel the warm blood flush up my face, embarrassed. Speak now, Iris.

"Well, I am bothered every night in my dreams by visions, still clear in my mind. Maybe it can help you with your problem?" I said an only one problem because that's really it. Everybody knows.

"Alright then, what is this vision all about? Can it really help us?" Finally, Hermione spoke in her perfect British tone. I envy her for that. I've been in London for years, but still I'm not British. I am still different. Well, I hope soon. Focus on the topic. Ron's still surprised and not moving from his position before. Is he really like this? Maybe. I'm kind of amused by that.

"Ah, yes. You see, it's about the Death Eaters which they call themselves?" I answered with casualty. No one reacted. I guess I am the one weird enough here, or it's just a signal to move on. So I did. "In my vision, dream, I saw an arm of a young boy with a symbol of a Death Eater. The identification of who they really are. And the boy said, going to cry, 'I have to kill you. Otherwise, he's going to kill me.' Then after that, an older man, wand in hand, he's wearing long black sleeves, casted the forbidden spell at someone. That's it. Does that have much information?" There. I said it all. All looked at each other? Impressed or surprised?

"The Dark Mark." Hermione spoke while staring at the floor with certainty.

"Yeah, so that's it." Now I know. Derived from the word 'Dark Lord', He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named. Clearly obvious, why didn't I think of that? She is pretty clever.

"Yes. It can really help. We'll sort this through. Thank you. We very much owed you a lot. But we don't want you to also get in trouble." Thank goodness, I'm still in place. Harry reacted, and I can see in his face the worry with a thankful look.

"No problem. It's better to open up than be stick with that dream, or nightmare. Glad I can help."The heavy thing drowning me in my mind is now gone. i can now be in peace. But I still have to thinkof an alibi for Romeir and Celine for what they saw earlier, still not so close. Before anyone can say a word, it's already time for the daily and yearly routine. Class.