Mina jolted awake from her nightmare. The small children in her dream were the small children she had spent most of her life with. She had been raised in small cottage for wizard orphans or children whose wizard parent simple couldn't take care of them for long hours. Mina was the oldest one there because all of the children her age had already been adopted as small children, but no one had ever even considered her for adoption.
Mina quickly got out of bed wiping the beads of sweat from her forehead. Was this dream real, or just a dream? Mina thought to herself. No. That was definitely real. I must contact Aunt Kirreth and ask if Andy is all right. Mina quickly got out of bed and glanced at her watch, which read, "Too early to be awake. GO BACK TO SLEEP!" Her Aunt Kirreth had bought her this enchanted watch for her birthday long ago. Mina glanced out her window and saw it was still dark out, but decided to get dressed anyway.
She went to the beautiful bathroom and showered with a soft, yet sweet smelling foam she had always used and others recognized her for. The soothing aroma made her feel a little calmer, but she continued her rush and dressed quickly and combed through her beautiful, silk locks.
Mina quietly slipped out of the dormitory and down the stairs. As Mina arrived into the common room, she came upon two very tall boys with flaming red hair. She stopped in fright of being questioned for her early outing. The two boys turned around upon hearing Mina's soft footsteps and smiled at each other at the sight of the frightened girl.
"Well, look who we have here, George," said one of the twins as they made their way toward Mina.
"Looks like we've got one of Malfoy's "enemies" here," said the other as they both threw one of their arms over Mina's shoulder. "Well, any enemy of Malfoy's-"
"Is a friend of ours," Fred finished George's sentence with a smirk.
Mina was terrified and relieved. She was relived at the humorous and comfortable manner of the boys, but scared of what they would say next. She tried to slip out from between the towering boys, but they only pulled her back.
"So, my dear, what's your name," asked George.
"Mina," was her simple reply.
"Well, Mina, we were very pleased by the your actions in the Great Hall, tonight. I haven't seen you before, but you look much too old to be first-year," said Fred, expectantly.
Mina simply stood there looking at her feet. When Mina remained silent, Fred and George exchanged a glance and George asked, "What year are you in, my dear?"
Mina was feeling sick. "I'm in third year, I went to another school before, and if you'll both excuse me, I must go to the owlery now," Mina said in one breath, hoping the twins were satisfied and would let her go.
The twins exchanged yet another glance and Fred replied with a mischievous smile, "And why are we off to the owlery so early in the morning?"
Mina did not like being questioned, but for some reason she felt comfortable telling the twins, "I must mail a letter home. There's nothing mischievous about that so wipe that smile off your face. Now if you'll please excuse me..."
"Fred, I like this girl. Mina, if you ever need anything, whether it be a way out of class or something sweet for Malfoy," George winked at Mina," please do let us know." With that, both boys let Mina go and she rushed out of the room with a smile of thanks.
"How did she know I thought she was up to something wrong. You'd think she could read my mind," said Fred in awe.
"It was written all over your face," said George shaking his head.
Wait a minute, what were those two doing up so early anyways. And were they mocking me with their cordial manner? Mina thought to herself as she made her way down the cold halls. She shook her head and focused on the task ahead. When she finally reached the owlery, she pulled out some parchment and a quill and scribbled down the contents of her dream and her concern and sent Ebony on her way. The black owl stood out against the now-pink sky. Mina stood there watching Ebony until she was a small speck in the sky. As she turned to leave she noticed another speck coming towards the window. When the owl finally arrived, it perched itself on the window and watched Mina.
Mina wondered why the owl brought the letter back to owlery and not to its owner. When Mina turned to leave, she saw and tall, blonde boy standing in the doorway. Mina frowned at the sight of Draco Malfoy so early in the morning-not exactly Mina's cup of tea.
"Well, well, well, who do we have here," Malfoy began walking towards Mina. So, why does everyone say that when they see me? Mina wondered to herself.
"I'm sorry, I didn't quite catch your name last night when we had our pleasurable introduction," Draco said with a sarcastic smile. Mina tired get passed him, but he kept stepping from side to side blocking her path, until he finally took her by the shoulders and whispered close to her face, "I don't very much like your attitude, girl. We really won't be able to get along if we don't fix it."
Mina was scared. No one had ever behaved like this with her before. She didn't show her fear, however, and put on a smirk and said, "Well, I hope you have good tools then."
Before Malfoy could reply, the professor who Mina had met the night before appeared at the door, surprised, "What is going on here Mr. Malfoy?"
Malfoy quickly released Mina and innocently said, "Oh, I was just here to get a letter from my father, sir. See, my owl is just right there." Malfoy pointed to the owl Mina had seen earlier and went to grab the letter. The professor eyed the two suspiciously for a moment then seemed to accept Malfoy's response. Mina saw her chance and made her way out of the owlery, but suddenly wheeled around and said to Draco, "Mina." Draco simply stared at her, but Mina was satisfied with Draco's level of intelligence and assumed he would figure out she was answering his question.
"Why did we have to get stuck with the Slytherins for Potions of all classes," Ronald Weasley complained to Harry and Hermione.
"Oh, quit your complaining Ronald. No one is happy about this," said Hermione as she slung her bag over her shoulder.
The trio made their way to the Great Hall for breakfast. As they entered the Hall, they found an empty area and sat down. Ron violently stabbed a piece of sausage and immediately devoured it. Hemione threw a glance of disgust towards Ron before hiding behind a copy of the Daily Prophet. Harry slowly ate his piece of toast, tired from the previous nights fest of Birdie Bott's jellybeans and chocolate frogs. He absentmindedly observed the people in the Great Hall when his eyes landed upon a familiar, yet foreign figure sitting alone drinking orange juice and reading a book.
Mina could feel someone staring at her and she looked up to her far right to meet the green eyes of Lily Potter. Mina's heart skipped a beat and then began racing when she found the pair of eyes belonged not to Lily Potter, but to Harry Potter. Mina and Harry shared a short, but empty stare before Mina tore away and pretended to read her book. Harry was confused about the girl's actions and wondered why she defended him one moment and then ignored him the next. Harry didn't realize it, but he was still staring at Mina while he was lost in his thoughts and she was shifting uncomfortably in her seat. Finally, Mina couldn't take it anymore and stood up with her heavy bag and made her way out of the Great Hall.
Students shifted nervously in his or her seat as the beady, black eyes moved over them. The classroom was silent and everyone waited instruction from their least favorite teacher. "Turn your books to page 383," came his shallow voice.
The whole classroom was filled with the sound of bags opening and pages turning. Professor Snape pulled out a piece of parchment and looked over it as a look of disgust slowly made its way onto his pale face. "I'm afraid I have to take role. Some new, pointless rule. As I call your name respond by saying 'Present,' and raising you hand where I can see it," said Snape.
Snape made his way down the list and when he reached "Patil," Mina began to feel nervous. Snape looked up at Parvati and continued his journey down the list, "Potter."
"Present." Two voices spoke-up. Snape immediately looked up to see two hands raised in the air. One hand, Snape discovered, belonged to the infamous Harry Potter, and the other to a pale girl hiding behind her long, dark hair.
As if Snape wasn't sure of what had happened, he repeated, "Potter," and the same two people responded. Snape looked back down to his list and said, "Harry James Potter," and the strange girl put her hand down as Harry continued to let the blood rush down his numb arm. Snape looked down at his list again, paused for a long moment and then looked up at the strange girl with shock and said in a quivering voice no one had ever heard before, "Mina Jane Potter?" Mina raised her hand again, however was unable to respond vocally for her voice had drowned in the pool of nervousness in her stomach. There was an awkward silence in the air while everyone stared at Mina in confusion (except Parvati and Lavender whose eyes were shining and had bright smiles on their faces). Finally, Snape regained some of his composure and repeated, "Turn your books to page 383."
A student raised his hand and asked, "But, professor, aren't you going to finish taking role?"
"I said, turn your books to page 383," Snape bellowed with fury. Everyone obeyed, but continued making small glances toward Mina. "Today we are going to brew this potion," Snape pointed to the instructions of the potion in his copy of the book," and whoever is unable to make this potion correctly will need to take remedial potions with me on their own time and mine." Many took in sharp breaths and others whimpered, like Neville Longbottom.
Once Snape set everyone to work, Hermione agreed to be Neville's partner, while Harry and Ron partnered up. Mina decided to work on her own; since everyone already had partners and she didn't wish to speak to anyone. "Bloody Hell, Harry, do you suppose that Mina girl is your relative," Ron whispered to Harry, while steeling a glance towards Mina. Harry didn't reply. He was also in shock, but didn't want to get his hopes up, so he excused the whole thing as a coincidence.
On the opposite side of the room, and to the left of Mina, over by the windows, Malfoy stared at Mina with his hand on his chin, brow furrowed, as Crabbe and Goyle dumbly added whatever ingredient they thought was needed. Mina felt a sharp pain in her head and suddenly her world went dark. Within about 20 seconds, her eyes shot open with panic and she whirled around to look over at where Malfoy and his cronies were stationed. As if in slow motion, Mina watched Crabbe add pixie powder to his cauldron and Mina screamed, "Nooo!"
Before anyone could see, Malfoy was blasted out the window as Crabbe and Goyle were hauled into the wall. Without thinking, Mina ran towards the table with the burning cauldron and jumped out the window after Malfoy. Everyone rushed to the window to watch as Snape fought his way through the crowd, wand in hand.
Draco screamed (much like a girl) in fright. Mina, like an arrow, shot threw the air after him, determined to reach him before he reached the ground. Tears stung Mina's eyes as the cold air rushed past her. With a last effort, Mina shot her hands towards Draco and was relieved to feel his robes. Right before they hit the ground, Mina managed to wrap her arms around Draco, as she closed her eyes and willed her body to take her and Draco back to the potions room. The next time Mina opened her eyes she was standing in the Potions classroom with Draco wrapped around her stiff form. Mina became conscious of the situation and managed a confused, "Uh," from her lips.
Draco opened his eyes and looked around him in shock and a hint of relief and exclaimed, "I'm alive! I'm alive!" He then looked at Mina and said, "Thank you so much!" Draco Malfoy kissed Mina's forehead and cheeks with glee. The whole class was shocked as some of the girls giggled.
" Oi, you want to let go of the poor girl now, or are you still peeing your knickers," Seamus Finnegan yelled to Draco. Draco let go of Mina in embarrassment as many of the students laughed, while others continued to look in awe.
Mina was afraid she would pee her knickers. She looked up to see the trio looking at her curiously and then she turned to see Snape staring at her in disbelief and another emotion Mina couldn't quite place. "Class dismissed," Snape said weakly.
"But professor, what about the potion- " Hermione asked Snape.
"I said class dismissed. Leave everything where it is," Snape shot at Hermione.
Everyone packed their bags and began filing out of the classroom. Mina packed robotically and was the last one left as she approached Snape's office where he was rummaging through an old, dusty box. "I'm sorry for the trouble I caused, Professor," Mina said timidly.
Snape looked up from his box and at Mina. He seemed to be studying her as if he were not sure if she were real. When he finally pulled himself out of the trance, he looked away and said hollowly, "Get out." Mina did not hesitate and she ran out of the classroom.
Was I that much trouble? Mina wondered to herself as she zoomed through the halls. I can understand why Professor Snape would be upset, but he seemed to be in horrible shape. He didn't even see if Malfoy was all right or even let the class finish making the potion. Mina unconsciously made her way to the portrait of the Fat Lady and then found that she wasn't sure she wanted to go inside. She figured the students who were dismissed form Snape's class probably went to the Great Hall to catch a snack and snicker about what had happened, so she figured it might be safe to go in after all. "Fortuna Major," Mina went inside.
As she emerged from the hole, she was greeted-rather suspiciously-by many eyes. If I turn back now, do you think they'll notice I had come in at all, Mina thought to herself, regretting her decision to come inside the Gryffindoor common room. Mina stood transfixed. She didn't know what to do. A long, uncomfortable silence hung in the air.
"Where the Hell did you learn to that," Someone Mina didn't know shot at her in amazement. Great. Here come the questions. Mina was exhausted. She couldn't stand anymore. No, literally, she couldn't feel her legs. Mina looked around the room as it started to spin and then each face she looked at became more and more blurry. Lavender, Seamus, Dean, Neville, Hermione, Ron, Harry, and someone turned off the lights.
" Do you suppose we should call the nurse," Mina heard someone say.
"I dunno. Hey, I think she's waking up." Mina slowly opened her eyes and saw many faces over her. Her eyes finally met Harry's and tears flooded her eyes. Mina sat up and tried to stand, but someone grabbed her shoulder and told her to sit for a minute. Mina looked to her side to see Hermione sitting next to her with a kind smile and her hand on Mina's shoulder.
Mina closed her eyes and told herself this was just a dream. People were whispering, but she couldn't make out what they were saying and didn't care. She finally stood up and picked up her bag next to her and began turning toward the dormitories.
"Do you want to go to the Infirmary," Mina turned to see Hermione standing behind her.
Yes. The Infirmary. No one will disturb me there. Mina nodded and started towards the portrait hole, when someone said, "Wait. I'll take you there." Mina turned around and was frightened to see Harry making his way towards her.
"It's all right. I can go there myself," Mina's voice was quiet and raspy. She started towards the exit when she began to feel dizzy again and began to sway. Harry firmly grabbed her arm and began leading her toward the hole.
As the portrait swung shut, Mina could here a rush of sound as everyone began to talk. Well, as long as they're not asking me any questions… Mina thought with some relief.
For a while the two walked slowly, without a word. Finally, Harry couldn't hold his questions anymore, "Who are you? And how did you know that was going to happen to Malfoy? And how did you fly like that? And why was Snape so freaked out about you? And why do you have the same last name as me? And I'm really bothering you right now, aren't I?"
Mina smiled at the last question as Harry anxiously waited for some sort of reply. "My name is Mina Jane Potter, as you know. I have, well, visions, if you will, of the what's going to happen. I have a gift slash curse that allows me to see these visions and to 'fly' as you call it. I'm not sure why Professor Snape was so shocked by me, and I believe you're my cousin, that's why we have the same last name," Mina said all these unconsciously, feeling very comfortable with Harry.
Harry froze at the last comment. "Cousin? But my dad didn't have any siblings. At least not that I know of."
"I'd be happy to tell you what I know of the whole story, but I don't feel too great right now. So, could you tell me if that's the Infirmary in front of us or if I'm dreaming because I think I'm going to pass out again."