Chapter 3

To Platform 9 and 3/4!

September first couldn't come fast enough.

To say that I was excited was an understatement.

Having realized that my childhood dream has now become my new reality, I quickly became obsessed. Each day of the week, I would be burying my nose in one of the spell books we bought in Diagon alley, or I would be practicing simple enchantments and charms.

I figured that all sorts of spells would work as long as you said the incantation right, but it seems that I was wrong. I struggled with a few easy Transfiguration spells and often had a hard time trying to do some charm spells.

But there were some spells I had no trouble with, such as the Summoning Charm and the Levitation Charm.

I sat on my bed with my wand on my lap. I looked to my left, re-reading the instructions carefully so as not to fail. I pointed my wand in front of me, directing it at the small stuffed toy I had on my desk.

"Accio stuffed rabbit!" I said strongly.

Said toy came hurdling at me, surprising me completely as its poofy bottom made contact with my face. It fell down on my lap, revealing my deadpan expression. Nonetheless, I cheered in victory while holding both my stuffed toy and my wand in my hands.

"YES!" I cheered loudly, pumping my fist in the air and wriggling like a worm on my bed. I took my head pillow and gave it a tight squeeze, my goofy grin never leaving my face.

Feeling bold and rather confident, I turned to Travis' cage, which was sitting at the opposite corner of my room. Travis preferred to stay in the corner and loved hunting during the night, so I occasionally leave his cage door open and the window open in case he would feel hungry.

I grinned mischeviously before pointing my wand at Travis. The owl blinked his wide eyes in question, tilting its head to side as if he was trying to ask what I was doing.

"Accio Travis!"

"HOOT! HOOT!"

Lydia Fray sat on the couch of the living room, enjoying the tranquil silence. She sipped her tea and smiled contently to herself as her eyes fell to the picture frames on the fireplace.

There were numerous pictures on the fireplace, but all of them had one thing in common; each had a picture of a smiling Arlina in it. The picture in the beach when she got a nasty sunburn, the picture where she received an award for her performance in kindergarten, the picture where the whole family had gotten together and had a picnic in the nearby park.

Lydia looked sadly at the last picture. It was the only recent picture she had of her blonde daughter. Arlina stood in the middle of the photo, giving the camera that regular goofy grin anyone would come to love. Her blonde curly hair was tied in two low pig tails and her gray eyes were sparkling with mischief and joy.

She wouldn't admit it, but ever since she had adopted Arlina, her life has been exciting and unpredictable. Arlina was the type of child any parent would go crazy to have with, yet feel devastated to lose.

Having discovered the world of magic, Lydia seemed to be torn. The look on Arlina's face when she explored Diagon Alley, how happy and excited she looked when she learned that she was going to be a true witch… Lydia didn't want her daughter's happiness to be torn away. That would be cruel to a child.

Yet, Lydia didn't want Arlina to go. Only being able to stay with her during the summer or holidays wrenched her old heart. Her daughter was her only light in her dull world. In this age, Lydia felt useless and old. No one would need someone like her.

But Arlina did. Arlina needed her mother, which goes the same with her father. Or, at least, that's what she thought.

Arlina wasn't the child Lydia expected to have. She wanted a proper, mannered, and patient young girl or perhaps a young boy with similar traits. Arlina was the exact opposite. Or rather, she was something in between.

There was something about Arlina that unsettled Mrs. Fray. Why is it that Lydia felt alarmed whenever Arlina would act… Arlina-ish?

Though she acted childish, she was mature. Though she acted selfish, she was generous. Though she was a trouble maker and often landed herself into many detentions, she would never blame other people and take full responsibility for it.

She had the behavior of a child, yet the mindset of an adult.

Lydia had always thought that Arlina was a special child. Behind those twinkling gray eyes of hers was a shadow. A shadow that Lydia could never figure out, as if it was a secret Arlina held behind her. An important one.

How could Arlina have a secret so deep that she must pretend to smile and laugh every day of her life? Was it really worth hiding this secret, just to make sure she can enjoy her life?

Arlina was a just a child. A very special and peculiar one, indeed.

It was frustrating Lydia that she cannot understand her own child, but she was getting old herself. Perhaps that glint of remorse beneath Arlina's gray eyes were just a figment of her imagination.

The next morning, Arlina had yet to come downstairs for breakfast. Lydia considered this odd. How can Arlina miss the scent of freshly baked pancakes? The second she started creating the pancake mix, Arlina should've been racing down the stairs by now.

Feeling odd and missing without Arlina's antics, Lydia took it upon herself to check on her daughter. She walked upstairs and reached her daughter's door. As soon as she entered her daughter's room, she screamed.

The whole room could've been mistaken for an aftermath of a war. Pillows and blankets were on the floor, torn and ripped to shreds. Random objects cluttered the floor while Arlina's underwear laid hanging on one of the posters of her favorite mottos. But the sight of Arlina herself was what scared and irritated Lydia the most.

Arlina was holding a vacuum in her hands (how she got it Lydia could never figure out), holding it as if it was a dangerous weapon, over her head. Travis was flying near the ceiling, looking at Arlina as if it was annoyed. Lydia looked at Arlina's face and fount it covered in small cuts and blood.

Suddenly, both the owl and the young eleven year old turned to Lydia, who was tapping her foot impatiently on the ground. Her left eyebrow twitched as it was in a frenzy and her eyes were glaring daggers at both.

"Arlina Fray." Lydia stated blankly.

The said eleven year old girl dropped the vacuum and quickly scrambled to the corner. Even the owl seemed to notice the dangerous aura that seeped out of Lydia's being and joined its mistress in cowering in fear.

"WHAT. IS. THE. MEANING. OF. THIS?!"

"AAAAAAAHHHH!"

"HOOT! HOOT! HOOT!"

"HOW ON EARTH DID YOU MAKE A MESS LIKE THIS?! DID YOU USE MAGIC ALREADY?!"

"NO I DIDN'T! I WAS JUST TESTING SOMETHING AND—"

"YOU DARE TALK BACK AT ME?!"

"HOOT HOOT HOOT!"

"SHUT UP YOU RUDDY OWL!"

"HOOT! HOOT!"

"IT'S NOT MY FAULT MUM IS MAD AT US!"

"BOTH OF YOU SHUT UP!"

"AAAAAHHHH!"

Yes, Arlina Fray was a simple child who anyone could understand. But behind that, Lydia knew there was something else.

But now, Lydia didn't focus on that. Rather, she was much to focused on giving a certain someone the lesson of a lifetime.

I laid on my bed, staring at the ceiling with a blank expression on my face. A sense of emptiness and void had somehow crept up inside of me and I doubted I could go downstairs and eat supper even if I wanted to.

Only three more weeks before September. I was honestly excited, being sorted into a house, becoming friends with anyone I could (perhaps not the Slytherins), and just plan enjoying my life with magic.

But I knew I couldn't lie to myself for long. I knew that deep inside of me, I was scared. I was so scared. I was scared that maybe something will happen to the plot of the books that it might affect the whole world.

This isn't a childhood fantasy anymore Arlina, this is the real world.

The dread and worry I had hidden deep inside me had now surfaced. With no one to consult my personal issue with, I spent most of my remaining days in my bedroom.

Why am I doing this? Why do I bother living in this world? Had I not died in my other one? I didn't deserve a new chance. Others are worth more than I am.

I clutched my pillow, my lips quivering. I never could admit. Rather, I didn't want to. Admitting my fear and anxiety would've created a new problem and convinced myself that this was all real.

I want to be ignorant.

But I can't.

I was a witch by the name of Arlina Fray, and somehow I had been thrust into the world of magic without my own consent. I can't pretend that this wasn't happening. I can't pretend that this wasn't real.

I was so confused. Who do I trust? I can't trust my parents, who would never understand the pain of having to go through my troubles alone. I can't trust anyone.

Just like my previous life, this world isn't perfect. I was only trying to convince myself that this was my childhood fairy tale. My paradise.

But realization dawned upon me. As much as Harry Potter was real, so was Voldemort and the Death Eaters. So was the fact that I might die in the Second Wizard War. So was the fact that I might have to choose between surviving and becoming a Death Eater or dying but being loyal to my friends.

Who do I trust? Who do I find refuge on? What do I do?

More questions came, but no answer. For the first time in my life, no, for the first time in my second life, an unbelievable amount of pressure built up in my chest. I couldn't breathe. My mind was blank.

What exactly is my purpose in this world?

"Are you sure you're feeling all right?"

I puffed up my cheek. "Mum, I'm feeling fine. Honest. It was just a bit of an attack."

"It could happen again," Mum said, her voice filled with worry and concern.

I silently agreed. It might happen again. My mental breakdown in my room had caused me to start screaming and throwing a fit. Had dad not restrained me and mum called an ambulance, I could've went mental.

I walked through the busy stairs of King's Cross, dad pushing my trolley for me. I had brought three trunks; one large trunk for my clothes, another for my school equipment and books, and the last for a few notebooks, snacks, and my favorite stuffed toy to keep me company.

To be honest, this was my first time living in the same area as my school. I had always— even in my previous life— depended on my parents or siblings to wake me up early in the morning to prepare for school. I was a bit nervous for having to live independently without my family, but I supposed that it was a good start.

When we reached platform 9, mum and dad gave me a big hug.

"Stay safe, Arl." Dad said. "Be sure to make your old man proud, alright?"

I nodded and gave dad a thumbs up. "You bet dad!"

Mum kissed my cheek and looked at me sternly. "Now Arlina, the fact that you're a witch does not change anything. Be sure to eat healthy food in that school and get enough sleep. Also, don't you dare wander around night! I've heard that all sorts of ghosts and magical creatures are inside your school."

I laughed. "Mum, the ghosts are friendly. I read it in some of the books we bought from the alley." Then I paused, my mind trailing to Peeves. "Well, I guess there's one of them I should be wary of."

Mum sigh. "Do be careful. I don't know what might happen to you without me or your father around, so—"

"I said I'll be fine, then I'll be fine!" I whined childishly. "Honestly, it's like you don't trust me at all!"

Mum looked at me blankly, which irked me.

"You really think I'll blow something up in my first day, don't you?" I stated in a deadpan.

Dad laughed and ruffled my already messy hair. "Hurry on, Arl. Good luck in school!"

I grinned at both my parents and gave each a big hug. They waved bye to me as I walked away, pushing my trolley forward and walking towards Platform 9.

As I neared the platform, I spotted Harry nearby. I noticed him staring at me, his green eyes just focused on me. I gave the boy a quizzical look and he finally seemed to realize that he was staring at me. He immediately looked away, focusing his gaze on the ground.

I blinked, confused. Why was Harry watching me?

"Harry!" I called.

I pushed my trolley and walked beside him. He was wearing really baggy clothes, and some of them had stitches and holes in them. He was skinnier than I expected and a lot paler.

"Hey Arlina," Harry greeted quietly.

I gave him a look. "What are you so down for? We're heading to Hogwarts! You should feel enthusiastic, not like someone just smacked you with a rubber chicken."

Harry looked comical.

"Rubber chicken?" he muttered before shaking his head. "Yeah, but how do we get to the platform? I mean, there isn't a sign there that says platform 9 ¾."

I winked. "Luckily, I know how." I said before looking forward. "Do you see that wall between platforms 9 and 10?"

Harry looked forward and nodded. "All we have to do is walk straight towards it and we'll end up in the platform." I explained.

Harry looked at me in confusion. "How did you know that? Have you been to Hogwarts before?"

"Don't be silly." I said. "It's just a gut feeling of mine."

Harry though about it for a moment. "How are you so sure?"

I frowned slightly but pinched his arm.

"Ouch!" Harry said, rubbing the sore spot. He looked at me in confusion. "What was that for?"

"You dare question me you lowly being?" I said in mock outrage and arrogance, crossing my arms over my chest. I then raised my nose in the air. "Hmph!"

"Uh, well, no." Harry stuttered, apparently flustered about the whole situation. "Uh, sorry! I didn't—"

I opened one eye to look at him before smiling at him. "Just kidding!" I said with a grin.

Harry looked as if someone really did slap him with a rubber chicken. His jaw was dropped and he stared at me in incredulousness.

"Well, come on then! Best not to be late." I said, urging him forward.

Just as we were about to go through the platform, a family of red heads walked past us. I heard most of them pondering out loud 'how muggles could cope without magic' and I instantly recognized who the family was.

"Alright then, come along! George dear, you can go first— oh, wait! Are you both going to Hogwarts as well?"

I looked at the slightly plump red headed woman. I felt a bit nervous and shy under her gaze and gave her a nod. "We're new. Um, you could go first."

"Ah, you must be nervous about this aren't you dear?" Mrs. Weasley said. She turned to one of the twins. "Well come on now George, show them how it's done."

The said twin sigh exasperatedly. "Mum, I'm Fred! He's George."

The other twin shook his head. "Honestly, and you call yourself our mother?"

Clearly they had this conversation before, because Mrs. Weasley waved her hand dismissively. "Oh, fine. In you go Fred."

'Fred' pushed his trolley forward before he sent his mother a mischievous grin. "I'm just joking; I really am George!"

Before Mrs. Weasley could reprimand George, he quickly darted into the wall and vanished within it. I blinked, rubbing my eyes for a quick second to see if what I had experienced was indeed real.

"What you need to do," Mrs. Weasley said as she gestured to the spot where George had vanished. "— is walk straight between the walls of platform 9 and 10. Don't stop until you reached the end, and if you're feeling nervous it's best you run and close your eyes."

I swallowed, clearly nervous. I didn't think I would be able to pull something like that off.

"I can go first," Harry offered beside me, staring at me as if he had seen my anxiety. I gave him the best smile I could offer and nodded.

"Go on then," I urged.

Harry exhaled, his grip on the trolley tight. He ran forward into the wall, and I saw him shut his eyes, bracing for impact. As soon as he touched the wall, his body vanished, leaving me astounded.

"Mum, I want to go next!" a boy with red head about my age piped up.

Mrs. Weasley hushed her son. "Ron! Let her go first. It's common courtesy for a gentleman to let a lady first."

Ron pouted, muttering about why girls always get to go first. I smiled, feeling my nerves ease a bit. I faced the wall between platforms 9 and 10, staring at it determinedly yet anxiously.

I swallowed what's left of my fear down my throat and charged forward. With each step I took, the closer the wall came. I quickly shut my eyes as I ran through the wall. Instead of feeling solid concrete come contact with my body, I felt as if I was descending into a portal with some sort of force pulling me towards it.

As soon as the force stopped, so did I. I snapped open my eyes and gasped.

The train station was unlike any I had ever seen before. All the bricks looked as if they were newly painted. Some walls away from here, families and children popped out of them, pushing their trolleys forward and calling their parents.

I looked up at the platform sign and was amazed to find how decoratively painted the sign was. Painted on the side of the sign was the insignias of the four houses of Hogwarts and on the middle it read "Platform 9¾"

It felt like a dream come true. I turned to the right and nearly leaped for joy. The train itself was a beauty. It was painted wonderful red and black with a yellow sign in the front which read 'Hogwarts Express'. White smoke came out of the pipe above it, but instead of smelling that putrid stench of burned ash, the scent was an awful lot like flowers and perfume together.

"It's wonderful," I breathed out.

"It really is."

I turned to my side, finding Harry also dazed by the beauty of the station. I smiled, seeing how his green eyes twinkled with delight and joy. It must be his first time to experience something as amazing as this.

After giving our trunks to the train operator, I hurriedly ran inside the train in search of a compartment. Harry trailed behind me, looking for a space to sit as well. After searching nearly ten compartments, we finally found an empty one.

I quickly opened the glass door and sat on the right of the seat, just right beside the window. I saw Harry looking outside from the compartment, looking hesitant about entering.

"Well?" I asked. "What are you waiting for? Come in!"

Harry blinked, and walked inside the compartment, closing the door behind him. He sat down on the seat opposite of mine, looking quite nervous.

I wasn't pleased by this. If he didn't want my company, he could just openly say so. "Do I bother you Harry?" I asked bluntly, keeping my voice as innocent as possible so as not to scare him.

Startled by this question, Harry shook his head furiously. "No! I was wondering if I'm the one who is bothering you."

I raised an eyebrow, looking at him quizzically. "Why on earth would I be bothered by you, Harry?" I asked him.

"I just thought you would prefer to hang out with someone else." Harry said. "I'm not exactly a fun person."

I stared at him for a few moments, slowly trying to comprehend what he was trying to say. I then started to laugh. It wasn't mocking laughter or bitter laughter; it was the kind of laughter you would hear after being told a really funny joke.

Harry flushed. "What's so funny?" he asked, confused.

"You're so weird!" I said.

"Like you're the one to talk!" Harry said a tad bit irritably. "You're the one who started laughing like some sort of monkey!"

I frowned. "Hey, I just found it hilarious how you thought of yourself."

"What do you mean by that?"

"Well, you look like the sort of person to pity himself and make other people feel better by leaving them alone in hopes that his presence won't bother others." I stated reasonably. "You really need a boost in your confidence Harry. Others would take advantage of you if you let that go on."

Harry stared at me, as if he was looking at a puzzle. "Are… are you sure you're alright?"

I looked at him blankly. "Harry, I'm completely fine. I'm a big girl! I can handle anyone and anything myself!"

"Yes, as it's so obvious to see a girl smaller than me take on a giant monster." Harry said sarcastically, though I saw him smile a bit.

"Hey!" I snapped, pretending to be irritated. "I'm just petite! Don't say that as if I'm the size of a flea."

"But I'm still taller than you."

"Are you really going there? What's with you and my height?"

"Nothing. I just felt like pointing that out."

"It could've gone unsaid, Harry."

Harry shrugged.

I puffed out my cheeks, staring at Harry. The books I have read about was written in his point of view, so when he's talking, it's really hard to pinpoint what he's thinking about. Seeing as the silence would soon become awkward, I sigh loudly and lied down on the remaining spaces on the seat.

"Ah, I wish the train would speed up." I said. "I've heard Hogwarts is a gigantic castle where evil monsters lay deep inside."

"Why would they create a school where creatures could kill the students Arlina?" Harry asked blankly.

"It was just a rumor though," I said. Then I turned to the right and looked at him brightly. "Maybe we should go and explore the school! You know, just for fun!"

Harry blinked. "Aren't there any rules in Hogwarts?"

I sigh. "Harry, Harry, Harry," I said shaking my head. I winked and gave him a mischievous wink. "What's life without a little risk?"

Harry looked as if he wanted to retort, but the door of our compartment opened, revealing the red headed boy from earlier. He looked flushed, as if embarrassed to be here.

"Anyone sitting there?" he asked quietly. "Everywhere else is sort of full."

Harry shook his head. I waved at him and laid down the seats again, using my hands as pillows and cushions.

"I'm Ron, Ron Weasley." The red headed boy said, looking at Harry and I.

"Arlina Fray. Nice to meet you, Ron."

Ron turned to Harry, who looked both hesitant and excited.

"Is it true? What Fred and George said earlier? That you're—"

"Harry Potter?" Harry asked. "Yeah."

"Blimey Harry," I said with a laugh. "Looks like you're famous!"

Ron looked at me in surprise. "How can you act so… casual?"

I turned to him. "Hm? What do you mean?"

"Do you remember anything that night?" Ron asked quickly. "You know— th night You-Know-Who—"

Harry shook his head. "No. I only remember a flash of green light, and that's it."

I saw a flash of disappointment on Ron's face. I sigh and sat up from my seat.

"What's so special about Harry anyway?" I asked. Despite the question sounding arrogant and bold, I said it in a way a child would when it finds something its particularly attracted or fascinated to.

As soon as I said that question, I wanted to smack myself. Harry's expression turned somber as he looked away to the side.

"What's so special about Harry Potter?" Ron asked in a whisper, as if he couldn't believe what I had just said. "He's the one who vanquished You-Know-Who! The only person to ever survive and triumph against him! And you ask what's so special about him? You-Know-Who is the most powerful dark sorcerer of the times! And Harry destroyed him utterly while he was only a baby!"

"Haven't you thought about what Harry would feel?"

Harry looked at me at the mention of his name. Ron seemed confused. I shook my head. Gah, boys. Of course they would be ignorant.

"Ron, he lost his parents because You-Know-Who killed them. He was probably raised by his guardians or relatives, and by the looks of the boy he wasn't even treated right! You can't speak to Harry like that because he's as normal as we all are. He isn't some sort of saint. He's just Harry." I said while giving Harry a sincere and pleasant smile.

"Just regular, normal, talented Harry Potter."

I spotted a bit of pink on his cheeks. Awww, the poor boy's embarrassed!

Ron seemed to have realized my point. His excitement became withdrawn and he looked at Harry apologetically. "Sorry mate," he mumbled. "I didn't think about that."

For the first time since I've seen him, Harry smiled.

Harry shook his head. "No, it's alright." He said before turning to me. "I didn't expect anyone to think of me that way."

He gave me a grateful look. I sent him a grin and laid down on my seat. "Gah, don't become sappy on me Potter." I pouted before acting like a complete child. "Aw, I want to go to Hogwarts now!"

Harry and Ron laughed at my silly antics, each looking at each other. I grinned, knowing fully well that this will be the blossom of their friendship. I turned to Harry and stared at his glasses, noticing the scotch tape that was used to bind it together.

"What happened to your glasses Harry?" I asked.

Harry paused his laughter and took his glasses from his face. He shrugged and showed it to me. "My cousin well, punched me a few times in the face so my glasses broke a few years back."

"Well that's not good." I said disapprovingly before taking out my wand from my jacket pocket. "Want to see some magic? I've been practicing!"

Harry and Ron looked at me, slightly surprised. "You know how to cast spells?" Harry asked, awed.

"I'm not good at everything," I admitted with a shrug. "But I do know a spell you could use yourself Harry."

I pointed my wand at the scotch tape on Harry's glasses. With a swish, I tapped the tape and said, "Oculus Reparo!"

The tape quickly swiveled away from its place on the glasses and disappeared. Harry blinked in amazement before putting his glasses on. He broke out into a large grin.

"Whoa!" Harry said.

"Bloody wicked!" Ron said.

I grinned. "I know a few others, but I can only perform simple charms. Transfiguration and other spells are too hard for me to do."

"Even my lenses are clean!" Harry said, still staring at his glasses.

I grinned smugly. "Well of course Harry! The great Arlina fixed it for you after all."

Ron looked at me weirdly. "The great Arlina?" He repeated.

"My dear Ronald, if you are to be my accomplice, you must know that I am far superior that you." I said in mock arrogance, posing a bit just to emphasize the point.

Ron burst out laughing. Harry rolled his eyes.

"How dare you insult me, you red headed mongrel!" I cried waving my wand. "Stand fool! I shall avenge my name!"

This only made Ron laugh harder. Even Harry started to laugh.

Seeing the joy and delight in the two boys faces, it was hard not to hope that I could become their friend. Even in this dark and cruel world, there was still some light and some hope somewhere.

I just wished that their innocence would last longer. It would be easier to pretend that way.

[A/N:] You all must be wondering what kind of story I'm probably writing. I think I'll give you a heads-up before I continue updating this story since I'm a pretty deep writier:

This story is going to focus on both the mindset of an adult and the body of a child, as what an SI OC really. Arlina is the type of character who would love to have a second chance in life, but would still deny that she ever died in the first place. She wants to keep memories of her previous life and her new one because she believes that she might lose her sole purpose in the world if she were to forget.

Arlina is the type of character who would mask all her anxiety and insecurities by using means of childish antics and immature behavior. This would also result to convincing herself that she really is a child of this world, and not a child from another. She wants to believe that she belongs in this world, but deep in her heart she knows she doesn't.

I would be focusing on the pros and the cons of having your childhood dream come true after your inevitable death, describing each with an underlying meaning. Most writers believe that a character who has everything to hide is the most mentally strong of the bunch.

I personally believe that saying, which is why I'm using Arlina as an example. I want to show you readers what it would really be like to be in a tight spot of another world, in which you clearly know about. It's not just fun and games.

Well, that's one hell of an author's note. Hope you read that all, because the meaning of this fanfic is already written there. Pretty much in a nutshell. Some readers are too dense to figure out, or some writers are too hidden to reveal the secrets. :P

Riseha: I really appreciate it that you took time to read my fanfics! :D I love reading your fanfics as well, but I'm really shy so I tend not to review. I'm particularly curious about Ria though, in your Zoldyck OC fanfiction. :)

Reviews are LOVE!