Chapter Four: Hogwart's Express

King's Cross Station was busy with Wizards and Muggles alike. Harry watched as Mrs. Weasley kissed her children good-bye. "Hello Harry," a friendly voice said from behind him. Harry slowly turned to see Mortifera standing there with Professor Snape at her side. "Hello Mortifera. Professor Snape," he said.

"Potter," Snape said sorely. "You best hurry onto the train Mortifera. I would hate for you to be left behind."

"I'll be right along, Uncle Severus," she said smiling. "Snape's your uncle," Harry said in disbelief. "A lot of people find it shocking," she admitted. "Would you like to sit with us on the train," Ron asked as he walked over to them. Before she could respond, Draco was at her side. "She's taken Weaselbey!"

"Malfoy," he asked. "But you're with Pansy."

They looked to see Pansy approaching. Mortifera could feel her eyes on burning a whole in her. "Apparently not," Hermione said a little amused making note of the look Pansy was now giving Draco and Mortifera. "It's a shame that you had to break up with Draco," one of the Slytherin girls said shooting a looking in their direction. "And now look at the company he's taken up with," a second one said taking note of Harry, Hermione and the Weasleys. "Like I would ever be friends with blood traitors and Mudbloods," Draco said in a harsh tone. Mortifera's eyes met his. "I'm warning you Malfoy," Ron said stepping in front of Hermione. "Take it back," Ron yelled. "Never," Draco said. Mortifera placed her hand on their shoulders like at the robe shop. She could feel them relaxing in her grip. "Draco, the train will be leaving soon. Go ahead and I'll catch up," Mortifera said with a coy smile. Draco, not looking pleased, did as she asked. "I apologize for Draco," she said. "It's no problem," Harry began. "We're use to it."

"And for that I am sorry. Some of us, don't feel then same way as the Malfoys do. It's not his fault. It was the way he was raised. I'm sure that one day he will see the error in his ways," she said with a smile. "I seriously doubt that," Harry said. "You must have faith, Harry. When all else fails us, it's the faith that keeps us going," Mortifera said before disappearing onto the train. Draco sat with Crabbe, Goyle, and Blaise. Pansy was also sitting with them pawning over Draco. "Please Draco," she said holding on to his arm. "Draco," Mortifera said with a sweet smile. Pansy quickly got up and moved to sit with Millicent. Mortifera quickly took the seat next to Draco. "It's good to see you back at Hogwarts," Blaise said. "Oh yes, we are all very thrilled," Pansy said in a mocking tone. "Piss off, Pansy," Draco said in an irritated tone. "I can't see what you see in her, Draco," Pansy continued. "Perhaps, Pansy," she began. "It's because I don't continue to push Draco after he has made his decision. And because I'm not a self centered obnoxious little prat like you!"

"No," Pansy said. "I could be because you are a bloody tart!"
"That's it," Draco said standing up. "You will take it back now!"

"No, Draco," she said placing her hand on his wrist. She could feel him relaxing. "I know what I am. I'm a talent witch. Pansy's always been jealous of me, haven't you?"

"That's it," Pansy began. "Stupify."

With her wand drawn, Mortifera simply flicked the spell away. "You have a lot to learn," she said with a smile. Pansy quickly got up and began patrolling the train. "She's insufferable," Draco said annoyed at Pansy. Severus walked over to them. "Is everything alright?"

"Yes, Uncle Severus," she said. "I was just demonstrating the proper way to defend with non-verbal spells."

"Well," Severus said. "Why not wait til we arrive and let the professors do the teaching?"

"Of course, uncle," she smiled. "I think I need a spot of air," Mortifera said as she stood up. Draco went to stand up and accompany her. "No, Draco," she began. "Enjoy your friends. I will be fine on the train. No danger to me here," she smiled.

Harry sat starring out the window. Sirius's words echoed in his head. Take warning. The Queen of Slytherin will return. Now that they were finally alone he decided to tell them about his dream. He recounted the dream from the beginning. Hermione finally spoke. "The Queen of Slytherin," she asked.

"That's what he said," Harry confirmed. "I've never heard of a Queen of Slytherin," Hermione said. "I have," Ron admitted. Harry and Hermione looked at him. "So have you Ginny," Ron turned to his sister as he spoke. "Fred and George use to talk about the Slytherin girl they knew on the Quidditch team. They called her the Queen of Slytherin," Ron began. "I asked Fred once why they called her the Queen of Slytherin and all he said was that she was the complete opposite of what you would expect the 'Queen of Slytherin' to be. George said she was beautiful and that most the boys in Hogwarts wanted a go at her."

"Charming Ronald," Hermione finally said.

"His words not mine," Ron smiled. He saw the jealousy in her eyes when he spoke of the beautiful Queen. "George said that she was warm, loving, merciful, and forgiving. He said that when she walked into a room that was once filled with hostility that her presence seemed to brighten the room and the hostility seemed to fade away."

Hermione's jaw dropped at his last words. "Harry," she began. "I know who the 'Queen' is."

"How," Ron asked. "It's not that hard, Ronald, honestly. Think. There's a returning Slytherin at Hogwarts this year, who has for the past four years been absent. When you two were in a hostile situation with Draco, Mortifera seemed to make it disappear when she walked into the room and especially when she touched Draco."

"Of course," Ginny said with a smile. "Harry, Sirius was warning you about her coming back. This has to mean something."

"Do you honestly feel that she's a threat, if anything she's an ally," Harry spoke.

"Ginny's right, Harry," Hermione said looking at him. "The dream could have been a warning of her return."

"But why would she be any danger to us," Harry asked. He couldn't wrap his head around it. He stood up. "Where you going," Ron asked. "I need to think for a bit. Don't worry I'll be back," Harry said before he walked out of the cart. Maybe they are right, Harry thought to himself. But I just don't see how Mortifera is any danger to me or them. It's all a bit ridiculous. I mean even Fred and George liked her and they hate the Slytherins as much as any other Gryffindor. We are just being silly, the voice in his head said as he walked down the train corridor. "Harry," Mortifera's voice pulled him from his thoughts. Harry looked up to see her standing in front of him. "Hey Mortifera," he said smiling. "Please, it's Fera," she said. "Mortifera feels so formal. All my friends just call me Fera."

"Okay," he said. "What are you doing wondering the train," she asked. "I thought that you'd be with your friends."

"I need to clear my head. What about you," he asked.

"Same thing. It's hell sharing a cart with Pansy," she admitted.

"Yeah, I bet. Can I ask you something," he began.

"Anything," Mortifera smiled. "You and Draco?"

"Yes, I know. What's a nice girl like me doing with Draco?"

"Something like that," Harry smiled. "Our families have known each other for years. We grew up together. We were best friends and then I left for Hogwarts when I turned 11. Draco was miserable without me and I was miserable without him, though there were hundreds of boys who tried to occupy my mind while I was here without him that first year. I didn't really fit with the Slytherin's but centuries of my family had been sorted there so I obliged and allowed myself to be sorted. Though I stayed close with two Gryffindor who always seemed to be in trouble in some form or fashion," she smiled.

"Fred and George," Harry asked.

"They always seemed to find a way into detention with my uncle. I would volunteer to help him just so that we could hang out without eyes on us. It became harder and harder. I think Uncle Severus suspected something so we had to do secret meetings. They told me about a map they had once found and suggested that we make our own names. And yes, I am the 'Queen' of Slytherin. As dubbed by Fred and George," she said. Harry looked dumbfounded. "How'd you know?"

"In case you haven't noticed yet Harry, I'm not like most students here at Hogwarts. I can do things that most wizards and witches take years even lifetimes attempting to accomplish. I don't understand my talents most times, but I'm proud that I have them."

"You are the most amazing person I've ever met," Harry smiled. Mortifera puts her hand on his shoulder. As she does, their minds race to another place. Harry and Mortifera stand looking around. They look to see Hermione, Neville, Ron, Ginny and Luna in the hands of the Death Eaters. Mortifera looks at Harry in horror. Harry turns to see Voldemort approaching them. Harry's dream rushed back to him. "Run Harry," the same words echoed through his head, this time they were Mortifera's not Ginny. Harry looked at her with questioning eyes. "There's no need for us both to die. Get help and hurry back," Mortifera said. "There's no need for either of you to die," Voldemort said in a twisted smile. "Not yet anyways."

Mortifera stood there staring at him. "Haven't enough died already to keep you safe," he said walking to her and rubbing her cheek. "You were quite hard to find."

"What do you want," Mortifera spoke.

"You," Voldemort said. "You have such valuable power. I want you to join me."

"And Harry and my friends?"

"I will release the lesser, but I'm afraid that Harry here has to die."

"I will not allow that," she said in a stern protective voice. "Don't be unreasonable," Voldemort's voice echoed through her.

"I don't think it's unreasonable."

"Would you trade his life for the life of someone you loved?"

Voldemort motioned for Bellatrix to bring someone forward. Mortifera's face turned pale as she gazed into the eyes of Bellatrix's nephew, Draco. "Mortifera," Draco's voice called them from the dream. Mortifera stared at Harry. Draco placed his hand on Mortifera's shoulder drawing her gaze to him. He could see the same pale look on her face as Harry. "Are you alright? What have you done to her, Potter," Draco said in anger. "Nothing, Draco," Mortifera finally spoke. "Come on," she began as she turned him away from Harry. "Let's head back to our cart and let Harry return to his friends."

If I can distance myself from him, she thought. Then none of this will happen. But I mustn't just leave him like this.

She started looking around frantic-like to draw Draco's attention. "What is it, 'Fera," Draco asked. "I dropped the Slytherin pin my father gave to me. I'll be right back."

Mortifera rushed back to where Harry stood. "Harry," she began speaking quickly. "I think it would be best to keep our distance to keep the events we witnessed from occurring."

She smiled slightly then rushed back to Draco.