Chapter Eleven - A Dangerous Game

Just like with Diagon Alley, Sally was way more excited than I was about my magical school. She made it no secret that she wished to go too. Unfortunately, she was not only an adult but a muggle as well. Though who could blame her for staring at everything with wide eyes. She made it onto platform 9 3/4 , which I didn't know was possible for muggles.

"You have to write to me. Promise me you'll write. An owl will still deliver mail to me even though I'm not magic, right?" Sally played the part of a worried parent perfectly.

"Of course.", I assured her. Despite her worry, she still looked excited and happy for me. I was too worried to experience excitement. I kept my head down, only lifting it to look for threats. The odds of being attacked here were slim, but that didn't bring me much comfort.

I spotted the silver-haired Malfoy dropping off his son. He looked my way briefly, then wrinkled his nose as if the stench of muggle-borns assaulted him. I lowered my head in response. I hated people like him, but I didn't need any attention on me. I already had nightmares about my supposed to be dead status making its way through the Death Eaters. That nightmare always ends with me surrounded by a ring of Death Eaters taking me apart limb by limb, just to be sure I'd stay dead. I did not want that to ever be a reality.

"I love you. I know you're scared, but you're strong, and I believe in you." Sally dragged me into a hug, and I couldn't help but smile at her when we separated.

"I love you too. I won't go anywhere alone, and I'll write as often as I can." I leaned in for another hug. Sally only squeezed me tighter. A piece of her curly hair brushed against my lips. "Mmm yum, hair", I joked. Sally chuckled and let go. I made a show of putting on a yuk face. This only made Sally laugh more.

"Alright, time to go." I took that as my cue to board the train. I was almost out of time.

My interaction with Sally made me feel much better, and so I boarded smiling and laughing quietly to myself. Most of the cars were already full of people I didn't know. I finally came across the car with people I could trust. Four people already sat in the car. Opening the door, I prayed to every God I could think of.

"Hi. I see you're full, but my only other option is with a group of racist Slytherins." I hoped this would earn me some brownie points.

"Yeah, okay." Neville shrugged, and Ginny slid over to make room. I quickly stowed my trunk and took a seat, resting my copy of The Dark Forces: A Guide to Self-protection in my lap.

"I'm Tracy Miller, 5th year Ravenclaw.", I introduced myself.

Ginny was the first to reciprocate. "Ginny Weasly." She held out her hand. Tentatively, I shook it. Her long, vivid, ginger hair made her identity obvious to me even if she hadn't introduced herself.

"Neville Longbottom, also 5th year." He gingerly extended his hand. I gave it a polite shake. I only recognized Neville by his proximity to the group and shy demeanor. He had blond hair styled neatly. His face and body were mildly chubby. He looked shorter than I expected. I had always pictured him taller. Harry, on the other hand, was easily the most recognizable. He had black, wild hair and his bright green eyes were framed with large, round lenses. The tail end of his scar was visible under his fringe despite his efforts to hide it. He didn't look at me. Instead, he looked out the window.

Believe it or not, I wasn't here for them. Well not entirely.

"Hi, Luna. Nice to see you again." I waved to Luna as she peeked over her magazine. She had long, very light, dirty-blonde hair that looked straggly and lazily maintained. Her gray eyes looked at me quizzically for a moment, then she disappeared behind her magazine.

Ginny broke the awkward silence. "I see you already know Luna. She's in my year, but you're in her house, so that makes sense." She scratched at her head nervously. She quickly decided to change the focus. "And of course you know Harry here, everybody does" I nodded to him and began playing with my braid.

I didn't know what to say to him yet. I tried to come up with what I could say that didn't sound too creepy or crazy. I recognized anything I said would sound bizarre. I was so lost in thought I didn't notice when the conversation carried on without me. I had eventually decided on what I'd say but struggled to muster up the courage to say it. Should I say anything at all?

Ginny nudged my shoulder. I instantly became alert. Everyone was looking at me. "We were just asking you what you did this summer.", asked Neville.

"Not much. I grew up." My answer was vague, and the group quickly lost interest in me. The conversation continued around me, and their voices dissolved into white noise. I opened my book and started to read. I couldn't actually concentrate enough to understand what I was reading, but it excused me from the social obligations.

It wasn't long before my ears started to ring. I came to this car to be with Luna. I wanted to be her friend. She doesn't like you. She didn't even talk to you. But I hadn't really tried. I am always my worst enemy. Who needs bullies when I can just tell myself how worthless I am? The group was laughing. I'm not even present here.

Thoomp Thoomp Thoomp

I can't breathe.

You're going to look crazy now.

Thoomp Thoomp Thoomp

I can't do this. I need to…

I jumped up and threw open the compartment door. My book fell to the floor. I clutched at my chest. Cho was approaching. "Go away.", I yelled at her. She came closer.

Thoomp Thoomp Thoomp

I am worthless. I can't even…

My ears rang louder. SNAP OUT OF IT! A clear voice echoed in my skull. In front of me I saw a flicker of a silhouette, translucent like a ghost. Look, it's my friends, the same clear voice spoke in my mind. The silhouette flickered. I could see an arm outstretched, pointing behind Cho. Two girls I didn't recognize were rushing down the aisle.

"Tracy, there you are. We looked for you. Are you alright?" One of the girls brushed by Cho and put her hand on my shoulder. "Come on, sit with us. We can take care of whatever is going on."

My breath came easier, and the ringing was subsiding in my ears. I saw the ghostly figure again, ever so briefly. I looked behind me to see Ginny standing, a worried expression on her face. The others were still seated, looking either confused or concerned. I locked eyes with Harry. I suddenly got the impression that I needed to say my piece now, or I might never get the chance. I wanted to help stop the war before it consumed the entire wizarding world. I needed them to trust me. If I left like this now, no one would take me seriously.

"I believe you about You-Know-Who. I've seen things, war and loss. Things that don't need to happen. I can stop it. Let me help you." I saw a spark of recognition in his eyes at my declaration. He looked like he wanted to speak. "Not now." I gestured to the onlookers. He nodded with understanding.

I turned back around to see the girl grabbing my trunk. She gave me a questioning look. Ginny tapped me on my arm and handed me my book. "Thanks." I forced a smile as I gave her my gratitude. It wasn't just for returning my book. It was for putting up with me.

I let the girls lead me to their compartment. Inside was a boy. He practically jumped up when he saw us. "You found her!", he said excitedly. He had short, dirty-blond hair with bangs neatly combed. His eyes were squinted so tightly as he smiled, I couldn't tell what color they were. He was wearing his school robes already, excluding the tie. Ravenclaw, I noted, noticing the crest. He scooched over, and I sat down in the empty space.

The girls both took their seats across from us after ditching my trunk in the overhead compartment.

"What happened? Jocelyn and I have been writing to you, but the owls keep returning the letters." She looked concerned. I didn't really know what to say. The girls looked like sisters. Both had curly, blonde hair and obviously similar facial structure. The one who had called out to me was definitely older. The younger one wore a school robe with Hufflepuff colors. The older one wore a yellow blouse with a sunflower on it and a long, pleated, brown skirt.

"I've been in Mungo's.", I supplied. I knew I was going to have to tell them. I felt my eyes start to water. I tried to come up with the words. How do I tell someone that my family was gone? The older one suddenly sat up straighter.

"It was you!", she exclaimed. "I'm so sorry. It was in the paper. A muggle-born family… I didn't think… Ohh Merlin." Her sister looked shocked. The boy, Jocelyn, put his arm around me in a comforting manner.

We all sat silently for a while, unwilling to talk. "I'm still here for you." Jocelyn gave a light squeeze. I stayed silent.

The younger one broke the silence. "What happened back there? You told Potter that you saw things… " She paused, then added as if an afterthought, "It was odd. What war?" Her eyes drifted upwards.

"It was a dream.", I lied. Earlier I had decided prophetic dreams would be the most believable explanation.

I described the battle at Hogwarts, excluding its conclusion. Their faces grew pale as I spoke. They then asked questions. When did the dreams start? Who else have I told? Is that why I was targeted? I told them that it started while I was in Mungo's, that I haven't told anyone else, and that no, it didn't cause the attack, because it only started after I was in the hospital.

"It could be just the stress. Considering what happened…" The younger one started to pick apart my story.

Jocelyn interrupted. "Victoria, not now.", he scolded.

"But she's right. This kind of thing can mess people up. Remember Aunt Barb? She was never the same after the accident." The older sister pushed on, reaserting her sister's idea.

"Yes, I know, but we should still… If that happens and we didn't listen…" Jocelyn kept defending me, even suggesting that they would rather believe I was just traumatized and crazy than believe the school would be attacked. I couldn't blame them. They kept arguing. The girls eventually asked if I saw anything else that could support the validity of my visions, as they referred to them. I really shouldn't have told them as much as I did, so I told them no, I didn't see anything else and that maybe they were right.

"Just tell me if you see anything else. Tracy, Valery, you two should get into your robes. We're almost there." Jocelyn gestured out the window. It was getting dark.

Later, on the carriage ride, I noted that I wasn't going to tell them anything else. I made a mistake. For now at least I needed to keep this from them. I just prayed that Harry would come find me before he tells half the Gryffindor common room. This was a dangerous game. The fewer players the better.