You Only Live Once

CHAPTER 3

 Once more Mira found herself walking among a stranger, she already knew, through endless corridors and stairs. Stairs that moved. A few people floated by. Yes, floated. She had seen enough to understand where she was. It became more and more real each step she took . She couldn't deny it any longer , no dream felt like that, no dream ever was so clear. In no dream ever could she feel what she felt. After a while she decided to finally speak, silence wouldn't get her anywhere.

"Are you..." she started looking at the woman nex to to her. Oh but she couldn't possibly ask that, it sounded mad.

"Yes, dear?" the woman asked her looking at her through her glasses.

"Are you Professor McGonagall?" she finally asked

The woman stopped one her tracks glancing at Mira curiously. "Yes. Yes I am" she finally replied making Mira's heart drop to the floor. "How do you know?"

"I know everything"

"What does everything include?"

"Look , Professor. Where I come from ,Hogwarts is fictional. There are books , characters, movies. I know some of the most important students, families, subjects, professors, events. Events! Up to 40 years from now. I also know things that happened centuries before now. I know everything because I've read everything. So when we get up to that tower I will already know where to go , how it looks, who occupies it. I can tell Lupin to go to Dumbledore's office myself. I just know everything" Mira was now breathing heavily. She hadn't rally spoken in quite a while, the shock of the situation was too much. But she had to talk, let out all she knew.

"You do?" McGonagall asked . She looked like she had been struck. And she might as well had, It's not everyday someone tells you your life was nothing but fiction to them. Mira could only nod. Professor McGonagall did the same before she linked her arm with Mira's so they would climb up the stairs.

Mira understood they had arrived at their destination once she saw the portrait of the fat lady, who was currently sleeping. She almost felt bad they would wake her, but it was her job. She also knew that it wasn't the first time someone had interrupted her sleep, not with the Marauders in Hogwarts. But of course. The Marauders. The would all be there. They were all still alive. The was hadn't gotten the best of them yet. The more she thought about it , dread filled her thoughts. Questions that she had never had to go through before. Would they like her? Would they even speak to her? She knew so much about them and yet they didn't even know she existed. Would she get to meet them?

"Fortuna major" McGonagall said , waking up the lady in the portrait. She just yawned without saying a word before she opened the door wide for them to pass.

"Recycling passwords I see" Mira chuckled to herself.

"What did you say, dear?"

"Oh just that... you'll use that password again.. in the future. In about sixteen years if I'm not mistaken"

"Well my little old brain can't think of a huge variety of passwords I guess" McGonagall gave her a small smile. "So I still teach in the future?"

"Of course you do Minnie!" the nickname had slipped Mira's lips before she could think about it. "Ummm, sorry it's just-"

"I know just the right people for you" McGonagall laughed and at that moment Mira could see why she was almost everyone's favourite. "Welcome to the Gryffindor common room"

It was majestic. Even better that the movies had shown. Even better that the books had descried. She had imagined herself inside the room a million times and yet no daydream could be and feel as beautiful. For some reason the fire in the fireplace was burning despite it being the summer. If she could, Mira would just stay there and explore every little corner. Enjoy every little thing the Gryffindor common room had to offer.

"Beautiful isn't it?" McGonagall asked with a fond smile on her face , watching Mira look around in complete awe. "Let's get up to the girls' dormitories. I'm sure we'll find you some clothes...and someone closer to your age to keep you company"

Mira followed the woman up the stairs to the girls' dormitories and they stopped in front of a wooden door which read 'Sixth year'. McGonagall gave a knock on the door and once again Mira felt bad that someone had to wake up that early in the morning to accommodate her. The door opened wide not a second later by a visibly angry blonde who still had her eyes closed and her hair was a mess. "Bloody hell Potter! How many times should I tell you that Lily's-" suddenly a hand covered her mouth and a red-headed girl appeared behind her.

"Miss McKinon , Miss Evans, the best of mornings to you too" the older woman said trying to look strict and professional, although her growing smile mirrored Mira's already wide one.

"Good morning professor" the two girl greeted with huge smiles plastered on their faces.
"Right. I wondered if you could give some clothes to Mira here, she's... new. Maybe keep her some company, accompany her to the Great Hall for breakfast."

"Absolutely! Come on ... Mira get in. I'm Lily by the way." the red-head replied extending her hand for Mira to shake. Mira just stood there watching the girl in front of her. It was like meeting a celebrity. McGonagall cleared her throat before saying "Excuse her, she's just a little shy is all" which was enough for Mira to get back to reality.

'Umm yea, sorry." she shook Lily's hand. "I'm Mira"

"Don't ask too many questions you two. Everything will be answered...hopefully" McGonagall said the last part under her breath.

"We wouldn't dream of it Professor." Marlene said almost sounding offended, before taking Mira's hand and guiding her inside the room. "So where are you from, your accent's a little weird"

"Keep her in check, will you miss Evans? "

" Always" Lily smiled before closing the door.