You Only Live Once

CHAPTER 6

 "So... crazy story" Mira started, her voice echoing slightly in the quiet Lupin kitchen. She picked at the edge of her napkin, not knowing how to say all she wanted to say without sounding like she had completely lost her mind.

"You don't say. Time travel? Another dimension? Even for a witch, that is... weird" Lily replied. She was leaning forward, her chin resting in her hands. She looked more curious than afraid, which gave Mira the courage to keep going.

"What if I told you I'm not a witch?" Mira asked.

Lily just stared at the younger girl in confusion. "You're a muggle?"

"Yeah, she is. Look, Lily, you're about to hear some pretty weird things. Just... don't freak out, okay?" Remus told his friend. He reached out and gave Mira's hand a supportive squeeze, trying to prepare Lily for the truth. Lily nodded, her green eyes wide and eager to learn what was really going on.

So Mira explained everything. She told her that she had been sent there on the day they first met in the dormitory. She explained how she was from another time and a completely different place where magic only existed in stories. She confessed that she knew all about them—their birthdays, their secrets, and the heavy things that would happen to them in the years to come. Saying all of this out once made Mira feel like she was going crazy. It was a unique experience to say the least, standing in a room with people who were icons in her world but were breathing, living teenagers in this one.

"Dumbledore said I must not meddle with time, of course. Typical" Mira added with a roll of her eyes.

"I don't think it is typical, Mira" Remus replied with a small smile.

"Well, it is for me. I've read fan fiction about it back home. A muggle girl coming here, traveling through time. But usually, she doesn't just appear out of nowhere. Also, she usually ends up actually being a witch in the end"

"What is fan fiction?" Remus asked.

"It's right there in the word, Remmy" Mira pointed out, nodding toward Remus who just looked puzzled.

Lily still hadn't uttered a word after the main explanation. Mira imagined it was a lot to take in all at once. To be told your whole life was a story in another world would be a shock for anyone. No one could blame her for the silence. Mira just hoped Dumbledore had already informed the Potters of the situation so she wouldn't have to describe her entire life story again once she moved houses.

"Who was your favorite?" Lily asked in a serious tone, out of nowhere.

"What?" Mira blinked.

"We were fictional to you, right? That's why you froze up when we met. You knew us. So, who was your favorite character?" Lily said. Her voice was more casual now, and she leaned back in her chair with a playful glint in her eyes.

"Yeah, come to think of it, you must have had a favorite" Remus added. He turned his head to look at her curiously, a smirk playing on his lips.

"Well... I'm not telling you" Mira stated firmly. She crossed her arms, feeling a blush creep up her neck. 

"Oh, we'll get it out of you at some point" Remus said. He leaned back in his chair too, crossing his arms just like she had.

"So... you'll stay?" Lily asked, her voice softening.

"Dumbledore said I have to stay for at least two years until he figures out how to get me back. He said something about planetary cycles or magical currents... so you're kinda stuck with me, I'm afraid"

"Oh, I'm afraid you're stuck with us" Lily laughed. She stood up and walked around the table to sit next to Mira, giving her a warm side hug. "Welcome home, Mira"