Kings Cross bustled from end to end with students trying to get into Platform 9 and 3/4, as well as Muggle pedestrians going about their day to day life. I was eager to get to school, my head filled with questions and an urge to visit the music room. I hadn't had a strange dream since the one in Crete, but I was still wary. I brought my necklace with me in my trunk.

I hoped to take it to Dumbledore at some point, thinking he might know of it's origins. I bid goodbye to my father, who, like me, was looking just a little more tan and sunburnt than before the summer had begun.

"Don't get into too much trouble," he advised. "But if you do, I want to hear about it."

"Of course," I assured him. He ruffled my hair affectionately before we parted ways.

I hauled my trunk onto the train, looking around for anyone I could sit with. The first few compartments were older students, mostly prefects. Around the middle I found Hermione and a red-haired girl I could only assume to be Ginny, Ron's younger and only sister.

"Lila!" Hermione exclaimed. Only then did I realize the two of them seemed quite distraught. Ginny was nearly in tears, and Hermione's lips were red from her biting them.

"Oh dear," I closed the door behind us. "What's wrong?"

"Let's get your luggage in first," Hermione suggested lightly, allowing Ginny to gather her bearings. The three of us lifted it with some difficulty.

"This feels heavier than last year," she murmured. Well, I expected it would be. I'd brought along a few extra belongings, but did not bother mentioning them. I was more concerned with why they seemed so upset.

"Harry and Ron didn't make it through," Hermione fretted. My eyebrows shot up at the news. Didn't make it? Meaning—

"So they can't get on the train? They can't get to school?" I too became worried. What were they going to do? They couldn't just not come to school. Surely something would be arranged, right?

"It's all my fault." Ginny put her face in her hands. "I wanted to make sure I had my journal."

"No, don't blame yourself," Hermione shook her head, patting her back comfortingly. "Fred and George took a long while as well. Even I had left one of my books behind."

I tried to smile comfortingly at Ginny. "Don't worry! I have dozens of empty journals. You absolutely could borrow one of mine."

"It's okay, I have it," Ginny shook her head and suddenly closed herself off, looking down. "And thanks, but I really like this one."

Hermione and I exchanged a look. "That's alright. I understand."

The door slid open, and the three of us looked up hopefully. I felt a scowl come to my lips as I met the eyes of Draco Malfoy.

"Disappointed to see me, Holmes?" He asked, taunting me. I sighed.

"As always," I frowned at him. "What do you want?"

"A clean compartment, but I suppose that's impossible to find," he surveyed the compartment. "Two mudbloods and a Weasley who probably has fleas."

"You're so predictable, Malfoy," Hermione said with an eye roll. "Your insults are the same every time."

While Hermione and I were unfazed, Ginny looked rather uncomfortable. Malfoy noticed this and quickly picked on her.

"Those robes look like they could do with some fixing," Malfoy said, ignoring us. "How many brothers have those gone through before you?"

Crabbe and Goyle laughed at this.

"Your nose looks like it could do with some fixing, Malfoy, perhaps just a little to the left." Ginny balled up her fist. "I'd be happy to do the honors."

I was stunned at how quick she was to turn from shy to fiery. Her ears were a giveaway though — they turned red like Ron's did.

"You wouldn't dare, Weasley." Malfoy sneered at her, though I could see he was intimidated.

"Ron gave you a black eye, I wouldn't stick around to find what his sister could do to you." I said, Ginny's resolve strengthening. Hermione nodded from beside me in agreement, though her lips were pursed. She would not want a fight, I knew.

"Where is he anyway?" Malfoy deflected our threat by changing the subject.

"I thought maybe you'd have something to say about that," I said accusingly. "Approximately what time did you arrive at the station?"

"I don't have to answer to you," he snapped. "But we just got here, that's why we're looking for a compartment without scum such as yourselves."

"You wouldn't know disgraceful if it stared you in the face, Malfoy, which it does when you look in the mirror every morning," I crossed my arms. "You haven't seen Harry or Ron?"

"No. I hope they got stuck with the Muggles and I never have to see them again," he scowled.

"Well then you'd best be on your way now. I'm sure you have other people to frighten with that disgraceful face of yours." I rolled my eyes, pushing the door of the compartment shut in his face. I thought he was going to reopen it to throw a few last insults, but he didn't.

"Imagine being that much of a prick," Hermione grimaced. "You handled that very well Ginny."

"We've never liked the Malfoy's," Ginny shook her head. "Ron will be livid it wasn't him that said it."

I laughed, knowing Ron would love to hear about Neville knocking over his dad. "Hopefully Ron's alright. Do you think they'll make it?"

"I sure hope so," Hermione said nervously. "I'm sure they'll find a way. They always do. You think the'll owl the school?"

"That's the obvious option," I frowned. "But neither of them are known for taking the obvious route."

We sat in nervous silence again.

At some point during the train ride I fell asleep. I wasn't expecting to wake up on the floor again, but unfortunately I did. This time, there was daylight streaming through the windows of the school. I quickly stood and brushed myself off, trying to look as inconspicuous as possible. When I looked down at myself this time, I was wearing my school robes. At least I could blend in.

Once again, the same violin melody streamed through the halls. They were strangely empty. I wondered where the other students had gone. Perhaps it was the holidays.

Instead of hiding, I pushed the door open and closed it behind me. The girl stopped mid-piece, now turning to face me. She frowned, perplexed, when we made eye contact. Her features seemed less striking in the daylight. Kinder, and more human.

"It's you again," she remarked. "Why is it always you?"

"I don't know. I just wake up on the floor," I told her with a shrug. Her expression changed. She laughed at this, and it was a light, musical sound.

"I never asked your name," she said to me, the question implied.

"Lila," I said. "Yours?"

"Anne," she replied. After a moment, she added, "I almost thought I'd created an imaginary friend. Are you a ghost?"

"I should ask the same of you. You're older than I am," I said. At her puzzled expression, I added, "by about 50 years."

"Oh." Anne blinked. "So you are from the future. I'd figured, but I also entertained the idea that you were just a figment of my imagination and a lack of sleep."

"I had pretty similar thoughts about you," I agreed. The fact that she didn't seem surprised by my origins brought me even more questions.

"How did you come across my necklace?" She asked. In the dream, I was wearing it even when I knew it was in my trunk on the train.

"An antique shop in Greece," I told her. Anne hummed pleasantly.

"I've never been to Greece, but I've heard it's lovely," she smiled, touching her own necklace. "Mine was given to me as a gift by my —" she paused, her cheeks going pink. "My friend Myrtle."

The name sounded familiar, but it was a common name so I paid that matter no mind. I had more pressing questions to ask.

"Does it have any magical properties?" I asked her. She chuckled at this.

"Not yet. At least that I know of," she mused. "Myrtle's a muggle-born and she got it from a Muggle shop. Perhaps I imbue it with some charm later on in life. Who knows?"

"Nobody but your future self, I suppose," I said to her. She shrugged at this, seeming rather unbothered with the interaction. Much less flustered than the last time we'd met. This time I seemed to have caught her a little less off guard.

Without another word, she resumed playing the violin, picking up where she'd left off. As beautiful as the music was, I couldn't help but feel as though something was missing. To say that Anne was lackluster in talent would be a lie, but I couldn't quite place what was wrong.

I just closed my eyes and let myself listen. That is, until I felt myself being shaken awake.

"Come on, Lila. There's only a few minutes before we get to the castle."

I woke blearily. Hermione had shaken me awake to change. I felt nauseous, but better than the first time I'd woken up from the dream. I sighed as I slipped on my robes and folded my Muggle clothes neatly on top of my luggage. The train whistled to a stop.

The three of us walked outside of the train together. We bid goodbye to Ginny, who had to go by boat with Hagrid and the other first years. Hagrid was very pleased to see us, but I watched him look around for Ron and Harry.

"They weren't on the train," Hermione explained. "Ginny believes that the gate closed before they could get there."

"Darn thing always closes too early," Hagrid shook his head. "I reckon they'll get here somehow. Dumbledore'd never let school go on without 'em."

We nodded, our hopes beginning to rise. We walked together to the carriages. Hermione and I squeezed ourselves into a carriage with Parvati and Lavender, who were more thrilled to see us than we were them.

"We heard you went to Greece!" Parvati said to me excitedly. "How was that?"

"Beautiful," I said, though I was still feeling groggy from waking up. "I think I might still be jetlagged."

Hermione shot me an odd look but did not say anything, instead taking over to talk about her summer. I leaned against the wall of the carriage and closed my eyes. I wasn't intending to sleep, as the school wasn't that far away, but maybe I could rest a little while longer to dim some of the nausea.

Unfortunately, we reached the castle too quickly. I looked around after we got out of the carriage, but there was still no sign of Ron or Harry. I frowned. Parvati and Lavender seemed to notice this as well.

"Where are Harry and Ron?" Lavender asked. " I didn't even notice you all weren't together."

"I don't think they ever made it on the train," Hermione said nervously. "Ginny reckons the barrier might have closed before they could get through."

"Oh no," Parvati's eyes widened. "They'll get here somehow I'm sure. I mean, Harry has a broom, right?"

Hermione's face hardened sharply. "And risk Muggles seeing them? I doubt they'd be that stupid. Surely they've owled the school or something."

"I hope so," I rubbed my temples. The nausea was turning into a headache.

We followed the other students into the Great Hall, taking a seat at the Gryffindor table. As worried as I was about Ron and Harry, it felt good to be at my second home. I took in the starry ceiling, and let the buzz of chatter resonate in my ears. I breathed out. I was feeling better. Things would be alright.

We listened to the Sorting and Dumbeldore's speech while looking around for the two boys. Ginny was happily Sorted into Gryffindor. During the feast, the doors of the Great Hall opened. However, to my disappointment, it was merely the Weasley twins and Lee Jordan. Once they caught sight of us, they quickly sneaked around to come speak to us. They seemed giddy with excitement. They caught sight of Ginny sitting with us and their excitement grew.

"Glad to see you made it, Ginny," George patted her on the back.

"We're really proud of you," said Fred. "Sorry we couldn't watch, we were busy trying to get Snape to resign."

"We were going to plant some Dungbombs in Snape's office, and you'll never believe what he was saying to Ron and Harry!" George grinned devilishly. My ears perked up.

"They flew a car into the Whomping Willow!" Lee Jordan exclaimed.

"They WHA—" Hermione began to cut in.

"Why are they in Snape's office?" I asked.

"He probably caught them," George said gleefully. "But no matter. They're legendary, aren't they?"

"Reckon dad'll be livid," Fred shook his head. "It was his flying car you know."

"Were they seen?" Hermione's face had become pale, and she'd taken on a shrill tone. Things were not looking well for her, though I was more afraid of what she'd do to Harry and Ron.

"Snape was saying that they'd been reported by some Muggles," Lee Jordan's eyes were wide with wonder. "But surely they've been taken care of. And they flew it into the Whomping Willow! The nastiest tree on the grounds."

"I'm impressed," Seamus remarked. Our whole section of the Gryffindor table had been listening in.

"Impressed?!" Hermione exclaimed. "Do you have any idea how much trouble they could be in? If Snape found them they'll be expelled in an instant."

"He can't expel them," Fred and George said simultaneously.

"They saved our arses last year. You would know that especially, Hermione," George continued.

"And only Dumbledore and McGonagall have the power to expel them," Dean said. "I don't think they would."

Ginny sighed. "I feel terrible. I'm part of the reason we were so late in the first place."

"So were we," Fred and George reassured her.

"And besides, we've made them legends. Though, I guess, they already were." Fred patted her on the back.

"When we get back to the common room, we're all going to wait until they get there and congratulate them," Lee said excitedly.

"I doubt they did it for attention," I piped in, hoping to soothe Hermione's fuming expression. "I just think they panicked and did the first thing they thought of. And we probably shouldn't congratulate them for damaging school property either—"

"Trust me Lila, that tree is bad news," George shook his head. "If you got too close to it it would pick you up and throw you around. It's just a nasty old thing made of roots and branches."

"It really deserved to be hit back," Fred added.

"I'll have no part of it," Hermione shook her head.

"You're really going to go to bed without saying hello?" I nudged her with my shoulder. She seemed to reconsider.

"Fine, but I'm having a word with them," she grimaced.

After the feast, we waited for them in the common room. Dean and I sat together on the arm of one of the armchairs, facing the portrait hole, while Hermione sat in the chair itself, staring angrily into the fireplace with her arms crossed against her chest. I thought she herself might burst into flames.

Finally, the painting swung open, and the two boys walked in, looking rather tired and confused. The room began to clap and cheer, including Dean. I rolled my eyes, but I settled for a clap as well. Hermione looked relieved to see them, but didn't applaud. They received several pats on the back as they walked over to us.

"You're not telling me you actually flew here," Hermione said, her tone very similar to McGonagall's. "You're very lucky you haven't been expelled. Honestly, why didn't you owl? I expected so much better from—"

"Despite your questionable choice, we're happy to see you," I said, covering Hermione's mouth to stifle her rant. She finally quit talking, but was still irritable when I took away my hand. Harry and Ron looked genuinely scared.

"Thank you, Lila, and Hermione," Harry nodded to both of us.

"Between you and me, I'm very impressed," Dean whispered. I elbowed him.

"Don't encourage them," I scolded.