One of A Kind

Chapter 2: Secrets

Avril Nicholson knew her life was about to change forever. She was on her way to the greatest school of witchcraft and wizardry in the world. Or, at least, most people seemed to think of Hogwarts in those terms. Well, if those boys were examples of the male population, it can't be all bad, she thought to herself with a smirk. Yes, they were definitely cute. All four of them. Three were red- heads, one taller than the others. But that girl with the brown hair obviously has her eye on him. Not that she would ever admit it, of course. Too much pride. So, whether he knows it or not, he is taken.

If there was one thing Avril knew, it was how to read people. That had been one of the first signs that she was, well...different. She saw things that others couldn't see. She thought back to the other boy, the one she had run into. Dark, untidy hair; glasses, yeah, but for him they worked; and beneath them were the most beautiful eyes she had ever seen. Vivid, emerald green, full of pain and uncertainty. He was living in the past, she knew, a past full of horrible grief. As she pictured him, his pain came flooding through her. Images filled her head, strange and foreign, but all too familiar. High, chilling laughter; the gaunt, haunted face of his godfather; beady, watery eyes; a handsome boy with a blank, cold face; a pale face streaked with tears; a blinding flash of green light, and unbearable, searing pain. She was aware of a piercing shriek. Then everything went black.

Harry was deep in conversation with Ron and Hermione when a scream rang out, cutting through the atmosphere like a knife. Their eyes met for an instant before they were on their feet. They opened the door to every compartment, drawing a few annoyed and apprehensive glances. Harry's heart was pounding against his ribs. He didn't even know what he was looking for, or if he wanted to find it. He was so lost in his thoughts that he barely heard Hermione when she shouted,

"Harry, Ron, get over here at once!"

However, his legs obeyed on their own, and he found himself standing beside her. Her face had lost all of its color and her mouth was drawn into a thin line. He followed her eyes to the inside of an empty compartment. His gaze swept over it, but then he realized that it was not empty after all. On the floor was a very still girl. Panic rose within him, but he forced it down. Now was not the time.

Gathering all of his courage, he knelt beside her, pushing back her long dark hair to examine her face. He recognized her at once as the girl he had run into. He felt a wave of relief wash over him as he realized she was only unconscious. Hermione and Ron were instantly at his side.

“What do you think happened?” Ron asked quietly. Hermione said nothing, and Harry noticed her eyes were shimmering with unshed tears. Ron noticed as well, and took her hand, stroking the base of her thumb.

Harry focused his eyes once again on the girl, holding her hand in both of his. He silently pleaded with her to wake, and, as if hearing his pleas, she stirred. Her eyes fluttered open, she returned the grip on his hand, and she took in a deep, ragged breath. She slowly took in her surroundings, and her eyes flickered over Ron and Hermione, who were still in their own silent world, before landing on Harry. She fixed him with an intent, knowing look, and he felt like she was reading into his soul.

Suddenly, she had him in a tight embrace, clinging to him as if he were her last hope. When she pulled away, her cheeks were wet with tears. He felt Ron and Hermione staring. Apparently that had captured their attention. Harry felt his face burning. This girl was very different from the one he had met in the station. She was so intense and mysterious. And the way she had looked at him, like she knew his thoughts, felt his pain, was disconcerting. But it was also comforting to think that someone could fully understand. Who was she? He asked himself again. But this time, the question took on an entirely different meaning.