Last day of the break and twins still didn't deliver any news on the Cerberus.

I killed time by tracking down any and all material on mind arts. I am almost certain there is not a single book on the subject in Hogwarts library that I didn't read through. Occasionally some apparition guide would fall into my hands, anything practical was godsend as pure theory proved useless.

Walking out of the library I find myself on familiar yet rarely used path, the one at the end of which I found the mirror. Why am I going this way? I don't know myself. Again, it feels like I should… and want.

Stepping into the room I see the mirror in the exact same spot it stood couple of days ago. Previously I left before anything problematic happened, but considering how I seem to stumble here randomly, maybe I should investigate.

I take the cloak off and drop it on the table. Approaching the mirror, at first there is only my reflection but as I step right in front of it the surface gets distorted. Two people appear next to me, one man and one woman. I check my surroundings and there is nothing.

Woman has red hair, not the twins kind of red but darker, and the eyes, green, bright green. Similar to mine I note. Man was tall with black messy hair and wearing glasses. Face structure similar to mine, I note again slightly disturbed. They can't be? Can they? Before I ponder this fully, a voice behind startles me.

"Good evening, Harry?"

Quickly I turn around and stand face to face with the famed Albus Dumbledore. Touching the wand in my pocket I discreetly deactivate the sound block.

"E-evening." – I coat my response with fear; maybe I can salvage this somehow.

"Back again, I see?"

What?

"So," – said old wizard while moving to stand next to me in front of the mirror " you, like hundreds before you, have discovered the delights of the Mirror of Erised."

I looked just once though.

"I am sure by now you realized what it shows."

According to inscription.

"Heart's desire?"

"Very good Harry."

It's kind of embarrassing getting praised for ability to read, I am not five.

"It shows us nothing more or less than the deepest, most desperate desire of our hearts. You, who have never known your family, see them standing around you. Others may see themselves as quidditch stars, desiring recognition or ministers of magic, desiring authority. However, this mirror will give us neither knowledge nor truth. Men have wasted away before it, entranced by what they have seen, or been driven mad not knowing if what it shows is real or even possible."

That's quite an assumption you made there professor.

"The Mirror will be moved to a new home tomorrow, Harry, and I ask you not to go looking for it again."

I never did. Again with assumptions.

"If you ever do run across it, you will now be prepared. It does not do to dwell on dreams and forget to live, remember that."

Cool.

"Now, why don't you put that admirable cloak back on and get off to bed?"

What! How?

Now that I think about it, he did say 'back again?'. How did he see me before when I didn't take off the cloak? Why would he be here to see me in the first place? How did he know I will accidently end up here? Wait. I am not here accidently, I was drawn here. This is all kinds of worrying.

Grabbing the cloak I walk out of the room. The only conclusion for this situation is that I was supposed to be here and see the mirror. And the person responsible can be none other than the Headmaster. What is he up to? Also this cloak can be seen through? It's made from a demiguise hair, magical creature that turns invisible. Wouldn't that be pointless if you could use magic to just see through it. Something's off.

As I enter my room an idea strikes me. I got the cloak from 'mysterious' person who wanted me to 'use it well' aka. break the curfew. It just so happened that right after that I find this mirror and Dumbledore simply knows I have a cloak and doesn't question it.

I draw the dispelling circle and toss the cloak in the middle. The cloak itself is magical object, like a wand, if it's clean nothing will happen.

Minutes later a bright flash fills the room. I fucking knew it.

[]

The next day whole school was back. Instantly I miss the days behind and long for another break. It's so cramped.

"How have you been?" – asks Anthony.

"I am alive." – I answer flatly.

"You didn't miss us? I hope you didn't cry?" – mocks Lisa.

I give her one 'just stop already' look and continue to breakfast.

"What have you been doing all this time?" – continues Anthony more to keep the conversation and less as an actual question.

"Exploring the forbidden corridor." – I respond with the most casual, indifferent tone possible.

"What! Really!" – shock all around.

"No."

Disappointment all around.

Finally sitting at the raven table I get to eat in peace while others exchange stories of their Christmas.

Suddenly I get poked from behind. When I turn around I see the twins giving me the look while walking in the direction of the exit. Unhappy about shorter breakfast but intrigued by a possible forbidden corridor revelation I stand up.

"On the diet Harry?" – mocks Lisa.

Seriously this woman. Just give me a break ok?

"Bathroom." – I gave her short reply while already couple steps from the table.

Walking out of the hall I see the redheads behind the suit of armour. Stepping behind it I put on my displeased face.

"We got it." – says one twin.

"All about Fluffy." – adds the other.

"Quite late don't you think? Who's Fluffy?"

"Late but worth it. Fluffy is the Cerberus."

"Who would name a monster Fluffy?"

"Hagrid of course. And according to him it's not a monster but cute pet."

"No comment."

"Hagrid is quite talkative and let many things slip. I am sure you want to hear what we have to say."

"Go on then."

"Aren't you forgetting something?"

"I will point them out when we meet in the library but now tell me the good stuff."

"You see, Fluffy is very ferocious yet you only need to play a melody and it will instantly fall asleep."

"What melody is that?"

"Any."

"You can just hum anything and its gone? That's ridiculous."

"It's smart, any intruder who's not supposed to be there won't think of singing when faced with a monster this huge."

"And this info is something Hagrid just told you. Nice security."

"Will you be going in, now that dog's non-issue?"

"Maybe during a weekend."

[]

I did not go during a weekend. Instead of satisfying my curiosity I opted for learning useful skills. Apparition Round Two.

Back in the clearing I ignore all the theory crap I tried the first time and remind myself of the tips from the guides. Focus magic in the centre of your body and squeeze yourself ahead.

Focusing as hard as I can I think of the spot just ahead. Doing my best to focus everything in my torso as I've been doing with my hand when casting spells, I spin.

CRACK! Sound of what can only be described as a thunder deafens me.

I completely lost all sense of balance. Falling, my head drives hard into the ground. I should be checking for splinching but it's hard to even stand up.

As I straighten up and pat myself all over, the sound of galloping catches my ears.

What now?

Pure white horse with a horn rides into the clearing. What a sight.

Before I get a chance to admire the splendid animal, a dark figure swoops into the clearing and straight at the unicorn dropping it onto the ground.

Holy shit!

Darkly clad… thing, reveals part of its face and only two bright red eyes can be seen. My head start to hurt, probably from fear, this is some nightmarish spectacle. The thing proceeds to bite into the neck of the animal and silvery-white blood flows onto the grass.

No longer interested in my apparition progress I back pedal to the castle. Forbidden forest? Never again.