Year One - Chapter 16

The next day at breakfast I noticed that Harry was acting weird, eating nothing and rarely responding to Ron, but since I was sitting far away from them, there was no way of knowing what they were saying

I also noticed that when Fred and George entered the dining room, George greeted me with his hand and looked like he was thinking of sitting down with me, but Fred looked at the staff table, then at me, whispered something in George's ear and they ended up sitting next to Ron.

I couldn't help but think that all the problems I was having were related to my father: Harry, Ron and Hermione think that my father is trying to kill Harry; Fred definitely thinks that my father can hurt a student; I even felt the looks of the students from other years and listened to everything they said about me. I still remember a conversation of some sixth-year girls that I overheard at the beginning of the year, in the library.

—So do you really think she's Snape's daughter?

—That's what she says, but honestly, who would sleep with him? He's as horrible as a troll. Do you think he used Amortentia? He must know how to prepare it better than anyone. —They both laughed.— And if it's true, she's lucky she didn't get his nose from him. Now that I think about it, she doesn't even look like him, they just have the same black greasy hair.

—Life doesn't punish twice, Talia, although I heard Ava say they have the same temper.

—Really? I thought she would be completely opposite, she looks kinda cute honestly but I feel bad for her, I can't bear to spend an hour in class with him. Can you imagine every day, all day?

—Excuse me. —I said, stepping out of the corridor where I was and standing in front of them.— Could you please, shut up? Many of us come to the library to study and not to waste our time.

Both girls turned completely pale, grabbed their things and ran out of the library.

I dropped the fork on the table with greater force than I thought, luckily no one noticed, although there were not so many people. I left the dining room and began to walk without paying attention to where I was going. I was looking at the ground when I bumped into something and fell to the ground, I looked up to see what I had bumped into and as I did so I felt like all my blood run cold.

—P-Professor Quirrell! I'm so sorry, I wasn't paying attention.

—D-don't worry, miss S-S-Snape.

He gave me his hand to help me up, when I touched it I felt my body freeze even more, maybe he was outside the castle and that's why he was so cold.

—Thank you, professor, and again, I'm so sorry.

I smiled at him and started walking; when I passed him I felt his icy hand on my shoulder.

—Miss Snape, w-where is your f-f-father?

—Oh, I don't know, the last time I saw him he was in the Great Hall, but he left before me, he's probably in his office. Do you want me to take you to him?

—No, no... T-thank you, Miss Snape. And b-b-be more careful where you walk, you won't want me to meet you on the third floor again, right?

I couldn't believe my luck, of all the places in Hogwarts, I had to end up on the third floor. I left as fast as I could before Quirrell changed his mind and gave me a detention. I walked down the stairs and decided to go to the library and look for an alchemy book, I still wanted to know who Nicolás Flamel was and what was on the third floor.

I was about to enter when I saw my father outside the library entrance, it seemed like he was looking for something or someone.

—I know you want to spend every moment of your life with me, so here I am.

—Eileen, I was looking for you. Where were you last night?

—Uhm with you?

—After that, obviously.

—I went straight to my common room and never left until this morning, why?

—Are you sure about that?

—Oh, I don't know, maybe some of the ghosts took my body and we went for a walk in the forbidden forest. Of course I'm sure. Why do you ask?

—Last night someone was in the restricted section in the library, I had to make sure it was not you.

—Well, even if I lied to you, we both know you can find out, right?

My father arched an eyebrow and I just smiled, I knew he would understand what I was talking about.

—By the way, I think Professor Quirrell is looking for you, he asked about you.

—Quirrell? Where did you see him?

—Uhm... On the third floor.

We will talk later in my office.

He rushed off in the direction of the third floor. By Merlin's beard! Now I'll be in trouble for being on the third floor, how can I be so dumb? Why else would he have gotten mad like this?

I entered the library and went straight to the reference section, looking for some book that mentioned alchemy when I heard Harry and Ron's voices on the other side.

—I'm telling you, Ron, I heard her last night saying that she would try to do something with Scabbers, she was practising some spell but I couldn't hear what it was.

—Probably some kind of a dark spell that her beloved Uncle Malfoy taught her. —They were silent for a few seconds, for a moment I thought they had seen me. How did Harry find out about that? There was no one in the common room or on the stairs.— So you will be back tonight, Harry?

—I already told you, yes.

Back to where? Are they going to the third-floor corridor? They didn't say anything more and after a few minutes I saw them leave the library, it seems that they didn't realize I was there. I kept looking and finally found a book called Alchemy: Ancient Art and Science, I took it and sat at one of the tables farthest from the entrance door.

I opened the book in the index and started looking for the name of Nicolas Flamel until I finally found him almost at the end of the index, I quickly looked for the page.

Nicolas Flamel is a famous French magician and alchemist. He is widely known for being the creator of the Philosopher's Stone, a legendary substance with incredible powers, capable of transforming any metal into pure gold and producing the Elixir of Life, which will make the drinker immortal. Flamel is a close friend and associate of the headmaster of Hogwarts, Albus Dumbledore. Mr Flamel, who turned six hundred and sixty-five last year, has a quiet life with his wife Perenela, who is six hundred and fifty-eight years old.

The Philosopher's Stone?

I was standing in front of my father's office door, I had my hand on the door handle, but I didn't want to open it. What will he tell me for having been in the corridor on the third floor again? He went completely insane when he thought that I had been there and seen what was inside.

I sighed and opened the door, it was completely dark and I could hardly see.

—Dad?

I heard the sound of some glass jars and then I saw him leave his lab, I don't understand how he doesn't trip over something with all the darkness here, the door was still open and still couldn't see much.

With his wand he lit some candles around and finally I closed the door, he returned to his lab and I followed him inside.

I had never entered this room and it was surprising, the walls were full of shelves filled with different ingredients and in the middle was a table with the other things necessary to make potions. I looked at the ingredients on the table and what was inside the cauldron.

—Pepper-Up potion? Do you have a cold?

—No, but the other students will be back in a couple of days, and if ten years of being a teacher have taught me anything, it is that someone always comes back with a cold.

I smiled and kept watching him as he brewed the potion.

—Am I in trouble?

—If you did something that you should not have, it is better if you tell me now rather than if I find out in any other way.

All right, Eileen, think, he's telling you that because he doesn't remember what happened? Or because he wants to know if I will tell him the truth?

—When we met in the library you said you wanted to talk to me here.

Well done, Eileen, you are not lying but you're also not throwing yourself in the fire. 10 points for Gryffindor!

—Ah yes, that. —Damn, I'm in trouble.— You are not in trouble, I just do not want you to be alone with Professor Quirrell, much less if you are on the third floor, where you should not be there, to begin with.

—What? Why?

—Just listen to me for once in your life and do what I tell you.

The rest of the afternoon was spent in my father's room, on his bed under the covers, reading about Occlumency. I was too lazy to climb the seven floors to the tower and was considering staying the night in his office, but I remembered Harry and Ron's conversation in the library, so shortly before dark, I went back to the tower to wait for them and try to know where they would go.

Only Percy was in the common room, but he was doing some homework and luckily he didn't pay much attention to me, I sat in one of the chairs where you can see the entrance, and because the back of the chair is facing the stairs, they won't be able to see me and they won't know I'm here.

I waited hours and hours, Percy had already gone to sleep 'It's almost midnight, Eileen, you should go to sleep too', but that was an hour ago, I started to believe that they both knew I was there and they said it to keep me here like an idiot. I was about to go to my room when again the portrait opened, although no one was behind it. What is going on?

I didn't know when I had fallen asleep on the couch waiting for them, but when I woke up, the sun's rays were already coming through the window. I got up and went to my room to take a shower, when I went downstairs again, Fred and George were sitting in front of the fireplace.

—Hey, Leen!

—Hullo, George.

—Where are you going?

—I don't know, my father's office, maybe. See you. —I was about to leave the common room when I remembered something and went back to where they were both.— Hey, George, can I ask you a favour?

—Sure, what do you need?

—I need to borrow the map we used the other day when we went to Hogsmeade.

Ah, planning something and you don't invite us? Oh, I'm so hurt.

He put his hand on his chest, pretending to be offended and I laughed a little.

—I promise it's nothing worthwhile.

George went upstairs to the boys' rooms and I was alone with Fred. To be honest, I didn't feel as uncomfortable as I thought I would.

—Hey... I'm sorry about the other day.

—For what reason? For thinking that my father wants to kill Harry or ignoring me in the Great Hall?

Ah, now it feels uncomfortable to be with him.

—All. For what I told you the day we met on the train. I know what it feels like to have people talk bad about you and your family.

—Who would speak ill of your family? I haven't even met your mother and I think she's amazing. She even gave me a sweater without knowing me!

Fred smiled a little, with both hands he took mine, playing with my fingers.

—People like the Malfoys, you know... Because we're purebloods and we're not rich, plus we don't hate Muggle-borns. George and I always joke about it, but sometimes it gets tiring, you know? I don't understand why they care so much about the difference in blood and money, we are still people, right? We are still witches and wizards and so are Muggle-borns. No one is better than anyone else.

I looked at his face, he was only looking at the ground, I felt horrible and didn't know what to say.

—And even so. —He continued.— I said some not-so-nice things about your father when we first met, I made you feel the way I hate people making me feel. Worst of all, very few people care about blood purity and money, but... Well, I know that the vast majority of the students probably wouldn't put Snape as their favourite teacher.

I didn't know what to say and even if I did, I felt like the words wouldn't come out of my mouth, so I just walked over and hugged him.

—Oh wow, I can come back later if you want.

We hadn't seen that George was already downstairs again, I took a few steps away from Fred and took the map, thanking them for lending it to me and went up to my room again, I was very hungry, but the feeling I always felt in my stomach when I was with Fred had returned so I decided to stay in the room until lunch.

—I solemnly swear that my intentions are not good.

I had the map open in front of me, little by little I could see how the corridors of Hogwarts began to be drawn on the parchment. It was strange to see so few names on the map, but it was also a good thing because I could find the names so easily. My father was in Dumbledore's office, I wonder what they are talking about. Fred and George were in the kitchen, but the only name that mattered to me was near me. Harry was in his room and if he went out again, now I would know where he would go.

I was watching the point for about 15 minutes, the twins had already returned to the tower and were now in their room when it finally seemed that Harry was leaving his. I waited until he was outside the tower to start following him, took my wand and left the tower.

—Lumos.

I wasn't afraid of having the light since with the map I would know if someone else was nearby, I looked for Harry's name again and I found it near the library, is he looking for information about Flamel? But instead of entering the library, he went down another corridor and finally entered a room.

When I finally got to the room, I cast Nox my wand before entering and hid the scroll; upon entering, I noticed that Harry was only sitting in front of a mirror, is this what they have been doing? Do they love themselves that much?

I sidled up and wondered what Nargles Harry was seeing, I could only see his reflection and mine behind him.

—What are you doing here?

Harry turned his head as fast as an owl, I even thought he had hurt himself, but he just got up and looked at the mirror again.

—Can you see them too?

—Us? Of course, I can Harry, that's what mirrors do.

—No, not to us, come, come closer.

I stood where he was and now I understood what he meant. I was seeing my reflection, but I wasn't alone and Harry wasn't with me now, the people in the reflection were my dad and... My mum. She looks even more beautiful than in the pictures and now I can see how much I look like her, except for her light brown hair, that fell in waves around her shoulders.

—Wow...

—What did you see?

—I'm with my parents, the three of us are smiling and... We seem to be very happy. What did you see?

—I'm with my family, all the Potters.

—Do you think that's what it does? Show your family?

—I don't think so, Ron saw himself as a Quidditch captain, didn't mention seeing his family.

I kept looking at the mirror for a long time, my father had his hand on my right shoulder, while my mother had it on the left, we were all smiling.

—Back again, Harry?

Harry and I turned around, I felt my blood run cold again for the 50th time this month and it wasn't because of the cold in the room. Dumbledore was behind us, sitting on one of the benches.

—Professor Dumbledore, I didn't see you there.

—Well, Harry, it's amazing how myopic one can become while being invisible.

—What? —I turned to see Harry.— Invisible?

Harry just looked at me, but another doubt invaded my mind, that meant that he was already here before Harry arrived but why didn't I see him on the map?

—You, —Dumbledore began to speak.— like many others before you, discovered the delights of the Mirror of Erised. You have realized what it does, right? He showed you your family, to your friend Ron, it showed him as Quidditch captain. Do you have any idea what the mirror is showing us?

Harry and I were silent for a few seconds, both trying to understand what he had just said.

—It shows us what we desire.

—That's right, Eileen. I see you got the quick-thinking out of your mother, she also joined the dots faster than anyone else. You see, this mirror shows us the deepest desire of our hearts. You, Harry, who never knew your family; you, Eileen, who never knew your mother. Ronald Weasley, who has always been surpassed by his brothers, is seen as the best of them.

—It's fascinating what the mirror can show us, —Dumbledore continued.— But it's just that, a wish. Many people have been consumed by the beauty of what they see, even going crazy for not knowing if what they are seeing is real or not. The mirror will be brought to a new home tomorrow and I ask you not to look for it again. And if you ever come across it, you must be prepared. It is not good to be carried away by dreams and forget to live. Now, why don't you put on that magnificent cape again and go to bed?

—Professor Dumbledore.

—Yes, Eileen?

—So, you knew my mum?

—Oh, of course, I did and I know what you will ask me, but the answer is no. Your father has made it very clear to us that he does not want you to know who she is, at least not until you are older. I understand that this can be very frustrating for you, but later you will understand that it is the best option.

—What do you see, professor?

—I see myself holding a new pair of wool socks, Harry. Another Christmas that passes and another Christmas that people insist on giving me books.

I laughed louder than I wanted to, so I had to cover my mouth with my hands, I can't believe I just laughed at the greatest desire of the great Albus Dumbledore.

—It's never bad to have a sense of humour, Eileen, you don't know when it will be needed in the darkest of moments.

Harry walked to the door of the room and grabbed something off the floor.

—Wow! An invisibility cloak! Where did you get it from, Harry?

—I got it at Christmas, but I don't know who sent it.

He put it on top, covering half of his body, I realized that he had left the other half uncovered because he was waiting for me to come to his side so he could cover us both. We left the room and began to carefully walk up to the tower.

—You really don't know who your mum is?

—No, my father always gets upset every time I mention her. Aunt Cissy always says that they'll tell me when I'm older, but they've been telling me that for years.

The rest of the way was in complete silence, I did not know if I had to say something or what to say, so I better decided not to say anything. The Fat Lady wasn't scared again when I said the password, it seems like she was getting used to some ghost saying it or something.

—Well, uhm... See you, Harry.

—See you.