First and foremost, I'm so sorry that I haven't updated in a while. I recently took my SAT and used the week to study for it. I'll be back with 1-3 updates per week again. Thank you for understanding and I hope you enjoy the chapter!
- The-Songbird-Who-Wrote
Chapter 7: The Mirror, Desires, and Christmas
Severus was looking forward to Christmas. It had been a long time since he had someone to spend the holidays with. The last person he had spent it with was with Lily. He still kept the last gift he had received from her, a scrapbook filled with pictures, muggles, and wizards. They were pictures of Severus or Lily or even both of them. Some even had pictures of Severus' mother, before she passed, while some had pictures of Lily's parents. The scrapbook is Severus' most prized possession. Besides Harry, the scrapbook was the only memory Severus would have of Lily.
Although, it was concerning was Draco had told him that he would be returning to Malfoy Manor and wished to celebrate Christmas with him and Harry. Draco had told him the reason why, and Severus was proud of the boy. It was good that Draco was able to form his own thoughts and ideals about the pureblood traditions. More so, he was glad that the boy would not grow to become a mini-Lucius. But he rather didn't enjoy the fact that Draco would be intruding on his and Harry's first Christmas, especially Harry's. But what's done is done. Thankfully, Severus had one more spare room in Spinner's End to allow Draco to use.
Severus already knew what to give Harry. It would be Harry's greatest gift he knew with a gentle smile gracing his lips. He hopes that Harry would accept it when the time comes.
E&H E
Harry did not know what to get for his friends and Professor Snape. He knew what they all liked, but he didn't want his gift to be generic at all. He wanted his gifts to be special and unique to each of his friends, especially for Professor Snape. Harry sighed as he walked to Defense. Speaking of which, the headaches in the class we're getting worse. It was more painful when Harry accidentally touched his scar while rubbing his sore head. He had yet talked to Professor Snape about this matter ever since school started. He had forgotten to tell the man after the troll incident, worry over his leg wound made Harry forget.
Well, I'll tell him during the Christmas holiday. Harry thought as he almost reached Defense. He was about to turn the corner when he was stopped by Weasley, named Ron, and his Gryffindor friends.
"Well well well," Ron started with a sneer on his face. "look what we have here boys. A stupid Puff."
Harry's face started to blush.
"I'm not a stupid Puff! If anything, you're a Gryffindor arse." Harry stated as he looked around the corridors. It was all empty. The only living presence was Harry along with Weasley and his lackeys. At most, his words did not affect the Gryffindors in front of him.
"What's wrong, Puff? Looking for your boyfriend?" Finnegan stated as he snickered into his hand.
"Boyfriend?" Harry didn't know what they meant by such a question, but Harry did not want to find out. Unfortunately, fate had other plans for him.
"Malfoy, you git. You're always leeching off of him. Why? I'm sure you have more than enough money and fame than Malfoy. You're quite the leech, aren't you?" Harry felt himself getting angry. He was mad at Weasley for saying such degrading words at him, especially towards Draco's worth too.
"Draco is not my boyfriend. He is my best friend who I cherish. If anyone is leeching, it might be you seeing how you're always looking at me with those troll eyes of yours." Harry hated violence, even if was through words. Harry first hand knew how much words can hurt. But Hermione had told him that sometimes, you have to use hurtful words to get people to leave you alone.
It seemed to have done the trick as Weasley spluttered and flushed beet red, although Weasley wasn't done yet.
"You let yourself be fooled by that mini Death Eater. You're a poor excuse for being the Boy-Who-Lived. I can't believe I looked up to you!" Harry's eyes widened. He hated being the Boy-Who-Lived. Being such a thing meant having no parents and being stuck with people who don't love you for eleven years. Harry felt tears come into his eyes, and Weasley seemed to realize that.
"Awwww is the Boy-Who-Is-A-Poof crying? You're pathetic." With that being said, Weasley and his posse left laughing, leaving Harry alone, crying in the deserted hallway. Harry wiped his stubborn tears away for he knew he would be late for Defense if he did not move. With red-rimmed eyes, Harry quickly rushed into Defense just as the door snapped shut, making those who came late to stay outside, never allowed to come in.
Harry knew that his eyes were still red due to Weasley and his posse because Draco slipped him a paper from his side. Harry looked at him and opened the paper. Are you all alright? Harry was touched with the concern of his friend. Harry gave Draco a glance and a quick nod. Draco did not look pleased with Harry and gave him a look that meant that they would be talking about it after class was done. Harry sighed in response and started to listen to the topic of the day, vampires.
E&H E
"Harry!" Dammit. Harry, who was trying to run away, turned around to face Draco and Hermione, who was starting to come up to them.
"Come along, I'm sure we don't want others to hear of this." And with that Harry was dragged off to Merlin knows where.
Draco had dragged him to the Astronomy Tower where they could talk without being disturbed. Hermione was looking at them, her face all scrunched up, trying to figure out what was happening. Draco's face was stoic as he looked at Harry. Harry had to suppress a gulp at the look of his friend's face.
"Now, would you like to tell me and Hermione as to why you were crying before class?" Hermione's eyes widened and snapped to Harry. Draco sure never held back for these kinds of matters. With a sigh, Harry began retailing what Weasley and his posse had said towards Harry and his friendship with Draco. By the time Harry had finished, Draco was deadly calm, but the sharpening of his howlite eyes told Harry was Draco was extremely pissed off. Hermione on the other was seething, spewing insults about Weasley and idiot Gryffindors and how she was glad that she didn't get Sorted into such a house.
"We should tell Professor Snape." Draco's calm voice cut through Hermione's rant. Dread filled Harry. Should Professor Snape find out, he'll make Potions and perhaps life hard for Weasley and his posse. Although Harry would want them to not say such hurtful words, he knew that they would say more if Professor Snape found out. The man knew how to kill with words alone, and Harry would never subject anyone to such kinds of torture, although... he wouldn't mind if the person was Dumbledore or Voldemort.
But Harry knew when he lost a battle. Draco and Hermione had stubborn looks on their faces, letting Harry know that the moment a Ravenclaw was dead set on something, nothing will stop them.
E&H E
Walking to the Potion Master's office was a new experience for Harry. He never had to go there once so it surprised him and Hermione that Draco knew exactly where to go. Professor Snape must've told Draco, makes sense since Draco is his godson. The walk was silent, each of the three lost in their thoughts. Suddenly, Draco stopped causing Harry to bump into him causing Hermione to bump into him. Thankfully due to Draco's stiff posture, they didn't end up collapsing all over the floor. With a soft, sharp knock Draco waited for permission to enter.
"Enter." The baritone tone of the Potions professor called out. With a gulp, Harry followed Draco into the office.
E&H E
Severus could not help but raise an eyebrow as he saw his godson walk in looking like a man on a mission. His eyebrow raised a bit higher as Harry and Ms. Granger walked in. Harry seemed to look like he was drowning in despair, while Ms. Granger's mocha eyes were storming, similar to that of Draco's. He wondered what seemed to be the problem. So he waited for one of them to speak. Thankfully he did not have to wait long.
"Professor, Harry told us that Weasely and his Gryffindor posse were harassing him and called him a derogatory term. Harry came into Defense all red-eyed and it took myself and Hermione to pry the information from him." Severus knew that his eyes had narrowed straight into Harry's downcast eyes. He sighed softly and nodded at Draco. Draco knew that it was his cue to leave. He gently took Ms. Granger's arm and led her outside his office despite her initial protesting. It had stopped when she looked at him than Harry. Both left with the door clicking shut.
"Harry, do have a seat." Severus noticed that the boy was moving mechanically to the chair before him. He did not know what to say to the boy. He didn't have much comfort growing up. All he had was Lily and his mother, both now gone, never to come back. But he could start by asking Harry.
"Harry, will you tell me what transpired between you and the Gryffindors?" Harry just stared ahead, not looking at Severus at all. Severus sighed and wished that the boy wouldn't be stubborn at all.
"Harry. Look at me." Harry's emerald eyes turned towards him and Severus' heart ached for the original owner of those eyes. Harry continued to look at Severus and Severus stared back. Either one knew what to say. Finally, Harry broke contact and gave a little cough.
"It's fine, Professor, they won't bother me anymore." Severus just glared at the unruly mop of hair that Harry owned.
"That is not my concern. My concern is to know what those boys had said to you." Harry fidgeted in his chair and sighed, "I don't want to tell you, sir, I'm afraid that you'll punish them harshly." Severus raised an eyebrow in return.
"I will be the judge of that Harry. Now, tell me what they had said earlier." With a gulp, Harry recounted the vile words Mr. Weasley and his little group had said to Harry and Draco. When Harry finished, Severus gave no clue to Harry of how he felt. He was seething at such words and knew how to punish them. Oh, how he would appreciate the other set of hands that would help him gather and sort the ingredients to many potions. Severus chuckled evilly in his mind.
"Sir?" Severus snapped out of his thoughts as he turned to Harry, who was looking worried.
"It will be fine, Harry. Do not worry, I will not punish them too harshly, but enough so that they won't think of saying such words to you nor Draco ever again." Harry gave Severus another contemplative look, knowing that Severus would hold to his promise.
With a sigh, Harry spoke, "Thank you, Professor. I should be heading back to my common room now. Have a good night, Sir. Sleep well." Severus smiled softly at Harry and bid him a good night's sleep and a farewell. As the door clicked shut, Severus began to plan.
E&H E
Harry found that he couldn't sleep. Weasley's words rang into his head. Was he too clingy with, Draco? The boy had been Harry's first best friend. Besides that, Draco never said that Harry was being clingy at all. But what if Draco never said anything so that Harry's feelings won't get hurt?
Harry tossed around on his bed, careful not to make too much noise that would awaken his dorm mates. A grumpy Zacharias Smith would do nobody good if waken up too early.
Harry found himself staring at the ceiling as if it would give him the answers he was looking for. As if. Harry scoffed as he let out a heavy sigh.
Harry tossed himself out of bed quietly. A walk would probably help me clear out my head.
Harry quietly stepped out of the Hufflepuff Sett and walked along the dark empty corridors of Hogwarts. Harry didn't know where he was heading. All he wanted was a place to clear his head.
Step. Step. Step. Harry walked with no pause and looked at the sleeping portraits. Some looked like they had pleasant dreams, others looked anguished in their sleep. Harry wondered what their dreams were about.
Soon, Harry found himself in front of a wooden oak door. Harry felt the door calling to him, telling him to open and enter. Like a possessed man, Harry opened the door and went, the door closing with no noise.
The room seemed to be abandoned was the first thing that Harry noticed. He then noticed that there were desks all against the left side of the room, An abandoned classroom. Harry continued inside when he spotted it. A mirror, whose light reflected off its surface, inviting Harry to approach and see its wonders.
Slowly, but surely, Harry approached the mirror and was surprised at what he saw. It was an older version of him and Professor Snape, both of them looked happy. Professor Snape's hand was on Harry's, pride evident in his eyes, and when Harry looked behind him he saw his friends, older as well but with happiness and pride shining through their eyes as well. Harry lifted a hand to where Professor Snape's hand was and felt nothing, a fact which saddened him. Despite that, he couldn't tear his eyes from how happy he and his loved ones looked. It was a dream come true. Wait, a dream? Harry stopped watching and painfully turned his gaze from the mirror.
A gasp erupted from Harry. It was an epiphany, this mirror showed his greatest dream. But Harry frowned. No, there's gotta be more to this than just a dream. But what is stronger than a dream? A wish? A desire? Harry paced around the room, to and fro in front of the mirror. He looked up from the gazing and saw the in the scripted text of the mirror. The Mirror of Erised, what is Erised? It is a Latin word? It doesn't sound Latin nor Greek at all. I've never heard of Erised. Think Harry. Where would such a word come from? Then it clicked. Desire. This mirror shows desire, perhaps the deepest desire of the looker. Harry felt proud of knowing the purpose of the mirror. Only one thing confused Harry, why would a mirror-like this be kept in a school of children? This would be a thought for tomorrow.
Harry knew that he should leave, but the mirrors pull was too strong, and the next thing Harry knew was that he was looking at the beautiful image of his desire until the sun broke through the night.
E&H E
Harry was tired. He managed to get back to the Sett without waking of his dorm mates and most of all, avoiding Filch and his cat, Mrs. Norris. He quickly showered and waited for his dorm mates to awaken so that they could go to breakfast together.
"Harry, are you alright? You look tired. Did you not sleep well?" Harry turned to look at Cedric. The boy had come up to Harry as he decided to wait for his housemates in the common area of the Sett. Harry gave Cedric a tired nod and smile, which Cedric recuperated weakly. Together, Harry along with Cedric and his dorm mates went to breakfast. Harry split from the group and went to the Ravenclaw table where they would normally eat breakfast. The first to see him was Draco, whose eyes narrowed on Harry's more than tired look.
"You didn't sleep well last night, didn't you?" Harry gulped. It was hard to lie to Draco. The boy was an excellent observer of a person, who knew something was wrong before the person knew. Harry deep down hated that fact about Draco. There were things that he wanted to keep a secret without Draco knowing.
"No, not really. But I'll be okay." With a tired smile, Harry dug in. From the corner of his eye, Draco, Hermione, and Neville all looked at each other with shakes of their heads. Harry felt bad, but he would tell them later. Maybe. Deep down, Harry wanted to have something for himself too. With a steady heart, Harry dropped the idea to speak of the Mirror. It would only be his to look and dream over. That is how it should be for now. Harry continued to eat silently, but a small smile made his way through his tired face.
Author's Note: Hello! Again I'm sorry that I wasn't able to update for all of last week, it was my SAT week and I really wanted to study hard and well. I'll be back to my 1-3 update weekly until the week of October 14 where I plan to take my second SAT.
I hope you all enjoyed this chapter and I am offering a little challenge for you all. If anyone can guess what Sev's gift to Harry is, I'll allow you a preview of the next chapter~ here's a hint, the answer has been written and published. Good luck trying to find it! Reviews are always appreciated along with constructive criticism.
See you all soon!
- The-Songbird-Who-Wrote