The Mirror of Erised

Christmas was starting to roll around as we crept into December. Heck, in mid December the castle was covered in several feet of snow and the lake was frozen solid that you stand on it. Seriously!

Both Fred and George had also gotten punished because they made some snowballs to follow Quirrell around, bouncing off the back of his turban. I was there when it happened and I could've sworn I heard a growl of some kind, not knowing what caused it. And the winter was so severe in fact that owls which delivered the post had to be nursed back to health by Hagrid. One of which was Horace, who came to deliver a letter to mom to let her know that I'm gonna stay at Hogwarts during the holidays.

Everyone was so excited for the holidays to start, including me. The places of warmth for us Gryffindors was the Common Room and the Great Hall where roaring fires can be found. Everywhere else was icy and bitter, partly because of the windows in the classrooms. But Snape's class in the dungeons made everywhere else seem tolerable as the only form of warmth came from the fires for the cauldrons.

During one Potions class Draco made a remark about how he felt 'sorry' for those of us who chose to stay at Hogwarts for Christmas thinking how we aren't wanted at home. And he said it all, looking at Harry. Malfoot tried to make taunts of Harry's Quidditch skills but no one laughed, which made him jealous and angry so he just went back to taunting Harry's lack of a proper family.

Now, the week before, McGonagall had come around, making a list of everyone that would be staying during the holidays. Me and Harry instantly signed up. Even all the Weasleys signed up because Molly and Arthur (their parents) decided to go to Romania with Ginny (the sister) to visit Charlie.

Anyway, when we left the dungeons after Potions ended, some large fir tree was blocking our way. I noticed two huge feet sticking out at the bottom and there was a puffing sound. Hagrid.

"Hi, Hagrid, want any help?" Ron asked as Hagrid stuck his head through the branches.

"Nah, I'm alright, thanks, Ron."

"Would you mind moving out of the way? Are you trying to earn some extra money, Weasley? Hoping to be Gamekeeper yourself when you leave Hogwarts, I suppose. That hut of Hagrid;s must seem like a palace compared to what your family's used to." Draco's cold drawl said from behind us. And I managed to grab Ron before he could dive at Draco. I glared at him with a look saying 'don't give Snape satisfaction'. He got the message and then I looked back at Draco, Crabbe and Goyle.

"If you're so impatient, just push past the tree, you're responsible enough, aren't you?" I asked, hinting at how he needs to be babied around by his cronies and his parents. He growled before they pushed past it, scattering needles.

"One of these days, I'll get him…" Ron grinded his teeth.

"I hate them both. Malfoy and Snape." Harry agreed with him.

"Come on, cheer up, it's nearly Christmas. Tell yeh what, come with me an' see the Great Hall, looks a treat." Hagrid told us. And so all four of us followed him up to the Great Hall, where we saw McGonagall and Flitwick putting up all kinds of decorations.

"Ah, Hagrid, the last tree. Put it in the far corner, would you?"

Trust me, the Great Hall looked amazing. Holly and mistletoe were hanging all around the walls and around twelve towering Christmas trees surrounded the Hall, glittering with minute icicles. It was so magical, no pun intended.

"How many days you got left until yer holidays?" Hagrid asked us as he put the tree down.

"Just one. And that reminds me. Harry, Matt, Ron, we've got half an hour before lunch, we should be in the library." Hermione said. Oh yeah, I forgot to mention that ever since Hagrid let slip of Nicolas Flamel, we've been trying to figure out who he is and what he did. I know for sure I heard that name before, but so far, nothing. I couldn't ask my mom because of the stormy weather and such, not wanting Horace to be injured.

"Oh yeah, you're right." Ron said, looking away from Flitwick.

"The library? Just before the holidays? Bit keen, aren't yeh?" Hagrid asked as he followed us out of the Hall.

"Oh, we're not working. Ever since you mentioned Nicolas Flamel we've been trying to find out who he is." Harry replied brightly.

"You what? Listen here, I've told yeh, drop it. It's nothin' to you what that dog's guardin'." Hagrid harshly whispered.

"We just want to know who Nicolas Flamel is, that's all." Hermione told him.

"Unless you'd like to tell us and save us the trouble. We must've been through hundreds of books already and we can't find him anywhere. Just give us a hint. I know I've read his name somewhere." Harry added.

"I'm sayin' nothin'." The Half-Giant said flatly.

"Just have to find out for ourselves, then." Ron said before we left Hagrid, who looked disgruntled.

"You guys go ahead, I'll just go to the Common Room." I said to the three.

"Are you sure?" Hermione asked.

"Yeah. I'm gonna sit quietly by myself and think as I'm sure I've heard of Flamel from somewhere." I said and then I parted from my friends, heading straight to the Common Room.

Once I got there, I sat in front of the fire, thinking about the name. A lot of the books we searched through were more about recent wizards and wizardry; mainly the twentieth century. I'm starting to consider that just maybe Flamel isn't from the twentieth century.

After nearly an hour, the three came back and made no progress and after that, we headed to the Hall for lunch.

"You three will keep looking while I'm away, won't you? And send me an ow if you find anything." Hermione told us.

"And you could ask your parents if they know who Flamel is. It'd be safe to ask them." Ron pointed out.

"Very safe, as they're both dentists." Hermione replied.

After everyone who didn't sign in to stay left for the holidays (which had now started), we ended up having too good of a time to think about Flamel. We had the whole Common Room and Dormitory to ourselves, which was more empty, allowing us to be more free and open in how we can have fun. We'd come up with all kinds of ways to get Draco expelled as we ate food. And both Ron and I taught Harry to play wizard chess, which, unlike Muggle chess, the pieces come alive and bash each other.

Eventually, Christmas Day arrived. As I woke up earlier than I normally would, the first thing I saw was Imp's face right up to mine. He then meowed and licked my face. I smiled and stroked him as I sat up.

"Merry Christmas, Imp." I greeted my cat. I then looked at the end of my bed to see a pile of presents. I then looked over to Harry and Ron, who were still asleep and both of them (yes, including Harry) had piles of presents at the end of their beds.

"Let's wake 'em up." I told Imp, who wagged his tail, liking the idea. I put on a gown and walked over to Ron's bed as Imp jumped onto Harry's and we both woke them up. I shook Ron's shoulder and Imp licked Harry's face. Harry spluttered and flailed his arms in confusion as he woke up, seeing it was my cat and Ron blinked as he woke up.

"Wakey, wakey. Happy Christmas, guys." I said as they sat up. Imp jumped off and back onto my bed.

"Happy Christmas." The two replied. Harry saw his presents and was stunned.

"Will you look at this? I've got some presents!" He said. We all then dug into our presents.

The first one I unwrapped came from Hermione and it was a whole stock of fudge flies, which I mentioned to her that I loved. Thank you so much, Hermione. Harry's first present he unwrapped was from Hagrid and it was a hand cut wooden flute, which he blew and it sounded akin to an owl.

Next was from mom and she got me three books, all of which were in a series called 'The Lord of the Rings'. I read the note and it said:

Merry Christmas Matthew,

I struggled slightly to find you something this year. But then when I was visiting a Muggle bookshop, I found these and thought you'd like them. They're right up your alley.

I hope you're doing well,

Love Mom xoxo

Ron looked over at me.

"What's that?" He asked, referring to the books.

"They're supposed to be Muggle books. Mom said I'd like these." I replied, showing them to Ron and Harry, who unwrapped a silver coin.

"That's friendly." Harry said in a flat voice.

"Is that Muggle money?" I asked as Ron looked at it in fascination.

Me and Harry moved onto our next presents, which were from Molly. She traditionally sends knitted sweaters to people she considers family and I got a scarlet sweater with the letter 'M' on it and it came with some homemade fudge. Harry's was emerald green (which must be because of his eyes) and also some homemade fudge as well.

"Every year she makes us a jumper. And mine's always maroon." Ron groaned as he unwrapped his. I felt bad for him. He tends to get maroon coloured clothes from his parents, even after telling them over and over that he doesn't like the colour.

"That's really nice of her." Harry said, eating some of the fudge. Molly knows how to make good fudge.

I then unwrapped a present from my relatives that live in France. You see, from my mom's side of the family, I have an aunt and uncle who married a couple of French magical folk and live there, and I have cousins that go to Beauxbatons, France's equivalent of Hogwarts. What I got from them were strawberry macarons. I love these so much.

And surprisingly, there was one present left but I can't think of anyone else that would send one to me. It looked hand sized based on the box. There was a note attached so I opened that first and it read:

I hope this is a good first Christmas present from me. Thought this could come in handy. I cast a spell on it to detect danger nearby by violently vibrating. Merry Christmas.

I was confused as there was no name and was typed, meaning I don't know who it's from as I know people's handwriting.

I opened the box and it was a Sickle that instead of having a Dragon on it, it had a lion on it.

"A Sickle?" Ron asked in confusion.

"Someone, I don't know who, left a note saying that it can detect danger." I said. Who would send this to me? Now that I unwrapped my presents, I put on the sweater Molly made for me and started to eat a macaron when Harry started to unwrap his last present, which was something that made me gasp loudly. It was a fluid and silvery grey cloak, and not just any old cloak.

"I've heard of those." Ron whispered, dropping a box of Bertie Bott's Beans.

"Harry, put it on, right now." I told him. Harry threw the cloak around him and all that remained of him was his head, making him look like his head was floating.

"It is! Harry, look down." Ron said.

"It's an Invisibility Cloak. They are really rare." I said, in awe to see one in person.

"There's a note! A note fell out of it!" Ron suddenly said. Harry immediately took the Cloak off and grabbed the note. We all looked at it to see narrow loopy writing that said:

Your father left this in my possession before he died.

It is time it was returned to you.

Use it well.

A Very Merry Christmas to you.

There wasn't a signature like the Sickle I was given. I was in confusion while Harry stared at the note and Ron admired the Cloak.

"I'd give anything for one of these. Anything. What's the matter?" Ron said. The last part reacting to Harry's stare. He must be staring because the Cloak once belonged to his dad.

"Nothing." Harry clearly lied. Before we could say anything else, the Dormitory door flung open, scaring Imp as Fred and George burst in. Harry hid the Cloak out of sight.

"Merry Christmas!" They proclaimed.

"Hey, look. Harry's got a Weasley jumper, too!"

The two were wearing blue sweaters, each having a yellow G and F on them to distinguish who's who.

"Harry's is better than ours, though. She obviously makes more of an effort if you're not family." Fred said, holding up Harry's sweater.

"I see you're wearing yours, cub." George pointed out and then he noticed that Ron wasn't wearing his.

"Why aren't you wearing yours, Ron? Come on, get it on, they're lovely and warm." He demanded from his younger brother.

"I hate maroon." Ron moaned, though half heartedly putting on the sweater.

"You haven't got a letter on yours. I suppose she thinks you don't forget your name. But we're not stupid. We know we're called Gred and Forge." George observed and joked, which made me snort, finding it funny.

"What's all this noise?" Percy's pompous voice made us all look to the door where he was sticking his head through the door, looking annoyed to no end. He entered and it seemed that he too was in the middle of unwrapping his presents as he carried his sweater, which Fred snagged.

"P for Prefect! Get it on, Percy, come on, we're all wearing ours, even Harry got one." He pestered Percy, who really needs to let loose every once in a while, like now.

"I… don't… want…." Percy said, struggling to form a sentence since the twins practically forced the sweater onto Percy and when he had it on, his glasses were askew and he looked deflated.

"And you're not sitting with the Prefects today, either. Christmas is a time for family." George then told him as he and Fred marched him out of the Dormitory, pinning his arms to his side.

After we changed into normal clothes, we all entered the Great Hall to have Christmas dinner and it was such a spectacle. There were so many roast turkeys, roasted and boiled potatoes, fat chipolatas, buttered peas, thick and rich gravy, cranberry sauce and just so many other Christmas foods. And every few feet were wizard crackers on the tables. The coloured smoke and trinkets that would come out of the crackers made the whole room burst to life in a way that everyone (well, nearly everyone) had smiles on their faces.

Up at the High Table, Dumbledore swapped his hat for a flowery bonnet and found something funny by Flitwick.

After we ate the delicious turkey, flaming Christmas puddings came. I laughed when Percy nearly broke his teeth from biting into a Sickle in his slice.

To my utter surprise, I watched Hagrid calling for more wine, getting redder and redder before he kissed McGonagall's cheek, who actually giggled and blushed as her top hat was lopsided. I was shocked into silence, staring at her, which she noticed and looked away, blushing even more.

After the Christmas feast was over, all of us had a really fun afternoon having a furious snowball fight in the grounds which lasted for a while until we all felt so cold and wet that we needed to go up to the Common Room. Harry had a new chess set from the crackers earlier and he played it, resulting in him losing, partly because of Percy.

Then after we had turkey sandwiches, crumpets, trifle and Christmas cake, we watched Percy chasing the twins all around Gryffindor Tower since they stole his Prefect badge, making us roar in laughter.

I felt so full from all the food and so tired from the snowball fight that once I got to my bed in my pyjamas, I instantly fell asleep, Imp curling up next to me and nuzzling against my stomach.

"You could have woken us up." Ron was cross with Harry. So was I. You see, at some point in the night, Harry got out of bed and put on his Invisibility Cloak to go down to the Restricted Section in the Library for anything about Flamel. But as he tried to flee from Filch, he entered a room that contained a mirror and in the reflection he saw his dead parents. That alone confused and shocked me.

"You two can come with me tonight, I'm going back, I want to show you the mirror." Harry replied.

"I'd like to see your mum and dad." Ron said eagerly.

"And I want to see your families." Harry told us.

"You can see them at any time. Just come to our places in the summer. Anyway, what if the mirror isn't exactly what you think it does?" I asked, but Harry seemed out of it as he was probably thinking of the fact that he saw his parents.

Once nighttime came, the three of us got under the Cloak and we crept slowly and quietly through the castle as Harry started to retrace his route from the Library, and it took about an hour, which got to us as it was really cold.

"I'm freezing. Let's forget it and go back." Ron whined.

"No! I know it's here somewhere." Harry hissed as we passed a ghost of a witch, not seeing us.

"It's here, just here. Yes!" Harry whispered as we passed a suit of armour and entered through a door into a room where a whole bunch of desks and chairs were piled by a wall (meaning this was a now disused classroom) and in the corner was this mirror that looked ancient as there were cobwebs on it.

As we got closer, I noticed words over the mirror saying: Erised stra ehru oyt ube cafru oyt on wohsi. I was confused until I realised that it was backwards and so it meant: Is how not your face but your hearts desire. Is this saying that this mirror shows someone's deepest desire?

"See?" Harry asked us as we looked at the mirror, but all I saw was just us three.

"Harry, I only see just us three." I told him.

"Yeah, I can't see anything." Ron backed me up.

"Look! Look at them all… there are loads of them…." Harry said.

"We can only see you." Ron said. I realised that it must be one person in front of the mirror to see their desire. I stepped to the side, pushing Harry to the side as well. Ron then started looking at the mirror, now transfixed.

"Look at me!" He said.

"Can you see all your family standing around you?" Harry asked.

"No. I'm alone, but I'm different. I look older, and I'm Head Boy!" Ron explained.

"What?" Harry asked, confused and taken aback.

"I am, I'm wearing the badge like Bill used to. And I'm holding the House Cup and the Quidditch Cup. I'm Quidditch Captain, too!" Ron further explained. All of these are Ron's deepest desires for sure; to not be in his brother's shadows.

"Do you think this mirror shows the future?" Ron asked.

"How can it? All my family are dead. Let me have another look-" Harry tried to look.

""You had it to yourself all last night. It's Matt's turn." Ron pointed to me. Harry groaned.

"Alright." He muttered. Ron moved away and then I got in front of the mirror.

Almost immediately, I saw my dad, standing there, smiling at me. He looked like he did in photos with the dark brown hair and near scarlet eyes looking like my grandad when he was younger. But I also saw a girl with black hair with light brown eyes, smiling lovingly as she wrapped her arm around mine and resting her head on my shoulder. I shed a slight tear as I wished I had my dad with me and with the girl, I always wanted someone to be with, branching into love.

"What do you see?" Ron asked.

"My dad. And a girl I don't know." I said, looking at him and Harry.

"What?" They asked.

"This mirror shows our deepest desires." I said, revealing what this mirror really does.

Before they could say anything else, a noise from outside in the corridor made us on edge, thinking that it might be Filch.

"Quick." Ron muttered as we came together and under the Cloak right as Mrs Norris peeked into the room. We stood still, being as quiet as possible for what felt like forever before she turned and left.

"She might be going for Filch. Let's go." I said and we all left, heading back to our Dormitory.

We hung out in the Common Room the next day as the snow hadn't melted yet, keeping us in the castle.

"Want to play chess, Harry?" Ron asked.

"No."

"Why don't we go down and visit Hagrid?"

"No… you go…." It's clear what Harry's thinking, and it ain't healthy.

"Harry, don't go back to that mirror." I warned him firmly.

"Why not?"

"Staring into that mirror won't do you any good. And you've already had many close shaves and your luck will run out." I reasoned.

"You sound like Hermione." Harry replied.

"Seriously, Harry, don't go." Ron backed me up. But based on Harry's expression, he isn't going to listen.

When it was time for bed, I stayed awake as I saw Harry put his Cloak on and leave to go back to that mirror. I stayed awake as Ron was asleep, waiting for Harry to come back.

After a whole hour, Harry had come back and saw that I was awake.

"Well?" I asked.

"Dumbledore found me and said that I should stop looking for that mirror." He replied.

"Good." I nodded before I went to sleep.

Now, if you want a good idea for how Matt's dad looks, imagine Daniel Craig. I thought that since he and Rachel Weisz are married in real life, I thought I'd base Matt's parents on them. As for who the girl Matt saw is based on, I won't say as it ties with a later installment in the series.