Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stomach Ache
Chapter 12
What if Dumbledore was even more eccentric?
By
Jason Richard
After Harry eventually caught the snitch and won them the game he, along with Hermione and Ron, went to talk to the other teachers about Snape jinxing Harry's broom. Unfortunately, none of the teachers believed them. Not even Hagrid.
"Snape couldn't have been doin' that," said Hagrid. "And don't you worry about what's down the third-floor corridor. That's between Professor Dumbledore and Nicholas Flamel." he realized his mistake. "Did I say Nicholas Flamel? I meant professor...McGonagall. Yeah. That's what I meant."
"Professor McGonagall sounds nothing like Nicholas Flamel," said Hermione. "How could you get those two mixed up?"
Hagrid, "Oh look at the time!"
And Hagrid ran off.
Despite only that name to go on the three of them started looking through library books for Nicholas Flamel, but found nothing. They were at their wit's end until Hermione suggested they look in the restricted section. Getting in there would be tricky, but they agreed it was worth it.
They figured it should be done during Holidays, as there were fewer people around. Harry, not wanting to go back to the Dursleys, stayed at Hogwarts while Ron's family was visiting one of his brothers out of the country, making him stay at Hogwarts as well. Hermione was the only one who left, leaving them with the task of finding that information.
Harry and Ron did get presents that morning, mostly from Ron's mother, who was nice enough to send Harry some things two. They got some sweets, fruitcake, and a sweater for each of them among other things. Harry, interestingly, had one very unusual gift that surprised him. In fact, he looked at it in astonishment.
"Ron," said Harry. "This...this is a cloak that makes you invisible. There's no name, so who sent it? Who would just give as a gift something like this? I mean...imagine the things you could do with this. We can sneak into the restricted section. We can sneak anywhere. The places we could go...the mischief we could cause...this is one of the most amazing things I've ever seen!"
Ron, "Oh, Cool."
And Harry looked at Ron funny.
Later, Harry decided he would sneak into the restricted section under the cloak. He did so but didn't find anything on Nicolas Flamel. As he went back he almost ran into Snape. Since it was in the dead of night and there was a curfew he made certain not to make a sound as he ducked into an open room.
Inside he found a giant mirror. At first, it seemed to be an ordinary mirror, until it revealed something, a reflection that was in the mirror and not the real world.
His parents, standing over his shoulders.
Harry looked back, taking off the invisibility cloak, but no one was there. He turned to the mirror again and there they were as he'd seen them in pictures, smiling at him and putting their hands on his shoulders. Harry, confused, put his own hands on his shoulders, but of course felt nothing there. This just made him even more confused.
"I see you have found the mirror of Erised," said a soft voice behind him.
Harry turned to see Professor Dumbledore, smiling at him kindly.
"I'm sorry," said Harry nervously. "I know I shouldn't be out of bed."
"It's alright Harry," said Dumbledore. "I'll let it slide this once. I can hardly fault a young boy for expressing curiosity when he hears of a legendary magical item being kept at the school, especially when it reveals what this mirror reveals."
Actually, Harry thought, I was sneaking into the restricted section in flagrant violation of even more school rules than just curfew, but I don't think I need to mention that.
"Harry," said Dumbledore. "You see your parents, don't you?"
"How…" Harry stammered. "How do you know that?"
"This mirror," said Dumbledore. "Shows us the deepest, most desperate desire of our hearts. The happiest man alive would see only his own reflection staring back at him"
"I see," said Harry. "And why do you have it? Are you studying it? Or perhaps using its power to protect some Hogwarts secret?"
"Actually," said Dumbledore, suddenly turning mischievous. "I like to spy on people when they walk in on it. You wouldn't believe some of the things people do when they think they're alone with their deepest desire."
…
And now, what Dumbledore saw people do in front of the mirror.
Ron, a pleased look on his face, "You mean I'm the new Quidditch captain, head boy, Hogwarts Headmaster, the new minister of magic, and was the real boy who lived all along? I knew it!"
Hermione, an overwhelmingly happy look on her face, "You mean I did so well on all my exams that you had to make up a higher grade than O for outstanding? Oh, happy day!"
Nevil Longbottom, shocked, "You mean I got the lowest possible passing grade in every class? That means I didn't get a failing grade. Whoo Hoo!"
McGonagall, an irritated look on her face, "Well, I know this is fake. The class is actually paying attention."
Malfoy, a maniacal look on his face, "Finally, the money is mine! Gold! Riches! Fortune! Mwa ha ha ha! What? Who cares about my parents funeral? Did you not notice I'm rich now?!"
Snape, his face lit up with adoration, "I...I love you too! What's that lily? Yes...I am manlier than James Potter aren't I?"
…
"Wow," said Harry. "I wouldn't want to be caught acting like that."
"No indeed," said Dumbledore, who then got serious. "Harry I'm going to have to ask you not to go looking for this mirror again. Men have gone mad wasting their lives away in front of it. It does not do to dwell on dreams."
Harry nodded and was then overcome with curiosity.
"Professor," said Harry. "What do you see when you look in the mirror?"
"A thick pair of woolen socks," said Dumbledore. "You can never have too many socks. Coincidentally my greatest desire is surprisingly similar to my greatest fear."
Harry, "Which is?"
Dumbledore, "A thick pair of woolen socks...with teeth."
All Harry could do was give Dumbledore a funny look.