"Erised." Desire. Such is the nature of the Mirror of Erised, introduced in the first book, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone. We have yet to see the Mirror appear again, outside of fan fictions, and even the fan fictions don't go into nearly as much of the background and deeper nature of the Mirror as I'd like. I find that a true pity. So I wrote this story. Inspired by Lewis Carol's Through The Looking Glass and Louis Sachar's Wayside School is Falling Down. Standard disclaimers apply. Enjoy...
Erised: Otni Eht Rorrim
by Dark_One Shadowphyre
With a quick glance behind him, Harry stepped forward into the Mirror and was immediately swept away.
"Take care, Harry Potter," Dumbledore murmured to him.
Harry gulped.
The Mirror abruptly turned blank white, then green.
Nodding sadly, the aged wizard turned to the Mirror and began the spell that would transform the Mirror's surface into a portal.
"No, you're right, Professor," Harry said, swallowing the lump in his throat that made it difficult to speak. "This is the only solution left."
"Harry," Dumbledore said gently, "Perhaps we can find another way to keep you safe besides sending you into the Mirror."
Unfortunately, this was the only solution anyone had been able to come up with.
The reminder of his first year, for all Dumbledore's reassurances, was not a comforting one.
For that was Dumbledore's plan-- tucked away safe in the Mirror of Erised like a living Philosopher's Stone.
Very shortly, Harry found himself standing before the Mirror of Erised.
Harry cast one last look at Ron and the grounds of Hogwarts before turning and following Professor McGonagall into the depths of the castle.
Impulsively, Ron hugged his best friend, then pulled away, blinking rapidly.
"Hey, don't worry," Harry said, forcing a smile for his best friend. "It won't be so bad. I'll be back before you know it.
"Take care of yourself, mate," Ron muttered to him, touching his hand briefly.
From the way Professor McGonagall was looking at him, he wasn't sure he'd managed it.
"Is it time, then, Professor?" Harry asked, trying to keep his voice from trembling.
The boys turned to see Professor McGonagall standing behind them, her eyes speaking volumes of her compassion for her students.
"Mr. Potter?"
"I hope so," Harry whispered, closing his eyes tightly against the tears that threatened to fall.
"Will you be coming back?" the red-head asked finally.
About leaving.
The pair was silent for a long time, Harry gazing out at the grounds of Hogwarts - a place that had always been home to him - and Ron watching Harry, trying to understand why his best friend could be so calm about this.
Harry shrugged, trying to feign an easy indifference he didn't feel. "I don't know yet."
"Where are you going?" Ron asked.
"I can't tell you, Ron," his friend said, then to forstall the indignant comment he could see coming, went on, "At this point, I'm not sure of the reasons, either. I just know that this has to be done."
"Harry..." Ron began. "Why?"
Harry nodded and looked back out across the main yard towards Hagrid's hut.
"Dumbledore just told Hermione and me," the other boy said, breathing hard.
"What is it, Ron?" he asked, frowning in concern.
Harry turned to see Ron racing towards him
"Harry!"
He stared out across the grounds of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, almost as if he were trying to imprint it all in his brain. Like he thought he might never see it all again.
Not that Harry had really expected anything else from Minister Fudge.
The Minister of Magic had refused to believe Harry when he'd told him. He hadn't even believed the proof in front of his own eyes.
Voldemort had returned.
Owari