~Chapter Sixteen~
Harry crept along through the library, his body mostly hidden except for his hand which held the lantern so he would be able to see. At last Harry came to the restricted area, looking around he slowly walked into the small area, looking for anything about anyone. All the books seemed to be chained, as though they would jump out at someone who tried to remove them from their place.
Looking up he noticed a book on the shelf and shrugged, pulling it out he opened it, suddenly a face protruded from the pages and screamed a wailing banshee scream. Harry slammed the book closed and placed it back on the shelf.
"I know you're in there," came another voice, Harry turned…Filch. Cursing to himself he threw the cloak back around his shoulders and disappeared, his lantern falling to the floor and extinguishing. Harry hurried past Filch, who came around the corner, stepping out of the library, Harry looked around both ways.
Filch's cat, Mrs. Norris was sitting there, looking at him, as though he could see right through the cloak. Harry continued to back up, turning around he hurried towards another hallway, stopping himself right before he ran into his father and Quirrell. He watched his father slam Quirrell into the wall and stick a finger in the shaking man's face.
"You do not want me as your enemy Quirrell," Severus hissed in a deadly tone that would have sent Harry running.
"Severus…I….I, What do you mean?" Quirrell stuttered.
"You know very well what I mean…" Severus stopped and turned to look right where Harry was standing. Harry had never been more sure in all his life that his father could see him, Harry covered his mouth and took a step back as one of his father's long, strong, thin hands reached out towards him, trying to grasp whatever was there. His hand came away empty, but Harry could feel his father's lingering look. Severus turned back to Quirrell again and glared at the man.
"We'll have another little chat soon, soon as you decide where your loyalties lie," Severus said in a deep silky calm voice.
"Oh, Professors. I found this in the restricted section of the library, and it's still hot. That means' there's a student out of bed," Severus' face became somewhat worrisome, while Quirrell acted frightened. Both ran with Filch towards the library, and Harry looked around for a door.
Harry spotted a door only feet away from him, and he quickly opened it, climbing inside, closed the door behind him and allowed the cloak to fall to the floor, breathing deeply, as though he could feel his entire being shake.
Harry suddenly spotted a mirror a few feet from him and made his way towards it, walking closer he saw two figures begin to appear in the mirror. One, a woman had beautiful auburn hair and green eyes like his, the other, a man, had dark hair just like his and war dark rimmed glasses. Then he noticed other figures continuing to appear, he noticed Dumbledore, Remus, another man with dark lanky hair and sallow skin. Finally he noticed his father, Lei, Damien and a small infant girl appear.
Confusion filled his mind, he noticed the woman reach forward and touch his shoulder, turning Harry expected to see all these people, but no one stood behind him.
Without another thought Harry turned and ran, almost forgetting the invisibility cloak and ran all the way back to his dorm.
"Damien!" Harry yelled as he shook his best friend awake. Damien looked up at him with confusion and groaned.
"Best be a good reason why you woke me up from a good dream," stated Damien, only half awake.
"You've got to see this!" Within moments the two boys were headed down to the mirror. Finally reaching the room Harry pulled the younger man in front of the mirror, Damien sighed.
"I see myself," Damien said.
"Here look improperly…"
"I see your father…why do I see your father, that makes no sense," he whispered.
"My dad?" Harry asked looking into the mirror.
The next evening, Harry returned to the mirror and sat in front of it, staring at the faces of his family…or the people he didn't really know yet.
"Back again Harry," Harry turned to see Dumbledore walking towards him.
"I…sorry Dumbledore," whispered Harry.
"No child, quite all right, I imagine by now you have figured out what the Mirror of Erised does?"
"No sir," whispered Harry.
"Allow me to explain, when the happiest man looks into it he sees only himself, exactly as he is."
"Then it shows us what we want, whatever we want?"
"In some ways, it shows us no more and no less than our hearts deepest and darkest desires. You never knew your parents, so naturally you see them, and the people they trusted the most. You see your dad Severus, because you love him and wish him the best. You see Lei, Damien and the small child because you want a family in the future. However, remember, this mirror gives no truth, people waste away in front of it. That is why come tomorrow it will be moved, do not go looking for it. It does not do to dwell on things and forget to live my child."
"Professor, then…why did Damien see my dad?"
"Ahh, that is not for you or Damien to know, but for your father and his mother."
"Grandfather, what do you see in it when you look in the mirror?"
"I see my two beautiful daughters, alive, and well with their two sons. Now off with you child, get some rest, you're going to need it," Harry nodded and hurried off.
A/N: The Next update will be sometime within the next three weeks, school is calling my attention full force currently, and at the moment my studies are quite important to me. Please be on the look out within three weeks for the chapters seventeen and eighteen for they should hopefully be up by then. Also be on the look out for my first Lord of the Rings Story within four weeks! Thank you for your patience. -Stephanie-