Harry found the winter holidays to be just what he needed. The students were mostly gone, and Severus had more time to spend with him. Even though Harry knew that Severus was hiding something, something terrible from him, he could not help but savor each and every moment they had like a man in a desert would savor water.
When two centaurs lived together in strange surroundings, there was a natural bond created. As Harry had realized earlier, the world split into the time he spent with Severus and the time he spent with his friends. As of late, the time with his friends had become disproportionately bigger than the time he spent with Severus.
Perhaps it was because he was no longer so afraid of the two-legs. Perhaps it was because Hogwarts, with its turrets and spires and quidditch games, was starting to feel a little like home. This growing confidence allowed him to explore more. Rather than wish to spend every moment with either Severus or his friends, he now desired some time to be alone to think. So very much had changed in his life, and the practically empty castle gave him much time to reflect.
He was doing just that as he wandered down a long, empty hallway. He had gotten lost several hours before, but he was not frightened. The castle felt very friendly to him rather than harsh and unnatural. Harry wondered when that had changed. Now it seemed to him like the castle had a life of its own.
"I could run away. The two-legs trial is in a mere week. I'm trying to think on more important things, but everyone else seems to have forgotten that I could die because of this trial. Knowing that, why am I still here?"
Of course, he already knew the answer. He just didn't feel like admitting it out loud – even if the only one listening was an ancient castle.
"And I still haven't heard word from my old herd. Sirius and Grandmother…and even Thistle. I miss them. They must hate me. If I run away from this world, I have no place to go. I'm feeling very, very lost. I have started to pray to Reiki for guidance but there has been no answer. My visions have lessened since coming here. I feel so different. Things have happened so fast. If this is what it feels like being an adult…I wish I'd never had my terrible Minnetaree. Oh, and that's another thing that remains a mystery." Harry had come to stand in front of a window where he could stare up at the stars.
"Why don't you speak to me anymore? Am I loosing my powers here? What is this castle doing to me?"
A door creaked open behind him. Startled, Harry turned quickly, anticipating someone to emerge from the room and scold him, but no one did. Slowly, he crept towards the door and opened it further.
The room inside was dusty and nondescript. Some spare desks draped in sheets were piled in a corner, along with an old wardrobe covered with years of dust. But something in the back of the room, partially obscured by cloth, caught Harry's attention. Nervously, Harry crept further into the room, drawn like a magnet to the large rectangular thing. Some of the material had slipped off a corner to reveal gold edging and a sliver of mirror.
Hesitantly, Harry reached his fingers toward the cloth and gently pulled. A large cloud of dust floated up as the mirror was revealed in its entirety.
He had no reflection. Confused, Harry walked closer to the surface, gently pressing his hand against the cool mirror.
Suddenly, a hand was touching his own. Startled, Harry took in the image of Severus smiling gently at him. A reflection of himself – stronger and broader in the chest and shining with health – stood next to the mirror Severus and held his hand. Slowly, others began to fill up the mirror space as well.
First to appear was his Grandmother and Sirius. Then Thistle appeared behind them, offering him a friendly wave and a large smile. Then Hermione, Ron, and Neville appeared on Severus's side of the mirror, all of them happy and safe.
The image radiated togetherness. It was unification of his past and present, where everyone was happy and accepting of one another. As Harry smiled serenely, the image flickered and a foal tottered onto the surface of the mirror with gangly legs and chubby little arms. He barely reached Severus's knee. Mirror Harry bent down and easily scooped him up. The foal giggled and kissed his cheeks, and then stretched little arms out to mirror Severus.
Harry sat mindlessly, then laid down, staring captivated at the image.
Was this a vision from Reiki? Was it the future? He could not look away. Hot tears began to prick at his eyes, threatening to fall.
A kindly voice interrupted his thoughts.
"So you have found the Mirror of Erised. I suppose I did not hide it well enough. How fare you tonight, young Harry?"
Harry briefly turned to see it was the once frightening Headmaster that had joined him. Somehow, he was not surprised to hear a traditional centaur greeting from the wizard.
"My thoughts are many. How fare you, Headmaster?"
"I have many questions," the Headmaster replied with a gentle smile. Harry nodded, waving his hand at the beautiful mirror.
"What is the special power of this mirror?"
"Ah. Yes, I'm sure it surprised you. Let me explain it in this way. The happiest man in the world would be able to use this mirror as if it were an ordinary mirror."
There was a pause and then…
"I see," Harry said heavily, something sad filling his large green eyes. He stood, turning away from the scene in the mirror world that was so appealing to him. "Such a thing is dangerous. This castle is not as harmless as some would like it to seem."
Dumbledore smiled, inclining his head to Harry in respect.
"I forget that you are not one of the children. Let us leave the mirror and go for a walk together, hmm? We have a few things to discuss."
Mutely, Harry followed him out of the classroom and back into the hallway. The old two-legs moved slowly and deliberately, pausing to stare at the star laden sky through the same window Harry had visited earlier.
"Do you know how your parents died, Harry?"
Harry's eyes narrowed in surprise. "How did you know that they had died?"
"There is a great deal of things I know. Please answer my question, for now."
Harry approached the window as well, his arms crossing over his chest. Even though he was taller than the old man, he still felt very small in his presence. It was hard to resist the command in Dumbledore's voice. Something about him made one feel impelled to answer him. Still, Harry was a centaur and if he didn't like giving information, he would not give it. He did not like talking about his parents. He had enough pain at the moment without re-opening that old wound.
"They died because it was Reiki's will."
"I did not ask you why they died. I asked you how."
Harry sighed.
"Wolves. That is all I was told. That is all I cared to know about it."
"Do you believe that? Is it true in your heart?" Dumbledore questioned gently. Harry's eyes turned to the floor and his hoof scratched across it restlessly.
"What are you trying to tell me? I do not understand."
"Harry, I knew your parents. I do not claim that I knew them well, but they were an invaluable help to me at one point in time. The dark wizard Voldemort murdered them. Wolves did not slaughter them. Whoever told you that falsehood has done their legacy a great disservice."
A great whoosh of air raced out of his lungs and his legs felt like jelly. He steadied himself by pushing his hands against the window frame, pressing his forehead to the cool stone.
"You are Albus."
"Yes, that seems to be the general opinion," Dumbledore replied with a touch of confusion.
"No…I had visions…visions about my parents and they mentioned an Albus. That was you. My mother gave you a prophecy."
Dumbledore looked impressed. "Yes, Harry, she did. The clairvoyant powers of centaurs are impressive indeed. If you stick around, I might end up putting you to work."
Harry was irked by his calm, non-affected tone. Didn't the old two-legs know what kind of information he was giving him? This was not a light discussion.
"My parents…murdered."
"Yes. By Voldemort."
"Why?"
"Because Lily knew the danger that was coming. She sensed the destruction that would come if Voldemort gained power and she tried to change the future she predicted. She and your father, James, sought me out. It was a long journey for them from the Thorny Woods, but they came several times to give me knowledge of future attacks by Voldemort…and of course, to tell me the prophecy that would be his downfall."
"The prophecy was about Neville, wasn't it?"
"Yes. Your mother's prophecy said that Neville would be the one to defeat the Dark Lord. Either Neville would kill him…or no one will."
"So Voldemort killed them because they were passing you information."
"Not exactly. Another centaur murdered them. He was working for Voldemort at the time."
"I think I'm going to be sick. Leave me alone." His stomach rolling, Harry stumbled away from the window and down the hall, his speed increasing until he was flat out galloping. His search for an exit became frantic and eventually he found the doors that lead past Hagrid's hut and into the Forbidden Forest. He tore across the lawns until he was inside the dark woods and only there did he stop and throw up into the bushes. His head swam with images of his mother dead – her big green eyes glassy and unseeing. He heaved again and again. His heart beat out of control and his breathing was shallow. There was not enough air. It kept slipping away from him and the forest was beginning to spin.
A snarl and the gnashing of teeth made him turn his head – but it was too late. The large wolf sprung from his hiding place with his vicious claws extended. At the last possible moment, a powerful kick sent him flying into a tree. An arrow was released into the darkness and a pained yelp rang out through the night. Severus reached for him.
"Rescuing you from wolves is growing tiresome," Severus's slightly teasing tone died abruptly when he saw how sick Harry had been, and how his pupils were so dilated they were nearly solid black. Harry's previously limp arm twisted harshly in his grasp and the boy stumbled to his feet.
"Get away from me! Don't touch me! Just leave me alone!" Harry turned to run, but Severus caught hold of his tail. Harry screeched in outrage and kicked backwards, nailing Severus just where the skin on his abdomen turned to solid hair. Severus let out a surprised grunt but did not release him.
"Have you gone mad!" Severus roared. Harry took some enormous, shuddering breaths and then the fight drained out of him. He took a few hesitant steps away from Severus, and then a few towards him. He shook his head in bewilderment and slowly slipped to the ground in a dead faint.
A/N: Poor Harry. I'm giving him such a rough time. Thanks, as usual, for all the lovely reviews.