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Harry was used to being alone. For most of his life, he had been. Maybe not in the true physical sense, but life with the Dursleys had certainly not left him with many familial attachments, let alone friends. That familiar feeling of being alone with his mind, homework, and a book wasn't unusual to him. What was unusual to him, however, was how much he found he missed his two friends at Hogwarts.
It was only the second day of the winter holiday, and yet he missed the two girls greatly. Tracey and her abundance of good cheer and energy. Daphne and her sarcastic wit. Even just the general populace. Nearly the entire school had returned home to their families. The only other first years still at Hogwarts were himself and Theodore Nott from Slytherin, Ron Weasley from Gryffindor, and three other students whose names he didn't know. Two from raven claw and one Puff.
He wasn't friends with Theo, but they were at least cordial to each other. Theo much like himself just seemed to want to be left alone, and Harry had no problems obliging that perceived request.
Harry was seated on the steps outside of the rookery, with the great white raven Rana perched on the castle wall to his left. She had just returned with a mail order catalog for most of the stores in Hogsmeade. Harry was absently stroking the bird's feathers as he thought of his current dilemma. What on earth did you buy people as a gift?
He had considered books at first, and while he thought Daphne might appreciate it, he had never seen Tracey read without the threat of expulsion behind it. Probably not a great gift then. Tracey did seem to have an obsession with Quidditch, but would a broom or a jersey be a good gift? Money wasn't an issue seeing as Harry had still not spent a single knut of what he had brought with him. She had shown interest in his trunk. He also worried about buying something too expensive. He knew Tracey didn't come from an overly wealthy family and didn't want to look like he was showing off. Daphne, he knew far wealthier than him so an expensive gift probably wasn't going to be overly appreciated there either he thought.
Harry had briefly entertained the idea of asking someone for help, but there was no one else he could reasonably ask without embarrassing himself. Maybe chocolate? Everyone seemed to like candy. That could work but felt shallow.
Standing from his seated position Harry looked over at Rana. The white raven was stretching her wings in preparation for flight. He found it strange that no one had yet to confront him about allowing his familiar free reign of the castle grounds, but if they never said anything he was content to allow her freedom. He trusted the raven to stay out of trouble. She was frighteningly smart, and larger now than most of the other birds of prey kept around.
"I'll need you again before bed. I'll figure this out by then" Harry spoke to the bird. The raven spread its great wings and took off in the direction of the lake making no notice of if it had heard Harry, but he knew she had.
Setting off on a walk through the school Harry's mind still swirled with thoughts of what to buy his friends. Shoes? Girls liked shoes if anything Aunt Petunia had said was true. That idea was quickly thrown out however when he considered he didn't know what kind of shoes or size they might wear.
In the hall ahead he saw the caretaker's cat Ms. Norris wandering the hall. The cat stopped to watch as he passed but made no other actions so Harry ignored her and kept walking.
Maybe he could buy them jewelry? No that seemed a little intense for a group of twelve-year-old friends.
Everything seemed to stop all at once.
He couldn't breathe.
What was this feeling? It felt like time had slammed to a standstill. A faint buzzing feeling made itself aware on the edges of his senses. It was like he was aware of something but couldn't explain how he knew. Then it passed and his next step hit the ground. He paused and wondered if it had been in his head?
It had felt like he had crossed a barrier. Like walking through a curtain of water. He reached a hand back the way he came and could almost feel it on his hands. Magic. It was the only answer, but for what purpose? This was unlike anything he had read about so far. They certainly hadn't covered anything like magic curtains in classes yet. He tried to focus on the feeling of it on his skin. Tried to see if he could understand any more of it, but nothing changed. Pulling his hand away he looked around the hall. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary.
With nothing more to be down, he resumed his walk down the hall. He only made it six steps before the feeling hit him again. So it was a curtain put up to do something to this small bit of hallway then. Now he was far too interested. Looking between where he was and where he had first felt it became obvious that there was only one other thing the curtain could be containing. A single doorway to his left.
Harry felt his heart thud against his chest. He shouldn't be here. He knew that. He should not open that door. He knew that too. He couldn't help himself though. Curiosity overwhelmed his rational thought. Worse yet he felt himself shaking. Not fear. He was excited. This was new and exciting magic. What if that curtain was protecting something of even greater magic? What if was an alarm system, was someone on their way here now to see who had breached its lines? What if it was a deterrent system and had deemed him worthy of crossing? What was in that room?
He reached for a handout and turned the doorknob and opened it. Stepping into the room he was greeted by a large empty ballroom. He hadn't known the school to have entire ballrooms like this. Although he supposed he wasn't surprised to learn it existed. Just as Harry was about to dismiss the room and leave he saw it. A large cloth covered something in the middle of the room. Approaching the covered item Harry couldn't help but feel a sense of dread begin to grow. Cold fingers gripped his heart. His breath pulled from his lungs. He thought about turning and running. no. he had come this far he had to know. What could have elicited this response from within him?
A shaking hand reached out and gripped the cloth. His hand felt so cold. Like the heat was pulled from the appendage at a touch. With a sharp tug the cloth came off, and in its place stood an ordinary-looking mirror. It was near twice the height of Harry, perhaps as wide as he was tall. The only adorning feature were some words along the top that Harry couldn't read, and what seemed to be a title. "The Mirror of Erised" he read aloud.
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Albus cursed his old friend for what felt like the fifth time that morning. His presence had been all but demanded at the ICW in light of Gellert's recent actions. These fools still believed he might have some knowledge he withheld from them. Not to mention The Supreme Mugwump Barty Crouch Sr. still believed he was after his job. Despite having turned it down multiple times. No, he wanted nothing more to deal with than his school. He had also served as the head judiciary of the Wizngamot for a time but had stepped away from that role as well.
Now he strode away from the useless meeting that was his summons to the ICW. All they knew was that Gellert had returned for his Grimoire from Durmstrung, and had at some point begun to abduct individuals from various ministries. He had visited all of Britain, Russia, America, and Australia. Somehow they hadn't made the connection until he pointed it out that all the people abducted had previously had ties to Tom and his merry band of murderers.
He hoped Gellert was being truthful in his letter, where he had hinted at working against Toms's return. God help them all if those two ever conspired together. He doubted Toms's pride would ever allow him to work with another as equals, and he knew Gellert would never submit to another. But if they ever did reach a deal he feared what might become of them all.
Arriving outside the compound he felt the ward pass over his skin. With a raise of his hand, Fawkes was there. Called by his mental command. His now most loyal and oldest friend. In a flash of heat and ash, he was within his office again. Fawkes hopped over to his perch and settled in for a nap. Albus studied the old bird. It was nearly time for his rebirth. He would miss the bird for that rough month or so that he would be going through his rebirth. Every few years his friend would go through this cycle. Albus suspected it had something to do with the cycle of the sun and moon but hadn't been able to truly research it.
Albus was pulled from his thoughts when he noticed there was a man seated at the visitor chair of his desk. The man had made no motion when he had arrived. Only seconds had passed but it troubled Albus he hadn't immediately felt his presence. There were so very few able to hide their presence from his senses.
H was clean shaven, and though he was seated Albus could tell he was tall perhaps around his height. Olive skin and brown eyes, short black-haired delicately combed over to the left. A fine black suit unadorned by any marks or sigil. A man here for business.
Before he could speak the man spoke first, as if feeling Albus's eyes on him.
"The Great Albus Dumbledore, we meet at last." The man spoke with a slight accent Albus couldn't place immediately. It also rubbed him the wrong way the man was using that accursed title.
Perhaps a kind old man approach would work best. "Well Hello, to what do I owe the honor Mr...?" Albus spoke in a measured if happy tone. The man finally lifted his eyes from his notebook to meet Albus's. He felt no mental prod but Albus slammed his mental gates into place anyway. Better safe than sorry.
"My name matters, not I'm simply here to pass on a message." the man spoke without any inflection to his tone. No cheer, no threat, only business.
"And that message would be?", Albus could feel himself losing patience with the strange man before him.
Then the man stood up and his face changed for the first time in their brief conversation. He smiled at Albus. "I haven't a clue. For your eyes only I was told" with those words spoken the man reached into a pocket on his breast and pulled out what seemed to be a business card and presented it to Albus. Reaching out and taking the card Albus glanced down at it and felt his pulse quicken. A Crescent moon adorned the card. Returning his eyes to the man Albus noted he was still smiling.
"Good, you know what this means then. Very well. Have a nice evening Albus Dumbledore.", with a simple bow the man turned and strode for the door. Albus made no effort to stop him. He knew how these people operated. He knew no one else would have noticed his presence in the school. None would be aware he had ever been there except for Albus himself.
What worried him more was why The Crescent Council would want to speak with him after all these years. He had hoped to have washed his hand of Africa's ruling party after last time. He couldn't ignore them either. This had been both a message and a threat. The man had strode into his office, in one of the most secure places in the world, and had simply waited for him. Their magic was easily as old as that of Hogwarts and decidedly darker. At least if the rumors of Herpo the Fowl being a founding member were true anyway. He very much suspected they were true.
Albus once again felt envious of his brother. A great wizard in his own right, but while Albus had been cursed to have an "exciting" life Aberforth had been cursed with a quiet life. He felt envy again for that quiet life. Reminiscing would do no good. Albus walked towards the door. He supposed the day would be longer still. He would need to speak to some of the other members of the staff. It seemed he would be making some frequent and impromptu trips away from the school. Depending on how long it was going to take to clear up things with the ICW and now the bloody Crescent Council.
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Harry stared into the abyss of shifting images. The nebulous pool showed him images of futures that could never be. He saw his parents. He saw them together arms over his shoulders, smiling, happy, and alive. He saw them sometimes with a large shaggy black dog lying at their feet with its big yellow eyes looking at Harry. He saw a tall thin man with curly brown hair sometimes, standing just behind his father with a single hand on his father's shoulder and a proud smile on his face.
Other times he saw his mother alone, one hand on his shoulder as he looked back at himself. Harry wasn't sure how he knew that they were his parents but he felt knew they were. His mother looked down at him smiling with the same eyes. His father smiled back at him with almost the same face. The tall man and dog must have been their friends. Harry felt they must also be dead.
The strangest visions he saw involved others. His two female friends are on either side of him. Tracey with her large goofy grin. Daphne with a gentle smile. They all looked so carefree and happy. Stranger, still he saw himself as friends with Ron Weasley. The two are seated across from each other with a game board between them. Ron was laughing wildly at something the third boy had said. Draco Malfoy sat beside Harry, his same usual smirk on his face as Harry knew he told a joke that had made them all laugh.
Harry knew these were things that could never be. That had never been. But why did this strange mirror show them to him? How did it know the faces of people even Harry himself didn't? How did it choose what to show him? It had been three days since that first night when he found the mirror. Harry remembered how he had cried that night. How his parents had watched back from the mirror almost sadly as he reached for them.
Harry knew he never should have come back here. For three days he had skipped meals and slept in this room, tight on the floor before the mirror. He knew it was wrong. He knew he couldn't stay here, but he had finally been given something he hadn't even dared to dream of. He had time with his parents, with his friends, with people that could have been his friends if things had gone differently. Harry had even seen himself as headmaster once. An older taller Harry had stood in front of the welcoming feast and had smiled down at him with that same silly hat Dumbledore wore.
Harry sat on the floor and stared at the mirror. Gone were the thoughts he'd had of gifts for friends, or homework due. So consumed by the visions in the mirror Harry never heard the door open. Harry never heard the voice call his name. Never acknowledged the presence of the other person until long thin fingers circled his arm and pulled him sharply to turn away from the mirror. Looking up in confusion green eyes met furious blue. Albus Dumbledore stood before him. Gone was the grandfatherly man that roamed the school with a mischievous glint in his eye. Harry felt himself unconsciously swallow in fear. Standing before him was the Albus Dumbledore that was feared by the world around. The man that had defeated Grindelwald. The man that had taken on armies in the second world war and had walked away unscathed, and he was furious.
Albus spoke first. His voice was sharp and threatening. "How long have you been here", he demanded. Harry couldn't find his voice fast enough. Dumbledore looked away from him for a moment. Harry tried to move his eyes back to the mirror but was unable to move his head. His entire body denied his commands. He saw the Headmaster make two sharp motions and saw the cloth that had once covered the mirror rise from the floor and cover it once again. Then he felt a flash of heat beside his head and for a moment feared the Headmaster had sent a curse at him.
Then Harry was seated in a chair in the headmaster's office. Still frozen and unable to move he felt more than saw Fawkes jump from his shoulder and take flight. In a flash of blinding fire, Harry was alone in the room. It took only a few seconds before the flash of fire returned and Albus Dumbledore stood before him again. Albus seated himself in his chair and steeled his fingers before his face. Harry tried to move but found whatever magic had frozen himself to his seat neither allowing him to move nor turn his head.
"Harry Potter. I don't know how you got into that room unnoticed but allow me to make one thing clear to you child. You almost died tonight.", Albus spoke his voice no longer angry. He sounded old, tired like he had been drained of his strength. "I say this not to scare or punish you, but so that you might be aware of the severity of your actions. It is my fault you found The Mirror of Erised. Nevertheless, I need to know Harry, how did you find that room? How long were you there?" Albus again demanded of Harry. With a lazy wave of his hand, Harry felt Dumbledore lift the charm that had frozen his body.
"Um I'm not sure how I found it, Professor, I was just walking down the hall and felt like there was something... off.. about that door? I'm not sure how long I was in there either, to be an honest professor.", Harry's voice came out in a nervous tremble. His eyes focused on the desk before the headmaster. He suddenly felt both exhausted and oddly, guilty.
The Headmaster said nothing for what felt like minutes to Harry. The Professor seemed to be lost in his thoughts. "Um, Professor? If I may ask... what... what was that thing?", Harry asked.
The Headmaster had never for a moment taking his eyes off the boy seated at his desk. Just when he again thought that the Headmaster wouldn't respond Harry heard his voice.
"The Mirror of Erised is an Artifact used to capture the souls of those that look into its depths for too long. It has been used several times in the past as a means of capturing dark spirits and innocents alike. I'm sure you noticed when you gazed into the mirror, that you saw everything you ever dreamed of. Everything you could have hoped for in the palm of your hands. Many powerful witches and wizards have gone mad staring into its depths. I must firmly ask that you never again seek out that abominable mirror Mr. Potter. It will of course not be in the same place. You, however, young man, seem to be drawn to danger." Dumbledore paused here to stare at Harry for a moment as if asking if he was following along. Harry found it hard to speak up under the intense gaze of the older wizard. Harry had never seen the man so focused before. Or angry.
"I have often been told in my life much the same. So take the advice from another much like yourself Mr. Potter. Enjoy your holiday. Do not look in the mirror again. Go and enjoy your time at school. Go buy something for your friends for Christmas. Be a child. Enjoy yourself, Mr. Potter. I know you have to desire to be chased by trolls or captured by mirrors, but you have found yourself with far more excitement in a year than most experience in seven. Go now, Fawkes will return you directly to your room. I'll have food prepared and brought to you momentarily."
"
We will speak again tomorrow. Tell no one else of what you saw. And most importantly, you need to understand that the mirror shows you what it is you wish for most, but do not let those visions distract you from the happiness of the here and now. Many spent their lives chasing the visions of that mirror and finding that they have missed out on the magic around them. Good night Mr. Potter" Albus spoke to Harry with a calm measured tone. The anger had bled from his voice, leaving only the stern teacher.
Harry stood up knowing he was being dismissed. "Professor, have you ever looked in the mirror?" Harry asked before he could stop himself. The headmaster seemed to be almost expecting the question. Leaning back in his chair the headmaster addressed his question. "Twice in my life, I have made the horrible mistake of looking into that cursed mirror."
Then in a flash of fire Harry potter was alone in his dorm room. On a small table by his bed was a pitcher and a plate of what looked like roast chicken and some brown bread. Harry realized for the first time how ravenously hungry he felt.
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Following the map had been the easy part for Gellert. Surviving the heat had been harder. Europe had never suffered such unbearable heat as this. Gellert strode across the dunes at a languid pace. Magic thankfully made his walk through the sands easier than it had any right to be, but the heat seemed to permeate any cooling charm he could put up. Looming in the distance before he was the great island paradise of The Sahir, The Shifting Oasis.
The desert paradise was called so due to the urban myth that the oasis moved. Gellert knew the truth was that they hid the city within a Fidelous charm, and recast the secret at random intervals to keep the oasis hidden. It was a laughably complex way of keeping the oasis hidden, but Gellert knew they would go to any lengths to stay hidden. His eye was a testament to that.
Gellert had been foolish enough to come here last time without a proper offering, and for that, he had been forced to trade away an eye. He idly wondered what it had cost Hakim to have this secret for trade.
Arriving at the edge of the great city of tents didn't take much longer, and just as he knew they would be, they were expecting him. Standing at the edge of the circle of tents was an elderly woman. Beneath a great palm tree, she stood in a long white silken tunic. Old and wrinkled, Gellert had no true guess at her age. She was likely much older than she even appeared. Long white hair hung down her shoulders. Gellert had hoped to never see the woman again.
As he came within speaking distance she dipper her head in welcome. Gellert said nothing, waiting for her to speak first. After a few long moments, she spoke. Her voice light and airy carried easily upon the wind. "Fifty years has taught you some manners at least" She spoke. Gellert could hear the smile in her voice and had to resist the urge to roll his eyes. Still, he said nothing.
"Have you come once again to make a trade? I hope you've brought something this time. Otherwise, I'm not quite sure an eye will cover it this time." as she spoke Gellert said the wicked grin that split her face and resisted the urge to shiver. He wondered if perhaps she also shared a body with a demon or something of its ilk.
Instead of voicing those thoughts he reached into his own silken tunic pockets and withdrew both a leather-bound book and a small crystal vial. "I bring a copy of my family Grimoire, and a prophecy of the future given by Grigori Rasputin."
She seemed almost amused by that. The smile on her face stayed firmly fixed in place. "And why would we care for either of those two things?" She seemed to be wondering aloud to herself but Gellert knew the question was directed at him.
"My grimoire contains all of my and my family's knowledge, including hexes, curses, alchemy, rituals, and necromancy. The Prophecy is a true Prophecy and pertains to both my future, as well as that of Albus Dumbledore, Harry Potter, and The Dark Lord Voldemort" Gellert spoke evenly. He knew this part was the gamble. Gellert knew he was a powerful wizard who feared the world across, but even he had never been dumb enough to attempt to storm The Shifting Oasis and take its knowledge by force.
Gellert felt his hand clench tighter against the vial as he saw the smile drop from the woman's face for the first time since their meeting. That was either very good or very bad.
"Say that name again, and I shall slay you where you stand", the woman's voice dripped venom.
He knew she was not joking. Perhaps once upon a time, he might have been willing to fight his way through, but he knew he would die now if he tried. So he waited. Let the woman ask him for more information. He did not have to wait long.
"How exactly, would that man be involved in your prophecy?" she asked with the same venom in her voice.
"He has not yet left this plane of existence," Gellert spoke with more conviction than he felt.
The woman stared at him for a moment. Then she turned and strode towards the tents. Gellert knew he was meant to follow and wasted no time. This was good, he was being allowed entrance. Now he just needed to get out alive.
Following her into a tent he saw a large room filled wall to wall with scrolls, books, and vials. In the middle of the room was a table with two chairs. And in the middle of the table sat a great stone bowl.
Gellert sighed as he sat at the table. The memories of his last visit ran through his mind.
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Harry slept for nearly a full day. When he awoke it was to a letter on his table accompanied by a silver dope and another pitcher of water. The letter was from the headmaster informing him to take his time and to come to his office whenever he was ready. The dome hid beneath it a plate of eggs and bacon.
After eating and showering Harry began the long trek to the Headmaster's office. It was nearly noon, and so Harry knew the Headmaster would be in his office.
Arriving at the gargoyle Harry realized he didn't know the password for it, but that proved not to be an issue as the statue jumped aside as he got closer allowing him access. Entering the office he was greeted with the smiling cheerful headmaster he was used to, and not the man that had found him the other night.
"Harry! Come in my boy. Have a seat" Dumbledore greeted him cheerfully. Harry seated himself in one of the open chairs and eyed the Headmaster.
Dumbledore must have sensed some of his apprehensiveness as he apologized to Harry next.
"I fear I must apologize to you Harry, for both my attitude and my conduct last we spoke. I hope you are better rested now and we might have a more... productive, conversation." The headmaster said with an easy smile. He wasted no time waiting for Harry's acknowledgment and spoke again. "while it is true the mirror you stumbled upon is a rather dark artifact, it is certainly not the fault of a first year for finding it, and it was silly of me to be angry that you had been ensnared by it. My anger you see was not directed at you, but entirely at myself. I have been rather busy this last week, and fear I will be for yet some time, and I did not see my warning system until it was far too late. So once again Harry, I am sorry for what you experienced due to my failure.", The headmaster spoke in a solemn voice.
Harry was blown away. No adult had ever apologized to him. In fact, he was sure that no one besides Tracey had ever apologized to him. Certainly, not Dudley or the Dursleys, and yet here was a man many times his age, many times wiser and stronger than him, and he was apologizing to Harry for something Harry did not know the headmaster was part of.
Dumbledore continued after a moment of silence to allow Harry to consider his words. "I do have a few questions if you wouldn't mind, however, and I'm sure you do as well. I give you my word that what I can answer I shall do so truthfully. Does that arrangement sound fair to you Harry?".
Harry considered his words for a moment. He was sure the headmaster would ask what he had seen, and he knew the man would be able to tell if he lied, but this was also a way for him to get some questions answered. Harry was sure he could never pass that up. Nodding his head he waited for the first question.
"What did you see in that mirror Harry," Dumbledore asked. Harry wasn't sure, but the headmaster seemed tense as he waited for an answer.
"I saw my parents, I saw a man I assume was their friend, a large black dog, and I saw my friends here at Hogwarts. Oh, and I saw myself as a teacher here once." Harry spoke softly. The memories almost brought back tears. He fought them back. He wouldn't cry in front of anyone else he had told himself.
The headmaster seemed to relax at that. Almost like he had been expecting something else.
Harry took that moment to ask his question. "Do you know who that man was? He was tall, with curly brown hair and scars on his face." Harry hoped he could learn anything about the man.
Dumbledore considered for a moment and then spoke. "That man was one of your father's oldest friends Remus Lupin. They attended Hogwarts together. And while I can't tell you much more than that, I can say that he was a true friend to both your parents and that he was perhaps one of the brightest young minds to come through this school." Dumbledore said all of this with a smile.
Dumbledore took the initiative to ask the next question. "Did you tell anyone else about the room with the mirror? Any other students or teachers?"
"No, I found it by mistake, and before I knew what was happening you were there. How long was I in that room professor?"
Dumbledore looked grim at that question. "Three days Harry. You were ensnared by the mirror for nearly three days. I fear you may not have lasted much longer." Harry felt pale at those words.
Harry asked the next question again. "Is that man still alive?" Dumbledore considered his words for a moment then responded. "Yes, but you must know Harry, that while he might have wanted to be there for you. Remus Lupin has both a terrifyingly difficult job and a terrible curse afflicted upon him. I'm afraid that that's all I can say on the matter of Remus Lupin."
Harry tried not to let the hurt he felt at those words show. A small part of him had hoped maybe that man could stop him from having to return to the Dursleys. Harry waited for the next question but it never came. When he looked up from his thoughts the headmaster motioned for him to continue if he wanted to. So Harry did.
"Did my parents have any other living friends? I just want to know more about them."
"Your parents were loved by a great many people. Among their closest friends I would be honored to count myself, Rubeus Hagrid the groundskeeper here at Hogwarts, the aforementioned Remus Lupin, your mother's closest friend was Pandora Lovegood a brilliant woman who has unfortunately passed, and perhaps once your father's closest friend and brother in all but blood, Sirius Black. I'm afraid something happened and Black betrayed your parents. He now sits in Azkaban for his crimes. I wish I had better news for you Harry, but that's the truth of it. Before you stopped him Voldemort destroyed many friendships and families." Dumbledore spoke in his usual calm soothing voice.
Harry felt better hearing that news than he expected he would. Some truth and closure he supposed. Dumbledore once again left the floor to him if he had any further questions. Only one other question came to mind. "What did you see Headmaster?"
Dumbledore seemed surprised at that before he chuckled and smiled magnanimously at Harry. "I believe this will be the final question of our little meeting, but I saw myself both times. Surrounded by the ones I loved, and for that one brief moment in that vision, they were all together and happy."
Harry was struck by how similar their visions were. He didn't doubt for a moment the headmaster was being truthful with him.
"You may go, Harry. It will soon be time for lunch, and I believe you've lost precious time in getting your friends some holiday gifts. If a meddlesome old man may be so bold, the young Lady Greengrass has quite the sweet tooth that she tries to hide, and young missus Davis is quite the artist in her free time."
Harry just stared at the Headmaster with his mouth threatening to drop open. How had the man offered insight that he hadn't thought of, that now looking back seemed obvious in retrospect? Shaking his head with a smile he stood and thanked the headmaster before heading off to place his orders. He hoped Rana wouldn't be annoyed at him not having visited for three days.
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Hey all, if you wouldn't mind. If you've made it this far, leave me a review. Tell me what you like so far, what you don't. What you think I'm doing right, and what you think I can do better. Help me make the story better. Thanks again
