Christmas was coming. One morning mid-December. Soleanna woke to find itself covered in several feet of snow. The lake froze solid and the twins were punished for bewitching several snowballs so that they followed Suguna around, bouncing off the back of his hood. The few Flickys that managed to battle their way through the stormy sky to deliver post had to be nursed back to health by Big before they could fly off again. Everyone was looking forward to the holidays. Their common rooms might have been warm but the corridors were getting chilly with the cold air coming in. The worst was Potions because apparently Infinite didn't consider people having feelings in their hands to be important. "I do feel sorry for all those people who have to stay at Soleanna for Christmas because they're not wanted at home" Rutan had been so bitter after the Sky Chase match that he'd been taking shots like this the last few weeks. It was true though that Silver would not be going back to Penders Drive for Christmas. He didn't mind, in fact when Echo came around to make a list of children who were staying he practically burst at the chance. He didn't feel sorry for himself at all, this would probably be the best Christmas he ever had. Razor and his brothers were staying to because their parents were going to Vesuvio to visit Rotor. When they left potions they found their way blocked by a large Christmas tree being carried by Big or at least they thought it was Big based off the grunting coming from inside the tree "Need any help, Big?" Razor said.
A hand came through the branches and gave a thumbs up "Nah, I'm alright, thanks Razor". Rutan pushed passed them "Would you mind moving out of the way. Are you trying to earn some extra money, Weasley? Hoping to be gamekeeper yourself when you leave Soleanna, I suppose that hut of Big's must seem like a palace compared to what your family's used to". Razor grabbed the front of Rutan's vest ready to punch him but at that moment Infinite appeared "Razor? Unhand him at once!". Razor did. Big stuck his head out of the branches "He was provoked, Professor Infinite. Rutan was insultin' his family" he spoke respectfully. Silver was surprised to hear Infinite speak just as respectfully back "Be that as it may, fighting is against Soleanna rules, Big. Five points from Shinobi, Razor, and be grateful it isn't more. Move along, all of you". Rutan, Rough and Tumble pushed roughly past them smirking "I'll get him one day. One of these days, I'll get him" Razor said. The trio followed Big into the great hall. Echo was using her bident to move decorations onto the walls "Ah, Big, the last one. Put it over there, please" she gestured to the far corner. The hall looked amazing, Festoons of holly and mistletoe hung all around the walls and no fewer than twelve towering Christmas trees stood around the room, some sparkling with tiny icicles, some glittering with hundreds of candles. Once Big put the tree down he joined the trio "So many days ya got left till yer holidays" "One. Oh, that reminds me. We've got half an hour until lunch. We should get to the library early" Coral said.
Razor was distracted by Chuck hovering Christmas baubles onto the trees "Oh, yeah, right". Big followed them "The Library? Just before the holidays? Bit keen, aren't yeh?". Silver smiled brightly "Oh, we're not working. We're trying to figure out who Mammoth Mogul is". Big was shocked "What? I told ya to drop it" "We just want to know who he is, that's all" Coral said innocently. Silver nodded "You could tell us and save us the trouble. We've looked through hundreds of books and couldn't find him. Come on, give us a hint. I know I've heard the name somewhere" "I'm sayin nothin". This didn't deter the trio as they spent hours trying to find the name, they had to know what Infinite was trying to steal. Coral made a list of subjects to try and narrow down their search but the library still had thousands of books. Silver thought they might find him in the restricted section but they needed a signature from a teacher to get in and there was no way that was going to happen. All the books in there covered powerful dark magic the only good reason a student would need in would be in a later year studying for advanced Defence Against the Dark Arts. "What're you looking for, boy?" Misty-Re the Librarian asked him "Uh, nothing". She brandished a feather duster at him "You better get out then. Go on!". They left, they did consider the other today to ask Misty if she knew about Mogul, and they are still sure she knows but whether she would tell them was another question. The three went to lunch, Coral was going home tomorrow "You'll keep looking without me, won't you? Send me a Flicky if you find anything" "Why don't you ask your parents. Should be safe" "Very safe. They're dentists". Coral then spent some time explaining to the horrified Razor what dentists do.
Once the holidays had started, Razor and Silver were having too good a time to think much about Mammoth Mogul. They had the dormitory to themselves and the common room was far emptier than usual, so they were able to get the good armchairs by the fire. They sat by the hour eating anything they could spear on a toasting fork, bread, crumpets, marshmallows and plotting ways of getting Rutan expelled, which were fun to talk about even if they wouldn't work. Razor taught Silver about wizard chess which was exactly like normal chess except the pieces were alive. Like everything else Razor owned his chess board was handed down to him by someone else, in this case his grandfather. The difficulty of the game is you had to gain the pieces trust for them to follow you. This was easy for Razor who was clearly a good player as his pieces didn't question him once. Silver's pieces were borrowed from Larry and they didn't trust him at all. They could tell he wasn't an experienced player and kept yelling their own advice at him "I could have taken him" "Can't you see the Knight. You're sending me to my death!" "Send him. We can lose him!".
Silver woke up Christmas morning looking forward to the food and fun with the others but then "Silver, wake up! Hurry, wake up!". Silver got up smiling and run out of his dormitory. He ran to the steps and saw Razor standing in the common room "Merry Christmas, Silver" "Merry Christmas, Razor". Silver then realised what he was wearing, a grey jumper with a large R on the chest "What're you wearing?". Razor looked down embarrassed "Oh, my Mum made it. It looks like you've got one too". Silver had to take this in for a minute "I've got presents?" "Yeah". Silver ran faster than he'd ever run before. He joined Razor and started looking through the presents. The first one for Silver was from Big. It was a carved wooden flute which Big had clearly whittled himself. He played it and it didn't sound too bad. The next very small parcel contained note "We received your message and enclose your Christmas present. From Uncle Menthor and Aunt Cynthia". Sellotaped to the note was a fifty Mobium piece. Silver rolled his eyes "That's nice" he gave the Mobium piece to Razor who found it fascinating "Weird. This is money?" "Glad you like it. Wonder who are these are from" Silver stared at the remaining presents in his pile. Razor sighed "I think I know who that one's from" he pointed at a parcel. He looked embarrassed "My Mum. I told her you were staying for Christmas and you weren't expecting any… Oh no". He watched Silver open the parcel "She made you a jumper".
Indeed Silver found a warm white jumper and a box of home-made fudge. Razor cringed "She always make us a jumper" "That's nice" Silver said not understanding what was wrong. He and Razor received a box of Muggle sweets from Coral. They wanted to send her something back but they weren't allowed to go to Avalon alone to buy something. Silver had one more parcel a small box. He opened the lid and inside was a green crystal like object. Razor stared at it with admiration and jealousy "If I know what that is it's really rare" "What?" "Hold it tight in one of your hands and say Chaos Light". Silver did so "Chaos light". Razor started laughing "It is! Look". Silver looked down at his feet but they were gone. He ran to the mirror, his whole body was gone. Razor was amazed "It's a Chaos Emerald. Who sent it?". Silver put the Emerald down, his head appeared first then his body, his arms, legs and finally his feet. Razor checked the box "There'sa note" he gave it to Silver who read "Your father left this in my possession before he died. It is time it was returned to you. Use it well. A Very Merry Christmas to you". Silver picked the Emerald up, had it really belonged to his father? And who send it to him. Before he could say anything the door burst open with Mighty and Ray coming through "Merry Christmas". Silver quickly hid the emerald out of sight. They didn't spot it as they were distracted by something else "Hey, Silver got a jumper too". Mighty's was black with an M and Ray was yellow with an R. Silver was the only one that didn't have a letter which Mighty noticed "She obviously has an easier time remembering your name. Can't keep track of all ours". Ray nodded in agreement "But we're not stupid. We know we're called Righty and May" "What's all the noise?" Hamlin stuck his head out of the door half awake. "We got your jumper here, Hamlin. Come on, we're all wearing them" Mighty said. He and Ray forced it on the protesting Hamlin "No, I- I don't want to…" "And you're not sitting with the Prefects today, either. Christmas is a time for family".
The Christmas breakfast was incredible, as always there were piles of food but the best part were the crackers. Thee were nothing like the feeble muggle ones with their plastic toys and flimsy paper hats. Silver did one with Mighty and it didn't just bang, it made a blast like a cannon and engulfed them in a cloud of blue smoke. Several white Mickeys were released and Silver got a rear admiral's hat. Locke at the high table was wearing a flowered bonnet and was chuckling merrily at a joke Chuck found in the cracker. Big had gotten redder and redder as he had more wine until he eventually kissed Echo on the cheek. Silver thought she must have had some wine as well because her crown was lopsided and she actually blushed with a giggle when Big kissed her. After eating Silver, Razor and his brothers had a furious snowball fight until they were cold, wet and gasping for air. They returned to the common room and warmed up by the fire. Silver tried out his new chest set but lost spectacularly to Razor again. He might have not lost so badly if Hamlin hadn't been constantly giving him advice. Then after filling up on hot chocolate and cake they went to bed. It was the best Christmas Silver ever had. It wasn't until he got into his bed that he was able to think about who sent the Chaos Emerald. After ensuring that Razor had fallen asleep Silver took the Emerald out of his drawer. He stared at it, admiring it "Use it well" he said to himself. He had to try it out, he got to his feet and whispered "Chaos Light". He looked down at his feet and only saw the moonlight. Silve suddenly felt wide awake, the whole of Soleanna was open to him. He was tempted to wake up Razor but decided against it. This was his father's emerald, the first time he used it should be alone.
As he went through the portrait hole, confusing Earthia in the process, it came to him. The restricted section, he'd be able to read as long as he liked, as long as it took to find out who Mogul was. He set of holding the Emerald tight. The library was pitch black and very eerie. Silver lit a lamp to see his way along the rows of books. The lamp looked as if it was floating along in mid-air, and even though he could feel his arm supporting it, the sight gave him the creeps. The restricted section was at the back of the library with ropes separating them from the others. He tried to read the titles but they were written in languages Silver couldn't understand. Some had no titles and some had dark stains on them that Silver thought might be blood. Silver's quills were standing on end, he swore he could hear whispering coming from one of the books. He decided to start at the bottom. He put the lamp down and opened a book. Suddenly a face came out of one of the pages and released a blood curling scream. Silver slammed the book shut but it didn't stop the scream. Panicking, Silver stumbled back and knocked the lamp over shattering it. He heard footsteps coming, he put the shrieking book back in the shelf and ran for it. He passed Rykor at the door way, he looked right at him but saw nothing. Silver kept running, maybe it was because he was panicking but he didn't know where he was. He stopped and heard Rykor's voice "You asked me to come directly to you, Professor, if anyone was wandering around at night, and somebody's been in the library, the Restricted Section". Silver felt the blood drain from his face, Rykor really did know his way around as he sounded close. It was worse when he heard Infinite reply "The Restricted Section? Well, they can't be far. We'll catch them". They were both coming this way, they won't be able to see him but the corridor was narrow and the emerald didn't stop him being solid. He saw. There was a single door that was half open, Silver quickly squeezed through holding his breath. He backed up and the door opened. Infinite looked inside the room but saw it as empty and left.
Silver stayed on the spot waiting for the sound of their footsteps faded. Silver finally got a look at the room he was in. It was a disused classroom, there were desks line up against the walls. But there was something in the room that didn't look like it belonged their. It was a magnificent mirror, as high as the ceiling, with an ornate gold frame, standing on two clawed feet. There was an inscription carved around the top: Erised stra ehru oyt ube cafru oyt on wohsi". Silver's panic was now fading so he approached the mirror wanting to see himself disappear and reappear again. He had to clap his hands over his mouth to prevent himself from screaming. He was in the mirror but there were others. Silver spun around but the room was empty. Breathing heavily he turned back around. In the mirror there he was and behind him was at least 10 people. The mirror showed Silver despite him being invisible so are these people invisible too? Right behind him was an orange echidna in a tribal dress smiling at him. In the reflection she put her hand on his shoulder. Silver felt his shoulder but there was nothing there. He looked closer, she was very pretty and her eyes… her eyes were blue and the exact same shape as Silver's. He realised she was crying, happy but still crying. On his other side was a black hedgehog, he had one arm around the crying echidna. Silver thought there was something familiar about the hedgehog's face. Silver was so close to the mirror now that his nose was about to hit it "Mum? Dad?" he whispered. Silver put his hands against the glass almost hoping he could fall through. He finally noticed the other people in the crowd and found other pairs of blue eyes, silver quills and faces. Silver was looking at his family for the first time in his life. All of them smiled and waved at him. Silver had a terrible ache in his side, half incredible joy and half incredible sadness. He didn't know how long he stood there, the reflections never faded, never grew tired of looking at him. He knew he couldn't stay here, he had to get back to bed "Don't worry… I'll come back" he told them.
The next morning Silver had told Razor everything "You could have woken me up" "You can come tonight. I want to show you it" "Yeah, I'd like to meet your parents". Silver nodded "And I'd like to see your family. You'll be able to show me your other brother's and everyone" "You can see them anytime. Just come round this summer. Anyway, maybe it only shows dead people. Shame about not finding Mogul, though. Have some bacon or something, why aren't you eating anything?". Silver couldn't eat, he was too excited, he was going to see his parents again. He had almost forgotten about Mogul. It didn't seem very important any more. Who cared what the Blood Beast was guarding? What did it matter if Infinite stole it, really? "Are you all right? You look odd" Razor said.
Silver's worst fear is that he wouldn't be able to find the mirror again, he found it by accident in the dark last night. This night and Silver tried to retrace his steps. Razor had a hand on his shoulder which made him invisible as well "I'm freezing. Let's go back" "No! It's around here somewhere" Silver hissed. He started to recognise the narrow corridor "It's here. Come on. Yes!". They ran into the classroom and Silver immediately dropped the emerald. He ran to the mirror and saw his mother and father beam at the sight of him "See?". Razor came up next to him "I can't see anything" "Try standing where I am" he pulled Razor right in front of the mirror. Now that he had moved Silver couldn't see his parents anymore, just Razor. Razor however was now transfixed on the mirror "Look at me!" "What? Can you see your family?" "No, I… It's just me but… I look different. I'm older and I'm Head Boy". Silver narrowed his eyes "What?" "I'm wearing my badge like Ash used to. And I'm holding the House Cup and the Sky Chase Cup. Bloody hell, I'm Sky Chase Captain". He grinned at Silver "Do you think this mirror shows the future". Silver glanced away "How can it? My family's dead". He shook his head "Let me see again" "You had it last night. Let me have some more time" "You're holding some cups. I want to see my parents". They both heard a noise "Quick" they grabbed the Emerald "Chaos Light" Silver whispered. Just as they disappeared Spooky appeared at the door, Silver worried that maybe Chao could see through the invisibility. After what felt like an eternity she left "This isn't safe. We should go back" Razor said before making Silver leave.
In the Great Hall the few remaining students were all together playing different games and showing off their magic. Silver however was alone sitting at a table staring into a fire. Razor noticed and came up to him looking worried "Want a game of chess" "No" "We could go down to Big's?" "No, you go". Razor made sure no one else could hear "I know what your thinking, Silver. Don't go". Silver dismissively glanced at him "Why not?" "Because… I've got a bad feeling about it. Besides you've had too many close calls. What if you get caught?" "You sound like Coral" "I'm serious, Silver. Don't go". Silver wasn't listening, he was going to get back to the mirror and Razor wasn't going to stop him.
That third night he found his way more quickly than before. He was walking so fast he knew he was making more noise than was wise, but he didn't meet anyone. And there were his mother and father smiling at him again, and one of his grandfathers nodding happily Silver sank down to sit on the floor in front of the mirror. There was nothing to stop him staying here all night with his family. Nothing at all "Back again, Silver?". Silver's insides dropped into his feet, he turned around and saw Locke sitting on one of the desks by the wall. Silver was so desperate to get to the mirror that he hadn't noticed him "I didn't see you, Professor" "Strange how short-sighted being invisible can make you" Silver was relieved to see he was smiling. Locke slid off the desk and sat down next to Silver "So, you like others before you have discovered the wonders of the Mirror of Erised. I expect you've realised what it does". Silver wondered why Locke cared to talk to him "It… Uh, shows my family" "And it showed your friend, Razor as Head Boy" "How did you know that?". Locke smiled "I don't need an emerald to be invisible. Now, do you know what the mirror shows all of us". Silver shook his head, "Let me explain. The happiest man on earth would be able to use the Mirror of Erised like a normal mirror, that is, he would look into it and see himself exactly as he is. Does that help?".
Silver started to understand "So, it shows us what we want. Whatever we want" "Yes… and no. It shows us nothing more or less than the deepest, most desperate desire of our hearts. You, who have never known your family, see them standing around you. Razor, who has always been overshadowed by his brothers, sees himself standing alone, the best of all of them. However, this mirror will give us neither knowledge or truth. Men have wasted away before it, entranced by what they have seen, or been driven mad, not knowing if what it shows is real or even possible". Locke got to his feet "The Mirror will be moved to a new home tomorrow, Silver, and I ask you not to go looking for it again. If you ever do run across it, you will now be prepared. It does not do to dwell on dreams and forget to live, remember that. Now, why don't you put that admirable Emerald to use and get off to bed?". Locke helped Silver stand up "I'm sorry, Professor. Do you mind if I ask you something?" "You just have but feel free to ask another". Silver nodded thankfully "What do you see in the mirror?". Locke stared at the mirror with an unreadable expression "I see myself holding a pair of thick, woollen socks". Silver stared at him "One can never have too many socks, Silver. Another Christmas has come and gone and I didn't get a single pair. People will insist on giving me books". As Silver made his way back to the common room he realised Locke probably wasn't truthful but he did admit to himself it was a very personal question.