A/N: Things are getting fiesty! Can't wait to release the next Chapter, where detention goes extremely wrong... or, extremely right? You tell me! As always, please feel free to review, favourite, follow, share, like... Whatever your heart desires! :)
Lola's slumber was rudely interrupted by a sudden jolt, her heart racing, and every sense alert. Moments ago, she had been immersed in the soothing embrace of a dream, basking in the warmth of her parents' love and the echoes of their laughter that had once filled their home. But tranquility gave way to chaos when an unsettling commotion disrupted her reverie, emanating from somewhere within the heart of Gryffindor Tower.
Her eyes flew open, and she catapulted upright in her bed, straining to identify the source of the clamor. Her bunk happened to be positioned closest to the source of the disturbance, hence why only her night was about to get interesting. Dim moonlight seeped through the common room, revealing a frantic figure pacing restlessly by one of the windows. The silhouette was unmistakable, sending a sinking feeling into Lola's chest. It was Harry.
His movements were fraught with an unmistakable urgency. Lola stealthily moved toward the common room, where Harry stood, his expression etched with deep concern. She inquired in a hushed tone, "What's happening?"
"Something's terribly wrong, Lola," Harry whispered, his voice heavy with apprehension.
Before Lola could delve into the specifics of the matter, the entrance to the common room was violently thrust open, a gust of frigid air invading their sanctuary. A shadowy figure, shrouded in an eerie gloom, darted through the door and out into the corridor. Both Lola and Harry tracked the figure's escape with a sense of foreboding.
"Who was that?" Harry gasped, his eyes wide with shock.
"I don't know, but it doesn't seem good," Lola replied, her voice quivering with trepidation.
Driven by a shared determination to uncover the identity and purpose of the mysterious intruder, they embarked on a high-stakes pursuit. Lola's heart pounded relentlessly as they navigated the dark corridors of Hogwarts, their steps guided by faint echoes of hurried footfalls. The air was charged with danger, and their instincts screamed warnings of the impending peril.
At last, they reached a narrow corridor where the enigmatic figure was cornered. As they cautiously approached, it became evident that the person in question was none other than Severus Snape, the enigmatic Potions Master.
"Professor?" Harry queried, a puzzled furrow creasing his brow.
Snape turned to face them, a mixture of frustration and annoyance etched across his features. "Students should not be wandering the corridors at this hour. Return to your dormitories at once!"
"But you were the one who roused us from sleep," Lola pointed out, her voice unwavering.
Snape chose to ignore her, his gaze remaining fixed on the corridor beyond. "I heard someone in this area. I suspected it might have been a student out of bed."
The tension in the room was palpable, and Harry exchanged a meaningful look with Lola, both equally confounded by Snape's presence.
"That's enough," Snape growled, his voice low and stern, emphasizing his demand for them to retreat. In addition, he docked ten points from Gryffindor for their defiance and promptly assigned them detention for venturing out of bed.
Following the Potions Master's orders, the young Gryffindors raced back toward the common room. Unfortunately, their hurried steps inadvertently led them right into the path of Argus Filch's vigilant cat, Mrs. Norris, setting off a series of hushed exclamations.
Sure, they were already in trouble, signed up for detention the next day, but they both knew that few things were worse than being cornered by Filch.
"Filch!" Harry whispered in alarm, his voice barely above a murmur.
"Run!" was all Lola could manage, prompting them to sprint in the opposite direction.
As they dashed through the maze-like corridors of Hogwarts, they unwittingly found themselves in unfamiliar territory. Panic gripped them until Lola's voice cut through the chaos.
"Harry!" she cried, her tone urgent. "In here!"
Together, they entered an empty classroom, one that appeared to have been abandoned long ago. The room was cluttered with overturned desks and chairs, and odd bits of debris seemed to have been stashed away.
Yet, propped against the wall and bathed in a soft, silvery light, stood an imposing, ornate mirror.
"The Mirror of Erised," Lola whispered to herself in amazement, her voice tinged with a mix of surprise and curiosity.
In awe, Harry inched closer to the mirror, his gaze fixed upon the enigmatic reflection it offered. Lola, unable to resist its allure, soon joined him.
Lola's mind raced with questions and apprehensions. She had long wondered what she might see in the Mirror of Erised, whether her deepest desires even existed, and if they were worth pursuing. She just stood there, her curiosity battling her caution. Could she truly bring herself to peer into the depths of the Mirror of Erised? Over the years, she had often wondered about the image that would greet her, but her mind had kept her own deepest desires a closely guarded secret. At times, this uncertainty had left her questioning if she truly knew herself. Was this perhaps a blessing in disguise? Dumbledore's warnings echoed in her mind, tales of wizards driven to madness by the seductive allure of their mirrored dreams, reality fading into pale insignificance. But Lola's concerns went beyond the fear of losing her sanity. What if her heart's desire was an impossible dream, like Harry's, a yearning too far from reach that it would drive her to despair? Or what if it was something trivial and inconsequential, leaving her feeling foolish? Judging herself into oblivion was not what she had planned to do that night... What if the mirror's revelation led her astray from her life's true purpose? And the darkest dread of all, what if seeing her dream accomplished extinguished her drive, leaving her aimlessly adrift in the currents of life?
Yet, she was a Gryffindor, guided by courage and boldness. Yielding to her fears was less appealing than confronting the mirror's enigmatic promise. Gazing at the reflection, she couldn't help but notice the words etched upon its frame: "The Mirror of Erised."
"Do it." said a voice within her, and Lola took a leap of faith. Within the mirror's depths, Lola stood beside an older version of Harry Potter. A family of three children—two boys and a girl—all bearing Harry's unmistakable features, surrounded them. The scene radiated warmth, love, and the bliss of a united family.
As Harry gasped in awe, it became evident that he was witnessing the presence of his long-lost parents within the mirror's confines. Overwhelmed by the revelation, he was left momentarily speechless.
Lola, who would explain her knowledge by saying she had read about the mirror and its properties while researching for the Philosopher's Stone, was the first to break the silence. She leaned closer to Harry and whispered, "It's called the Mirror of Erised, Harry. It shows us our deepest desires, our heart's truest wish."
Harry remained fixated on the illusion of his parents, tears glistening in his eyes, as he longed to reach out and touch the family he had never known.
Finally, Harry asked Lola, his voice heavy with emotion, "What do you see?"
Lola hesitated briefly, tears welling up in her own eyes. Her truest wish, a desire that had both stunned and consoled her, was now laid bare. With a faint smile and her voice trembling with emotion, she replied, "I see something I never thought I would. But everything I know makes sense now..."
In that profound moment, Lola comprehended that the inexplicable pull she had felt toward the world of Harry Potter, the Potterverse, was not a mere coincidence; it was her heart's deepest desire, her truest wish. Her life's journey had been leading her to this pivotal moment, with every twist of fate and every decision paving the way.
Her heart was irrevocably his, belonging to none other than Harry Potter, the young wizard who had suffered immeasurable hardships in the care of the Dursleys. While she had only ever known him through the confines of book pages, his tale had etched itself upon her soul in a manner that no other love ever could.
With a mixture of shock and understanding, Harry regarded her. Lola feared he might have discerned the truth, but instead, he asked, "Do you see your parents, too?"
Relieved, Lola responded with a heavy heart, "No. I see my dream of the future, and it looks beautiful."
...
In Professor Quirrell's dimly lit study, the air was heavy with malevolence as he continued to serve as the host of the Dark Lord. The figure, though hidden from plain sight, exuded an aura of dark power that Quirrell could not escape. Their conversation was laced with whispers and deceit, all aimed at achieving their nefarious goals.
"Severus Snape, interfered in our affairs tonight, Quirrell..." the Dark Lord hissed through Quirrell's voice, his tone filled with disdain. "I have entrusted you with a task of utmost importance... Yet, you allowed Snape to access the Gryffindor dormitory... His presence is unsettling..."
Quirrell, his demeanour subservient, dared not meet the spectral eyes within his mind. "I did not anticipate his interference, my Lord. It took me by surprise."
The Dark Lord's voice grew colder. "You must remember, Quirrell... We cannot afford any interference, especially from the likes of Snape... His suspicions must be quelled, or he could become a dangerous obstacle..."
"I understand, my Lord," Quirrell replied, his voice trembling.
The Dark Lord's sinister presence seemed to grow closer, and Quirrell shuddered involuntarily. "What is it that Snape is so intent on protecting...? Does he know too much...? Is he close to discovering our secrets...?"
Quirrell had been instructed by the Dark Lord to enter the Gryffindor common room because the Dark Lord had learned of Harry Potter's involvement in trying to thwart their plans. They knew that Harry and his friends were determined to uncover the mystery surrounding the Philosopher's Stone and had started their own investigations. The Dark Lord, therefore, instructed Quirrell to gather information, sabotage the students' efforts, and, if necessary, eliminate any obstacles that might arise.
Quirrell hesitated, scared of angering the Dark Lord further. "He suspects something, my Lord, but I have not given him reason to believe he is correct."
The disembodied voice sighed within Quirrell's mind. "Very well... You must maintain his trust... While keeping a close eye on him. Do not allow him to compromise our plans. I will tolerate no mistakes!"
Quirrell bowed his head, his body contorting as he struggled to maintain the facade. "Yes, my Lord. I will ensure Snape remains in the dark."
As the Dark Lord's presence retreated into the recesses of his mind, Quirrell couldn't help but wonder about the true reason for Snape's intrusion into the Gryffindor dormitory.
...
"Can you believe that git?" Ron moaned over breakfast the next day as Harry and Lola recounted the incidents. "Not only does he peer into our House, but he has the audacity to punish you for a bit of curiosity. What a dumbwit!"
"I admit it's rather strange," Hermione said thoughtfully. "What do you think he was up to in our Common Room?"
"It must be about the stone! What else?" said Fay. "Detention, though? That's rough..."
In the midst of the discussion, Harry and Lola exchanged a meaningful glance. They couldn't reveal the full details of what had transpired after they chased Snape down the corridor. The Mirror of Erised was too personal, too extraordinary, and they needed to keep it a secret, even from their closest friends.
The incident with Snape, though interesting, paled in comparison to what they had experienced in front of the mirror.
In Transfiguration class later that day, Harry and Lola were still transfixed, distracted by the images they saw in the Mirror of Erised. Behind them, Ron, Hermione and Fay, sat restlessly in their respective seats. The events of the previous night had left them on edge, leading to hushed conversations and discreet glances exchanged among them as Professor McGonagall's back was turned. They decided to formulate a plan without involving Harry and Lola, who were already in trouble and would draw too much attention to their group.
Fay, who couldn't help but think about the strange occurrences from the night before, glanced nervously at Ron and Hermione. An idea began to form in her mind, a daring yet manageable plan driven by their collective desire to uncover more about the Philosopher's Stone and Professor Snape's strange actions.
After a brief, whispered discussion, Fay proposed the scheme. They were to use their transfiguration skills to change the color of their ties temporarily to green, the color of Slytherin House. The plan was to blend in as Slytherin students by using various disguises, learn the Slytherin common room's password, and discreetly gather information about Snape's strange actions and the Philosopher's Stone.
Ron and Hermione both agreed it was a risky endeavour, but all three believed it was their best chance to uncover the truth.
"Impersonation spells, trying to appear like others, especially from another house... We will be breaking about 50 rules at once, you know?" Hermione voiced her concerns.
"Yeah, but how else are we gonna know what that git is up to?" Ron reasoned angrily.
Fay sighed with defeat. "You're right Ron." she showed her understanding for Ron's sentiment. "He seems to be involved with everything, somehow. Wherever we look, he turns up. I know Lola says we can trust him, but I'm just not sure..."
Hermione was convinced. "He was definitely up to something in our Common room. If not him, then someone else... We have to get to the bottom of this!"
"Then, this is the only way I can think of." Fay stated grimly.
As they discussed their idea further, they practiced small, subtle color changes on their ties under their desks. The plan was set in motion, and they couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement mixed with nervous anticipation.
However, their conversations had not gone unnoticed. Draco Malfoy, sitting nearby, overheard their discussions and noticed their attempts to change their tie colors. Seizing the opportunity to taunt the Gryffindors, he discreetly transfigured his own tie color to red. The moment Hermione mentioned the plan, Malfoy knew he had to thwart their plans and expose their intentions.
"Hey! Weasley!" he called out for Ron, quietly. All three of the group turned to face Malfoy. "I know what you're playing at." As he grinned and showed his reddish green tie, the trio squirmed in their seats, Ron almost swearing under his breath.
"Ugh!" Fay complained, disgusted.
"It's okay, I'm saving you from a lot of trouble actually," Draco said arrogantly. "There is no way the likes of you can pass as noble Slytherins, no matter how hard you try. So, I'm just saving you the trouble of getting caught!"
The girls shot him a nasty look, and Ron made a gesture so rude that it even shocked Malfoy.
As the lesson concluded, Professor McGonagall approached Malfoy. She had seen the colour of his tie mid-transfiguration and inquired about his forbidden transfiguration practice, her stern gaze resting on his tie which had switched back to its original green color.
Feeling triumphant, Malfoy couldn't resist a smug grin as he reported what he had overheard. He revealed the trios plan to infiltrate the Slytherin common room to Professor McGonagall, emphasizing their intent to change their ties, learn their password, and mingle with students to gather information. About what, he knew not.
Professor McGonagall's expression grew graver as she listened to Malfoy's account. She couldn't believe what she was hearing about her star students. Nevertheless, without hesitation, she issued immediate detentions to all four students involved in hidden transfiguration during that class. Ron, Fay, Hermione, and Malfoy were to serve detention for their recklessness, while Professor McGonagall made it clear that their actions were strictly forbidden and gravely disappointing.
Malfoy's initial excitement quickly turned into groans of regret as he realised the implications of his actions. He had hoped to taunt the Gryffindors but had unintentionally landed himself in detention as well.
The Gryffindors exchanged frustrated glances, and their hopes of uncovering the Philosopher's Stone's secrets were put on hold as they were now tasked with serving detention for their ill-fated plan.
What was worse that Malfoy would be there as well...
A/N: Can't wait to release the next Chapter and read your thoughts in the meantime! Thank you for reading, favouriting, reviewing and following this story. Your support means everything :) Until next time, ciao!
