Chapter 11

December had come with even more snow and cold, it was beautiful but way too cold in Jasmin's opinion but her spirits were high as Christmas was closing in, she would not need to go back to the Dursleys, and even better the Weasley brothers were also staying, this was looking up to be the best Christmas ever.

Jasmin had spent a lot of time in the library with her friends looking for information about Flamel, much to Hagrid's dismay when he heard, the problem was that he wasn't in any of the modern books that were in the open part of the library.

The trio tried to figure out a way to get to the restricted section but without a signed note from a teacher, sneaking past Madam Pince did not seem possible.

Jasmin was sitting in her dormitory with Hermione the evening before Hermione was going home.

"Are you going to be alright being here for Christmas?" Hermione asked remembering the obvious taunts from Malfoy about not going home for Christmas.

"Yeah. I might miss having you around but I do have Ron and his brothers here." Jasmin replied

"Don't you miss home? I am really looking forward to going home for a few days."

Jasmin did in fact not miss her 'home', she hadn't said much past that she had hand me down clothes, which could just mean that they were poor and not that she was a useless person who didn't deserve love. She could not let Hermione, Ron, or anyone else know, they would not want to be her friends anymore.

"I will go there in summer, we don't really celebrate so will be nice to do that here," Jasmin said hoping Hermione wouldn't ask too many more questions.

Hermione had become a bright spot for Jasmin, not only because she helped her keep up with schoolwork but also because she was a friend. Jasmin hoped it wasn't her feeling obliged because of the troll.

A sinking feeling crept closer, Jasmin was looking forward to celebrating Christmas at Hogwarts but she also remembered the Dursleys having a family celebration where she was not welcome, listening to all the cheers while locked away in her cupboard.

Christmas was one of those days when the pain of not having parents was the worst.

She failed to hide some of her thoughts on her face and a worried Hermione looked at her "What's wrong?"

"Oh," Jasmin said trying to stall for an excuse. "I might be missing home a little bit, but it will be amazing here." She smiled weakly hoping it convinced her bushy-haired friend.

If Hermione did believe her or not she did not know as Lavender and Parvati entered the room, both cheery.

Jasmin listened to the other girls talking about their plans for Christmas break, and how it would be fun going home to visit family, Hermione gave Jasmin a few looks when the talk of family came up.

Jasmin and Ron said their goodbyes to Hermione, she took a step towards Jasmin and it looked like she was going to hug her but she didn't.

"You will keep looking while I am gone right?" Hermione asked as she left.

"Even without Hermione here it looks like we have to go to the library," Ron said when Hermione was gone.

"Looks like it, but I don't know where to look, we have searched everywhere" Jasmin responded.

"Except for the restricted section, we have to find a way there, but not now. What do you say about a game of wizard's chess?"

Wizard's chess had looked very fun at the beginning, having the pieces move on their own, the problem was that the pieces Seamus had lent Jasmin didn't trust her and always spoke back to her when she was playing. She wasn't very good at it but it did not do much for her when the pieces fought against her.

Ron loved the game and he was very good at it, so even if Jasmin got better she would not be able to beat him.

It was the night before Christmas and Jasmin was feeling gloomy, she did chuckle a bit at the twin's antics, the Weasleys all seemed to be in good spirits even if Percy hid it well, but she saw him flash a rare smile at his brothers.

Jasmin was lying awake for some time imagining what Christmas would be like with a family, would she get a big hug from her mom? Would her father spin her around? What kind of presents would she have gotten?

When Jasmin woke the next morning she was surprised to see a small pile of packages lying at the foot of her bed, where did they come from?

She pulled the first package, it was wrapped in thick brown paper, it was from Hagrid. Of course, Hagrid would give her something, he gave her the first birthday present she could remember.

She felt a pang of guilt, she hadn't gotten any presents for anyone else, as she didn't expect to get any. She was not sure where she would have gotten them either.

She opened Hagrid's present and found a flute, which looked hand-carved, when she blew in it it sounded like an owl, she made a mental note to thank Hagrid.

The next thing she picked up was a small envelope, it was from the Dursleys, a message affirming she wasn't coming home and fifty pence, more than she expected.

Next, she looked at a lumpy package, it was soft to the touch, most likely some kind of clothing, she opened it and found a green knitted sweater and a large box of fudge, she tried some, and it was very good. She didn't find a note, wondering who it could be from.

She found another soft package, from Hermione, with another pang of guilt she opened it and was surprised to find a light blue pajama set, she hadn't? Jasmin looked down at the ghastly pajamas she had on. Being alone in the room she changed into her new set, it was a bit too big for her but fit much better than her old one and was much more comfy. She also found some muggle candy in the package.

There was one last package left, it was very lightweight and when she opened it something almost silver liquid fell out, but when she picked it up she realized it was some kind of fabric, only feeling slightly liquid. Suddenly she saw that her hands were missing and dropped the thing and her hands appeared again, lifting the fabric she saw that it was a cloak, she put it around herself and turned to the mirror. The cloak had made her invisible! This was amazing!

She saw that a paper note lay on the floor so she picked it up and 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.'

The handwriting was narrow and loopy, she was positive that she didn't recognize it. This had been her father's? She bundled up the cloak and held it close to her chest, trying to imagine that she was embracing her father.

After a few moments, she neatly folded the cloak and put it in her trunk. She looked down at her new pajamas and thought it was decent enough, she put on her new green sweater and walked down to the common room and found Ron stuffing his face with fudge.

"Marry Christmas Ron!" She said cheerily and realized that she was in a great mood.

"Merr.." Ron began but stopped when he saw her, Jasmin saw that Ron had a similar sweater but in a maroon colour next to him. ".. you got a Weasley sweater"

"A what?" Jasmin asked.

"It is from Mom, I said you didn't expect a lot of presents," Ron explained she could see that his cheeks and ears were a little pink. Jasmin felt a bit embarrassed herself, that Ron had told his mom.

"That is so sweet of her, you must thank her from me!" Jasmin said earnestly.

"Hey look! Jasmin got a Weasley sweater too!" Came George's voice

"It is much nicer than ours, mom obviously puts in more effort if you aren't family said" Fred

Jasmin turned around and saw that Fred and George also had knitted sweaters, blue ones both with either an F or G on them. In typical twin fashion, they were wearing opposite letters. "Gred and Forge"

Jasmin found it rather amusing when Percy came down holding but not wearing his sweater, the twins in short order forced him into it, seeing that Ron quickly put on his.

They all vent to the great hall for breakfast, the twins had told Percy that he was to sit with them, Christmas is for family. Jasmin made to sit a little apart from the Weasleys to give them space but was promptly placed next to them by George.

"Your hair is all wrong, but the sweater is correct, you are sitting with us," he told her.

The food was amazing and the fact that she was sitting with the Weasleys brothers like she was one of them and not locked away, was almost overwhelming.

Wizard crackers were another surprising delight, they came with rather fun gifts. Jasmin ended up getting a chess set from one and she hoped they would like her better than Seamus' pieces.

Later in the afternoon Jasmin joined in a big snowball fight with the Weasleys, years of being bullied and buried in the snow made Jasmin a bit unsure but she soon found herself having fun with the others, her throwing arm was not great so she didn't get many hits but her small frame and fast reflexes made sure she barely got hit.

When they were done she was shivering wet and cold, the armchairs at the fireplace had never been so welcoming.

Jasmin got a chance to try out her new chess set with a match against Ron, she did lose the game, and she had a feeling that she would have done better if Percy had not tried to help her. She didn't mind, having him sit next to her 'helping' her was sweet and comforting. She wondered if that was like having a brother.

She could easily say, this had been the best Christmas ever and one of the best days of her life.

She said goodnight to the Weasleys and went to bed, however, she could not sleep. Her thought did go to the cloak, her father's cloak. What was his name? James. That was it! Her father James Potter, who had played Quidditch just like her.

She left the bed and grabbed the invisibility cloak, the note had said 'use it well'. With this she could explore, she could sneak into the restricted area at the library.

Jasmin felt free as she was wandering with the cloak, no one could see her, and nobody could pay her any mind. She sometimes wished she was invisible when she became the center of attention, this was the dream.

The library was more of a nightmare, firstly it was very dark and spooky at night, even with a lamp. Also, the restricted area was not very well labeled so it was hard knowing what she was looking for. She picked up a book at random and immediately regretted it. The book let out an ear-piercing scream, she dropped her lamp in shock and closed the book, it still was screaming though, she pressed it back on the shelf and moved away.

Filtch had heard the commotion and entered the library, luckily Jasmin could sneak past him and as quietly and quickly she could ran away.

She had no idea where she was going and almost ran into Snape and somehow Filtch again in a narrow corridor, they were coming towards her, and she quickly ducked into a room. Luckily they had not heard her and moved past.

The room was mostly empty except for a big ornate mirror, she walked closer to it and could see herself, even under the cloak.

She stepped closer, it was her but she looked a little different than she remembered, a little less thin perhaps and in some way more, she could not put a finger on what. When she looked she saw two people come up behind her, she turned around and no one was there, either they were also invisible or... only in the mirror.

She looked at the two people behind her, it was a man and a woman. He had messy black hair, and glasses and had quite a resemblance to her, the woman had auburn hair and green eyes, they looked just like her eyes.

"Mom?" The woman nodded and smiled sadly. "Dad?" The man also nodded.

Could it really be her parents? She had no memory of them, she had never seen any pictures but something told her this was them.

Her mom put an arm around her and she could almost feel it, the hairs on her arm raised where her mom 'touched' her. Jasmin didn't flinch, she just felt a warmth.

More people arrived and looking at them she guessed it was her grandparents and extended family, she could see traces of herself in many of them.

Jasmin looked up at her mother, she looked sad but there was something else in her eyes, Jasmin was not sure what, she did not recognize the look. It wasn't loathing like she was used to, was it love? It could not be, nobody could ever love her.

Her father was now also holding her mirrored self, it looked like two parents comforting their daughter, the more looked the less she could see, everything was blurry and she realized that she was crying. Why was this not real?

"I miss you," Jasmin said to the mirror. Both her parents got pained expressions for a moment and then kissed her mirror self's forehead. Jasmin put a hand where she would have been kissed.

Jasmin wiped her tears and and looked back at the mirror, she saw movement behind her mother and suddenly a head popped up behind her, a boy who looked to be about a year or two younger than Jasmin looked shyly at her. He had the same green eyes as her and looked almost like a younger version of her dad.

She looked at this boy and a startling realization dawned upon her, was this her brother? A brother that never got a chance for life? She looked at him and he grinned at her.

"Brother?" She whispered and the boy smiled even more and hugged her mirrored self. This was too much, it felt like the world was spinning.

"I'll come back!" She said and left the room, she walked around lost for a while before she recognized where she was and made her way to the Gryffindor tower.

When she finally was back in her dorm she laid down in her bed and cried herself to sleep.

Jasmin awoke from a knock on the door, it opened and a 4th year who had also stayed for Christmas looked in.

"You awake? The Weasleys were asking about you." She said.

"What?" Jasmin asked slightly confused from being woken up.

"They asked me to check if you were here, boys can't get up here."

Jasmin yawned "I will be down in a few minutes."

Jasmin left her bed and quickly made herself ready before she went down to find Ron and the twins waiting for her.

"Morning sleepyhead," Fred said

"Actually, it doesn't look like you slept at all

" said George.

"I could have slept better" Jasmin yawned.

"Hey let's get some breakfast, that will wake you up," Ron said.

When they made their way out of the Common room Percy joined them.

"Morning," he said courtly to Jasmin.

"You all waited for me?" Jasmin asked.

"Hurry up, I'm starving" Ron complained and Jasmin laughed softly, she liked these redheads.

After breakfast, Jasmin took Ron to the side.

"I looked at the restricted section last night," she told Ron

"You did what? So that is why you look so tired." Ron answered.

"Well, yes and no, it was badly labeled and the first book I took started to scream, I almost got caught by Filtch and Snape."

"Whoa! How did you manage to sneak past them?"

"I can show you tonight, I found this mirror, it showed me... my family" Jasmin could not keep the emotions from her voice on the last bit.

"I would like to see them too... if you want company," Ron said looking very earnest.

"I would like that, thanks Ron," Jasmin said, she hoped Ron understood how much this meant to her.

The day was a fun one but Jasmin was distracted, waiting for nighttime.

Ron and Jasmin left with the last people going to bed. Jasmin waited a bit before she put on the cloak and sneaked down.

Ron was sitting on the couch waiting.

"Hey Ron," Jasmin said from under the cloak. He looked up, he looked right at her, and then looked around the room.

"Right here," Jasmin said again and could not stop a giggle.

"Where I can't see you," Ron asked.

"I am right in front of you silly!" Jasmin giggled and removed the hood. Ron jumped back gasping.

"Wait! Is that an invisibility cloak?" Ron asked in awe.

"I don't know the name for it but I think so"

"So that is how you didn't get caught, brilliant. Where did you get it?"

"I got it in a Christmas present, the card said it was my father's"

The pair made their way out under the cloak. The cloak was easily big enough to hide both of them but Jasmin was still a little uncomfortable that they had to walk rather close and sometimes bumped shoulders. it took some time for Jasmin to find the right room but when they finally found it they entered it and closed the door.

She ran up to the mirror and once more saw her family smiling at her.

"Look Ron... there they are," Jasmin said

'I can't see anything, except you." Ron said looking puzzled.

"Wait, what if you stand here" Jasmin walked to the side so Ron could take her place.

Ron looked at the mirror in awe.

"Look at me... I am head boy I'm wearing the badge like Bill used to, and I'm holding the house cup and the Quidditch cup. I'm Quidditch captain, too."

"You don't see your family?" Jasmin asked wondering what was wrong with the mirror.

"No just me... do you think this mirror shows the future?

"I wish... but my family is dead. Can I have another look?"

"You had it to yourself all last night, give me a bit more time. "

Jasmin thought it was a bit unfair, he was only holding a stupid trophy, and she could see her parents.. and brother. The last part was scary, did she just see a little brother that could have been, or did he exist and died that day?

"Okay, Jasmin come here, maybe if we both stand here."

Jasmin stood next to Ron, for her he disappeared from the mirror to be replaced with her family.

"Strange, I can't see you in the mirror," Ron said.

"I can't see you either.. just my parents and me."

Jasmin wanted to show off her family but part of her was relieved, she did not know how to explain the boy.

They stood there next to each other for a while, Jasmin was not sure how long passed before Ron told her that it was time to go back. She didn't want to but followed.

The next day Ron tried to think of fun things to do but Jasmin was not interested, not chess, not Hagrid, or even homework, she did not think the last one was genuine.

"I know what you're thinking about, Jasmin, that mirror. Don't go back tonight. "

"Why not?"

"I dunno, I've just got a bad feeling about it, and anyway, you've had too many close shaves already. Filch, Snape, and Mrs. Norris are wandering around. So what if they can't see you? What if they walk into you? What if you knock something over?"

"You sound like Hermione"

"I'm serious, Jasmin, don't go."

Jasmin didn't listen, she had to go back. She had cried herself to sleep after looking in the mirror but she hungered for her parents, they looked at her like she was... precious

When she got to the room she closed the door took off the cloak and sat down in front of the mirror looking at her smiling family. She almost jumped out of her skin when she heard a voice.

"So back again Jasmin?" The voice came from no other than the headmaster himself.

"I... I did not see you there sir"

Strange how nearsighted being invisible can make you," said Dumbledore smiling, something that put Jasmin at ease a little.

Dumbledore stood up from the desk he was sitting at and sat down on the floor next to Jasmin.

"So, you, like hundreds before you, have discovered the delights of the Mirror of Erised." He said

"So that is its name?

"I expect you've realized by now what it does?"

"It shows me my family"

"And it showed your friend Ronald himself as head boy."

"Wait... you were here?"

"I don't need a cloak to become invisible," said Dumbledore gently. "Now, can you think what the Mirror of Erised shows us all?"

"I always wanted to meet my family... Ron already has a loving family, he wants them to be proud of him. Does it show us hope?"

"Yes and no," said Dumbledore quietly. "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. Ronald Weasley, 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 nor 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."

"My heart desire?" Jasmin repeated quietly

"The Mirror will be moved to a new home tomorrow, Jasmin, 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 cloak back on and get off to bed?"

"Sir? Would you allow me to stay for a few minutes?"

She saw the disappointed look in the headmaster's eyes but before he could reply she added. "It is just... I don't have any pictures, I want to try to memorize their faces."

The disappointed look changed to a sad one and then to a smile.

"I see no damage in it, but is just for a few minutes, you should not miss more sleep.

Jasmin stood up and looked in the mirror, she looked into her mom's eyes, they were just like hers. She concentrated on her face willing it to be burned permanently into her memory, she did the same with her dad and lastly her brother.

"It is time," Dumbledore said, Jasmin held out her arms and saw her mirrored self be embraced by her parents, once again she could almost feel it. She then bent down slightly and her little brother hugged her mirror self. "I love you" she whispered to them and turned around and walked up to the headmaster.

"Sir, did you know my parents?"

"I was headmaster here when they were in school, and I did meet them after they graduated. Very fine people. You have a lot of them in you. Just remember that you are neither Lily nor James, you are Jasmin. You are your own person and should always strive to be just that"

"I just hope I am enough... I don't want to disappoint them."

"My dear girl, they would never be."

"Thank you, professor, can I ask... was my mom expecting when she... died?"

Dumbledore face got somber. "I can't answer that. Not something you should dwell on either."

"Thank you for, the talk Professor. Good night sir"

Later when Jasmin was in bed she thought of Dumbledore's words, the mirror doesn't show us knowledge or truth? 'That means my mom probably wasn't pregnant... right?' Jasmin thought to herself

The next evening Jasmin was sitting on a sofa with Ron, and she told about her encounter with the headmaster. Jasmin yawned and closed her eyes for a bit.

Jasmin woke up, she was not lying down but sitting, she was leaning her head on something hard and warm, she opened her eyes and saw she was in the common room, she saw a lap and realized she was leaning on Ron's shoulder.

"Ron?" She whispered

"Ah, you are awake, you fell asleep."

"Sorry sorry" Jasmin had not moved but was slightly panicking.

"It's alright, Ginny has slept like that before.. and I have done the same."

"Ron?"

"Yeah"

"Is it alright if I stay like this a little longer?"

Ron did not answer but he moved his arm, he carefully hovered it over Jasmin's shoulder, and when she didn't flinch he put his arm around her shoulders and pulled her a little closer.

It was strange, she had not done anything like this before, she didn't like physical contact but, this was cozy, this felt safe. Was this what a family did?

"Ron? Could you tell me about Ginny?"

"What? Why? She is annoying, she never stops talking."

"You don't like her?" Jasmin asked, knowing how it was to be unloved.

"Oh I love her, she is my little sister, she is still annoying. She has her moments though. "

Was that what she would feel for a little brother? She had seen the twins mess with Ron a lot but she still thought they loved him, Percy too for that matter. Jasmin had to blink away tears, she did not want to let Ron see her cry.

They stayed like that for a while but in the end, they pulled apart and stood up, it was time for sleep.

"Thanks, Ron," She said quietly

Ron looked a little embarrassed but smiled "Don't mention it"

"Ron... I wonder, can I hug you sometime maybe?"

"Yeah, but when Fred and George aren't around.

"Deal" Jasmin laughed, gently pushed Ron, and said goodnight. Jasmin slept very well that night.

Well apparently it has been a year and a half, I from time to time wanted to come back to this and when I found the chapter more or less done on my phone I cleaned it up and thought I should upload it.

I did reread my story and I can't understand how so many mistakes made it, I really need to remaster the old chapters.

Hope any eventual readers enjoy.