Christmas break had brought a mix of relaxation, joy, but also loneliness. Sure Harry, and I had spent more time together, but every night we were both forced to return to our respective Common Rooms, and despite my new obsession with wizard chess, I could only play it so long before Penelope had to leave and attend to her Prefect duties.

Then there was the fact that outside of the Great Hall and Common Rooms, the castle was freezing, making it more appealing for Harry and Ron to stay in the Gryffindor common room, and a lot of the time leaving me alone, bored and alone.

I had no idea what to do...

"The mixture of for the Wiggenweld Potion should be complete when it cools." I said aloud in the Empty Common room, the seventh years had gone to the nearby Wizarding Village of Hogsmeade, which you weren't allowed to until third year, while Penelope and the other Prefects were...doing Prefect stuff.

"This sucks." I complained, getting up and stretching. I looked out and saw that the sun was shining. I then turned to the door.

"Why not." I whispered, grabbed my scarf, and headed out of the common room, no clear destination in mind.

I checked the Great Hall and, sadly, Harry and Ron were no where to be seen. I began thinking of what I should do while wondering around the corridors, visit Hagrid? Maybe, but he was supposedly busy shoveling snow off the grounds...

"Miss P...Potter?" I turned and saw Professor Quirrell standing there, carrying a tall stack of papers, a look of concern on his face.

"Sir?" I replied.

"What a...are you d...doing o...out on such a c...cold day l...like t...today?" He asked, his voice laced with sympathy

"Nothing much sir, just got tired to sitting in the common room alone." I replied, and the Professor nodded in understanding.

"Ah, w...well i...if you h...have a f...free m...moment would y...you be w...willing t...to help me carry t...these e...essays?" He asked me, and I nodded.

"Of course sir." I replied, as he handed me a part of the pile, he then led us to his office.

He placed the essays into a drawer, then motioned for me to do so as well.

"T...thank you for t...the a...assistance M...Miss P...Potter." He told me as he shut the drawer.

"No problem sir." I replied, I gave a shudder as I realized how cold the office was, and Quirrell frowned.

"C...cold?" He asked me worriedly.

"At little." I replied.

"W...would y...you like a c...cup of t...tea?" He asked, and I nodded.

"That sounds nice." I replied, and he smiled. He then took out his wand and with one wave a tea pot appeared, along with a magically contained fire underneath.

"S...sit." He said offering the seat across from his. I did as he asked and he began to magically brew some tea.

I was in awe as the tea stirred it self, and the fire burned hotly beneath it, but didn't spread anywhere else.

"Amazing." I said softly, taking in the amazing warmth the fire provided. I then turned to Professor Quirrell, who was looking at me curiously.

"May I a...ask you s...something M...Miss P...Potter?"

"Of course sir." I replied.

"H...how long h...have y...you known about m...magic?" He asked.

"Since my birthday. Why?" I replied, and he looked thoughtful.

"It j...just seems like y...you're less f...familiar w...with s...some spells. Most f...first y...years have s...seen there p...parent's b...brew tea before." He replied, and I frowned.

"Most first year's parent's haven't been murdered." I replied sadly, and the Professor immediately looked remorseful.

"I...I didn't m...mean to u...upset you M...Miss P...Potter." He said sorrowfully, and I sighed.

"Sorry sir. I just get upset when our parents...never mind." I said, looking back at the tea, and feeling the warmth of the fire.

"I d...don't mean t...to pry. But h...how is y...your h...home life?"

"Why?" I asked, again looking up.

"Well for s...starters. Both y...you and y...your b...brother stayed d...during the holidays. A...add the f...fact the you d...didn't k...know about m...magic until your b...birthday about magic d...despite n...not b...being m...muggleborn. It s...seems that y...your current g...guardians w...were k...keeping things f...from you t...two." He said, and I instantly scowled.

"They did sir, heck we didn't even know how are parent's died really died until our birthday." I replied annoyed at the mention of the Dursley's.

"R...really. W...what w...were you t...told?" He asked.

"That they died in a car crash." I replied bitterly, and I noticed Professor Quirrell looking at me...weirdly.

"I g...get the f...feeling your g...guardians a...aren't the most c...caring." He replied.

"That would be a understatement sir." I replied

For a moment neither of us spoke, then the tea began to smoke and Professor Quirrell got a couple of cups out of the cupboard. He made me a cup and placed it in front of me, I drank it and my mood somewhat improved.

"This is really good sir." I said, and he gave me a small smile.

"I'm g...glad you e...enjoy it M...Miss P...Potter."

For the next several minutes we drank tea, and small talked. I asked him what he planned for the holidays, and he replied he was heading to the Forbidden Forest for a experiment, though he wouldn't tell what it entailed.

"It i...is a p...private e...exercise that I d...don't want to g...get o...out." He replied when pressed, and I nodded. Though I was still very curious what he was up.

"Well sir, thank you for the tea." I said, as I started to get up, but he motioned for me to stay put.

"B...before y...you leave. I need t...to a...ask you o...one l...last q...question." He said, in a concerned but serious tone, which I returned with a worried glance.

"What sir?" I asked. "Please don't bring up my home life again." I added, and he frowned.

"I'm s...sorry that it u...upset y...you. But I m...must I...insist." He replied, and I groaned.

"Why are you so interested?" I asked.

"B...because it's a p...professor's j...job to c...care." He replied, and I looked at the man skeptically. "A...and I d...do." He added, and I froze as I saw the real look of concern on his face. I looked down into my lap.

"What do you want to know?" I asked.

"W...who are y...you l...living w...with?" He asked quickly.

"The Dursleys." I replied.

"W...who?"

"My Mum's sisters family." I replied, at that Professor Quirrell looked very angry.

"Of course." He said, before quickly shaking his head. "It m...makes s...sense." He added, his anger quickly fading to sympathy.

"They don't like us very much." I added, and he nodded.

"Of c...course. T...thank y...you f...for telling me M...Miss P...Potter." He said, giving a comforting smile. " I'll m...make s...sure to p...pass this i...information on t...to the a...appropriate c...channels." He finished, and I looked at him nervously.

"You're not going to hurt them are you?" I asked.

"O...of c...course n...not. I w...will just m...make sure your g...guardians are s...suitable." He replied, and I nodded.

"You're right. Sorry for my attitude, I don't like talking about it." I replied shamefully.

"N...nothing to b...be ashamed of d...dear. Now r...run a...along." He said, and I got up and began to head towards the door. "B...by the w...way." I turned back to the Professor.

"Yes sir?"

"Have a h...happy C...Christmas." He told me, and I nodded.

"I will sir, you as well." I replied, and headed off, shutting the door behind me.

"I will sir, you as well." She replied, then left closing the door behind her, leaving a silent and contemplating Professor behind.

"URGH." He squealed, as the back of his head started to throb. His master was not pleased.

"They live with the relatives of Lily Potter." The voice of Voldemort hissed through the office, clear anger in his voice.

"Please master. Mercy." Quirrell begged, trying to reason with his master. But the attempt only served to make his head ache further.

"Damn Dumbledore." Voldemort hissed. "By placing them with there Aunt, he has protected them, shielded them with blood." He said, and Quirrell was lost.

"What do you mean?" He asked, the pain still thriving.

"I can't not touch them, either of them, in my current form. I must rise again if I am able to destroy the boy. I need the stone!" He roared, and Quirrell whimpered in pain.

"I'm trying master, I need more time." He said begging.

"Time is not on our side! How much longer can you sustain us both with Unicorn Blood? How much longer can I conceal myself from Dumbledore? In my current state I could not win against him if he discovered me! How much longer can I afford your bumbling!" Every word his master spoke, Quirrell head hurt more until he finally clapped out of his seat onto the floor.

"Please...master. I did as you asked. I learned their location."

"The information only confirms my worst fears." Voldemort replied, though this time not as angry, but more annoyed. "In my current form I can not touch them without severe consequences." He explained.

"What if we did touch them?" Quirrell asked nervously

"Your body would burn, the blood protection would kill you." He replied, and Quirrell nearly jumped.

"She was right there master!" He said motioning to the desk. "If I had grazed her...or she touched me in any way..." Quirrell said fearfully, only for the pain in the back of his skull to burn again.

"Then I would lose one more worthless servant." Voldemort spat, and Quirrell had to keep hold of his desk to not fall over.

"What is your will?" He asked after regaining himself.

"Find a way past the dog? Hagrid is fond of beasts, and drinks, use that to our advantage. As soon as you have done this, remove Dumbledore from the school, even if only temporally. Then seize the moment, and get the stone. Understood?"

"Yes my lord." Quirrell replied obediently.

"Good, after I have returned the Potters will be dealt with. The boy destroyed, and the girl bent to my will. And you shall be rewarded."

With that master presence faded, and Quirrell understood his masters will, and he would follow it.

Even if bending Sarah Potter to the Dark Lord's will was something he was getting less comfortable with every passing day.

Christmas day arrived, and I woke to a sight I'd never seen.

Present's for me.

I slipped excitedly out of bed, and was amazed by the sheer amount, a decently large pile was all around my bed. I noticed most had names on them, Lisa, Anthony, Hagrid, but some didn't. I decided to save the presents with no names on them for last, and orderly organized them before opening.

The first "present" I opened was from the Dursleys. It contained a note.

We received your message and enclose your Christmas present. From Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia.

I read the note, and saw the fifty-pence piece taped to it. I rolled my eyes, took the piece to show to Anthony, then crumbled the paper and threw it under my bed.

The first real present I opened was from Lisa. Like I had told her, she had gotten me a book. Which was clear by the presents shape. I slowly unwrapped it trying to savor the moment, until finally slipping the book out of the wrapping paper, and looking at the title.

"Charms Prodigies and Their Achievements" I read aloud, and looked down at a note Lisa had left me.

"Since you are the best at Charms in our class, I figured this would be a good read for you." It read, and I smiled. I read the back of the book cover, and instantly knew I would enjoy it immensely.

I placed it on my bed and turned to Anthony's, which was also clearly a book. I opened it and was relieved he'd not gotten me Transfiguration for Dummies as he'd joked, but instead had gotten me a potions book called Odd and Unique Potions, which had some...interesting ideas on the cover.

"Make your potions all taste like salt water in three easy steps?" I read confused, wondering what Snape would do if I actually brought and used this book in class...

Morag got me a book called Magical Wildlife Through the Ages, while Padma and Mandy broke the book trend and got me a scarf and shoes respectably.

Michael and Terry both got me the same book...Quidditch Teams and Who to Root For? However one version supported the Holyhead Harpies, while the other was pro Appleby Arrows, both had left notes begging me to choose there team. All I could do was shake my head and place both in the pile.

Cho had added onto the Quidditch themed gifts, but hers was more practical. A book titled How to Become a Chaser, I looked at the book confused, then saw she left a note.

Quidditch skills run in families, and you are just the right frame. Just give the book a chance.

I was surprised at her belief, and also thoughtful. I did enjoy flying the one time I'd been in the air, and decided I wouldn't close the door on trying out next year, which is obviously what she wanted. I put the note in the book, then placed the book in the pile.

The next gift was more boxed shape, and the tag read...Penelope? I was surprised the prefect had gotten me anything, and was more surprised when I found a brand new wizard chess as her gift.

I read her note attached to the set. You really needed something to do when you were all alone the other night, and luckily the post was quick. You're a far better player than some seventh years (Hemlock) and I look forward to playing you later today. Happy Christmas.

"Thank you Penelope." I shouted down the Dorm Room Halls when I finished her note.

"No problem." She shouted back, and I placed the set on my nightstand, and turned back to the remaining presents.

The next gift was from Hagrid, and was wrapped in a thick brown package. I opened the package to reveal a carved wooden flute, I read the note Hagrid had left.

Made both you and Harry one, hope you like them.

I smiled and blew the flute, and it sounded like an owl. I smiled and placed it on my night stand, then turned to my next package, which was the first with no name on the outside. It was lumpy, and I opened it to reveal a large, hand woven, dark blue sweater. As well as a small note, and a package of homemade fudge. I turned to the letter confused who had sent this.

Ron told me you and Harry didn't expect much, as says the nicest things about both of you. I hope you have a Happy Christmas dear.

Mrs. Weasley

I was taken aback that Ron's mother had made me something, especially since I wasn't nearly as close with Ron, or the other Weasley's, as Harry was. But it just made the gesture all the more sweeter, and she'd even chosen Ravenclaw colors. I put on the sweater which was warm, snug, and fit perfectly. Then ate some of the fudge, which was some of the best I'd ever had.

I looked around and seemed to be finished, until I noticed a small, black, box with no note or name attached. I picked it up and looked at her curiously, and wondering what it was...

I opened it, and nearly gasped. Someone had gotten me Jewelry, more specifically a small, sapphire ring. I took it out and gazed at it upon it, someone had bought me jewelry, after I deliberately said not to waste money on me like that...yet someone had.

Who?

I took the ring out and turned the small box upside down, hoping a small note would fall out, none did. I looked everywhere to see who had sent it, but none appeared. I turned back to the ring, and looked at him in shock.

Deep down I had hoped someday to own jewelry, like every girl around my age, but still...I never expected for someone to actually buy me any. Sure, it was just a small ring, nothing more.

But just the fact someone had got me any was shocking...and heartwarming. But who had done it?

My mind went through a thousand possibilities. Lisa could have gotten me some and tried to hide the fact by not writing a note? I'd ask her when she got back, heck any of my housemates could have.

"Well no use stressing about that now." I told myself as I looked at the ring once more. It was a simple silver ring, with the small sapphire I had noticed earlier. Not the most expensive, but worth more than anything I'd ever owned.

After I finished gazing at it I placed it on my finger, then looked in the mirror we all used to get ready in the morning. Both the blue Weasley sweater, and the sapphire really went well together.

I looked around and didn't see any more presents. I picked up the wrapping paper, placed all my books neatly in my trunk, put all the notes and Hagrid's flute away, then headed down the hall to the the fifth year's dorm. I entered and noticed Penelope was just packing up her presents as she turned to me.

"Enjoy your present?" She asked me, and I nodded eagerly.

"I did, wanted to thank you face to face." I replied, and the girl smiled.

"I'm glad, later today we'll have to play some more." She said, and I nodded.

"We will." I replied. "How were your presents?"

"Good, lot's of OWL study material, but some other less...serious offerings. What about you? I see you got a Weasley sweater." She said the last part smirking.

"Is that a thing?"

"Percy get's one every year." She said smiling. "Always the same shade of purple." She mused.

"It sounds wonderful." I replied, and the girl gave me a giggle.

"Oh they are, but Percy is a bit..."

"A grouch." I said, remembering him on the platform and the few times I'd seem him in the halls.

"Just a bit, anyways, we better get to the great hall. Christmas meals are always amazing."

I followed the girl to the great hall, and when I arrived I saw Harry, and all the Weasley's sitting together at the Gryffindor table, I turned to Penelope.

"Am I allowed to sit with them today?" I asked, motioning to the group.

"Of course, it's Christmas." She told me encouragingly, then turned and walked over to the other Prefects.

I made my way over to the group and placed a hand on Harry's shoulder.

"Happy Christmas brother." I said, he turned to me, and the look on his face told me he was having the best Christmas of his life as well.

"Isn't it?" He replied happily. And I nodded.

"Well, well, well. If it isn't Harry's long lost little sister." Fred Weasley said, giving me a wink.

"Yeah, I seem to remember briefly remember her from the train." George added.

"Where twins, no one's older. You two should understand that more than anybody." I replied and both nodded.

"I mean, I am older." Fred said, grinning at George.

"No you're not, clearly the birth certificate says I am." George replied.

"I'm older." Fred said confidently.

"No me." George said, just as confident.

I just shook my head and looked and motioned to the empty space next to Harry. "Can I join you?" I asked.

"Of course." Harry said happily. And I began to sit down.

"I don't know..." Percy began, making me stop, and look at him. "The student handbook clearly states only house members are to sit..."

"Sit down." Fred told me assumingly, interrupting Percy.

"I'm a Prefect. I have to..." Percy began to say as I sat down.

"Oh my gosh Percy. It's Christmas." George said cutting him off.

"Yeah, what did we just tell you in the common room?" Fred asked him, Percy contorted his face.

"What?" He asked.

"Christmas is for Family." The twin chorused at the exact same time, and I turned to Harry.

"They do this a lot?" I asked him in a whisper.

"All the time." He replied smiling.

I listened to the twins continued there unified teasing of Percy, while I dug into the best Christmas meal I'd ever had. Delicious Roasted Turkey, amazing roast and boiled potatoes, which could be topped with some of the best gravy I'd ever had.

The most interesting part were the Wizard Crackers. Which were laid all throughout the table.

"Harry, take the other end." Fred told him.

"Okay."

"Pull on the count of three." Fred explained, and Harry nodded.

"One...Two...Three." The boys counted down, then pulled, and we where all engulfed in blue smoke. Percy complained as he wiped his glasses, while Harry and Fred looked to see what had been inside.

"A rear admiral's hat?" I said, but before I could get a closer look, several white mice began to scurry out of it, and I pulled back. "Ew." I said, and thankfully they soon dispersed.

"Look at Dumbledore." Harry told me when the smoked cleared, and I noticed he was wearing a flowered bonnet, while Professor Flitwick told him a joke, which was ironic as I had to suppress my own laugh.

"Does he always wear that for Christmas?" I asked the older boys.

"First time I've seen it, but he always switches it up. Last year he was wearing a fruit hat." George told me, and I looked back and forth between him and Dumbledore.

"Really?" I finally asked.

"I mean...he's Dumbledore, he can do whatever he wants and no one will question him." Fred explained, and I remembered this was supposedly the most powerful wizard since Merlin.

"You got me there."

Flaming Christmas pudding was served for Dessert, and again it was some of the best food I'd ever had, unfortunately Percy nearly lost a tooth because his piece was had a silver sickle inside, but the best part of dessert was once again from the head table.

"Look at Hagrid." Harry whispered to me, and I turned to see him sitting next to Professor McGonagall. Hagrid cheeks were really red, and he seemed to be drinking lots of wine...

"Why's he so re..." Ron question was answered mid sentence, when Hagrid leaned over and kissed the usual stern Head of Gryffindor house on the cheek, and McGonagall replied with a small giggle.

"I didn't need to see that." I said softly, and turned back to the meal.

Throughout the rest of the meal, Harry received a abundance of items, the most interesting of which was...

"A Wizard Chess set." Ron said excitedly, as the blue smoke cleared.

"Wizard Chess set." I added eagerly, and sure enough Harry had gotten one.

"You've played?" Harry asked me, and I nodded.

"Yeah, even got my own set this morning." I replied, looking at the well crafted wooden set Harry had just received.

"Who got you one?" Ron asked me.

"Penelope Clearwater..."

The mention of Penelope's name got Percy's attention, who turned to me.

"You know Penelope?" He asked curiously.

"Yeah, she one of our Prefects, and got me into Wizard's Chess." I replied, and Percy nodded.

"Ah, I guess you are in her house. Good student." He replied, then turned back to his meal, and Fred and George gave each other a knowing grin.

"So, how well do you know this Penelope?" Fred asked.

"Are you on a first name basis?" George added, and Percy went red.

"Of course not...I just know her as a fellow Prefect, that's all." He replied, clearly embarrassed at even the thought.

"Anyways..." Ron said, pulling my attention away from his older siblings bickering. "How good are you?" He asked, and I shrugged.

"I've only just started the last week, but I'm getting better." I replied, and Ron looked at me eagerly.

"We have to play before term resumes." He said, and I nodded.

"Okay." I replied, and Ron looked at me satisfied. I then turned to Harry.

"How good is he?" I whispered in his ear.

"Really good." He replied seriously, and I gave him a surprised look.

Ron was a good kid, Harry's best friends. But from what I knew about his grades...he wasn't amazing. I knew he loved Quidditch, but to see him be good at a academic game like Quidditch was surprising, pleasantly surprising.

"Well, I don't know about you three." Fred said as he stood up and stretched. "But there is a a large accumulation of snow on the ground, and none as of yet as been hurled at anybody." He said the last part like it was the most dreadful shame.

"I agree Freddy." George said, standing as well. "Come on Percy, we'll help you find your way." The twins then lifted up Percy out of his seat and began to lead him out of the hall, arms pinned to his side.

"You don't have to keep doing this." Percy said annoyed. "I can find my way outside just fine."

"Yeah, but you might get lost looking for Penelope." Fred teased, and Percy groaned as they walked into the entrance hall, dragging Percy along.

"So a snowball fight?" I asked Ron and Harry as we stood up.

"Yeah, just need to put this stuff." He said holding up his Wizard Cracker gifts. "In the common room, then we'll be straight out." He explained, and I nodded.

"Okay, I'll meet you out there."

Three hours later, after a furious snowball fight, we all started to make our way back to the castle. I was cold, wet, and tired. The Weasley's had pulled ahead of us, leaving just me and Harry.

"That was fun." I told Harry, and he nodded.

"It was." He replied.

"Was this your best Christmas?" I asked him, and he nodded.

"Absolutely. You?"

"It's either this one, or our first, but seeing as I can't remember it...yes." I replied.

"Yeah...I guess the first one must have been pretty good to." He replied, and we both were silent for a moment.

"What was your favorite present?" I asked, and Harry looked around, then whispered in my ear.

"I'll show you later...I want to try it out first." He replied, and I looked at him confused, then shrugged.

"Suit yourself." I replied.

"What about you? The ring." He said, and I looked down to my finger realizing I'd had it on all day.

"You noticed?"

"Of course, it looks really good on you." He told me. "Who gave it to you?"

"I don't know." I replied, and now it was Harry's turn to look confused.

"Don't know?"

"It just showed up this morning. No note, no name." I replied, and Harry looked at it suspiciously.

"Hmm...is it mum's." He said, and I looked at him confused.

"Why would it be mum's?"

"Because the gift I caught also had no name, but it did have a note. It said it was dads...I just thought maybe the same person sent you something of hers." He explained, and my eyes widened in shock.

"Something of dads...what is it?" I asked.

"Like I said, I want to show you in person. Tomorrow." He promised, and I nodded.

"Okay Tomorrow."

"Anyways, who do you think sent the ring?" He asked.

"Lisa is my best guess...she knows I've always wanted jewelry. But I told my housemates not to get me any." I explained.

"Why?" He asked.

"To expensive."

"Oh come on Sarah, you deserve the best." Harry said, and I smiled at him.

"If you say so..."

We were now back in the castle, and Harry and I went our separate ways. I arrived back in the Common Room and immediately took a shower, then changed into something warm and dry. When I was finished I found Penelope at her table, and asked if she still wanted to play.

"Of course." She said, and I raced to get my new set.

For the rest of the night we played, she still won, but every time I got a little better. Finally, after a long yet fun day, I tiredly returned to my bed, curious what Harry had gotten of dads, and wondering if the ring was Mum's...or something else entirely.

A couple of days later I found Ron and Harry sitting by themselves at the Gryffindor table. Ron was talking to Harry, whom seemed distracted...

"Morning guys." I said, and Ron turned to me cheerily.

"Morning." He said, I turned to Harry, who seemed to be lost in thought.

"What's wrong?" I asked, him, and he shook his head.

"Nothing's wrong...actually it's amazing. Remember that gift I told you about yesterday?" He asked me.

"Yeah."

"I want to show it to you today...and something else." He said eagerly, and Ron looked at him worriedly.

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

"She needs to see." Harry replied firmly, and Ron just shook his head.

"How would you even meet up with her? You don't know where her common room is?" Ron pointed out, and Harry smirked.

"Who said anything about tonight?" He asked, and Ron just sighed.

"Whatever Harry, but I still don't like that mirror."

"What mirror?" I asked, totally confused. "What are you two talking about?" I asked, and Harry looked around carefully before answering.

"Meet me at the entrance to the Library at Three." He said, and I looked at him confused. "Trust me, it'll be worth it." He promised, Ron didn't look convinced, but I nodded.

"Okay, see you then."

About ten minutes until three I made my way to the library entrance, I waited around for a while when out of nowhere I felt...something grab my arm.

"What the...who's there?" I asked fearfully.

"Shh." I heard Harry whisper, and was lost until I felt something being thrown over me, and then Harry suddenly appeared.

"What's going..."

"I'll explain in just a minute, just keep the cloak on, don't say anything, and follow me." Harry said frantically. I looked at him, totally lost, but nodded.

Harry led me through the corridors, to a part of the castle I'd never been. Finally leading me inside a classroom, and taking off the cloak off of us.

"First thing, what is that?" I asked.

"Invisibility cloak, supposedly it was dads." Harry answered, and I took the silvery cloak in my hand, and looked at it amazed.

"Put it on, I want to see it in action." I said, Harry shrugged, and put it on, and he disappeared.

"Wow." I said, as Harry took it back off. "And it's dads?" I again asked, and Harry nodded.

For the briefest of moments...I was jealous. Why did Harry get something of dads, and not me? I quickly pushed those thoughts aside, maybe the ring was mums? But wouldn't the person have left a note like with Harry?

"That's not the only thing." Harry said, motioning to the room. It looked like a unused classroom. Desks and chairs were pushed to the walls, and a waste basket was knocked over. But the defining feature of the room wasn't any of the ordinary classroom appliances. It was the massive, gold framed, mirror leaning against the back wall. In the framing the phase "Erised stra ehru oyt ube cafru oyt on wohsi" was written.

"What kind of language is that?" I asked confused, and Harry just shrugged.

"No idea, but that's not why this mirror is so...special." He said, then motioned for me to follow him. He led to a spot right in fron of the mirror. "Just...stand right here, and look in the mirror." Harry said eagerly, and I nodded.

"Okay..." I replied, confused, yet eager to see what Harry was so excited for me to see.

I froze when a man and women appeared. The man had messy black hair, glasses, and brown eyes. Other than they eyes he looked just like Harry. The women was beautiful, she had red long hair, and shared both mine and Harry's eye color. The pair of them were waving at us...

"M...Mum." I said looking at the women. Then turned to the man. "Dad." I said in barely a whisper, and I could feel tears starting to form in my eyes.

I turned around, and no one was there. I turned back to the figures. They were both smiling at me, and I approached the mirror and felt it. They didn't react, and I slowly fell to my knees. I noticed other people behind them, they all shared some features of with either me or Harry, untidy hair, green eyes, long hair...It was oddly comforting, yet heartbreaking.

"What-is-this?" I asked in shock, and Harry sat down next to me, eyes fixed on the mirror.

"Our family...our parents." Harry replied.

"But...how? There dead?" I asked, and he just shrugged.

"I don't know, but there they are." Harry replied, then turned back to the mirror, his eyes fixed on our parents.

I looked back and forth between Harry, and the mirror. He seemed...obsessed with it, and I couldn't blame him. Our parent's were there, in the mirror, smiling at us. But...they were dead? I slowly got up, and looked at Harry worriedly.

"Harry." I said through the tears. "Our parent's our dead, this...mirror." I said motioning to it." Can't be healthy." My voice nearly cracking.

"First Ron, now you...what's so bad about it?" He asked me, and I gave a shutter.

"No magic...can bring back the dead." I said, and Harry turned to me frowning "This...mirror, can't bring them back." I explained, and Harry just shrugged.

"You don't have to look." He said, then turned back to the mirror. "But I am." He said stubbornly, and I looked back to the mirror. Maybe Harry was right...it was just a mirror...

No, it hurt to much to see people who weren't truly there.

I quickly walked to the door and turned to knob, but turned back to Harry one last time.

"Just...be careful Harry." I warned, then exited the room quickly.

The next morning I woke up, and headed downstairs. I was worried for Harry, was he still looking in that mirror? Should I tell a Professor? Let him get over it by himself?

Was he right, that it was harmless?

Like the day before, I found Ron and Harry at the breakfast table. Today however, Harry seemed less...obsessed with the mirror.

"Morning Sarah." He told me as I walked over to them.

"Morning." I replied, and sat down next to the pair. "I'm surprised your not...you know." I said, and Harry sighed.

"You guy's were right. The mirror was dangerous." He said, and me and Ron shared a look.

"Why the change of heart?" Ron asked, and Harry shuttered.

"Well, for starters, Dumbledore caught me last night." Harry began, and both me and Ron looked at him nervously.

"What did he do?" I asked.

"Explained what it was. It's called the Mirror of Erised. It show's you your hearts deepest desires." Harry explained, and both me and Ron nodded. From what I'd seen of it...that made sense.

"So me and you saw our...family." I replied, and Harry nodded solemnly.

"And Ron saw himself standing out from his brothers." Harry said, and I looked at Ron, who seemed to sink into his seat.

"You stand out plenty." I assured him, but he just gave a grunt like he didn't believe me.

"Anyways, he told me how many talented witches and wizards had waisted away in front of the thing, and that, like you said, no magic could bring back the dead." Harry continued, and I nodded solemnly.

"It's okay." I said comforting.

"Yeah...I just wish..." Harry said struggling for words. And I placed a comforting hand on his shoulder.

"I know." I said softly, and Harry took a deep breath.

"Anyways...I've put the cloak away for the time being." Harry explained, and I gave him a knowing look.

"You're not going to use it to sneak out at night anymore, are you?" I asked, raising a eyebrow.

"I mean...not unless I absolutely have to." Harry replied, and I rolled my eyes.

"That's the best I'm going to get, isn't it?" I asked, and Harry gave me a grin.

"Yeah."

"Anyways." I said changing the subject and turning to Ron. "You said the other day you wanted to play Wizard Chess?" I asked, and Ron instantly perked up.

"You want to play?" He asked excitedly, and I nodded. "Great, let me go get my set, or you wanna use yours? Or Harry's?"

"You guys can use mine." Harry offered. "That way the pieces won't biased to either of you."

"Perfect." Ron said, as he got up and began to walk out of the hall. "I can't wait, I mean Harry's fine, but you're in Ravenclaw, should be a good challenge..." Ron continued excitedly as he walked out of the hall, and I turned to Harry.

"He's really good?" I asked, and Harry nodded.

"Yeah, he's really good."

Ron returned a few moments later, and we played. He won, but I did better than he expected, and for the next couple of hours we played, and played, and played, until I finally edged him out.

"Aw shucks." He said, "Again?" He asked, and I gave a chuckle.

"Yes, again."