The tunnel let out into the Library, just as Amber had said. Harry was quite happy as he realized the library was open to him now! Even at night, he'd be able to come and put books back, and take new books out. Madame Pince didn't seem to notice him as he turned back into his human form, walking through the shelves and taking out some books.
Spending the afternoon reading was not what one would expect for most children on Christmas, but for Harry it was bliss. It was calm and quiet, and he was able to find a nice cubbyhole where he could lean back with the book. Amber herself was hidden within his robes thanks to a shrinking spell he had learned and coiled around his body as the boy simply read books for hours.
Evening came quickly, as Harry found his stomach grumbling. Christmas Dinner was soon! Harry grinned, and pet Amber. "Want to come to the Great Hall tonight? It's Christmas, so I don't think anyone would mind. You might be able to try some of the really good food!"
§§I would enjoy that, Speaker. I haven't eaten anything since we arrived in this castle; instead surviving off your magic. I miss the taste of fresh meat.§§ Harry pet Amber's head as she dipped back into his robes. Harry carefully returned the book he had been reading, giving a wave to the librarian as he left. The rather confused Madame Pince waved back, blinking owlishly as she wondered where he had come from. She hadn't seen the boy enter the Library at all! Maybe she was forgetting things in her old age, she thought.
Harry headed through the castle, the dancing magical flow all around him. Mage's Sight, Ollivander's letter had called it. Harry had thought everyone could see this! It was kind of sad they couldn't, as the technicolor ebb and flow of magic was beautiful, especially as he pushed into the Great Hall.
The hall was mostly empty except for the few other students who remained during the break. Taking a place at the Slytherin table far enough from the others to be alone, Harry secreted some pieces of turkey to the serpent in his robes.
Supper was delicious, with roast turkey, fresh mashed potatoes, gravy, peas, eggs, ham, and even some treacle tarts and biscuits for dessert. Harry enjoyed the sweets, but knew he had some chocolate to munch on when he felt up for it thanks to Neville.
Harry's inner fox loved the turkey and ham, and he had two platefuls of the meat. He made sure to share the turkey with Amber as well, the large snake seeming happy to accept it. Before Harry realized, it was getting close to curfew. Harry got up and headed out of the Great Hall as supper ended.
As Harry made his way back to his dorm, he gave a slight nod to the other students in the commons. Pretending to go to sleep, he let Amber into his bed and then rolled over in the blankets, covering himself with them and waiting.
As the clock struck midnight in the dorm hallways, Harry slid out of bed, Amber groggily poking her head out from under Harry's pillow. §§Going somewhere, Speaker?§§
§§I was going to explore the tunnels a little more. Not the forbidden one, don't worry.§§ Harry said as he turned back into his fox form, hopping in place. Amber yawned widely, showing off her soft, pink mouth. §§Good. You promised me, remember. And promises are important.§§
§§I know, Amber. You go ahead and go back to sleep.§§ Harry yipped, tails twitching behind him. The massive snake seemed to agree, poking her head back under the bedding as she gave a final, §§Have fun, Speaker. Don't get into too much trouble.§§
§§I'll try.§§ Harry said, pressing his nose against the entrance to the secret passage. When it didn't open, he curiously tapped it with a paw. After a few more attempts, he looked back at the bed. §§How did you open it again?§§ He said, still standing beside the entrance.
The passage seemed to react to the hissing as it suddenly slid open. Amber's head poked from the covers once again, hissing, §§It reacts to snake language. Just tell it when you want it to open. Good night.§§ Amber yawned again, before sliding her head back under the pillows.
Harry slid into the passage, his small claws clicking against the stone floor as he headed through. Bypassing the forbidden tunnel, he instead turned down a tunnel opposite from the library.
It wasn't long before he found himself poking his head into old classrooms, and even found himself in the Charms Classroom down one particular tunnel. The Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom was found as well, as Harry marveled at how many tunnels there were.
"I can use these tunnels to get around." Harry thought to himself, as he trotted down yet another tunnel. He was having fun with his exploration of the old passage. The Runes classroom was here, then the History of Magic Classroom was there, so many tunnels and secret exits and entrances! Harry, in his excitement, didn't even notice when he found himself in a section of the castle he hadn't been to before.
"This must be the Third Floor Corridor; it looks rather familiar. One of the empty classrooms, maybe?" Harry said to himself, as he poked his head out. The room was a large, circular area with columns all around a central basin. In the middle of the basin in the center of the room, an enormous mirror could be seen. Curious, Harry turned back into his human form and walked up to it.
A large window shone the moon's light down upon the mirror, and Harry peered into the mirror's depths. He could see magic swirl around it, a darkness mixed with the technicolor he was used to.
The mirror's reflection shifted, and Harry saw himself in the reflection. He was an adult, and he had a sly grin on his face. Behind him was a stack of books, and at his side, Harry could see his friends. They all looked excited, as adult Harry pointed at something out of sight. After a moment, Harry saw Uncle Vernon, Aunt Petunia, and an adult Dudley walk into the shot, joining the group and smiling at Harry as they took out wands and made a boulder float into the air.
"What is this? My future?" Harry asked himself, looking at the reflection. He tried to take in as many details as he could. Harry saw the reflection reach up, showing off his own necklace. However, the reflection's necklace seemed dim compared to the real Harry's, as if the mirrored necklace was naught but a pale imitation. The reflection winked, and put the necklace back into his robes, hiding it from sight.
"It must be something with… I don't know! Why would all my friends be there? And how can Uncle Vernon, Aunt Petunia, and Dudley do magic? I don't understand. I hate not understanding." Harry said, frustrated. Harry huffed, and walked around the mirror, carefully examining it before returning to the front. Looking up, he noticed some print above the mirror.
"Maybe it's a clue?" Harry said to himself, as he tried to read the text. After a few moments, ne winced. It was all gibberish! It wasn't even a language!
"Erised stra ehru oyt ube cafru oyt on wohsi" Harry thought about it for a second, but didn't need to wait too long as his necklace glimmered and then the text became readable. Just like the hidden cubbyhole's riddle, the words seemed to shift in his eyesight to something he could understand.
"I show not your face, but your heart's desire. " Harry read. He rubbed his chin, thinking about it carefully. "So my heart's desire is to have my friends close and my family to have magic too?" Harry asked himself. "I mean that'd be amazing, but is that even possible?" Harry started to look at the reflection again, trying to see if there was anything different about his family.
Uncle Vernon seemed slimmer than usual, but no more than would be normal from an active lifestyle. Aunt Petunia had a bit more weight on her, losing her gaunt and thin look. Dudley was more akin to Harry's weight, and looking proud and healthy. However, it couldn't be just their weight, right? Looking carefully, he tried to examine every detail.
Harry spent the next three hours carefully analyzing the Dursleys, but was unable to find anything conclusive. All the while, the reflections of himself, his friends, and his family continued to smile at him in the reflection.
"Why can't I see anything! Surely there's some sort of hint or something." Harry groaned, exhausted. "Fine. I'll be back tomorrow. I'll be able to figure this out with one more day of examining it." Harry promised himself, crossing his arms.
With a grumble Harry turned into his fox self. With an indignant, angry yap at the mirror, he disappeared into the tunnel and hurried back to his room. Once he arrived, the moment his face made contact with his pillow he passed out.
The next day, Harry couldn't focus on much of anything. Books, meals, it didn't matter to him. All he could think about was finding a clue to what the mirror had shown. Any sort of clue or hint to allowing his family to have magic. Did they have magic to start with? Did his reflection do something? Harry never realized how quickly it had become an obsession.
Night couldn't come fast enough for the young boy. As soon as the clock's chimes indicated the beginning of curfew, Harry grabbed parchment and his new Everlasting Quill and hurried into the tunnels before Amber could even say goodnight.
Returning to the mirror was simple and easy, as Harry made his way to the front of it and sat down. He started to sketch the image as it returned, specifically writing notes on a second parchment.
"Back again, Harry?" The elderly voice made Harry jump, his Everlasting Quill drawing a line on the parchment and on the stone it was resting on.
Turning, Harry saw the Headmaster, stepping from behind a column. The old man was slowly walking up to him. "P-professor Dumbledore!" Harry stammered. "I-I can explain!"
Dumbledore shook his head, holding up a hand. "Fear not, Harry. I am not here to be cross with you. I see you, like many others, have seen the beauty of the Mirror of Erised." Harry cocked his head at the name, and then his eyes widened with realization. "The Mirror of Desire? Is that what it's named?"
Dumbledore nodded solemnly. "It shows not your face-" Harry piped up, finishing the sentence he had read the day before, "But your heart's desire. I read the text above it. Professor, is what I see inside of it real? Could I somehow take what's in it and apply it to the real world?" Harry asked.
"The Mirror of Erised is a Dark Object, Harry. It was created by Druids using the Old Ways, and thus is a device of great darkness. What you see is merely your heart's desire, not how you can achieve it. It's not certain if it's even possible at all."
"Oh." Harry said, looking downcast. "I was hoping…" Harry trailed off as Dumblefore's hand reached up and stroked his beard before speaking, "Many believe that they can somehow find a hint to achieving their desire by looking into the mirror, and you as well seem to have fallen into the same trap, my boy. Tomorrow, the mirror will be removed from here and hidden away. I ask that you not attempt to find it again." Dumbledore continued with a tone that allowed no objections.
Harry nodded solemnly, looking downcast as the old wizard smiled. "Do not worry, Harry. You will do great things. I believe in you, my boy." Dumbledore reached up, and pat Harry's shoulder. Looking at Dumbledore, Harry turned and peered at the mirror once again. "Professor Dumbledore?"
"Yes, Harry?" Dumbledore asked, clasping his hands together. Harry held his hands behind his back, looking a bit sheepish as he asked, "What do you see in the Mirror?"
Dumbledore's face flickered for a second, and Harry could swear that he had seen something melancholic beneath that sparkle in his eyes. "Why, I see myself, wearing a pair of simple woolen socks." Dumbledore said after a moment of hesitation.
"Woolen socks?" Harry asked curiously. How could his heart's desire be something so simple? Dumbledore's face lightened into a gentle smile, as if he had read Harry's mind. "Indeed, Harry my boy. For someone as old as I am, sometimes the little things are all your heart desires."
With another pat to Harry's shoulder, Dumbledore smiled. "Now, you had better get back to your dorm. We wouldn't want you to get in trouble now, would we?" The old wizard tapped the side of his nose with a smile.
Harry nodded, understanding the warning hidden in the jovial statement. With a polite bow, he moved to head out of the room and closed the door behind him.
Watching him leave, Dumbledore sighed, shaking his head. "How very strange. I never saw the boy enter, even when I've been here all evening…"
Without the distraction of the Mirror, Harry found himself in the Library more and more. He even spent time after curfew reading books with Amber. Together, the two went through several books.
The more Harry read, the more he realized that Aunt Petunia indeed had been bewitched by the letter. Confundus, Imperius, even a simple compulsion charm was enough do what had been done to her. But Harry did notice that all of them were temporary. Temporary, that is, unless they were cast by a powerful wizard.
Who could it have been? Harry regretted that he hadn't spoken to Professor Dumbledore about it before. Would he be able to see him during the Break? Shaking his head to himself as he thought on the subject, Harry sighed. "Maybe I can talk to him again soon."
It was suppertime when Harry was approached by Professor Snape. The man's curt voice immediately caught his attention, "Potter. My office, tonight. I wish to speak with you."
Harry nodded in acknowledgement, swallowing his bite of food before speaking. "Yes sir."
It wasn't long after that Harry found himself heading down the halls to the Potions classroom. Making his way to the door, he pushed inside, finding Snape in his office in the back of the classroom, sitting behind his desk. "Happy Christmas, sir." Harry said as he moved over to take a seat.
"Happy Christmas to you as well, Potter." The Potions professor's face was a bit more gentle than usual, lacking its normal harsh sneer. "I have something for you." Harry seemed curious, looking at the top of Snape's desk. "I thought you already sent the Troll hide to my vault, sir?"
Snape frowned, as if angry at Harry's assumption. "Of course I did. This is something different. Now be quiet before I consider this to be a waste of my time." The raven-haired man opened a drawer in his desk and took out a large, thick book.
"Minerva and I decided to do something for your first Christmas in the castle. It pains me to have to put in the effort to such a foolish child, but you have been adequate in class and worked hard when I have told you to." Harry's eyes sparkled when he saw the book. Was it some old ancient tome? Or maybe some special assignment?
Snape noticed the sparkle in Harry's eyes and gave a smirk, before making it disappear from his face so fast that you'd think it hadn't been there to begin with. Reaching over with the book, he offered it to Harry.
The book had no title, Harry's hand sliding carefully over the leather binding as he opened it. Harry's eyes widened when he saw pictures on the first page. It was an album; and not only that, it was an enchanted album. Moving pictures dotted the pages, as Harry saw a young woman and a young boy that was obviously Severus Snape. The first half of the book seemed to be focused on the young woman, with the latter half focused on a young boy that looked remarkably similar to Harry.
"That is your mother, and the reprobate who became your father." Snape said, sneering at the mention of the man he so despised. "Your mother was a prodigy. Talented and skilled with magic, potions, charms. There was nothing she couldn't do. She's who you more than likely got your inquisitive and skilled mind from. Your father, however, was significantly less impressive. He was a Gryffindor, through and through." Snape spat the word as if it was a slur.
Harry noted the wince at the mention of his father, filing it away for later. "And the boy, that was you, wasn't it? He looks just like you."
Snape raised an eyebrow. "Impressive attention to detail, Potter. Yes, that was me. Your mother and I were friends. Close friends."
Harry nodded, and then gave a smile, peering through the pictures again. Some tears were threatening to slide from his eyes before he wiped them away.
Snape gently conjured up a handkerchief, handing it to Harry. "Slytherins don't cry in public, Potter."
Accepting the handkerchief graciously, Harry sniffed a bit. "I know, sir. Just— Thank you, sir. I don't really remember my parents. This is probably my best Christmas ever." Harry said softly.
Professor Snape waved his hand. "Do not thank me, Potter. It was all Minerva's idea. All I did was supply some of the pictures. Now off with you before I take house points for lingering too long in my office." Harry could see Snape didn't really mean it, the Professor's mirthful smirk returning.
Nodding, Harry hurried out of the room and made his way to the Slytherin Commons with his new treasure. Once there, he hurried off to his room, pulling out his trunk and carefully placing it with his well-worn copy of The Fantastic Mr. Fox.
I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas!
We're in the final stretch, now. Not much is left for the first book. So, I reiterate the question I had earlier on. Should I simply continue posting chapters to this on Fanfiction, or should I make a whole new story? Ao3 readers don't need to worry, as there's a very wonderful collection feature there. But for those watching on Fanfiction, let me know if it'd be easier to read all as one fic or separately!
Beta'd by Kaminton and Levitress. If you are interested in helping beta, send me a DM!
Harry Potter is owned by JK Rowling, not me.
EDIT: Seems my faulty mouse burned me this time. Uploaded the entire chapter instead of the snippit that my broken mouse grabbed.