Chapter 10
Before I knew it, Christmas was upon us. The blanketed castle grounds looked beautiful as the snow dusted over it. It was frankly becoming hard to pay attention in class and study. You see, Christmas is my favorite holiday. We’d spent the last couple of weeks looking for someone named Nicolas Flamel in the library after Hagrid let his name slip out after a visit. It was the break we had well Hermione had been looking for. The only problem was we couldn’t find any reference of him anywhere in all the books that the library had. Hermione and I had also researched healing magic but there were only a few books on the subject and looked to be advanced but I was determined to learn more about it. Over the weeks I read the books over and over even though I didn’t quite understand what they meant. I would get there eventually, it would just take me a little longer than it normally did.
At the current moment Harry, Ron and I were in the great hall. Breakfast and come and gone and we’d decided to stay seated by the crackling fire. The boys were playing chess while Professor Flitwick and Hagrid were decorating the great hall. I thought it was a bit much since everyone was heading home except for a few of us. I had just finished writing another letter to my uncle to confirm that it would be quite alright that I had to stay at the school this Christmas. There was unfortunately a lunar cycle this week and he didn’t want me home in case anything were to happen. Usually I went to the Weasley’s when his changes happened but Ron and the others were also staying here this Christmas. I had just given Rosina the letter and sent her off when Hermione walked into the hall.
“That's totally barbaric!” I look over to the chess game to see Ron has won.
“Hey Hermione. Good game Ron.” I say and pack up my paper and books.
“That's wizard's chess,” Was all Ron said to explain himself? “I see you've packed.” He said and gestured to her trunk she’d parked behind her.
“See you haven't. You either Emery.” Hermione says with a small frown.
“My parents decided to go to Romania to visit my brother Charlie. He's studying dragons there.” Ron says in a hoity toity manner. It made Harry laugh at least as I rolled my eyes at him then addressed Hermione.
“Uh, my uncle has to work over the holiday so I decided to stay. Sorry I can’t be on the train home with you.” I say with a sad smile. Hermione would read like she always did and probably be happy that she didn’t have to put up with Ron.
“That’s okay. You both can help Harry then over break. He's going to go and look in the library for any more information on Flamel.”
“We've looked a hundred times.” Ron says and sighs. Ron wasn’t the one for studying or going to the library or finishing assignments for that matter.
“Not in the restricted section.” She said. The restricted section? Only Madam Pince could go in and we’d need a professor's permission to even ask her.
“You mean sneak in?” I asked as my eyes widened. All the young witch did was smile before turning to Ron once more.
“Also, try not to start any more fights, Ron.”
“What’s she talking about?” When had Ron been in a fight? I looked him over. He seemed fine in front of me. Maybe it hadn’t been too bad.
“Draco was making fun of my parents. He knows they’re purebloods. That Knob does it on purpose.” Ron said with a snarl.
“When was this?”
“Yesterday.”
“Ron!” I exclaim.
“What? He was being mean to me and to Hagrid!” He exclaims and I’m taken aback. Draco had been nothing to kind to me but why was it that everyone else always had something bad to say about him? I didn’t get it. I’d have to subtly ask him when he returned.
“Happy Christmas, don’t forget about Flamel.” Hermione bids farewell and leaves for the door.
“You guys know the restricted section is restricted for a reason, right?”
“I think we've had a bad influence on her.” Ron says as we watch her leave. I didn’t know their plans but I knew they weren’t going to go there. The best time to go would be at night. Maybe I’d wait until Christmas passed in case I got caught.
I spent the next few days catching up on some homework assignments and looking in regular parts of the library about Nicolas Flamel. It was the same area we’d looked as before and nothing new was turning up. Daphne and the other girls had gone home for Christmas so I was alone in the dorm, well not completely alone, I had Rosina. Even though she was with me I had found it hard to fall asleep. After two nights or tossing and turning I figured a trip to the kitchens for some milk was in order, hoping it would get me back to sleep. I hurriedly flung the blankets off my form and grabbed my robe and slippers before I crept out of my room. After exiting the common room, I headed down the hall, muscle memory from the few times Pansy and I had snuck out to get treats weeks prior. I hear a loud bang against the wall and freeze in my steps.
“Lumos.” I say and wave my wand around, looking for whoever was there, but no one came out.
“Hello?” I ask out but I get no response. Well it is an old castle and there are ghosts here. I think as I climb the stairs where the noise had come, eager to investigate after not being able to sleep.
After turning in front of the stairwell I looked either way into the hall but I didn’t see anyone.
“Hello, anyone living or well nonliving there?” I spoke to the dimly lit hall. Nothing replied back and I turned back for the stairs when I heard a loud bang again coming from my left. I raised my wand higher and moved forwards. Eventually I came to a lone door in the hall but no one. I jiggle the handle and it clicks open. I step inside and close the door behind me. There is nothing in the room. Not even a couch or book. I turn to leave when I catch a glint of something on the far side of the room. As I move closer I realize it's a mirror. One that almost reaches the ceiling. I look at my reflection when a figure appears next to me in the reflection.
“Mum.” I mumble out and raise my hand to the glass. It couldn’t be. She smiles at me but doesn't say anything. I hastily pull out the locket to show her and she smiles wider. She lifts her hand to touch my face and for a split second I thought I could feel her fingers against my cheek but the moment passed. It hadn’t really happened. I stood there for quite some time taking in her features. We really did look alike, same hair and eyes. I knew it was probably a burden for my uncle but it made me feel closer to her. Eventually I step back from the mirror. I couldn't stay here forever. Milk forgotten, I hurry back to my room.
When Christmas morning arrives. I wake up to see various parcels at the end of my bed wrapped in green paper.
I grin and jump to them. The first gifts were from Uncle Remus. They consisted of sweets, an extra pair of gloves, some more parchment and quills, new socks that were green, and a Holyhead Harpies pennant. I smiled at the gifts, ate a couple of sweets since no one was watching and moved for the other gifts.
The second parcel is a newly knitted green sweater with an E on it from Mrs W. I shrug it over my head and push my arms in the sleeves.
“Perfect fit.” She had also sent some of her ‘to die for’ fudge. I would be enjoying that while on break. The next was a green knit hat from Daphne. That sly one, we’d said nothing about gifts at all. I would have to get her something in return during the summer holidays.The last one was smaller and heavy and didn't give a name. Odd I thought as I unwrap it. A book. Potions Opuscule by Arsenius Jigger. I smiled. This would come in handy for sure. I spent the next hour writing a letter to Remus, Daphne and Mrs. W thanking them for the gifts. The book could've been from anyone and there was no name on the paper, how was I supposed to send a thank you letter back for it? I guessed it would continue to be a mystery. I slip on a pair of everyday pants and make my way to breakfast in the great hall. When I come in I see all the Weasleys’ at the end of a table close to the fireplaces enjoying their food. I run up to them with a beaming smile on my face.
“You've got yours on too!” The twins say. I beam at them and sit down next to Ron.
“I love it. I’ve already written to your mum.” I say and accept a glass of juice from Percy. Various Weasley’s pass me different foods as I fill my plate up.
“Got anything good this year then?” Ron instantly asked.
“The usual which is fine. Uncle sent a Holyhead pennant and I got a potions book.” I say to them and dig into the food.
“Right that. The Harpies are looking good this year.”
“You say that every year Fred.” Ron muttered.
“It’s true.” The twins laughed as I looked around the table.
“Where's harry?” I say and Percy points over my shoulder. I turn to see Harry sitting by the fire. I’d completely missed him when I’d entered the hall. I was so happy to show off my sweater that I hadn't even seen him. I place my cutlery down and walk over to him quietly. He looked sad for some reason.
“Harry?” I ask. But he says nothing. I climb up to the table beside him. The fire roared in front of us and it warmed my cold toes.
“You know. I never knew them but I lost my parents when I was little too. One day I went to stay with my uncle and they were gone the next,” I tell him and clutch the locket. “It's times like these I miss them the most because I often think that if they, you know if they were alive, what it would be like if we were together.” He turns his head slightly to me. “If you need anyone to talk to-”
Ron comes up to my side and throws an arm around my shoulder.
“Wanna play chess?” Ron asks.
“No.” Harry says
“Or see Hagrid?” He tries again.
“No.”
“We could practice flying?” Ron asks and the thought makes me want to throw up my half eaten breakfast.
“Harry, I know what you're thinking. But there's something not right about that mirror.” Ron says and walks away. What mirror? Did he mean the same mirror I had come across myself? I turn quickly back to Harry.
“Harry is Ron talking about the large mirror in one of the halls.” I whisper and he turns to look at me shocked.
“You’ve seen it, when?”
“The other night. I haven't been back but if you want me to go with you th-” I don't get to finish my sentence as he'd thrown his arms around me. I looked over to the Weasleys and they all stopped eating and were staring at us. I don’t know why the dark haired boy had pulled me into a hug but it wasn’t unpleasant.
“Harry?” I ask as he pulls away from me. I wanted to make sure he was alright.
“Tonight. Midnight.” is all he says and leaves the hall leaving all of us confused. Maybe he saw his parents too. If he did, he was just like me. I made my way back to the Weasleys and looked up to see all the teachers were also looking at me. Of course they’d seen the whole thing too.
“What was all that about?” George asked as I sat down beside Ron again.
“I’m not sure.”
As midnight rolls around I find myself walking back to the large room with the mirror. Harry is inside when I arrive and is standing in the doorway.
Do you know what it is?" I ask.
"No." He says as we walk towards it together. We stand side to side. My eyes catch an inscription above the mirror I hadn't noticed before. The words looked like nonsense. One stood out among the rest, Erised. Odd. I would have to research it when I had time later. My mum appears before me again and I smile, looking at the freckles on her face.
“What is it you see?”
“My mum. She died when I was little.” I said to him, “You see your parents right?” He nods and we sit down next to each other, keeping an eye on the figures in the mirror.
“Why didn't you come back after the first night?”
“Oh. I loved seeing her, but I have a picture of her in my necklace.” I say and pull it out from my jumper. “She left it to me when I was little.” I say and go to open it when.
“Back again?” A voice says. I look to my left. Dumbledore stood before us.
“Professor?” I ask, confused.
“I see that you, like so many before you, have discovered the delights of the Mirror of Erised. I trust by now you both realize what it does.” He walked farther into the room. “It shows us nothing more or less than the deepest, most desperate desires of our hearts.” We both glance back at the mirror. My mum was still staring down at me and holding out her arms.
“Now you both, who have never known your family, you see them standing beside you.” He says.
“Professor, how does it work? Is the mirror charmed?” I ask.
“If it was then everyone would have one.” He hadn’t directly answered the question but it seemed like it wasn’t charmed then.
“It was only a matter of time before you both found the mirror. Strange the castle is, sometimes bringing families together that need it most."
“Professor, you’re saying Harry and I were meant to come here?” I ask in confusion. What did we have to do with each other? I look at Harry and my eyes widen. Family. He had said ‘bringing family together’. What exactly was he saying?
“Professor are you saying-?” Harry looked at me and I gripped my locket before opening it.
“This is my mother.” I whisper and he touches the necklace as if he thought he’d break it.
“It can’t be.” OUr mother was the same person?
Harry was my brother?
“Tomorrow the mirror will be moved to a new home, and I must ask you not to go looking for it again. It does not do well to dwell on dreams and forget to live.” Dumbledore says and turns to leave.
“Professor Dumbledore.” I called out. He couldn't just drop this information on us then vanish.
“Why didn't we know? Why didn't someone tell us?” I ask.
“It matters not how we come to know our destiny but what we do with that information once we've seeked it out.” He says. Way to dodge another question. I think to myself.
“Does anyone else know?” Harry asks. He could’ve only meant our heritage.
“Only a select few.” He nods and turns for the door. Who else knew and why had it been kept from us and well everyone. A select few- Did Uncle Remus know? If he did, why wouldn't he tell me?
“Professor. What do you see when you look in the mirror?” Harry asks quickly before he could leave.
“I? I see myself holding thick socks. One can never have too many socks and everyone insists on gifting me books.” He finishes his rant and leaves the room leaving us alone. There was no way that could be true. Why would the headmaster want socks so bad? I sigh.
“Are you okay? I whisper to Harry. I had grown up with the Weasley’s of course, so it was like I had a family but he had not. Harry hadn’t had anyone before.
“I think so.” He says.
“I never thought I would have a brother. That is if you want me as a sister.” I hadn’t thought of that possibility until two seconds ago. I was a slytherin and we didn’t know each other that well. Would he want a sister? He grabs onto my hand.
“Of course I do.”
“Really?” I ask and let the breath I was holding out as he nods. I pull him in for a hug and more tears spill over my eyes. I was hugging my brother. I had a brother. Shock really wasn't the right word. Doubt, maybe. I glimpsed at the mirror. My mum was still there staring back at me with a smile but I couldn’t see a father figure. I guess it made sense, I'd never seen the man before. I had no picture of him. Despite that I had never felt more whole in my life. My family just got a little bigger.