Harry was currently sitting at the Slytherin table in the Great Hall a month after break. Draco was on his left and Blaise on his right with Pansy, Vincent Crabbe and Gregory Goyle across from them. When they had gotten back from break, Harry was assault and with hugs, gracious thank yous and a few tears. Pansy had gotten and gold and rose quartz flower hair pin from Harry for Christmas and was positively livid when Harry told her that money didn't mean anything to him. Let's just say that Harry gave a promise he didn't intend to keep. He was met with tears from Fred and George who he had got matching silver bands with a paraiba blue apatite for Fred and a carnelian for George. They told them that what he had bought them was probably as much as their house and they promised that, no matter what it was, they would do anything he asked for as long as he let them. Neville gave him a giant hug over his Gryffindor themed bracelet with a gold lion and ruby eyes. He was happy everybody liked their presents, he was worried.

Harry snapped out of his thoughts and looked at his barely touched plate. He sighed. Draco looked over at him worriedly.

"You okay Har?" 

"Just not that hungry. I think I'm going to go for a walk. I'll see you in the common room." Draco frowned but nodded as Harry got up and walked out of the Great Hall. The ravenette walked the halls, not paying attention to his surroundings when he came to a halting stop right in front of a wooden door. Harry looked around, he had no idea where he was. Out of pure curiosity, he pushed open the door. Inside sat a classroom. Unused, dusty and some of the shelves along the wall covered with sheets. Harry sneezed. 

Harry walked further into the room and closed the door. As he did though a glint caught his eye. He turned towards it and saw a full body mirror. He walked closer and saw an inscription along the top of the frame. He squinted and saw the words 'Erised stra ehru oyt ube cafru oyt on wohsi'. He frowned. What did that mean? He looked into the mirror and saw his reflection. He stared a little longer at his unhealthy pale skin, sunken face and skinny body. He sighed and went to turn his head away when the surface of the mirror rippled and the reflection changed. Harry stopped and stared in awe. It was him but he looked healthy. His skin no longer gaunt and pale. Next to him stood Draco. He was smiling and had an arm sling over Harry's shoulder and a silver band glinting on his ring finger. Harry frowned at the ring but pushed it aside and looked at the rest of the reflection. Behind stood Severus, which Harry didn't understand, and he was holding hands with a tall pale man with pale skin, chocolate brown hair and crimson red eyes. Harry didn't recognize this man but he felt an odd pang of longing as he stared. Harry looked behind the two men but didn't get a good look at anybody before he heard the door to the room creak open behind him. Harry whipped around, eyes wide, and saw a familiar old wizard.

"Hello Professor." Harry said quietly. The wizards blue eyes twinkled.

"Hello, my boy," Professor Dumbledore replied smiling. "So," said Dumbledore,"you, like hundreds before you, have discovered the delights of the Mirror of Erised." 

"I didn't know it was called that, Sir." 

"But I expect you've realized by now what it does?" Harry shook his head. "Let me explain. The happiest man on earth would be able to use the Mirror of Erised like a normal mirror, that is, he would look into it and see himself exactly as he is. Does that help?" 

Harry thought. Then he said slowly, "It shows us what we want... whatever we want..." 

"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. However, this mirror will give us neither knowledge or 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. 

"The Mirror will be moved to a new home tomorrow, Harry, and I ask you not to go looking for it. 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 get off to class?" 

Harry stood up. 

"Sir - Professor Dumbledore? Can I ask you something?" 

"Obviously, you've just done so," Dumbledore smiled. "You may ask me one more thing, however." 

"What do you see when you look in the mirror?" 

"I? I see myself holding a pair of thick, woolen socks." 

Harry stared. 

"One can never have enough socks," said Dumbledore. "Another Christmas has come and gone and I didn't get a single pair. People will insist on giving me books." 

Harry narrowed his eyes slightly and looked Dumbledore in the eyes. They made eye contact and Harry couldn't move. Literally. He was frozen as he felt a presence in his mind. Harry's heart sped up. What was going on? He could feel his magic spiking in reaction to his fear. Harry suddenly ripped away from the gaze of the older wizard and ran out of the room. He ran until he reached the Potions classroom and into his seat. He was early but soon the rest of the the class had filled in. Draco sat next to Harry and quickly noticed Harry's wide eyes and rapid breathing.

"Are you okay, Har?" Harry shook his head. "Do I need to call over Professor Snape?" Harry hesitated before shaking his head again. "Are you sure?" 

"Just after class wait with me please?" Draco nodded his head worriedly proceeded to follow the instructions on the board. The class passed quickly and soon everybody had left except the pair still sitting in their desk.

"Is there something you needed boys?" Draco glanced at Harry and nodded. Severus raised an eyebrow expectantly. Harry took a shaky breathe and ran a hand through his hair.

"Um, well I was wandering the corridors and I found an old classroom. I decided to go and sit down but I saw a mirror. I walked closer and I saw, well I saw, um. Actually I'd rather not say what I saw but it doesn't matter. Anyway, Professor Dumbledore came in and he told me that it was called the Mirror of Erised and it showed your hearts greatest desire or something. But just as I was going to Lea ave I looked him in the eye and I couldn't break eye contact. He was just staring at me and I felt his magic in my head. It was like he was picking my brain. I don't know what happened but I was able to break away and I ran straight here." Harry looked up and saw Severus had a look of fury, hatred, and horror. Harry gasped and moved back at the pure intensity of it. Draco steadied him as he nearly toppled off the chair. 

"Sir, you're scaring him," Draco said softly. Severus closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

"I apologize Harry. I did not mean to alarm you but my anger is not at you. Before I say anything though I want to test something. Would it be alright if I did a small experiment with you, it won't hurt." Harry nodded immediately and Severus lifted Harry's chin with two fingers. The two commenced in a staring contest. Harry immediately felt the same probing in his mind as he did before and he panicked. He pulled away and tightly shut his eyes. "Was that what you felt when Dumbledore made eye contact?" 

Harry opened his eyes. "Yeah but his was different. His felt like a needle, yours felt more like a, like um, like on of those muggle sponges, I guess," Harry furrowed his brows. "I don't think I'm explain this right, his felt mean. Yours was more soft, not as harsh." Severus huffed angrily and rubbed his temples.

"Harry, I want you to tell me if he, or anyone else, does that to you. That was an extremely invasive and illegal form of mind magic. He should be put in Azkaban for that," Severus looked away and sneered at the wall.

"What's Azkaban?" Harry asked.

"It's wizard prison. It has wizard guards but it's main defense are the dementors. They can suck out your soul and happiness. They can make you feel nothing but utter despair. It's horrible. And it's cold, it's really cold." Draco stared at a point on the floor and got a far away look in his eyes. Harry looked up at him and hesitantly touched his shoulder.

"Dray?" Draco sharply looked up and shakily smiled.

"Fine sorry." Harry nodded and looked at the clock. "Oh shoot, come on Draco. McGonagalls gonna kill us." Draco looked at the clock and hastily packed up his bag. Severus waved a hand as the boys quickly left the room and raced towards the Transfiguration classroom. 

They quickly sat in their seats and the class passed, as did the rest of the day. They collapsed in Draco's bed and promptly slept through the night. They slept so soundly that neither could feel the wave of pure raw and angry magic. It seemed to roar with rage. A loud howl was heard to any on the third floor and the magic of the castle seemed to tense in anticipation of coming events. 

Two months later(Mid-March)

Harry, Draco, Blaise, Pansy and the twins were walking down the halls, talking about their summer plans. 

"I don't really know where we're going but Mother likes to take trips, so we're probably spending most of the summer in a random city." Blaise stated as they made their way to a set of moving stairs. 

"That sounds fun but I, personally, think that spending the summer at home, buying endless dresses, shoes, jewelry, you name," The others laughed at the haughtiness in Pansys statement. 

"Please Pans," Draco started, "flying around the manor on a broom at top speeds, beating Father at chess every time, and brewing potions with Mother and Uncle Sev is the best way to spend your summer. One hundred percent." 

"Well, that sounds fun," Fred started.

"But why do that," George continued.

"When you can spend it constantly setting pranks around the house,"

"And constantly annoying your and siblings to no end,"

"Please your summer plans don't compare," Harry smiled at their antics.

"Are you planning to do a thing special Harry?" 

"Probably not, Pans." Harry shrugged nonchalantly. Draco looked at him thoughtfully and cocked his head to the side. His eyes lit up and he smiled brightly. "What is it Dray?" Draco grinned even wider, if possible, and shook his head. Harry pouted. "But..." Harry stopped walking and crossed his arms over his chest and delivered a sappy set of puppy eyes in the blondes direction. The other four looked at Harry incredulously, while Draco immediately started to reveal what he was thinking.

"I was just gonna say that you can come over to my house anytime during the summer. Or you can just come straight there. You don't even have to go those disgusting muggles. You can stay with me and Mother and Father." Harry dropped his expression and stared at Draco with a blank look on his face. His arms fell to his sides as tears welled in his eyes. 

"Really?" Harry asked with a crack in his voice. Draco's smile softened and he nodded. Harry took a shaky breath and closed the short distance between them. He stepped onto his tippy toes and buried his face in the crook of Draco's neck. Draco's arm wrapped around Harry and lightly squeezed. "I'm holding you to that." Draco nodded. They broke apart and Harry cheeks took a slight rosy color as he saw the others had watched the whole exchange. Harry ignored their looks and quickly walked further through the corridor. 

"Har-" Whatever Pansy was going to say was cut off by a deep growl coming from a couple doors down. Harry, curious as ever, walked closer and saw a swish of a cloak before the oak door closed. Harry walked even closer and put his ear to the door. He could hear a gentle voice attempting to, seemingly, calm something down. Harry rested his hand on the handle and was about to open the door when Blaise's hand shot out to grab his wrist. 

"Don't. This is the forbidden door on the third floor. We shouldn't go in there." 

"But someone just went in there." 

"Doesn't matter, we need to follow the rules. Whoever they are, they should've listened." A gentle tune could be heard from the inside. Harry hesitated. 

"But what if-" Draco cut him off.

"No Harry. I agree with Blaise. We don't know what's in there. They probably did and now they're doing whatever they're doing in their. It's not our business. Come on, let's go get some practice in for the final game." Harry's eyes light up and he completely forgot about the door and it's contents, at the idea of quidditch. 

He had fallen in love with the game. Ever since the first practice with the rest of the team. He had caught the snitch in record time every time. He never did anything, in the sport. Draco was the same. The Slytherin team was better then ever and no one could deny it, especially not after the first game. He had caught the golden winged walnut within the first thirty minutes of the game. Well more like he nearly swallowed it, but we'll call it catching for now. They had won one eighty to zero, and Draco had scored the other three goals. Every game so far had followed a similar pattern and this one would be no different. They would win.

***

Words~ 2393