"In the evening, I'll meet you at the entrance of Gryffindor, and you can show me the way." Hoare's Marauder's Map had been requisitioned by Headmaster Dumbledore, so he wasn't sure how to get to some places.
Ron quickly nodded in agreement.
After setting a time, the two of them nonchalantly entered the Great Hall for dinner. Harry sat quietly by the fireplace, lost in thought.
His deep sadness was almost palpable, and Hoare couldn't help but sigh.
He wondered if telling him about the gift in advance would make things better.
Late at night, Hoare found Ron and cast a Disillusionment Charm on both of them.
Ron led Hoare to the room, hesitating for a moment before deciding not to enter. The mirror was too tempting; he feared he wouldn't be able to resist looking.
It was an impressive mirror, reaching up to the ceiling, with a golden frame and two claw-shaped feet supporting it.
It now stood in the center of the room, and Harry sat in front of it, gazing at his reflection with a blissful smile.
Hoare lifted the Disillusionment Charm from himself and approached, curious about what he might see.
In the mirror, a grown-up Hoare held his wand, surrounded by all the Weasleys, not a single one missing.
Everyone wore brand-new clothes, adorned with expensive jewelry, and their faces were lit with joyful smiles.
The floor was piled high with countless treasures, and behind them, the Burrow had transformed into a magnificent castle.
Hoare touched his forehead, wondering if his desires were really that extravagant.
"Henry?" Harry snapped out of his reverie, noticing a figure in the mirror. He quickly turned around and saw Hoare behind him.
Hoare stared at the inscription on the mirror: "Erised stra ehru oyt ube cafru oyt on wohsi."
"What?" Harry looked at Hoare in confusion, not understanding what he meant.
Hoare sat down next to Harry, pointing at the inscription on the mirror. "Look."
Harry glanced at the words.
"It doesn't show your face but your heart's deepest desire," Hoare read the inscription backwards.
"What did you see, Harry?" Hoare asked.
Listening to Hoare, Harry turned back to the mirror, a happy smile spreading across his face. "I saw my family."
"My father, my mother, they're beside me, smiling and talking to me. We're all so happy."
As Harry spoke, his expression was filled with an indescribable happiness.
Hoare couldn't help but sigh again. "Do you know what I saw, Harry?"
Harry slightly turned his head, reluctant to take his eyes off the mirror.
"I saw my family too, all of us smiling happily together," Hoare said, looking at Harry.
"Though the scene is a bit extravagant, I know it's my dream, my goal to strive for."
"Harry—"
Hoare's gaze returned to the mirror. "I know it's cruel to say this is just what you wish for, but we have to learn to look forward."
"Henry, I know. I just wanted to see them," Harry admitted. For a moment, he had treated the mirror as a magical tool to see the deceased, but Ron had seen something entirely different, so he knew the mirror wasn't what he thought.
Yet Harry still didn't want to leave. He simply wanted to see what it would be like to grow up with his parents, to be so happy.
Hoare looked at the mirror, reading the inscription aloud, "Many people have seen this mirror and couldn't walk away, lost in its allure, wasting their days in front of it. Do you know why?"
Harry remained silent. He knew why and guessed what Hoare wanted to say.
He understood it all, but he couldn't bear to leave behind the happiness he saw.
Hoare looked at Harry, whose eyes were slightly wet.
"They don't know if what they see in the mirror is real. But because the image is so beautiful, they'd rather indulge in illusion and forget about real life."
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"Harry—"
"We have to work towards our goals to achieve everything the mirror shows."
"Not just sit here foolishly night after night, with dark circles as big as a panda's."
Hoare teased.
Harry wasn't in a good state; he hadn't slept well for days.
Even though it was vacation, students weren't allowed to sleep in the dormitory during the day unless they were on sick leave in the infirmary.
But clearly, Harry wasn't that kind of person.
He'd rather stay up every night, stubbornly sitting in front of the mirror, just to catch a few more glimpses.
"But—" Harry looked at Hoare with sadness in his eyes. "They can't come back. Whether it's real or not, I know they can't come back."
"Henry, I know you mean well. I just want to see them, to see myself," Harry said, turning back to the mirror.
"But you can have another family member," Hoare replied, his tone firm.
"What did you say!?" Harry looked sharply at Hoare.
Harry understood every word Hoare said, but he couldn't grasp the meaning.
His mind was flooded with memories, recalling past scenes involuntarily.
Every holiday, his cousin Dudley had his parents' company and countless gifts, a happiness Harry couldn't imagine.
For Dudley, it was just everyday life, nothing special.
When he was unhappy, he could throw a tantrum, even pulling his mother's hair and crying.
No one would scold or hit him; they'd only worry, "What's wrong with Dudley baby? Why is he upset?"
Whenever Harry thought of it, he couldn't help but mock the nickname "Dudley baby," but deep down, he was envious and jealous.
Even though Dudley was as big as a calf, in the eyes of his loving family, he was still the most adorable.
Such unconditional favoritism, how could Harry not be envious and jealous?
By the fireplace, when bullied by Dudley, when cursed by his aunt and uncle, when mopping the floor, Harry always wondered why he didn't have a family.
If he had just one, just one!
One family member willing to love him, he'd be incredibly, incredibly happy.
And now, Henry said he was going to have a family!?
"You're about to have a family member, Harry," Hoare said casually, as if discussing the weather. "I've received news that Sirius Black, your godfather, who was imprisoned for several years due to false accusations, has been proven innocent and will be released soon."
"He's your family."
Hoare's words left Harry utterly stunned, with countless questions swirling in his mind.
How did Henry know this information?
When would Sirius Black be released?
Would he come to see him?
Would he... like him?