CHAPTER NUMBER SEVEN:
— headmaster's wise words
( ghostly reflections )
A FEW WEEKS had passed, and Miles, Lisa and I were all greedily devouring our breakfasts down in the great hall. Lisa was munching on a slice of toast, whilst Miles and I were adding bacon to our plateful of eggs and sausages. Since it was quite early, only a handful of students were scattered in various locations around the hall.
Whilst I was busily consuming my food, an unknown boy sitting with Malfoy and company peculiarly caught my eye. He had dark, hazel eyes, and his rusty coloured hair seemed to be pointing in quite a various amount of directions. He had rather sun-kissed skin, and his lips were round and petite.
I was in too much of a gaze to notice that Malfoy was staring directly at me; and he must've been for at least a few minutes. I flinched, looking away quite frantically. But that didn't stop him and his minions arising from the Slytherin table; and swaggering over to ours.
Daringly, Malfoy and co approached us. "Something you'd like to say, Crow?" He narrowed his eyes; whilst Crabbe and Goyle sniggered from behind his shoulders.
"Nothing at all." I stated after overhearing a moment of silence. "If I had anything to say, I wouldn't be afraid to say it to you personally." I crossed my arms over my chest.
"This one's got attitude, Draco." The unknown boy spoke out. "Just like you had mentioned." Malfoy nodded his head in agreement; and raised an eyebrow. "Elphias Lynch, such a pleasure to finally meet you." He stepped forward and held out his hand, whilst sarcasm was piercing through his gruff voice.
My eyes were locked on his hand, as I then stubbornly decided to pass on the offer to shake it. "Emmalina Crow." I looked up.
Before anyone could utter another single word, the strident sound of the school bell abled itself to echo around the hall. Malfoy sniggered yet again, before walking away. Crabbe and Goyle followed, whilst Elphias hesitated for a short moment.
"I hope to be seeing you around then." He narrowed his eyes, anticipating a reply. Miles and Lisa were carefully studying him from the other side of the table; whilst getting ready to leave and head off to class.
"It's quite a shame I was hoping of the complete opposite." I smirked. His facial expression slowly began to form into an angry stare. I arose from the table, and began walking to class. Lisa and Miles quickly followed, leaving Elphias alone; but he soon began to strode off in his own direction.
* * *
All classes had thankfully finished for the day, meaning everyone could finally return to their house dormitories. I however, got myself tangled into an unfortunate detention with Professor Snape; since I was quite late arriving into his class earlier on during the day.
Whilst making my way back to the Ravenclaw tower, I managed to get myself slightly lost. I must've trailed off into a completely different direction from where I was heading; and now I had no clue of my surroundings.
I stood blankly in the middle of a strange corridor that I hadn't yet seen before. I began pacing around, hoping to find my own way back. Nothing seemed to arise. I shivered as I roughly rubbed my cold fingertips together.
I then glanced over my right shoulder, only to see another large double door. I approached it cautiously and hesitated before gently pulling it open. I stepped inside, only to see a single stray mirror, over to the front of the room. I carefully walked closer and began studying my reflection.
I started at myself blankly for a couple of minutes, before I began to notice another figure shadily forming beside me. I turned around, only to see that no such thing was present. Looking back at the mirror, I saw someone; my mother.
Her straight locks of black hair mimicked mine, and so did her dusky grey eyes. Her pale features stood out as she smiled at me lovingly. She was more beautiful than I ever imagined.
I couldn't help but stare in utter shock. Was this real? Surely not. I knew for a fact that my mother was dead, so I couldn't help but wonder — what in merlin's name was happening?
"Mum?" I whispered softly, I slowly stretched out my arm, so that my fingertips were almost touching the glass.
She draped her arm around my shoulder and smiled, and although it wasn't; it felt real. The butterflies in my stomach began to flutter abundantly, as it was ridiculously difficult to take my eyes off of her.
* * *
After hours of silently admiring the sight of my mother, I heard a gentle voice from behind me. I had an inkling of whom it might've been.
"Ah, Emmalina." I turned around and noticed Professor Dumbledore, I wasn't sure of how long he had been there, however. "I see that you, like hundreds before you, have discovered the delights of the Mirror of Erised."
"I never knew it had a name, sir." I replied.
"I'm sure by now you realise what it does." He manoeuvred closer. "Let me give you a clue." I gazed up at him admirably, anticipating his next wise choice of words.
"The happiest man on earth would look into the mirror, and only see himself; exactly the way he is." He paused. "Does that help?" I thought for a short moment before speaking again.
"It shows us what we want." I said confidently. "Whatever we want?"
"Yes and no." He waited a moment. "It shows us nothing more or less than the deepest, most desperate desire of our hearts. You, who have never known your mother, see her standing beside you."
"Can I come and see her again tomorrow, Professor?"
"I'm afraid not." He began to explain. "The mirror will be moved to a new home tomorrow, Emmalina, and I ask you to never go looking for it again. It does not do to dwell on dreams and forget to live; remember that."
I nodded. "I'd best be off to bed." I used the palms of my hands to gently push myself of the ground. "Goodnight Professor." He watched as I quietly exited the room.
Once I had changed into my pyjamas and climbed into bed, I began thinking about the mirror; and my mother. If only I could see her again, just one more time. But I had carefully listened to Dumbledore's words; and decided that it would be the best of ideas to move it to yet another home somewhere amongst the castle.
* * *
The following day, Lisa and I were walking to charms, chatting amongst ourselves. Miles like many times before had Quidditch practise, so wasn't able to attend first period.
"So, 'Lina," Lisa began asking. "how was your detention with Professor Snape?" She joked as I groaned. Since arriving at Hogwarts, Snape took the cake when it came to my least favourite professor.
"It was one of the many experiences in my life that I ought to forget." She laughed at my snide comment, I couldn't help but do so myself.
"I didn't see you in the common room afterwards though, were did you get off to?" I was questioning in my head whether or not to tell Lisa the truth, but I decided to save it for another day.
"Nowhere, It was quite a long detention you know, Lisa."
All she did was laugh and accept my answer. I still couldn't help but wonder where that mirror was, but I knew that it was somewhere waiting for the next person to find it.