The three of them tiptoed into the classroom, the door hinges creaking open, making the empty room seem exceptionally bright.
This place was indeed an old, long-abandoned classroom, with layers upon layers of old desks and chairs piled up against the wall, crammed together in a dark, haphazard way.
An overturned wastepaper basket lay on the ground, covered with a thin layer of dust; the scene was desolate and dilapidated.
Draco, Hermione, and Ron approached step by step and stopped beside Harry.
This is an impressive and elaborate mirror, so tall it reaches the ceiling.
The gold frame is intricately and ornately carved, with smooth, polished edges, and is firmly supported by two claw-shaped bases.
Even in this abandoned classroom, the inherent solemnity cannot be concealed.
Sunlight streamed in through the high window, falling on the mirror. It wasn't bright, but it was enough to make one see the line of winding text engraved at the top of the frame.
Erisstra Ehruait Ubikaruait Onwochs.
Only when they got close did Harry feel as if he had been gently tugged out of a dream, his shoulders trembled slightly, and he slowly turned around.
His face was a little pale, and his eyes were still fixed on the reflection in the mirror, looking dazed.
Upon seeing the three, he was first taken aback, then showed a hint of panic at having his secret exposed. He hurriedly tried to stand up, and said somewhat awkwardly:
"Why... are you here?"
Hermione's heart tightened, and she took a worried half-step forward. " Harry, Ron said you come here every day, and we're worried about you."
Harry didn't answer, his gaze unconsciously drifting back to the mirror in front of him, as if it were firmly drawn to him, unable to look away.
Hermione frowned slightly, her gaze first falling on the line of text, pondering it to herself, yet unable to let go of Harry beside her.
Seeing that the two were also gathered around the mirror, Ron told them everything that had happened.
"Here's the thing, Harry received an Invisibility Cloak a few days ago, but nobody knows who sent it..."
As soon as he finished speaking, Draco knew without even thinking that it must have been Old Dumbledore's arrangement, probably to break Harry's obsession and help him grow.
Thinking of this, he secretly glanced around the dimly lit corners of the classroom, wondering if Old Dumbledore was hiding somewhere, quietly watching them, the younger generation.
Ron, oblivious to Draco's expression, continued, "Ever since he got that cloak, Harry has truly entered a new world."
"I secretly wandered around the castle at night, going to the most secluded places, and after many twists and turns, I finally found this abandoned classroom."
"The moment I see this mirror, I feel like I'm bewitched. I come here every day and stay for most of the night."
Hermione pressed, "This mirror can bewitch? How can it bewitch someone like that?"
Ron scratched his head, embarrassed to speak, "This mirror is really strange; it can reflect what people desire most in their hearts."
"What Harry saw inside were his deceased parents, relatives, his whole family..."
"And when I went closer to look, the person in the mirror had become Quidditch captain, a Prefect, and eventually even student council president."
After he finished speaking, his ears turned red, and he quickly shrank back, as if afraid that people would laugh at his thoughts.
Hermione was taken aback at first, then a look of heartache appeared on her face.
She looked at Harry, her gaze softening considerably. It was her deepest longing, no wonder it could make someone so infatuated.
She turned her head to look at the old mirror again, her gaze now filled with wariness.
Draco, who had been standing silently to the side, slowly began to explain.
"This is the Mirror of Erised, the Mirror of Erised."
"When a person stands before it, what they see is not themselves, but the deepest desire in their heart."
As soon as Draco finished speaking, it was as if a windowpane had been suddenly opened in the entire classroom, and the air fell silent.
Hermione looked up in surprise, which quickly turned into deep worry.
She had initially thought it was just a strange mirror, but now she truly understood its power.
She immediately turned to look at Harry, frowning as she said:
"That's not real, Harry! No matter how beautiful it is, it's just a reflection in the mirror. Looking at it too much will only hurt you."
Hermione sounded very anxious, as if she was afraid that Harry would get so caught up in this and never be able to get out.
Ron took a half step back upon hearing this, scratched the back of his head, and his face flushed red and then turned pale.
He was just secretly basking in the glory of his reflection in the mirror.
Only after Draco pointed it out did he suddenly realize that it was nothing more than his most greedy thought.
He scratched his head and muttered to himself, "No wonder I can't forget it after just one look... it's because it lingers in my mind."
When Ron spoke, his tone was less infatuated and more filled with lingering fear.
Harry had been keeping his eyes down, Draco's words were like a gentle yet clear light, instantly illuminating his confused mind.
He knew the other person was telling the truth.
His parents smiled gently in the mirror, and the family stood together peacefully—the scene he had always longed for.
His Adam's apple bobbed, and his low, hoarse voice carried a hint of grievance and confusion. "I know it's fake... but I just can't help wanting to take another look."
After he finished speaking, his eyes reddened slightly, but he forced back his tears, staring intently at the mirror, trying to grasp at the last bit of warmth.
Draco stood in the dim light and shadow and said again:
"It's simple. What Ron sees in the mirror is the glamour and prestige he desires, the glory he hasn't yet obtained."
He knew in his heart that it was just wishful thinking; his feet were still firmly planted on solid ground. He could be woken up with a shout and pulled out with a pull.
"But what Harry saw in the mirror was a home he could never return to, and family he could never touch again."
"That's not desire, it's emptiness, it's pain."
"The less something is there, the more they cling to it; even knowing it's an illusion, they can't bear to move an inch."
After he said that, the classroom fell even quieter.
Hermione was stunned, and a deep emotion spread across her face as she listened.
When she looked at Harry again, her nose tingled slightly, and the words of advice that were on the tip of her tongue suddenly turned into tender heartache, and she only sighed softly.
Harry... we're all here for you.
Ron stood to the side, scratching his head, his face flushing and then feeling heavy.
Seeing Harry's dazed look, the little bit of vanity he felt instantly faded.
" Harry, that's all fake. We're here with you. Stop staring at that broken mirror."
Harry hung his head, his shoulders trembling slightly.
Every word Draco felt like a gentle tap on his most painful spot.
He knew perfectly well it was an illusion, yet he couldn't bear to leave.
He bit his lower lip, his eyes slowly reddening, but he stubbornly refused to shed tears. "I know... but once I see them, I don't want to leave."
He didn't turn around, still staring at the mirror, like a child unwilling to let go of the last bit of light.