Draco looked at Harry, who was lost in thought in front of the mirror, and earnestly advised him, " Harry, all you have to do is cherish this thought."
"Then keep moving forward with hope. Nobody wants you to stay where you are, not even your parents."
Hermione's eyes welled up slightly, and she nodded gently.
Ron was also taken aback, his hand gripping his hair froze in mid-air. Though he was rough around the edges and not good at expressing himself, he could still hear the sincerity in his words.
He immediately gave a strong "Mmm" in agreement, adding, "Yes! Harry, let's all move forward, let's not get stuck here."
Harry felt as if he had been gently pushed out of the fog; he slowly turned his head to look at Draco.
The layer of confusion and moisture that had been veiling in her eyes gradually dissipated.
He remained silent for a long time, his Adam's apple bobbing slightly, before finally nodding slowly. "... I understand."
He didn't immediately look away, but he was no longer as infatuated as before; his eyes held a new determination to move forward.
Just then, a gentle yet clear voice softly rang out from the darkest corner of the classroom:
"Well said, Draco. You understand the meaning of longing better than many people much older than you."
The three of them were startled at the same time and turned around abruptly.
In the dim light, Dumbledore slowly emerged from the shadows of the piled-up old tables and chairs.
The crescent-shaped glasses reflected a faint light, and her medium-length hair remained neatly styled.
He held a small handful of Sherbet Lemon in his hand, his face bearing his usual gentle smile.
He walked slowly, as if he had always been standing there, but everyone was too engrossed to notice.
Hermione was the first to react, and she quickly bowed respectfully, her face showing some embarrassment at being caught in her secret.
She had just been admiring Draco's insight in her heart when Dumbledore caught her red-handed, and a blush crept onto her cheeks.
Ron, easily frightened, shrank back and instinctively hid behind the group, muttering "Professor" under his breath.
His eyes were filled with panic, like a student caught red-handed doing something wrong.
Harry froze, his previously teary eyes widening instantly. He hurriedly wiped his eyes and stood still, somewhat at a loss.
He had been gazing at himself in the mirror for a long time, and now that Professor Dumbledore had seen him with his own eyes, he felt extremely ashamed. He lowered his head, not knowing what to say.
Only Draco's expression softened slightly, showing no sign of panic. He even turned the tables on Draco, saying, " Old Dumbledore, why are you peeking again?"
Upon hearing this, Hermione sighed softly, a look of helplessness and acceptance creeping onto her face.
She had heard him address Dumbledore that way before, back in the Room of Requirement, and was already used to it.
Unfortunately, he insisted on speaking recklessly at this time, as if he wasn't worried about being punished.
But Ron was different; he was even more terrified than when he heard Professor Dumbledore's voice, and he almost jumped up in fright.
His mouth was agape in a round "O" shape, and he stood there frozen for a long time, unable to close it.
He looked at Draco, then at Dumbledore, his legs trembling slightly, with only one thought in his mind.
Oh no, Malfoy's going to be locked up until graduation!
At this moment, Ron didn't even dare to breathe loudly, for fear of being implicated.
Harry also suddenly looked up, forgetting his shame and sadness, only his face filled with shock.
He had never imagined that anyone could be so presumptuous in front of Dumbledore, and for a moment he forgot how to react, only staring blankly at the two of them.
But Dumbledore wasn't angry at all; instead, he chuckled softly.
He slowly walked forward, still clutching the Sherbet Lemon in his hand, his words utterly devoid of any airs of a branch school principal:
"I didn't eavesdrop on purpose; I just happened to be passing by and overheard a few very insightful remarks, so I couldn't help but linger for a while."
Upon hearing this, Draco rolled his eyes very casually, secretly grumbling to himself.
It just so happens that I'm passing by again; I did the same thing at the Room of Requirement last time.
I don't believe you for a second; you're a wicked old man.
Ron was completely dumbfounded upon hearing Professor Dumbledore's answer.
Look at Dumbledore, then at Draco, their faces clearly showing the question, "Is this really the headmaster?"
Dumbledore slowly walked to the Magic Mirror, his gaze sweeping gently over the four of them before finally settling on Harry:
"Don't worry, child, I'm not here to blame you. It's perfectly normal to be drawn to this mirror—it doesn't reflect weakness, but rather the most precious things in our hearts."
Harry sniffed softly, then slowly raised his head, his eyes filled with a calm that had been soothed.
He nodded Dumbledore:
"I will remember that, Professor."
Dumbledore nodded to him as well.
Then he looked at Draco, a hint of a smile in his eyes, "You're right, aspirations shouldn't be shackles that bind our steps, but rather a light that propels us forward."
After speaking, he gently raised his hand, touched the mirror with his fingertip, and the light and shadow in the mirror swayed slightly, like a pool of spring water being stirred.
Ron, recovering from his shock, breathed a sigh of relief and muttered, "Anyway, this mirror is really strange; it's better not to look at it."
Dumbledore chuckled softly upon hearing this and slowly said:
"I will have this mirror moved. From now on, you need not come here again. People should move forward, and their eyes should be on the path ahead, not on the illusions behind them."
Dumbledore finished saying he was going to move the mirror when Draco said to him seriously:
"No, Old Dumbledore, I haven't seen it yet."
Upon hearing this, Hermione closed her eyes helplessly, her lips twitching slightly.
She was truly impressed by him.
One second they're as insightful as a life guru, the next they're worried about never having looked in the magic mirror.
Ron was completely dumbfounded. He looked at Dumbledore, then at Draco, unable to process what was happening.
This is the principal! He just finished lecturing on some important principles, and Malfoy dares to haggle in public?
He shrank back, with only one thought in his mind: This man is bolder than a fire dragon.
Harry, who was still immersed in the emotions from earlier, was jolted by Draco's blunt words.
The slight redness in his eyes faded somewhat, and he paused for a moment, almost wanting to laugh.
Just moments ago Draco was comforting him, but the next moment he was worried about not looking in the mirror—the contrast was all too real.
Dumbledore was taken aback, then both amused and exasperated.
He shook his head, offering no reprimand, but instead displaying an expression of indulgence toward his clever youngest member:
"You... you really never want to suffer a loss."
Draco said matter-of-factly, "Since we're already here, we should at least know what we want most."
Hermione sighed softly beside her and muttered, "She can't sit still for a moment."
Seeing Draco's impatient look, Dumbledore finally smiled and waved his hand, "Alright, you can look, but don't get too absorbed."