Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (AU)

Chapter Eighteen

(That same night)

Harry sneaked into the library at night using his invisibility cloak. All he had with him is a lit lamp to give him light. He then got accessed into the restriction section in hoping to find some information about Nicholas Flamel. He made it to one part of the section, removed his cloak and sets down his lamp. He pulls out a book in hoping to find the information, but as he opens it, a scream came out and he shuts the book quickly and puts it back.

"Who's there?" a voice called out

Harry was startled and grabbed the cloak quickly as well as the lamp. He blows out the lamp so he is not detected and wraps the cloak around him going completely invisible.

"I know you're in there. You can't hide from me." the voice called out once again

It's Filch walking into the dark quiet library with his lit lantern

"Who is it? Show yourself!" Filch called out again and got no response.

Harry quietly walk around Filch and leave the library undetected. He believes that he is in the clear until he hears a meow. He looks down to sees Mrs. Norris in front of him. He didn't make a sound and quicken his pace to not alert the cat. It was until he sees Professors Quirrell and Snape in the hallway in this late hour.

"Severus, I...I..." Quirrell stuttered
"You don't want me to be your enemy, Quirrell." Snape warned him.
"I...I don't..." Quirrell stuttered a sentence.
"You know exactly what I am referring to."

Before they could go any further in the discussion, Snape senses Harry and look directly at his cloak. Harry covered his mouth to not be caught and moved backwards very quietly. Snape reaches out but was out of Harry's range as Harry kept moving backwards. Snape decided to let what he thought was there go and put his focused back on Quirrell.

"Perhaps you need a good reminder on where your loyalties lie." Snape sneered at the trembling professor.

They were interrupted by Filtch.

"Excuse me, professors. I recently heard noises in the library. Particularly in the restriction section. I believe that a student might be out of bed." He informed them

The 3 men fled from where they were giving Harry the opportunity to sneak in through the door that was behind them the whole time. He removes his cloak and looked around his surrounding. He then notices a large mirror at the far end. He walked towards it and sees writings on the golden frame above:

Erised stra ehru oyt ube cafru oyt on wohsi

As he got closer, two images of a male and female appears at Harry's reflection. The male looks like an older version of himself and the female has brunette hair but has his eyes. Harry sees the images of his deceased parents, Lily and James Potter.

"Mum?" He gasped at the sight of his mother.

She simply smiled as her son

"Dad?"

James simply smiled and nodded. Harry reaches out to grab his mother's hand, but can't due to the glass. Lily can sense it and place her hand over his reflection's shoulder. He then sees Draco by his side and Bellatrix behind him and in between his parents. This is something that brought joy to Harry's heart.

(Gryffindor common room)

Harry rushed in to see Hermione sitting by the fire reading a book.

"HERMIONE! YOU GOT TO COME SEE THIS!" Harry shouted at his friend.
"See what?" Hermione asked concerned
"I don't know how to explain it, but you got to see this. Come on!" Harry replied out of breath

(Back in the mysterious room)

Both Gryffindors rushed in under the Invisibility Cloak and stopped in front of the mirror.

"Harry, this is a mirror." Hermione said
"No, you don't understand. When I got close, I saw my parents. As well as Draco and Aunt Bellatrix. We were together and happy. Can't you see that right now?" Harry tells her

Hermione saw something else, but it wasn't what Harry saw.

"No. I see myself as Head Girl of Gryffindor and starting a petition. Harry, I think this mirror shows us what we want." Hermione tells her friend.
"Well, then it's impossible for me. Since all I want is my parents with me next to Draco and Aunt Bellatrix." Harry said in a sad tone.
"I'm sorry, Harry."
"It's not your fault, Hermione."

(The next day in the Great Hall)

Hermione was chatting with the other students who stayed at Hogwarts during the holidays off from school. She notices Harry sitting by the fire looking at the dancing flames. She knew that Harry is still upset knowing that what he hoped to have will never come. She excused herself and walked over her depressed friend in hoping to cheer him up.

"Harry, you want to go see Hagrid?" Hermione offered
"No, thank you." Harry replied.
"We can take a walk around the castle."
"Maybe later."

She knew what she had to say in hopes of cheering him up.

"Harry, I know you're still thinking about that mirror. Maybe it is best to not go back. But do remember that you have a family with Bellatrix as well as Draco. I know you miss your parents, but they have been with you ever since you were a baby. She has treated you like you are her biological son." Hermione tells him

That did bring some spirits back in him

"Thanks, Hermione. I honestly needed a good reminder." Harry thanked his best friend
"You're welcome. What a friends for?" Hermione said with a smile.
"Is that walk still avaliable?"
"Of course."

Harry gets up and they both exited the Great Hall together.

(Later that night)

Harry was sitting in the room again looking at the mirror and seeing his parents once again. What he didn't know is that the headmaster, Dumbledore, was there behind him.

"Back again, Harry?" Dumbledore spoke.

Harry rose up and on his feet

"I see like many before you have discovered the delight of the Mirror of Erised. I trust by now you realize what it does." Dumbledore spoke to the young wizard

Harry didn't answered.

"Let me give you a clue.  The happiest man on earth would look into the mirror and see only himself, exactly as he is." Dumbledore explained
"So then, it shows us what we most desire." Harry summed up.
"Correct, Harry. Correct. But I must warn you not to see this mirror again. It will be moved once more. But know this, Harry. Even though you never knew your parents, nor had a chance of a happy life, the family you have now will never leave your heart." Dumbledore spoke once more.

Harry knew that Dumbledore was right