Smile - Book One of the RP Saga

The Mirror of Erised ( 7 )

The young Gryffindors walked down the long corridors. The ceilings curving above them, intricate designs chiselled into the stonework. They spoke among themselves about the school, what was good to do around there, what teachers were nice, those who weren't. Harry advised Rachel to avoid Professor Snape, the potions teacher, as much as possible.

"So, Rachel...if you don't mind...would you tell me more about you? It's just I can tell we will get on, so, I guess I'm curious..." Harry mumbled.

"Sure.." Rachel replied looking for somewhere to start, "well like I said on the train, my parents were killed by you-know-who when I was very little. Their best friend was Remus, so I instantly went to live with him. He doesn't like to talk about my parents much so I don't know much before I lived with him. Uh, what next...well, I went to Beauxbatons because Remus thought it would be best, I guess. I got kicked out from there because I pulled some pranks and got into a lot of trouble." She sniggered.

Harry laughed as well and smiled at her. "I like you, Rach," he turned to me "it feels like I've known you forever.." He continued.

Rachel was rather touched, she gave him a small nudge and a smile. Beauxbatons was no fun for her, she was just the kid that pulled pranks. She didn't make many friends. Perhaps it was her broken French, or the fact she was from a whole other world to them, whatever it was, Rachel knew she didn't belong there. Already, she felt Hogwarts was better for her. More homey.

Whilst walking around, the two learnt a lot about each other. Harry had told her all his misadventures, from the Philospher's stone to the Chamber of Secrets. Rachel was in awe of him. He had also mentioned a Mirror of Erised, that caught Rachel's attention.

"Well, we could go look at it if you like?" Harry offered. "I mean, I've heard it's going to be moved soon so it will be one of the few chances you'll get to see it."

Nodding enthusiastically, Rachel and Harry set off in search for the mirror. Harry walked slightly ahead of her, down a long corridor into a room at the end. The room was long and tall, apart from the great pillars descending from the roof it was empty. In the corner, Rachel spotted the mirror and quickly skipped over to it, eager to see what her heart really desired. Harry had explained that he had seen his parents, what he desired was a family.

"Go on, take a look." Harry budged her forward.

She stepped cautiously in front of the mirror. "I...I don't see anything..." She frowned.

"Here, stand closer." Harry suggested.

Rachel took a step forward and in the reflection two people walked towards her. Her mum and dad. Rachel had never seen them so clearly like this, she had photos of them but this felt so real. She impulsively went to reach for them. Her heart sank a little when she realised they weren't actually in the room with her. 

"Dad...Mum?.." She whispered, scared if she spoke to loud they'd disappear.

They both nodded, her father reached out a hand and placed it on her shoulder, her mother doing the same. She couldn't feel nothing on her shoulders, no warmth of their hands. It was just a picture.

A tear trickled down Rachel's face as she quickly realised that this would be the closest she would ever be to her parents. Her beautiful mother and her coppery toned hair matched Rachel's, but her messy hair and lopsided grin matched that of her father. Even his eyes were the same as Rachel's.

As she focused on their faces, a third person walked into the reflection. It was a boy. A boy whose face she could not see. He stood next to her parents, who instantly put a hand on his shoulder too. It was one big happy family. Except for Rachel's stressed face. She jumped away from the mirror, too confused, upset and lost to stay much longer. Harry stood there and hugged her gently as she silently cried into his shoulder.

Who had that other boy been? Why was his face not clear to her?

"Shhh..." Harry soothed into her hair, "it's ok, it happened to me too, Rach. Don't worry. It's quite over whelming isn't it?"

"You could say that again. Rachel picked myself off him and wiped the stray tear off her cheek.

"I won't say anything." Harry replied, as if he had read her mind. She nodded.

"Rachel Lupin does not cry."

"Of course, she doesn't." He smiled, causing Rachel too, also. 

When the two walked back into the common room, most of the students had gone to bed. The Weasley twins were sat next to each other, quickly glancing up as they walked in. Fred's eyes stayed on Rachel; a worried look on his face. She put on a brave face and plopped down next to the twins. 

"Are you okay?" He asked her, his eyes full of concern. 

"It's a long story, but I'll be okay...thanks, Fred." She replied leaning back.

Fred hesitated for a minute, looking at his brother, George for a moment, as if for guidance. But he stopped himself from saying anything and settled back into his previous conversation. From behind, Hermione walked down from the dormitories, wrapped in a dressing gown.

"Oh, Rachel! I thought I heard someone come in-" she stopped abruptly, cocking her head to the side. "You coming to bed?" She questioned, she could sense Rachel was upset.

Rachel nodded and stood up, bidding good night to everyone and heading up after Hermione. She opened the door, the other girls were reading books and braiding each others hair. They shot the girls a smile but otherwise paid no other attention. Rachel grabbed her pyjamas and changed before perching on her bed, grabbing her blanket and tucking her feet under it.

Hermione came over and sat on the end of Rachel's bed. "Listen, Rach...I know you're not okay." She whispered so the other girls couldn't hear. "What's wrong?"

Rachel let out an exasperated sigh and explained everything to Hermione. All the details from when she was little, having grown up without real parents, having only one photograph of them and the incident with the mirror. Hermione's eyes were focused, she listened to every single word Rachel said. Rachel went into further detail about the boy with no face and how it had confused her so much she had begun to cry, she even mentioned what the Sorting Hat had said to her.

Even then Hermione didn't say anything. Instead, she leant forward and gave Rachel hug. It took Rachel by surprise but she smiled at this gesture and squeezed her back. Rachel, in a way, was glad Hermione didn't speak, she didn't have to. Rachel had only wanted this: a reassuring hug.

"Listen, don't worry, let's get a good nights sleep. You've had a long day and we start classes tomorrow, remember!" Hermione whispered back to me, heading over to her own bed.

"Yeah, I could do with a good sleep." Rachel answered back before climbing into bed and turning over.

"Night, Hermione"

"Goodnight, Rach."

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