The Mystery of the Philosopher's Stone.

Chapter 14: The Mirror of Erised

Christmas was coming. One morning in mid December, Hogwarts woke to find itself covered in several feet of snow. The lake froze solid and the Weasley twins were punished for bewitching several snowballs so that they followed Quirrell around, bouncing off the back of his turban. The few owls that managed to battle their way through the stormy sky to deliver post had to be nursed back to health by Hagrid before they could fly off again.

No one could wait for the holidays to start. While the Gryffindor common room and the Great Hall had roaring fires, the draughty corridors had become icy and a bitter wind rattled the windows in the classrooms. Worst of all were Professor Snape's classes down in the dungeons, where their breath rose in a mist before them and they kept as close as possible to their hot cauldrons. Harry was not going home for Christmas because his family had to go away over the holiday visiting relatives in another part of the country.

Professor McGonagall came round the week before the holidays were due to start to make a list of students who would be staying at Hogwarts and Harry had signed up. When they left the dungeons at the end of Potions, they found a large fir tree blocking the corridor ahead. Two enormous feet sticking out at the bottom and a loud puffing sound told them that Hagrid was behind it.

"Hi, Hagrid, want any help?" Ron asked, sticking his head through the branches.

"Nah, I'm all right, thanks, Ron."

"Would you mind moving out of the way?" came Malfoy's cold drawl from behind them, "Are you trying to earn some extra money, Weasley? Hoping to be gamekeeper yourself when you leave Hogwarts, I suppose-that hut of Hagrid's must seem like a palace compared to what your family's used to."

Ron dived at Malfoy just as Snape came up the stairs, "WEASLEY!"

Ron let go of Malfoy's robes.

"He was provoked, Professor Snape," said Hagrid, "Malfoy was insulting his family."

"Be that as it may, fighting is against Hogwarts rules, Hagrid," said Snape silkily, "Five points from Gryffindor, Weasley and be grateful it isn't more. Move along, all of you."

Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle pushed roughly past the tree, scattering needles everywhere and smirking.

"I'll get him," said Ron, grinding his teeth at Malfoy's back, "one of these days, I'll get him-"

"I hate them both," said Harry, "Malfoy and Snape."

"Come on, cheer up, it's Christmas," said Hagrid, "Tell yeh what, come with me an' see the Great Hall, looks a treat."

So Harry, Ron and Hermione followed Hagrid and his tree off to the Great Hall, where Professor McGonagall and Professor Flitwick were busy with the Christmas decorations.

"Ah, Hagrid, the last tree-put it in the far corner, would you?"

The Hall looked spectacular. Festoons of holly and mistletoe hung all around the walls and no fewer than twelve Christmas trees stood around the room, some sparkling with tiny icicles, some glittering with hundreds of candles. Harry, Ron and Hermione had been searching books for Nicolas Flamel's name since Hagrid had mentioned it, without success. Harry wondered if the book they needed was in the restricted section.

Unfortunately, you needed a specially signed note from one of the teachers to look in at the restricted books and Harry knew he'd never get one. These books contained powerful dark magic and were used by older students studying advanced Defence Against the Dark Arts. Once the holidays had started, Ron and Harry were having too good a time to think much about Flamel. They had the dormitory to themselves and the Common Room was far emptier than usual, so they were able to get the good armchairs by the fire.