Author: Eressea
Story: Of Mirrors and Wishes
Rating: Teens
Setting: Pre-DH
Status: WIP
Reviews: 2
Words: 13,400
Disclaimer: Harry Potter is owned by JK Rowling. No copyright infringement is intended.
A/N: Many thanks to my beta Lisa for helping me out with this fic.
July 1997
“The Mirror of Desire,” Hermione breathed as everyone present assembled in shock before the mirror. “This is the chance we’ve been waiting for all these years,” she said excitedly. “If we all wish for the end of You-Know-Who’s reign, this could mean peace for the first time in twenty-five years.”
“Do you think we could get back those we lost?” Fabian asked, thinking of his daughter who had died several years ago.
“It is possible; the mirror may be capable of changing the past,” Hermione mused.
“Then it’s a terribly dangerous weapon,” observed Gideon, who was the head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement at the Ministry. “It should be registered at the Ministry and kept under strict security. Are you certain that no one knows that you have possession of it?” she asked Bill and Zhara.
“We took every precaution we could after we identified it in The British Museum,” Bill responded. “But there was a bit of a disturbance there. It was probably nothing, but we didn’t want to take any risks, so we brought it here instead of heading straight to the Ministry.”
“We can’t be sure that no one saw the mirror before we got to the museum,” Zhara explained, absentmindedly rubbing her barely visible pregnant belly. “The most I originally worried about was common thieves; I had no idea it was a magical object.”
“Well, I think the best thing to do is to contact the Ministry immediately. Harry, Hermione, Rachel, and Bill, keep a good guard on the mirror,” Gideon commanded. “In the case of a security breach, use it immediately before the enemy is able to. Bill, you do know how to operate it, don’t you?”
“Almost. There are a few runes evading translation, but otherwise, I’ve got it.”
“Okay. Hermione, Percy, Bill, get on those. Molly, I need to use your Floo,” Gideon said, sweeping out of the room.
“I hope we get to make a wish,” Grace whispered to Ron after the adults had thrown themselves into action. “It would be just like Aladdin’s genie. And if there’s no You-Know-Who, Mum might let us play Quidditch even when the grownups aren’t watching us,” she added, tossing a Quaffle up in the air, which Taylor promptly ran by and snatched.
“You give that back!” Grace screeched, chasing him out of the sitting room.
Abandoned by his playmate, Ron sidled over to Ginny. Although Grace held the title of best friend for Ron, quiet, sweet, Ginny was his role model and confidant. An excellent listener, Ginny was always there for any of her siblings to talk to when they needed advice or comfort.
“I’d like to wish that I was older and braver and a Keeper so that Hermione will like me,” Ron whispered to his fifteen-year-old sister. “Do you think that would hurt the You-Know-Who wish?”
“Well, I suppose it wouldn’t,” Ginny said slowly. “But you shouldn’t go changing yourself to make someone like you. If they don’t love you the way you are, it’s not worth it.”
“But then I’d be wasting the mirror,” he insisted. “Mum says not to waste stuff.”
“I think you’re perfect just the way you are,” Ginny said firmly. “In a week or two, you’ll find someone else that you like. And just wait until you get to Hogwarts. There will be lots of girls your own age there.”
“But—” Ron was silenced by a thumping sound above his head.
“Kiiiii ya!” a high-pitched voice shouted.
The chandelier gave a violent shake and an “Owww!” emanated from the ceiling.
“I better go check on Grace and Taylor before they kill each other,” Ginny told Ron, ruffling his hair.
Ron smiled after her, and then started when he heard a shattering sound somewhere outside. He glanced up at the ceiling; the chandelier was still bouncing about.
“Dad, Dad,” he said, running across the room to tug on Arthur’s sleeve.
“What is it?”
“I heard a noise.”
“It’s just Grace and Taylor wrestling.”
“Nooo, it came from outside by the garden, and they’re upstairs. Can you check the Listening Rods?”
“Ron, I’m really busy now. . .but if it’ll make you feel better,” Arthur sighed seeing the anxiousness on his son’s face. He activated the Rod in the garden with a swish of his wand. The wand tip began to emit the sound of a harsh female voice. Arthur turned pale.
—ssia, it’s a perfect waste of effort if you can slip us through the wards without a peep but then knock over every flower pot within twenty feet. Stop giving me that look, child; you’re going to do this. Your squeamishness is getting on my nerves.
But can’t we just—
Shut up. Rodolphus, have you got the other erumpent ready yet?
Right over that ridge, ready to be released and more than a little angry at being all cooped up.
The sitting room was silent by the time the conversation ended.
A/N: I know, I waited way too long to update and then ended with a cliff-hanger. Don’t worry the next chapter should be up within a few days.
Please, please, please review and let me know what you thought.