[Third Person POV]
Snow had begun falling thickly around Hogwarts Castle, dusting the towers and courtyards in a soft white blanket. Students were bundled up in scarves and cloaks, their laughter echoing through the air.
Gwyneth hadn't even been paying attention when a snowball smacked her square in the face, sending her staggering backward. She blinked furiously, her cheeks stinging as cold wet snow dripped down her nose and chin. As she wiped her face, irritation painted itself across her features.
Arthur and Lance, of course, were doubled over laughing, their chuckles echoing across the courtyard like hyenas.
"Alright! Who did that?!" Gwyneth snapped, spinning on her heel, hands on her hips. "Show yourselves, cowards!"
Her answer came quickly. Across the way, Fred and George were cackling as they enchanted snowballs to hover and whirl through the air, pelting every unlucky student in sight. Their floating arsenal zoomed about wildly, smacking victims with satisfying thwaps.
"Oh, it's on," Gwyneth muttered, marching into the snow. She scooped up handfuls, packed them tightly, and weighed them in her palms. Arthur and Lance leaned lazily over the low stone barrier, amused spectators—until Gwyneth reared back and hurled two fastballs.
Smack. Smack.
Both Weasley twins took direct hits to the backs of their heads. Snow exploded across their hair, sending them sputtering and spinning around in shock.
Arthur and Lance let out low whistles of appreciation. "Nice throw!" Lance called.
"Form was perfect," Arthur added with mock seriousness, like he was grading her performance.
Gwyneth spun around, a hand over her flexing arm as she flashed them a triumphant grin. "Don't underestimate the power of a vengeful witch—oof!"
Another snowball nailed her in the back of the head, sending her stumbling forward. Her hair glittered with icy flakes as she slowly turned back around with a sharp glare. A flurry of snowballs came hurtling toward her—but she sidestepped neatly, letting them smash into Arthur and Lance's faces instead.
Thwack! Thwack!
Both boys stood frozen, white powder dripping down their cheeks.
Gwyneth burst out laughing, pointing gleefully. "Bwahaha! That's what you two get for laughing at me earlier!"
The two exchanged a silent glance before vaulting over the barrier in one smooth motion. They landed with a crunch of snow and immediately grabbed ammo. Within seconds, the courtyard erupted into chaos, snowballs flying overhead as the trio whooped with laughter.
"Come on, Mer-lynn!" Gwyneth called, ducking behind a snowbank for cover. "Don't be such a party pooper! Join us!"
Merlin stood a short distance away with her arms crossed, unimpressed. "No, thank you. I'd rather spend my time productively."
Arthur scoffed, lobbing a snowball at Lance. "And what could possibly be more productive than having fun?"
"Plenty of things, actually. Like studying—oof!"
Two perfectly aimed snowballs smacked Merlin right across the face. She sputtered, wiping her cheeks as snow dripped down her scarf. A quiet voice muttered, "Nerd."
The courtyard went still.
Merlin slowly lowered her hands, her tongue running across her teeth as her narrowed eyes locked on the group. That glare promised doom.
Arthur and Gwyneth didn't hesitate. They immediately pointed at Lance, who stood between them clutching a lone snowball. "Lance did it!" they shouted in unison.
"Wha—?! No I didn't!" Lance protested, looking at them in panic.
But it was too late. Merlin vaulted over the barrier like a predator entering the fray. Her wand slid into her hand with practiced ease, and the snow at her feet began to levitate menacingly.
Arthur's face went pale. "Uh, guys… I think we should start running."
"Agreed!" Gwyneth nodded firmly.
Lance didn't need telling twice—he was already halfway across the courtyard, sprinting at full speed.
"Coward!!" Arthur and Gwyneth shouted after him as they bolted in the opposite direction.
Merlin raised her wand higher, and an army of snowballs ripped free from the ground, spiraling into the air like soldiers awaiting command.
"Says the ones who blamed an innocent bystander!" Lance yelled back indignantly, even as he slipped on the snow.
What followed was pure pandemonium. Merlin finally let loose, laughing wickedly as enchanted snowballs zoomed through the air with uncanny precision. Arthur almost swallowed an entire snowball when one caught him mid-shout, his muffled yelp drawing even louder laughter from the others.
By the time their energy burned out, the four of them collapsed onto the snowy ground, forming a circle with their heads pointing inward. Their breathing came in ragged puffs of steam, and their cheeks glowed bright red from both the cold and the relentless laughter.
For a long moment, none of them spoke. They simply lay there in silence, smiles tugging at their lips as they watched enchanted snowballs sail aimlessly across the gray-white sky.
…
Later that night, the castle lay wrapped in silence, the snow outside muffling the world into a soft stillness. Arthur had slipped quietly out of the dormitory, boots crunching faintly against the cold stone floors. The air in the corridors felt heavier at night.
He didn't have to go far. Just outside the dorm entrance, Merlin leaned against the wall with her arms crossed, waiting. The dim torchlight flickered across her face, giving her a quiet glow.
"Did it finally appear?" Arthur asked, his voice low but carrying an eager edge.
"I wouldn't have come and gotten you if it didn't," Merlin replied, She pushed herself off the wall and motioned for him to follow.
As they walked, Merlin slipped her arm through his in a casual gesture. Her tone softened, though her words carried a weight of warning. "But I have to tell you, Arthur—it's a very dangerous artifact. Do not let yourself be pulled in by what you see. I trust your mental fortitude is strong, but even the strongest minds… get lost in it."
Arthur nodded, the seriousness of her words grounding him, though curiosity still burned in his chest.
They eventually came to a door that creaked open on its own, revealing what looked like an abandoned classroom. Dust coated the shelves, and broken chairs lay scattered, but none of that mattered.
At the far end of the room stood the mirror.
It rose almost to the ceiling, impossibly tall, framed with intricate golden carvings. Two clawed feet anchored it to the ground, and across the arch of the top ran an inscription:
Erised stra ehru oyt ube cafru oyt on wohsi.
Arthur felt the air shift the moment he stepped inside. His eyes locked on the mirror, a sense of anticipation knotting in his stomach.
He approached slowly, each step deliberate. When he finally stood before it, he froze.
For a moment, Merlin thought he had turned to stone. Then his hand jerked up to cover his mouth, his face suddenly burning scarlet. His eyes widened in something between horror and embarrassment, and for the first time she could remember, Arthur appeared genuinely flustered, she had never seen him this red before.
"What is it?" Merlin asked, frowning. "What do you see?"
Arthur shook his head furiously, his hand still clamped over his face. He was taking what he was seeing to the grave. He peeked through his fingers, groaned, and covered his eyes again like a child trying to block out the world.
In the glass stood an older Arthur—taller, broader, more assured. But he wasn't alone.
Wrapped in his arms was an older version of Merlin. The two of them swayed as though dancing to a melody only they could hear, gazes locked with smiles warm and tender. Then, as she leaned up on her tiptoes, lips inches from his, the image shifted.
They weren't alone anymore.
On Arthur's shoulders sat a little girl with golden-blond hair and bright violet eyes, giggling as she tugged at his hair. In Merlin's arms was a boy with silver hair and piercing blue eyes, his tiny hands gripping at her robes.
It was the image of a picture perfect family.
Arthur staggered back, his hand shaking as he drew his wand. "Nope. Nope! Absolutely not! Burn! This cursed thing needs to be burned to the ground!" His wand tip burst alight with blue flames, trembling as he raised it toward the mirror.
"Arthur!" Merlin gasped, leaping forward. She grabbed his arm, forcing the wand upward so the flames licked harmlessly at the air instead of the glass. "Are you insane?!"
Arthur's face was still beet red, "You don't understand! That thing—! That thing showed—!" He choked on the words, burying his face in his hands again. "I can't even say it!"
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