Chapter 18: Desire's Trap
The room where the Mirror of Erised had been moved was a forgotten chamber, its stone walls slick with damp, the air thick with a metallic tang of raw magic that prickled Alex's skin. Moonlight streamed through a cracked window, catching dust motes in a pale, shimmering dance, the only light in the oppressive darkness. Harry Potter stood before the Mirror, his silhouette stark against its golden frame, his breath uneven as he stared into the glass. Alex lingered behind, his boots scuffing the cold floor, the locket under his robes humming faintly as he fought the urge to look again. "This is it. The final pull. If Harry doesn't break free now, we're both lost."
Harry's voice was a whisper, raw with awe. "I saw it, Alex. The Stone. It was in my pocket, in the reflection."
Alex's heart lurched, the implication hitting like a Bludger. "The Stone's tied to the Mirror. It's not just a trap—it's the key." He stepped closer, his robes brushing a dusty desk, the wood creaking under the slight pressure. The Mirror's surface rippled, and for a moment, he caught his family again, their smiles a cruel echo. He tore his gaze away, his jaw tight, the CS ache flaring like a warning bell.
[Advanced Analysis: Erised Projection – Secondary Function. Focus: Object Retrieval Mechanism. Cost: 10 AE. AE: 15/50]
[Blueprint Partial: Erised Enchantment (Retrieval Array) Acquired. Blueprint Fragment (Stone Protection) Progress: 2/3]
The system's analysis burned in his mind, the pain sharp behind his eyes as he pieced it together. "It's a filter, not a lock. Only someone who wants the Stone but not for themselves can get it. Brilliant—and dangerous." He rubbed his temple, masking the strain as a casual gesture, his fingers cold against his skin. "Harry, what you saw—it's the Stone's protection. It's designed to show you what you want most, but it's testing you."
Harry turned, his eyes wide, the moonlight catching the sheen of sweat on his forehead. "I… I didn't want to use it. I just wanted to find it, to keep it safe." His voice broke, a mix of relief and shame. "I was obsessed, Alex. It made me feel… crazy. But seeing the Stone—it woke me up."
He leaned against Alex, his shoulder brushing Alex's arm, a gesture of trust that warmed the cold room. Alex steadied him, his hand firm but gentle, the locket's hum a quiet reassurance. "You're not crazy, Harry. The Mirror's a liar, not a window. We're done with it."
The Slytherin dormitory was a cocoon of shadows, the green glow of the Black Lake filtering through thick windows, casting rippling patterns across the stone walls. Early morning light bled over the horizon, a faint silver that barely pierced the gloom. Alex sat on the edge of his four-poster bed, the heavy emerald curtains drawn tight, the air thick with the musty scent of bed hangings and the faint hiss of water outside. Harry sat beside him, a rare breach of house lines, his trainers dangling off the bed's edge, his hands clasped tightly. The mood was heavy, a quiet closure after the Mirror's grip.
Alex pulled a worn photo from his trunk, its edges creased, the stern face of the St. Giles's orphanage matron staring back. He handed it to Harry, his fingers brushing the rough paper, a mundane anchor to his past. "This is all I've got of where I came from. The Mirror showed me a family I never had, Harry. It's not real—it's just what we wish for."
Harry studied the photo, his fingers tracing the matron's severe expression, his voice soft. "Mine showed my parents. A whole family, like I belonged. But you're right—it's a lie. We've got to live here, now."
Alex nodded, his throat tight, the shared loss knitting them closer. He stood, crossing to his washbasin, the stone floor cold under his socks. He poured a glass of lukewarm water from a carafe, the faint clink of glass steadying his nerves as he sipped, the water tasteless but grounding. "Quirrell's after the Stone, Harry. He'll know about the Mirror soon. We need to be ready."
Harry's jaw set, his earlier fragility replaced by resolve. "We'll stop him. Together."
The vow was a quiet fire, binding them tighter than any spell. Alex's mind shifted to the looming threat, his fingers twitching as he recalled a story from the orphanage—a failed attempt to sneak extra jam at breakfast, slipping on a wet floor and landing in a sticky mess. He shared it with a wry grin, the memory lightening the air. "At least we're not stealing jam, right? Though I'd take a sticky floor over Quirrell any day."
Harry laughed, a small, genuine sound, his shoulders relaxing. The moment was fleeting but real, a bridge over their shared pain.
Mid-morning light filtered into the Slytherin dorm, the air now tinged with the faint, floral scent of an essence Alex used to mask his crafting. He sat cross-legged on his bed, a piece of raw carved wood in his hand, its smooth grain cool against his palm. A plain silver chain lay beside it, glinting faintly in the green glow. "Harry needs something to keep him steady. The Mirror's left scars." The system hummed, guiding his design.
[Conceptualization: Soothing Amulet (Cognitive Stabilizer). Focus: Emotional Calming, Illusion Resistance (Minor). Estimated AE: 18. Estimated CS Spike: +5%]
He closed his eyes, the faint hum of AE weaving filling the silence, the floral scent sharpening as he etched runes into the wood with his wand. The process was delicate, like threading a needle in a storm, his temples throbbing as the AE drained. The system flashed a warning, red and urgent.
[Crafting Attempt: Soothing Amulet. AE Cost: 18. AE: 2/50 (Low). CS: 53% (High). WARNING: AE is Critically Low]
Dizziness hit, a wave that made the room sway, but Alex pushed through, the need to help Harry stronger than the pain. The wood glowed faintly, then faded, the enchantment settling into a subtle hum. He exhaled, his shoulders sagging, the chain cool as he threaded it through the amulet's loop.
That evening, in the Great Hall, the air was thick with the warm aroma of roast beef and the clatter of silverware. Alex waited until Ron and Hermione were distracted, arguing over a chess move, their voices a lively hum. He slipped the amulet into Harry's hand, avoiding his gaze to hide the exhaustion in his own. "Just an old charm I used at the orphanage. Keeps your head clear. Wear it, alright?"
Harry turned the wooden amulet over, the silver chain glinting in the candlelight, his fingers tracing the simple runes. He sensed the care behind it, his voice quiet but sincere. "Thanks, Alex. I will."
The moment was small but heavy, a milestone in their bond. Alex leaned back, his plate untouched, the CS ache a dull pulse he ignored. "He's got a chance now. But Quirrell's move is coming, and I'm running on fumes."
[Item: Soothing Amulet (Common) Crafted. EXP Gained: Crafting +100. EXP Gained: Emotional Arc +50]
[Mechanics Recap: New Item; CS at 53%; AE Low]
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