Harry blinked in surprise, then let out a chuckle.
As Merlin once said, "When Muggles try to throw wizards a Christmas… something's definitely fishy!"
He pulled Cho over to his side, grinning playfully as he turned to Dumbledore.
"What about Cho, then?"
Dumbledore replied with a warm smile, "Of course. Twenty points to Cho as well."
Cho politely thanked him.
Harry, clearly dissatisfied, grumbled, "That still leaves thirty points missing!"
Cho, with an innocent smile on her face, reached behind Harry's back and pinched a bit of skin on his waist between her fingers, slowly twisting it.
Harry gritted his teeth, casting her a side glance—but Cho was still smiling sweetly, as if she weren't subjecting him to quiet torture.
Harry thought, "You mess with me, I mess with you right back."
He reached out and gave her butt a solid squeeze. Even through her robes, Harry could still feel the firm curve of her small, round rear.
It felt… nice. So naturally, he gave it a second squeeze. And a third.
Cho froze, completely still. The hand she was using to pinch Harry dropped limply to her side.
…
Dumbledore stroked his long beard and said calmly, "Then let's say that extra thirty points is your reward for finding the Mirror of Erised."
Harry rolled his eyes. What is this, a treasure hunt where the winner gets a prize?
Still, he figured—it wasn't like this was a bad deal for him, so… whatever.
The Gemstone Hourglasses.
Four massive hourglasses represented the point totals of each house. Each one contained gems of different colors, which rose or fell according to the points awarded or deducted by professors.
And now it was obvious—Gryffindor had taken the lead.
Every time a Gryffindor student passed by, they held their heads high with pride.
Clink, clatter, clink, clatter…
The sound of tumbling gemstones echoed for a long while. Students nearby were stunned—what had Gryffindor done to earn so many points all of a sudden?
The Ravenclaws, on the other hand, were slightly comforted.
"Well, even if we didn't gain much, at least we gained something..."
"We're not aiming for first place anyway. With Harry around, who can beat Gryffindor? As long as we're not last, we're fine…"
Harry and Cho, of course, had no idea what kind of stir Dumbledore's actions had caused in the halls.
As for Harry's hand... whether by accident or on purpose, even after Cho moved her hand away, his stayed exactly where it was.
Harry turned to Dumbledore and asked, "So when do you use this mirror, anyway? Mind lending it to me for a couple of days?"
Dumbledore looked slightly caught off guard, then chuckled.
"I'm afraid that won't be possible, Harry. This mirror has a very important purpose. I was planning to move it soon. And now that you've found it... I certainly can't leave it here."
"You say that like I'd steal it," Harry scoffed.
Then his eyes lit up.
"So, going by what you said… if one day this mirror isn't needed anymore, would you let me keep it for a while?"
It seemed Dumbledore hadn't considered that scenario, because he didn't answer immediately. After a moment's thought, he said,
"If that day truly comes, I'll give it to you as a birthday gift."
Harry had only been joking. The Mirror of Erised was far too precious—not only for its centuries-long history and powerful magic, but also for its mysterious abilities. It was an artifact any wizard would covet.
If it were ever auctioned, the final bid would likely be astronomical.
"You're not serious, are you?" Harry asked, stunned.
Seeing Harry's expression, Dumbledore seemed pleased. Like a mischievous child, he winked and said,
"What do you think?"
Harry took a deep breath. Others might not know, but he did.
By the end of next year, Dumbledore would destroy the Philosopher's Stone—and the mirror, which had been used to protect it, would lose its purpose.
Without the Stone, the mirror would no longer be needed.
Of course, Harry wasn't about to just stand by and let the professors destroy it.
With a sly smile, Harry said,
"My birthday's on July 31st. Don't forget."
Professor Dumbledore chuckled,
"From the look on your face, you already think the mirror is yours."
Harry replied,
"I just feel like I'm meant to have it."
Dumbledore smiled.
"Very well. If the day comes when we no longer need the Mirror, then I shall give it to you."
Even as he said it, Dumbledore didn't entirely believe his own words. He knew—as long as Voldemort was still alive—the Philosopher's Stone would never be safe, and the Mirror would still be needed.
Meanwhile, Cho had stopped reacting to the hand on her backside. Maybe… she'd just gotten used to it.
Curious, she asked,
"Professor, this mirror shows a person's deepest desire… So, what did you see when you looked into it?"
"Oh, I saw… lots of woolen socks," Dumbledore said calmly.
"My socks are always disappearing."
No one could tell what he was really thinking.
The two of them left the empty classroom together.
At last, Cho couldn't hold it in anymore.
"Your hand… haven't you touched enough already?!"
"What are you talking about?"
Harry turned his back to her.
Then looked over his shoulder with an apologetic smile and said,
"Sorry. If you feel like I took advantage of you… then go ahead and grab my butt. That way we'll be even."
Cho sighed and rubbed her forehead.
Harry grinned.
"I knew you were a good person."
Cho asked,
"Do you think Dumbledore meant what he said?"
"Of course it's true. Who do you think he is? He's Dumbledore. If he says he'll give me the Mirror of Erised, then he definitely will."
Cho felt a bit embarrassed that she had once believed what others said about Harry Potter being perfect in every way. Clearly, she must've been crazy.
"I meant the wool socks!"
"Oh, that? Come on, that's obviously a lie."
"How do you know?"
"Don't you know every man has a sad story he doesn't want anyone else to know?"
Cho shot back, "So you have one too?"
"Of course."
"What is it?"
"When I was three… I wet the bed."
"Ugh, go die!"
"I'm being serious," Cho said firmly.
Harry gently clasped her fingers. His eyes were soft and calm, gazing into her clear dark pupils. In a quiet voice, he said:
"Then let me tell you… yes, I've loved before."
Cho looked into those green eyes, his lashes fluttering slightly—it felt like she might drown in them.
Their faces slowly leaned closer…
Just as they were about to kiss, a cold gust blew in through the window, cooling them both down instantly.
Cho's eyes snapped open. She shoved Harry away. Her whole body burned with heat, like she hadn't breathed in forever, and she gasped for air.
They both stood there awkwardly, unsure of what to say.
Harry coughed.
"Let's get back to the topic we were discussing earlier."
Cho smiled, trying to shake off the tension.
"Alright."
Harry said thoughtfully,
"Power? Status? To most people, that's a lifelong pursuit—but not Dumbledore. He's turned down the position of Minister for Magic multiple times. He's widely recognized as the greatest wizard of our time, recipient of the Order of Merlin, First Class—honors most people could only dream of. If he saw himself as Minister in the mirror, that would be a joke."
Cho nodded, fully agreeing with Harry's view.
.
.
.
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