บท 32: Reflections of the Past
Christmas at Hogwarts
The first snowfall at Hogwarts brought a feeling of warmth to the castle, softening the stone walls and filling the Great Hall with a sense of holiday cheer. As Christmas approached, Raja felt an odd sense of nostalgia mixed with excitement. He watched as the professors transformed the Hall with enchanted decorations, trees glistening with magical ornaments, and enchanted icicles shimmering in the torchlight.
In Gryffindor Tower, everyone was in high spirits, and Raja noticed the joy on Harry's face. It was the first Christmas Harry would spend surrounded by friends rather than locked in a cupboard at the Dursleys. Raja subtly ensured that the holiday remained special for him, using his powers to make little adjustments—like nudging presents into place and keeping the common room fire roaring just a little brighter.
"Are you staying for Christmas, Raja?" Harry asked one evening, his tone hopeful.
Raja smiled, knowing his place was with his friends. "Of course," he replied, glancing out at the snow-covered grounds. "Christmas at Hogwarts? I wouldn't miss it for the world."
As the holiday festivities began, Harry and Ron reveled in the magic of Christmas morning. Raja was nearby, watching with an amused smile as the two boys tore into their presents with unabashed excitement. Ron showed off his traditional Weasley jumper, and Harry beamed as he unwrapped a strange silvery fabric.
"That's… beautiful," Raja murmured, recognizing it instantly. The Invisibility Cloak—James Potter's old cloak, he thought, feeling a swell of respect for the gift that would soon serve as a bridge between Harry and his past.
"What is it?" Harry asked, holding it up, intrigued by the silvery fabric.
"It's an Invisibility Cloak," Raja said, keeping his voice soft, as if savoring the moment. "These are extremely rare. It'll hide you completely from sight."
Harry's eyes lit up, and Raja could sense the wonder and joy within him as he wrapped the cloak around his shoulders, watching his own body vanish.
"Try not to get into too much trouble with it," Raja added, a playful glint in his eyes. He knew, of course, that Harry was destined to have many adventures with the cloak, starting sooner than he might have expected.
The Discovery of the Mirror
Late that night, after the festivities, Raja felt a subtle tug in the magical atmosphere, sensing that Harry's curiosity might lead him somewhere significant. He quietly slipped out of the common room, following a feeling that guided him toward the library.
Sure enough, he spotted Harry, draped in the Invisibility Cloak, sneaking past Filch and toward the Restricted Section. He's looking for answers, Raja thought, understanding that Harry was searching for clues about the mystery surrounding the Philosopher's Stone.
Just as Harry reached for a large, ancient tome, the book gave an eerie shriek. Raja tensed, knowing Filch would soon appear. Quickly, he used a slight burst of telekinesis to nudge Harry's arm, pulling him away from the Restricted Section. Startled, Harry retreated into the shadows, moving through the hallways until he found himself in an abandoned classroom.
As Raja rounded the corner, he saw Harry standing before an ornate, full-length mirror, its gilded frame casting a glow that filled the room. The Mirror of Erised, Raja realized, feeling the weight of its significance. Harry was staring intently into the glass, his face softened with an expression of wonder and longing.
"Mom… Dad…" Harry whispered, his voice barely audible.
Raja's heart ached at the sight, the orphaned boy reaching out for a family he had only seen in fleeting memories. He wanted to step forward, to comfort Harry, but knew this was a moment that would define Harry's journey—an experience that needed no interference. The Mirror was a powerful magical artifact, showing one's deepest desires, and Raja knew it could be both a comfort and a curse.
As Harry continued to gaze into the Mirror, Raja remained hidden, content to be the silent witness. This is something he needs to see, he thought, feeling both sympathy and admiration for Harry's quiet strength.
A Returning Curiosity
Over the next few nights, Raja noticed that Harry continued to visit the Mirror of Erised, often slipping away after everyone else was asleep. Intrigued but cautious, Raja followed him from a distance, ensuring that Harry stayed safe while experiencing these private, vulnerable moments with the Mirror.
On one of these visits, Raja watched as Harry traced his parents' reflections with his fingers, a longing in his eyes that was almost painful to witness. As days passed, Harry began confiding in Ron about the Mirror, sharing the wonder it brought him as well as the strange, almost magnetic pull it seemed to have.
"What do you think the Mirror really shows?" Harry asked one evening, his voice soft as he stared at the glass.
"Dumbledore would say it shows our deepest desires," Raja murmured, stepping out from the shadows, surprising Harry and Ron.
Harry blinked, caught off guard by Raja's sudden appearance. "You know about the Mirror?"
Raja nodded. "It's called the Mirror of Erised. 'Erised' is 'desire' spelled backward. It shows us what we most wish for in our hearts."
Harry's gaze returned to the Mirror. "Why… why would Dumbledore let something like this stay at Hogwarts?"
"Because some things are meant to remind us of who we are, not just what we want," Raja replied carefully, sensing the need to balance his own wisdom with the wisdom Harry would eventually find on his own.
The two of them stood in silence for a few moments, each lost in thought, until Raja gently placed a hand on Harry's shoulder. "Come on. It's getting late."
With a reluctant nod, Harry followed them out of the room, casting one last look back at the Mirror.
Dumbledore's Wisdom
The next evening, when Harry visited the Mirror yet again, Raja sensed a shift in the air. He stayed close by, hidden behind a pillar, watching as Dumbledore himself entered the room, his robes swishing gently as he approached Harry.
Raja listened from the shadows, careful not to make his presence known. Dumbledore's voice was soft yet firm as he addressed Harry, explaining the nature of the Mirror and the dangers of becoming lost in it.
"It does not do to dwell on dreams and forget to live, remember that," Dumbledore said kindly, his eyes twinkling with wisdom.
Raja absorbed Dumbledore's words, feeling their truth. He, too, was reminded of his own journey—his purpose in this world and his need to stay on course without altering Harry's path.
As Harry turned away from the Mirror, casting one last, longing glance at his parents, Raja felt a pang of sadness for him. But he knew that this experience would become a part of Harry's resilience, shaping him into the hero he was destined to become.
A Conversation of Friendship
That night, back in Gryffindor Tower, Harry found Raja sitting by the fire, a book open on his lap. Raja looked up, seeing the contemplative look on Harry's face.
"Can't sleep?" Raja asked, offering a small smile.
Harry shook his head, then hesitated. "Raja… do you think there's something wrong with wanting to see them? My parents?"
Raja's expression softened, and he closed his book, giving Harry his full attention. "There's nothing wrong with wanting to know them, Harry. But the Mirror can be dangerous. Sometimes, it shows us things we can't change. And those things can weigh on us if we let them."
Harry nodded slowly, absorbing the words. "It's just… I don't know. Seeing them made me feel like I belong to something. Like I'm not alone."
"You're not alone," Raja replied, his voice warm. "You've got Ron, Hermione… and me. We're here for you."
Harry's eyes glistened as he offered a small, grateful smile. "Thanks, Raja. I guess I needed to hear that."
They sat in comfortable silence, the fire crackling in the hearth, both lost in thought. Raja felt a quiet satisfaction, knowing that he was fulfilling his role. He wasn't changing the story, but he was offering comfort and friendship—a reminder that Harry didn't have to bear the weight of his past alone.
Moving Forward
Christmas passed, and Hogwarts resumed its usual rhythm. Yet, Raja noticed a quiet strength in Harry, an acceptance that hadn't been there before. The Mirror had offered him a glimpse of his past, but it was his friends and his experiences at Hogwarts that were shaping his future.
One evening, as they walked along the snow-covered grounds, Harry turned to Raja, a thoughtful look in his eyes. "Do you think… we ever really stop wanting certain things? Like family?"
Raja considered his answer, careful not to disrupt Harry's journey. "I think some desires stay with us, but we can decide how they shape us. Sometimes, those desires can push us to be better. And sometimes, they're just a part of who we are."
Harry nodded, his expression thoughtful. Raja felt the significance of the moment. This friendship, these quiet conversations, were exactly the influence he had hoped to have. A friend in the shadows, a guide when needed, and a reminder that Harry was never truly alone.
Reflection
The experiences with the Mirror of Erised and the Invisibility Cloak deepened Harry's sense of belonging at Hogwarts and served as a bridge to his past. And though he yearned for his parents, he was slowly discovering the strength of the family he was building with his friends.
As Raja watched Harry and Ron laugh together by the fire, he felt a renewed sense of purpose. His path as the "Dark Hand Behind the Curtain" was as challenging as it was rewarding. But as long as he continued to guide from the shadows, he was confident that the journey ahead, for both him and Harry, would unfold as it was meant to.
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