“Answer me, Harry.
Has no one ever told you not to trust magical objects that can think for themselves, or not to open your heart to them so easily?” At those words, Harry’s expression softened.
He no longer glared at Kyle in rage; instead, his face turned into a giant question mark.
*I just looked into a mirror.
How is that opening my heart to it?* Harry didn’t even need to speak.
Kyle read his expression instantly.
Remembering how he had just suspected Harry of intentionally ignoring the dark magic traces in the classroom, a strange wave of guilt washed over him.
Looks like he had wronged Harry.
Harry wasn’t playing dumb—he was genuinely clueless.
Kyle gestured for Harry to lead the way to the classroom with the mirror, explaining as they walked: “Harry, whether it’s a magical object with a mind of its own or one that can easily peek into your heart, they’re both extremely dangerous.
You don’t know what they want from you.
So never trust that kind of item unless you can figure out where its brain is.” “Besides, Harry, you haven’t answered my question yet.” “Uh…
fine, Kyle…
if you insist.
Our first real conversation was after the Halloween feast, in the underground girls’ bathroom.
Ron and I went to rescue Hermione, and you…
you seemed to just be there to watch the show.” *Was it really that obvious?* Kyle reflected internally.
“Don’t be ridiculous, Harry!
It was clearly a senior caring for his juniors’ safety, bravely stepping in despite house rivalries to resolve the crisis!” No matter how obvious it had been, Kyle naturally stood his ground and refuted the claim.
Harry smiled without saying anything.
He might not know much about common knowledge in the wizarding world, but he wasn’t stupid!
Setting aside their minor disagreement, they followed Harry’s lead past a towering suit of armor and came to a stop.
Harry pointed at a nearby door.
“This is it, Kyle.
But honestly, I really don’t think this mirror is dangerous.
Look, it hasn’t hurt me at all.
It even helped me see my parents.
It’s amazing, isn’t it?” *What a remarkably Gryffindor way to think…
what a remarkably…
well…
naive idea!* Kyle couldn’t even easily think of an appropriate adjective that didn’t sound aggressive.
“Regardless, this isn’t a magical artifact that should be left here.
I’m certain that in all my years at school, I’ve never heard of such a miraculous mirror hidden anywhere in Hogwarts.” Ignoring Harry’s words, Kyle cautiously peered into the classroom through the crack in the door.
Sure enough, there stood a grand mirror stretching all the way to the ceiling, framed in ornate gold and supported by two clawed feet.
Once he confirmed that the mirror was actually there and not just a prank or delusion on Harry’s part, he motioned for Harry to step back.
Only after they were a safe distance from the mirror did Kyle raise his wand again.
“Stay back, Harry.
Until we know whether this mirror is dangerous, it’s better to keep our distance.” “What now, Kyle?
Is there some magic spell you can use to test the mirror?
Even though I still think it’s completely harmless.” Harry shrugged, indifferent to Kyle’s caution, but showing great interest in whatever spell Kyle was about to use.
Recalling the thirty-centimeter-deep spell mark back in the practice room, Harry’s eyes virtually gleamed.
“Of course, Harry.
This spell is miraculous enough—and powerful enough.
It’s a spell linked directly to Hogwarts.
As long as a young wizard casts it in time within Hogwarts grounds, they’ll receive absolute protection.
Nothing can harm them.” “Nothing?
That’s incredible!
But how is that possible?
A young wizard couldn’t possibly have that much magic power!” “Why not?
I told you, it’s a spell linked directly to Hogwarts.” With that, Kyle swished his wand: “Summon Professor!” “Ahem…” “Kyle, you’re alerting a professor?!” “We’re out past curfew!” “Oh my god, we need to run!
We can’t get caught by a professor!” “…” Kyle felt a headache coming on.
“Don’t worry, Harry.
Compared to a minor rule breach, the school cares far more about student safety.
They won’t leave an unidentified magical artifact lying around Hogwarts.
Besides, since you just used that mirror, it’s better to have a professor check you over.
What I used was just a communication spell—whoever receives the signal will know who’s contacting them.” Hearing this, Harry gave up resisting.
Right now, he wanted nothing more than to punch himself.
Why on earth had he shared this secret with a Slytherin coward?
Calling a professor over such a tiny issue?
How had this guy survived in Slytherin until now?
In Gryffindor, he’d be despised to death!
It was utterly mind-boggling that he actually had so many friends in Slytherin!
Harry didn’t utter a word, but from his utterly defeated, soul-crushed expression, Kyle read his exact thoughts again.
Kyle remained quiet, only regretting that he couldn’t send Harry a smiling emoji.
“Fine, Kyle.
Who did your magical signal go to?
All the professors?” Harry asked powerlessly, resigning himself to his fate.
“Of course not.
This spell is one-to-one.
But don’t worry, I notified our Head of House.” Pretending not to see Harry’s horrified expression, Kyle said cheerfully.
“WHAT THE #$%&?!” Ignoring whatever else Kyle had to say, Harry turned and bolted.
“Don’t go yet, Harry.” “Don’t go yet, Harry.” A voice unexpectedly echoed from right behind Kyle, repeating his exact words.
The shock nearly made Kyle jump out of his skin!
“Protego!” “Diffindo!” Without thinking, he slapped a Shield Charm on himself, threw himself hard to the left to dodge any potential incoming attack, and fired off a Severing Charm toward the source of the voice as he spun.
The entire sequence was executed in a single smooth, fluid motion, looking incredibly graceful—clearly, both his spell casting and evasive maneuvers had been practiced thousands of times.
Kyle even had time to give his reaction a score of 100 in his head.
When he turned around, Albus Dumbledore was standing behind him with a gentle smile.
Kyle composed himself as if nothing had happened, brushed off the dust from his roll, looked up at the ceiling, and decided he had nothing to say.
By then, Harry had walked back with a rather awkward expression.
Getting caught out after hours by the Headmaster was hardly a pleasant experience, though he couldn’t quite hide the twitch of a smile at the corner of his lips.
“Good evening, Professor.” “Good evening, young gentlemen.” “Hello, Professor.
Since you’re here, Harry obviously won’t be in any danger.
I’ll let Harry explain everything to you.
I just notified Professor Severus Snape to come over, so it looks like I should go find him and explain things.” Kyle’s intention was to find an excuse to leave; there was no need for him to get involved in what came next.
“No need to hurry, Mr.
Shafiq.
I happened to see the magical signal you sent just now.
I must apologize for listening in on a bit of your conversation without permission.
Considering there was no need to disturb Professor Snape’s rest, I intercepted the signal.” Hearing this, Kyle narrowed his eyes.
Professor Dumbledore’s expression didn’t change at all, still looking at the two boys with a beaming smile.