/
Chapter 37: Desire
What did I desire?
Charles didn’t know. He wasn’t Harry Potter, who had lost his family when he was a baby and had never experienced familial love. Because of that, Harry had desired to have a family. He wasn’t Ron Weasley, who had no particular outstanding talent and had many brothers and a sister. With them around, he had not gained the eye of anyone. For that, he had longed for recognition and some sort of achievement. He wasn’t Dumbledore either, whose family had been shattered apart. His parents had died, his brother had a falling out with him, and his own sister was killed by his own hands. So he too, longed for a family, he longed for the return of his heart!
In his past life, he was a sensitive and frail child. He had some aspects where he was far beyond his peers, and some aspects where it was almost ridiculously childlike. Sometimes, for the sake of his goals, he could hide his intent like a python waiting to strike and remain patient. When it came to the bigger matters, he was even-tempered. But sometimes when someone else had thought him to be bizarre, he would fly into an outrage. When he assessed his own past life, Charles would think: “On the outside, I look friendly. But really my nature is quite extreme. An extremely selfish person and not one suitable to fitting into a group.”
But this was only a self-deprecating view of himself. Understanding oneself was what man had difficulty with.
What is it that I desire? Do I wish to beat Dumbledore, defeat Voldemort, and unify the wizarding world? Or do I wish to overcome death like Voldemort? Or do I wish that I will become known for something?
The Charles in the mirror was wearing a wizard’s robe. Neither Dumbledore or Voldemort was by his side, or even the Ministry of Magic. There was no Order of Merlin on him, but he stood at the very top above the clouds with his arms spread wide as he looked far away.
The clouds in the distance was a white tripe color that gradually began to turn a dyed red color. From the other mountain past the clouds, the sun was beginning to rise. The sun rays began to shine upon the Charles on the mirror. The real Charles closed an eye, but it seemed that the Charles in the mirror was extremely comfortable.
After a long time, he lowered his arms. Jumping down from the mountain peak, his figure began to descend downwards with the wind blowing past his robes and hair. Even from outside the mirror, Charles could seemingly hear the ruffling of his robes go “Whoosh” “Whoosh”.
Next, the Charles in the mirror began to distort and form a black crow. This was Charles’ animagus form. The crow unfurled its wings, and like a jet-black arrow, it dove into the clouds and out of sight. In a moment, a giant golden blaze could be seen sweltering above the clouds. The flame had been so large, so violent, that it covered the entire skies as if trying to burn it down. The surrounding clouds had been evaporated by the intense blaze. There was still a slight amount of mist in the air as the golden flames rose. The flames had continued to twist and flicker before gradually growing smaller.
Slowly, the flames had revealed a long fiery-red feather. With a single flap of its golden wings, the wings gave a mighty push of air. As if listening to some sort of verbal order, the flames immediately disappeared.
At the end of the golden flames was a single carefree giant red bird.
The giant bird was similar to a golden eagle with its beautiful feathers a crimson color. From far away, these feathers looked as if they were on fire, and at the same time, the wings and tail were both a long golden color. Even the claws reflected a golden light.
The giant bird let out a heaven-piercing screech towards the sun as it moved its wings and took off into the sky. From the perspective of the bird, the entire earth down below was scattered, the mountains, areas and rivers all revealing the natural masterpiece of the gods.
So, that was my desire. Charles smiled. I understand now.
“What did you see?” Harry asked.
“I wish to fly into the sky! Not with a broom, but just by doing so myself.” Charles gave a half-truth.
“That sounds pretty excellent.” Ron spoke.
“Let’s go then!” Charles suddenly said. “We already know what we want to know. Live in the moment, there’s no need to worry about anything else.”
“You speak quite correctly, Charles, if you don’t mind my calling you that!” Harry and Ron both leapt up in shock. Charles himself was secretly shocked. It was no wonder Dumbledore was the strongest white wizard in today’s world. His use of the Disillusionment charm was perfect without a chance of being detected. Looking back, Albus Dumbledore was Sitting right on top of the tables next to the wall.
“I…I didn’t see you there, sir.”
“Strange how nearsighted being invisible can make you.” Dumbledore spoke. Harry could see a smile on Dumbledore’s face, causing his heart to feel quite relieved.
Dumbledore slipped off the desks to sit on the floor with Harry, “As of now, you, like hundreds before you, have discovered the delights of the Mirror of Erised.”
“I didn’t know it was called that, sir.”
“But I expect you’ve realized by now what it does?”
“It…well…it shows my family.”
“And it showed your friend Ron as head boy. And Charles, the ability to fly.” Dumbledore spoke gently.
“Mister Charles had just said what use the Mirror of Erised is used for.”
He nodded to Charles before continuing to speak. “The world’s most happiest man would be able to use the mirror like a normal mirror. That is, he would be able to look into it and see himself as he is. Do you understand?”
Harry thought for a moment before responding slowly, “It shows us what we want…whatever we want….”
“Yes, and no.” Dumbledore spoke quietly. “It shows us nothing more than what our deepest, most desperate desire is in our hearts. You, who have never known your family, see them all around you. Ronald Weasley, who has always been overshadowed by his brothers, sees himself standing alone, the best of them all. Charles…your desire truly has a challenging nature.”
“Thank you for your compliment, professor Dumbledore.” Charles replied politely with a nod.
“However, this mirror doesn’t give us the truth. Neither does it give us knowledge.”
“Men have wasted away right in front of it, entranced by what they see, or were driven mad, not knowing if what they saw was real or feasible.”
“Tomorrow, the Mirror will be given a new home. Harry, I ask you to not go looking for it again. Should you come across it again, you will now be prepared. Remember, it does not do well to dwell on dreams and forget to live. Now, why don’t you all go back and sleep.”
“Sir–professor Dumbledore? May I ask you a question?”
“Obviously you have done so, haven’t you?” Dumbledore smiled. “You may ask again, however.”
“What do you see when you look in the mirror?”
“I? I see myself holding a pair of thick, woolen socks.”
Harry gave a disbelieving stare.
“One can never have too many socks.” Dumbledore spoke. “Another Christmas has come and gone, and yet I haven’t received a single pair. People will always give me books.”
In England, woolen socks were symbols of family.
That was life. Even the most important white wizard would have an eternal pain in his heart.
“Wherever treasure is, the heart is.”
Charles was the same, wasn’t he?