Read up to chapter 20 on Patreon for free -patreon.com/Dark_sym
-----
Due to the mutation, Ethan required very little sleep, making quiet nights ideal for planning. Since arriving in this world, Ethan hasn't altered the plot, and Voldemort's diary should still be with first-year witch Ginny.
Ethan intends to seize the chance to obtain the diary. Considering Voldemort's ability to create Horcruxes at a young age, Ethan plans to extract the soul from the dairy and hand the diary to Dumbledore. Confident in his knowledge of future events, Ethan dismisses the threat posed by Voldemort, a Country-level terrorist.
Regarding Voldemort's immortality plan, Ethan finds it even more despicable. The mutation grants Ethan a long lifespan, and the Witcher's limits remain unknown, as none have died of old age.
Ethan orders prank props from Zonko's Joke Shop, plans to modify them as teaching aids, and purchases more cockroach clusters from Honeydukes Candy Store. He enjoys such peculiar candy and spends the remaining time practicing spells from a thick and intimidating spell book.
At night, Ethan learns basic spells, and reserve engineering aggressive curses in a dedicated training room. He contemplates learning advanced spells like Animagus, Transfiguration, Occlumency, and Patronus Charm from Professors Flitwick and McGonagall.
As dawn approaches, Ethan, not wanting to miss an opportunity as a fan, decides to explore Hogwarts. Leaving the professor's office, he wanders through the castle.
Until Ethan stumbled upon a concealed door, its half-closed state seemed to beckon him. With a gentle push, Ethan uncovered an empty classroom, featuring a dusty yet grand mirror that once adorned the room. Its imposing gold frame, supported by claw-shaped feet, reached the ceiling. Engravings at the top read,
"Erised stra ehru oyt ube cafru oyt on wohsi." which, when read backward, declared,
"I show not your face but your heart's desire."
Ethan immediately recognized the famous Mirror of Erised, capable of revealing one's most pressing desires. Intrigued, he stood before the enchanted mirror, observing its already tarnished surface. The image within swiftly transformed—a sunny day in a vineyard. The villa's door was ajar, hinting at a lively banquet inside. Geralt sparred with Lambert, while Dandelion regaled Duchess Anna and Syanna with tales. Triss and Yennefer leaned against each other in conversation along the colonnade, and the Bloody Baron, Shani, and other familiar faces mingled. Vesemir, the old witcher, sat in a chair, conversing with Ciri. As if aware of Ethan's presence, Vesemir and Ciri noticed him, smiling and gesturing for him to join.
Compelled, Ethan approached until his hand touched the icy surface, realizing the ancient mirror harbored potent magic.
"Quite a captivating scene, wouldn't you say?" Dumbledore appeared behind Ethan seemingly out of nowhere.
"Like many wizards, you've discovered the allure of the Mirror of Erised. I trust you now understand its purpose. Allow me to offer a hint: the happiest person in the world sees only themselves in the mirror," Dumbledore explained.
Ethan remained silent, fixated on the reflection of Vesemir in the mirror—his most revered witcher, the one who had imparted love and knowledge before succumbing to the Wild Hunt.
Dumbledore observed the mirror and spoke softly, "Remember, Ethan, the mirror reflects our deepest desires, not knowledge or truth. Many have wasted time before it, some even driven to madness."
"I agree, Professor," Ethan replied, tearing his eyes away from the mirror.
"Perhaps we should return to rest, Professor Ethan. An old man like me can't stay up late," Dumbledore joked.
They left the classroom, and on the way back to the office, Ethan curiously asked Dumbledore, "Professor, what did you see in that mirror?"
Dumbledore smiled, saying, "I saw myself roasting by the fire in a pair of thick wool socks."
Once back in the principal's office, Dumbledore reviewed the memory, recognizing the Mirror of Erised as a test for Ethan. He sensed Ethan's profound feelings and nostalgia for Vesemir, in stark contrast to Voldemort's emotionless cruelty. Dumbledore's expression softened, and he began to trust Ethan a bit more.
Seated in the professor's office, Ethan gazed out at the starry sky dimming with the impending sunrise until the sky brightened.
Busy days awaited Ethan. He purchased a large box of UFOs from Zuko's Laugh Shop—similar to modern UFO toys but with a menacing flat mouth and sharp teeth. Ethan disassembled one for study and embarked on a modification plan. Removing the sharp teeth and adding a long tongue, he transformed the once fearsome UFO into a mischievous tool that would playfully mess up students' hair. Additionally, he equipped it with a tracking function for added amusement during lessons with first-year wizards.