Ron expressed his frustration with a hint of anger, "You should have woken me up. I wanted to see your parents too." He was irked that Harry had discovered the mirror's secret without him the previous day. Harry, eager to share the experience, replied, "You can come with me tonight. I'm planning to go again, and I want you to see that mirror for yourself." The two friends were so engrossed in their discussion about the magical mirror that they nearly forgot about Nicolas Flamel.
John, meanwhile, was preparing a sandwich with turkey on toast. Just as he was about to take a bite, Harry mentioned, "John was there too, but he didn't see his family in the mirror." Pausing, John put down his sandwich and said with a note of seriousness, "Harry, that mirror doesn't necessarily show your family. It reflects the deepest desires of your heart. It's important not to become too obsessed with it."
Curious, Ron asked, "John, what did you see in the mirror then?" John, recalling the scene from the previous day, replied with a slight smirk, "I saw a table full of food." Ron and Harry were momentarily taken aback, having expected John, with his love for learning, to see something more academic. However, Harry, yearning for the love he missed, dismissed John's caution. The longing for his parents' presence overshadowed the protective magic built from his mother's love.
John, having issued his warning, didn't press the matter further. With Dumbledore's protection, he felt confident that neither Harry nor the others would come to harm from Voldemort. After the conversation, John, reminded of Nicolas Flamel, retrieved a Chocolate Frog wizard card from his pocket and handed it to Harry, saying, "Not all answers are as complex as they seem. Sometimes, it's about observing the things around you." Though Harry and Ron were puzzled by his cryptic advice, Harry accepted the card, tucking it into his pocket with the intention of examining it later.
John then made his way to the library, where under the watchful eye of Madam Pince, he gathered books on alchemy. His studious demeanor caught the attention of Professor McGonagall, who felt a sense of pride, albeit regretting that John wasn't a Gryffindor. After hours of research, John concluded that mastering alchemy based solely on theory was a daunting task. However, he was determined to begin practical experimentation, inspired by the notion that combining magical text with alchemy could lead to miraculous results.
The following day found John at the Room of Requirement, seeking a space conducive to refining materials. Upon entering the room that materialized, he found it equipped with crucibles and shelves stocked with magical ingredients. Recognizing the need for more materials, John thought of Hagrid, Hogwarts' gamekeeper, who had a wealth of magical creature materials.
Visiting Hagrid's hut, John was greeted warmly. "Here you go, John. But I've got to ask, what do you need a snail's tail for?" Hagrid, unaware of the treasure trove of materials he had accumulated over the years, was always willing to help. John, who had built a rapport with Hagrid through various adventures, including their encounter with Aragog, knew he could rely on Hagrid for the rare ingredients needed for his alchemical experiments. When John requested materials, Hagrid promptly gathered a substantial amount. Upon receiving them, John nearly toppled over due to their weight. Despite Hagrid handling them with ease, the collection of items, particularly a basketful of snail butts, was surprisingly heavy. These snails, magical creatures possibly bred from a cross between a manticore and a fire crab, were to be used by John for his first foray into alchemy. "I'm delving into alchemy, Hagrid. After all, who better to understand these things than you?" John remarked. Hagrid, visibly delighted by this, offered John some of his rock cakes, which John politely declined. Clutching the basket, John made his way back to the Room of Requirement, so engrossed in his alchemical experiments that he skipped meals and even missed dinner.
Emerging from the Room of Requirement with a smudge of black ash on his nose, John decided to return to his dormitory but was sidetracked upon reaching the fifth floor. Noticing the door to the room housing the Mirror of Erised slightly open, and knowing Harry was inside, John's curiosity got the better of him. "He's still obsessed," John sighed, opting to visit the room next door instead of heading back. As he neared, he overheard conversations from within. Suspecting Ron might be with Harry, as he had been the day before, John cast a Disillusionment Charm on himself, effectively blending into the shadows.
Inside, an old yet gentle voice spoke, "You, like hundreds before you, have discovered the joys of the Mirror of Erised." Harry, engaged in conversation with Dumbledore, admitted his ignorance of the mirror's name but acknowledged its enchanting effect. The mirror had shown him his deepest desire: his family. Dumbledore seized this teachable moment to discuss the mirror's magic and its impending relocation, to which Harry, though slightly reluctant, agreed to return to bed under the invisibility cloak.
Curious, Harry inquired about Dumbledore's own reflection in the mirror. With a playful smile, Dumbledore responded, "I saw myself holding a pair of thick wool socks." This whimsical answer left Harry feeling it was somewhat dismissive yet not entirely implausible. After Harry's departure, Dumbledore, still in the room, addressed the seemingly empty air, "Perhaps, Mr. Wick, it's time we spoke face to face." John, realizing his attempt to remain undetected by one of the greatest wizards of the century was futile, revealed himself by ending the Disillusionment Charm.
Dumbledore commended John's use of the charm and lightly addressed his rule-breaking with a twinkle in his eye, indicating he wasn't there to reprimand him. Instead, Dumbledore inquired about John's own vision in the Mirror of Erised. John, initially tense and guarded, admitted to seeing an abundance of food and a stronger version of himself. This honesty pleased Dumbledore, who laughed heartily and mentioned Professor McGonagall's recent concerns about the Sorting Hat's decision, suggesting that John's honesty and character traits were noteworthy.
Under Dumbledore's insightful gaze, it was clear that this conversation was more than a casual chat; it was a moment of genuine connection and understanding between two individuals from vastly different worlds. Dumbledore's acknowledgment of John's honesty and potential hinted at a deeper recognition of John's character and the unique path he was destined to follow at Hogwarts. "There is nothing wrong with the Sorting Hat, and you are indeed most suited for Slytherin; there's no doubt about it," Dumbledore reassured John with a firm tone, his eyes piercing yet understanding. "Promise me, John, that you will steer clear of those irreversible magics."
"I promise you, Professor," John replied earnestly. He couldn't fathom why Dumbledore had broached the subject, but he suspected it might be due to the Headmaster's awareness of his ventures into the Restricted Section and his curiosity about dark magic. John nodded, his resolve clear despite the underlying fear of being discovered. He knew Dumbledore wasn't one to harm his students, but the thought of being caught still sent a shiver down his spine.
"You possess the self-discipline to resist your temptations, John. I believe in you," Dumbledore continued, his voice softening. "As a reward for your discernment, you might just find yourself with the opportunity to encounter the real Philosopher's Stone."
The atmosphere lightened as Dumbledore's expression shifted from solemn to playful, a twinkle appearing in his eye as if he were sharing a secret. John was momentarily taken aback by the sudden change in topic. The answer? He pondered, recalling the chocolate frog wizard card. It dawned on him that Dumbledore seemed omniscient, aware of his every move, from his explorations in the Restricted Section to his collection of Chocolate Frog Wizard cards.
This realization brought a mix of awe and unease, but John couldn't help feeling a spark of excitement at the prospect of coming face to face with such a legendary artifact as the Philosopher's Stone.
_________
If you are tired of reading I also have this converted to an audio novel on my youtube
https://www.youtube.com/@NovelAudioForge/featured
Direct Link to playlist
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_Hg-qsW4rM&list=PLKskshYG-OcPTR4-Nw7IWFEBZm07D8pBV&ab_channel=NovelAudioForge