"WHAT!"
"Jake, I understand how you feel about the both of them," Hermione had said the following morning, trying to calm his quickly rising frustration. It was Seven-thirty, and Jake had only woken up just five minutes ago. Hermione had recounted the encounter with the troll to him when he asked and he was surprised to learn that he had exploded the troll's head, especially since he didn't remember doing it, and he didn't know any spells that could do that. Hermione had told him that while it was a little frightening, and gory, she thought he was amazing all the same.
She then told him about Harry and Ron showing up, looking bad about being the cause of Hermione being in harm's way to begin with. Then she explained how after he was taken to the Hospital Wing, the three of them had become friends, since they had shown up not long after he had passed out. They had come to check on her and she had no longer held any lasting hatred for them. That didn't exactly sit well with Jake, though, "Hermione, Ron has been a complete jerk to you since the train ride here. How can you so easily forgive him? He was probably dragged there to the bathroom by Harry!"
"Mr. Fernandes! I must ask that you be quiet, or I will give you something to make you so!" Madam Pomfrey yelled from across the Hospital Wing where her office was.
"Sorry..." he looked at her for a moment, then back to Hermione, "seriously, Hermione, how are you able to forgive so easily?" He had asked her.
"I'm only giving him one chance, and if he proves to be a changed person, then I will accept him as my friend. Can you do the same?" She asked him, her eyes staring directly into his.
"No," was his short answer, "I'm sorry, Hermione, but it's going to take a lot more than that for the red headed Weasel to earn my forgiveness."
Hermione didn't look surprised at his answer. She knew Jake had a strong dislike for Ron for the way he had treated her, but she hoped that if Ron can prove he's changed, then maybe he and Jake could be friends too? Only time would tell.
As the first week of November proceeded, it turned much colder than what Jake was used to. The mountains became an icy gray and the lake was like chilled steel. This Saturday was the first Quidditch Match of the Season and it was Gryffindor v Slytherin. Even though he wasn't on the team, Jake was largely excited to watch and see a game in person. He'd seen Wizarding Photos that showed off the game, but it was barely an experience worth mentioning.
Oliver Wood, Gryffindor Keeper, didn't let anyone see Harry practice, because he wanted to keep Harry as their Secret Weapon, a Secret. It somehow got leaked out and Jake didn't envy Harry, with people constantly, constantly telling him he'd either do brilliantly, or they'd be below him to catch him with a mattress when he fell.
Jake saw Hermione lend him her copy of Quidditch Through the Ages , which Jake didn't remember her owning, but he didn't figure it mattered. He also noticed that Hermione would help Harry and Ron with their homework. Harry, he understood, because now that he had Quidditch to deal with, his homework would've been at risk of not getting done, but Ron? Ron wasn't on the Quidditch Team and had nothing else majorly important to be doing, so Jake came to realize that Ron was just lazy, plain and simple. Ron was a Pure-Blood, Jake knew that, so he wondered if all Pure-Bloods were like this, thinking that because they grew up with magic all their life that they would have an easy time, or if Ron was just a special case.
Whatever his reason was, Jake didn't think it to be a very good one.
On the day before the Quidditch Match, the four of them were outside in the freezing cold, for whatever reason, during a break period, huddled up, reluctantly in Jake's case, to a blue flame in a jam jar that Hermione had conjured up. They weren't sure if it was okay with the Hogwarts staff, so they were huddled around the fire, blocking it from view. Good thing they were, because Professor Snape saw them and limped over towards them, "What's that you've got there, Potter?"
" Quidditch Through the Ages , sir," Harry responded, showing the cover to the book.
"Library Books are not to be taken out of the school, give it to me," Snape held his hand out.
Harry was about to hand it over, but Jake spoke up, "Th-That's not a rule, P-Professor."
Snape glared at him, "And how would you know, Fernandes?"
"I-I've seen the entire list of sch-school rules, and that's not one of them," he said, his teeth chattering together from being cold.
"Fine, then the Five Points I'll take from Gryffindor will be from back talk," he sneered and walked away.
"What a j-jerk he is," Ron said, shivering from the cold. The Blue Fire wasn't that helpful, but it was better than nothing, "Why do you s-suppose he's limping?"
"I dunno," Harry muttered, "but I hope it's really hurting him."
Hermione looked over at Jake, "H-Have you really s-seen the entire list of school rules?"
"No," he shivered and looked at Hermione's face, she was wide-eyed, "I-I bluffed and he d-didn't catch it."
"You r-really like to play with f-fire, don't you?" She asked him.
"So do y-you," he motioned to the blur fire she had conjured for them.
"Sh-Shut up..." she trailed off, looking away from him.
"Although, i-it could prove b-beneficial to know them all, for any f-future rule breaking," he looked at her with a smirk. She just shook her head, knowing that the four of them would likely be breaking some rules in the future.
*******
That evening in the Gryffindor Common Room was noisy. They were all sitting near a window and Hermione had been checking over their homework. Well, she had been looking over Harry's and Ron's homework, since Jake obviously did not need assistance. Jake had insisted she not let them copy, because they would never learn. Actually he told her to not help them at all, but she was insistent on helping them.
Their conversation, after Harry and Ron had been caught up on homework, had shifted to why Snape had been limping. They talked in hushed tones about it, so as to not draw attention to themselves, "So why do you think he was limping?" Harry asked them.
"Could be a Potion gone wrong?" Ron suggested.
"Doubtful. Snape is a Master at Potion-making, he wouldn't let himself get caught in a Potion gone wrong," Jake said.
"Maybe... you think he tried to get past that three headed dog?" Hermione asked the three boys.
"Now that's big brain thinking right there," Jake said, causing Hermione to redden on her cheeks a little.
"The only question is, why would he do that?" Hermione asked Jake more than the other two.
It was Harry who gave her an answer, though, "Whatever was taken from Gringotts by Hagrid before the break-in, it had to be."
"That's actually what I was thinking too," Jake said, "but for himself? Or someone else?"
None of them had an answer and decided to just retire for the night.
The next morning arrived almost too soon for some students. Jake and Hermione were in the Great Hall with Harry and Ron, the cheerful chatter filling the Hall was nothing but anticipation for the Quidditch Match.
"Harry, you've got to eat something," Hermione said to him in a bossy tone.
"I'm not hungry," he said, almost miserably.
"Just a little bit of toast, huh?" Ron placed in front of him.
"I said I don't want anything," Harry said, slightly frustrated, but it was just nerves talking.
"Actually, you said you weren't hungry," Jake said, trying to lighten the mood.
All Harry did was glare at him. Seamus had looked like he was going to say something, but after seeing Harry's murderous glare, he elected not to say anything.
By eleven o'clock, Harry was probably with the other Quidditch members of Gryffindor and Jake was in the stands helping Seamus, Ron and Dean hold up a torn bed sheet, thanks to Scabbers, that Dean had painted Harry for Minister on. Hermione was standing beside Jake, looking anxious, "You alright, Hermione?"
"No... what if something bad happens to Harry?" She looked at him worriedly.
"He'll be fine," Jake said like it was fact.
"How do you know?" She asked, looking almost mortified that he was nonchalant about it.
"Because you saw Harry on that practice broom, he's a born natural," he looked at her and her expression softened.
She nodded and then charmed the paint on the bed sheet so that it flashed different colors.
Pretty soon, the Gryffindor Quidditch Team came out, as did the Slytherin Quidditch Team, and they met in the center of the stadium. Oliver and Marcus shook hands, but each looked like they were trying to rip the other's arm off.
They mounted their brooms and the next thing everyone heard was Lee Jordan's commentary of the game, "And the Quaffle is taken immediately by Angelina Johnson of Gryffindor! What an excellent chaser that girl is, rather attractive too-"
"JORDAN!" Professor McGonagall's voice could be heard next to him.
"Sorry Professor," Lee said, not looking sorry at all. Jake knew Lee Jordan to be best friends with Fred and George, Ron's older twin brothers.
He wouldn't admit it right then, but Weasley was proving to not be a total dingbat.
"And she's really belting along up there, a neat pass to Alicia Spinnet, a good find of Oliver Wood's, last year only a reserve - back to Johnson and - no, the Slytherins have taken the Quaffle, Slytherin Captain Marcus Flint gains the Quaffle and off he goes - Flint, flying like an Eagle up there - he's going to sc- no, stopped by an excellent move by Gryffindor Keeper Wood and the Gryffindors take the Quaffle - that's Chaser Katie Bell of Gryffindor right there, nice dive around Flint, up off the field and - OUCH - that must have hurt, hit in the back of the head by a Bludger - Quaffle taken by the Slytherins - that's Adrian Pucey speeding off towards the goal posts, but he's blocked by a second Bludger - sent his way by Fred or George Weasley, can't tell which - nice play by the Gryffindor Beater, anyway, and Johnson back in possession of the Quaffle, a clear field ahead and off she goes - she's really flying - dodges a speeding Bludger - the goalposts are ahead - come on, now, Angelina - Keeper Bletchley dives - misses - GRYFFINDOR SCORE!"
Gryffindor cheers filled the chilly air, with howls and moans from the Slytherins.
"Budge up there, move along," Jake heard from the side. He turned and saw the giant man, Hagrid, whom Ron said the name of seconds later.
Hermione squeezed in closer to Jake to give Hagrid the room he needed to join them, "Bin watchin' from me hut," Hagrid said, patting the binoculars around his neck. Jake found it a bit hard to understand him at times, harder than when Hagrid had been leading them across the lake for the Sorting. "But it isn't the same as bein' in the crowd. No sign of the Snitch yet, eh?"
"No," Jake said, looking back and squinting to where Harry was hovering around, "Harry hasn't had much to do, yet."
"Kept outta trouble, though, that's something'," Hagrid said, raising his binoculars and looking skyward towards Harry.
"Slytherin in possession," Lee Jordan continued his commentary, "Chaser Pucey ducks two Bludgers, two Weasley's, and Chaser Bell and speeds towards the - wait a moment - was that the Snitch?" Jordan asked. Jake looked and immediately caught a glimpse of something small and gold shimmering in the Sun as it sped by the Slytherin Chaser. Harry must've seen it as well because he dove for it. He was fighting, figuratively, the Slytherin Seeker. All of the Chasers and both Keeper's stopped moving to watch the struggle that was the two Seekers fighting to try and get the Snitch. Harry was faster, obviously, because of his new broom, the Nimbus 2000.
Harry was gaining the Snitch. His fingers were almost within range to clamp down on the little Golden ball - WHAM - A roar of rage could be heard in the Gryffindor Stands. Jake couldn't believe that Marcus Flint would be so obvious about his blatant Foul. Madam Hooch was giving him an earful and gave Gryffindor a penalty shot. In all the rage and confusion, the Snitch had disappeared, once again lost to the winds.
"Send him off, ref! Red Card!" Jake heard Dean yelling.
"This isn't football, Dean," Ron had reminded him, "You can't send people off in Quidditch, and what's a Red Card?"
"I agree with Dean, for something so obvious and blatant, Flint should be forced to sit out the Match!" Jake was livid.
Lee was finding it difficult to not take sides, "So, after that obvious and disgusting bit of cheating-"
"Jordan!" Professor McGonagall growled in a warning voice.
"I mean, after that open and revolting foul-"
" Jordan, I'm warning you -"
"All right, all right. Flint nearly kills the Gryffindor Seeker, which could happen to anyone, I'm sure, so a penalty to Gryffindor, taken by Spinnet, who puts it away, no trouble, and we continue play, Gryffindor still in possession," Lee reluctantly said in the most unbiased way he could manage at that moment.
The match continued for about two minutes when Jake looked back at Harry and saw him jerking around sideways and back 'n' forth on his broom. "That's an odd tactic Harry has implemented. Is it a display of dominance?"
Hermione gave him a quick smack on the shoulder, but looked as well, "What is he doing?"
Lee was still commentating as though nothing was wrong, "Slytherin now in possession - Flint with the Quaffle - passes Spinnet - passes Bell - hit hard in the face by a Bludger, hope it broke his nose - only joking, Professor," he quickly added when McGonagall was about to reprimand him, "Slytherin score - oh no..."
Hagrid looked up and saw Harry having no control over his broom. Harry was suddenly thrown off it, but he still had a hold of it as he dangled dangerously in the air, "Dunno why he's lost control, can't nothing interfere with a broomstick except powerful Dark Magic."
Hermione suddenly seized Hagrid's binoculars and began scanning the crowd, more specifically, the teacher's stand, "I knew it," Hermione gasped, "Snape - look!"
She handed them to Ron and he looked at the Professors, "That slimy-"
"He's doing something - jinxing the broom," Hermione said.
"What should we do?" Jake asked her.
"Leave it to me," she said and disappeared.
The other two boys turned their attention back to Harry and saw him being flung about like a dog shaking a toy with its mouth. The crowd watched in horror as Harry was dangled from his broom. Jake saw Marcus Flint score five more times in the confusion as everyone awaited for Harry to either regain control of his broom, or be knocked off it, "You unsportsmanlike bas-" before Jake finished his words, Harry stopped getting thrown about and he grabbed the binoculars, looking over at the teachers. Snape had been stamping out a fire that had to be Hermione's doing, "Clever girl."
"Neville, you can look again," Ron said to the pudgy faced boy, who had been crying into Hagrid's jacket for the past five minutes.
Harry began to speed towards the ground, neck and neck with the Slytherin Seeker. Slytherins Seeker pulled up before getting close to the ground, but Harry pulled up at the last second. Jake saw a golden gleam just in front of Harry, who was gaining on it.
He tripped forward on his broom and tumbled to the ground. It was a good thing he was as close as he was. Jake watched him starting to heave, "He's going to be sick!"
Instead of vomiting, the Golden Snitch came out and into Harry's palm's. He raised his hands in triumph yelling, "I've got the Snitch!" Gryffindor cheer could be heard booming all over the stadium. Despite the confusion, Harry hadn't broken any rules, much to Flint's dismay and protest.
Lee Jordan kept announcing the score of Gryffindor winning, 170-60, "Gryffindor Wins!" You could hear him saying into the intercom.
*******
"It was Snape," Ron had said when the four of them were in Hagrid's hut, "Hermione and I saw him, he was jinxing your broom. Muttering under his breath, he wouldn't take his eyes off of you."
"Rubbish," Hagrid said, who had apparently missed the whole conversation that went on next to him in the stands, "Why would Snape do somethin' like that?"
The four First Years looked at one another, wondering what to tell Hagrid. Harry decided to tell him the truth, "Hagrid, I, or rather Jake and I, found out something about him. He tried to get past that three-headed dog on Halloween. It went wrong and it bit him. We figure he was trying to steal whatever that dog is guarding."
Hagrid dropped his teapot in shock, "How do you know about Fluffy?"
"Fluffy?" Ron asked, wide-eyed.
"That thing has a name?" Hermione asked as well.
" 'Course he had a name, he's mine. Bought him off a Greek chap I met in the pub las' year - lent him to Dumbledore to guard the-" Hagrid didn't get to finish as Harry had interrupted him.
"Yes?" He asked eagerly.
"Now don't ask me anymore," he said gruffly, "that's top secret, that is."
"But Snape is trying to steal it!" Hermione said in a loud voice.
Jake remained silent, listening to everything that was being said.
"Rubbish," Hagrid said again, "Snape's a Hogwarts teacher, he'd do nothin' of the sort."
"So why did he just try and kill Harry during the Quidditch Match?" Ron asked him.
"I know a Jinx when I see one, Hagrid," Hermione explained, "I've read all about them and you've got to maintain eye-contact when it's a vocal Jinx, and Snape wasn't breaking eye-contact."
"I'm tellin' ya, yer wrong!" Hagrid said hotly.
"You said it yourself, Hagrid," Jake spoke up finally, "only powerful Dark Magic could interfere with a Broom, and I overheard Percy say that Snape knows all about the Dark Arts."
"That don' mean nothin'," Hagrid said dismissively, which annoyed Jake.
"And why not?" He challenged.
"Jus' 'cause he knows about the Dark Arts, don' mean he knows any powerful Dark Magic," Hagrid gave as his explanation. Jake just glared at Hagrid, "Besides, Snape wouldn't try to kill a student. Now listen to me, all four of yeh - yer meddlin' in things that don' concern yeh. It's dangerous. You forget that dog, an' you forget what it's guardin', that's between Dumbledore an' Nicholas Flamel-"
"Aha!" Harry said excitedly, "So there is someone called Nicholas Flamel, is there?"
Hagrid looked right cross with himself.
After they left Hagrid's, Jake was rather upset with Harry, "Why did you keep interrupting him? He probably would've told us more about this Nicholas Flamel had you not said anything."
"At least we have a name," Harry tried to look on the bright side.
"But we could've had more," Hermione agreed with Jake. They returned back to Gryffindor Tower to work on some homework before turning in.
*******
Christmas was close upon them as it entered mid-December, and Hogwarts had found itself blanketed with pure white snow, three feet of it to be precise.
Very few Owls managed to make it through the roaring winds outside to drop off mail. Most mail arrived mid-day or evening when the winds died down a little bit.
No one could wait for the holidays to start. The Gryffindor Common Room and the Great Hall were warm from the fires they had constantly going, but the corridors and classrooms were chilling to the bone. The classrooms themselves had their windows rattling from the winds outside. Potions class was probably the worst, as it was down in the dungeons. The only solace they found was in their cauldrons radiating some heat. Jake did also notice that Hermione was standing closer to him than usual in Potions class. He figured it was just for extra potential warmth.
"I do feel sorry," Draco Malfoy said in Potions one day, "for all those people who have to stay at Hogwarts for Christmas because they are not wanted at home."
Jake glanced over at Draco and saw that he was looking over at Harry as he spoke. He heard Crabbe and Goyle chuckle in a way only two slow idiots could. Malfoy tried to get people to laugh at Harry by saying that a wide-mouthed tree frog would be replacing him as Seeker, but no one was laughing. They were all amazed Harry was able to keep his hold on his broom as it had jerked him about. So Malfoy, jealous and angry, decided to insult Harry about the fact he had no parents.
Jake was glad Draco didn't know that he had no parents, because Draco would be breathing through a tube in his throat if he made fun of him about it; everything be damned.
After they left class at the end of the day, the four of them found a large Fir tree blocking the corridor. They heard huffing and recognized it to be Hagrid, "Hey, Hagrid. Need help?" Jake offered, being polite.
"Nah, I'm alright, thanks Jake."
"Would you mind getting out of the way?" Draco's voice could be heard, "What's the matter, Fernandes? Need some money for the holidays?"
"As if. I'd never have to work a day-" he stopped himself, realizing what he almost said, "I just don't have a need for money right now, okay?"
"Whatever," Draco said and pushed his way through the tree, spreading needles everywhere and smirking.
"What did you mean?" Hermione asked him.
"I-It's not important..." Jake was a little flustered.
"You four wanna come see the Great Hall? It's a real treat right now," Hagrid asked them. They agreed and followed Hagrid to the Great Hall and he was right, it was a sight to behold, "So," Hagrid started after setting up the final tree for McGonagall and Flitwick, "How many days yeh got left until yer holidays?"
"Just one more," Hermione said, excited to see her parents again after almost four months away from them. "That reminds me, Harry, Ron, you both said you'd join Jake and I in the Library before lunch, which we have a half-hour until."
"Oh yeah, you're right," Ron said, tearing his eyes from Professor Flitwick, who had golden bubbles blossoming out of his wand and was trailing them over the branches of the newest tree.
The four of them were leaving the Hall and Hagrid was following, "The Library? A bit keen there, aren't yeh?"
"Oh, we're not working," Harry started, but Jake smacked his shoulder.
"Not working? Then what are yeh goin' to the Library fer?" Hagrid asked them.
The cat was out of the bag now, so Harry explained further, "Well... ever since you mentioned Nicholas Flamel, we've been trying to figure out who he is..."
"You what!?" Hagrid looked shocked, "Listen here, I've told yeh before, jus' drop it, okay? It's nothin' to you what that dog's guardin'."
"Oh, we just want to know who Nicholas Flamel is, that's all," Hermione said in a sweet voice. Jake looked at her and was slightly afraid. It wasn't a total lie, but she did it so easily that it unnerved him.
"Unless you'd like to save us the trouble?" Harry foolishly added. "We must've been through hundreds of books already and we can't find him anywhere. Come on, just give us a hint?"
"I'm sayin' nothin'," Hagrid said, and that was that.
The four of them walked away to the library and Jake just glared at Harry again. It was true, though, they had read through many, many books. It was mostly Jake and Hermione doing the heavy reading, but Harry and Ron did skim through books, looking for any sign of the name 'Nicholas Flamel'. Of course, he wasn't in Great Wizards of the Twentieth Century , Notable Magical Names of Our Time , Important Modern Magical Discoveries , or A Study of Recent Developments in Wizardry . And of course, at least, according to Harry and Ron, the size of the Library was daunting to look at, and lowered their morale greatly. They didn't give up, yet, and Jake felt that that in itself was commendable.
They achieved nothing in their half hour before lunch and made their way out of the Library and towards the Great Hall once again. "You will look while I'm at home, won't you? I know you will, Jake, I'm asking those two," Hermione motioned to Harry and Ron.
"We'll try... but we've looked through so many books already, Hermione," Ron said, letting out an exasperated sigh.
"You can always check the Restricted Section," she suggested.
"And how are we going to do that? Madam Pince watches the Library like a hawk," Harry said.
"You'll figure it out."
"Or I will, one or the other," Jake said confidently. He had found it strange, though, that they couldn't find Nicholas Flamel in any books that they looked through.
*******
The following morning, just before Hermione left to board the train, she was talking with Jake in the Great Hall, "You will pick up the slack on searching for Flamel, won't you? I know they've honestly already probably forgotten about Nicholas Flamel."
"Of course, Hermione, you can count on me," he smiled at her.
She, in kind, embraced him, "I know I can count on you," she pulled back and stood up, "have a Happy Christmas, Jake."
"You have a Merry Christmas as well, Hermione," he said and walked her to the entrance to the Castle, watching her head out of the building and down to the train. He turned and went back to finish his breakfast before going back to the Library to do some more reading.
While he was reading through a book he was sure would've had Flamel's name in it, he began to wonder what he should get Hermione for Christmas. Would she want him to? Would she expect him to? He didn't know, but he would all the same. He just had to think of the present.
Maybe a Muggle book? Would Hermione still even be interested in those knowing that she's a Witch? The book lay forgotten as he racked his brain, trying to think of what to get her when it suddenly occurred to him, he had a book for her already. He was sure she'd never read it as it was an American Author that wrote it.
The Outsiders .
His favorite book. Some time back in April, when Dumbledore had made a quick stop to see how he was settling in, he had asked the old Headmaster if he could be taken back to America to get his book that he missed. It wasn't easy, but he had eventually found his original book still in the house. Since a Murder and unknown cause of death had occurred there, the house was left untouched. It was hard to go back in there, but he forged ahead, determined to get at least something that he enjoyed.
He'd already read through it twice since bringing it with him, and he figured Hermione would like a read through it as well, even if she didn't understand a lot of things the book went into, because Jake was certain that America's 60's was different from Britain's 60's, but he couldn't know for sure.
He returned the book he had gotten and went back to his room to go ahead and wrap up the book as well as write a letter to go along with it, explaining why he had gotten it for her. He'd go up to the Owlery later, for now, he went back down to the Common Room and had somehow missed Harry and Ron sitting in there, playing Wizard's Chess, "What are you two doing?" He asked curiously.
"Ron's teaching me how to play Wizard's Chess," Harry said, making a move that his pieces chastised him for.
"How is that going?" Jake asked rhetorically.
"Not well for him," Ron said with a grin on his face, "You wanna try after?"
"No thanks, I don't want to be better than you at it," Jake said smugly.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Ron asked, looking up from the board.
"Nothing, so how long have you two been playing?" He asked them.
"Since we woke up about an hour ago," Harry said in a way that made it seem like he had been keeping track of how long he's been suffering humiliating defeats to Ron.
"Sounds rough... well, I'm gonna go back to the Library and have some more reads into trying to find Nicholas Flamel. Catch you two later," he gave a two finger salute and walked out of the Common Room.
*******
It was Christmas Morning and Jake had woken up before Harry or Ron. His present to Hermione had been sent off and Chloe stood beside him on the chair arm, looking at him inquisitively before looking down at the present he had on his lap. He only had one present under the tree, and that present was from Hermione. He'd honestly been kind of afraid to open the present. He looked up at Chloe and she looked him dead in the eye. He stared back, refusing to back down now that they had initiated the eye-contact. It wasn't long before she broke and flew up to his shoulder, "I'm honestly a little afraid to open this, Chloe... what if it's embarrassing for whatever reason?"
All she did was 'caw' at him. He didn't really expect an answer that was in actual words, but she didn't look amused. He sighed and unwrapped the gift, deciding to get it over with. What he saw was a bit of a surprise; Hermione had gotten him a Wizarding book, the Greatest Wizards in History . He smiled and realized how excited he was to go ahead and get started reading the book. He was about to open it and get started when Harry and Ron came downstairs. Harry sat down, looking neutral about Christmas morning. "What's that you got there?" Harry had asked him, rubbing the sleep from his eyes.
"A book that Hermione sent me," he showed Harry the cover, "I wasn't expecting anything, honestly..."
"I'm not expecting anything either, and I doubt I got-" Harry was cut off by Ron.
"Stop you right there, mate, you got something from Mum," Harry tossed him a present that was a bit lumpy. He quickly opened it and looked curious about it being a sweater. "She made you a Weasley Jumper."
"A what?" Jake asked.
"Every year, Mum makes us Jumpers for Christmas. Maybe next year she will make you one, Jake?" Ron said, smirking a little bit.
Jake thought for a moment how nice that would actually be, "Maybe she will..." he leaned back in the chair when Ron pulled out another present for Harry.
When Harry opened it, it was a cloak and a letter inside the box as well. Harry read the note quickly and then tried the cloak on, but it wasn't an ordinary cloak, "I know what that is!" Ron said loudly, "That's an Invisibility Cloak!" Harry tried it on, "Did it say who it was from?"
"No, no name..." Harry said quietly. He then seemed to have gotten an idea, "I think I know how to get into the Restricted Section..." he smiled and Jake smiled back at him, thinking the same as Harry.
That night, when everyone had gone to bed, Jake was still awake in the Common Room, writing up a thank you letter to Hermione that he'd meant to write earlier in the day. Just as he finished it, he heard someone behind him. He turned and saw Harry, "Harry? You going to the Library now?"
"Yeah, you wanna tag along?" He offered to him.
"Yeah, I may be able to find what we are looking for more easily than you, no offense," Jake said to him.
"None taken, I know you and Hermione are much better at this than Ron or I," he said, walking to the Portrait hole. Jake walked up to him and was actually a little giddy to put the cloak on.
They walked through the Portrait and they heard the Fat Lady ask, "Who's there?" But being smart about this, they said nothing.
They hurried to the Library, Harry having brought a lamp for them to see more easily once they got there. When they arrived, they marched to the Restricted Section, but none of the books gave any indication on which ones to look in. Jake continued to scan the books after they took off the cloak, while Harry grabbed a random book and sat down at a table to read it. Jake heard from his left some screaming and looked to see a face coming out of the book Harry had. He ran over and helped him close it up.
They suddenly heard a noise and Harry quickly grabbed the cloak, knocking over the lantern he had brought. Jake would've made a remark had the need to be quiet not been so great. They ran from the Library and came across Snape, having just been informed by Filch that students are out of bed. They ran to try and find them, but that would be hard as they are invisible.
The two boys continued on, not paying attention to where they were going and came across a large room with a Mirror standing in the Center towards the Back. They got closer and saw the Mirror in more detail; it was tall, almost reaching the ceiling and it's frame was an ornate gold. There was an inscription carved around the top of it.
" Erised stra ehru oyt ube cafru oyt on wohsi ? What?" Jake asked aloud to no one specific.
Harry didn't act like he had heard him, he was standing in front of the Mirror, looking mesmerized. Jake looked in beside him but didn't see anything out of the Ordinary, "Jake... I have to go get Ron! He needs to see this!" Harry said and grabbed his cloak, running out of the room.
Jake was confused, to say the least. He migrated to stand where Harry stood and for a moment, he saw nothing. What happened next shook him to his core. He saw his Mother appear behind him. He felt tears forming in his eyes and his vision blurred. He quickly wiped away his tears and looked back in the Mirror, a smile plastered on his face. She wrapped her arms around him in a hug, which he could swear he felt actually around him.
He reached up to place his hand on her arms, but only felt his shirt underneath his palm. He felt his entire reality shatter into a million pieces. He looked down just to be sure, and his Mother's arms were definitely not there. He clenched his fist, scrunching up his shirt as he did and was unable to hold back more tears, but not of elation, these were of heartbreak.
He looked back up and saw the loving look in his mothers eyes. He looked back up at the inscription and looked at the first word, " Erised ... Desire?" He carefully looked over the whole inscription and found out what it really meant. All he had to do was read it in reverse order, like looking in a Mirror, "I show... not your face... but your heart's desire?" He immediately understood what it meant.
His heart's greatest desire was to see his mother just one more time.