The Mirror of Erised

           Christmaswascoming. Onemorninginmid-December,Hogwartswoketofinditselfcoveredinseveralfeetofsnow. ThelakefrozesolidandtheWeasleytwinswerepunishedforbewitchingseveralsnowballssothattheyfollowedQuirrellaround,bouncingoffthebackofhisturban. ThefewowlsthatmanagedtobattletheirwaythroughthestormyskytodelivermailhadtobenursedbacktohealthbyHagridbeforetheycouldflyoffagain. 

           Noonecouldwaitfortheholidaystostart. WhiletheGryffindorcommonroomandtheGreatHallhadroaringfires,thedraftycorridorshadbecomeicyandabitterwindrattledthewindowsintheclassrooms. WorstofallwereProfessorSnape’sclassesdowninthedungeons,wheretheirbreathroseinamistbeforethemandtheykeptascloseaspossibletotheirhotcauldrons. 

           "Idofeelsosorry,"saidDracoMalfoy,onePotionsclass,"forallthosepeoplewhohavetostayatHogwartsforChristmasbecausethey’renotwantedathome." 

           HewaslookingoveratHarryashespoke. CrabbeandGoylechuckled. Harry,whowasmeasuringoutpowderedspineoflionfish,ignoredthem. MalfoyhadbeenevenmoreunpleasantthanusualsincetheQuidditchmatch. DisgustedthattheSlytherinshadlost,hehadtriedtogeteveryonelaughingathowawide-mouthedtreefrogwouldbereplacingHarryasSeekernext. Thenhe’drealizedthatnobodyfoundthisfunny,becausetheywereallsoimpressedatthewayHarryhadmanagedtostayonhisbuckingbroomstick. SoMalfoy,jealousandangry,hadgonebacktotauntingHarryabouthavingnoproperfamily. 

           ItwastruethatHarrywasn’tgoingbacktoPrivetDriveforChristmas.