Mirror Madness

There was only a couple days until summer break now and Oz decided it was time to convene the gang at the usual place. He only had the task of handing off the mirrors separately and then he was done. He could just give the mirrors and disappear however he felt like he owed it to this group to at least let them know he was leaving.

As the group arrived in the library they took their normal seats and all sat down quietly. For Oz to call a 'meeting' was extremely rare considering this meeting seemed to be in regards to something important rather than just a normal study session. As they all sat down Oz smiled towards them all and started to talk.

"This group has grown a lot hasn't it Cho? Back in our first year it was just me you and... Craig. Now however there's so many of us we can barely fit on the table".

Cho chuckled as she reminisced back to her first year when the group was just the trio of Craig, Oz and her. A melancholic look seemed to fill her eyes as she recalled. Everyone on the table matched Cho as they looked back on when they joined this group and all the times they had together. Hermione seemed to clock the direction of the talk already as she looked up to Oz.

"Where are you leading this conversation Oz?".

Oz laughed as he leaned towards the Gryffindor girl.

"I guess nothing can get passed you can it. Don't worry this wont be a long talk however I felt it necessary to let you all know".

Everyone leaned in closer as they all stared at Oz intently.

"Next year I plan on taking a leave of absence from the school. I'll be travelling the world for an entire year and I'll return in my fifth year. So... that means you won't be seeing much of me for a while"

The table filled with shocked faces as they looked towards Oz. They knew Oz was someone who was unpredictable, however they never thought that he would do something like this. Cho who had lost Craig earlier in the year seemed to be slightly panicked as she realised Oz was now going away.

"B-But why Oz?! Why do you need to leave the school for so long?!".

The emotions at the table seemed to rile up a bit. Oz hadn't realised it himself however it seemed as though the majority here had become reliant on him. Cho sought him for emotional support as he was her first friend along with Craig. Rose saw him as her hero who saved her twice. Luna saw him as her protector and benefactor. Hermione saw him as her teacher and finally Harry saw him as his dependant senior. The only person who seemed to understand the situation was Daphne who closed her eyes in acceptance at this result.

"This is something I need to do for myself... Something that needs to be done in order for my mind to be settled. There's no need to feel sad though as I will return the year after... the board of governors were dead-set on that".

Hermione slapped her hands on the table as she looked over to Oz.

"How did you even get an entire year off?! Such a thing should be impossible for any student!".

"Well I asked Dumbledore to allow it at first and the only way was to do my OWLs early... So thats exactly what I did".

Everyone was stunned again at Oz's unpredictability. They knew that OWLs were test that you took in your fifth year. Oz stating so simply that he took them early as a means to get a year off was a shock. This shock was especially apparent in the bookworms of the group that being Hermione, Cho and Luna who all understood the gravity of such a thing. Luna felt her curiosity best her as she felt the need to ask:

"D-Do you know what grades you got?".

Everyone knew Oz's knowledge was abundant. Whenever they asked him a question he always had an answer. Even Hermione who would ask some questions that weren't even on the school curriculum would find an answer all the time whenever she asked Oz questions. Even knowing all this though, they felt there should be a limit to it. Sadly for them, they didnt know the extent of Oz's lust of knowledge.

"I got perfect (O)'s across the board... That was a requirement in order to take this leave after all. If I scored any grade below an (E) I would have to stay".

The three brainboxes fell back in their seats in a daze. Getting perfect grades in your OWLs in your third year was something even they couldn't fathom. As Oz looked around the table he noted that the tone was still very sombre. He sighed as he stood up.

"Listen. As much as I'd love to stay with you all in this school there's too much for me to seek out in the world. I'll try my best to keep you all posted about what I'm doing however such things could be difficult while travelling. This is my decision and its final... Understand though that I will return, this isn't a goodbye forever".

Everyone at the table seemed to cheer up as they heard Oz state this wasn't 'goodbye forever'. Considering Oz's character they wouldn't be surprised if he up and left one day. If they knew about Merlin's story like Oz did then that worry would be even greater considering Merlin did just that. Everyone nodded at Oz as a smile lifted onto his face seeing their compliance.

"Well while we are here lets continue with a normal study session. Try and pluck out as much information as possible today as you wont be able to again for a year soon".

Hermione, Cho, Luna and Rose seemed to all get out their notebooks as they heard Oz says as much. He suddenly felt a headache come in as he realised that he just poked a hornets nest with that comment. Harry and Daphne chuckled realising the 'danger' Oz was in. Oz sat down with a sigh and leaned in listening to any and all questions that came his way. With that the study session continued as normal until late.

.

As the study session came to a close, Oz felt a wave of relief fly over him. The girls were unrelenting this time as they threw tons of questions his way. He answered them all in kind however talking so much had made his throat go dry. As they all started to pack up Oz signalled Rose over to him.

"Rose. If you could meet with me privately after we pack up here that'd be great. There's something I need to tell you and give you".

Rose blinked a couple times in surprise before nodding and continuing to pack up. As everything was packed everyone began to split off from the library. Harry and Daphne called out to Oz to join them in heading back to the Slytherin dorms however Oz refused stating he had something to do first. As everyone left Oz turned a corner and waited for Rose to meet him. After some time Rose appeared before him.

With Rose in front of him he noted her features, something he never really did with anyone to this point. Her hair was a light auburn that came down to her shoulders. She had dark brown eyes and her face could be describe as 'pretty'. To Oz though she was still too young to consider as a 'partner' however it was clear that down the line the man who'd bag her would be lucky. She approached Oz with a light yet reserved smile.

"So, what did you call me her for Oz?".

"Thanks for meeting me Rose... As I said in the study session I'm going to be away next year. Whilst I'm gone I want someone to let me know what's happening in the school while I'm gone. With what happened this year I wouldn't be surprised if something happened again next year...".

Rose recalled the situation with the basilisk and nodded at Oz. Her opinion of Hogwarts had been good before she was admitted here by her orphanage. When she joined in her first year a troll broke out and then in her second she was taken into a chamber with an ancient beast. This school was certainly a place were trouble happened all the time so Oz wanting to keep an eye on the happenings was not surprising.

"I can do that for you Oz... But why make a big deal out of it like this? Surely I can just send you a letter while you're away and that be the form of contact that allows me to pass information to you?".

Oz shook his head as he looked at Rose.

"That method is too slow. If something like what happened this year happens again I wouldn't be able to act in time... instead I got something for you that will help with contacting me".

Reaching into his pouch Oz pulled out a mirror with a red gem in the top. He handed the mirror over to Rose who looked down at it in curiosity.

"This here Rose is a 'Two-Way Mirror'. Whenever I look into it I can see you and vice-versa. Every other Sunday at around 6:00pm I'll look into the mirror starting at the beginning of next years school term. If something has occurred then turn up and tell me via the mirror. If nothings happened then you don't need to turn up. This is only a means of sending me information quicker so keep this mirror safe".

Rose looked at the mirror with a deep look before nodding at Oz's explanation. She took in all the information told to her and kept it locked in her heart.

"Also... Don't tell the others about this mirror. I'd like you to be my sole informant at the school".

Rose's eyes grew wider as she heard that Oz was trusting her with this solely. She seemed all the more prepared for the task of keeping him informed as she nodded fervently. Oz looked at the girl with a smile understanding that this outcome was to be expected. A couple more words were traded before the two split off.

.

Oz arrived back in the Slytherin common room pretty late. Looking around he saw that most of the Slytherin students were fully packed up and ready to leave for the summer in a couple days. Most of them were probably looking forward to getting back to their noble houses. As Oz walked through the common room he felt a shiver down his spine as he sensed a certain ghost.

"FINALLY I'VE FOUND YOU!".

Zooming through a few students was the bloody baron. He approached Oz with a crazed gaze.

"YOU HAVE BEEN DODGING ME AT EVERY TURN, EVEN WARDING OFF YOUR ROOM SO I CAN'T SEE YOU".

Oz looked up at the desperate ghost with a sigh.

"I ward off my room every night Baron. I don't like people disturbing my sleep".

"YOU PROMISED ME YOU'D TALK TO HELENA ABOUT ME. WELL? DID YOU!?".

The baron seemed to be completely on another level as Oz couldn't get through to him. He seemed to ignore Oz and only sought out information about Helena. Oz breathed in as he embodied his inner Lockhart.

"Ah yes of course Baron of course... I told her that you gave me the information to find the diadem. She was grateful to hear you had helped her and even said that she lift the ban on you coming up to higher floors next year. As her benefactor she wanted to see you!".

The Baron shrunk back as he was overwhelmed with excitement. His booming voice calmed down as he recalled Helena.

"S-s-she wants to meet me!? S-s-she's going to lift that DAMN ban!? hahah! Finally you've come around my beloved...".

The Baron seemed to be swooning as Oz looked at the gullible ghost with a sigh. People with a few screws loose always seemed easier to sway. The barons head snapped towards Oz as he looked at him in a glare.

"If you're lying about this boy... if next year she doesn't see me and doesn't lift the ban... Then I'll haunt you all next year! Regardless of what the school tries they wont pull me away from you!".

Oz smiled at the ghost as he reassured him.

"Then I have nothing to fear... you will get what you deserve Baron".

The baron who saw Oz's confidence had his excitement shoot up again. He flew around the common room fixing his appearance and even smearing the blood on his clothes trying to get it off. Seeing how crazed the ghost was Oz laughed and walked towards the dorm rooms. The baron was sure to be upset next year and sadly for him Oz wouldn't even be here to torment.

Oz walked over to Harry's dorm room where he could hear the boy inside packing his things. Knocking a couple times on the door, Oz waited for Harry to open up. After a bit of clattering around the door eventually opened and Harry looked at Oz with a smile.

"Oz! What are you doing here at this time?".

Oz looked at the boy with a light smile.

"There's something I want to talk to you about if you don't mind... Can I come in a second?".

Harry ushered Oz in and closed the door behind him. Outside the door they could still hear the Baron going crazy zooming around. Harry's eyes grew concerned as he scratched his head.

"What's up with that ghost now? He's been angry for so long and now he's going crazy...".

"Never mind that Harry... Seems you haven't fully packed yet?".

Harry let out a light laugh as he started to sweat a bit.

"Yeah... I left it last second again. Hermione will probably get angry at me if she knew how unorganised I was".

"Are you heading back to the grangers again this year?".

Harry nodded at Oz's question.

"Yes, they invited me to stay for every summer unless something happens. It's great looking forward to a summer for once compared to before I was at this school...".

Oz put his hand on Harry's shoulder as he gave him a warm glance.

"I'm glad for you. Those creatures weren't your family".

Harry laughed as he recalled the Dursleys who had been broken apart from the child abuse situation. Even if he was related to them he had no familial love for them at all.

Oz took a moment at this point to sense out Harry's mental defences that he had built over the year with Oz. The lessons Oz had given him had been effective to a degree, allowing Harry to have an elementary defence. This defence would be enough to help the boy for now even if it was barely entry level.

"Anyway Oz... Why was it you came here again?".

"As you know Harry I'll be gone next year and I need someone in the school to give me information on what's going on whilst I'm gone... Letters are too slow so instead I got you this".

Fetching into his pouch once again Oz pulled out a mirror with a blue gem in the top. He handed the mirror to Harry.

"This here is a 'two-way mirror' Harry. With it we can talk even if we are far apart. Whilst I'm on my travels I will sometimes appear in the mirror to inquire for information about what's going on at the school. Let's say... every other Saturday at 6:00pm on the start of next years school term. From then on I'll start to appear in the mirror. If you have any important information to tell me then please appear for a chat. If not then you don't need to appear if you don't want to".

Harry absorbed all this information from Oz and nodded near the end. Looking at the small mirror in his hand he smiled. Knowing he would have contact with Oz next year even though he wasn't here was a boon to him.

"Ah and one last thing Harry... Don't let any of the others know you have this mirror. I want you to be my sole informant".

Harry nodded instantly at Oz's request as he packed away Oz's mirror he had given him. Oz smiled at the boys compliance as he bade him farewell leaving him to pack. With this now sorted, Oz was set for the summer and year ahead.

.

As Oz arrived back in his room he opened his pouch and looked at the two mirrors he had. The one with the blue gem and red gem.

'With this setup I'll be able to confirm information, have two eyes on the school and also know if one of them end up telling the others about their mirror. It's a bit... bad to do it this way however this is the most effective means of knowing my information will be valid and trustworthy along with knowing both of their 'sincerity' towards me in the long run. Rose and Harry are the two who I trust the most anyway so there should be no issues...'.

Oz put the two hand sized mirrors away in his pouch as he laid on his bed. He had finally completed all his tasks for the year. As he closed his eyes he fell into a quite yet comfortable slumber, anticipating the year to come.