The mirror

Christmas was coming. Everyone except Ashlnn was very excited. Ashlynn didn't understand them. What was so special about Christmas? It's just more socks to wash and more dishes to clean.

Ashlynn watched the Weasley twins trying to get professor Quirell''s turban off. It was quite interesting. She had wondered the same. What was under that turban? Does professor Quirell even have hair?

Her classes were cold. But she didn't mind. She liked the cold air. It was refreshing. However others seemed to hate the cold. In potions, their coldest class, kids would huddle around the cauldron. Some of them even got themselves burnt in the process.

As Christmas got nearer and nearer, Ashlynn realized that she was excited. Every Slytherins would leave for the holiday and she would get the whole dorm for herself.

Her excitement however, was ruined when she found out that her two last favorite Gryffindors were staying at Hogwarts. Harry Potter and Ronald Weasley.

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After potions, Ashlynn was taking a walk. TThe cold air was refreshing and the smell of the cool air lifted her mood. Her smile faded when she saw her brother, Ron and Draco. They were talking. Ashlynn wasn't so far away and she heard Draco's words.

"-I suppose-that hut of Hagrid's must seem like a palace compared to what your family's used to."

Ashlynn was about to leave when she felt rage. She was angry…. But why? She didn't care about the Weasleys… Right? She turned away from the scene and walked towards the library.

Ashlynn loved the library. It was filled with books. Even Though some people called her book warm and other"nice" comments, she didn't care. She just wanted to read. Learn of this magical world.

She sat down and opened a book. She was reading for about a few minutes until she heard three very noisy Gryffindors. Annoyed, she left. But she thought she heard something about Nicholas Felmal.

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Holidays began. The Slytherin dorms were empty. Everyone had gone home to their loving families. Ashlynn spent her time in the common room. She didn't usually spend her time here. She didn't like being around people. She would spend her days in her room or the library. However, since the common room was empty, she had no reason to avoid it.

She sat near the fireplace on a huge sofa. She read books about advanced potions and spells. When She was hungry, she would go to the great hall and quietly mumble on a piece of bread. She ignored Harry and Ron completely.

A few days later on Christmas Eve, Ashlynn was in the library. It was midnight and the library was empty. Ashlynn stood from her spot. She had fallen asleep in the restricted section. A pile of books lay next to her. Those probably had hid her from Madam Pince. She smirked.

'But now, she should get to dor- '

Suddenly, Ashlynn saw a room. SHe had never seen this before. It was far in the corner of the restricted section.

'What is this? '

Curiosity got over her and she went in. It looked like a classroom. But there was a big mirror in the center of the room. Strange carvings were on it. She looked at the mirror and gasped. She saw herself in the reflection. But someone was with her. She saw her parents. Her brother. The Weasleys. Her Aunt and Uncle.

She saw herself smiling. Laughing. Filled with joy and happiness, surrounded by her family and friends.

A tear suddenly rolled down. She made a bitter smile.

'It was fake. The mirror is a lie. '

Ashlynn knew that this was just an illusion. However it somehow warmed her heart. As if a missing part of her had suddenly returned. She felt warm. But at the same time, she felt cold.

These hopes… She had dreamed of this life when she was younger. Her parents and her friends… Her aunt and uncle, along with Dudley. She had always wanted love… But dreams aren't real… She had realized that fast enough. She had stopped trying to be loved, trying to fit in.

She stared at the mirror for hours. She was startled to see the sunlight creeping from the window. She even noticed her eyes red and her hands shaking. She looked at the mirror once more and with a sigh, she left.

Ashlynn quietly went to her room and went to sleep. SHe was tired from staying up all night. She had a bad feeling about the mirror. She wasn't going back any time soon.