Struggling to survive at Hogwarts

When Thea entered the room, she found that the office was empty. However, Thea did not let her guard down. Instead, she began to observe the room. After removing the decorations, a huge photo wall in the office evoked some unpleasant memories for Thea.

With a quick glance, Thea noticed the bookshelf next to her desk, on which sat several books with dark, dull covers.

Thea couldn't help but scoff inwardly, then continued to look around.

A large, bright red bird caught Thea's attention.

The large, fiery red bird perched on the wooden shelf on the table, and only opened its golden eyes when it noticed Thea watching it.

It has a very gorgeous appearance, with bright red feathers, a golden beak and claws, and is similar in size to a swan. Its long tail feathers are golden, making it look very beautiful.

Thea couldn't help but admire the beautiful bird and recognized its identity.

Fawkes, the legendary phoenix and Dumbledore's pet.

As she admired the phoenix, Fox also turned her gaze to him.

It was as if they were observing him, without hostility, but with curiosity.

Before Thea could admire it for long, green flames suddenly burst into the office fireplace, and then Dumbledore came out.

Upon seeing Thea, Dumbledore said somewhat apologetically, "I'm sorry, Thea, something came up at the Ministry of Magic, and I misjudged the time. Oh, by the way, would you like some honey tea?"

Thea silently pondered Dumbledore's probing, but outwardly wore an expression of flattery and respectfully indicated that she had just arrived as well.

As she expected, Dumbledore didn't say anything more, but continued to gaze at her gently with his blue eyes hidden behind his half-moon spectacles.

Thea concluded that his affection was so great that he treated her like his own grandchild.

Thea had no choice but to change the subject to Halloween. She honestly told everyone what she had done that day and explained that she went to see Hermione because she was worried about her.

Anyway, Mrs. Pince can attest that she and Hermione have a good relationship.

After Thea finished speaking, Dumbledore nodded noncommittally, as if he agreed with Thea's statement.

Then, Dumbledore invited Thea to see something interesting, and Thea... naturally had no choice but to agree.

The two then walked into a dusty, abandoned classroom.

Many tables and chairs were piled up against the wall, forming a large, dark mass, and there was also an overturned wastepaper basket.

On the wall directly opposite the door, there was something that didn't seem to belong there, as if someone had temporarily placed it there because they had nowhere else to put it.

This is a very impressive mirror, reaching all the way to the ceiling, with a gorgeous gold frame, and supported by two claw-shaped feet at the bottom.

The top is inscribed with the words: Erisstra Ehru Ait Ubika Fru Ait Onwochs.

Sure enough, it was the Mirror of Erised!

Although Thea knew what it was, she still wanted to ask Dumbledore. Before she could ask, Dumbledore playfully made a shushing gesture at her.

The next second, the door was pushed open by a small figure. The person seemed to be attracted by the mirror as well, sitting blankly in front of it, with their hands moving in front of them as if touching something.

That was Harry, a pathetic savior, Harry Potter, who was indulging in falsehood!

Thea looked at that thin figure. Perhaps because he hadn't received good care when he was young, even though he had been fed a rich diet at Hogwarts for a semester, he was still thin and small.

She thought: If it weren't for Voldemort, Harry wouldn't be the savior, his parents wouldn't have died, and he wouldn't be so malnourished.

He will have a harmonious family, and perhaps even siblings. He will become a fierce lion, just like his father.

Instead of being like an abandoned little animal, maintaining a cautious attitude towards everything in the wizarding world.

But sadly, there are no "what ifs" in life.

After an unknown amount of time, Harry finally stood up from the ground and tiptoed out of the room, looking back every few steps.

The mirror seemed to possess some kind of magic; Thea, without even asking Dumbledore, walked up to it as if bewitched.

At first, Thea saw herself in the mirror with a gentle smile. Then, Thea felt something see her clearly from the inside out, both in body and soul.

It felt as if someone had discovered the deepest secret buried in my heart, and something was about to be revealed.

Then the mirror produced ripples like water.

Thea saw her past life reflected in the mirror: It was a winter night, and traffic was like a dragon flowing between the towering buildings. The girl had just finished a part-time job that ended after 10 p.m. She was wearing clothes that cost no more than 100 yuan from a street stall, but she was carrying a cake worth more than 500 yuan. Her exposed fingers were frozen red by the biting wind, but her eyes were full of anticipation.

The next second, the girl stood at the door, looking indifferently at the happy family of three inside. The little child wearing a birthday hat had a face full of the innocence and joy of being spoiled, completely different from the girl at the door.

The scene shifts to the next one: the girl's clothes have been changed to a custom spring/summer design from a luxury brand; she seems to have succeeded, and indeed she has.

The girl was walking and talking on the phone when she heard a childish cry for help coming from the lake next to her.

The girl froze for a second, her gaze fixed on the child's red ribbon in the lake. Without hesitation, she plunged into the lake…

Then, the sirens of the ambulance, the cries of the middle-aged couple, and their sounds of relief formed the girl's last memories of that world…

"...Thea? Thea! Are you alright?" The old man's gentle voice successfully brought Thea back to her senses.

Thea mechanically took the handkerchief from the old man, wiped it hard on her eyes, and the tears left on the handkerchief made Thea realize that she had cried.

Seeing that Thea's face looked really bad, Dumbledore took out a tranquilizer from his pocket and handed it to Thea, but Thea did not take it. She only said goodbye in a hurry and left the classroom.

Dumbledore was left alone in the classroom. Watching Thea leave in a daze, Dumbledore had some vague guesses in his mind.

Thea returned to her dormitory without any trouble. She sat at her desk, full of doubts. Wasn't the reflection in the Mirror of Erised the desire in her heart?

Why is it that what I'm seeing is actually the scene of my death in my past life?

Could it be... that my desire is... death?