Chapter 148: Entrapment by Design
Russell cast one last glance at the Mirror of Erised, now concealed beneath its gray cloth. Without hesitation, he turned and walked back the way he had come, vanishing through the flames.
Moments later, from the shadowed corner of the room, a white-bearded old man in pale blue nightclothes stepped quietly into view.
Why had Russell left so decisively?
Was it sheer willpower—or simple contentment with his current life?
Albus Dumbledore stood before the Mirror of Erised, deep in thought.
He had intended to leave as well.
But in the end… he couldn't resist.
With a subtle flick of his hand, the gray cloth floated aside and drifted to the floor.
Slowly—almost reluctantly—he stepped forward until he was nearly pressed against the glass.
In the mirror stood a smiling young girl, gazing at him with unguarded affection.
"Ariana…" he whispered, the name barely audible.
The wise, piercing blue eyes that usually shone with clarity were now clouded with sorrow.
He lifted a trembling hand, as though he might reach through the mirror and touch her.
But his fingers met only cold glass.
"So… I cannot even compare to a child," he murmured with a faint, self-mocking smile.
After a long silence, Dumbledore resolved to relocate the mirror. If Russell were to return and succumb to temptation, things could become troublesome.
Turning away, he prepared to inspect the protective obstacles for damage—
Only to find Russell standing behind him, smiling faintly.
"Good evening, Headmaster," Russell said smoothly, striking first. "What brings you here so late at night?"
He had never truly left.
Russell had suspected that the ever-curious old "bee" would notice the wards being disturbed. Sure enough, he had glimpsed Dumbledore's silhouette through the flames.
Snape's potion certainly lasted longer than expected.
While Dumbledore had been lost in the mirror's reflection, Russell had quietly approached from behind.
Ordinarily, Dumbledore would have sensed him instantly.
But tonight, his mind had been wholly consumed.
"Russell," Dumbledore replied lightly, composure restored, "I may have to deduct points from Ravenclaw. I did mention at the start of term that this area is off-limits."
"Did you?" Russell shrugged casually. "Perhaps I missed that part."
He leaned slightly around Dumbledore to glance again at the mirror.
"It is quite fascinating, though, isn't it?"
"Indeed," Dumbledore smiled, the crescent lenses of his spectacles glinting faintly. "The work of an old friend."
Dumbledore regarded Russell thoughtfully and asked in a probing tone,
"Russell, I am rather curious—what did you see in the mirror?"
"Me?" Russell's lips curved into an exaggerated grin. "I saw Voldemort kneeling at my feet. Grindelwald bowing before me. My followers replacing the leaders of every Muggle nation. And I—becoming the true ruler of the world."
For a split second, Dumbledore nearly reached for the Elder Wand to subdue him on the spot.
Then he noticed the faint glint of mischief in Russell's eyes.
Ah.
A joke.
He let out a quiet breath of relief.
"Please don't make jokes like that again," he said mildly. "My heart is not as young as it once was."
Russell chuckled, then gave the honest answer.
"I just saw my family. That's all."
He shrugged lightly. "Though their faces were already blurred. I suppose that's what every orphan sees in that mirror."
"You have a new family now, do you not?" Dumbledore said gently, placing a hand on his shoulder.
"Mm," Russell replied noncommittally, then tilted his head upward. "Since we're being fair—Professor, what did you see?"
"A pair of thick woolen socks," Dumbledore answered playfully. "You know how it is—one can never have too many socks."
"Family," Russell said thoughtfully. Then he asked casually, "Professor, do you still keep in touch with your brother?"
For the first time that evening, Dumbledore's expression sharpened.
"And how," he asked carefully, "did you come to know of that?"
Several possibilities flashed through his mind—one darker than the rest. Had Russell somehow aligned himself with Voldemort?
"You've forgotten?" Russell blinked. "Last term, when I used a small trick to defeat Professor Colvey, I got lost afterward and accidentally wandered into the Hog's Head."
He paused, then brightened. "Ah—I don't think I mentioned that part before. Let me explain."
He went on to describe how Aberforth had treated him to a meal and even given him a new set of clothes.
"I see," Dumbledore said quietly. The darker suspicions faded, though not entirely. He made a mental note to speak with Aberforth when the opportunity arose.
"Of course we're in contact," Dumbledore added smoothly. "We shared a drink last Christmas."
In truth, he had forced himself into the Hog's Head and sat there in silence until long past midnight.
"Really?" Russell smiled. "Because he seemed rather displeased with you."
"That is not the case," Dumbledore replied evenly.
Russell did not press further. Whether Dumbledore went there for Aberforth—or for Ariana—was a distinction difficult to prove.
"When I went in," Russell continued casually, "he was looking at a portrait of a young girl hanging on the wall. Was she his former lover?"
"No—no, that is…" Dumbledore stopped himself abruptly. His tone shifted, growing firm.
"That is not a matter for a student to concern himself with. It is late, Russell. You should return to your dormitory. And I suggest you refrain from coming here again."
"No problem, Professor," Russell replied easily. He didn't particularly care about returning—Dumbledore's warning would serve nicely as an excuse for Quirrell later.
"Though, before I go, could I trouble you for a small favor?"
Dumbledore raised an eyebrow.
"I'm worried the potion may wear off before I make it back," Russell said innocently. "Would you mind escorting me through Professor Snape's obstacle?"
"That can be arranged," Dumbledore agreed.
But when he stepped into the chamber and saw the once neatly arranged potion bottles now completely gone, he paused.
"Russell," he said slowly, "have you taken all of Severus's carefully prepared potions?"
"Professor," Russell replied with perfect composure, "if left here, they would eventually expire. I simply prevented waste. Besides, brewing these is effortless for Professor Snape, isn't it? You can ask him to prepare a few more."
Dumbledore studied him for a long moment.
"…Very well."
He chose, for now, to overlook the matter.
"Go along now," he said gently. "Get some rest."