Before leaving Hagrid's hut, Hermione asked for the password to the Headmaster's office.
Hagrid specifically begged them not to mention the dragon egg to Dumbledore, and Harry readily agreed.
"Cockroach cluster," Hermione announced clearly in front of the hideous stone gargoyle. The hidden passage slowly creaked open.
Entering the Headmaster's office for the second time, Adrian no longer felt the initial panic that had gripped him before. After all, he now knew Occlumency, even if his skill level wasn't particularly high, it should work for basic protection. Besides, they were four people together, so Dumbledore's attention couldn't focus entirely on him.
"Professor Dumbledore isn't here?" Harry said disappointedly as the group of four stepped into the circular office. Everything was neatly arranged, but the room stood empty.
Adrian felt puzzled as well. Based on his calculations, Dumbledore should have just finished listening to Snape's report. Had they immediately gone to confront Quirrell upon receiving the news?
After mentally offering a moment of sympathy for Quirrell's situation, Adrian noticed something different about the office since his last visit.
A massive mirror now dominated one wall, reaching nearly to the ceiling. Fancy golden patterns decorated its frame, with an inscription visible along the top, supported by two claw-shaped feet at the base. Everything about it seemed extraordinary.
The mirror was positioned so prominently that Adrian wasn't the only one to notice it. Harry stood transfixed before the glass, staring with such intensity that he seemed completely lost to the world around him.
"Harry, what are you looking at?" Ron asked, walking over and patting his friend's shoulder.
"Can't you see them? There are two people in the mirror besides me. I think... I think they might be my parents," Harry whispered, slowly stepping closer. In his eyes, the woman in the mirror extended her arms toward him. Harry reached out as well, but his fingers met only smooth, cold glass.
"Really? I don't see any parents," Ron said curiously, leaning in to get a better look at what had captivated Harry. Instead, he saw an entirely different scene.
"I see myself as Head Boy, it's brilliant!" Ron described his mirror-image wearing prefect badges and looking incredibly distinguished. He told Harry excitedly that perhaps this mirror could predict the future, showing them their destined selves.
Hermione watched Harry and Ron's fascinated behavior with growing concern. She carefully avoided looking directly into the mirror while warning them, "I don't like this thing. You should both stay away from it, it might be some dangerous dark magical artifact!"
"Come off it, Hermione. This is in Dumbledore's office..." Ron said dismissively, but when he turned to see Harry still staring with unwavering focus, he felt a flicker of unease.
"Mirror of Erised," Adrian murmured softly, studying the fancy frame.
It seemed his earlier suspicions were correct. Dumbledore, that crafty old manipulator, hadn't planned to move the mirror and the Philosopher's Stone to their proper location until he was certain Harry could pass the Mirror's test.
"Mirror of Erised? Is that its name? Do you know what it does?" Harry asked urgently, finally tearing his gaze away from his parents' reflection.
"I read about it in a book," Adrian nodded, though he certainly couldn't mention the book was titled Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone.
"What's its purpose? Why can I see my parents?" Harry pressed eagerly.
"Does it predict the future? I'm definitely going to be Head Boy someday, right?" Ron looked at Adrian hopefully.
Harry doubted Ron's theory, his parents were dead, after all. If this mirror showed the future, wouldn't that mean they'd somehow return to life?
"The Mirror of Erised reveals the deepest, most sincere desires of whoever looks into it. You see what you want most in the world," Adrian explained, shaking his head at Ron's guess.
Harry and Ron felt slightly disappointed, realizing what they'd seen was merely wishful thinking rather than prophecy. However, they quickly recovered their enthusiasm.
Both boys urged Adrian and Hermione to look into the mirror and discover their own deepest desires.
Adrian hesitated, but Hermione stepped forward first. Having learned about the mirror's function, she was curious to see what would appear for her.
"Hermione, what do you see?" Adrian asked.
"It seems... this is just an ordinary mirror?" Hermione said confusedly, studying her reflection. "It looks exactly like I usually do."
Just when Harry and the others wondered if the mirror had broken, Hermione spoke again.
"Wait, there is something different."
Adrian looked over curiously and noticed Hermione's cheeks flushing with happiness.
"My front teeth are slightly shorter in the mirror... I think they look rather better."
"That's what you want most?" Harry and Ron were speechless. They'd have been more understanding if she'd seen mountains of chocolate or stacks of books.
Hermione disagreed with their assessment. She was perfectly satisfied with what she'd seen, this was genuinely what she wanted right now, and she wouldn't trade it even for the Philosopher's Stone.
"Actually, I think you look lovely just as you are," Adrian said with gentle sincerity. He hadn't expected Hermione's greatest desire would be slightly shorter front teeth, which were actually rather endearing.
"Really?" Hermione's face brightened with joy, her already pink cheeks deepening to rose.
Harry and Ron sensed an awkward shift in the atmosphere, as if they'd suddenly become unnecessary to the conversation.
"Adrian, your turn!" Harry said quickly.
"Yes, we're all curious what you'll see," Ron added.
Adrian nodded, intrigued, and walked to where Harry had been standing. He gazed into the mirror's depths.
Adrian had expected to see himself defeating Dumbledore and Voldemort in some glorious future battle, but the reality was entirely different.
The mirror showed a simple, ordinary living room with a family of three. Standing in the center was a young man barely twenty years old, who looked nothing like Adrian's current appearance.
The young man had a healthy, vibrant complexion and held a gleaming university acceptance letter in his hands. His parents gathered around him happily, clearly saying something celebratory. Adrian couldn't hear their words, but their joy was unmistakable.
This was a scene Adrian had never experienced. He'd always believed that before his transmigration, his previous life had contained only sterile hospital wards, his parents' worried faces, and the sharp smell of disinfectant.
"Adrian, what do you see?" Harry noticed Adrian's eyes seemed suspiciously moist and gave him a gentle pat.
Adrian snapped back to reality, discretely wiping his eyes before responding cheerfully, "I saw myself after years of hard work, finally becoming Minister of Magic after graduation. Rather moving, actually."