Julian deliberately didn't look into the mirror itself. Instead, he focused on the ornate metallic frame, where letters had been carved in English.
"Erised stra ehru oyt ube cafru oyt on wohsi," Julian read aloud.
Then he scoffed and reversed it, correcting the phrase as easily as breathing.
"I show not your face but your heart's desire. The Mirror of Erised. A cruel and powerful artifact that has driven many into madness," Julian said, his voice turning chillingly cold.
Harry could tell something was wrong immediately. Julian didn't seem angry at the mirror itself.
He looked furious at something in the corner.
He stared into that empty spot like he could see someone standing there.
...
"DIFFINDO!"
Julian fired the cutting charm straight at Dumbledore.
The old man dropped his disillusionment charm and stepped aside calmly, letting the spell slice harmlessly through open air. He'd clearly decided the spell wasn't worth meeting with force, and he didn't want to escalate Julian's anger further.
"Try to remain coolheaded, young man," Dumbledore said evenly, despite the wand still aimed at him.
Harry looked stunned, confused, and more than a little shaken. Dumbledore was here. Julian had attacked him, and Harry had no idea why.
...
"You brought this cursed thing into a school full of children," Julian said, voice flat and lethal, "and then had the nerve to purposely lead one of them to it. Why don't you tell Harry what effects this mirror has had on people?"
Harry's eyes flicked between them, overwhelmed. "What is he talking about, Professor? What is happening right now?"
In Harry's head, the thought came automatically, desperate and hopeful.
He's the greatest wizard in the world. He has to have a good reason, right?
But Dumbledore didn't meet Harry's gaze.
Guilt sat openly on his face.
...
"You won't do it?" Julian said with a harsh scoff. "Fine. I'll tell him myself, and you can correct me if I'm wrong."
He didn't wait for permission.
"According to the story, a nobleman with great wealth commissioned an artifact from a fae to protect his riches from thieves. The nobleman never intended to pay. He planned to trick the fae into giving him the artifact for free."
Julian paused, eyes hard.
"They failed to account for the fact that the fae saw through their treachery."
...
"The fae were spiteful creatures, so they made a mirror that could serve as a secure vault for any treasure," Julian continued, voice steady. "But it came with a cruel trick. The mirror showed the object of one's most heartfelt wish, but only those who would not use the treasure within could take it out."
"The nobleman proudly stored his entire fortune inside the mirror, then mocked the fae for being fooled. The fae only laughed and vanished into the wind."
Julian paused again, letting the weight sink in.
"It was only when the nobleman tried to remove some of his fortune that he realized what they had done."
...
"He could see everything," Julian said quietly, "but he couldn't touch a single coin."
"And without the money, he couldn't hire anyone to fix the fae's trickery. Without the fortune, he couldn't buy food or water to survive."
"But instead of understanding what was happening, he wasted away in front of the mirror until he died, because the object of his heart's desire was always in sight, and he couldn't tear himself away long enough to save his own life."
"That same mirror went on to claim countless more victims before it was finally sealed away for the safety of the world."
...
Harry looked at the mirror again, and this time there was horror on his face.
Now he understood why Julian's anger had been so sharp.
"The good professor here didn't just bring that thing into a school full of children," Julian said coldly. "He lured one of them to it. You, Harry."
Julian's gaze pinned Dumbledore like a blade.
"Or will you deny it? Will you claim Harry's illogical, out-of-character actions, and your presence here tonight, are just coincidence, Professor?"
...
"You don't understand..." Dumbledore began.
"No," Julian cut him off immediately. "I understand perfectly. You're trying to make him into the hero the world thinks he is."
Julian's eyes narrowed further.
"But I refuse."
"Heroes always die pointless deaths. And I won't let him walk that path because of anyone's manipulation. Not yours. Not anyone's."
"If he ever takes that road, it'll be because he chose it himself. Understood?"
His magic flared, and a thread of spirit lit his eyes, making the air around him feel heavier.
For the first time, Dumbledore looked slightly shaken.
Then he sighed, defeated, and nodded.
"Understood."
Without another word, Dumbledore left, head lowered in shame.