Chapter 95

Standing in front of the three iron cages, Albert was in a daze. Although this was common for him, this time it was different. He was staring at the empty space in front of him. It seemed that he was in a daze; however, what was going on in his head was completely different. Albert was thinking about the mission, Gladiator, that the system had just generated for him.

After regaining his senses, Albert immediately focused his gaze on the three magical creatures. Even when coming face-to-face with these trolls, he couldn't go back yet. He had found what he was looking for. What was he looking for, you may ask? Something interesting he could give to his family as a Christmas present.

He continued on, taking a right at the intersection. As he walked through this aisle, he found something else that caught his eye. The Mirror of Erised, a grandiose artefact framed in gilded splendour, stood still within the chamber. Its glass, pristine and untouched, carried an uncanny luminescence that seemed to beckon the curious and the pained alike. The golden edges, intricately adorned with twisting patterns reminiscent of an ancient script, held an otherworldly beauty.

Upon closer inspection, Albert could discern faint etchings on the surface—cryptic inscriptions that wove themselves into the intricate design. Words in Latin graced the golden frame. Phrases like "Desiderium Cordis" and "Votum Cordis" whispered of the heart's desires and the vows therein. Even with everything near the mirror covered in dirt, the mirror remained clear and crystalline. It was a piece that seemed to defy time.

'If I remember correctly, this is the Mirror of Erised. The mirror is a portal to one's innermost desires. It should be what the person in front of it most desires. Dumbledore saw a woolly sock, and the boy-saviour saw his family. I wonder what I'll see if I look at it.'

Albert cautiously walked towards the mirror. In the mirror, Albert beheld himself adorned in the resplendent regalia of Rowena Ravenclaw's diadem. The diadem bore a central sapphire, a resplendent gem that seemed to capture the very essence of starlight. Around it, like attendants to royalty, smaller sapphires formed a celestial retinue, each gem a gleaming testament to the diadem's storied past.

Albert was shocked at what he saw. He broke his gaze away from the mirror, rubbed his eyes, and looked at the mirror again. There was no doubt. It was him. The boy in the mirror looked nearly exactly like him. The only difference was that his facial features were more pronounced. 

His eyes, a deep and thoughtful hue reminiscent of storm-laden skies, held a glint of curiosity and unexplored possibilities. Dark, tousled locks framed a countenance graced by the subtle interplay of shadow and light, casting an enigmatic aura around him. Albert's youthful gaze, filled with the promise of untapped potential, mirrored the innocence of early adolescence. The reflection showcased the delicate arch of his brows, and his features were touched by the soft glow of the mirrored chamber.

"I know that I want the diadem, but it's not what I desire the most, is it?" Albert said as he looked at his reflection. "But god damn! I look good. Could I look like that with a little help from magic? Need to look that up sometime soon. I would've thought my desire was to swim in a pool filled with money."

He again broke his gaze away from the mirror and looked at the frame. He took a step forward. His hand softly grazed the engravings. "'Erised stra ehru oyt ube cafru oyt on wohsi.' I show not your face but your heart's desire. Guess that is what my heart desires the most. But why? The only thing I would want more than a pool filled with gold is experience points and skill points. And for my skills to level up. Maybe that's why I want it. But I don't want to get involved with Voldemort just yet."

Looking around, Albert found a large blanket on a shelf close by. He quickly grabbed it and covered the mirror. He then continued walking down the aisle. He stopped near the next intersection because he found something that brought back memories. Albert picked it up and saw that it was loaded with a projectile. He scanned his surroundings and saw his target. A crystal ball opposite him. He stretched his left hand forward and pulled back the projectile.

"I used to love these. Me and dad used to play with slingshots until we broke on of mum's vases. I could never aim with one of these," Albert said as he steadied him arm. He lined up the shot and let go. To his surprise, hit his the ball. "Woah! This has literal aimbot. Dad would love this for his birthday. I'm taking you with me. I just need to find more ammo. Look at what we have here. Another slingshot and seven, eight including the I just used, projectiles. Noice!"

Albert picked up the slingshot and the projectiles. He then placed it in one of his pockets and went to find the projectile near the broken crystal ball. Once he found it, he placed it in his pocket and continued exploring. The net aisle was filled with old brooms and broken quidditch equipment. He even saw the Golden Snitch from earlier hovering around other broken Golden Snitches. Walking closer, he pocketed the better ones and left the others. He asked the flying Golden Snitch if it wanted to come with him. It refused. It looked like it wanted to stay here. After it refuted Albert, Albert continued forward.

He turned the corner, and his face dropped. Even if he didn't remember the plot of Harry Potter, he knew where he was. The horcrux was close. He could feel the whispers returning. A cold breeze flew past his face, causing him to shiver. He was definitely close by. He wanted to turn around and go back the way he came from, but he couldn't. The whispers, the temptation had already seeped into his bones. He had no choice but to move forward.

With each step he took, the whisper got louder. The fear and panic grew more pronounced. He had already almost lost himself early today. This time, he was afraid there wasn't going to be an almost. He glanced around as he got closer to the source. He even managed to spot the vanishing cabinet. He kept walking until the whispers stopped.

There, Albert stood in front of an old cabinet with loose papers surrounding it. On top of the cabinet was a hollowed-out stone bust with the diadem sitting in it. Rowena's diadem. Ravenclaw's legacy. Voldemort's Horcrux. Albert reached out to touch it. The promise of wit beyond measure lay just beyond the reach of his fingertips. Man's greatest treasure was almost in the palm of his hands.

He leaned forward, intoxicated by its promise. He gently grabbed it and admired it before picking it up above his head. Beautiful visions came to him, and they were going to stay forever and ever. Electric feelings kept him dreaming. It had the power to change his life. He lowered his arms and started to lower the diadem.

CHIME! CHIME! CHIME! CHINE!

The system's familiar chime rang in his mind, waking him up from his delusion. The system had generated four missions and prevented him from donning a horcrux. Albert put the diadem down and looked around to find something. Anything. He spotted a satchel to his left. He ran towards it and turned it upside down, causing its papers, vials, and apparatus to clatter to the floor. Albert went back to the diadem and put the diadem inside it. Moments later, he slumped to the floor and let out a sigh of relief.

"System, have I ever told you I love you?" Albert said as he closed his eyes and tilted his head back. "Now, what new missions woke me up?"

[Careless Whispers]

Mission Overview: Whispers to power beyond your wildest imaginations almost swolled you whole. Without the timely intervention of the system, you would have most likely fallen prey to its sweet temptation. As a curious person, you want to find out how that almost happened.

Mission Objective: Discover the exact mechanisms behind the diadem.

Mission Rewards: 10,000 experience points, access to a random branch of magic.

[Back where you belong]

Mission Overview: You have found Ravenclaw's diadem. It was said to be lost and never to be found. Now it is time for it to return to where it rightfully belongs. Being a law-abiding citizen, you want to return the diadem. This mission is optional.

Mission Objective: Return the diadem back to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

Mission Rewards: 30,000 experience points, 3 skill points, +10 favorability with Albus Dumbledore, and +30 favorability with Lady Grey

[Fifty Shades of Lady Grey]

Mission Overview: Ghosts remain on this plane due to unfinished business. Lady Grey holds extreme guilt about running away from home and stealing her mother's diadem. Return the diadem to soothe her guilt. This mission is optional.

Mission Objective: Return the diadem to Lady Grey

Mission Rewards: 10,000 experience points, 2 skill points, and +30 favorability with Lady Grey.

[Long live the Dark Lord].

Mission Overview: You have stumbled upon Voldemort's secret to immortality. As a servant of the Dark Lord, you wish for your master's return. You will gladly become the Lord's vessel. This mission is optional.

Mission Objective: Become the vessel for Voldemort's return.

Mission Rewards: Becoming the Dark Lord's vessel is enough of a reward.

"Wow! Maybe it is the thing I desire the most. Four new missions. Let's go through them in order. [Careless Whisper] wants me to discover the mechanism behind the whispers. I'm pretty sure that due to a strong compulsion charm and the fact the diadem is his horcrux. If I destroy his remanent soul, I could weaken Voldemort. As for the next," Albert said before he was stopped in his tracks. The system chimed three times. "[Careless Whispers] was easier than I thought and now I have two more missions."

[Red Exorcist].

Mission Overview: Through the completion of [Careless Whispers], you have discovered the weakness of the Dark Lord. By destroying a Horcrux, you can weaken the Dark Lord.

Mission Objective: Destroy the remnant soul of Voldemort inside the diadem.

Mission Rewards: 30,000 experience points, 3 skill points, and -10 favorability with Lord Voldemort.

[Ending Evil].

Mission Overview: Through the completion of [Careless Whispers], you have discovered the weakness of the Dark Lord. With this, you can end all evil. You may enlist the help of others or go at it alone. The rewards will vary depending on how much external help you receive.

Mission Objective: End the Dark Lord Voldemort.

Mission Rewards: variable amount of experience points; variable amount of skill points; variable amount of favorability; variable amount of galleons.

"Back to where we were. [Back Where You Belong] has some nice rewards and it doesn't sound to bad. [Fifty Shade of Lady Grey] is a watered down version of [Back Where You Belong] but the mission title suggest I may get something else out of it. [Long Live the Dark Lord] is a straight nope. Have you read the mission reward? That sound like its not a good option. [Red Exorcist] doesn't say anything about getting help so I could give it to Dumbledore to figure it out. And [Ending Evil]! That is a juicy mission that guarantees a reward. The boy-saviour will do that for me in nine years time."

After resting for a while, Albert got up with the satchel around his waist. He exited the Room of Hidden Things and made his way back to the dormitories. When he returned to the common room, he saw the twins and Lee still doing their homework. After saying hello, he went to their room.

"He seems to be in a good mood," George said.

"Maybe he found something interesting but won't tell us," Fred said.

"But what?"

"Maybe a love letter?"

"Or.. or something like those pictures Charlie got from that girl."

"Guys! Be respectful. And stop speculating. If you want to know, just ask him. But right now, you should be finishing this off," Lee said with an annoyed look.

"You're no fun, Lee."

"And why would we ask him?"

"It'll take all the mystery and fun away."