"How did you do that?"
Dumbledore stared into Tom's eyes, his expression a mix of astonishment and a hint of concern. "They are merely illusions. Is it truly wise to bring them out?"
[Just consider it a bit of psychological counseling for Harry.] Tom spread his paws.
[Even though they can only exist in this world for a short time and their memories are limited, an illusion can still convey genuine emotion. That's enough.]
Dumbledore was silent for a moment before a soft smile touched his lips. He looked toward the closed door, his eyes softening. "You are right. Sometimes, a little comfort is all people need."
Tom glanced at him but didn't reply. His gaze drifted toward the window, looking out at the distant Forbidden Forest.
A forest, huh. I wonder if that smelly rat ended up in the Forbidden Forest...
Before long, the door was gently pushed open. Harry walked out, his eyes red.
[Done talking?]
Harry nodded, his voice still choked with emotion. "Tom, can they really not stay? I can give you lots of Galleons! And if it's not enough, I can go back to my vault and get more! There's plenty left!"
As he spoke, he pulled out a pouch, revealing a small fortune in gold Galleons inside.
[No can do!] Even though Tom's eyes practically turned into galleon symbols at the sight of the gold, he shook his head firmly.
Everyone has their specialties. Yes, Tom was incredibly versatile, but there were some things he simply couldn't do. If Jerry were around, he could have told the mouse to go ask Cousin Merlin. But who knew where that stupid rodent had run off to now?
"Alright, Harry," Dumbledore interrupted gently. "What the Mirror of Erised shows is, ultimately, just a projection of desire. It is not truly them. Those two figures are merely illusions bearing your parents' love for you. In fact, if not for Tom's help, they wouldn't even possess those emotions. Therefore, you must not lose yourself in this."
"I imagine they told you the same thing, didn't they? They wouldn't want you to drown in an illusion, right?"
"..."
Harry fell silent. It was true. Just as Dumbledore said, those two had told him the exact same thing. They had said they were fake, just phantoms, and that they couldn't stay. But he wanted so desperately to feel that warmth for just a little longer!
However, looking at Dumbledore's serious expression, Harry finally nodded. "I understand, Professor."
"That is good." Dumbledore offered a comforting smile. "Also, starting tomorrow, this mirror will be moved to a new location. If you ever happen to come across it again, I hope you will be mentally prepared, and that you will not lose yourself in false dreams."
"Yes, Professor," Harry nodded. "Oh, right. Professor, and Tom—my parents said they had a few things they wanted to say to you both before they leave. Is that alright?"
"Of course."
[No problem.]
They answered simultaneously and followed Harry back into the room.
Inside, the figures of James and Lily had grown incredibly transparent; they looked like they could vanish at any second. When they saw Dumbledore and Tom walk in, they managed weak smiles.
"Little kitty... your name is Tom, right? Harry has told us so much about you. We're so glad he has a friend like you, and we're so grateful for everything you've done—giving us this chance to talk to him."
Lily spoke softly. "His personality is just like James's... We might have to ask you to be patient with him in the future."
You should be saying this to Ron! Or maybe Draco?! Say it to his actual best bros! Why are you telling me, a cat?!
Even though Tom grumbled internally, seeing Lily's fading form made him nod.
[Don't worry, leave it to me.] (As long as the price is right.) He quietly added that last part in his head.
Hearing his response, Lily smiled with pure relief. Her body grew even more transparent until she finally dissolved into tiny motes of light that drifted into the air.
Beside her, James—who had been whispering something to Dumbledore—turned and gave Harry a wink. Then, just like Lily, he dissolved into soft light and slowly faded away.
"Dad, Mum... don't worry. I'll be okay. I'll live enough for all of us," Harry whispered.
Tom hesitated for a second, then floated over and patted the boy's shoulder. Dumbledore stood to the side, watching quietly, a look of quiet gratification in his eyes.
No one noticed that among the dispersing motes of light, a few quietly drifted over to Tom, landed on him, and vanished.
"Professor... so, I guess I'll head back now?" Harry turned, clearly hoping to make a quick getaway.
"Oh, I don't think so, my boy." Dumbledore flashed a sly smile. "The school rules clearly state that all students must remain in their common rooms during curfew. Is that not correct?"
"Yes, Professor. You're right." Harry hung his head, looking utterly deflated. He had been hoping he might just slip away unnoticed, but it seemed he couldn't escape his fate...
"Since that is the case, starting next week, you will accompany Hagrid on night patrols in the Forbidden Forest. That will be your punishment. However, considering this is your first offense, I will refrain from deducting points from Gryffindor this time."
"Really?!" Harry's eyes lit up instantly! Getting to go into the Forbidden Forest with Hagrid, and no point deductions? How was this a punishment?! It was a reward! This was awesome!
"Indeed. But it will begin next week. For the next couple of days, our caretaker has asked me for a short leave of absence."
Dumbledore chuckled, his gaze shifting to Tom, who was currently attempting to phase through the wall. "And you as well, Tom. Surely you wouldn't stand by and watch your fellow night-wandering companion accept punishment all alone?"
Why wouldn't I? Worst case, I just make you take the punishment back~ That had been Tom's initial plan, but looking at Harry's eyes practically screaming "Please come with me," he sighed.
[Fine, I'll take the hit!] It wasn't that he couldn't convince Dumbledore to change his mind, or shut down Harry's pleading looks. But... taking a legitimate, school-sanctioned trip into the Forbidden Forest? That actually didn't sound too bad.
After all, according to Jerry, the mouse had dropped into a forest. Sure, the odds of it being the Forbidden Forest were incredibly low, and even if it was, the chances of them bumping into each other were basically zero. But what if? What if they ran into each other?
He still had a score to settle with that smelly rat for setting him up earlier!
"Then it's settled." Dumbledore nodded in satisfaction. "Now, it is time for you to return to bed. And actually, this is the perfect opportunity—"
He reached into his robes and pulled out a bundle of silvery-gray fabric that flowed like liquid, handing it to Harry. "Your father left this in my possession many years ago. Now, I am returning it to its rightful owner. Use it well. Though... try not to use it for night-wandering as your father did~"
"Professor, what is this?" Harry took the fabric. It felt strange to the touch, cool and smooth like water. He stroked it curiously.
"It is an Invisibility Cloak. A true one. As long as you wear it, no one will be able to see you with their eyes."
Dumbledore gazed at the silvery-gray fabric, a flicker of complex emotion passing through his eyes. This was no ordinary invisibility cloak; it was one of the Deathly Hallows he had spent so much of his life chasing.
Sometimes, he couldn't help but wonder: if he had returned this cloak to James sooner, would they have survived Death's grasp, just like the third brother in the fairy tale? Would the ending have been different?
But such things could never be proven.