Harry Potter: The Bard of Hogwarts

Time passed slowly.

Three days had quietly gone by since the last confrontation, but Slytherin had become more united than ever.

No matter who was blocked or bullied, there was always someone to stand up for them.

...

Slytherin Third Year, Girls' Dormitory.

"Do you think leaders are born?"

Pansy, holding a one-inch-thick copy of "Das Kapital," seemed to be asking a question, yet it sounded more like she was talking to herself.

She had noticed the recent changes in Slytherin. All of this was caused by one person, by just a few words.

"I don't know what's gotten into you again," Daphne looked at her roommate with a helpless expression.

"But I know one thing very clearly: Ino's accomplishments aren't by chance. From his first story, his first appearance in the newspaper, to the time he stood up first on the Dementor-surrounded train..."

Daphne paused slightly, as the mention of Dementors seemed to bring back unpleasant memories for her.

After a brief pause, she continued:

"What I mean is, Ino's achievements and prestige were accumulated bit by bit. Although I don't know what you've been through, I want to say, don't try to replicate someone else's path. We have ambition, but we are not crazy!"

After speaking, Daphne looked worriedly at Pansy.

Since the end of the Christmas holidays, she had noticed something different about her friend. To be precise, Pansy felt like she had matured a lot overnight.

"Your worries are unnecessary!" Pansy laughed boldly. She was aware of her changes but did not think they were a bad thing.

Although the mirror in the prize display room on the fourth floor was gone, the image it presented was still vivid in her memory.

That mirror seemed to open a new window for her, and the beauty in the mirror captivated her.

...

At the same time.

In the Great Hall of Hogwarts, Draco was strutting around with Goyle and Crabbe, looking as if he were selecting a prime spot.

In fact, he was just picking a conspicuous location.

With the appearance of the second mirror, the previously monotonous landscape paintings were successfully replaced.

The story in the second mirror was also very interesting. It depicted a valley filled with magical creatures made of ice and snow: a giant and a goblin.

Although the scene lasted only a few dozen minutes, it was filled with laughter. The stupid giant, Tom, and the shrewd goblin, Jerry, always ended up in comical situations together.

While eagerly anticipating the next story, Draco did not forget his current task: placing the previous mirror in a prominent spot in the Great Hall.

This job was originally Goyle's, but Draco had taken it over.

But now, none of that mattered. He had spotted the scar-head and the red-haired sidekick.

"Goyle, follow me! Let's go see the scar-head! Crabbe, hold the mirror carefully. If you break it, you're finished."

Draco turned around, issuing commands as he arrogantly strode towards the Gryffindor table.

As if sensing it, Harry looked back and saw Draco approaching.

"Malfoy! What do you want now?" Ron stood up immediately, blocking Harry without hesitation.

"What do I want?" Draco looked at the redhead arrogantly. "I want you to open your eyes! So you won't go through life ignorant, you Weasley pauper!"

After a year, Draco's words once again stirred up a nest of anger.

Before Ron could retort, Ginny stood up, "Our family may be poor, but we don't need your mockery, you vacillating Malfoy!"

Unlike Ron, when Ginny stood up, George and Fred stopped watching and appeared by her side.

Seeing the situation escalate, Crabbe, who usually pretended to be slow-witted, spoke up for once:

"This is an alchemical item made by Mr. Swinburne, a very interesting mirror. He calls it the 'Film Mirror,' and it shows entertaining images."

"Ino?" George and Fred exchanged a glance, gradually lowering their guard.

In the wizarding world, some names seemed to have real magic, drawing many curious onlookers.

Not only did the Gryffindors gather, but even the Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs, especially the latter, pushed forward more boldly upon seeing Cedric, as if having a protector.

"Ahem!" With the crowd gathering, Draco cleared his throat pompously.

"What I am about to show you is the greatest alchemical item of this century..."

Outside the crowd, Ron muttered a small 'huh,' disliking Malfoy's smug demeanor. He found it ridiculous that Draco was proud of running an errand.

Despite his disdain, Ron didn't leave but squeezed a few positions closer.

"...Behold, the Film Mirror!" Draco dramatically unveiled the cloth covering the mirror.

Crabbe steadied the three-foot mirror on the dining table in the Great Hall.

...

The Great Hall was bustling with excitement.

Meanwhile, in the Headmaster's office on the eighth floor, there was also laughter.

The magically modified "Tom and Jerry" not only made Dumbledore laugh but also brought joy to the portraits of past headmasters on the walls.

The twenty-minute episode sped by amidst laughter.

As the image in the mirror disappeared, Dumbledore removed his glasses, wiping away tears of joy with a handkerchief.

"It's really wonderful! Incredible!" Dumbledore exclaimed as he looked at the three-foot mirror.

At that moment, he understood why Ino had sought out the Mirror of Erised in the first place. But what surprised him even more was that it had only been a little over two months...

"Ino, you have surprised me once again. This kind of alchemical talent... perhaps you should meet someone."

"You mean Mr. Flamel? But the Philosopher's Stone has already been destroyed," Ino was puzzled.

Although the original story didn't mention Nicolas Flamel, he always believed that Flamel had died after the Philosopher's Stone was destroyed.

"The Philosopher's Stone is destroyed, but a legendary alchemist doesn't die so easily. Though Nicolas was ready to embrace death long ago."

"But before that, I have some good news for you! This..."

"The Film Mirror, Professor!" Ino said.

"Yes, the Film Mirror! I will nominate you for the Order of Merlin, Second Class. Wizards haven't seen such innovation in a long time."

Dumbledore's tone was somewhat melancholic, as he saw things more clearly than anyone else.

"Wizards need to broaden their horizons!" Ino chimed in, expressing his stance.

He had no grand ambitions, but the wizarding world needed a change in perspective. At the very least, communication shouldn't rely on outdated letters.

"Broaden their horizons..." Dumbledore savored these words.

After a moment, he slowly nodded.