It was, essentially, a mass of crystal. It was hard to tell if it was silver or the purest shade of white. Either way, it was dazzling to the eye. It gave off its own subdued light, and looked to be shifting beneath the surface like liquid, but more viscous ... perhaps like mercury. Hermione took it with baited breath as Harry handed it to her. She held it in her trembling fingers, as though protecting a precious, priceless treasure.