THE MIRROR OF ERISED
“Strange how nearsighted being invisible can make you,” said
Dumbledore, and Harry was relieved to see that he was smiling.
“So,” said Dumbledore, slipping off the desk to sit on the floor
with Harry, “you, like hundreds before you, have discovered the
delights of the Mirror of Erised.”
“I didn’t know it was called that, sir.”
“But I expect you’ve realized by now what it does?”
“It — well — it shows me my family —”
“And it showed your friend Ron himself as Head Boy.”
“How did you know — ?”
“I don’t need a cloak to become invisible,” said Dumbledore
gently. “Now, can you think what the Mirror of Erised shows us
all?”
Harry shook his head.
“Let me explain. The happiest man on earth would be able to
use the Mirror of Erised like a normal mirror, that is, he would look
into it and see himself exactly as he is. Does that help?”
Harry thought. Then he said slowly, “It shows us what we
want . . . whatever we want . . .”
“Yes and no,” said Dumbledore quietly. “It shows us nothing
more or less than the deepest, most desperate desire of our hearts.
You, who have never known your family, see them standing around
you. Ronald Weasley, who has always been overshadowed by his
brothers, sees himself standing alone, the best of all of them. How-
ever, this mirror will give us neither knowledge or truth. Men have
wasted away before it, entranced by what they have seen, or been
driven mad, not knowing if what it shows is real or even possible.
“The Mirror will be moved to a new home tomorrow, Harry,
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