OOP: The mirror of Erised

[finwitch]

No: HPFGUIDX 59481

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "Serena Moonsilver" > 
> Well, maybe.   But also, the mirror shows us what we desire.   And 
> since they are things we desire, they may also be things we can 
> pursue.  That's why Harry succumbs to mirror while Ron does not.  
> What Ron desires (head boy, captain of the Qudditch team, etc) it 
is 
> possible for him to go out and achieve (through hard work and 
> dedication.  On the other hand, what Harry sees--being with his 
> parents--is impossible for Harry.  No matter what he does, he can 
> never bring them back.
> 
> So, the mirror may predict the future in a sense but it would 
really 
> be only a self fufilling prophecy.

Desire - well, knowing what is your desire would, I presume, be most 
useful. Something to reach out for, motivate yourself to work for it. 
But, though being Head Boy, Quidditch Captain and holding the House 
Cup are shown in the mirror for Ron, he was also _alone_. What Ron 
wants, is gain his brothers achievements together.

Harry - it's not his _parents_ he wants, but a loving and accepting 
family they represent, the idealized picture of them. In PoA, in 
summoning Patronus, Harry's following his Heart's Desire; Sirius is 
the closest thing Harry can manage in reality - the one with any 
success has the thought of his LETTER. Hagrid being friend, protector 
and link to his parents when giving it... Then there's Sirius 
offering him a home: "I get to live with Sirius" - and finally, when 
Harry thinks it was his _father_, he simply must go and check - and 
then he summons his Patronus. No conincidence for father/protector-
meaning, that's what Harry _has_ in mind when he did the spell first 
time, and the Silver Stag will continue to represent/be his father. 

Heart's Desire helps - too bad Hermione never got to look into the 
Mirror - would it show Excellent Grades, Friends or Something Else?

-- Finwitch