Mirror of Erised (was: About the gleam of triumph...)

[marephraim]

No: HPFGUIDX 58935

the Key of Kenney writes: 

> It seems that [snip, snip, snip] Quirrel's deepest desire was to 
present the stone to Voldemort; he says so in the book while 
commenting on what he sees in the mirror (we all know the books now, 
so you really dont need a quote).<

ME comments:

Quirrel couldn't retrieve the Stone because at the time he is 
physically being possessed by He Who Must Not be Named. The function 
of the term 'use' in the passage is concrete -- You Know Who wishes 
to use the Stone to make the Elixer of Life, and he's plastered on 
the back of Quirrel's head, thus Quirrel can't find the Stone. Also, 
Quirrel can't touch Harry (In Canon, I don't recall Quirrel demuring 
to shake Harry's hand in the Leakey Cauldron as in the film), noting 
that after the Troll incident You Know Who never again trusted him --
 that's when he was taken over. 

This is the reason (physical possession) that Quirrel can't find it. 
Otherwise, his wanting to 'use' it to please his master is no 
difference logically (and therefore magically) than Harry's desire 
to save it (for Dumbledore and Flamel). Note the difference in the 
function of 'use' under this circumstance from the above discussed 
one.

MarEphraim

PS only 21 Days to go!