The Mirror and the Heart

[Jen Reese]

No: HPFGUIDX 105468

SSSusan again:
> So if DD did have an inkling that Voldy was close by somewhere, 
does
> that support my theory at all, that the whole thing was set up as a
> test for Harry? That that's why DD didn't DO more about this
> information? I mean, how can DD know so MUCH sometimes and then NOT
> know things like this? That frustrates me as a reader!

Neri responded:
> <snipped some really good thought on Dumbledore's intuition>

> How much had DD planed the Harry-finding-the-Stone-in-the-Mirror 
> scenario from the outset? I don't know. There are certainly some 
> inconsistencies in DD's official explanation of how it worked. But 
> there are also inconsistencies in the pensieve or the time travel 
> stories. We shouldn't dig TOO deep into them. This is after all a 
> story and not RL. The general meaning of the Mirror setup, if not 
the 
> exact details, is clear from DD's explanation: only someone with a 
> sincere, unselfish intention could have found the Stone.


Jen: I always liked this scene, where Dumbledore explains why Harry 
was able to get the stone. In typical Dumbledore fashion, he made 
his contribution to the protection very simple, relying on the 
innate goodness of most people. He simply made it impossible for 
Voldemort or anyone else with evil intentions to get the stone, 
leaving room for people with good intentions. Good vs. Evil intent 
is why Quirrell couldn't get the stone. No, he's not going to 
personally use the stone himself, but he *is* going to give the 
stone to someone with sinister plans.

I think the mirror can make this distinction, if it is capable of 
looking into a person's heart and discovering their true desires. 

Jen