The two-way mirror - a cruel useless plot device

[Ken Hutchinson]

No: HPFGUIDX 163713

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "justcarol67" <justcarol67 at ...>
wrote:
>
> 
> Carol, fearing that Harry won't realize his various mistakes when he
> finds the pieces of the mirror in his trunk but expecting him to
> repair it and put it to use, regardless
>

It seems likely to me that be he good or bad at some point in DH Snape
will realize that he and Harry need to cooperate on some task,
probably the most critical one: disposing of Voldemort. It will take
quite a change in his view of the world for Harry to reach the same
conclusion. From reading the whole thread I wonder if *the* most
significant use that could be made of that mirror is precisely to
allow Harry to see how his own failings and decisions have affected
those around him, Sirius in particular. I think that would be more
satisfying than merely having him glue it back together and talk to
... well anyone really.

As a long time science fiction fan I suppose this is out of character
for me but the Harry Potter books are a little *too* full of magical
technologies that are simple solutions to all possible problems.
Having the mirror be yet another wouldn't do anything for me. A few
shards of broken glass that prove to be the key to emotional and
intellectual growth would be a welcome departure from the norm. Maybe
Harry will be fighting Snape at some point and one of them will break
another mirror. Snape will undoubtedly be delivering one of his
trademark life lesson lectures while the fight rages. Harry's gaze
will fixate on some bits of broken glass and Snape's words will,
finally, sink in. Harry will become a man.

Ok, yeah, I'm just dreaming now aren't I?

Ken