The Mirror of Erised: A Collection of Hopes and Horrors

by bananabertiebottbean

The Mirror of Erised is a powerful, rather hidden object. We know what Harry sees, along with a few others, but it begs the question of what some of our favorite (and least favorite) characters would see when gazing into the mirror's depths. This story is a collection of one-shots about what the characters from Harry Potter see inside the Mirror of Erised.

1. Introduction

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry is home to many beginnings and ends. Tom Riddle's entire history, for example, can be seen as starting and ending on Hogwarts' hallowed grounds. Remus Lupin's life can be explained in a similar fashion: he was given the chance to start fresh by attending the school, and eventually, took his last breath to protect it. Not even Hogwarts: A History can document everything the esteemed school has given to its pupils. Home to hopes and horrors, it leaves one wondering: what is there that Hogwarts could show you, entice you with; but never give you? The answer lies in a long-forgotten passageway off the third-floor corridor. Past a drool-stained trap door, some dented keys, and empty vials of potions, stands the Mirror of Erised.

"I show not your face but your heart's desire".

Although nothing more than a bewitched sheet of glass, the mirror holds untold powers. "Men have wasted away before it," a man familiar with the mirror once said, "not knowing if what they have seen is real or even possible". There is nothing more dangerous than the temptation of our heart's greatest wish. The heart, you see, is beyond all logic and reasoning. To be tempted with something perfectly tailored to our heart's strongest, most desperate wish is more perilous than any dark magic or unforgivable curse. And yet, humans continue to foolishly gaze upon it, and, as humans so often do, ignore the danger and the risk for a glimpse at their own personalized perfection.

Perhaps this is why the mirror has been left to collect dust in a fire-scorched dungeon. Who could be trusted to keep such an object secret? No mere mortal can be handed that responsibility, no; the best way to protect the mirror is to entrust it will be forgotten. But until that fateful day, a brave few venture into the desolate passageway guided by whispered rumors and faded memories. What they see in the mirror cannot be fathomed preemptively. It may haunt them or entrance them, help or hinder them, but one thing's for certain:

Whatever they see in the mirror will change them forever.

So read on, if you dare, and get a glimpse of the images that will ingrain themselves into the brains of those foolhardy enough to make the journey. But consider yourself lucky, dear reader, that you are far, far away from the temptation of the mirror's seductive glimmer.

xXx

A/N: Hello there! Here's an idea I had for a collection of oneshots and I thought it needed a bit of an introduction. I already have a few ideas, but if there's someone you'd like to see, feel free to comment it!