Magical Artefacts

Chapter 17

Before the glass, your heart stands still,
Reflecting dreams, unfulfilled.
A wish, a hope, or love you crave,
A future lost, a past to save.

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Welcome, readers, to yet another edition of Magical Artefacts. This month, we’ll be focusing on the Mirror of Erised, an artefact that may seem enchanting, but ultimately brings more harm than good.

Introduction & Creation:
The Mirror of Erised was created before the end of the 19th century. The creator remains unknown to this day, as is the case with many other artefacts we have explored. It was located in a classroom at Hogwarts for many years, but it was moved after the events that occurred with Quirinus Quirrell, who sought out the Philosopher’s Stone. Nowadays, there is no telling where the Mirror resides.

The name “Erised” is desire backwards, which is interesting, since the name itself acts as though reflected in a mirror. There is also an engraving etched on the frame of the mirror: Erised stra ehru oyt ube cafru oyt on wohsi. If you read it backwards and rearrange the spacing, it spells out “I show not your face but your heart's desire.”

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How It Works:
When someone looks into the mirror, it shows them an image of their greatest desire. Often, it’s the accomplishment of a lifelong goal or ambition, or, as seen with Harry, a reunion with lost loved ones. Additionally, desires viewed in the mirror may change over time. After all, your greatest desire as an adult will likely differ to the ones you had as a kid.

Dumbledore himself has warned that many have wasted away because of it, trapped in an illusion of their greatest wishes. The Mirror can’t force anyone to stay, but the magic is so alluring that some find it impossible to look away...seeing your most desperate dream trapped within the frames of the mirror was enough to drive many mad.

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Features:
While the Mirror of Erised seems fairly straightforward, there are a few key details worth noting.

Everyone who looks into the mirror will see something different, unless they have the same desire. Furthermore, you can’t ever see another person's desire as it is completely customised to what YOU want.

Since the images in the mirror are just illusions, there is no physical interaction. You can’t touch, grab, or interact with anything you see—or bring them to reality.

Finally, the Mirror can be enchanted or modified for specific purposes. As we saw in the Philosopher’s Stone, Dumbledore had modified the Mirror to conceal and protect the stone. The enchantment he cast ensured that only someone who was seeking the stone without intending to use it to create the Elixir of Life would be able to retrieve it, which was why Harry was able to, but Quirrell was not.

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Fun Facts:
As always, let’s bring this chapter to an end with a couple of interesting fun facts!

1. The Mirror of Erised acts as the reverse from a Boggart. While Boggarts display your worst fears, the Mirror shows the opposite. This makes them two sides of the same coin!
2. While looking into the Mirror in September of 1927, Albus Dumbledore saw his former best friend and lover, Gellert Grindelwald.
3. It cannot be used as a tool for wisdom. Unlike Pensieves or other magical artefacts that provide insight, the Mirror of Erised doesn’t show truth—only longing.

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It shows the soul's deepest desire,
Yet leaves you yearning, setting fire.
Hope still burns, yet fades away,
Leaving you to play fate's cruel game.

Written by Daphne Clarke.
Edited by Hazel Antler.
Proofread by Sara Rowan.