Look in the Mirror

[Sir Spazalots]

And tell us what your character sees!



The Mirror of Erised

The Mirror of Erised is a mirror, which, according to Albus Dumbledore, shows the "deepest and most desperate desire of one's heart." The name "Erised" is "desire" spelled backwards, as if reflected in a mirror. The happiest person in the world would look in the mirror and see a reflection of exactly the way he or she is. Inscribed across the top of the frame is the following text: Erised stra ehru oyt ube cafru oyt on wohsi. Reversing the inscription and rearranging the spaces produces: I show not your face but your heart's desire.

 

[Razsminion]

A mirror that tells your deepest desires, huh?

Rune almost rolled her eyes at this, but she really had to see this for herself. She followed the rumours to this place where she seemed to have found the mirror that was set up where and how the rumours said. Well, so far so good, though right now Rune still had a bit of skepticism that crawled into her being as she approached. Regardless she approached the mirror and looked into it, despite the darkness of the room she could see a faint image start to twist and morph into a picture as to what was hidden deeply in her heart.

Rune watched as the background gave birth to a vision of a room, it looked as though it was the Headmistress’ quarters but not. Instead of what it was like when Rune was in there last, there was a certain luxuriousness about it that was head and shoulders even above what the current Head Mistress had presented. It was almost like watching a movie, the vision panned over to show a much older Rune sitting at the desk, leaned back and looking out of a window onto the grounds beneath her. The older Rune had a presence about her, power and strength radiated from her being as she sat with that serene look on her face. The Rune in the mirror blinked a bit, as though she was pulled out of daydream and looked towards where the present Rune was watching with some level of amusement. Suddenly a figure came over to the future Rune and after a tender smile from the future Rune the pair exchanged a kiss. The younger Rune raised an eyebrow, she wasn`t able to see the face of the man who she seemed to be affectionate with. The pair placed a hand on the visions lower abdomen that caused Rune to raise her eyebrows further and blush slightly. So… she was going to be happy as a mom and Headmistress? Okay… but who was this mysterious man who was the father? Rune’s eyes narrowed as she tried to make out this tall dark and rather mysteriously handsome man who had managed to apparently woo her.
When she did see who it was her face exploded into a violent shade of red as a mortified look crossed her face.
”Very warm places will freeze over before that happens!! She shouted at the mirror before storming out. Her face still red, though it was hard to tell if it was because of bashful embarrassment or if it was from seething anger. ”That mirror is stupid and broken! And it certainly doesn’t show you what you truly desire!”

Denial was the first step towards acceptance…  

[StudiousDemoness]

Catharine could feel the stones through her boots she had paced before the mirror that much. She had avoided looking directly at it's depths. She wasn't sure what she would see. If she wanted to see. So she fell to studying it. She had read of it. The Mirror of Erised, the looking glass of desire which according to a book she'd read in Flourish and Blotts, was considered one of the most prized and dangerous magical mirrors in the Wizarding World. Men had wasted away before it, others had killed themselves, and a few even driven mad.

She stood next to it her fingers tracing the grooves and curves of the Mirror's frame. She was certain that she wouldn't go crazy or kill herself, but she wasn't sure what she wanted. This Mirror could not show you the future, it tempted you with your heart. Something that according to the same book was more dangerous than tempting the mind. Though it tempted that too. Neither the book nor anyone else for that matter, could explain what made it work. How did know what was desired the most by the viewer? Many had attempted to replicated it. None had succeed and Cat wasn't foolish enough to think she could, she was barely in her first year. But, the thought hit her hard and fast, but what if one desires to know how it work. To figure out it's secret! Then when you step in front of it, you'd know! Or would you just see yourself figuring it out or see yourself-? No! Enough!, just thinking about this mirror could make one go insane!

Now she was across the room glowering that the mirror. She wanted to know what she desired most, but she didn't trust the mirror. It drove people insane after all and she ruddy hell wasn't going going to end up in the hospital if she could help it. Yet! She drop down right where she was, sitting and scowled at the mirror as if she was throwing a tantrum (which she supposed she was, but wasn't going to say it or think it since she still had some dignity left to her). It could grant her knowledge. Knowledge about herself. Knowledge was power or at least a type of it or whatever it was her Writing Professor had been after her about in that blasted essay. It could give her something to aim for, a goal, a mission. Something to build herself towards. Or it could emotional destroy her...that was a possibility. In the book it gave an example of a witch who'd sworn to seeing her dead son in the Mirror, she had gone mad, pounding on the glass. Later her husband had seen his family in the mirror, whole and healthy with madness or death to keep them apart. He had never spoken after sharing that bit of cheery news.

She struggled suddenly to her feet, still glaring daggers at the Mirror. Then took breath, dusted off her robe and walked towards it. She saw herself. Older, more dignified, more put together as if she was certain of something. She blinked at the image. Beside her was a man, with shocking white hair and silver eyes, eyes like hers. It took only a second for her to relieve it was her father and another for fear to tingle it's way through her. She didn't want emotional rubbish! She was about to walk away and curse the whole thing, but she looked at her father's face and noticed his smile. It was strong and clear, brimming with pride and the git looked at her. Truly looked at her.

Is that what I want? His recognition? His pride in me? she looked back at herself and say the same put together, self assured woman...No witch. She wore robes; long, elegant, that accent her curves and made her seem imposing. Her older self smiled down at her. She was tall, but she figured she'd always be tall. She was tall now. She carried an elegance, an easy of movement like a Queen, but without any of the snobbishness she always figured a Queen would have. She looked like she could do anything. Conquer any problem. Master any mystery. Control any situation... and best her Father was proud of that or that is her desired result. She glanced at him, then back at her desired self. She was pretty and without freckles or pillock or anything. I can obtain that. With a potion or five... She was elegant and posed. I'm going to struggle with that. . .maybe there is a. . .No probably not a good idea. She brimmed with self-confidence and air of purpose, the witch in the Mirror knew who she was, what she wanted, and how to get it. I...That is just unfair!

Catharine glowered at her perfect reflection, her great desire. Then she turned and marched out; stomping her feet against the ground as if telling herself that her quick pace and her lack of grace was just as good as Queenly grace. Which it wasn't, but it made her feel better.