The Mirror of Erised

A magical mirror that showed the "deepest and most desperate desire of our hearts", the viewer could see their reflected self in a state of perfect happiness. Harry Potter first encountered the Mirror of Erised in his first year at the school where he realised he could see himself surrounded by his family. Ron Weasley, meanwhile, saw himself as being more successful than any of his many siblings, while Dumbledore claimed to see himself holding a pair of thick woollen socks. Although the Mirror could offer great comfort to those who looked into it, it could also be dangerous for people who were unable to walk away from the dreams it offered, but could not provide.