Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts: What is the Mirror of Erised?

The Mirror of Erised popped up in the latest trailer of Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald, it also featured in Harry Potter, but what exactly is it?

You might already know what the Mirror of Erised is. Then again, you might not. You might have even forgetting it; it has been a long time since we saw the mirror in Harry Potter.

The Mirror of Erised popped up in the Comic-Con trailer of Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald. Professor Dumbledore could be seen looking into the mirror at his reflection, with Grindelwald being reflected back at him.

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Why does Dumbledore see Grindelwald in his reflection? What does it mean? We can speculate and share our theories on the subject for hours; we have already published one idea already, but let’s take a look at what the Mirror of Erised actually is first.

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Fantastic Beast photo Courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures via WB Media Pass

What is the Mirror of Erised?

We were first introduced to the Mirror of Erised way back in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone and we have never seen it since. Harry had stumbled across the mirror by accident when sneaking around the castle at night, and in his attempt to avoid Filch and Mrs. Norris, hid inside a classroom where the mirror was hidden.

When Harry approached the mirror he saw his reflection, and then his parents. The book explains that Harry saw the entire Potter family; the movie just shows just his parents. Harry returns many times to stare into the mirror and see his family, and takes Ron with him at one point, who reveals to Harry that he sees just himself. Only himself, but older, as Quidditch captain, head boy, and champion of both the Quidditch cup and House Cup; the best of all the Weasleys.

During one trip to visit the mirror, Harry encounters Professor Dumbledore. This is when we learn that the mirror is the Mirror of Erised and that it has the power to show us what we most desire.

In Harry’s case, his family, Ron, the best of all the Weasley siblings, for Dumbledore socks, or so he claims. Dumbledore then informs Harry that the mirror is dangerous and that it will move to its new home and that he should not seek it out.

So the Mirror of Erised has the power of showing us what we desire most. So when Dumbledore is seen in the Fantastic Beasts trailer looking into the mirror and seeing Grindelwald, he desires him. Why? We won’t go into that just now, for now, it’s all about the Mirror of Erised and what it does.

Next: What if someone let Arthur Weasley into a Target?

Did you remember the power of the Mirror of Erised when you watched the trailer? If you looked into the mirror, what would you see? Share your thoughts by leaving a comment below.