19 Mar 2012

The National Museum of Wizarding History has announced an exhibition of the Mirror of Erised, which will run for two weeks beginning in April. The public is invited to come view the mirror and learn about recent discoveries concerning the mirror's origins.

"Some people may be surprised that this legendary piece was not made by British witches or wizards," said a museum curator. "We look forward to shining a light on the mirror's hidden history."

The mirror, while well-known in stories, has made very few confirmed appearances in modern times. The most notable was the mirror's role in the safe-keeping of the Philosopher's Stone at Hogwarts by Albus Dumbledore in 1991. More recently, the Mirror of Erised played a key role in the Tetrawizard Tournament in 2012.

The current owner and permanent home of the Mirror of Erised and not publicly known. Anyone who does know refuses to say. Some speculate that since the mirror's only two modern appearances were related to Hogwarts matters, the owner must be associated with the school. The Hogwarts Board of School Governors, when asked, can't seem to find any documentation of how the mirror came to be in the Tetrawizard Tournament. The museum, say spokeswix, is bound to secrecy on this matter as part of the agreement for the exhibition.

The Mirror of Erised is said to be enchanted to show the deepest desire of the viewer's heart, although only the viewer themself can know for sure.

In interviews, Harry Potter described what he saw when he looked into the mirror for the first time. "I think people might have guessed, but I saw my parents - my whole family, really - gathered around me. I was eleven-years-old and that's all I'd ever wanted."

He went on to say that he does not plan to visit the mirror again. "I think I've learned all I can. I'll let others have a go."

The mirror will be available during normal visiting hours from the 2^nd through the 13^th of April. There is no charge to view the mirror, but museum staff will keep the queue moving so that all have a chance to see.