Harry's Reflection

I think that Harry's reaction to the Mirror of Erised is interesting. Before his entrance into Hogwarts, he was fragmented. He did not know his true history, true family story, or who he really was. He was treated by the Dursleys as an inconvenience. Of the magical world, he was as uninformed as an infant. Before viewing the Mirror of Erised, he knew he missed his family, but the emotions were hard to sort out when he realized that he never knew his family. When he sees what would have been in the mirror, he feels complete for that instance.  However, when he leaves the mirror, he feels even more lonely and sorrowful than before.  Before looking in the mirror, Harry did not know what it was like to have a real family. When he looks in the mirror and sees his family, he finally realizes how complete he would feel if they were still alive. This makes it all the more cruel because Harry will never experience this ideal.

It is hard to miss something you never knew existed.

You should know what to do by now...