One of my very favorite little moments in the entire Harry Potter series occurs at the tail end of The Mirror of Erised. Of course, that entire chapter is fantastic: Harry's first actually enjoyable Christmas, our introduction to Christmas in the wizarding world, the grand debut of the invisibility cloak, and Harry's haunting encounters with the titular mirror. But I just love that little nugget at the end, on page 214, when Harry asks Dumbledore what he sees when he looks into the mirror.
"I? I see myself holding a pair of thick, woolen socks."
Harry stared.
"One can never have enough socks," said Dumbledore. "Another Christmas has come and gone and I didn't get a single pair. People will insist on giving me books."
I love it first because it so gently and beautifully eases Harry - and us - out of an incredibly solemn, melancholy moment. It breaks the tension, leaving Harry puzzling over Dumbledore's curious response as he goes to bed rather than brooding over the desire to see his parents once more. (Incidentally, there was an episode of Smallville that reminds me a lot of this chapter, in which Lana - orphaned at the age of three when her parents were killed by the meteor shower accompanying Clark's arrival - takes drugs that cause her to flat-line for a couple moments at a time, in the hopes of seeing her parents again, nearly leading to her complete self-destruction.) It allows the chapter to end much less drearily than it could have, since this is a vision Harry craves so deepy.
Second, it's such a ridiculous image, this ancient, highly respected wizard standing forlornly amidst a pile of freshly unwrapped books, tut-tutting to himself that he's going to have to put up with cold feet for another January. It's silly because socks are the stereotypical gift that no one wants to get for Christmas, and Dumbledore certainly shouldn't need anyone to get socks for him; I'm sure he can afford as many as his heart desires. 2
But third, while I think this was partly just a way to lighten the atmosphere, I do think there is truth in what he says. Dumbledore is viewed by everyone, even McGonagall, as just a bit unapproachable. He's marvelously down-to-earth, but he's so highly regarded that it's hard for people to think of him as a regular guy who is plagued and comforted by the same things they are, and I think sometimes he'd rather be just plain Albus instead of high-and-mighty Professor Dumbledore. I think he shows that again on 301 when he samples Harry's Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans. He's not too good for the simple things in life. He wants Harry to realize that, noble, wise and wonderful as he is, he puts his socks on one leg at a time like everybody else.
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Yep! It's funny, but I thought about posting about Dumbledore's socks too. That bit really jumped out at me, and for the first time I found myself wondering (as Harry wondered) "what if he's telling the truth?" ;-) What if he really is so truly content with his life that his heart's desire is something that simple and homey?
Although I suspect that can't be it entirely, given his passion for helping the wizarding world survive Voldemort -- Dumbledore's deepest desire is probably connected to that in some way.
JKR sure gives us a lot to think about, doesn't she? People's heart's desires (the mirror); their deepest fears (the boggart); their worst memories (dementors); and their -- well, what would we call patronuses, anyway? I think John Granger has termed them "psychic signatures..." Hmmm...I feel an essay coming on again. :-) I'm in essay mode these days!
But you're spot on about Rowling's use of gentle humor to defuse a really sad and difficult moment here. She respects her audience and she knows what she's doing. This and the "ear wax" moment show just about perfect (and loving) comic timing.
And what is it she has with socks, anyway? They're all over the place! A sock frees Dobby! Harry gets socks from Dobby for Christmas! The Weasleys run up and down the stairs looking for their spare socks at one point. I'm sure there are other sock instances I'm not thinking of right now...
Hm, you're right, she does seem to have a thing for socks!
I'm so glad that at least the "ear wax" comment made it into the movie. It's a shame that Dumbledore's sparkling wit doesn't come across too often in the films...
Hee! I love the twinkly Dumbledore moments too, and miss them more than anything else in the film versions. They've just never gotten it quite right in casting him. I loved Richard Harris and think he captured the spirit of the man, though not the energy (I think Harris was just too frail by then). But better that than Gambon, who has just been a real mess.
Were you the one I had the big discussion with over who we'd like to see play the part? :-) I can't remember!
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