Harry's cloak

[PTeppic]

I thought the quote was "the happiest man in the world would see only himself", or words to that effect. The point was that most people see what they desire, whereas the happiest person had nothing else to desire so would see only himself.

The mirror was being introduced so it could be used in the big finale with Quirrel/Voldemort. Having it available for the Boggart was just a plus.

 

[Digger]

On the subject of the Invisibility Cloak - don't forget that in PoA, Snape finds it at the foot of the Whomping Willow but generally he can't see Harry whilst he's wearing it. This to me means that either (1) Snape CAN see Harry when he's wearing it, but has to pretend not to, or (2) Snape could detect it was there by some other way. Am I right in also thinking that Lupin, in PoA, didn't spot the Cloak when he followed them to the Shreiking Shack?

 

[HoopyFrood]

Snape found the cloak because it's not invisible when someone isn't wearing it (otherwise how the hell would you keep track of it? )
And I guess Lupin didn't pick the cloak up because 1. he didn't see it because he was in too much of a rush. 2. He saw it but was in too much of a rush to pick it up, and didn't think it would be of much use while in the Shack.

 

[Digger]

Nope, disagree!! I can't remember anywhere that says you can see an Invisibility Cloak when you aren't wearing it! All the references are that you keep a close hold of it, maybe because otherwise you can't see it? This would explain why Harry keeps it in his trunk or down his robes....and sorry, I really don't see that Lupin would have just left it lying by the Whomping Willow, not knowing how rare and valuable it was, and especially whose it was!!!

 

[Dave]

I can't remember anywhere that says you can see an Invisibility Cloak when you aren't wearing it!

But Harry talks about it with Ron when not wearing it, he talks about it with Dumbledore when not wearing it. Wouldn't they both question what he was talking about if nothing was actually there?

Ron: You're a loony Harry! There's nothing in that trunk!

On the other hand, these cloaks are not unusual. Several members of the Order of the Phoenix wore them when they protected the Ministry of Magic. Maybe wizards can detect the magic from cloaks without seeing them?

But aren't the films counted as Canon in this? Obviously, in the films then we can actually see it when it is not being worn, and I think JK Rowling would have corrected that if it was not what she intended.

 

[PTeppic]

Isn't the first Christmas in Gryffindor dorm a perfect example that they ARE somehow partially visible:

Ron: I know what that is, it's really rare, it's an invisibility cloak - try it on.
(paraphrased)

 

[Riker]

I think if you wear it one of the sides out then the person is invisible, but if you were to wear it the opposite side out then it is visible. So, one side is invisible while the other is not. That way, when it is laying down somewhere, it will fold and such, and be partially visible while partially invisible. Does that make sense? That's what I've thought at least. And if you watch the movie where he gets the cloak, you can see flash as both visible and invisible when Harry goes to put it on.

 

[Dave]

I think if you wear it one of the sides out then the person is invisible, but if you were to wear it the opposite side out then it is visible. So, one side is invisible while the other is not. That way, when it is laying down somewhere, it will fold and such, and be partially visible while partially invisible. Does that make sense? That's what I've thought at least. And if you watch the movie where he gets the cloak, you can see flash as both visible and invisible when Harry goes to put it on.

Actually, that makes a lot of sense if it were a real 'invisibility cloak' rather than a magical one. There is technology being developed to make real 'cloaking devices' and it is based upon 'metamaterials' that harmonise light frequencies causing 'plasmonic shields'. You have to coat the outside of objects with these materials, so coating the outside of an soldiers uniform or a wizards cloak with these invisible properties is practable.