Mirror

Mirror

The Mirror of Erised would be moved tomorrow, he wondered if it were today. He didn't know where it would actually be moved to, that is why tonight was so important to him. It would be his last chance to see her. Moving pictures gave comfort, but they could not be compared to the real woman. Besides, the moving pictures of her were few and far in between.

Severus may be a Potions Master, but even he knew there could be no replacement for the Mirror of Erised. If he missed tonight, he would never see her again. Perhaps one day he could mix a potion to show his heart's deepest desire, but even if that day did come, it would never be fast enough.

The door shut swiftly but silently behind him. Severus turned to face the mirror, walking slowly towards it. He saw a reflection, a reflection of himself, now a man in his mid-30s. Severus looked older than he was, and he knew it. He always had.

Slipping one hand slowly into a pocket in his pants, he pulled out a tiny vile, the colour of red roses. Sweet scents escaped the vile as Severus uncorked it, flowing around the room like invisible ripples. It didn't taste as sweet - Severus made a face as he tasted the bitter liquid run down his throat - but this would be the last time and he no longer cared how distasteful the liquid was.

"Lily."

Her name had only just escaped his lips as his reflection waved into the image of a young woman. Long red waves of hair fell down her shoulders, her green eyes gazed steadily into his cold black ones.

Then she smiled.

"Severus," his name only sounded sweet when coming from her lips, "I was wondering when you would come tonight."

"Or is it today?"

"It doesn't matter," Lily's eyes flickered down to see the now empty vile in Severus' hand, "I can tell you took it again, I can hear my voice sweeping towards you."

"It will be the last time your voice will sweep towards me."

Lily's eyes went downcast, "I know. The mirror. . ."

"Let us not speak of the mirror."

"I wish we could not speak at all and be doing of other things instead."

Severus slowly reached out as if to touch the mirror's surface, then his fingers curled away, "We could have done those things eleven years ago."

Lily's eyes began to tear, "Severus, I know I made a mistake all those years ago. I know you understood the crisis I was in - James declaring I was his...me a Gryffindor and you a Slytherin...you knew I wanted to leave Hogwarts eventually, I didn't want to stay and teach like you did."

"Voldemort would not have killed you had you stayed. Was all of that worth willing to throw your life away for?"

A tear began to fall down Lily's perfect cheek, "Severus, please, this is our last night. I don't want us to be parted in anger."

Severus took a quick glance behind him. The dark, velvety sky was beginning to turn with the sunrise, "The sun is rising," he murmured, "I have to leave now."

"Please protect him. I wanted him as yours."

Severus looked at Lily. He knew all too well who she wanted protection for, knew all too well the underlying statement in her final sentence, "For you, Lillian, anything."

Lily began to flicker.

I love you.

I love you, too.

I forgive you.

Severus guarded that final smile with his life.