Entranced by lemondropseven Title: Entranced Author:lemondropseven Pairing: None Rating: PG-13 Word Count: 100x5 Warnings: Highlight for spoilers: *Character death* Summary: Severus stumbles onto something fascinating on his nightly rounds. Disclaimer: The Harry Potter world belongs to JKR. A/N: I think I'm running out of ways to torture Severus. I'll have to start writing happy endings...*shudder* ...But not this time. XD (<--- NOT EVEN IN JEST, BB! #weeps)
Entranced
"Men have wasted away before it..."
~~~
The start of Severus' second year of teaching at Hogwarts was a bit easier than the first. Older students now knew better than to insult him within hearing distance, and they fervently whispered warnings to first years as he stalked by them in the halls. Most of the staff spoke to him now, but since he didn't care for their opinions, he ignored them, and was largely ignored in return.
And that suited Severus perfectly fine.
One thing hadn't changed, though; it was still difficult to walk the halls of Hogwarts without Lily by his side. It always would be.
~~~
It was mid-November when he literally stumbled into an alcove, falling against a wall which gave way to a secret chamber. Severus had taken to making the late night rounds since he rarely slept, and had thoroughly explored the castle, but he'd never been here.
The room was empty but for one large, ornately framed mirror.
Grumbling about a waste of time, he turned to leave when a flash of red caught his eye. Slowly making his way in front of the mirror, he stared at the impossible image reflected back to him and heavily exhaled her name.
"Lily."
~~~
By the time students were packing for the Christmas Holidays, Severus looked sickly. His flowing robes hid the way his body had shrunk in on itself, ribs and hip bones jutting out sharply. But he was paler than usual, and couldn't hide the dark circles under his eyes and sunken cheeks. Three different professors, and even one brave student, had enquired about his health; he'd brushed his colleagues off, and took points from the Gryffindor.
Every free moment was spent in front of the mirror.
In the mirror, he was healthy and happy.
In the mirror, he was with Lily.
~~~
One night Dumbledore was waiting for Severus, and the mirror was gone.
"Severus, I'm worried about you."
"You're worried about losing a tool, a weapon. You care nothing for me."
Dumbledore's eyes lost their twinkle for a moment. "I do care for you, Severus. But that's not important. It's important that you not lose sight of your goal by staring into your desire. This Mirror, Severus - it shows us neither knowledge or truth. You'll not avenge Lily by living a fantasy with her reflection."
"I know," Severus snarled.
"You shouldn't go looking for it, my boy."
But, of course, he did.
~~~
Severus sat on the floor in front of the mirror, back against the wall, oblivious to the cold stone beneath and behind him. His breathing was slow and labored, hands twitching sporadically. He didn't see Dumbledore standing just to his left. He didn't hear the sorrowful whisper, "Oh, dear boy."
The whole of his being, his very soul, was focused on the image in front of him.
His reflection wrapped an arm around Lily, whispering in her ear. She laughed in response, playfully hitting his chest. Their lips met in a loving kiss.