I wanted to start a little oneshot collection of a million different fandoms because I don't much like having a million different stories that are all only a chapter long, but then I figured no one would be able to find it as it wouldn't be under any specific category, so I'm sticking with just making oneshot collections for each fandom and adding to them whenever an idea crops up. If anyone wants to expound on them, simply ask. I'll usually be happy having someone to continue a story unless I have an idea for continuation or someone else has already asked for it.

That being said, this is my first Harry Potter fic, so please feel free to critique as long as you're not being cruel or stupid.

I do not own the Harry Potter series (I'm not that smart…)

"Mind over Matter." – Unknown

Vice

"Professor, I'm afraid he hasn't left that spot for over three hours."

Hermione's concern was touching, but that didn't mean she had to get her nose stuck in other people's business. Honestly, if the boy wanted to waste away over his desires, who were they to stop him? After all, he himself had spent countless hours poring over the image of his own beloved.

"Leave him be for now, Miss Granger. Sometimes it takes a while to come to terms with your heart's innermost desire."

Hermione let out a small gasp. "But, Sir… is that really…? Is that really the Mirror? The Mirror of Erised?"

Of course, you stupid girl. I thought they said you were intelligent! He thought privately, butinstead of voicing his thoughts, he merely pointed at the engraved statement.

Hermione hesitantly inched closer to the flat, reflective surface, trying to catch a glimpse of her own deepest desire. A frown crossed her expression just about an inch from the sight of her own reflection, of the reflection of her most earnest wishes.

"I suppose… I suppose I shouldn't look, Professor?" The statement came out as more off a question, the longing clearly evident in her voice.

She glimpsed a small, almost approving smile cross the professor's face before it disappeared entirely to make room for a stern expression. A hint of amusement lined his tone as he answered quietly, "I do believe that would be best."

Hermione nodded firmly with only a small, regretful glance back at the silvery surface and her friend sprawled haphazardly across the floor in front of it, entirely oblivious to the conversation behind him.

Boldly, she eyed the professor in front of her and stated, "You'll make sure he leaves it soon, won't you." The request was in the form of a statement this time, but he still nodded the affirmative, if only to remind himself that he was responsible for the student as Albus had sent him her to take care of it.

She nodded once more in goodbye and spun on her heel, exiting the room quickly without looking back.

Severus Snape walked in front of the mirror. Now that Granger had gone, the longing to look into it much fiercer than it had been when he had been led to the students in the first place.

Harry's eyes flicked up to his reflection only briefly before becoming engrossed in the image once more.

He sees his family, the Weasley boy had told the headmaster, just as Snape viewed the only loved one he'd ever cherished.

Auburn hair shone over familiar almond-shaped green eyes. A smile brighter than the light reflecting off his wand radiated from her face, causing a warm, consistent ache to spread through his heart as the longing to truly see her filled his icy core. Harry sat below him. One of Lily's hands rested on her son's shoulder as Harry's features shifted to match her own, his eyes notably staying the same. Her other arm had wrapped itself around Severus's shoulder as she whispered in his ear.

"He is my pride and joy, Sev. Thank you for watching over him." He knew not to look away from the mirror, for it would shatter the illusion, but her voice sounded so real, it took his breath away.

Both broken boys marveled over the images, both transfixed on the rosy-haired individual smiling benignly down on them, both mesmerized on the future that could have been, both unable- unwilling- to notice the present they were caught within.

Neither bothered to speak when they had drunk in the sight of Lily Evans Potter, and neither ever mentioned the comforting hand Severus had placed on Harry's shoulder or the weak smile Harry offered in return.

But the experience would stay within forever, a reminder that even the worst of enemies had something in common and that desire was the most piercing vice of all.

And they would never know that the object of their affections gazed just as longingly back at them, unable to move past the few words she spoke and unable to overcome her own intense yearning.

I may turn this into a Mind over Matter arc, but we'll see about that later on. Either way, I probably won't ever address this particular topic again as the vague idea I have for part two of the arc is on an entirely different track. Hope you liked it, and don't forget to comment, please!