Wide, bright green eyes with thick, dark lashes and a knowing sparkle lit inside.

Pale cream skin with high cheekbones and Cocoa freckles. Wispy red curls with just a hint of gold in them. Small, rose-red lips curved up into a sly smile.

She has a slim build, with a thin waist and long, graceful limbs. Her hand reaches out, and I almost think it's going to touch me. Her lips move, and I almost think I can hear something.

…I almost think it's really her. But all dreams eventually shatter, and so does this one when her hand reaches the glass of the mirror and stops.

Because the Mirror of Erised only shows lies to people with dreams, and I am no exception.

Once, she was more than a dream. Once upon a time, she was a reality.

And, most regrettably, once upon a time she was mine.

I can see it now. If only I hadn't been such an idiot…

If I wasn't so vain, she'd still be alive today.

That fact still haunts me to this day, and I doubt I will ever forgive myself. She died hating me because I was arrogant and stupid. I was too blind to see that she was already mine. I was too…

Griffindor to walk away.

The first time I looked upon the mirror, I was 13 and desperate.

I saw something very similar to what I see now. There was only one difference.

Back then, I saw myself along with her, holding her hand, kissing her, altogether playing the perfect boyfriend.

But now?

Now, all I wanted was her. I didn't care if she hated me or if she loved me, I just wanted her back.

Now, all I saw was Lily.

Even when the mirror was nowhere in sight.