Summary: Love of my life, can't you see? Bring it back, bring it back don't take it away from me, because you don't know
What it means to me... When Severus Snape looked at the Mirror, what he saw was no one other than the love of his life, the one he had sended away, Lily Potter.

Thank you DSCWin for your amazing help

LOVE OF MY LIFE

It was the last week of the school year, and while Harry Potter and his friends, Ronald Weasley and Hermione Granger, were heading towards the trap door on the third floor a man moved like a black ghost to his own private quarters. Professor Severus Snape was a man of few words even when he would berate his students in potions or take away points from the other classes. He knew that if he had seen Harry Potter and his friends or heard of their ideas, he would figure out they were after the stone. But he knew the real reason. He knew he could help but since he didn't know the plans of three first years, he tortured himself with past memories and desires he silently wanted.

In his private quarters, Severus Snape kept nothing but a small mirror. It was dusty and nearly left forgotten as he grabbed it and looked into the refection. He muttered a few whispery words and placed the mirror back on his desk. He was gifted in certain magic spells. He just wished he worked in the Defense Against the Dark Arts classes instead of potions. But he wasn't using the mirror to fulfill his ability to secure the post. It was a spell that worked like the mirror Dumbledore kept hidden in an empty classroom. A mirror to show the view's deepest desires.

With all the strength Snape could muster he peered at his mirror nothing for him changed at first. Then it started to cloud and colors began to mix. It was his private wish that made him continue to look into the mirror. A beautiful woman appeared in the mirror now and she was smiling at him. The corners of Snape's mouth twitched upwards as he looked at the face of the love of his life. Lily Evens. Not Lily Potter, as he couldn't bare to think of her with that horrible surname.

The Lily in the mirror was no longer the small girl he met before but an elegant woman that was more beautiful to him then ever. She was wearing a wedding dress and smiling at him. Loving arms wrapped around him and not to the boy's ungrateful father to the boy he despised greatly. As he looked at her face he wished the boy had died and she lived.

"What a consolation prize you got, Lilly." He said gently stroking her face. But at least James Potter died; he thought not wanting to see the face of Lilly to morn the loss of the man he loathed. "I hope you didn't suffer at the hands of the Dark Lord, my love." He whispered again tracing his finger around the edges of her face once again. He continued to admire the happy face that he did not hear the door to his private quarters opening up or the soft footsteps as the Headmaster Albus Dumbledore walked up and gently tapped his shoulder.

"I'm sorry to disturb you Severus from your own thoughts." He smiled as Snape turned around and looked surprised to see Dumbledore there.

"I...I'm not an expert of anything, Headmaster." Snape said watching as the figure slowly disappeared from his mirror. "I couldn't help someone I truly cared for."

"I see." Dumbledore said giving a moment of silence out of respect. "But your guilt could wait for a minute. We have something that is more important."

"What's so important?" Snape asked confused.

"You see, while you were in here remembering the past, three students managed to pass through the trap door on the third floor to reach the stone."

"Why are you telling me instead of expelling those three students?" Snape asked a gut feeling as to who those three were.

"Well, one of those students is Harry Potter. I believe you should save him."

"Why? That dog should have already eaten them alive. There is no way three first years could pass it." Dumbledore frowned.

"Severus..." the older wizard's voice grew soft as if trying to softly scold a misbehaving child. "Do you think Lily would approve of you talking about her son like that; wishing for harm to befall him?" Dumbledore's question made Snape's pale face pale even more with guilt.

"What will I have to do, Headmaster?" Snape asked his voice barely above a whisper.

"If you can quickly get to Mr. Potter before more harm comes to him. It would be very helpful. Meanwhile I must attend to Mr. Weasley and Ms. Granger and help them with their injuries." Snape opened his mouth to say something else, but the ever-wise Dumbledore lowered his half-moon spectacles at him. "I must write an important letter to Sir Nicholas Flammel and tell him about the stone." Snape went quiet as he was hesitant to move as he peered back at the mirror. Instantly the beautiful Lilly appeared with a warm smile. "Please Severus, I know you saved him once before. I know you will save him again."

Snape felt something burn inside his gut as he turned around and pointed a shaky finger at Dumbledore. "I'll do it...but not for you. I'll...I'll do it for Lilly." He said his teeth clenched together. Without looking back at the mirror Snape walked briskly out of his room and headed towards the third floor knowing of the dangers that it would present. But Snape didn't care for that. He only cared to see the smiling face on Lilly as he saved her son once again.