Chapter 16: Lily

That night Severus dreamed about Lily.

She was just there, standing, smiling at him. The surroundings were a blur. All Severus could see was Lily.

"Lily," he mouthed. He couldn't believe that she was alive.

She tilted her head to one side to examine him. Her long red hair cascaded over one shoulder. Her emerald eyes were bright as if she had just been laughing. This was how Severus liked to remember her.

And her she was, right before him.

Lily looked excited to see Severus too. She began to run towards him and he towards her. He reached out to touch her, but his hand hit cold, hard glass.

It was then he realized that he was standing in front of the mirror of Erised.

Lily stood before him, still smiling, completely unperturbed.

Severus's palms slid down the mirror as he sunk to the ground.

She was so close to him but forever out of his reach.

Severus's heart felt heavy in his chest. He was sure he would die of endless longing.

Then he felt a gentle hand on his shoulder.

Severus looked up and Rose was standing beside him.

She held out her hand for him to take.

Severus just stared at it, afraid to find that Rose was behind glass as well.

Rose narrowed her eyes at him, the ways she did sometimes when she was annoyed. She stuck her hand out further so that it was right in front of Severus's nose.

When Severus did not move, Rose looked at the mirror and frowned. She clearly could see what Severus's saw, even though that was not how the mirror of Erised worked in real life.

Rose gazed at Lily in the mirror and then back at Severus. Her eyes softened, yet sadness could be found in her face.

Rose reached into her pocket and pulled out her wand.

She pointed the wand at Lily in the mirror.

Severus stood at once, suddenly worried as to what Rose was going to do, scared she would shatter the mirror. Severus stepped in between Lily and Rose, his hands out in front of him.

Silent tears fell from Rose's eyes as she stared back at Severus. She shook her head, telling him not to worry.

She held out her arm and gently pushed Severus aside. Severus was shocked to find that he felt her touch; Rose was right there before him, not a beautiful memory encased in a glass prison.

Rose pointed her wand at Lily again and Severus watched as the glass dissolved.

Lily stepped out of the mirror of Erised.

Severus stumbled back as if his body could not physically cope with what was happening.

Lily's green eyes fell upon Rose. She then touched her cheek and brushed away a few tears with her thumb.

Rose smiled sadly at Lily. The two women seemed to be having a silent conversation. Rose nodded once and bowed her head, letting her long, dark hair fall forward.

Lily hugged Rose as if in thanks, then turned to Severus.

Then Lily was swiftly in front of him.

She held out her hand for him to take. Severus grabbed it at once with both of his. He began to sob as he held onto Lily. He brought her hand to his lips and kissed her palm. Then he held her hand over his pounding heart.

"I'm so sorry, Lily," Severus cried. "For everything."

Lily pulled her hand away from Severus and he seemed to wilt at her reject. But then Lily touch his cheek, like she had done to Rose. She smiled gently at him and nodded.

Severus could feel someone behind him. He turned around quickly, defensively. Lily's hand fell away from him.

James Potter was before them.

Severus scowled. He had just gotten Lily back and now Potter would take her away again.

Lily moved into James's arms, just as expected.

Even as Lily stood right before him, not a reflection, she was still out of Severus's reach.

Lily and James looked back at Severus, standing hand and hand.

Severus took a few steps back. It was far too painful to see her with him, but even more painful to not see her at all.

Suddenly, Severus felt fingers interlocking with his. The hand was warm, soft, and familiar. He knew it was Rose without even looking at her.

Severus couldn't bring himself to tear his eyes from Lily, worried that if he even blinked for too long that she would disappear.

Lily smiled at Severus and then turned her attention to James, who nodded once. The couple began to walk away.

Severus moved to go after Lily but Rose, still hanging on to him, did not move, anchoring him to the spot. He tried to go again. This time, Rose's hand became limp within his and slipped out of his grasp.

It was at that moment that Severus realized that he could not take Rose with him to follow Lily.

Severus posed to sprint after Lily, but his hand that had been connected to Rose, was painfully cold and empty. The idea of leaving Rose behind made Severus feel like there was a tight snare around his heart, stopping the blood from perfusing through his body.

In the distance, Severus could see Lily and James staring at each other lovingly.

Severus withdrew his gaze from them and turned back to Rose.

She was standing there staring at him. Her face was somber but when he turned around, a hint of hope danced behind her eyes.

Severus walked towards her, suddenly the distance became longer between them. He ran towards her but did not move as fast as his legs were working.

After what seemed hours, he was finally in front of Rose. The long, tiring run seemed to clear his head. She eyed him tearfully but smiled. She placed her head on his chest and Severus wrapped his arms tightly around her.

He smiled into her hair, thinking that he would gladly stay like this forever.

Dear Readers,

This chapter is a bit short...But I will post the next chapter tomorrow (I already have it written). Hope you enjoy.

Thora Jane