Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter.
Writers Notes: Thanks to my beta HGranger89 and thanks to my readers for the feedback.
The large blanket of snow that once covered the Hogwarts grounds had nearly all melted away, with only a few handfuls of flakes scattered across the fields as March came to an end. Hermione was once again sitting in front of the magical mirror, gazing at her mother. She didn't go to the abandoned room every day, but most, and it was starting to affect her schoolwork. Hermione placed her hand on the glass, and the reflection of her mum reached out to touch it. If Hermione tried hard enough, it was almost as if she could feel her mother's touch.
"Wasting away your time in here again I see Miss Granger."
The voice startled the young Gryffindor, she turned around and saw her Potions Professor with his usual blank expression that most were unable to read. His arms were crossed as he looked up at the mirror then back at down at her.
"So, this is why the quality of your schoolwork hasn't been up to your usual standards."
Hermione didn't say anything as she watched Snape walk up to her, he once again looked down at the girl and the mirror.
"I suspect you know what this is?" He asked, eyeing the girl.
"Well... it... umm... it's a magical mirror … sir?" Hermione replied, not knowing what he meant, she knew that the mirror must have a spell placed on it, but she hadn't read anything about these kinds of mirrors.
Severus just glared down at the girl, giving her a look he usually gave students when they were being dunderheads.
"I suggest you take a closer look at the inscription Miss Granger."
Stepping up to face the mirror, she looked at the inscription again, 'Erised stra ehru oyt ube cafru oyt on wohsi'. She was left puzzled at what that meant but thinking about Professor Snape's words, she looked again more closely, trying to see if she could find something hidden in the inscription. The girl studied it hard, not once looking at Professor Snape, wanting to solve this puzzle on her own.
Hermione tried rearranging the words to see if that would help, then after a few moments she let out a triumph gasp and nearly jumped up and down shouting, "I show not your face but your heart's desire."
"Correct," Severus said, hiding his look of amusement at the young girl.
He was mildly impressed with the girl's intelligence, not that he would ever show it. He knew a very small number of young gifted students, in which to Severus' eyes showed real promise of fulfilling and successful careers, but out of those same few, only a handful had their talent cultivated, while the rest fell in between the cracks. Furthermore, Severus really couldn't openly support any Muggleborns students, not with many of his students being sons or daughters of Death Eaters, including his godson Draco Malfoy. Anyone of them would cry to their parents about Severus supporting a filthy Mudblood over his own house. Severus already walked a thin line with his brethren among the Dark Lords former ranks. He knew most of the Death Eaters didn't trust him, especially after Dumbledore had Severus pardoned during his trial. This just added to Severus self-loathing, he felt physically sick being forced to use this excuse to justify his awful behaviour.
"So, this mirror shows our desires?" Hermione asked.
"No..." Severus said looking down at Hermione, who once again was confused at her teacher's response. "This mirror is nothing but a shrine built on a bed of lies, a false reality. There are people, even great and powerful wizards and witches who have withered away their lives staring at this mirror. Dreams are nothing but an illusion, and nothing comes true wasting away in a mirror of lies. Hope is like a mist before the morning sunrise of reality. This shows nothing but images meant to torture the soul into madness. Understand this fact, Miss Granger, because regardless, the mirror will be moved tomorrow, and if I catch you trying to find it again you will regret it. You will have to get on with your life, or use your imagination."
Hermione looked up before nodding, taking in what the Potions Master's words. He was right in a way, and she felt stupid for still pining for her father to be proud of her. She looked down at her feet ashamed. The Gryffindor wanted to prove herself and to show others that her brilliance despite being a Muggleborn, but a mirror wouldn't make that happen, determination and very hard work would. She was going to miss seeing her mother's face, but Severus was right, she was wasting away, her work wasn't up to her usual standards, and she was hardly eating or sleeping.
She looked up at her Professor, "Is it wrong to dream sir?"
"Dreams are what makes us human, but for some others, it makes mean, small, stupid and petty."
"Ha... Hav... I mean … what do you see in the mirror Professor?" The little girl asked nervously as Severus just stared back impassively. He had seen many things in the mirror over his thirty-two years. The first time he found it was during his second year as he was hiding from the Marauders. He saw his parents finally seeing him as a son. Later, during the fifth year, he saw himself standing next to Lily. Once he started teaching, he saw himself without his Dark Mark, trying to make up for all the terrible, God-awful things he had done.
"Winning the House Cup again for the eleventh year in a row, and drinking out of in front of Professor McGonagall," Snape said with a grin, "Now run along to your common room Miss Granger before I decide to take away house points."
Hermione didn't need to be told twice, and the quickly left the room, leaving Severus behind. He turned to the mirror, and saw Lily smiling at him; he froze before placing a hand to the mirror. Severus lowered his head "I... I... I'm so... sor...sorry," he couldn't bear to look her in the eyes, he deemed himself too unworthy. "No...," he managed a faint whisper. "No... No... No! NO! You're not real," he shouted. Severus slowly picked himself up, and turned away from the mirror, readying it to be moved by Dumbledore the next day. Unbeknownst to him, Hermione Granger was peering around the doorway staring at her Professor.