Thunder pounded outside my bedroom window, and the rain pattered hardly on the castle roof. I opened my eyes. The room was dark, a candlestick next to my bed being the only source of light. It couldn't have been before 1 o'clock in the morning. I had woken up after dreaming about being in the dungeons in front of a mirror. It was a gold framed mirror, coated in dust from age. Inscribed at the top was a bunch of gibberish words I couldn't make out, and when I looked into the mirror, my reflection didn't appear. Instead, a man I'd never seen before was stood there. He was tall, with skin as grey as a corpse, and eyes redder than the fires of hell. In place of a nose were two slits, similar to those of a serpent. In fact, draped around his shoulder was a snake, no more than 11 feet long. This snake was, as I remember, a viper, with dark orange eyes and a dull scaled body. I stepped back when it opened its mouth, revealing its fangs. The next thing I knew, it jumped forward through the mirror, and I woke up.

I sat up in bed and looked around. Cho and Padma were fast asleep. Luna was, too, but she was tossing and turning; we hadn't really been talking since I walked out of Hagrid's hut. I swung my legs over the side of the bed and slipped on my robes. I had to find this mirror.

I quickly and quietly made my way out of the room and down to the dungeons. Every painting I passed whined at me for casting the lumos charm with my wand.

"Put that light out, young lady! We're trying to sleep and so should you!"

I ignored them and quickened my pace until I finally reached my destination, but froze in my tracks when I noticed someone already stood in front of the mirror.

"Well, well..." The person said in a deep, dreary voice. It was Professor Snape. "Out past curfew again, I see? Someone...is asking for expulsion..."

"I-...I-...I just wanted to-"

"See what your heart desires most?"

Confused, I slowly walked over to my professor who was still stood facing the mirror. A redheaded woman with a warm smile was stood next to Snape. She was absolutely beautiful. I studied her, trying to figure out who she was. My eyes widened.

Lily Potter...

I remembered a picture Harry had shown me of his parents dancing together. I remembered thinking was a lovely couple they were and how I would have loved to had known them. I had no idea where Snape fit into the situation, though, but when I thought about it, it became obvious that Snape must have had feelings for Harry's mother.

He turned back to me, and for the first time in my five months of attending Hogwarts, I felt bad for my professor. Perhaps he was capable of love. He black eyes penetrated mine, "I may not know your secret, Woodcroft," He walked forward, "but you now know mine." He stood aside and motioned toward the mirror with his hand.

I stood in front of it and expected that man from my dream to be stood there, but instead, by my side stood Harry. His hand was in mine and it wasn't causing him any pain. I read the gibberish at the top of the mirror. It still made no sense.

"I show not your face but your heart's desire." Snape read aloud. I then noticed that the encryption was spelt backwards. So according to this mirror, what I wanted most was...Harry?

...What about Luna?

"You will compete in the final task, Woodcroft..."

I frowned.

How does he know I've been told not to?

I turned back to my professor, "...I know that..." I narrowed my eyebrows, "Who are you to tell me what I will and will not do?" I wasn't afraid of Snape. I wasn't afraid of challenging him. Not anymore.

Snape slowly walked towards me, and I recalled what he did to me in his classroom those few months ago. My heart raced. "Your life is in jeopardy, my dear. On the day of the final task, you will either live or you will die. Little do you know I have a say in your fate." I felt goosebumps form all over my skin. "You see, I will no longer pester you to find your secret out, because in a matter of weeks, we shall all find out..." He got in my face, "As I said, you can't hide your secret from me forever..." It was then that I realized Snape must be right. Maybe I was affiliated with the dark lord and didn't even know it...

"Harry, can I talk with you?" The next morning I approached the Gryffindor table in the Great Hall without eating a single scrap of food. I had to speak with Harry. It was the only thing on my mind.

"Um, sure." He stood up and followed me to the covered bridge where we could be alone and confide in each other.

I faced him, "I fear you and I are in more danger than we think." I said abruptly.

"...W-what do you mean?"

I reached for his hand and as usual he groaned and grabbed at his scar. "You see?" I asked, "How come every time we touch it brings you pain?" I stared into his beautiful blue eyes, identical to his mother's. "What sets off the pain, Harry? When does your scar hurt the most?"

"...When Voldemort's near...or...when I'm in danger of him..."

"Don't you see, Harry? You're in danger! I'm putting you in danger!" Tears stung my eyes, "Listen, I'm just as confused as you are, but it's become clear that I have some connection to the dark lord. You need to stay away from me..."

"...But you're my friend." Harry said, "I thought you and me we're-"

What? Lovers?

"...Y-you can't be connected to Voldemort...I know you!"

"You don't know me, Harry." I cried, "I don't even know me...Something's going to happen on the day of the final task...I don't know what, but until then, you need to stay away from me." I could feel my heart breaking. It was hurting me just as much as it was hurting Harry.

"F-fay-"

"Just stay away." I wiped my eye and forced myself to walk away from him. Like an idiot, I looked back, and tears were dripping down his face. I looked away and left him stood alone on the bridge.