Secrets (A Severus Snape Story)

Chapter 25 - The Mirror of Erised

Severus' POV:

"What!?" I blurted out, looking at her with bewilderment. A person has caught her eye? Who was this person? I must know.

"Let me finish." She grumbled, glaring at me. "A person has caught my eye... and I want to know how to... uh..." She struggled on her words as her cheeks started to warm up. She looked quite... attractive when she was flustered.

"How to get them to like you back?" I finished darkly. She nodded my head and looked up at me. I pulled a pained expression. I feel like a fool.

She likes someone... and I... like her as well? No... Christ, please tell me this isn't going to be another Lily problem. I cannot fall for another woman that doesn't love me... I wouldn't be able to bear the pain.

"Raven, you know I'm not really the person to talk to about... love..." I said, glancing at the floor. It was true. I'm not the person to talk about relationships.

"Well, I know that, but... I have no one else I can tell this to... You are the only one I truly trust with this information. I can't even trust Sirius, he would totally flip if he figured out I... liked... somebody." She said, struggling on her way words.

"It's complicated." She finally said, sighing heavily.

"Explain." I simply said, staring at her. She shifted uncomfortably next to me, glancing around the room with her beautiful emerald eyes. Merlin... her eyes are beautiful.

Why am I having problems with this? I've blocked my feelings for the last, what, 15 years or so, why can't I now? Why am I even friends with one of my students?! This is highly inappropriate.

Because you like her, my subconscious supplied.

I shook my head from the thought and grimaced. No I do not. She is a student. Even worse, MY student.

"This guy that I... like... I spend as much time with him as I can, but I don't think he... likes... me as much as I do, in the way I do..." She said, sitting back up and sitting crossed legged. I suddenly felt cold without her leaning on me.

To be honest, I'm really crying inside. How did I ever believe she would like me!? To remind you, I am her professor as well! Merlin, I'm some sick perv for liking my student... 17 years younger than me. Half my age!

"Sev... you okay?" She waved a hand in front of my face. I snapped back into reality and grimaced. Should... Should I tell her about Lily? I've known Raven for a while... and I feel like I can trust her.

"Would you like to hear the whole story behind Lily?" I asked, glancing at her from the corner of my eye. She looked shocked and surprised. To be honest, I was surprised as well. What am I doing talking about Lily? I made a promise to never... never talk about Lily again.

"Severus, you don't have to talk about her... if it hurts you too much." She said quietly, grasping onto my arm tightly. I frowned and shook my head at her.

"We met at a clearing behind my house. Her sister was calling her a freak, as she was a witch while her sister was not. I was there to comfort her... and we just became friends then." I explained, twiddling with my fingers. Lily... what am I doing... talking about you. She never deserved this... She should have lived.

"We both eventually went to Hogwarts. She was a Gryffindor and I was a Slytherin. You know how that works out..." I gave her a knowing look. "It was difficult to be friends, but we managed. I made friends with a group of Slytherins while she... befriended a nasty group of Gryffindor troublemakers."

Raven frowned and she absentmindedly grabbed onto my hand. I tensed at the touch, but soon relaxed. Only Raven... Only Raven is allowed to touch me. Oh... that sounds wrong.