Shredded

**This is for the Idiom Challenge- A picture's worth a thousand words**

A/N: I DO NOT own Harry Potter or anything that has to do with it. I am simply playing on the playground that JK Rowling most graciously built.// I haven't written in some time so be gentle.

"No, Severus! You've said it so you obviously meant it!" Lily Evans cries, tears rolling down her face. "We're done! I won't be friends with someone who obviously thinks so little of me."

With that, Lily slammed the door of the Gryffindor Common Room in the face of sixteen year old Severus Snape's face. "Lily, please…" the boy pleaded, banging his fists against the portrait guarding the entrance.

After a few moments, Severus gave up, his sadness and hurt replaced with anger and fury. The boy grabbed his school bag and stormed towards the dungeons, tears of hurt and anger shining in his eyes. The words he said replayed again and again in his mind. "Mudblood…Mudblood…Mudblood…" He couldn't explain why he'd said it, why he'd said those specific words. She was his best friend…had been his best friend, his only friend. Sure, he had Lucius and some of the other Slytherins, but could he really call them friends?

The angry teenager stormed into his dormitory, past everyone in the Common Room. He was glad no one noticed him, not wanting anyone to see his weakness, his tears. Severus was relieved to reach the sanctuary of his room, locking and warding the door.

After digging beneath his bed for some time, Severus pulled out a photo of Lily and himself during the summer after their fourth year. It showed Lily sneaking up on an unaware Severus, giggling as she jumped onto his back. They both laughed as Severus spun around before falling gently to the ground. Severus watched the picture several times, his anger building and building. Unable to take it anymore, Severus ripped the photo into several small pieces. He picked them up and went to throw them in the rubbish bin, but he found he could not. Deep down, Severus loved Lily. He always had and he always would. Severus tried desperately to use magic to fix the photograph, but nothing worked. He sighed and stored the pieces in the bottom of his trunk.

SS LE SS LE SS LE SS LE SS LE SS LE SS LE SS LE SS LE SS LE SS LE SS LE SS

Severus stood on the hill that overlooked the Godric's Hollow cemetery. Reluctant tears rolled slowly down Severus's face as he watched his best friend, the only person he had ever loved being lowered into the ground. He questioned everything in that moment. Why was he following Voldemort? Why did he and Lily fight? Why didn't he try and make up with her when he had the chance? Why did someone as innocent as Lily die when he, himself…a Death Eater, was able to live?

Severus knew what he needed to do. After the funeral, he apparated just outside of Hogwarts and made his way up to the school. As he trudged along, he ignored the mixed glances from students. Many of them held scared expressions, others held proud features upon seeing him. It was no secret that Severus Snape was a Death Eater.

He burst into Dumbledore's office, tears of pain and hurt rolling down his cheeks. Severus fell to his knees in front of who, he hoped, would be his new 'master'. "Professor…please…I need your help," he spoke. His words were broken. Broken like his heart…like the piece of the photograph he held in his hands, clutching them tightly, refusing to let go.

A/N: Well, there you have it…short, I know…IDK what you'll think. Please review…