Written for the Het-Tastic Drabble A Thon Challenge (November)

Prompt #43 Regret

Lily/Severus

In the first two years after she stopped being friends with Severus, she had regrets, sometimes. She regretted not finding out WHY he said those things, not being firmer in her admonishment of James and Sirius when they teased Sev, and most importantly she regretted cutting herself off and leaving Severus to the wolves of Slytherin.

Then word had come out that he had joined the Death Eaters. He had written her, before graduation, and she never responded. She supposed he was looking for one last out before being Marked.

She regretted not answering that call.

Then she was married, and had Harry, and died. She learned later, much later, that he had begged Albus and Voldemort to spare her life. While it burned her that he did not push for the whole family to be spared, she could understand. James had never been kind to him, and would not have given Sev a second thought if the positions were reversed. Sure, James would have done the noble thing, but they were different people, who had lived different lives. Lily also learned what the letter she dismissed said, the forgiveness he begged, and the pending decision he was going to make if she abandoned him. He had tried to come out of the darkness before it consumed him, and she regretted that she had ignored his last cry for help.

When he died she learned of his regret. He regretted the way he treated Harry, regretted not seeing him for someone who was a victim of circumstance. He regretted ever taking the Dark Mark.

She felt sorrow over their wasted lives. If only she had listened to her heart rather than let herself be swayed by popularity. She loved James, but at one time she had also loved Severus. As many chances as she gave James once they started dating, she could have given Severus at least one to repair their friendship.

When Fate came to give a select few a chance at redemption, Lily jumped at it, dragging Severus along with her.

They had a chance to live life without regret, and they would take it.