Pairing: LilySeverus (platonic)
Prompt: 737. Purify
Word count: 296
Purify
"I'll take the Unbreakable Vow and promise to never call you that again if you'll forgive me."
"No, Severus."
"Why not?"
"Because… because what you called me just shows me the person you really are. It shows me that you care more about your position with your Slytherin friends than with me. I don't want to be second best Severus."
The already pale Severus Snape went even paler as Lily turned away from him. He didn't miss the tear that rolled down her cheek as she did so. "But –"
"Severus, I want to say I'm sorry, but I'm not. Well, I am sorry that we can no longer be friends, but I'm not sorry that I am making this decision. If I was a Pureblood, it would be different, but you can't purify me."
She turned back around with a tear-stained face, looking at him.
Severus knew there was no hope in convincing her otherwise, but it didn't stop him from trying anyway. "I swear. It won't happen again. I will make the Vow if you want me to."
"I don't want you to," Lily said calmly. "I wouldn't ask my worst enemy to do that."
Severus nodded, swallowing a lump that had formed in his throat.
"Severus, while you're still choosing them, you can't choose me as well. I'm sorry." She turned away again, this time really walking from him.
Severus didn't move, watching her go and wishing against everything else that he had never said what he did. But he had, and there was nothing he could do about it. She was gone and the only thing that would bring her back now would be to go back in time.
Or, he thought with a heavy heart, or if she was a Pureblood.
This pairing was requested by NotDeadYet, who also provided the additional prompt of the opening line.
Thanks for everybody's requests. Please keep them coming, I am really enjoying experimenting with ideas of multiple kinds.