This little drabble was an entry in the One Word Prompt Competition on the HPFC forum. It was written using the prompt 'defy.'

"Acid Pops," said Severus Snape confidently to the lone gargoyle that resided on the seventh floor at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. He stood upon the spiral staircase which carried him up to a door with a brass knocker.

Severus knocked thrice upon the door. "Enter," said the feeble voice of Albus Dumbledore. "Ah, Severus," he continued, and Snape strode forward and took a seat in front of the headmaster's desk. "Do make yourself at home," Dumbledore said, "but please excuse me for a moment. I shall return shortly." Snape nodded, and Dumbledore left the study.

Upon the desk lay the old, cracked ring which carried a curse of great magnitude. Snape recognized this ring, having been the one whom Dumbledore had came to after putting it on. Severus picked up the ancient ring, turning it in his hands. Before him appeared a most wonderful apparition. But what was it, truly?

Lily Evans. He was sure of that. Yet, she was strange. Not quite human, but not a ghost. No, she was much more substantial than a ghost. "Lily," he said, his voice cracking.

She nodded. Snape broke down, falling to his knees, tears falling into his hands. He looked up at her, yearning to touch her, to assure himself that she was really there, that he wasn't simply imagining her.

"I'm sorry," he said. "Sorry for everything." At that moment, he felt a fierce burning on his left forearm. She seemed to realize this.

"Defy it, Sev. Don't go. Stay. Fight him." Sev, he thought. The word gave him strength. He stood, using the desk for support.

"Lily," said Snape again. "I-"

She cut him off. "Defy it, Severus. I know you can. Don't go running back to him." Snape wiped a tear from his cheek, looking into her almond-shaped eyes. "Don't let him control you, Sev."

A most peculiar grinding sort of sound from outside the study made Snape look around. The door opened, and Albus Dumbledore re-entered the room. Severus looked to where Lily had stood a moment before, and saw nothing.

She had believed in him. She knew he could resist. 'Defy it,' she had said. A shadow of a grin crossed his face. A grin that had not been present on that face for years. 'Defy it.'