He understood his mistakes more now than he ever had --but, then again, that's the way Dumbledore wanted it. He understood the power of his words now. Understood how just one word could leave a person broken on the floor with their heart ripped out. He felt guilty for calling Lily a mudblood. He felt guilty that he'd been so influenced by his housemates that he thought that word was acceptable to use, no matter the circumstances. He felt guilty that he had told the Prophecy to the Dark Lord. Felt guilty that his actions had led to the death of two people. He still loved her. In a way, he probably always would. She was his first friend, the first person to care about him, the first person to stand up for him. But she was not the only one -- not anymore -- and there was the difference. He loved her, as he always had, and always would, but she wasn't his world anymore. His life no longer centered around her.
