"You love James."

It's not a question; they're beyond questions at this point. It's only statements. Flat, harsh truths.

"So what if I do?" Regulus spits, his eyes flashing. "He's in love with Lily Evans. What the hell am I supposed to do?"

"You're wrong," Peter says quietly. "He's not in love with Lily."

"Really." Regulus snorts, disbelief painted on his face. "So all those displays were just — just pranks? A silly little show? Don't make me laugh." He turns his head away. "He's in love with her. Everyone knows it."

"I didn't say that it was just a show," Peter retorts. "He's not in love with her. Enamored by her, yes, but not in love. I know him."

"What are you saying, then?"

"He. Does not. Love. Her." Peter emphasizes every word. "You have a chance."

"Oh please. He sees me as Sirius's little brother. It's never going to be anything more than that." A beat of silence. "Just leave me alone, Pettigrew."

It's the use of his surname that makes Peter frown. "Suit yourself," he says, shrugging. "I'm the only one who can help you — Sirius won't, Remus is...preoccupied, and you obviously are too chicken to talk to James. If you need me, you know how to find me."

Regulus never confesses, so James marries Lily, and he dies by her side at Godric's Hollow. Regulus goes after Voldemort's Horcrux, so he dies too.

After Sirius is hauled off to Azkaban, Peter dares to set foot in the Potters' old cottage. One side is completely blown out, the debris littering the snow, and he wonders if he should go inside.

He tells himself it's because he wants to see where his master fell, but it's something else that's tugging him forward, past the gate and into the cottage.

He doesn't make any detours, climbing up the stairs and into the most broken part of the house, where the spell backfired. Harry's crib, where Peter had spent many moments with his friend's young son, is nothing but rubble now.

He falls to his knees.

What if James hadn't married Lily? What if Regulus had confessed? What if Peter hadn't — hadn't — opened his mouth? Joined Lord Voldemort? Convinced Regulus to take his chance?

He hangs his head, tasting years of regret on his tongue, but he cannot back out now — he is too far gone.

401 words

Auction (27-2): Regulus/Peter (platonic or romantic)