A/N: This is a mini-sequel to "Confidant," originally part of it, but I decided it worked better as a drabble. Read "Confidant" first.
Disclaimer: I don't own the world of Harry Potter.
Remus Lupin stood alone on the ridge, looking down on the wreckage of what used to be his best friends' home.
The Potters were dead now. So was Peter. And Sirius . . . worse than dead. Sirius was a traitor. Sirius was in Azkaban.
His entire life destroyed in one fell swoop.
And then there was Regulus.
Regulus, who had given his life so his brother could live — live to betray his friends. Regulus, who had sacrificed himself to make the Dark Lord mortal — but Voldemort wasn't mortal. He hadn't died, or so Dumbledore said. He still existed — as a spirit, yes, but he existed.
Regulus, who had tried so hard, only to fail at everything he did.
Remus dug in his pocket and pulled out his wand. Beech and phoenix feather, ten-and-a-half inches. He eyed it for a moment, holding it across the palms of his hands.
Then he tossed it gently into the ruins.
Wrapping his newly transfigured Muggle coat tightly around him and ducking his face against the cold November wind, Remus Lupin walked away.