A/N: For Paula, of course. And the Slash/Femmslash BC (promise) and the Monopoly Challenge (Barty/Cedric, falling, Greek myths). Warning for implied sexual stuff.

I.

You make a promise to yourself when you finally accept that Regulus is gone. You will never love again, never let anyone get close enough to try.

(And who would love you, anyway, Barty? You're a monster, a twisted, bitter thing. Your own father doesn't give a damn about you, and your boyfriend has thrown you away like you never meant anything at all.)

"Never again," you vow, tearing the photograph of you and Regulus down the middle, letting the pieces fall into the flames.

Best mates. Partners in crime. Lovers.

These titles don't mean a damn thing anymore.

II.

You're falling, Barty. Oh God, you're falling.

The Diggory boy is so innocent, just as you once were. You want to hold him, want to touch him the very way Regulus once touched you.

(Would he let you? You let Regulus touch you, let him show you the beauty of corruption. You let him steal you away like Hades and Persephone, let him drag you down to the Underworld where you grew so very cold. Would Cedric let you do the same?)

III.

"Damn good job with the dragons, Diggory," you say in the Auror's rough growl, your hand resting on his shoulder.

(Caress his cheek. Whisper starlight and love into his ear like Regulus had. Let him fall with you until you both crash and shatter into a thousand pieces that can't be put together again, so that you can be broken together.)

"Thank you, Professor."

(Let your filth sink into his pores and pollute his bloodstream until he's just like you. Start over; let the unending cycle play out all over again.)

You linger a little longer than you should, hesitating and biting back everything you want to say every time you look into those Regulus-grey eyes...

And then you pull away, stomping off to congratulate Potter. You've made a promise, and you to keep it. You have to keep your heart locked away, safe and sound, free from love and hope.

(Because you're a coward, aren't you, Barty?)