Payback

James?

Why did you do it?

I love you, James.

I thought you loved me.

You said you did.

Why'd you go, James?

Why did you leave me?

You said you were only joking about her - stringing her along.

Why did you lie?

I love you.

She won't keep you.

I won't let her.

You're mine.

You'll never be hers.

You will not betray me for her.

You said you loved me.

I love you, James.

You were my world.

How could you leave me like that?

You'll pay, James Potter. You'll pay.

I swear, James, you will pay.

***

Peter?

I didn't mean it Peter.

One thing just led to another.

I love you.

I told you that.

I don't lie.

You believe me, don't you?

It just -

I -

Oh, who am I kidding?

I liked hurting you.

I liked knowing I had that much power over you - over anyone.

I enjoyed watching you suffer.

I loved every minute of it.

You're mine.

You know you are.

It's not like I meant to hurt you. It just happened. I'm sorry.

I really mean it.

I love you.

Really, I love you.

I guess I love Lily more.

I'm sorry.

***

No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other.

***

Peter Pettigrew didn't care anymore. He had pretended to love them. He was an excellent actor. They never suspected him.

He loved being made Secret Keeper. He could finally hurt James the way James hurt him so many years ago.

And, better still; the whore would watch James die.

His only regret was that the son - Harry, was it? - would die as well. Harry looked like James. Maybe this Potter wouldn't turn out so horribly wrong.

He didn't regret it. He wanted James to know what he had felt when he got the wedding invitation. He wanted him to hurt.

***

Shit.

Oh Merlin. It was Peter. He knew Peter was angry, but this? Automatically, he grabbed for his wand, shouting over his shoulder to Lily.

"Lily, take Harry and go! It's him! Go! Run! I'll hold him off!"

His mind wasn't on the duel. His mind was on Peter. He was sorry he'd done that. Peter needed more than the rest of them. He was a fool to forget that.

He had been a fool to leave him. Somewhere, he had known that, but until this very moment, he had never realized it.

Peter, I'm so sorry.

And then: nothing.

***

It must be like another thorn struck in your brow
It must be like another close friend's broken vow
It must be like another nail right through your wrist
It must be just like
Just like Judas' kiss

***

James? I'm sorry. I didn't want to do it, but you left me with no choice. You left me, James. What was I supposed to do? Let you be happy while ever moment you tore me apart?

Peter Pettigrew does not work like that. I'm sorry, James. But I'm glad that mangy mutt is going down for this. No one will believe him. I'm good. But you already knew that.

I still love you, but you don't love me. That's why I did it - because you didn't care and I had to make you.

I love you, James Potter.

Rest in peace, my love.