Angstober 2024

Barty was sure he was cursed. Everything he has ever touched has died from his touch. Everyone he had loved had died or left him. Barty was completely alone now. Regulus had drowned a week after they started dating. Evan was murdered right after telling Barty he was in love with him.

His mother had died in his place alone in Azkaban, Pandora was no longer speaking to him blaming Barty for the death of her brother. Dorcas was personally killed by Voldemort after she found out what happened to Marlene. Barty had no one left.

Barty made sure to learn from his mistakes. If he never got too close to anyone then no one around him could get hurt. He kept everyone around him at arm's length. It was lonely but it was for the best. Barty would have happily lived the rest of his life like this alone and isolated. That was until James fucking Potter decided to come back into his life.

Barty hated James he was cocky and arrogant and overall really fucking annoying. He always had a stupid smile on his face and always tried to see the good in everyone. Including Barty.

Barty hated him for it.

Barty was at the three broomsticks. He was supposed to be doing some important death eater mission but he wasn’t really focused right now. James had walked in looking different. Not a bad difference, just different then what he had used to be. The war has changed everyone but Barty had assumed it wouldn’t change James.

He looked tired, dark bags under his eyes and his smile seemed dull. James eye’s scanned the room and landed on Barty. He quickly looked away not wanting the other boy to come over. He still hated James. Unfortunately for Barty, James decided to walk over and sit down next to him. Barty didn’t want to talk to him, he didn't even want to sit by him. He hated James and wanted nothing to do with him.

James didn’t care and continued to sit next to him but at least he didn’t talk to Barty.

Unfortunately James decided to start talking.

“It’s been a while hasn’t it?” James said, looking down at the table.

Barty didn’t reply; he wished James would leave him alone.

“I don’t know why I’m here” James said.

Barty looked up quickly.
“What do you mean? How the fuck do you not know” He asked annoyed.

James shrugged looking up.

“I guess I just needed a familiar face to talk to,” James muttered.

Barty rolled his eyes. “Don’t you have your little gang to talk to”

James only shook his head. “No not really they are all busy with the war and stuff”

James looked sad and as much as Barty should be enjoying James Potter being sad he couldn’t find it in himself to feel happy.

“Yeah this war sucks ass” Barty repiled.

This got a small laugh out of James. Barty doesn’t know why his heart seemed to flutter at the sound. Barty froze. He knew that feeling he knew what it meant. He knew the dangers of what it entails. Barty got up suddenly. He couldn't ruin James. He didn't want to ruin James.

So Barty did the only logical thing he could do. He ran.

He ran and he ran until his lungs screamed at him to stop. Even then he still ran. He ran until he physically couldn't run anymore. He leaned up against a wall taking deep breaths. His eyes were closed and he was breathing heavily. Suddenly someone was pinning him to the wall, also breathing heavily. Barty slowly opened his eyes and was met with James' wide panicked eyes. Barty froze breath hitching as he stared into James’ eyes.

“Why did you run?” James asked, sounding hurt like the thought of Barty not wanting anything to do with him was a bad thing.

James didn’t understand Barty was bad luck if he got too close he would die.

Barty didn’t want him to die.

“Why did you follow me?” Barty asked.

James looked down at Barty’s lips before looking back into his eyes.

“I don’t want to be alone,” James replied.

“You shouldn’t have followed me,” Barty replied, looking away from James.

He was scared if he kept looking then he would do something he would regret.

“Why not?” James asked gently, placing a hand under Barty’s chin making him look back up at him.

“Because you will get hurt” Barty could hear his voice crack as he spoke.

James smiled leaning close to Barty.

“No you won’t” James whispered.

Barty didn’t move to scared to do anything. He hated James but he didn’t want him to die. He didn’t want to ruin James like how he had ruined everyone else.

“Can I kiss you?” James asked, still holding Barty’s face.

Barty thought for a moment. At one point he didn’t want to kiss James because that would mean James would die. He hated James but didn’t want him to die. Still he wanted to kiss James; he wanted to be loved by James even if it was just for a moment.

Barty leaned in and kissed James. For what it’s worth James was a damn good kisser. Barty wrapped his arms around James’ body and let himself enjoy the kiss. He knew this feeling wouldn’t last long. He knew it was selfish of him to let himself love James. He didn’t care anymore, he just wanted to be selfish just for a little while.

James was the first to break the kiss and wide smile on his stupid face. Barty tried to hate him in hopes that he could trick the universe into sparing his life.

The universe was not that easily tricked. Barty had now touched James and now he was going to die. Barty only hoped he wouldn’t die any time soon. Barty hoped that he could at least enjoy James’ company for a little bit longer.

**********

Barty was running through the trees. Rain was pouring down all around him making the ground below slippery and wet. Barty didn’t care he needed to get to James. He needed to make sure James was ok. He couldn’t lose James. He has lost everything everyone he has ever loved has been destroyed under his touch.

He didn’t want to destroy James.

Barty reached James' house. Lily and James had been hiding from the dark lord. Barty didn’t know the details but he knew the dark lord wanted Lily and her new baby dead. James was in the way.

The door to James’ house was wide open.

Barty couldn’t breathe.

His body moved on autopilot as he walked into the house. Barty’s hands were shaking as he looked down and saw his worst fears had come to life.

James was dead.

Dead and lying on the floor.

Barty fell to his knees screaming out in pain. He had tried so hard to not ruin James and he had failed.

Barty had ruined another person with his touch.