"I got James and Lily killed." Sirius said quietly, voice trembling as much as his body. "Because I didn't trust you. They're dead. I promised I'd protect them and--" Sirius buried his face in his hands.

He could escape the guilt no more than he could escape the sight of his best friends' corpses. He drew no comfort from the arm around him. Part of him only felt worse because he didn't deserve it. Perhaps he deserved no worse than Peter.

"This is all my fault." His voice broke.