the_debt_of_time

"I-I need to go.. ." Peter stammered, his body shaking.
"Yes, to put Mary in the ground."
She sighed and took a step back.
Peter let out a sigh of relief and slumped forward a bit.
"But you've already done that, haven't you?" she challenged, eyes turning on him
once again. "Muggle, Muggle-born, or blood-traitor: those are the sacrificial options. How's
your wound, Peter?"
"No!" Peter screamed and tried to move when she reached for his arm, but her
reflexes were faster, and she grabbed at him, digging her fingers into the bandage.
"Does it need a wand to summon him here or can touch simply do it?" She squeezed
harder, watching as he cried from the pain. "I think you need a wand, don't you? This? This
probably just hurts like hell." She squeezed it again and felt a brief moment of joy when
his knees buckled beneath him. "Let me ask you again, Wormtail... are you afraid?"
He looked up into her eyes and dipped his head. "Y-Yes. Please, Mia.. ."
It would be too easy, she thought. He's right here. Kill him. Kill him. Kill him like he killed
Cedric. Like he killed Mary.
Mia mentally did the equations in her head once more. If Wormtail died, he would
not become Secret-Keeper. Someone else would be. Not Sirius, because Sirius would still
suggest that they change it. Someone just as untrustworthy? What if they change the plans? What if
Voldemort comes early? What if Lily's not there to protect Harry? What if Harry dies instead?
What if? What if? What if? What if? What if?
No.
Mia knew she could not do it. She had to keep Harry safe. She promised James.
Even if it meant losing everything else, Harry needed to live. She could not kill in cold
blood. Not like this. Not even Peter Pettigrew.
Every action we take is the causation of destiny, time travel won't change anything.
What is meant to happen will happen regardless of how it comes to be.
"Do you think if I decided not to kill you right now, that would count as you owing
me a life debt?" Mia asked, releasing Peter's arm and ignoring him when he clutched it to
his chest. "No. Probably not. I wonder... Peter, do you think if I decided to kill you for
what you've done, what you're certain to keep doing... would he save you? Would