Chapter 1: What happens to traitors
Rain was falling thickly from the dark grey clouds hovering above the capital of Czech republic, Prague. It was a dark, cold night. This summer was unusually humid, it had been raining for three weeks in a row now. Some streets looked like rivers, gallons of water spilling through the town. The Prague was dark-there was no electricity in many parts of the town. The only lights came from headlights of cars, leaving the city because of floods, neon lights and flashes of curses, coming from the Old Town.
Karkaroff, former Headmaster of Durmstrang school, managed to duck another curse aimed at him just in time. The curse missed him by inches and shuttered a window above his head. Glass shreds were falling on him, cutting deeply in every piece of his body, tearing his robes apart. He let out of yelp of pain and shook, so the glass would fell of him. But there was no time to waste. He had to keep running. He spun around.
Staying against him, on the other side of the small compound, nearly invisible in the darkness stood figure in dark robes, his face covered by mask, so only eyes could be seen through narrow slits. Karkaroff recognised him as Macnair, a member of Voldemort´s inner circle. He was eyeing him with disgust.
„How could you thought, that you can betray our Master and live?" he asked, raising his wand.
But Karkaroff was quicker. He raised his own wand and cried „Stupefy!"
A stream of red light erupted from the tip of his wand and hit Macnair in the chest. Macnair let out a grumble and collapsed on the ground, unconscious.
Karkaroff wanted to finish him of, just for sure, but then he heard footsteps closing in. At least three of them by the sound of it, he thought for himself. He ran to the nearest house and pointed his wand at the door.
„Alahomora!"
He entered the building and locked the door again. He fell silent and placed his ear on the door. He could hear several voices..
„Look, that's Macnair! Is he dead?"
„Just stunned I think. Enervate."
„Macnair, where did he go?"came Lucius Malfoy´s voice
„I don't know."
„Damn you, Macnair. Let's split up. Reiley, Waterfield, take this path. Macnair, come with me. Dolohov, check over there."
Karkaroff didn't move for what seemed to be eternity. Then he collapsed to the ground, panting for breath, exhausted. He closed his eyes, finally relaxing and drifted into uneasy sleep.
He was dreaming about being in Hogwarts on that fateful day, the day of the last task of Triwizard Tournament, when his Dark Mark suddenly throbbed. He rolled up his sleeve to look at it. It shone brightly, as if it was burned in only moments ago. This meant only on thing. The one, who he feared most of was back amongst the livings.
He fled of immediately, not wanting anyone to know his destination. Not that he knew it too. He went to London, where he stayed in The Evil Twins Inn, where he wanted to lay down for a while, and think abou the future.
The Evil Twins was not exactly the place, where one would want spend their vacation. It had bad reputation, mostly because of people, who could be met there. Runaways pickpocketers, dangerous thieves and even murderers. There were times, when the Death Eaters would spend their money here, discussing their horrible plans over a flank of Firewhiskey or Rum. Anyone could end in pain, caused by Cruciatus Curse or killed in a fight by Avada Kedavra curse or just by a dagger.. Many people came here and just disappeared.
Karkaroff decided to leave the country. He firstly thought about going back to Romania, but that would be the most obvious thing to do. So he contacted some people from his past, people he wished he would never see again and asked them about quiet place, as far away from wizards as possible. Some of them refused to help him, because they were afraid, some people refused to help him, because they were pissed with him until one old witch told him to move to Prague.
„But isn't Prague supposed to be place, where there are a lot of wizards? It is not called Magic Prague for no reason."
„It used to be, but during the Medieval time muggles did very terrible things to anyone who was just suspected of wizardry. Men and women were tortured and executed, only one witness was sufficient. Many muggles were killed by mistake, also many people used this to get rid of their enemies. After that, magic community decided it was not safe there anymore and moved. So that would be where I would move to. Now go away, I don't want anybody see you with me."
The old witch was right. Prague was excellent place, Karkaroff soon found out. With enough money you could have what you wanted. He made himself a new identity, bought a luxurious apartment and thought his past would not catch up with him anymore.
But he was wrong. Somebody talked.
He awoke with a start. Damn, how long I have been asleep? He looked at his brand new watch. Only twenty-eight minutes? He felt as if he hadn't slept for so long in ages. He got up, his every muscle aching from the pursuit and placed his ear on the door.
Nothing. As quiet as graveyard, except for the storm.
He unlocked the door, opened them and walked outside, realizing that this was a fatal mistake. Whole compound was surrounded by Death Eaters. And in the centre stood a tall figure in dark robes with no mask. He did not recognize the person until it spun around. He could see the face of man, who haunted his dreams for past 14 years. Staring at him were two eyes that shone red. The figure spoke with cold, high-pitched voice. He would have recognised that voice anytime.
Voldemort.
„Well, well, I'm glad you finally decided to join us. Haven't seen you for quite a long time, Karkaroff."
Karkaroff quickly reached for his wand and pointed it steadily on Voldemort.
"Avada Kedavra!" he shouted. The acid green flash of light hit Voldemort straight in the chest, where his heart should be.. Nothing happened. Or nearly nothing.
Voldemort touched his face, where a trickle of blood was oozing with a tip of his finger.
"Ah, excellent Karkaroff. You gave me a nosebleed."
Before Karkaroff could react, Voldemort drew his wand and aimed at Karkaroff.
"Expelliarmus!" he cried.
Karkaroff was thrown back, his fingers lost the grip over his wand. He got up immediately and made a dive for it.
"Impedimenta!"
He froze in the middle of his jump and was knocked to the ground again.
"Accio wand!" Karkaroff watched horrified as his wand flew slowly, as if deliberately, to Voldemort outstretched hand. Voldemort caught it and touched Karkaroff´s wand with the tip of his own. Karkaroff´s wand snapped in two with a loud crack!
"Noooo!" Karkaroff screamed.
"Now we shall play a little." Said Voldemort with a sinister smile. "Wingardium Leviosa!"
Karkaroff was lifted from the ground. The Death Eaters were laughing heartedly. Voldemort let Karkaroff hover ten feet above the ground, before slamming him into nearest wall. Karkaroff realizing what was about to happen a moment before, managed to stretch his hand in futile defence attempt. He hit the wall in great velocity and heard a loud snap of his bone being broken. His head collided hard with the wall and he could see stars everywhere.
The light was switched on in one of the windows. A muggle, man in his thirties leaned outside.
"Hej, co se dÄje?!" he called in Czech.
"Avada Kedavra!"
The muggle fell on the pavement, dead as a green flash from Lucius Malfoy´s wand hit him in the face. Shrieks could be heard from the flat, where muggle fell from.
"Now, now, look's like I have to make it shorter than I would like," Voldemort said coldly. "Finite Incantatem!"
Karkaroff hit the ground hardly, a few of his ribs broke by the impact.
He was in great pain, he could barely move. He just wanted to stop it.
"You wish me to stop this, Karkaroff, don't you? I shall in a moment. But now... Crucio!"
The pain increased hundred times, making it nearly unbearable. Hot needles were piercing his skin, followed by an acid spilled on his face, then flames licking all over his body. His eyes were rolling in their sockets. He could hear nothing, see nothing, feel nothing except the pain on every inch of his body. He was screaming without knowing it. ¨ Voldemort lifted the curse. Karkaroff could no longer move, he could only twitch. Surroundings came into focus again, and he saw that more lights in windows were on and more muggles were lying on the pavement, men, women, even kids, some death, some being tortured by Death Eaters, who laughed openly.
He could hear Voldemort footsteps and his feet came into the view.
"Now, you see what happens to those, who betray me, fool."
Karkaroff wanted to stop it, he wanted to die... Voldemort pointed his wand at him.
"I shall fulfil your wish. Farewell. Avada Kedavra!"
There was a flash of green light and Karkaroff knew no more.
Rain was falling thickly from the dark grey clouds hovering above the capital of Czech republic, Prague. It was a dark, cold night. This summer was unusually humid, it had been raining for three weeks in a row now. Some streets looked like rivers, gallons of water spilling through the town. The Prague was dark-there was no electricity in many parts of the town. The only lights came from headlights of cars, leaving the city because of floods, neon lights and flashes of curses, coming from the Old Town.
Karkaroff, former Headmaster of Durmstrang school, managed to duck another curse aimed at him just in time. The curse missed him by inches and shuttered a window above his head. Glass shreds were falling on him, cutting deeply in every piece of his body, tearing his robes apart. He let out of yelp of pain and shook, so the glass would fell of him. But there was no time to waste. He had to keep running. He spun around.
Staying against him, on the other side of the small compound, nearly invisible in the darkness stood figure in dark robes, his face covered by mask, so only eyes could be seen through narrow slits. Karkaroff recognised him as Macnair, a member of Voldemort´s inner circle. He was eyeing him with disgust.
„How could you thought, that you can betray our Master and live?" he asked, raising his wand.
But Karkaroff was quicker. He raised his own wand and cried „Stupefy!"
A stream of red light erupted from the tip of his wand and hit Macnair in the chest. Macnair let out a grumble and collapsed on the ground, unconscious.
Karkaroff wanted to finish him of, just for sure, but then he heard footsteps closing in. At least three of them by the sound of it, he thought for himself. He ran to the nearest house and pointed his wand at the door.
„Alahomora!"
He entered the building and locked the door again. He fell silent and placed his ear on the door. He could hear several voices..
„Look, that's Macnair! Is he dead?"
„Just stunned I think. Enervate."
„Macnair, where did he go?"came Lucius Malfoy´s voice
„I don't know."
„Damn you, Macnair. Let's split up. Reiley, Waterfield, take this path. Macnair, come with me. Dolohov, check over there."
Karkaroff didn't move for what seemed to be eternity. Then he collapsed to the ground, panting for breath, exhausted. He closed his eyes, finally relaxing and drifted into uneasy sleep.
He was dreaming about being in Hogwarts on that fateful day, the day of the last task of Triwizard Tournament, when his Dark Mark suddenly throbbed. He rolled up his sleeve to look at it. It shone brightly, as if it was burned in only moments ago. This meant only on thing. The one, who he feared most of was back amongst the livings.
He fled of immediately, not wanting anyone to know his destination. Not that he knew it too. He went to London, where he stayed in The Evil Twins Inn, where he wanted to lay down for a while, and think abou the future.
The Evil Twins was not exactly the place, where one would want spend their vacation. It had bad reputation, mostly because of people, who could be met there. Runaways pickpocketers, dangerous thieves and even murderers. There were times, when the Death Eaters would spend their money here, discussing their horrible plans over a flank of Firewhiskey or Rum. Anyone could end in pain, caused by Cruciatus Curse or killed in a fight by Avada Kedavra curse or just by a dagger.. Many people came here and just disappeared.
Karkaroff decided to leave the country. He firstly thought about going back to Romania, but that would be the most obvious thing to do. So he contacted some people from his past, people he wished he would never see again and asked them about quiet place, as far away from wizards as possible. Some of them refused to help him, because they were afraid, some people refused to help him, because they were pissed with him until one old witch told him to move to Prague.
„But isn't Prague supposed to be place, where there are a lot of wizards? It is not called Magic Prague for no reason."
„It used to be, but during the Medieval time muggles did very terrible things to anyone who was just suspected of wizardry. Men and women were tortured and executed, only one witness was sufficient. Many muggles were killed by mistake, also many people used this to get rid of their enemies. After that, magic community decided it was not safe there anymore and moved. So that would be where I would move to. Now go away, I don't want anybody see you with me."
The old witch was right. Prague was excellent place, Karkaroff soon found out. With enough money you could have what you wanted. He made himself a new identity, bought a luxurious apartment and thought his past would not catch up with him anymore.
But he was wrong. Somebody talked.
He awoke with a start. Damn, how long I have been asleep? He looked at his brand new watch. Only twenty-eight minutes? He felt as if he hadn't slept for so long in ages. He got up, his every muscle aching from the pursuit and placed his ear on the door.
Nothing. As quiet as graveyard, except for the storm.
He unlocked the door, opened them and walked outside, realizing that this was a fatal mistake. Whole compound was surrounded by Death Eaters. And in the centre stood a tall figure in dark robes with no mask. He did not recognize the person until it spun around. He could see the face of man, who haunted his dreams for past 14 years. Staring at him were two eyes that shone red. The figure spoke with cold, high-pitched voice. He would have recognised that voice anytime.
Voldemort.
„Well, well, I'm glad you finally decided to join us. Haven't seen you for quite a long time, Karkaroff."
Karkaroff quickly reached for his wand and pointed it steadily on Voldemort.
"Avada Kedavra!" he shouted. The acid green flash of light hit Voldemort straight in the chest, where his heart should be.. Nothing happened. Or nearly nothing.
Voldemort touched his face, where a trickle of blood was oozing with a tip of his finger.
"Ah, excellent Karkaroff. You gave me a nosebleed."
Before Karkaroff could react, Voldemort drew his wand and aimed at Karkaroff.
"Expelliarmus!" he cried.
Karkaroff was thrown back, his fingers lost the grip over his wand. He got up immediately and made a dive for it.
"Impedimenta!"
He froze in the middle of his jump and was knocked to the ground again.
"Accio wand!" Karkaroff watched horrified as his wand flew slowly, as if deliberately, to Voldemort outstretched hand. Voldemort caught it and touched Karkaroff´s wand with the tip of his own. Karkaroff´s wand snapped in two with a loud crack!
"Noooo!" Karkaroff screamed.
"Now we shall play a little." Said Voldemort with a sinister smile. "Wingardium Leviosa!"
Karkaroff was lifted from the ground. The Death Eaters were laughing heartedly. Voldemort let Karkaroff hover ten feet above the ground, before slamming him into nearest wall. Karkaroff realizing what was about to happen a moment before, managed to stretch his hand in futile defence attempt. He hit the wall in great velocity and heard a loud snap of his bone being broken. His head collided hard with the wall and he could see stars everywhere.
The light was switched on in one of the windows. A muggle, man in his thirties leaned outside.
"Hej, co se dÄje?!" he called in Czech.
"Avada Kedavra!"
The muggle fell on the pavement, dead as a green flash from Lucius Malfoy´s wand hit him in the face. Shrieks could be heard from the flat, where muggle fell from.
"Now, now, look's like I have to make it shorter than I would like," Voldemort said coldly. "Finite Incantatem!"
Karkaroff hit the ground hardly, a few of his ribs broke by the impact.
He was in great pain, he could barely move. He just wanted to stop it.
"You wish me to stop this, Karkaroff, don't you? I shall in a moment. But now... Crucio!"
The pain increased hundred times, making it nearly unbearable. Hot needles were piercing his skin, followed by an acid spilled on his face, then flames licking all over his body. His eyes were rolling in their sockets. He could hear nothing, see nothing, feel nothing except the pain on every inch of his body. He was screaming without knowing it. ¨ Voldemort lifted the curse. Karkaroff could no longer move, he could only twitch. Surroundings came into focus again, and he saw that more lights in windows were on and more muggles were lying on the pavement, men, women, even kids, some death, some being tortured by Death Eaters, who laughed openly.
He could hear Voldemort footsteps and his feet came into the view.
"Now, you see what happens to those, who betray me, fool."
Karkaroff wanted to stop it, he wanted to die... Voldemort pointed his wand at him.
"I shall fulfil your wish. Farewell. Avada Kedavra!"
There was a flash of green light and Karkaroff knew no more.