Life Is As Sweet As A Cinnamon Bun
3. To Betray or Not To Betray
People threw me hateful looks as I walked towards Gringotts. There had been many rumors about the Malfoys, oh dear there're with You-Know-Who, that's no big surprise, and all the gossip.
"What may I do for you, sir?" asked a goblin.
"I'd like a complete transfer from vault two-hundred and twelve, to vault a hundred-and-thirty-two. I have both keys."
The goblin examined them both, then said,
"Very well. Do you wish to remove any amount?"
"No." And I turned back then Apparated to Hogsmeade. While I was quietly sipping Butterbeer at the Three Broomsticks, I thought about what was happening around me. My father was gone. I no longer had someone telling me what to do with my life. I had a free rein, with only Voldemort holding it still. From him, I could easily break free, if I was strong. I no longer wanted to take part in the killing, the torturing, which had always been my job so far. I knew a lot about his future plans - to have the vampires join us, get the scattered Dementors back to us. I could spill all that out to the Ministry, then I would be safe. Would I? They might think I was setting them on the wrong track. Dumbledore would probably believe me though, and I'd be then working for the Order of the Phoenix. But I didn't want to work alongside Potter, and the other old Gryffindors. Suddenly, I flinched. My forearm was burning harshly. I hurried out, then Apparated to Morgred's Tomb, where Voldemort sometimes hid. The other Death Eaters were already there. They were looking at me queerly.
"MALFOY!" rasped Voldemort. I quickly stepped up to him.
"Yes, my Lord?"
"Malfoy," he hissed, "I have heard that you have turned against us..."
Oh, no. Someone must have seen me send the owl! Put two and two together!
"Wha… No, my Lord! I could never do such a thing!" I said hotly, looking highly offended, and confused.
"Yet you have… You have been sending owls to the Ministry of Magic, informing them of the raid to Diagon Alley, haven't you?"
"Master, never could I…"
Voldemort laughed softly. It sounded like a feeble, rasping cough.
"You have turned against your own friends… Your father died because of your foolishness. You have betrayed your Master."
Things were looking very bad. I couldn't possibly admit that I had been informing the Ministry, though anonymously.
I put on a shocked, somewhat hurt face.
"My Lord, but!…"
"That is enough! Do you not remember that Lord Voldemort knows his supporters better than they do? Yes, Malfoy, I sense that you no longer wish to be loyal to me… And you know the fate of traitors…"
"No, My Lord, I would never betray you!"
I couldn't keep wearing the mask of angriness at being accused falsely. I knew I was looking pathetic, pleading for my life. But at least, I would die knowing that I'd saved some lives. I knew that this would happen sooner or later. But it was happening now…
"CRUCIO!"
Pain. Writhing, burning, excruciating pain. It was the pain I had made so many of my victims endure. I knew I truly deserved it.
But still, I tried to hide it. For the first few seconds, I managed to stand. Then I started trembling. The pain became harsher and harsher. Oh, please! Make it stop! I fell down, unable to stand any longer. I knew he wouldn't stop until I screamed. Anything to make it stop.
I let out a yell. I couldn't stifle it. It lasted for an eternity, the screaming, the yelling. The pain, it was so hard, I was on fire, I was dying, the entire world was swirling into a ultimate scream -
Then it stopped. I was gasping, heaving. For a few seconds nothing made sense, everything was blurry, illogic, I couldn't understand what had happened. I thought I'd gone insane. But then everything became clearer. I felt queasy, strangely empty. But I didn't ponder on that thought. I had to get out of this place, if I wanted to live.
I got up, and ran. Why they didn't kill me, I don't know. But by the way I gagged and stumbled like drunk for the first few steps, maybe they'd thought I'd turned mad.
I hurried away, fearing that they might kill me. But I reached a small wood, then Apparated to London. But I wasn't concentrated - I ended up several miles away from where I'd wanted to be. I was in a small, wet road, with rubbish everywhere.
Well, fine. Voldemort had tortured, nearly rendered insane, his once most faithful supporter. That was enough to me for hating him, and the life I'd had serving him.
I tore away my robes in disgust. Never, ever did I want to wear these again. I found some old, patched trousers that amazingly fitted me, and a shirt that was too large. I pocketed my wand, and walked out. I was in an empty street, with old leaky houses. Leaky… The Leaky Cauldron! But people would stare at me, wearing these old Muggle clothes. There were probably Death Eaters at the manor now, so I couldn't go back there either.
I needed to know what was going on in the wizarding world. I decided I didn't want to go to the Ministry. By now, any people who might have recognized my father in his Death Eater robes at Diagon Alley would have informed the Ministry. Therefore, I might be in danger, from both sides of the wizarding world. It was best to lie low for a while, until things calmed down.
The next few weeks of my life were hell. My fears of being looked for by the Ministry were confirmed. I stole food from homes and managed to survive. But every so often, I'd see some person dressed oddly, someone holding a wand. Things got worse when some idiot Muggle child stole my wand. I was defenseless. Breaking into homes was harder, and I was starting to get hungry. But at least I was alive - and I still wondered why Voldemort hadn't killed me. Maybe because he'd thought I'd go to Azkaban? I don't know. It would also have been much easier to let the Ministry get hold of me. But I could not know what the would do: with Fudge becoming as manic as the old Crouch, I would certainly have a mot of trouble defending myself.
One night I was sleeping in an empty house, when I heard voices about me, in the same house.
"Be careful, keep your wands out!" I froze. There were footsteps coming up the stairs! I got up, I looked for an escape route. The window? I tried to open it, but it was stuck. Desperate, I smashed it with my fist. Shards of glass cut it cruelly. The noise grabbed the attention of the people and they suddenly burst into the room.
I jumped from the window, got up and started to run, but I bumped into someone. I looked up, it was another wizard, an Auror probably, for he had scars all over his face, and in his face wore a look of pure hatred.
I punched him straight in the face. But I was weak, and he was only knocked a few feet away. I'd barely done a few steps when I heard someone shout "Stupefy!"
And I slumped to the ground.