Chapter 19 – Memories
Christmas was only two days away. Darren had hoped to stay at school but the message from his grandfather had changed that. He had to go to his grandfather's estate in Mayo County in Western Ireland. He hated it there, and for more reasons than just the weather. Cho had tried to share a compartment with him, but his anger at the prospect of going to Ireland and the fact that he would not tell her why he was in a bad mood made her leave in a huff. He had hoped she would get over it, he was sure she would, but he had other things to think about for now. He thought about the spell book that explained apparition in great detail that she had given him for Christmas as well as the lavender wool sweater he had given her. Their time celebrating in the Room of Requirement the previous night had been fun and relaxing, but now he needed to be alone.
He got up and sealed the door to the compartment. He wanted to get some sleep and he did not want to be disturbed. The bench would have to be comfortable enough for now as he lay down and closed his eyes to help the trip go faster.
His thoughts took him back to the summer after his fourth year. He had been in Slytherin then and before the end of term he had heard at lot of talking and excitement about how Lord Voldemort had returned and what it would mean to the pureblood wizarding families if he took power at last. He thought about how Malfoy had talked like a big shot about how his father would be first in line to get rid of the halfbloods and muggleborns at Hogwarts.
"When father is Headmaster, we won't have to put up with people like Potter and Granger, or any of those scum that call themselves witches and wizards. This school will finally be what it should have been from the beginning. A school for the old pureblood families and none of that other riff raff that spoils and poisons our learning," Malfoy had droned in the dormitory the night after Dumbledore had announced that Voldemort had returned and had also been responsible for the death of Cedric Diggory. Darren had decided then that he did not just dislike Malfoy, then he determined that he indeed hated him and everything he ever could even so much as think about.
For the last week of school Darren and Blaise had debated if Voldemort had really returned or if Harry Potter and Dumbledore were crazy like a bunch of the students seemed to think. Darren had told Blaise that he would believe that Voldemort had returned when he saw him for himself. What he did not know was how long it would take for just that to take place.
As he chased those memories from his head Darren finally began to doze off. His dreams took him to King's Cross station and the day he had returned from Hogwarts for the summer holiday between his fourth and fifth years. His mother and father and little sister had met him there and his father had given him some god news.
"Darren we are staying in Diagon Alley tonight because tomorrow we are all going to visit your grandfather."
"Grandpa Alex?" Darren asked.
"Yes, Grandpa Alex. We will be staying there for about a week, so I hope you are ready to go tomorrow."
Darren made a small face at the prospect of seeing his grandfather again. Their relationship had been a good one, but that was before his father had gotten into the fight that had been coming for years, a fight about Darren's mother.
However, tomorrow Darren would indeed be ready. His things were already packed anyway and a night in Diagon Alley made him excited. He had only been there when he had to buy his school supplies. His father had always tried to keep him out of the shops as much as possible because he knew that Darren would try to buy something that he and Blaise could use to get themselves in trouble at school. Once Darren had been caught by his father trying to sneak into Knockturn Alley by his father and he had been confined to the house for an entire month of the summer holiday. Darren had been very bitter about the punishment he had received, especially since his father and every ancestor in the Clarkson family had been in Slytherin and the Clarkson's were one of the oldest pureblood families in Great Britain. At the end of that month, his father had explained why he had punished him so harshly.
"Darren the reason I punished you so much is because I know what you could find in that alley and what it could lead to. It is very dangerous in there. There are powerful Dark Arts going on in those shops and it is no place for a twelve year old to be."
Darren had just looked at his father resentfully. His father was trying to protect him and Darren didn't think he needed that from him. He was a wizard; he could take care of himself.
"Well, how will I know what Dark magic looks like if I don't study it then?" Darren had asked.
"I think that your grandfather has shown you enough when you stayed with him two years ago Darren."
It had been true. Darren had spent the summer before he started at Hogwarts with his paternal grandfather, Alexander Clarkson. He had been shown many powerful spells that were part of what most would call the Dark Arts. It was due to this time with his grandfather that probably led to Darren becoming a Slytherin as well. Later when he looked back, he had determined that the things his grandfather had taught him had probably influenced the Sorting Hat and condemned him to Slytherin.
His dream drifted then to the day he had gone with his family to visit the only other family he had. They had taken a portkey that his father had been allowed by the Ministry to make and appeared on the front lawn of the Clarkson Estate, called Mortice Manor outside of Ballycastle in County Mayo in Western Ireland. There they were greeted not by Alexander, but by Wispy, the house-elf whose ancestors had served the Clarkson family for generations.
"Master Andrew, Master Andrew, so good to see you again," she had said to Darren's father. "So many years it has been."
"Hello Wispy," Andrew Clarkson had said in return.
Darren knew that his father disapproved of house-elves. Not out of hatred but because he had decided later in life that it was unfair to the powerfully magical creatures to condemn them to a life of complete servitude.
"Master Darren, so good to see you again sir," she had said as she hugged Darren's neck. "And Mistress Jennifer and little Ellie as well," as she hugged Darren's mother and sister. "Come, come. Master Alex is waiting in the study for you to arrive."
The Clarkson family followed Wispy to the house. Inside, their things were taken by Wispy and put upstairs in the rooms they would be staying in. Darren felt odd being back at the old family manor, but his father seemed to be genuinely glad to be there. After all, Darren's grandmother had passed away before he was born and the only family his father had other than the ones with him was his father, who he had not spoken to in quite some time. To Darren it had seems as if they all might become a family once again. The thoughts of Christmas at Mortice Manor filled his head until Wispy came back downstairs.
"Master Andrew, Master Alex has company with him. He wishes for you to join him now."
Darren could not help but think that Wispy seemed different as she told them this. Almost as if she was scared of something.
"Very well Wispy, lead the way then," Andrew Clarkson had told her.
Then the family followed the little house-elf to a large set of double doors that Darren knew led to the study. He had spent many hours in there reading spell books and practicing his spell work under the watchful eye of his grandfather. Once an envoy of the Ministry of Magic had come to check to make sure Darren was not the one doing magic, but his grandfather had convinced the man that it was he that was performing the spells. The man had left happy and Darren had been able to continue practicing for the rest of the holiday.
Darren was brought back to the present when Wispy opened the doors to the study. His grandfather was standing next to a large green chair that was turned to face the fireplace. On the opposite side of the chair was a tall man with a drawn face and very blonde, almost white hair.
"Hello Andrew, so good to see you again," Alexander Clarkson had told his son, but Darren saw his father stop short when he saw the other man standing next to the chair. The mood in the room changed then and Andrew Clarkson became combative with his father, just as he had been for years.
"What is that son of a bitch doing here?" he had demanded to know. "What sort of game are you playing father?"
"Andrew, this is no game. I don't think my other guests are into games anyway."
Darren's father turned to his family and said "Come on, we are all leaving, now."
"I don't think that would be a wise thing to attempt to do Andrew," the tall blonde man said.
"And why is that Lucius? Are you planning on trying to recruit me again? I told you twenty years ago to go to hell, and I will tell you the same thing again. Go to hell, you son of a bitch!"
Darren could not do anything except watch in horror at what was happening in front of him. He had seen this before, when his father had confronted his grandfather about teaching Darren Dark Art spells. That had been the thing that had tore the family apart before, and now something that seemed even worse was happening.
The man called Lucius only raised and eyebrow at Andrew's insult, but Darren could see that it had made him extremely angry. His cheeks were flushed and his eyes in thin slits as he stared at Darren's father.
"I would watch your mouth if I were you Andrew," he said as a warning. "Especially if you want me to leave that little half-blood brood you have with you alone."
Now Darren was angry as well. His family had just been threatened; something his father had taught him was not to be taken lightly. Andrew Clarkson moved his family behind him in a protective gesture but that act only made the man named Lucius let out a small laugh.
"Leave my family alone Lucius, I am warning you. Whatever you want, deal with me and leave then alone."
"Oh, I assure you that you will be dealt with soon enough Andrew. But first, there is someone that wants to meet you. Or rather wants to meet Darren I should say."
Darren could see a head rise up over the back of the chair as the person sitting in it stood up. He looked thin from the back and he had on a dark cloak with the hood pulled up over his head. As he stepped around the chair Darren could feel his father pull him closer and then a chill run down his father's body. When the man was facing them, he removed the hood from his head and Darren was staring into a pair of red glowing eyes that made his blood run cold.
The blonde man made what could only generously be called introductions. "Andrew Clarkson, I would like you to meet the Dark Lord."
Darren's father was holding his arm in a grip so tight that it was cutting off the blood to Darren's hand. Darren knew who it was, as his father did, as soon as he had seen the face. It was Lord Voldemort, the most feared wizard in the world, and now Darren's family was standing before him in the house of Darren's grandfather.
Voldemort stood still for a moment to let the situation sink in and then he addressed Darren's father. "Twenty years ago I offered you a place at my side, but you refused. You even got married. That would be nice, if it were not for the fact that your wife is nothing more than a common Muggle and unfit to bear the children of a wizard." The voice was high and cold and made Darren's skin crawl. He could not believe what he was hearing either. His father had been recruited by Voldemort before he had been married?
"What does that have to do with anything?" Andrew asked suspiciously. Even Darren had an ominous feeling about Voldemort referring to his mother.
"It has everything to do with it," Voldemort said. "You did not serve me before as you should have, so now your son will do what you should have done so long ago. He will serve me."
"No, he won't, I won't let him."
"I am afraid you do not have a choice in the matter, and neither does Darren. Lucius, would you please take care of this matter for me."
Darren saw the man called Lucius raise the wand he had hidden in the sleeve of his cloak and point it at his father.
"It would be my pleasure Master," he said.
Then, Darren heard the two words that would change his life forever.
"Avada Kedavra!"
It sounded like a train had entered the room. There was a great rumbling noise and Darren had felt his father push him away just before he was hit by the bright green light. When Darren looked up he could only see his father's lifeless body lying on the floor. His sister was sobbing and his mother was screaming her husband's name at the top of her lungs. Darren crawled to his father but knew already that there was nothing he could do. He grabbed his head but the only thing to see were the unfocused eyes that were looking up at the ceiling.
"Dad!" he cried as the tears ran down his face as time seemed to stop. Everything was moving very slowly now and Darren could see his grandfather moving towards his mother with an evil look on his face. Alexander Clarkson then grabbed his daughter-in-law by the hair and slapped her violently across the face.
"You fucking no good Muggle bitch!" He then hit her again and drew blood from her lip. "You marry my son and turn him against me? I will kill you with my bare hands you fucking piece of shit!"
He was hitting her with closed fists now. His mother was being beaten to death in front of him and Darren was on the floor doing nothing. Then something his father had told him came back to him. "Always protect your family Darren, nothing is more important."
Darren leapt to his feet and dove at his grandfather. He stared hitting any part he could reach until he felt something slam into the center of his back and he went as rigid as a board. His grandfather stood up over him and smiled wickedly at him. Then he turned to face Darren's mother again. Darren could hear the sickening punches and the sobs of his sister. He was sure that they would all die but then Voldemort spoke.
"That is enough Alexander."
Darren could not see what was happening, but he could tell that the beating had stopped.
"If you kill her, she is of no use to me, so I want her to be kept alive and well taken care of, is that clear?"
"I want her dead my Lord, and the worthless girl with her. She is the reason I have half-blood grandchildren and the reason that my son became a weak Muggle loving fool."
"I said leave her alone Alexander. Do not give me a reason to rearrange our agreement. The mother and sister will be powerful leverage over your grandson. If he is anything like the son you call weak, we will need them to get him to do what I need."
Darren could hear them talking. His mind was racing uncontrollably. He was barely in control of his thought process as he tried in vain to get up and fight, even if it meant his own death. He could not, would not ever let anything happen to his family. He was the only one now that had any magical abilities and his mother and sister could do nothing to defend themselves from the other people in the room. He also knew that if he tried to fight he would lose, but he had been taught that it is better to die standing than to live on your knees.
Darren could feel the effects of the spell he had been hit with wear off. His arms and legs were free and he leaped to his feet with his wand out and Voldemort and the man that had killed his father just smiled at his gesture. They knew that Darren could never beat them using magic and they did not fear him at all. Darren could see family huddled in a far corner of the room and Darren could see his five year old sister crying over his mother. His fear was equal with his anger, but common sense told him to refrain from attacking. There would be time for that later, but now his mother and sister were relying on him to ensure his survival.
"Put the wand away Darren." It was his grandfather talking to him.
Darren did not move. He held the wand high, ready to defend himself, but he knew that he could not if an attack came.
"Darren, listen to me. Put the wand away and nothing will happen to you or the rest of your family, I swear," his grandfather said as if he was talking to a child.
"Why the fuck should I trust you?" Darren screamed.
"The Dark Lord wants you to help him Darren. It is a great honor to be chosen by so great a wizard. Your father would have realized it too of he had not chosen the life he chose."
"What do you want from me?" Darren asked angrily.
This time Voldemort answered him. "I want you to go back to Hogwarts and report to me what happens there with the school. I want information that only a student that might hear things around school could provide. There might also be other things that I will require you to do as well," he said plainly.
"What if I refuse?" It was a stupid question.
Voldemort turned his wand on Ellie. "Crucio!"
Darren's sister started to writhe and scream horribly in pain. Darren could do nothing but watch as his sister was being tortured in front of his face. Ellie was screaming so loudly that it hurt Darren's ears and he could not take it anymore. He charged Voldemort, not caring anymore what might happen to him. But, the blonde man pointed his wand at him and said "Impedimenta" and Darren was stopped in his tracks. He could see Voldemort smile evilly as he tortured the small girl. Darren felt the tears of rage on his cheeks and he finally broke.
"Stop, please!" he cried out.
"Ah, I see the Muggle in you has won out Darren," Voldemort said. He then lifted the curse from Ellie.
Darren ran to his sister and she was in tears. His mother was slumped next to her but it was his little sister that was his biggest worry. She was only five. Five, and tortured by Voldemort just to make a point, a point that Darren could not argue with. He could hear the men walking up behind him. He looked up and over his shoulder and saw the red eyes in Voldemort's drawn and thin skull boring through him.
"Get up Darren," Alexander said to him.
Darren wiped the tears away with the sleeve of his robe and stood as straight as he could. He had never felt so much hatred in his life, and wondered if he would ever get the chance to act on it.
"I would clear your head of those thoughts if I were you boy. Your family's safety relies on you doing exactly as you are instructed and on your learning what you are going to be taught here this summer."
"What am I going to be taught?"
"You will spend every waking hour with some of my disciples who will teach you how to use certain spells and how to develop certain skills that will your job easier once you return to Hogwarts."
"What about my family? I want them to be safe."
"They will stay here, under the supervision of your grandfather. He will see to their needs and safety, as long as you do as you are told that is. If you refuse to do anything, or work secretly against me, I will know, and they will die, but not before I give them to my Death Eaters for a little fun," Voldemort told him.
"Yes my lord," the blonde man said, "Bellatrix would enjoy meeting these Muggles."
Darren wasn't sure who Bellatrix was, but he knew that he did not want his sister or mother to meet her.
"And if I do what you want and succeed, what then?"
Voldemort smiled and turned his head to one side before answering. "Your mother and sister will be released unharmed of course."
Darren knew he was lying to him, but he had no choice but to accept the deal. "Okay, I will do what you want, but you had better live up to your end of the promise."
"Of course Darren, I always follow through on my promises," Voldemort retorted.
"But, I want something first."
Voldemort raised an eyebrow at Darren. "And what might that be then?"
"I want what happened here to be erased from their memories. I don't want them to remember what happened, especially Ellie."
"I will grant the request for the child, but I think it would be in your mother's own good to remember what happened and to know what the result will be if she tries to escape." Voldemort then pointed his wand at Ellie once and Darren felt himself tense in fear. He thought Voldemort would torture her again, but instead Voldemort said "Obliviate" and Darren knew that Ellie had just had her memory of the past thirty minutes erased. His grandfather then called for Wispy who entered the room timidly.
"Take my daughter-in-law and granddaughter to the upstairs rooms that are prepared for them. You are to look after them until I tell you otherwise," he told the house-elf.
"Yes Master," Wispy said in a trembling voice as she led the woman and child away and then upstairs. Then, Darren's training began.
He had spent two months, every daylight hour and most of the nights studying spells and the proper way to cast them. He had been taught the Imperius Curse by the blond man. He had later learned his name was Lucius Malfoy and that his son was in Darren's dormitory at Hogwarts. He had always disliked Draco, but now he knew why. He could see the boy in the father and he had to hide his emotions every time he saw the man that had murdered his father. A short fat man had taught him the secret passages that were in Hogwarts and how to find and use them. He was surprised at how many there were, but he did not dare ask how the man knew about them. Another man, named Dolohov, had taught him Occlumency. He had told Darren it would help him to hide his thoughts and intention from the any teachers, especially Dumbledore, who might have the ability called Legilimens. It had taken him almost a month just to be able to hide the simplest thought from Dolohov, but he had been ordered to practice whenever possible at school and to be careful around the staff at all times until he could hide his thoughts.
Finally, he had met Bellatrix Lestrange. He had been introduced to her by Voldemort and Lucius Malfoy.
"I would like you to meet someone close to me Darren," Voldemort had told him. "She is the person that will make sure you obey me. She will be the one that tortures your family before Lucius kills them. Do I make myself clear?"
Darren recognized her now. She had been one of Voldemort's most feared, if not the most feared follower years ago. She was now smiling at him sweetly but Darren's blood ran cold. He knew he was looking into the eyes of a pure psychopath and he felt fear like he had never felt before. Voldemort and Malfoy were killers, but this woman would have fun and enjoy committing murder and would be happy to do whatever evil things she was ordered to do.
Bellatrix answered Voldemort's question for Darren. "He understands my Lord. Look at his eyes, he knows he is beaten. He will not resist us, ever."
Darren wondered if the raised eyebrow from Voldemort meant that he could read Darren's mind when he had just thought "I would not bet on that bitch."
The brakes from the train woke Darren up. He sat up and saw Neville in the compartment with him.
"We're at King's Cross Station now," he told Darren.
Darren wiped the sleep from his eyes as he tried to shake his clear. "That was a quick trip," he said.
"You slept the whole way, or at least as long as I have been here," Neville told him with a small laugh. "You kept saying something about somebody named Ellie though. Is that your girlfriend at home Darren?" Neville asked innocently.
"No, she isn't my girlfriend," Darren said coldly.
"Okay, sorry Darren, I was just playing with you. Anyway, Cho was looking for you, but she didn't want to wake you up."
"What did she want?"
"I think she just wanted to tell you goodbye I guess."
"Oh, well I'll see her on the platform I guess."
The students were beginning to file out of the train. On the platform Darren could see Cho with her parents. She was ten feet from his grandfather. He was trying to get back on when Cho saw him. She was walking towards him but he grabbed his trunk and started his grandfather and tried to ignore her. He walked right by her and did not look at her. He could see her shock out of the corner of his eye, but he knew that for her own good he could not let his grandfather know about her.
"Hello Darren," Alexander said formally.
"Hello grandpa."
"Who was that young woman?"
"Nobody," Darren replied.