Chapter 9 – We're Not Good People

.

Previously on The Forgiven: Grimm and Liar found the Lestrange brothers, Bellatrix, and Crouch Jr. trying to revive Voldemort. The Forgiven decide to leave the case to the Ministry in order to avoid drawing attention to their secret order. Liar joins Kingsley during the government's raid on Voldemort's castle. While Grimm and Norse are left to do…other work.

.

.

A man laid on the floor, quivering in fear.

He was relatively fit with a stature larger than the average person. Dressed in an extravagant purple evening cloak, he stared into the faces of the two teenage girls lording above him.

Both his attackers trained their wands over his heart. Eyes as distant as the moon observed his every movement, every subtle twitch. Though they were young, the man knew the look they possessed. It was the stare with the intent to kill. The Auror wondered what he had done to deserve a meeting with these angels of death.

He thought to run away, and winced when his hand pressed on the glass broken earlier.

The living room was a complete mess. He and the witches had fought briefly, but with one spell, the larger of the two had almost leveled the whole apartment floor. Her wand broke, but she quickly replaced it with another from her cloak pocket.

The wizard decided to make one last play for his life.

"DO YOU KNOW WHO I AM?!"

"Quiet," the smaller witch with blue streaked hair spoke. She seemed to be contemplate something. "You've done a lot of rather awful things, haven't you?"

"I have done nothing of the sort!"

She pushed her wand closer.

"You really want to keep pretending with us? Well, let me refresh your memory. A collapsing building, a massive car crash, a terrorist bombing—sound familiar?"

"….What do you want?"

"Subterfuge. Atrocities constructed by you, made to look like something else."

"To keep our world from being exposed!"

"To cover your tracks, at the cost of countless Muggle lives!"

"….Is that what this is about?! Some Muggles no one gave a damn about?!"

"Say that again."

The Auror blinked confused.

"Wha—?"

"I said, Say. That. Again….Please."

"I don't understand."

Grimm rolled her eyes and jabbed him with her wand.

"Why did you kill so many of them? Why are you so guiltless? Why did you think you could get away with it?" she pressed.

"They were Muggles! No one gives a shit! The Ministry didn't even care! They're nonmagic folk!"

"Crucio!"

Grimm felt an inner darkness she usually kept locked, creep out. Something akin to a creature's venom ran through her veins and into her wand. Hate and pain fed the curse and connected her to her victim.

In a single moment, the corrupt Auror felt his insides burn. Every muscle in his body tensed and he thought someone was stabbing countless needles all along his spine. It was the worst feeling he had ever experienced. Fortunately for him, the curse did not last long.

The pain ended abruptly. He took several desperate gasps upon being released. Once he recovered a bit, he directed his fury to the smaller witch, who was looking at her wand with a disappointed frown.

"Hm. He really pissed me off too, and it still didn't work. You want to give it a go, Norse?" Grimm spoke with a casual tone.

I've been trying. Nothing.

"Guess we're just not cut out for the Cruciatus Curse. Bit of a shame really."

"I'LL HAVE YOU TORTURED AND KILLED, YOU LITTLE BITC—"the Auror began yelling, but midway through, Grimm shoved her wand in his mouth.

"Just so you know, some of the best people I know are Muggles," she said with a sharp hiss. "My mother was one, as a matter of fact. Take a deep breath—then sing me your last words. I'm expecting something good."

The man gulped.

"….PLEAS—"

"Avada Kedavra."

A tiny green spark rolled from Grimm's wand down the man's throat, like an electric marble. The Auror's eyes went wide with horror before rolling back completely.

*Thump*

His head hit the hollow wood floor with an unnerving thud.

And then, Grimm cast one more spell.

"Reducto."

A flash of red brightened the room, and the body dissolved into nothing but dust.

Grimm and Norse then set to erasing all evidence of their presence, like following a procedure they had repeated a thousand times over. While doing the menial task, they chatted.

Slaying these wurms is not very satisfying.

"They're corrupt officials who are used to punching down, Norse. It's only natural they can't put up a proper fight—focking scum pricks."

…Are you alright? You appeared overzealous before.

Grimm shrugged.

"You may not feel satisfied, but taking these guys out and making sure they don't harm any non-magi again? It really puts a spring in my step."

Scary~

"In a strange way, it's kind of intoxicating. The keyword being 'toxic'. Like, you know it's bad for you, but you can't help but enjoy it."

Like a snake coiling from the pit of my stomach and sinking its fangs into my lungs. I breathe poison, but it's a good taste. Is this what drug addicts feel, I wonder? Grimm thought.

It was something she felt often as of late. An unexplainable desire that made her sick to her stomach, but at the same time, brought her a mad kind of elation. She wanted to know the cause, to understand herself.

I feel the same when the blood lust hits during battle. As if some primal urge were triggered. Blood in the water or the scent of wounded prey. I fight until I am bathed in it and do not wake from the frenzy till the deed is done.

Norse wore a twisted smile on her face.

Grimm wasn't sure how to react. Was she supposed to be upset? Guilty? Off-put by the way they were both acting?

The witch looked down at where the Auror's body used to lay.

"Witches and wizards who are supposed to help people, but hurt them instead. Makes you wonder who the good guys really are. Not as if we can talk, though."

I do not believe we fall into that category. At least we are better than these wretches.

"Still, as much as I hate them, it's still not enough to trigger the Cruciatus Curse."

Perhaps it may be taken as a good omen.

"I guess. Not dark enough, huh?" Grimm paused. "I doubt that makes us good people, though."

…..I do not believe so either.

Grimm took out the list of their targets and crossed the recently deceased Auror's name off.

"If I'm being honest with myself, the only thing separating usfrom them is our actions. Personality-wise, we may be worse." Grimm put a hand to her chin in thought. "'Bad people', huh? If these people are considered evil, hm. Doing bad shite to bad people doesn't make us good, though. That's just self-righteous bullshit."

The delusion of justice. Because I harm evil, I am the opposite, which is good. That is the lie most are inclined to believe. A lie too many believe.

"Suuuu~cks"

Norse smiled.

Why must we speak of such philosophy?

"I just need to know where I stand. I don't want to be disillusioned." Grimm picked her next words carefully. "I don't want to lie about what I am."

Norse seemed to take her words to heart and nodded.

In the end of all, the Forgiven are tasked with killing individuals. Ones, who seek to ruin peace and cause harm to the innocent, but they are lives taken nonetheless.

You and I are murderers and we enjoy what we do. That is the cold truth of it. We believe the blade is the answer—and death, the price.

Grimm closed her eyes and understood the poisonous feeling she was experiencing lately. The realization was a bit sad, but it also set her free of some burden.

She sighed and continued working.

"Wonder how the rest are doing."

I am sure Mad Eye and Kingsley are fighting admirably.

"And Liar?"

Peh! Who cares about that coward?

"He's still part of the team. We're going to be in this for a long time. Getting along, at least a little, would be for the best."

Norse only shrugged her shoulders.

He and I will never work together. It is fine this way.

*Sigh* "Whatever. I just hope nothing stupid happens on their end."

.

.

"This is stupid!"

"…I know…"

Under an invisibility cloak, Liar voiced his complaints to Kingsley through Legilimens.

Both of them were currently waiting outside Voldemort's old castle with a few Auror raiding parties. The Ministry officials were in the middle of preparations, and that left the two some time to talk. It also helped them take their minds off the cold pouring rain.

"SO! STUPID! His orders are explicitly to bring those Death Eaters in alive at all costs?!" Liar exclaimed again.

"That is what Crouch has ordered. They are high profile criminals. Living bodies make better PR than corpses. At least until after the trial.

Also it is his son among them. It is not too surprising the Department Head would prefer a personal touch with this case."

"You think he might rig the trial to get him released?"

Kingsley shook his head.

"It's more likely Crouch wants to make a display of conviction. Show everyone he's willing to take a hard stand against injustice, even if it's in the form of his own son."

"And an asshole like that may run the Ministry one day?"

"He comes on strong, but without people like him, the government would have long fallen to the Dark Lord."

"Tch! It may sound less credible coming from one who is part of an illegal, covert, military covenant, but that doesn't sound the makings of a good Minister during peace times."

"We are in agreement on that."

"Still, if he were in charge, I wonder if the Forgiven would cease to be a necessary measure. Our group may very well disband if Crouch were elected."

"That…would be welcome."

They gave each other a sarcastic smile, though, Liar was invisible.

"Then again, if he gets too heavy handed with the punishments, the Forgiven might have a new target," Liar mused.

"Don't even joke about that, Liar."

"Who's joking, Kingsley?"

The boy's words possessed a deeper meaning to them. Even if Liar was wearing the invisibility cloak, Kingsley could read into what the young wizard was feeling.

"You've seen us. What we've done, what we can do. Do you really believe anyone is beyond our realm of targets, much less Barty Crouch? According to Dumbledore, the assassination of a power hungry Minister of Magic is exactly something the Forgiven are capable of.

We're not good people, Kingsley. Just a different brand of dark than the Death Eaters in there…."

The Auror wanted to say something, to refute the young man's statement. Unfortunately, words failed him. Why was it so difficult to counter argue the point? Was it because deep down, he knew what Liar said was true?

"Eyes on the prize, Kingsley. It seems their ludicrously, long preparation procedures are finally complete."

Liar's words cut through the man's concentration as two Aurors approached them. It was a middle aged man and woman. Both carried a certain sense of bearing in their demeanor. The kind of attitude that seasoned war veterans possessed.

"You alright, Kingsley? Look a little sick," the man said.

"I'm fine, Frank. Pre-operation jitters."

"I know what you mean. Something's off about this whole thing. Guess it's to be expected with you-know-who's castle," commented the woman.

"I'd like to thank you again for coming. You didn't need to—either of you."

"Please. If it's you, Albus, and Moody asking us, how could we possibly say no? The Longbottoms stand with you. Don't have any worries about that," assured Frank Longbottom.

"It's always bothered me that Bellatrix and the Lestranges might still be out here. The world will be a much safer place when we lock them up. A safer place for Neville as well…" Alice added.

Kingsley smiled at that.

"How is the boy?"

"Staying with my mother for the moment," the father answered.

"Is your friend doing alright? It's quite cold out here."

Kingsley and Liar felt their lungs leap into their throats. Alice Longbottom was staring right at the young wizard, who was currently hiding under an Invisibility Cloak.

"Come now. How many times have we seen Moody's cloak? And it's nowhere good as the one James had. Judging by how the rain's falling, she or he looks to be in their teens?"

Frank and Alice "looked" at Kingsley and Liar with clever grins on their faces.

"We won't say anything, of course. Knowing you, there must be some reason this one's here. They won't be joining us inside, will they?" Frank asked.

"…No. He won't," Kingsley answered.

"Good. No place for the young, this place." Alice pulled out a piece of candy and handed it to Kingsley. "Give him that. It's my last one and should help with the cold. We should be getting into position now. Join us soon?"

Kingsley nodded and watched the Longbottoms join their assigned raiding party. When they were sure they were out of sight and sound, he handed the boy the candy.

"I'm impressed," Liar praised. "Goes to show I need to cast additional concealment charms from now on. Who was that lovely couple?"

"Frank and Alice Longbottom. They were with us in the Order of the Phoenix."

"'Zat so? Wow! This candy's really good. Feels like a furnace in my mouth." As Liar felt warmth flood through his skin, he stared pensively at the married couple. "They seemed decent enough folk…I can see why Grimm is so protective of them."

"Yes. They showed her a rare patience and kindness when she worked as an Auror."

"Lucky kid whose ever got them for parents."

"Indeed—Well, Liar, I'm off to join them."

"Wait! You're not leaving me back here, are you?"

"Pardon?"

"I'm coming with you!"

"I can't take you with me, even if you can conceal yourself."

"You don't know this place like I do. There's only so much I can help through Legilimens. And as soon as you're in that barrier, there's going to be interference."

"Liar, I don't want to put you in any unnecessary danger."

"Enough with that! I know you all think I can't handle myself in a fight but—"

Liar suddenly stopped talking and began opening his senses. Kingsley furrowed his brow in concern.

"Liar—?"

"Shhh! Something's wrong!...Something's VERY WRONG…."

Liar cut his mental connection with Kingsley to focus all his thoughts on his magic.

When he and Grimm previously infiltrated the castle, he left behind his own detection charms to use whenever he was within the vicinity. And then, when he arrived with Kingsley, the boy used the magic to confirm the Death Eaters' presences. He had since then, been monitoring their movements until this moment.

"…They've taken out one of my detection charms! That's impossible unless they knew it was there," Liar said, panic setting in.

"Are we compromised?" Kingsley asked.

"Kingsley! They've Imperiused one of the commanding officers! They've known we've been out here! Mad Eye's raid division's been ordered to move in!"

"We have to warn them!"

"They're attacking! IT'S AN AMBUSH! THERE'S DEATH EATERS EVERYWHERE!"

"I will send word to Dumbledore."

"HURRY!"

"Expecto Patronum!"

A lynx composed of shining white mist shot up into the sky and disappeared above the clouds. As soon as the spell was finished, Liar grabbed Kingsley's arm.

"The barrier's down, I'm Apparating us in."

Both of them were sucked into vacuum space and instantly reappeared in the castle's courtyard.

The scene was complete anarchy. Fire and lightning strew across the air. Lights from all kinds of spells flashed and lit the dark building. Debris flew up and showered many of the combatants with rubble.

In the middle of it all was an unconscious Moody lying on his back bleeding.

"CONFRINGO!"

"BOMBARDA DUO!"

Kingsley and Liar crouched and blasted an Imperiused Auror off his feet.

The two ran to take cover behind one of the gargoyle statues littering the courtyard. The field was complete chaos as magi dueled each other without really knowing who was Imperiused and who wasn't.

Taking full advantage of the situation was Bellatrix, the Lestranges, and Crouch Jr. The four Death Eaters took shelter in the alcove to the castle. From there, they sniped spells at any vulnerable and distracted targets. Only one pair of Aurors alone engaged them in a direct fight.

It was the Longbottoms.

The couple fought ferociously, while at the same time, defending Moody's body.

Dodging the rogue spells flying around, Kingsley and Liar made their way over to them. When they reached their side, the young boy knelt beside Moody, while the Kingsley joined his cohorts in a three on four death match with the Death Eaters.

Liar moved his wand over Mad Eye's body to determine his wounds. As part of the Forgiven's training regimen, they were all fairly educated in the use of basic medical spells.

"How bad is he?!" Kingsley called back to him.

"Bad!"

Emendo. Vulnera Sanentur. Reparifors. Discutere!

Liar incanted a chain of healing spells and anti-curses in record time. Whenever he reached the end of the sequence, he cast them again to bolster their effects.

Another rogue spell blew the invisible cloak off him, but he paid no mind. Liar only concentrated on the dying man in front of him.

After a few critical seconds, the boy ceased his spells for a moment.

"I've stabilized him, but he's not out of danger! He needs emergency medical treatment at St. Mungo's!" Liar shouted.

"Then get him there!" Kingsley answered back.

"What about you?!"

"Mad Eye is a higher priority!"

"And let the same thing happen to you three?! I can fight—even the odds!"

"We'll be fine! Just take care of Moody!"

The one who spoke this time was Alice Longbottom. Even in the dire situation, the woman smiled at the boy, as if to assure him that everything would be alright. Her husband wore the same expression.

A wild spell ricocheted towards Liar, and Frank deftly moved to deflect it.

"Go on, boy!" he encouraged. "See to Mad Eye's safety. We're counting on you!"

Liar looked into the couple's bright faces and hated himself. He could only think he was abandoning them in a time of need.

With a stiff nod, Liar laid a hand on Moody's chest and concentrated on Disapparating. In the next second, they were gone.

A blinding white hallway irritated his eyes as it was a sharp contrast from the dark, raining courtyard. Liar heard doctors and nurses scream, and grabbed the closest one.

"He needs emergency treatment. The man has deep lacerations and is under tier three cursing. He might have been hit with something else, but I don't know," Liar pleaded desperately.

Without waiting for a response, the boy Apparated back to the battlefield….

Or at least he meant to.

While slipping through the space between locations, Liar found himself unable to cross back into the courtyard.

Did they reactivate the barrier?!

He Apparated as close as he could and had no choice, but to sprint the rest of the way. After running for some excruciating minutes, he finally came upon the familiar plaza. The battle had grown more chaotic than he last saw it.

More Death Eater reinforcements were summoned since he was away, and were slaughtering the Ministry's Aurors.

Liar cast his concealing enchantments and moved amongst the duelists. As he weaved through them, he finally reached where he left Kingsley and the Longbottoms.

"Crucio!"

Bellatrix locked the Cruciatus Curse on Alice, who was one of the handful still standing. Though now, the woman fell over, convulsing with pain. Rudolphus Lestrange stepped forward to deliver the finishing blow.

"Stupefy!"

The Death Eater knocked Alice unconscious and their party moved over their defeated foes. Sinister expressions clouded the faces of Bellatrix, the Lestranges, and Crouch.

At seeing this, Liar raised his wand with an intent to kill.

He released his concentration on his concealment charms and readied to invoke the Killing Curse. As he appeared a certain distance from his adversaries something peculiar happened. One of them looked at the boy, not with a sense of hostility, but of fondness.

"Lynus…..?" Rabastan called out to him. "You're alive?"

The words formed without thought. Even if Liar wanted to stop them from escaping, he couldn't. Like something echoing from a long cavern. A deep seated memory awoke from its sleep.

"Father," Liar muttered.

…

"Thank goodness. I thought the Ministry had you!" Rabastan rejoiced.

"Why—What…?"

"Quickly! You must come with us!"

"We have to go now, Rabastan!" his brother yelled, and then turned to Liar. "Lynus! Meet us at the safe house on the cliff!"

And with those words, the group of Death Eaters disappeared with Kingsley and the Longbottoms.

Liar was left at a complete loss.

Rabastan was his father?

They called him Lynus.

So many thoughts raced through his mind that he felt overwhelmed by it all.

The Longbottoms. Kingsley.

I failed them.

Moody was injured.

I FAILED THEM!

Before he realized it, Liar looked up.

Without thinking, he had maneuvered himself back to the Forgiven's base. Norse and Grimm were running towards him. They could already tell something had gone terribly wrong.

Liar tried to find the words, but he only babbled incomprehensibles. He didn't know what to do, or think, or say.

….

"I'm sorry."

…..

"I'm sorry."

Only regret cycled his thoughts.

"I'm so sorry."