Prove yourself

Voldemort now turned to Albus again. He gulped, fearing the worst. But Voldemort seemed to believe Scorpius. Maybe that would make Voldemort believe him as well?

"Now, you wanted a chance to prove yourself, boy?" Voldemort asked, still in a cold, calculating tone.

"Yes, Master," Albus replied, keeping his voice steady. "Anything."

"Anything?" Voldemort said, in an almost mocking tone. "Those are bold words. I don't suppose you have ever killed anyone before, boy?"

Albus looked up sharply. "No! I…I mean, I have not mastered that spell yet, Master."

"No, of course you haven't. Don't worry. We have other means of getting things done," Voldemort said with a smirk. He took out a long, wicked-looking knife, and cut Albus' bonds. He then raised him to his feet and handed him the knife, along with his wand. Albus took both with trembling hands. Maybe this had been a mistake, but it was too late to back down now. That would definitely get him killed.

"Come with me over here, boy."

Albus followed Voldemort closer to the statue. Voldemort looked up at James, still tied there. He seemed to be sucked into the statue a little at the time, as if parts of his soul were removed. He looked down on them, but it was unclear if he actually registered that anyone was there. Just being this close to that statue made Albus want to vomit. He could only imagine what James felt being trapped in the vortex of that.

"We need a victim," Voldemort said, while looking up at James. Albus grew cold. Please, no, he thought. Whatever was happening with James, it had to be better than death. He fervently hoped that he wouldn't have to actually kill anyone, but he didn't want to test that on his brother.

"No, that is a bit premature," Voldemort said. "But the drainage may not be needed anymore." He turned to Albus again. "We have other victims of our revenge tonight. Come."

Albus followed him, relieved. The relief was short-lived.

They rounded the statue, and there was another horrible sight. There were several people chained and beaten on the ground. Most of them had blood all over their faces, so it was hard to see who they were. Some had wizard robes, but most wore Muggle clothing. Albus felt like he wanted to vomit all over again.

"These are but a few of the people who have wronged us in the past, and a few more who got in the way. Many more like this will come. You may choose any one of them, boy. And kill them."

Albus' heart sank. He looked over the crowd, trying to find someone he recognised. There were some witches and wizards, but they were near unconsciousness. That would not work. Many Muggles were there as well, but that would not work either. They would not be able to explain what had happened. He needed someone who might know who he was. Strange, that he now relied on his family's fame to survive, when he usually hated that part of life. There! A wizard who seemed to still have some fight in him, trying to kick at the guards. It was Dean Thomas! How had he gotten here? No matter, he was just the kind of person Albus needed.

"I'll take that one," Albus said, pointing at Dean. Dean seemed to become aware of Albus for the first time. He recognised him and seemed shocked. But before he had time to say anything, one of the Death Eaters dragged him back to the circle by his chains. Albus stepped up behind him, heart dropping even further. He didn't have a choice. Here, in front of everyone, watched by Lord Voldemort himself? He had to do it. Maybe he shouldn't have chosen someone he knew after all. He felt the Dark impulses from the statue where his brother was still trapped. No time for regrets now.

He stepped up behind Dean, whispered a few words to him, before stabbing him in the back. Dean collapsed on the ground. A collective gasp seemed to go through the crowd. Albus then used his wand, raised the body up high, and set it on fire as he flew it over the nearest hilltop, to raucous laughter from the Death Eaters.

Rose, who had watched all this from the side-lines, just whimpered on the ground after he was finished. "Oh, Albus. What have you done?"

***

Albus stood proud, holding the bloody knife up high. Scorpius could only gape.

"Well, would you look at that? The boy has some guts in him after all!" Voldemort shouted. He walked up to Albus. "Welcome, Severus, to the Death Eaters."

Albus stood proud next to Voldemort. Scorpius was horrified by what he had just seen Albus do, but he tried his best to cheer with the others. This had gone way further than he had expected. Voldemort now turned to Scorpius. He was a little apprehensive. He hoped he wouldn't be asked to do what Albus had just done.

"Now, Malfoy, what boon would you ask for bringing all of this to fruition?"

"Boon, my Lord?"

"Yes. You have prevented me from killing a valuable hostage and shown the way for a new member of our team. Surely you deserve a reward for this?"

"Ye-ye-yes my Lord." Scorpius knelt, thinking fast. "If you please my Lord, I would like to have the girl."

"The girl? What girl?"

"The Weasley girl. I want to teach her a lesson. I would like to teach her what happens when you cross a Malfoy." Scorpius hated the words that came from his mouth, but he hoped this would keep Rose from being killed or hurt. He also hoped that Rose didn't hear what he said. But by the looks of her, she wouldn't have heard him even if he had shouted. She looked quite distraught. He desperately wanted to go over and comfort her, but he knew he couldn't. And she would probably not welcome his affections right now. The last time she had looked at him, her face had shown hurt, disappointment and anger. Mostly anger, at least once she realised he was looking at her. He wished he didn't have to see her looking at him like he was a monster. She didn't understand.

Voldemort smirked. "Yes, that would be a good use for her. But we should let her stew a bit first. We'll put her in the dungeons, with the rest of this scum, in chains. That will make her desperate to escape. Willing to do anything to get away. That way, she will see your act as a mercy."

"Yes, my Lord, an excellent idea," Scorpius said. This would hopefully give him and Albus time to find a way to get Rose, James, and the others out of the dungeons. He didn't think Rose would be happy if he rescued her and left the others in captivity. That would not make her trust him again, if that was even possible now.

"As for the other Potter, I was planning on using him against his father. But that may not be needed now. I worry we have stayed here too long. That thing is like a beacon, even the Ministry is bound to notice it eventually." Voldemort turned to the two Death Eaters at the bottom of the statue. "Remove him. We have a willing Potter now; this one can be used in other ways. Put him with the others."

Scorpius and Albus watched as James was taken down from the statue. He was near unconsciousness. Scorpius looked at Rose, and tried to give her a reassuring smile, but she missed it, focusing on James. He couldn't stand upright, so two of the guards held him between them.

Then the butchery started. 4 people were selected, promptly killed, disembowelled, and their body parts placed in circles around the statue. "A present for the Ministry to find" one of them said.

Rose was forced to look and whimpered at the sight. Scorpius and Albus tried not to show how sickened they were by it. Scorpius worried that he had made the wrong choice. But there wasn't much he could do about it now. So, he stood there, watched, and prayed it would be over soon.