Chapter 588: Persuasion
Chapter 588: Persuasion
The last Death Eater to infiltrate Hogwarts was now in a state of extreme shock. The black mist of Wraiths, which she had intended as her ultimate weapon, suddenly ignored her Commander's orders and flew toward her. It then plunged into her chest with a startled scream, causing a searing pain that tore through her soul. Instantly, she lost all consciousness.
"Innocent children, you have avenged yourselves. Now, please go to where you belong and do not linger in the world of the living." Hermione, watching the black mist representing the souls of the innocent victims tear apart the white light orb representing the Death Eater's soul, spoke in Quenya, infused with magical power.
The black soul listened to Hermione's words and gradually lost its dark hue. It then dispersed into more than sixty small white points, which circled Hermione three times. The three people present seemed to hear the laughter of children, like the tinkling of silver bells.
Hermione then opened a small, blood-red vortex that led directly to the Afterlife. The white light specks immediately lined up and vanished into the vortex.
Throughout this entire process, Malfoy remained motionless, leaning against the Barrier and pressing a handkerchief to his left stump with his right hand. He felt a scrutinizing gaze fixed on him, and he knew any sudden move would result in a fatal strike.
"Drop your wand. You've committed a grave mistake today, but it's not a capital offense. Don't resist and give us an excuse to kill you", Liam said, emerging from the black mist and pointing his wand at Malfoy.
"Alright." Malfoy stood there in a daze for a few seconds before drawing his wand and dropping it to the ground. "It seems I've completely failed today. But can you tell me how Pansy is doing?"
"She's been knocked out and hidden away; she's not in any danger", Hermione said, having just finished looting the five bodies of anything valuable. "You're still thinking about Pansy. That shows you're not beyond redemption. So, can you tell us why you did this?"
"I am a Pure-blood Wizard. Supporting the Dark Lord is what we're supposed to do, isn't it? I just had bad luck and didn't know your true strength. Otherwise, it would be you two lying dead here today", Malfoy said, raising his face slightly.
"You don't need to put on a show right now", Liam said with a smile, though his wand never wavered. "We counted five Killing Curses, but none of them came from you. I don't think you're one of those bloodthirsty lunatics."
"Bloodthirsty lunatics, are you talking about yourselves?" Hermione's spell cleared the black smoke from the corridor, revealing the five bodies on the ground. Malfoy looked at them, then raised his head to Liam and sneered. "You don't seem like the kind of people Dumbledore would have raised."
"Who raised us is irrelevant to the current discussion. Besides, we're not lunatics. We only kill those who deserve it, to make the world a better place. You haven't caused any permanent damage or harmed anyone irreversibly", Liam said. "So, you don't need to worry about us suddenly attacking and killing you. By the way, Hermione and I are very curious about why you did this. We can sense that your inner fear or the remnants of your goodness may have kept you from enjoying killing."
"I had no choice!" Liam's words seemed to trigger something in Malfoy, who had been under immense pressure. He crouched down and shouted, "I had to do it! He'll kill me! He'll kill my entire family!"
"The Dark Lord, I see. That's certainly his style." Liam nodded slightly. "I thought families like yours, being major Death Eater benefactors, would receive many benefits. I never imagined you were living in such fear. So, I'm curious, what did you hope to gain by following him?"
"We had no other choice." Malfoy's psychological defenses seemed to have crumbled, and he spoke frankly. "He kills anyone who disobeys his orders. I had no other way to survive. To stay alive, I had to do as he said and bring these people to the School."
"Given that, I suggest you stand on the side of justice", Hermione said to Malfoy. Although she had shown no mercy while fighting the Death Eaters, she now offered Malfoy a chance.
"As you said, Malfoy has indeed done many wrong things, but they don't deserve death", Hermione explained to Liam through the Phoenix Mark. "Furthermore, gaining the Malfoy Family's support would greatly help us in dividing the Dark Lord's camp. Most importantly, while the Malfoy Family belongs to the Pureblood Clans, they have always been subtly ostracized by other Pureblood Clans. Just look at how no one from the Malfoy Family holds a high position in the Ministry of Magic or Hogwarts. I know they are the most disgusting racists, but at least they are better than the Death Eaters, who go around causing massacres."
"You're right; they do have the potential to be reformed", Liam thought, recalling the methods used in the 1950s to reform even the most stubborn individuals. If emperors could be reformed, racists should be no different. Besides, the Malfoy Family wasn't as fanatical as Bellatrix; they would naturally capitulate under strong pressure.
"No, no", Malfoy shook his head frantically. "I've gone too far, and there's no turning back. And I have my family to think about."
"We know your mission was to assassinate Dumbledore, but didn't you realize the Dark Lord set you up to fail?" Liam sneered. "He was punishing your father for last year's failure and warning his Death Eater followers of the consequences of failure."
"I—", Malfoy tried to speak, but Hermione stepped forward, grabbed his collar, and lifted him up with one hand, pressing her wand against his face.
"Liam, there's no point in wasting words on him. We've already cleared out five Death Eaters today. If he refuses to stand with us, adding him to the count won't matter. In any battle against the enemy, sacrifices are necessary. Besides, the famous Malfoy Family only has three members left—"
"I'll join the side of justice, right now!" Malfoy shouted, his eyes tightly shut and his voice tinged with sobs. He had seen a hint of madness in Hermione's calm brown eyes, the same madness he had seen in his aunt Bellatrix's eyes during the summer vacation.
Moreover, the five bodies lying on the ground reminded him that Liam and Hermione were not like other Order of the Phoenix members. They were more ruthless in dealing with those who refused to cooperate, much like the Death Eaters. Under this pressure, he had no choice but to make his decision immediately.
"Very well, remember your choice", Hermione said, dropping Malfoy to the ground. She then spoke to Liam through the Phoenix Mark, "See, for people like him, gentle persuasion won't work. You have to be decisive."
"You're right", Liam agreed. Despite Malfoy's recent actions, he was still just a confused young man. Hermione's display of the kind of resolve needed to take down hundreds of people had immediately broken Malfoy's resistance.
"But what about my mother and father?" Malfoy sobbed.
"Your father is currently safe in Azkaban, and as for your mother, we can go and get her out shortly. Given the situation tonight, I doubt anyone watching her will cause much trouble", Liam replied.
After that, under Liam's watchful eye, the three of them headed to the Room of Requirement to check on the Vanishing Cabinet.
(End of Chapter)
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