Concerning Cruelty and Clemency

Concerning Cruelty And Clemency, And Whether It Is Better To Be Loved Than Feared

Everyone wanted to be loved and he was certainly no exception. However, he was a man of responsibilities and had many people under him. The cause was too important. He couldn't afford love as it came at too high a price. If it came down to love and keeping what was his, he would choose keeping what was his. He needed their respect, which unfortunately meant that he had to be feared.

Fear was a much safer emotion; fear kept people in line. It was funny how those who professed their love abandoned you at the first hint of trouble. Yet, the fearful stayed with you forever. Love was overrated. However, he wasn't a cruel man.

So many people had left him during his absence. There were very few who maintained their allegiances. Of course, to those who came back, he showed mercy. Yes, he was a merciful man. He just wasn't overly merciful. Being overly merciful caused people to take advantage of you.

Mostly, he was a moderate man. If anything he was known for his fairness. He had been Head Boy in his time and had kept his nose clean. He had been well liked, popular even. People trusted him.

Quite a few came back, and they would certainly be rewarded. However, the man in front of him did not come back. The man before him was a traitor. He professed his love and devotion, which was his misfortune. It wasn't that he didn't pity the man, because he did. He even liked him. Overall, he was a nice fellow. However, it was what the man wasn't that was the problem. He wasn't inspiring. He simply didn't inspire others to continue in their respect. It was a problem that had to be rectified.

"What am I to do with you?" he asked the kneeling figure gently.

The man before him said nothing. He could have been sobbing or he could have been hyperventilating. It was difficult to ascertain.

"What do you want me to do with you?" he asked the man again.

"Spare me, my lord," the man wept.

"As much as I would like to do that, I can't trust you," he countered.

"I will do anything...anything you ask. I'll prove that I'm trustworthy. Please!" the man pleaded.

"You wish to prove your trustworthiness to me? One act is all that I ask. I'll believe you then," he continued.

"Yes. Anything. I'll do it," the man adamantly confirmed.

"I almost think that you would. Yet, I'll need some convincing," he said pensively.

"Anything, my lord. I'll be your most loyal servant," the man grovelled.

"You just might be at that. I hate doing this, you understand?" he asked the man. "I've never enjoyed this. You broke my trust. We had an agreement and you broke it. It takes a lot to gain that trust back."

The man continued to look at the ground.

"Here, look at me," he told the man gently.

The man looked up at him with hopeful eyes.

"You're sure that you're up to it?" he asked.

"Yes, my lord," the man replied confidently.

Nodding at the man in front of him, he smiled. "Okay, I had to be sure. Karkaroff, I want you to die for me," he continued softly.

The man's eyes mirrored horror in his dawning comprehension. He started sobbing again.

Lifting his wand, he pointed it at Karkaroff and cast the killing curse. The man fell over dead. Sighing deeply, Lord Voldemort looked to the assembled Death Eaters in his presence.

"At least he died a loyal supporter. I do hate doing these things, but I'm sure you all see the necessity. Am I not merciful, my Death Eaters?" he asked them.

Every one of the assembled Death Eaters, down to the least faithful and sincere, looked to their Dark Lord. Their fear was evident.

In unison they replied, "My Lord, you are most merciful."

Yes, Voldemort thought, if you had to choose between love and fear, fear was by far the better choice.