The Finding of The Founders

Chapter Two-Betrayal

Evan reapparated in a part of London he wasn't familiar with. "Good thing we can see where we have to go..." he thought. He walked down the street, and saw a park on his right. The swings were moving slightly in the summer breeze, and there were children on the merry-go-round. They stared at him as he walked past, confused by his robes. "Damn." He muttered. "Should've changed first."

He continued down the road, and ran into Lucious Malfoy. The blonde man nodded at Evan and walked with him. They approached a house that had a few other Death Eaters around it. Slowly, more appeared up and down the street, all converging on this house. Severus Snape stood on Evan's left, Malfoy on his right. Severus seemed to be agitated about something, but Evan decided this wasn't the time to ask him about it.

The Dark Lord apparated in front of Evan. The surrounding Death Eaters all bowed. Without charming his throat, Voldemort spoke in a booming voice.

"It is time!" he shouted. "Time to end this, to kill the bane of my existence! Harry Potter dies today!" The Dark Lord spat the name of his enemy. He leaned in close to Evan and spoke in a slimy whisper. "Which curse to destroy him?" he asked.

Evan answered evenly and carefully.

"The Reductor, my Lord. Destroy his house, humiliate him first, then you can destroy him." Evan bowed his head as his master considered this. Voldemort bared his jagged teeth in what might be considered a smile.

"Yes!" he shrieked. "Very good, boy. You shall be rewarded." He turned to his followers again. "Reductor." He said simply. They all nodded under their hoods. Wands were raised, almost in unison, and aimed at the house. Suddenly, Nymphadora Tonks apparated in front of Severus. Evan saw her wink at him.

"Protego!" she called out just before the Death Eaters called out "Reducto!" Their curses were deflected and the Order of The Phoenix all apparated in front of the house on Privet Drive.

Evan pointed his wand at the woman with purple hair. "Crucio!" he cried. The woman was hit with the curse and fell to the ground. Various other curses were being thrown, dodged, and deflected. When it looked as though the defenders of light were being driven back, a fleet of Aurors apparated behind the ranks of the Death Eaters. The servants of the Dark Lord were forced to retreat.

***

Eve sat in the den for what seemed like an eternity. She knew that, since the return of the Dark Lord earlier that summer, Evan was subject to His every whim. She had heard about Voldemort's restoration through Evan, and she remembered the headlines about the boy that was killed there. "Only Harry Potter was supposed to be there." She thought bitterly. "It's his fault that boy was killed." Eve stood and paced the floor, waiting for her brother to return. If the Dark Lord was successful this day, maybe, just maybe, Evan could go free. He still believed that Eve was human, and Severus would continue to make her the potion. They could finally be free.

Her hopes were dashed, however, when she heard Evan apparate into his room upstairs. She took the stairs three at a time, knowing that Evan wouldn't see her exercise her super-human strength. When she reached him, he was leaning on the wall for support, his wand in his right hand. He had bruises on his face and arms, and his robes seemed tattered.

She reached out to hold him, but he collapsed to the floor then, clutching his right arm. Silent sobs racked his body, and then he slowly stood.

"The manor..." he managed to croak out. He waved his wand and with a 'pop', he was gone.

***

Evan reapparated in the entry hall at Malfoy Manor. Other Death Eaters were popping in around him. He moved so as not to get splinched. He heard his Master's voice echoing from further in the manor.

"Who did this?!" he shrieked. "Someone tipped them off! WHO?" His cold, piercing eyes fell on Severus, who seemed to be the only one present who was undamaged. He stared into his master's eyes, unblinking.

"It was not I, My Lord." Severus spoke evenly.

"LIAR!" Voldemort sent the man flying with the Cruciatus Curse. Evan saw the pain in Snape's eyes as he struggled to stand; yet the injured man made no sound. Evan stepped forward.

"It was my fault, master. I chose the curse." The Dark Lord whirled on him. Severus stood and watched with curious eyes.

"You are correct," the evil man hissed, "The curse was of your choosing. You knew it would fail." Evan said nothing. Voldemort raised his wand at his servant's face. "Crucio!" he screamed. Evan flew backwards and struck his skull on the mantle place. As he faded form consciousness, the Dark Lord spoke to him in hushed tones. "No, I do not think you will be leaving so soon. You must stay awake for this, in order to appreciate the beauty of your torture. ENERVATE!" Evan was jolted back into reality. "PETRIFICUS TOTALUS!" He felt his body stiffen and he knew he could not move. The Cruciatus Curse was used repeatedly, interchanged with the Enervate Charm. Voldemort aimed his wand at his betrayer's arms. "DIFFINDO!" Severe lacerations appeared upon the already bruised flesh and bled freely. "Now," the Dark Lord said, "I think it is time for you to sleep. FERULA!" he cried. A large wooden rod appeared in his hands. Evan could only watch in horror as the bat closed in on his head. "Death will be welcome." He thought. "Eve would rather I die than suffer like this." These were his last thoughts as he slipped from the realm of the living.