"What still bothers me is thinking of the people I wanted to warn. My parents have to still appear loyal if they're to be safe. And if I told them... If they'd known what I was planning, and that I wouldn't be coming back, they would have done anything to prevent me from leaving the house. I would have found myself body-bound, Imperiused, and stuffed in a closet." He can't help a sad smile at the thought.

"My cousin Narcissa had only recently told us she was expecting. Her husband, Lucius Malfoy, is part of the Dark Lord's inner circle. I'm sure Lucius would be furious at some of the things I've learned. I could have gone to him, but the Dark Lord is a Legilimens. He can read minds. It's safer if there's no treachery for him to discover, and I couldn't put Cissy or the baby at risk. When the Dark Lord dies, Lucius will be lucky to escape Azkaban... though I think he'll have the sense to claim he was under Imperius and use a few bribes in the right places."

"Even Sirius. I even sent him a letter, asking him to meet me. I would have told him everything, since the Dark Lord already wanted him dead. He played so many pranks in school, he and his Marauder friends, I thought he might find something I overlooked. I shouldn't have even hoped my older brother would jump in to rescue me, even if that is what Gryffindors are supposed to be good at."