The Former Liar

Inside the stone cavern, the Death Eaters' loud jeers and wild laughter mingled with the Muggles' pained groans, wails, and the shrill crying of children. The Death Eaters' wands pointed upward, and several Muggles floating in midair struggled in agony, their bodies and limbs twisted into all sorts of grotesque shapes as the wizards manipulated them, slowly moving them toward the cavern entrance. The oldest Muggle among them had been rolled into a ball, tumbling painfully through the air; a young boy hung upside down, spinning rapidly like a top, his limp little head whipping back and forth in the air.

Dolphin looked at Little Patricia's little hand as she stretched it toward Lockhart with all her might, then sneered. "Accept your fate. Our great writer, winner of the Order of Merlin, Third Class, the fraud professor who knows nothing but the Memory Charm, can't save you."

"Gilderoy isn't a fraud! He can do magic! He's a great hero! He already..." Little Patricia forgot to cry for a moment and shouted angrily, but in the next instant the little girl covered her mouth. In her anger, she had almost let something slip—she pressed her little mouth tightly shut.

That clear, ringing child's voice also reached Lockhart's ears. Trembling, he watched the little girl's movements and understood in his heart that Little Patricia had left the chance to live to him and her mother, and would resolutely keep their secret.

Lockhart felt heat rise inside him and his face burn. Guilt hammered at his heart. He stood there blankly, like a block of wood. He was not even as brave as a child. Seeing the resolute look on the little girl's face, Lockhart felt as if needles were pricking all over his body. He stole a glance at Nancy, lying rigidly