'When? When my Grandfather threatened me, or when he wrote me out of his will and decided to lock the manor against me, or when he invited Death Eaters to the manor to make sure I knew what I was expected to do...I fought it, I became and Auror instead. What I didn't do was give in to him or the others,' he snapped, though he calmed himself again, his voice firm but not angry when he spoke again.
'There is always a fucking choice. Even when Miles told me that mum was kidnapped, I had a choice to resist what was asked of me. I may not have liked my alternatives, the consequences, but I had a choice to say no. I didn't, now I'm paying the price for that choice.'
He did frown though, when Montague said he was doing something. 'What are you doing?' he asked calmly, looking at Montague, ignoring the last stab at him. He knew that no Slytherin was ever so loyal that he himself got in trouble for it. Montague certainly wouldn't keep his secrets if his or his family's safety or happiness was on the line. No Slytherin would.