But if it were up to his discretion, not a single person on that grounds tonight would leave alive.  Every Death Eater he left breathing at the end of the night, continued to exist as a threat to her. If they had the audacity to take her once, and he let them live, they’d likely have the stupidity to at least attempt it a second time. They wouldn’t succeed, he’d make sure of that. But he would have no such restraint next time, so why bother prolonging the inevitable? He could end it all right now, tonight. 