Tʜᴇ Dᴀʀᴋ Lᴏʀᴅ's Aɴɢᴇʟ | Tom Riddle √

57: The Hall of Prophecies

An unexpected maniacal laugh sent shivers down their spines. "He knows how to play," a mocking voice echoed through the Hall of Prophecies. As a curly raven-haired woman in black emerged, Cassiopeia's breath caught in her throat. "Itty, bitty baby, Potter,"

Auntie Bellatrix.

Her presence added another layer of danger to the situation.

"Bellatrix Lestrange," Neville identified her, as Bellatrix and Lucius stood together, and Cassiopeia couldn't help but feel a deep sense of foreboding.

"Neville Longbottom, is it?" Bellatrix mocked, standing beside Uncle Lucius. "How's Mum and Dad?"

"Better, now they're about to be avenged," Neville replied, pointing his wand at Bellatrix. Harry intervened, stopping Neville by grabbing his arm.

"Oh, I see," Bellatrix said, her eyes locking onto Cassiopeia's. "Little Regulus is here with them, Dark Lord would love to complete what he couldn't do years ago, how your mother begged him for—"

Cassiopeia's hand gripped her wand tightly as anger welled up inside her. Her wand was now pointed at Bellatrix.

"Don't you dare—" Cassiopeia began, but Harry spoke, cutting her off.

"Don't, Cassie, she's trying to get under your skin," Harry advised, looking at her. Cassiopeia nodded in defeat and lowered her wand.

"Now, let's everybody just calm down... shall we?" Lucius attempted to defuse the tension, announcing in a nonchalant tone. "All we want is that prophecy."

The atmosphere in the chamber remained thick with tension as they all faced the uncertain outcome of this confrontation.

"Why did Voldemort need me to come and get this?" Harry asked with curiosity.

"You dare speak his name?" Bellatrix screamed, her eyes wide with disbelief. "You filthy half-blood!"

Cassiopeia couldn't help but speak up. "You are too obsessively in love with a half-blood, isn't it, auntie?" Her remark surprised Bellatrix, causing her to take a step back.

Harry's question remained unanswered as Bellatrix's shock at Cassiopeia's comment temporarily overtook the conversation.

"It's all right. He's just a curious lad, aren't you?" Lucius reassured Harry, although he shot a death glare in Cassiopeia's direction, promising to deal with her later.

Lucius continued to explain, "Prophecies can only be retrieved by those about whom they are made, which is lucky for you, really. Haven't you always wondered what was the reason for the connection between you and the Dark Lord?"

Except for Harry, everyone's eyes darted toward the approaching Death Eaters from various directions.

"Why was he unable to kill you when you were just an infant? Don't you want to know the secret of your scar?" Lucius attempted to persuade Harry to hand over the prophecy. "All the answers are there, Potter... in your hand. All you have to do is give it to me. Then I can show you everything."

A tense silence hung in the air as the Death Eaters closed in.

"I've waited 14 years," Harry replied. His resolve was unwavering. "I know. I guess I can wait a little longer."

Then, without hesitation, Harry shouted, "Now, Stupefy!"

"Stupefy!" They all cast their spells at the approaching Death Eaters and began running in the same direction. Lucius tried to block their path, but they managed to escape from the group, firing spells as they went.

Spells echoed through the hall as they ran, the urgency of their situation driving them forward.

Levicorpus!

Petrificus Totalus!

Stupefy!"

Cassiopeia, in her frantic escape, ran into someone she recognized – her uncle Rodolphus. His mask faded away, revealing a sinister smirk as he looked down at her.

"Uncle Rodolphus," Cassiopeia gasped and stepped back. "Levicorpus!" With a swift spell, she hoisted him into the air by his ankle, causing him to shoot death glares at her as he disappeared into the unclear roof above.

Cassiopeia didn't waste any time. "Sorry to say, just keep your eye on your wife before a half-blood wizard plays your role." She yelled the, then ran away.

She quickly rejoined the group as they were dealing with another Death Eater. Spells were flying.

"What now?" Cassiopeia asked, stepping closer to Ginny.

"Reducto," Ginny shouted, causing the globes to fall from a corner, forcing them to retreat. They ran back towards the door as the globes shattered.

Cassiopeia was the last to reach the door. Just as she thought she was about to enter, she was levitated a few inches from the ground.

"Lucky," Cassiopeia muttered, but in the next moment, she was dropped unceremoniously to the floor. "Not Lucky."

Once inside the Department of Mysteries, the group tried to dust themselves off. Harry mentioned the voices, and Cassiopeia stood next to him, gazing at the mysterious arch.

"Can you tell what they're saying?" Harry inquired, but Cassiopeia and Luna shook their heads.

"I do not understand either," Cassiopeia replied.

Hermione, concerned, stated, "There aren't any voices, Harry. Let's get out of here. Cassie, c'mon."

"I hear them too," Luna added, standing beside Cassiopeia. They both acknowledged the enigmatic whispers.

"Harry, it's just an empty archway. Please, Harry," Hermione pleaded, tugging at him, her eyes filled with worry.

However, before they could make their escape, something unexpected happened that stopped them in their tracks.