𝐒𝐡𝐚𝐝𝐨𝐰𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐞𝐦𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧

Prologue

Malfoy Manor

"Crucio!"

The chamber erupted in silent groans. There was no screaming-only the sound of scraping of fingernails on stone, the low, desperate groans of pain from A line of Death Eaters knelt before Voldemort, doubled over in pain.

The Dark Lord did not raise his voice. He didn't need to.

He stood at the head of the hall , his snake-like eyes pitiless. His wand, hovered in the air

In front of him, Rabastan Lestrange lay on his knees, chest heaving. Dolohov clutched his shoulder. Bellatrix Lestrange, bit her lip until it bled just to keep from crying out.

Voldemort stepped forward, his robes sweeping behind him

"You failed," he rasped. "You failed to bring me the prophecy."

Antonin Dolohov raised his head shakily. "My Lord-"

"Excuses," Voldemort hissed, and slashed his wand through the air. Dolohov screamed, convulsing as the curse hit him square on the chest.

"My lord," Bellatrix gasped, trying to sit upright despite her shaking limbs.

Voldemort turned to her, slowly.

"You," he said softly, his voice tender but almost deadly. "My Bella. My best. My most trusted." His voice turned to venom. "Outwitted... by children?"

Bellatrix's eyes flicked up to meet his. There was blood on her lip and fear iin her gaze

"We had it," Dolohov rasped again. "We would have brought the prophecy-if not for-"

Voldemort's head snapped toward him, "For who? Dumbledore?"

"No, my Lord," Dolohov gasped. "Dumbledore came later. It was-Black. Cassiopeia Black. The blood traitor's daughter."

Silence.

Voldemort stilled.

Even the torches in the chamber seemedd to flicker slightly

Casssiopeia," he repeated, His crimson eyes narrowed to slits. "She was there?"

Dolohov nodded frantically. "Yes-yes, my Lord-she arrived before the Order-she disrupted the plan-distracted us long enough for the children to escape-"

Voldemort's lips curled back, a snake baring its fangs.

"My best Death Eaters," Voldemort repeated, each syllable laced with disgust, "were defeated... by a girl?" His voice dropped to a hiss

"Crucio."

This time, it hit Dolohov full in the gut. He spasmed, fingers clawing at his palm, blood beneath his fingernails.

Thhe Death Eaters flinched just watching him. Bellatrix's lips shook, but she didn't intervene. She knew better. Everyone did.

Dolohov writhed another second before Voldemort lifted the curse. The man collapsed in a shivering heap, "She is different," Dolohov croaked, voice paniced, desperate to defend himself, eyes wide and bloodshot. "My Lord... she-she doesn't fight like the others."

Voldemort tilted his head slightly, regarding him like a rat in a maze. "No?" he murmured.

"No," Dolohov rasped. "She doesn't fight for the Order. Not truly.She-she fights like us. Like we do. Ruthless. Strategic. Dark magic, my Lord."

A flicker of something passed through Voldemort's eyes. Curiosity, barely there. A sharp, predatory interest.

"I didn't even recognize some of the curses she used," Dolohov continued.