"It's sad to say, but in some ways this might be for the best," Sprout said, her normally kind face distressed. "Life in Azkaban must have been a torment for them, and perhaps their deaths can bring some closure to their victims and their families. What a great loss when someone's death brings only happiness and relief." She shook her head. "Such a wicked waste of potential."
"I'd sooner mourn over the death of a mandrake that is sacrificed for my potion," Snape retorted snarkily. "These were hardly misguided souls, Pomona. They were You-Know-Who's creatures and they enjoyed themselves thoroughly."
The Hufflepuff glared at him. "It is still sad, Severus."
He rolled his eyes. "Fine."
##
When Remus gently broke the news to Neville, the werewolf was taken aback by the smile that lit the boy's face. "Good!" he said fiercely. "I hope they suffered and burned slow."
"Now, Neville," a flustered Remus remonstrated, "I'm sure you don't really mean that."
Neville looked at him curiously. "Don't you know what they did to my parents, Professor? If they had been the ones to kill Harry's mum and dad, how would you feel?"
Remus felt the wolf in him surge at the question, and he sighed. "I'd have wanted to watch them writhe in their death agonies," he admitted. "But I'm not proud of myself for feeling that way."
"I'm not sure I'm proud either," Neville said slowly. "But I'm still glad they're dead."
Remus didn't reply, he just pulled the boy into an embrace and the two of them sat that way for a long time.
##
"Thank Merlin!" Draco let out his breath in a long whoosh of relief. "Are you sure? Barmy Aunt Bella's really gone?"
Snape raised an eyebrow. "I see you are devastated by the news, Mr Malfoy."
Draco looked a little embarrassed. "Well, it's just that I'd overheard some stories that Mother used to tell FatherтАж And we had a house elf who used to tell me when I was bad that I was lucky Mother wasn't like Aunt Bella. It was enough to give me nightmares when I was little that she'd come for me."
Snape mused that in a contest between the bogey man and Bellatrix Black LeStrange, any sensible child would beg to be abducted by the bogey man.
"But your parents didn't openly speak of her to you?"
Draco looked insulted. "We would hardly boast of having a relation in Azkaban, Professor!"
Snape smirked. "Of course not."
Abruptly a thoughtful look came over Draco's face. "ThoughтАж she is family," he said slowly. "Or was, I mean. And a really close relation too."
"What do you want, Mr Malfoy?" Snape drawled. He could recognize the signs of Slytherin plotting.
"Well, given my grief over my poor Auntie's death, I might need an extension or even an excuse for some of my upcoming work," Draco said hopefully.
"You may have one extra day's grace on all essays due this week. No extensions on examinations and no excused absences," Snape replied. He eyed his little snake shrewdly. He did want to reward such cunning, after all... "And, I suppose, that if you feel too prostrated to eat dinner in the Great Hall this evening, you may instead go to the kitchens with a few close friends who can support you in your time of grief."
Draco grinned as he headed out to class. "Thanks! Can you ask the elves to make a special cake for us?"
"Draco, we may be Slytherins, but we are not crass. Make do with the usual pudding," Snape scolded.
"I'll get Harry to ask," Draco muttered rebelliously as he left the office.
##
Lucius glanced around the cemetery and knew he was a dead man. Bellatrix had stunned him in her cell, and when he was revived, flames were already licking the corridor walls, and Rastaban and Rodolphus were by his side, each bearing a wand of his own. One of them had cast an Imperius at him, and the next thing he knew, he was showing them his own escape route off the island, taking them to one of the Malfoy properties where they were able to wash and dress, and filling them in on the events of the last ten years. Then Bellatrix had used her Dark Mark to contact Lord Voldemort, and the next thing he knew, he was here, his mind once again his own and his death staring him in the face.
"Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh," Bellatrix groaned in pleasure and satisfaction as a black and green cloud enveloped her. The mist swirled around her for several moments, then gradually faded, leaving her features oddly distorted.
She looked around the graveyard, and Lucius' heart stopped as her eyes тАУ now a crimson color тАУ passed over him. "Sssssso, Lucius," she whispered, and her voice now held a hissing note. "You have joined the traitor Sssnape and forsssaken me."
Lucius struggled not to lose control of his bladder. He knew that voice. He knew those eyes. And as much as Bella had scared him, that terror was nothing compared to what he felt now, for this was no longer Bella who stood before him.
"Yessss," the creature laughed at him. "I ssee you have realized the truth. I am Lord Voldemort. My loyal servant has offered her body to me, and a fine body it is, with much magical skill. It will serve me well in the short time until I am reborn."
Lucius looked wildly about the circle, but he saw nothing but delight and relief on the two dozen faces that ringed the clearing. The elite of the Death Eaters were here тАУ all people who had suffered much since Voldemort's disappearance and who had longed for his return. He would find no allies here.
"Please, My Lord, may I put out his eyes as I promised?" begged Bella's voice. "There is so much we should do to punish him."
"Now, now, patience, my pet," Voldemort answered himself in an eerie soliloquy. "I might yet have some use for Lucius."
"Please, my lord," Malfoy gasped. "Forgive me! It was a momentary madness. Snape must have put something in my drink! I would never have chosen to тАУ"
"Ssilence, Lucius!" the Dark Lord snapped. "Do not imagine me a fool. You know how I punish those who would stand against me."
"Allow me to start, Master," Alecto Carrow purred. She had never cared for the elegant pureblood's thinly veiled contempt of her and her brother.
"No," Voldemort snapped. "I have plans for Lucius. He can be useful."
"I will, Master! I will," Malfoy swore frantically. "Tell me what you would, and I will prove myself to you."
Voldemort laughed softly. "Ah, Lucius, you have grown soft in the years since we last met. Do you truly imagine I will entrust you with anything? No, I hear you disavowed me, claiming to be under Imperius. I think it is very fitting that now you will be under Imperius when you carry out my orders."
"Master, I swear to you тАУ you need not curse me. I worship you and wish only to repent of my тАУ"
"Really, Lucius? Then you would willingly deliver your son and heir to me as forfeit for your crimes?" Voldemort burst into raucous laughter at the look on Lucius' face. "I thought not," he smirked. "Imperio!"
TBCтАж
*Chapter 60*: Chapter 60
"Daaaa," Harry groaned. "I can't go back to the Tower tonight. Hermione said she was gonna quiz me on History of Magic, and I haven't studied."
"And you imagine that I will help you evade your scholastic responsibilities?" Snape inquired drily.
"It's just History of Magic," Harry complained. "It's not like anyone really cares." At the sight of his father's expression, he hastily revised his statement. "Okay, okay. It's not like anyone but you and Hermione care. Besides, if I stay here, then Draco and I can work on our Potion assignment."