The Boy Who Ought To Be Dead - H.P

VII - Vile Vision

"Don't waste your time on anger, regrets, worries and grudges. Life is too short to be unhappy."
- Roy T. Bennett

-

"My followers," Tom began, speaking out to the crowd of death eaters before him.

"My Lord," all of them returned.

"You must all be wondering why I have gathered you on this fine evening." Tom spoke.

"Yes, my Lord," came through the crowd.

"As you all should." He said, "I am sure everyone here knows of Harry Potter's death."

Bellatrix cackled, she stood alongside Voldemort. She was now the most trusted follower, "of course, the moron deserved it!"

A wave of agreements passed them all.

"Silence!" Tom shouted, rage bubbling inside of him, "enough celebration!"

"But, my Lord!" Bella spoke confidently, "the boy is dead—you killed him! You deserve praise for achieving that goal."

"Quiet!" He snapped, causing Bella to finch.

"Sorry, my Lord." She apologised in a small voice.

"You needn't apologise. You shall only suffer through shame." Tom growled.

"Yes, my Lord. Of course." Bella finished, her bottom lip quivering.

"My Lord, if I may," Adonis spoke from the front lines of the death eaters, Tom nodded. "Why is the death of Potter unfortunate? Surely we should be happy. He is dead, after all."

Voldemort's eye twitched with anger, "crucio!"

—outside of the vision, Harry could feel the pain of the curse. He twitched as the feeling of knives stabbing him and his insides burning overwhelmed him.

Voldemort lifted the curse and Adonis composed himself. His left arm spasmed slightly due to the after effects.

"I apologise for my words, my Lord." Adonis spoke, his voice as steady as he could muster.

"Hm." Tom said as he felt the pleasure of releasing his anger, "fortunately for you, I treat my followers right. I will grant you the answer to your question—however stupid it may have been."

"Thank you, my Lord. It is much appreciated." Adonis spoke before rejoining the crowd.

"I am glad it is appreciated, Adonis." Tom said with a straight face, "Potter's death was, at first, a great success for us all."

Mumbles passed the followers. Bella was intrigued to listen to her master's words.

"Yaxley, being the loyal death eater he is, informed me of Potter's death. It was said in The Daily Prophet that a funeral was held for him. To 'honour him', of course. Albus said a few words for the prophet. He stated that I was the one to finish him off. That may seem like a good thing, however, in retrospect, it is not." Tom explained, "you see, I did not finish the boy with the killing curse. He was killed by remnants of a bond the two of us shared. When he was hit and killed, he died taking my power with him."