The Contract

Chapter 71

The wait for the witch was excruciating, as they remained cloaked in the darkness. They'd checked to ensure that she didn't have wards up that would alert her to their presence. Other than that, the wards she did have up were pitiful and easily bypassed. They had begun to wonder if she even lived there, due to the fact she hadn't made an appearance all day and was now closing in on midnight.

Then with more than just a little surprise the Witch had bypassed Voldemort's wards, as a beetle before transforming back into human form. They now had a greater understanding on just how she got her hands on a lot of information. Not the one they're concerned about, but past articles.

Lestrange Manor, Hogwarts and the Lord Slytherin's house all had Animagus repellent wards. It would literally trap them, while repelling them to the edge of the borders. The Board of Governors had argued about such a spell being used at Hogwarts, but Headmaster Slytherin had been adamant.

The safety of the students was paramount, and that naturally, had they conceding because that's what the board was there for. To protect and serve the school and its students.

Voldemort was swift in erecting a spell that would prevent her from returning to her animagus form. Another that would prevent her from apparating, which joined the silencing spells they had placed around her flat.

"Crucio!" Voldemort cast immediately, taking the witch down. Her glasses went askew as she began to scream in utter agony and writhing on the floor of her perfectly immaculate carpet.

The four emerged out of the shadows, the lights turning on so they could see clearly. Lord Voldemort naturally in the lead, with Corvus and Rabastan Lestrange next, and at the back, the bulkier Antonin Dolohov stood looking ready to kill his face set in an intimidating scowl.

Corvus had not been able to force Rabastan to remain behind. It had been his betrothed that had been hurt and insulted. He wanted to see the revenge even if he couldn't participate. Which he couldn't, despite having his wand back, he just wasn't capable of that sort of magic. Corvus would be surprised if his son could hold a Lumos for longer than a few seconds before it faded. That was the sort of affect Azkaban had on someone.

Dolohov had been the one Voldemort had called upon to protect Harry while he couldn't during the holidays in France and Egypt. Especially days where he had to return to participate in the Wizengamot. Antonin's father was still Lord Dolohov, and thus, Antonin did not participate - nor did he have the desire or inclination he was much too impulsive for that - in the wizengamot. So, to say despite never interacting with him...he'd become a tad bit protective.

His lord did state that he was to be protected at all cost, as if he were the Dark Lord himself. He didn't question the directive, but followed it entirely. He would protect the boy with his life.

"Have a seat," Corvus murmured to his son, conjuring up a chair, and easing his son into it with great care. Using a wand that was unregistered, as he so often did for occasions like this. The last time he'd used it was when dealing with Severus Snape.

Dolohov and Voldemort ignored what was going on behind them. Focusing entirely on Skeeter. Dolohov was there mostly for backup and protection. Rabastan was in no fit state to do anything and Corvus naturally would be focusing on his son for the most of the time here.

"That hurt didn't it?" Voldemort said quietly, his voice the merest whisper, he never had to raise his voice to be heard. "You wouldn't like to be under it again, now would you?"

"W-who are you?" Skeeter wheezed out, shaking and shuddering. Unable to control her body, the pain...the unmitigated pain of it. She could barely think at all for the agony of it. "W-why are you doing this?"