𝐒𝐇𝐀𝐃𝐎𝐖𝐒 𝐎𝐅 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐒𝐄𝐑𝐏𝐄𝐍𝐓 ━━ golden trio era

[018] ISN'T IT LOVELY, ALL ALONE?

The air in Malfoy Manor hung heavy with an oppressive silence, broken only by the soft whisper of Juliet's robes as she made her way through the dimly lit corridors. Each step felt like a march towards her own execution, the weight of her recent actions pressing down upon her with crushing force.

As she approached the ornate doors of Voldemort's private chambers, Juliet took a moment to steel herself. She closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and allowed her carefully constructed mask to slide into place. Gone was the vulnerable girl who had stood at the edge of the Forbidden Forest, replaced by the hardened Death Eater that Voldemort expected to see.

With a trembling hand that she willed to steady, Juliet knocked on the door.

"Enter," came the cold, high voice from within.

Juliet pushed open the door and stepped inside, her eyes immediately drawn to the tall, skeletal figure standing by the fireplace. Lord Voldemort turned to face her, his red eyes gleaming in the flickering firelight, a cruel smile playing on his lipless mouth.

"Ah, Juliet," he said, his voice deceptively soft. "My most disappointing servant."

Juliet felt a chill run down her spine, but she kept her face impassive as she bowed low. "My Lord," she murmured, her voice steady despite the fear clawing at her insides.

"Come closer, child," Voldemort commanded, beckoning her with one long-fingered hand.

As Juliet approached, she could feel the dark magic radiating off him in waves, a suffocating presence that seemed to suck the very air from her lungs. She stopped a few feet away, her head bowed in a show of subservience.

"Do you know why I've summoned you here, Juliet?" Voldemort asked, his tone almost conversational.

"No, my Lord," Juliet replied, though she knew all too well the reason for this private audience.

Voldemort's eyes narrowed, and in a flash, his wand was in his hand. "Crucio!" he snarled.

The curse hit Juliet like a physical blow, sending her crashing to her knees. Every nerve in her body was on fire, every muscle contracting in agony. She bit down hard on her lip to keep from screaming, tasting blood as her teeth broke the skin.

After what felt like an eternity, Voldemort lifted the curse. Juliet remained on her hands and knees, gasping for breath, her body trembling uncontrollably.

"I gave you a chance, Juliet," Voldemort said, circling her prone form like a predator stalking its prey. "I ordered you to find your brother, to bring him to me. And yet, not only have you failed in this simple task, but it seems your incompetence has allowed him to strike at me once again."

Juliet's mind raced, trying to piece together what Voldemort knew. He believed it was Harry who had destroyed the Horcrux, not her. A small mercy, but one that might just keep her alive.

"My Lord," she managed to choke out, "I ── I've been searching for Harry. But he's well hidden. Protected."

"Excuses!" Voldemort roared, and another wave of the Cruciatus Curse washed over Juliet.

This time, she couldn't hold back her screams. The pain was beyond anything she had ever experienced, beyond anything she could have imagined. It felt as though her very soul was being torn apart.

When the curse was lifted, Juliet found herself curled into a tight ball on the floor, her throat raw from screaming. Tears streamed down her face, mixing with the blood from her bitten lip.

"Perhaps," Voldemort said, his voice dangerously quiet. "You need a reminder of the consequences of failure."

He raised his wand again, and Juliet braced herself for more pain. But instead of the Cruciatus Curse, she felt her body being lifted into the air. She hung there, suspended by Voldemort's magic, completely at his mercy.