Heirs of darkness || Theodore Nott

The breaking point

It was early in the morning, the castle still cloaked in the heavy silence of dawn, when the urgent tapping at the door roused Theo and Aurora from their sleep. Blinking blearily in the dim light, Theo reached for his wand, only to find a house-elf trembling at the foot of their bed.

"Master Theo, Miss Aurora," the elf squeaked, its large eyes filled with fear. "The Dark Lord summons you. An urgent meeting... all Death Eaters are to attend."

Aurora's heart skipped a beat. Urgent meetings with Voldemort were never a good sign. She and Theo exchanged a tense glance before scrambling out of bed, hurriedly dressing in their black robes. Aurora's hands shook as she fastened her cloak, a gnawing sense of dread settling in her stomach.

They made their way to the meeting room deep within the castle, the corridors dark and foreboding. As they approached the heavy wooden doors, Aurora felt Theo's hand brush hers, a silent gesture of comfort. She squeezed his fingers briefly before letting go. They had to appear composed, loyal, unshaken by the fear that clawed at their insides.

When they stepped into the room, Voldemort was already there, standing at the head of a long table surrounded by Death Eaters. The moment they entered, his cold, snake-like eyes fixed on Aurora, and his thin lips curled into a cruel smile.

"Ah, finally, you join us," Voldemort said, his voice a venomous hiss. The room fell silent, every pair of eyes turning to Aurora.

She quickly stepped forward, bowing her head in what she hoped was an appropriate show of respect. "My Lord, I apologize for my tardiness. I was unaware of the urgency of this meeting."

Voldemort's smile widened, but it held no warmth. It was the smile of a predator, amused by the futile struggles of its prey. He turned to Antonin Dolohov, a twisted sneer crossing his face. "Dolohov, relieve her of her wand and seize her."

Aurora's heart stopped. For a moment, she stood frozen in shock, unable to comprehend what was happening. Around her, the Death Eaters exchanged glances, and even Theo and Draco looked confused, their expressions mirroring her own. Why was Voldemort singling her out?

Dolohov stepped forward, his wand already drawn. He yanked Aurora's wand from her grasp and shoved her roughly against the cold stone wall, binding her with ropes that coiled around her like snakes.

Aurora struggled, her mind racing. This couldn't be happening. What had she done wrong? How had she failed to deceive him?

Voldemort approached, his footsteps slow and deliberate, echoing ominously in the silent room. He stopped inches from Aurora's face, his breath cold as ice on her skin. "Did you really think I was stupid, Aurora?" he whispered, his voice dripping with malice.

Aurora's mouth went dry. She tried to speak, to defend herself, but the words caught in her throat. Voldemort's red eyes bore into hers, filled with a sadistic glee. He knew. Somehow, he had seen through her facade, through all the lies and deception she had carefully woven over the past year.

"You thought you could deceive me," Voldemort continued, his voice rising. "You thought I was unaware of your true intentions. I've known from the beginning, Aurora. I knew it was you who freed Potter, Weasley, and Granger. I knew you would betray me one day."

Aurora's breath hitched. Panic clawed at her, but she forced herself to remain calm, to think. "You think I've been manipulating you?" she asked, trying to sound incredulous, but her voice betrayed her fear.

Voldemort laughed, a cold, mirthless sound that sent shivers down her spine. "You couldn't be more transparent."

Aurora's mind raced. There was no way out of this. Voldemort had seen through her, and now she was trapped. But if she was going to go down, she wouldn't do it begging for her life. If she was going to die, she would do it on her terms.

A bitter laugh escaped her lips, and she met Voldemort's gaze with defiance. "Well, duh! Of course I was manipulating you," she spat, her voice laced with venom.

She closed her eyes and focused, trying to summon her dragons, her last line of defense. But as she reached out with her mind, she felt nothing. No connection, no warmth, just emptiness.

Something was wrong.

Her eyes snapped open, wide with panic. "Where are they?" she demanded, her voice rising in fear. "Where are my dragons?"

Voldemort's cruel smile returned, and he tilted his head slightly, watching her with amusement. "Smart of you, making them immune to magic. But they're chained now, awaiting my command. And once that immunity is undone, it will be over for you."

Aurora's heart plummeted. Her last hope had been stripped away, leaving her utterly powerless. But she wouldn't give Voldemort the satisfaction of seeing her break. She squared her shoulders, forcing a calm she didn't feel.

"Harry will win again," she said, her voice steady despite the terror coursing through her veins. "He's yet to see victory. And you... you'll be dead."

Voldemort's eyes narrowed, and his hand tightened around his wand. "I could have you killed," he hissed, his voice low and dangerous.

Aurora met his gaze, her expression defiant. "It wouldn't change anything."

For a moment, there was silence, the tension in the room thick and suffocating. Then Voldemort laughed again, louder this time, the sound echoing off the stone walls. "Such spirit," he sneered. "Before I kill you, I think I'll have a little fun. Not just me every Death Eater here would love a piece of you."

The room erupted in low, sinister chuckles. Aurora's blood ran cold, and she felt the icy grip of true fear for the first time. But she didn't let it show. She refused to give them the satisfaction.

Voldemort raised his wand, pointing it directly at her chest. "But first, let's take care of your friends, shall we? Bellatrix!"

Bellatrix Lestrange stepped forward, a gleeful look on her twisted face. "Yes, my Lord?"

"Take Draco and Theodore to the chambers. They can stay there until they prove their loyalty."

Theo's eyes widened in horror. "No, my Lord, please!" he begged, stepping forward, but Bellatrix was already at his side, her wand at his throat.

Aurora watched in despair as Theo and Draco were dragged away, her heart breaking as Theo's desperate gaze met hers one last time before he disappeared from sight. She knew what awaited them in those chambers pain, suffering, maybe even death.

And then, just like that, they were gone. The door slammed shut behind them, leaving Aurora alone with the Dark Lord and his followers. Voldemort turned back to her, his expression one of cold triumph.

"You see, Aurora," he whispered, his voice laced with satisfaction. "You were never going to win this game. You've lost. And now, you'll suffer the consequences."

With that, he turned and left the room, leaving Aurora tied to the wall, surrounded by Death Eaters who were all too eager to follow his orders.

But even as despair threatened to consume her, Aurora held onto the one thing that kept her going: the knowledge that, somewhere out there, Harry was still fighting. And as long as he fought, there was still hope.