If Only//Harry Potter [4]

23

Death Eaters appeared from black smoke in the graveyard. All of them wearing the same hats and robes as the night of the World Cup.

Autumn stayed out of sight with Cedric as they materialized in front of them. She couldn't wrap her head around what was happening; her father is a Death Eater, her boyfriend was using her, Cedric was dead, and Harry might join Cedric soon. None of the Death Eaters seemed to see her, even though she wasn't hidden very well. She assumed that everyone was focused on Harry.

"Thirteen years it's been, and yet. . . here you stand before me as though it were only yesterday. I confess myself. . . disappointed." Voldemort spoke calmly. It was horrifying. "Not one of you tried to find me. Crabbe! Macnair! Goyle! Not even you. . . Lucius."

Autumn clenched her fists at the mention of Cayden's killer. No, she thought, this is not the time. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She opened them, looking at what was happening. If she could just get Harry to the cup. . .

"My Lord," Lucius stepped forward, "had I detected any sign, a whisper of your whereabouts—"

"There were signs, my slippery friend. And more than whispers." Voldemort said angrily.

"I assure you, my Lord, I have never renounced the old ways. The face I have been obliged to present each day since your absence. . . that is my true mask." 

"I returned." Wormtail said weakly.

"Out of fear, not loyalty." Voldemort responded, his voice in the same whispery tone. "Still, you have proved yourself useful these past few months, Wormtail." He waved his wand towards Wormtail and a new hand was born, taking its place in the absence of his last hand.

"Thank you, master. Thank you." Wormtail cried out pathetically.

Voldemort turned his head to Autumn. She could've sworn Harry had screamed out. Her breath hitched as he walked over. But she didn't stand. Her wand wasn't in her hand, it was on the ground beside her. She stared at Voldemort with more sadness and rage than she ever had in her life. Even more that when Cayden died.

This man, who now laid dead before her, showed everything that could've been. She could've been with him, but she stupidly fell into her Matt's trap, making her the reason Cedric was dead.

"Such a handsome boy." Voldemort said, bending over to touch him. His hand went over and pushed his face away, and before Autumn could realize what she did, she smacked his hand away.

"Don't lay a finger on him! Don't you dare!" Autumn said, pulling Cedric's body closer to her and away from him.

"Ah, I do believe that I have forgotten your name. And you are?" Voldemort said, giving Autumn the chills.

Autumn didn't answer. She spat on the ground by Voldemort's feet instead of answering.

"Alright, little girl." Voldemort pointed his wand at Autumn and she felt her body shake in pain. Where she was didn't matter. Her name didn't matter. She didn't matter. The feeling was endless. It was worse this time — she could feel the hatred coursing in her body from Voldemort. The pain suddenly stopped, and she her lungs breathed in air. She hadn't even noticed she was screaming.

"Now, tell me. . . your name."

"The only time," Autumn breathed heavily as she spoke, "my name will be coming out of your mouth is when you're begging for mercy."

Voldemort chuckled. Some of the Death Eaters followed suit, laughing from behind Voldemort.

"Crucio!" Voldemort spat again, and she heard Harry scream again, before everything went silent.