Chapter 74:
Voldemort's Demand

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⚠ TRIGGER WARNING: violence
slight mention of blood & death

.•°★ THE atmosphere in Malfoy Manor was always tense, but tonight, it was suffocating. The air seemed to crackle with an unseen energy, and even the house-elves dared not make a sound. Cassiopeia was in her private quarters, lost in thought. She had just returned from another covert visit to the dungeons to check on Luna and Ollivander. The weight of her double life was becoming unbearable, and she longed for a moment of peace.

Suddenly, the manor's silence was shattered by the unmistakable sound of the front doors being thrown open with a violent force. Cassiopeia's heart skipped a beat. She knew only one person who would enter with such fury. Voldemort.

She stood up, her heart pounding in her chest as heavy footsteps echoed through the hallways. Within moments, the door to her room flew open, revealing the Dark Lord himself, flanked by a nervous-looking Bellatrix Lestrange and a couple of Death Eaters.

"Miss Malfoy," Voldemort hissed, his red eyes glowing with anger. "Come with me. Now."

Cassiopeia felt a chill run down her spine. She had seen Voldemort angry before, but there was something different tonight. He was furious, almost desperate. She nodded, swallowing her fear, and followed him out of the room.

They walked through the grand halls of the manor, and Cassiopeia could feel the eyes of other Death Eaters watching her with a mix of curiosity and fear. She didn't dare ask what was happening; she knew better than to question the Dark Lord when he was in such a mood.

They entered the drawing-room, where Voldemort turned to face her, his face contorted with rage. "I felt it," he snarled. "A piece of my soul, destroyed."

Cassiopeia's eyes widened in shock. She had heard whispers about Voldemort's Horcruxes, the objects he had used to split his soul and achieve immortality, but she had never imagined one could be destroyed.

Voldemort grabbed her arm with a grip that made her wince. "You will look into the future, now," he commanded, his voice a dangerous whisper. "Tell me what Harry Potter is up to. I must know how to stop him."

Cassiopeia nodded, her mind racing. She closed her eyes, focusing on her Seer abilities. The darkness enveloped her, and she felt herself being pulled into the depths of her visions. Images flashed before her eyes—blurry at first, then gradually sharpening into clarity.

She saw Harry, Ron, and Hermione in a forest, their faces grim and determined. They were on the move, constantly looking over their shoulders, as if they were being hunted. She saw Harry holding something—something important, something that felt powerful and ancient.

"They're searching for something," she whispered, her voice distant. "Something that might defeat you, my lord."

Voldemort's grip tightened on her arm. "What is it?" he demanded.

Cassiopeia tried to focus, but the vision was slipping away, becoming more fragmented and chaotic. She saw flashes of different locations—a dark cave, an old house, a massive tree. She saw Harry's face, determined yet weary, and then the vision faded, objects flashed through her head. These visions are clearly not correct, or they can be changed. Again, the inner eye does not see upon command.

"I... I can't see clearly," she stammered, opening her eyes. "But they're determined, and they're making progress."

Voldemort's eyes narrowed, and he released her arm, shoving her back slightly. "Useless," he spat. "But it is a start."

Voldemort turned back to Cassiopeia, his expression unreadable. "You will come with me," he ordered. "There is something that I need you to do."

---

Cassiopeia barely had time to register what was happening before Voldemort grasped her arm tightly, and with a swift motion, they disapparated. The cold, dark halls of Malfoy Manor vanished, replaced by the damp, chilling air of a small, secluded village. The night was eerily silent, the only sound being the distant rustle of leaves in the wind.

They appeared in front of a small, quaint house at the edge of the village. The house looked unassuming, with a well-tended garden and soft light emanating from the windows. Voldemort strode forward, his presence casting a shadow over the peaceful scene. Cassiopeia followed, her heart pounding in her chest.

Voldemort raised his hand and knocked on the door. The knock was firm, demanding. Moments later, a woman appeared, her face lined with age and worry. She was clearly a witch, and the sight of Voldemort at her doorstep filled her with immediate dread.

"W-what you want?" she stammered, her voice trembling, her accent was strong.

"Where is Gregoravitch," Voldemort replied coldly, his eyes narrowing.

"I...I don't know," said the woman. "I don't know! He left! He left! Not here anymore!"

The woman tried to slam the door shut, but Voldemort was too quick. With a flick of his wand, the door flew open, and he stepped inside, dragging Cassiopeia with him. The woman stumbled back, her eyes wide with terror.

"Please, no..." she begged, but her pleas fell on deaf ears.

Voldemort's expression remained impassive as he raised his wand.A flash of green light filled the room, and the woman fell to the floor, lifeless. Cassiopeia gasped, her stomach churning with horror. She had seen death before, but the cold, casual way Voldemort took this woman's life was sickening.

Voldemort turned to her, his expression still unreadable. "For the greater good," he said, his voice a chilling whisper. "In order for your family to be forgiven, and for you to prove your loyalty to me, you must perform a task."

Cassiopeia's heart sank. She knew what was coming, but she prayed she was wrong. Voldemort's grip on her arm tightened, and he dragged her further into the house, stepping over the body of the woman. They reached a small room at the back, where the soft sound of children’s laughter filled the air.

"No, please," she whispered, her voice barely audible.

Voldemort's eyes bore into hers, cold and merciless. "Kill the children," he commanded. "Show me your loyalty, and your family will be spared. The Malfoy's have done enough!"

Cassiopeia's mind raced, a storm of emotions threatening to overwhelm her. She could see the shadows of the children playing, unaware of the horror that had just entered their home. Her wand felt heavy in her hand, her heart pounding in her ears.

Voldemort’s voice was low and insistent. "Do it or I shall kill you!"

The words echoed in her mind, a cruel reminder of the impossible choice before her. She stepped into the room, the children’s laughter turning to curious silence as they saw her.

Her hand trembled as she raised her wand. The children looked at her with innocent, trusting eyes, and she felt a tear slip down her cheek.

The silence in the room was suffocating, the weight of her decision crushing her. She knew what was expected of her, but every fiber of her being screamed against it.

Voldemort’s presence loomed behind her, his expectation palpable. She took a deep breath, her mind racing for a solution, for any way out of this nightmare.

The room was silent, the air thick with tension and fear. Cassiopeia stood frozen, her wand trembling in her hand. The children’s innocent faces blurred through her tears, their confused eyes piercing her soul. The shadows of Voldemort's presence loomed over her, a constant reminder of the monstrous task before her.

The words reverberated in her mind, each syllable tightening the grip of despair around her heart. Her thoughts spun in a frantic whirlpool of anger and desperation. She knew, deep down, that this was not just a test of loyalty, but a way for Voldemort to seal her family's fate. If she failed, her entire family would be condemned, including herself.

Her rage built up, a seething fire that burned through her veins. Anger at Voldemort for forcing her into this situation, anger at herself for her helplessness, and a blinding fury at the world for putting her in this position. The children’s faces swam before her eyes, their trust a cruel mockery of her predicament.

The first spell was cast almost unconsciously, her mind a blur of fury and sorrow. A jet of green light shot from her wand, striking one of the children. Their lifeless body crumpled to the floor, and a horrified scream echoed in her ears – whether it was the other child or her own, she could not tell.

Voldemort watched, a satisfied smile playing on his lips. "Good," he murmured. "Now the other."

Her vision narrowed, darkening at the edges. The second child’s terrified eyes met hers, and she hesitated, the weight of her actions pressing down on her. She tried to cling to the last shreds of her sanity, but the rage and despair overwhelmed her. She felt as if she were drowning, each breath a struggle against the tide of emotions consuming her.

Another flash of green, and the second child fell. The room was silent again, the only sound her ragged breathing. She dropped to her knees, the wand slipping from her grasp. The enormity of what she had done crashed over her, a tidal wave of guilt and horror.

Voldemort stepped closer, his cold eyes gleaming with satisfaction. "You have done well, Cassiopeia. Remember this moment, for it will define you."

She barely heard his words, her mind numb. The children’s bodies lay still, a stark reminder of her actions. She felt a part of her soul shatter, the pieces falling into a void of darkness and despair.

Voldemort’s hand gripped her shoulder, pulling her to her feet. "Nagini," he said, his tone commanding. The snake that Cassiopeia didn't know followed, hissed behind her. "Eat, feed..."

Cassiopeia's eyes couldn't move, it stuck on the snake as blood spluttered on the walls, and on Cassiopeia. She took a step back, Voldemort's hand on her shoulder.

They disapparated, leaving the small, quiet village behind. The house, once filled with laughter and life, was now a tomb of silence and death. Cassiopeia’s heart ached, the weight of her actions pressing down on her with every step.

Back at Malfoy Manor, the atmosphere was tense. The Death Eaters glanced at her, their expressions a mixture of respect and fear. Voldemort’s approval was a dangerous gift, one that marked her as both a trusted lieutenant and a potential threat.

She moved through the halls, her mind a blur. She barely registered her surroundings, each step a mechanical motion. The faces of the children haunted her, their innocent eyes a stark contrast to the darkness within her.

"Cassiopeia---" said the voice of her mother, she shook her head. "Why...Why on earth are you covered in blood?"

Cassiopeia's ears were ringing, her entire body trembling. She couldn't breath, she couldn't talk, she couldn't move. She lets out a gasp, and she trembled, gripping the staircase as she felt the rush of pain soar through her chest.

She killed.

She killed.

You killed.

The voice in her head rang, and she shook her head.  Her hands shook, the memory of the spells she cast replaying in her mind. She curled up, hugging her knees to her chest, the tears flowing freely now.

"I...I...I---" she spluttered, for a moment her mind was whole, open for anyone who can use Legilimens to see. She was vulnerable, so vulnerable. She looked at her hand, her hand trembling. "I...children...killed..." she tried to say.

Narcissa gasped, as she tried to grab Cassiopeia into a hug, but Cassiopeia pushed her mother away. "Don't!" She yelled, her voice echoing in the manor. Her father walked in, and so did her brother. "D-Don't touch m-me!" She yelled, pushing her mother back.

"Cassiopeia..." her mother cooed, Cassiopeia shook her head.

"Don't! Don't look at me! Don't touch me, Don't you dare do anything!" She bellowed, her voice louder than anything else.

"Cassiopeia..." whispered Draco, as he watched his sister go mad. He shook his head. "Don't speak to her that way."

"I killed!" She yelled at Draco, stomping towards him, the blood splutters on her face were terrifying him. "Killed! For this bloody family! I killed! Children!" She sobbed the last part. She didn't need to go up the stairs to the Manor, she didn't know where to go.

"Cassiopeia where..." her mother tried to grab Cassiopeia, but Draco stopped Narcissa.

She turned away, throwing open the front doors with a whip of her wand. Cassiopeia ran out, the entire way seemingly blurry. Bellatrix watched from the dark corner, a grin on her lips.

"Don't worry," said Bellatrix, chuckling as she  watched Cassiopeia run out the gates. "First kill always gets into the conscience. She'll get the hang of it."

The enormity of what she had done settled over her like a shroud. She knew Voldemort had used her, manipulated her anger and desperation to secure his own power. But the knowledge did little to ease the guilt that gnawed at her soul.

She arrived at Hogwarts, her feet dragging herself in the dark, empty halls. She ran up the castle, to Snape's office. She saw a few students who didn't leave for their Christmas Break, frowning as she walked pass.

She bursted through the door, Snape was conversing with Dumbledore's portrait. "Have you ever learned how to knock---" sneered Snape, but his eyes widened as he watched the state Cassiopeia was in.

She stood, gripping the doorknob, her wand in her hand, as she looked up at Snape, finally, the first eyes she had met for the night. "I killed." She said, her voice above whisper. "Children, S-Snape...I...I don't t-think I can d-do this...anymore---"

Dumbledore's portrait frowned, "Oh my dear," he whispered. Cassiopeia shut the door, and she fell to her knees, hugging herself.

Snape frowned, and he sighed, walking towards her. He knelt in front of her, placing a hand on her shoulder. Cassiopeia...who didn't want to be touched, but she felt it was the most comforting. With a flick of Snape's wand, the blood on her face disappeared.

She sobbed, her hands in her face as her entire body trembled. She curled up in Snape's arm, who hesitantly embraced her. He knew this feeling too well...

Cassiopeia closed her eyes, the darkness a welcome escape. She felt a part of her slipping away, the bright, hopeful part that had once believed in a better future. In its place, a cold, hard shell began to form, a defense against the horrors she had unleashed.

He lead her into a small couch behind the office, and she laid down, still sobbing...until she stopped after a while.

As sleep finally claimed her, her last thought was a desperate plea for forgiveness, though she knew none would come. The darkness was complete, and she was lost within it.