Chapter 65:
VOLDEMORT'S ANGER

○○○

.•°★ CASSIOPEIA moved through the chaos with purpose, her mind reeling from the events at the Burrow. She knew the war was escalating, and every step she took felt like she was walking a tightrope over a pit of darkness. The Order was becoming more elusive, and the Death Eaters were growing more ruthless.

She learned about the new strategy from a whispered conversation between Bellatrix and Fenrir Greyback: the Taboo. Voldemort had placed a curse on his own name, making it dangerous for anyone to speak it. Anyone who dared to say "Voldemort" would be instantly tracked by the Death Eaters. It was a cunning and insidious tactic, one that would ensure no one felt safe.

As she processed this information, she received word that Harry, Ron, and Hermione had been spotted in a Muggle café. Her heart pounded as she Apparated away from the scene of the battle, the familiar pull of magic taking her to the edge of a quiet, unassuming street.

The café was quaint, nestled in a quiet corner of Muggle London. Cassiopeia lingered in the shadows, her eyes scanning the street. She saw two Death Eaters disguised as workmen, their postures tense as they approached the entrance of the café. Her breath caught in her throat, and she felt a surge of panic.

Hidden from view, she watched as the Death Eaters moved closer, their wands concealed but ready. The trio inside seemed oblivious, engrossed in their conversation. Cassiopeia knew she couldn't directly intervene without revealing herself, but she couldn't just stand by and do nothing.

She took a deep breath and cast her Patronus, a magnificent silver doe that move gracefully through the air. It glided into the café, unnoticed by the Muggles but clearly visible to wizards and witches. Harry's head snapped up as he spotted the Patronus, his eyes widening in recognition.

Outside, Cassiopeia saw the realization dawn on his face. He glanced around, eyes narrowing as he spotted the disguised Death Eaters. Cassiopeia held her breath, praying he would understand the warning.

Inside, Harry whispered urgently to Ron and Hermione, and they drew their wands just as the Death Eaters revealed themselves. Spells erupted in the small café, tables overturning and dishes shattering. Cassiopeia watched from her hidden vantage point, her heart in her throat as she saw the trio fight with fierce determination.

Harry deflected a curse aimed at Hermione, who responded with a well-aimed Stunning Spell that sent one of the Death Eaters crashing into a wall. Ron moved with surprising agility, his wand a blur as he sent hexes flying at the remaining attacker.

Cassiopeia's hands trembled as she watched, her emotions a chaotic swirl of fear and pride. The trio fought bravely, their teamwork evident in the way they covered each other's backs. It was clear they had grown stronger, more resilient.

The fight was over quickly. The Death Eaters lay unconscious, and the trio stood amidst the wreckage, panting and on high alert. Cassiopeia felt a surge of relief, but she knew she had to leave before they noticed her. She couldn't afford to be seen, not now.

As she prepared to Disapparate, she caught one last glimpse of Harry. His eyes swept the street outside, searching for any sign of their mysterious protector. Their eyes met for the briefest moment, and Cassiopeia saw a flicker of recognition and confusion in his gaze. She tore her eyes away, willing herself to disappear before he could piece together the truth.

---

The moment they arrived, the atmosphere shifted from chaotic violence to tense anticipation. No one had seen her protect Harry; she had ensured that her actions were discreet. However, the failure to capture Potter hung heavy over the group like a dark cloud.

The Death Eaters dispersed, their expressions a mix of frustration and anger. Cassiopeia tried to blend into the shadows, hoping to avoid immediate attention. But fate had other plans.

"Oi, Malfoy!" Thorfinn Rowle's voice cut through the murmurs, sharp and sneering. Cassiopeia turned to face him, her mask now removed, revealing her weary and tense features. He had cuts all over his face from his fight in the cafe.

"Rowle," she acknowledged coldly, trying to keep her composure. The brute of a man was not someone she wanted to engage with right now.

"You're supposed to be one of our best," Rowle spat, stepping closer. "And yet, Potter escapes again. Useless, all of you."

Cassiopeia's eyes narrowed, a spark of anger igniting. "Funny. The last I checked, I'm one of the youngest Death Eater around here." She huffed, "You were in charge of taking him, Rowle. If anyone failed, it was you."

The large man bristled, his face contorting with anger. "Watch your tongue, girl. You're no better. Maybe you should be the one to call the Dark Lord and explain this mess."

Cassiopeia took a step forward, her own fury bubbling to the surface. "I don't need to explain anything. We all fought, and we all know what happened. It's not my job to clean up your mistakes."

Rowle's hand moved to his wand, but before he could draw it, Cassiopeia's wand was already pointed at him, her eyes blazing. "You really want to do this, Rowle?"

A tense silence fell over the room as the other Death Eaters watched, eager for any excuse to spill blood, even amongst themselves. But before the situation could escalate further, Snape intervened, his voice cutting through the tension like a knife.

"Enough." Snape's authoritative tone demanded immediate attention. He stepped between them, his gaze fixed on Rowle. "The Dark Lord does not appreciate in-fighting. Do you want to explain to him why two of his supposedly loyal servants were dueling each other instead of capturing Potter?"

Rowle's face turned a shade paler, his anger giving way to grudging compliance. He lowered his wand, but his eyes remained locked on Cassiopeia, filled with hatred. "This isn't over, Malfoy," he growled, stepping back.

Cassiopeia kept her wand steady until Rowle retreated, then she turned to Snape. "I had it under control," she scowled.

Cassiopeia stood in the dimly lit room at Malfoy Manor, her heart pounding as she awaited the arrival of Voldemort. The air was thick with tension, the kind that seemed to press down on her chest, making it hard to breathe. Rowle, looking pale and terrified, stood to one side, his eyes darting around the room as if seeking an escape that wasn’t there.

When Voldemort finally arrived, his presence was like a physical weight in the room. He moved with a predatory grace, his red eyes scanning the faces of those gathered. Cassiopeia felt his gaze linger on her for a moment before he turned his attention to Rowle.

“You summoned me, Rowle,” Voldemort said, his voice soft but dripping with menace. “You’d better have a good reason.”

Rowle swallowed hard, his fear palpable. “My Lord, I—I have news. About Potter.”

Voldemort’s eyes narrowed. “Speak.”

Rowle took a shaky breath. “We—we encountered someone speaking your name, Dolohov and I tried to capture whoever it was, but—we didn't know who. We were stunned, and by the time we recovered, they were gone. We also lost Potter at the blood traitors' home.”

Silence fell over the room, heavy and foreboding. Voldemort’s expression didn’t change, but the temperature seemed to drop several degrees. Cassiopeia’s stomach twisted with anxiety as she watched the Dark Lord.

“Potter escaped,” Voldemort repeated, his voice barely above a whisper. “Again.”

Rowle flinched as if struck. “My Lord, we—”

“Silence!” Voldemort’s voice cracked like a whip, and Rowle immediately fell silent, trembling. “You have failed me, Rowle. Such incompetence cannot go unpunished.”

He held his wand out at the blonde Death Eater, "Crucio."

Rowle howled in pain as he dropped to the floor, wrathing and screaming. It lasted longer than Cassiopeia had expected it, and she took a few steps back as she looked away.

"More, Rowle, or shall we end it and feed you to Nagini? Lord Voldemort is not sure that he will forgive this time...You called me back for this, to tell me that Harry Potter has escaped again?"

Voldemort turned his gaze to Cassiopeia, who stood rigid, her heart thudding in her chest. “Cassiopeia,” he said, almost lazily. “I believe it’s time for you to demonstrate your loyalty once again. Torture Rowle for his failure.”

Cassiopeia’s breath caught in her throat. She had been prepared to endure many things for her position, but the thought of torturing someone—one of her own—sent a chill down her spine. But she knew refusal was not an option. To hesitate would be to invite Voldemort’s wrath upon herself." He turned to Cassiopeia, "Cassiopeia, give Rowle another taste of our displeasure...Do it, or feel my wrath yourself!"

Steeling herself, she stepped forward, her wand clutched tightly in her hand. Rowle’s eyes widened with panic as he realized what was about to happen. “Please, Cassiopeia—” he began, but she cut him off.

“Crucio.”

The curse left her lips before she could second-guess herself, and Rowle’s scream filled the room. He collapsed to the floor, writhing in agony, his hands clawing at the air as if trying to grasp something to stop the pain. Cassiopeia’s hand shook, but she held the spell, her heart breaking a little more with each passing second.

She remembered this, she remembered this exact vision from her nightmare when she was at Hogwarts. It hit her like a deja vu.

“Enough,” Voldemort said, and Cassiopeia immediately lifted the curse. Rowle lay on the floor, panting and whimpering, his body twitching with residual pain.

Voldemort’s gaze fixed on Cassiopeia, and she felt as though he could see straight into her soul. “Well done, Cassiopeia,” he said softly. “Your loyalty is noted.”

Cassiopeia swallowed hard, nodding. “Thank you, my Lord.”

Voldemort looked back at Rowle, who was still gasping on the floor. “Let this be a lesson to all of you,” he said, his voice cold. “Failure will not be tolerated. You will succeed, or you will suffer the consequences.”

With that, he turned and swept out of the room, leaving an oppressive silence in his wake. Cassiopeia remained standing, her legs trembling beneath her. She had done what was asked of her, but the cost felt too high. Every time she was forced to prove her loyalty, a piece of her humanity seemed to slip away.

As the room slowly emptied, she glanced down at Rowle. He looked broken, a shell of the man he had been. Cassiopeia had to remain strong, had to keep her emotions in check. But as she left the room, she couldn’t shake the feeling that she was losing herself, bit by bit, to the darkness that surrounded her.

The corridors of Malfoy Manor seemed colder and more foreboding than ever as she made her way back to her quarters. The walls seemed to close in on her, and the weight of her actions pressed heavily on her shoulders. She reached her room and closed the door behind her, finally allowing herself to breathe.

a/n:
guys im sorry its getting boring PLEASE BEAR WITH ME 😭 sorry again for this awful chapter 😔