The Heaviest Burden of All

A few Death Eaters seemed to seriously be considering the chance of their Lord finally having gone mental, but most only nodded and indicated a slight nod as if they wanted to bow.

"You see, I needed my enemy’s blood not only for my return, but also to fulfill a spell that would bring back what I have lost long ago", Voldemort smiled in a creepy way as he stepped back to take a look at the girl in front of him, "Now, however, Harry, you gave me everything to make the prophecy come true. I have to admit that I had already given up hope to get here one day. Dumbledore’s power seemed too strong to get you out of his protection, yet my servant at Hogwarts has proven his loyalty once more, and look at you, Potter… who will be able to stop me now that I have my daughter back?"

Oh my God, a little voice in Sheryl’s head went off again and again like the shrill beeping alarm of some alarm clock. This was a dream. And in a few hours she would wake up again and even be happy to see Snape giving her detention because she wasn’t paying enough attention to his lesson. It simply was too horrible to be true.

"I see that some explanations will be of need", Voldemort remarked at her dumbfounded gaze. One of his bony hands came up to lift her chin with a gentleness that seemed to not belong to him.

"Oh yes, your mother’s eyes. Unfortunately. I hope your appearance is the only gift she presented you with, my darling. Lucius…"

"My Lord?", Malfoy stepped forward to wait for directions.

"Sheryl will need a safe place to stay at until we fulfill the prophecy..."

A sudden idea seemed to form inside Voldemort’s mind that caused him to interrupt himself and turn around.

"Now, now, Potter, we can’t have you listening to things like that, can we? Crucio!"

And while a violent wave of pain that blurred out his every surrounding coursed through Harry’s body, Voldemort faced Lucius again.

"Your Manor appears to be the ideal place. I trust you as my most loyal and able servant, Lucius, and I know I won’t be disappointed."

Sheryl thought the tone of his voice said clearly that Malfoy wouldn’t survive any disappointment on his Lord’s behalf anyway. Noticing her frown, Voldemort lowered his speaking to a hiss that allowed only Lucius to understand the following words.

"You may touch her for disciplining her if her behavior asks for it, but you know the ritual the prophecy requires. Don’t risk its fulfillment by going too far until then. Besides, her wishes are to be obeyed if they are reasonable. She will be treated with the same respect you’ve shown me through all these years."

A smile crossed Voldemort’s face when Lucius nodded and murmured exactly what he had expected of him.

"I won’t lay my hands on her more than is necessary, my Lord. You have my word."

"Very well, Lucius."

The blond Death Eater turned away from him to face Sheryl. Wordlessly, but respectfully, he offered her his arm and smiled in an arrogant way when she took it after a moment of hesitance. They apparated the very next second before Sheryl even realized what was happening.

"As for you, Potter…"

Voldemort turned towards Harry who panted from the Cruciatus curse that had slowly ebbed off.

"I believe you have been taught how to duel…"

Malfoy Manor was gigantic, impressive, elegant, aware of tradition and had the slight hint of an arrogant sneer in its appearance. Somehow Sheryl found the resemblance between Lucius and his home almost an artistic wonder, but Cedric’s dead eyes still haunted her memory, so she paid little attention as she was led to a big, beautiful room that was supposed to be hers by now. Furthermore, Malfoy gave her some instructions on how to find several other rooms that would be of need, told her that the house-elves would obey her wishes for food and similar things, asked her if she wanted anything else and excused himself then. If she hadn’t known it any better, she would have thought he was a mere page boy at an expensive hotel where she had made her holiday reservations.

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