The Death Eater named Avery writhed and screamed in pain on the ground, while the other Death Eaters trembled on the side. This situation was all too familiar to them, but it was precisely that familiarity that filled them with dread, as each one was aware of having betrayed their master.
The fate of traitors... Avery was a prime example.
Watching their comrade being tortured by Voldemort in that manner, and being conscious that they themselves could be the next to endure that torture, any normal person would choose to flee. However, the Death Eaters were not normal people, and Voldemort had an extreme hold over his followers. Under this oppression, no one dared to rebel or attempt to escape.
After a while, Voldemort raised his wand and allowed the tortured Death Eater to convulse on the ground.
"If it weren't for the respect I hold for our old friend Avery, today wouldn't have been so easy for you to pass this test," Voldemort said coldly.
Avery was one of Voldemort's first Death Eaters and also his classmate. He had already passed away, and Avery Jr. was his son.
Voldemort's Death Eaters could be divided into two main groups: those who were his classmates and those who were the children of his classmates. Therefore, it was common to find entire families of Death Eaters, like father and son, husband and wife. For example, the Averys, father and son, the Lestranges, whose name included four members. This made Bellatrix one of the highest-ranking and most trusted Death Eaters. Severus Snape, Bartemius Crouch Jr., and others were also present. How much trust did Snape enjoy? He left Voldemort's meeting in Little Hangleton and emerged unscathed, proving that he was still valued, while Karkaroff, who also left, was executed.
Although Avery Jr. was not as highly valued as Bellatrix or Bartemius, he was not a common character. Therefore, Voldemort only punished him lightly.
Once Voldemort finished with Avery Jr., he continued to pace in circles until he stopped in front of someone.
"Lucius, Barty told me that you did something significant today," Voldemort said with a certain malice. "Is it true that you tortured a Muggle family in front of a hundred thousand wizards?"
Lucius lowered his head and quickly replied, "Master, I always..."
Then he fell silent because Voldemort raised a hand, indicating for him to be quiet.
"My cunning friend, what you did tonight is truly intriguing, it makes me envious... I wish I had been there too!"
Lucius shuddered.
"Wouldn't it be better if you put your energy into seeking and aiding your master?"
Lucius's body began to tremble uncontrollably.
"You've disappointed me a little... but at least you're here, and your little organized trick has somehow been useful for my plans... I hope you'll be more loyal and serve me better in the future." Voldemort waved his hand, releasing Lucius.
Lucius Malfoy was the Death Eater Voldemort trusted the most. So far, Voldemort had created five Horcruxes: a diary, Hufflepuff's cup, Ravenclaw's diadem, Slytherin's locket, and Gaunt's ring. He entrusted the diary to Lucius Malfoy and the cup to Bellatrix, who were the Death Eaters he valued the most.
Even when they made mistakes, these high-ranking Death Eaters received forgiveness, like when Lucius lost the diary. He wasn't executed by Voldemort, which was truly a miracle.
Furthermore, Lucius was truly intelligent. Despite facing penalties from the Ministry of Magic, he managed to do something that pleased Voldemort and gained his favor. Only someone like Lucius could devise a plan like that, and Voldemort considered himself fortunate to have found him.
Voldemort glanced at the empty space next to Lucius and snorted coldly. "Nott is growing stupider by the day. I don't know who gave him the audacity not to show up. He will pay the price for his foolishness."
"Master," Lucius spoke rigidly from the side, "Nott was reduced to ashes in tonight's parade..."
Voldemort's gaze returned to Lucius.
"Oh, do tell me more," Voldemort said with great curiosity, as he only knew the general details of Lucius's disturbances tonight.
After Lucius stammered through recounting his experiences tonight, Lord Voldemort fell silent.
Well, a fourth-year student handling the Fiendfyre Curse so skillfully? Truly a promising young sorcerer for practicing dark magic! Are young wizards at Hogwarts so wild these days?
For Voldemort, it was hard to assess what was more impressive, a fifth-year student creating a Horcrux or a fourth-year student toying with the Fiendfyre Curse. However, that boy was quite talented.
"Tell me more about him being a fourth-year student at Hogwarts," Voldemort said with great interest in Tom Yodel, as Lucius quickly realized his master's keen interest and immediately began to ramble about his knowledge of Tom Riddle.
Orphaned, named Tom, talented in dark magic, personally invited by the Transfiguration professor at school...
If it weren't for the actual existence of that person, Voldemort would have thought Lucius was mocking him.
"Is he from Ravenclaw house?" Lucius suddenly interrupted his narration.
"Yes, he should be a Raven..."
"Not necessarily," Voldemort shook his head. "This talent in dark magic cannot come from a dirty Muggle; he must be descended from some ancient family."
Lucius: ...
"Oh, yes, yes," although he considered Voldemort's hasty conclusion rather absurd, Lucius Malfoy, like the ancestors of the Malfoy family, had moral flexibility.
If Lord Voldemort said so, then Tom Yodel surely had an illustrious lineage.
A failed art student could grant someone honorary Aryan status, and Voldemort, naturally, could grant someone pure-blood family status.
Tom Yodel's identity resonated with Voldemort, piquing his interest in that person.
"Lucius, I recall you have a son," Voldemort said slowly and deliberately.
"Hmm?" Lucius became nervous immediately. He really wanted to say no, but that would be treating Voldemort like a fool. With a bitter feeling in his heart, he nodded and admitted that yes, he had a son.
"Is he at Hogwarts?" Voldemort's patience was slowly waning.
"Yes."
"Then have him approach this Tom Yodel; let's see if he's willing to join our great cause."
"But..."
"But what?" Voldemort felt anger kindling within him. Was he giving Lucius too much consideration?
"It seems he has a good relationship with a Mudblood," Lucius thought Tom simply couldn't join the Death Eaters, after all, Hermione Granger came from a Muggle family.
"Kill her, and that's that; talented wizards deserve better girls," Voldemort said coldly, then turned and looked at a figure. "Isn't that right, Snape?"