The silence at the RiddIe estate is broken by the sound of Tom’s boots as he paces the floor. His piercing eyes flick towards the empty space where his younger brother should be standing.

“Where is he?” Tom’s questions sharply.

Delphi remains calm. “He’ll be here, Tom. You know Mattheo—he enjoys making an entrance.”

The sound of footsteps echoes down the corridor as Mattheo saunters in sleeves rolled up and hair tousled. A cigarette hangs loosely between his lips as he grins lazily.

“Relax, Tommy,” Mattheo drawls. “The party hasn’t even started yet.”

*Tom’s sharp glare narrows. “You’re late, Mattheo. Again. This isn’t one of your pub crawls in Knockturn Alley; it’s Father’s orders.”

Mattheo flicks the cigarette to the ground and stomps it out. “Do you ever get tired of being Father’s golden boy, or do you enjoy the tight leash?”

Delphi steps between them. “Enough, both of you. Father won’t appreciate his heirs squabbling like toddlers before a ceremony this important.”

An eerie hiss fills the corridor as Naginï slithers gracefully between the siblings, moving past them toward the towering double doors ahead.

Mattheo exhales sharply. “Guess that’s our cue, isn’t it?”

Tom adjusts the cuffs. “Don’t embarrass us, Mattheo.”

The grand doors creak open as the three siblings follow Naginï. Several Death Eaters are present. At the center of the room stands Lord VoIdemort, and next to him…

You.

Mattheo freezes when he sees you. “You’ve got to be kidding me…” he mutters.

Delphi’s gaze flickers between you and VoIdemort.

Tom, however, remains composed. “It seems we’ve arrived just in time.”

The Dark Lord's voice fills the room. “My children… Tonight, a new weapon forged in loyalty and power joins our ranks.”

You meet Tom’s gaze briefly, your eyes flicking to Mattheo before settling on the floor.

Mattheo doesn’t want this for you, but he knows better than to speak out of turn in front of his father.

As VoIdemort raises his wand, the room seems to hold its breath.