The air was thick with tension, the flickering light of the torches casting long, wavering shadows against the walls of the manor. In another location far from the chaos, you hid with Harry, your heart pounding as you strained to catch fragments of what might be happening to your brothers.

“No loyalty... NO LOYALTY!” V0ldemort’s voice reverberated through the chamber, each word laced with venom.

Mattheo’s shoulders were squared, his jaw clenched tightly as he stared defiantly at him. Beside him, Tom’s expression was impassive, his calculating mind likely working through every possible outcome of this confrontation.

“Not even from you,” V0ldemort spat, his voice lowering into a dangerous hiss. “Where is your sister?”

Mattheo crossed his arms over his chest. “I’m not telling you anything,” he said, his voice steady, though a flicker of unease passed through his eyes as V0ldemort’s wand twitched in his hand.

“We will never talk,” Tom added, his tone cold and resolute.

V0ldemort’s lips curled into a thin, cruel smile. “Foolish boys,” he murmured, almost softly, before raising his wand. “CRUCIO!”

The curse hit Mattheo first, and he dropped to his knees with a strangled cry. Still, even through clenched teeth and agony, he managed to choke out, “Not… telling… you…”

Tom’s expression faltered for only a split second as he turned toward his brother, but before he could move, the second curse struck him.

You clutched Harry’s hand tightly, tears streaming silently down your face as you imagined the scene playing out in the manor. The thought of your brothers enduring such torment for you was unbearable, but you knew they were doing it to keep you safe. Because they knew what he would do if he found out the truth—that you, his daughter, were in love with Harry.