They dragged you into the center of the chamber, the cold stone floor biting into your knees as you were forced down. Chains clinked somewhere behind you, but the sound that froze your blood was Theodore’s voice.

“Don’t touch her!”

He was bound upright against a pillar, magic shimmering around him like invisible wire. His eyes were wild, terrified, locked on you as if he could shield you just by looking hard enough.

Vincent Nott stepped between you both, his expression carved from stone. “You’ve had every chance to obey,” he said to Theodore. “Every chance to honor your family. But you refuse.”

Voldemort’s presence thickened the air, cold and suffocating. “Then he will learn,” the Dark Lord murmured, “what defiance costs.”

You felt the magic gather before you saw the wand lift. Theodore strained against his restraints, his voice cracking.

“Father, stop! Please—don’t do this to her!”

Vincent didn’t even look at him. “This is your doing, Theodore.”

A flash of light burst from his wand, striking you square in the chest. It wasn’t the kind of pain that could be described — it was too sharp, too consuming, like your very nerves were being set alight. Your breath hitched, your vision blurred, and your hands clawed at the floor as you fought to stay conscious.

You heard Theodore scream your name, raw and broken.

The curse lifted after what felt like an eternity, leaving you trembling, barely able to hold yourself upright. Your heartbeat thundered in your ears. Every muscle shook.

“Theodore,” Voldemort said softly, “this is only the beginning.”

Theo’s eyes were shining with tears he couldn’t wipe away. “Please,” he whispered, voice hoarse, “I’ll do anything. Just stop hurting her.”

Vincent tilted his head, studying his son with a cold sort of satisfaction. “Then kneel. Swear yourself to the Dark Lord. Now.”

You forced your head up, meeting Theodore’s eyes. “Don’t,” you rasped. “Theo, don’t give them what they want.”

He shook his head violently, tears spilling over. “I can’t watch them hurt you again.”

Voldemort raised his wand slightly, a silent threat.

Theodore broke.

He dropped to his knees so fast the spell holding him flickered. His voice shook, but the words were clear.

“I swear.”

Your heart cracked at the sound of it — the surrender they had wanted, torn out of him by your suffering.