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A/N: Begins just after Harry grabs the Portkey in Goblet of Fire.
Dedication: My beta and bestest online friend, Controversial Lamb.
Harry Potter and the Curse of Guilt
Prologue – True Aim
Voldemort screamed in fury as Harry Potter disappeared before him, transported by the Portkey. His shriek echoed across the cemetery long after he was silent, and the Death Eaters shivered. They gathered around him, mumbling words of apology and pleads for forgiveness. Voldemort glared at them all.
"You fools," he hissed venomously. They cowered and quaked under his enraged stare, except one. Lucius Malfoy stood tall and proud, a smirk covered by the shadow of his hood. Voldemort, sensing the lack of fear in Malfoy, turned his angry red eyes on him. Lucius immediately stopped smirking.
"I have good news," he murmured before Voldemort could curse him. Voldemort turned fully towards Malfoy, glowering angrily.
"Potter has just escaped you, and you have news for me?" he spat menacingly. Lucius shuddered at the fury in his voice, but stepped forward bravely.
"We failed in killing Potter, but he will die. I have made sure of it," he explained, a hint of pride in his voice. Voldemort's eyes narrowed and Lucius hastened to continue. "I cursed him with Mentiladarkus. He will be dead by next summer." Voldemort's face was impassive for a long time, giving Lucius cause to think he had displeased his master, but then a sudden bark of laughter escaped him, cold and gleeful all at once.
"Well done," he hissed. With a wave of his hand, he left, and the Death Eaters Disapparated.
*