It's terrifying to serve.
"Ginevra, Bartemius, what good news do you have to deliver to us?" The Dark Lord says in a low voice, his red eyes flashing menacingly.
Barty tries his best not to wince but by the satisfied curve of the Dark Lord's smile, he clearly doesn't succeed.
Ginny does. Ginny doesn't do anything but nod, calm and not the least bit threatened by the maniac who controls them.
"Yes, Lord," Ginny says and Barty doesn't miss the way she doesn't say my Lord. It's distinctions like this that make the difference when you're a servant and a slave, a murderer and a coward. "Bartemius killed the Macmillan boy when he tried to attack us in Diagon. It was supposed to be a mere patrol, but the rebellion spreads."
The Dark Lord's face extends slowly, an unearthly sneer growing upon it. "Yes, this rebellion you speak of, Ginevra. Would you say it is a threat?"
"No, Lord," Ginny says placidly, her arms stiffly hanging by her sides and that's when he knows something is wrong, because Ginny Weasley has never been agreeable a day in her life.
The Dark Lord nods in satisfaction and turns away, the topic discarded. Barty knows he should say something to alert the Dark Lord that this is odd but-
(He doesn't because as much as he doesn't want to admit it:
He understands)