Cygnus

"Cygnus, Cygnus, Cygnus…"

The Dark Lord circles the curly-haired man on the floor with several regretful, exaggerated breaths as he exhales.

"I knew that incest ran in the Black family – well, all pureblood families – but this?"

The middle-aged man remains silent – terrified – frozen.

"I will protect your daughter, Cygnus. I would normally expect my followers to take care of themselves, but… dear Bellatrix is a different case."

The only thing that runs through Cygnus' mind is a single thought.

How? How is she special to this monster of a man? Why?

"And I do not believe that she can be truly protected with you alive."

Cygnus' eyes widen.

"It is a shame," the Dark Lord sighs, "that it has come to this."

"I-I promise I'll l-l-leave B-Bellatrix be… my Lord, I swear to you..." Cygnus croaks.

"The things is, my dear man… it matters not for your promise. It matters that you have violated your daughter in such a way that she remains paranoid at her age of twenty-one. She acts more…" the Dark Lord considers his choice of words with a hint of a sneer, "panicked than I'd like her to be."

It is hard for Cygnus to do it – but he understands the meaning behind those soft, cleverly, carefully phrased words.

"Y-you have tried to… rape her?" Despite his terror, he is twisted enough to find honour in such a thing.

"I would not consider it rape when she is willing. More than willing, if I am truthful," the Dark Lord laughs, "but as extraordinary as I am, I still have… lustful cravings. And Bella is the only woman who seems to be capable of fulfilling those cravings."

Then green light blinds him, and he is forever falling.