#8 - Chapter 8 Bella and the Gold Cup

"Master... Master!" Lucius and Narcissa prostrated themselves on the ground the moment they saw who it was.

The person who had arrived was none other than Tom, who had completed his journey to Little Hangleton and come to Malfoy Manor in search of the Hufflepuff cup.

At this moment, he wore a smile on his face, but his eyes were as cold as ice as he questioned Lucius in a low voice: "I think I just heard something rather serious."

Lucius's heart pounded wildly, and fine beads of cold sweat broke out on his forehead and palms. His body trembled involuntarily, and he didn't dare to meet Tom's eyes, only prostrating himself on the ground and begging for mercy: "Master, I beg you, please forgive me this once. I'll never dare to do it again."

"Oh, really? Crucio!" Tom looked at Lucius's pathetic state with indifference, his wand quietly slipping into his hand, and he shot a Cruciatus Curse at him.

A red light flashed, and Lucius felt the ultimate pain that penetrated his bones and struck his soul, as if his whole being was about to be torn to pieces by this pain. Those few seconds felt like an eternity to Lucius.

After Tom released the curse, Lucius lay convulsing on the ground.

"This time, it's just a small punishment. If there's a next time, Lucius, you know the consequences."

Tom's cold words entered Lucius's ears, and he struggled to get up, kneeling on one knee before Tom and lightly kissing his robe.

"Thank you for your forgiveness, Master. There won't be a next time."

"It's time to talk business." Tom changed the subject, conveying the purpose of his visit to Lucius. "Within three days, no matter what method you use, I want to see Bellatrix in Azkaban."

Upon hearing Tom's outrageous request, Lucius was about to say something, but when he met Tom's cold gaze, the words he wanted to say were forced back down his throat, and he could only brace himself and say: "Yes, Master, I will definitely fulfill your request."

"Lucius, you're very punctual. But this time, I'm taking a big risk to get you into Azkaban."

The official's words, both inside and out, meant three words: more money.

Seeing this, Lucius quickly stepped forward and handed the other party a money bag filled with Galleons.

"Is this enough?"

The man weighed the money bag and revealed a satisfied expression, saying to the two: "Follow me."

After a series of complicated checks, Lucius and Tom were taken to the area where the most dangerous prisoners were held.

"The person you're looking for is inside. You have ten minutes of visiting time, so hurry up. I'll wait for you outside."

Seeing the Ministry of Magic official leave, Tom instructed Lucius: "Stand guard here and don't let anyone disturb me." With that, he entered alone.

As soon as he entered, Tom heard a burst of crazy female laughter: "Hahahaha... The Dark Lord will definitely return... Hahahaha!"

Well, this sounded like Bellatrix. It saved Tom the time of searching.

Following the laughter, he walked to the front of the cell, staring intently at the woman in shackles who was going crazy inside.

Bellatrix seemed to notice someone outside and instinctively wanted to attack, but then she saw the person slowly taking off his hood, revealing a face that, although younger, was indeed the one she longed for.

"Bellatrix, it's me."

As soon as he spoke, Bellatrix was so excited that she couldn't control herself. The madness caused by the Dementors seemed to subside.

"Master, have you come to rescue me?"

Tom shook his head lightly: "Now is not the time. My strength has not yet recovered. This time, I've come for the Hufflepuff cup that I entrusted to you."

"Give me the key to the vault. I need it to restore my power. That way, we can continue our work!"

Hearing Tom's words, Bellatrix was even more convinced of his identity. Because the cup in the vault was a secret that only Voldemort and she knew in the world.

She quickly took out the vault key, which she had never left her side and had risked her life to bring into Azkaban, and handed it to Tom.

As Tom prepared to leave, Bellatrix asked a question she was curious about: "Master, your appearance?"

"This is the price I had to pay for resurrection. Eleven years ago, I was defeated by Harry Potter. This time, I've returned, and I will be the victor."

"Bellatrix, wait patiently. We will meet again soon. The next time we meet, I will personally take you away from Azkaban."

Tom became increasingly skilled at maintaining Voldemort's persona and making empty promises to Bellatrix.

When Lucius saw Tom come out, only five minutes had passed. He quickly stepped forward and asked: "Master, did you see Bellatrix?"

"Yes, everything has been taken care of. Let's go." Tom led the way out.

After meeting the Ministry of Magic official outside, he led the two back the way they came.

"Alright, the deal is done. Let's part ways here." He said goodbye to the two outside Azkaban.

"Obliviate!"

Just as he was about to leave, he was caught off guard and hit by Tom's Memory Charm, and he fainted.

"Take care of him. Don't cause any trouble." After instructing Lucius, Tom took the lead and Apparated away.

Standing in front of the Gringotts lobby counter again, Tom found an idle goblin: "Vault 783, the Lestrange family vault."

The goblin carefully sized up Tom and asked suspiciously: "Who are you?"

Tom silently handed over the vault key. The goblin took it, examined it carefully, and returned it to Tom: "There's no problem. I'll have someone take you there now— Griphook!"

With the proof of the key, Tom's entry into the Lestrange family vault was extremely smooth.

Riding in a small train driven by Griphook, passing through a thief-protecting waterfall, and then having the goblin use clankers to disperse the guarding dragon, Tom was soon brought to the vault door.

Through the key given by Bellatrix, the vault door was slowly opened, and the glittering treasure was revealed before Tom's eyes.

Faced with the room full of wealth, Tom acted as if he didn't see it, because this time he had only one purpose.

That was— the Hufflepuff cup!