This was so humiliating.
How could someone be so evil as to even joke like this?
Voldemort did not mind it. Still in his twisted mood, he addressed Nicolas.
"Fear is truly a remarkable thing, wouldn't you agree, Nicolas? It clouds the mind, distorts reality, and makes even the most powerful witches and wizards vulnerable fools. But sometimes it is necessary to remind people of their place and their outcome in case they decide to go against their fate."
Nicolas opened his mouth to retort, but no words came out. What was even there to retort?
Indeed, Voldemort has made a fool of them.
His fear was so much that he failed to recognize that the potion was a fake. He glanced at Perenelle, and the same humiliation reflected in her eyes.
Voldemort turned his attention back to Nicolas, "I trust you have learned your lesson. Cross me again, and the consequences will be far worse."
There was one thing Voldemort had learnt from the memories. Just a little fear was not enough. It required just some courage, some sweet encouragement, or support to overcome fear.
What was needed was ultimate fear. Has a taste of it, knowing the true possibility if someone dares to defy him.
"Wormtail!"
On hearing Voldemort calling him, Wormtail obediently came forward to receive his command. Unexpectedly, it was not an order but a question that Wormtail never imagined Voldemort to ask him.
"Tell me, Wormtail, have you ever slept with a woman?"
The question, utterly out of place, caused Wormtail to stun. He stammered, his eyes darting between Perenelle and Voldemort, "My... my Lord?"
Voldemort's lips curled into a wicked smile as he enjoyed Wormtail's discomfort.
"Answer the question, Wormtail."
Wormtail's cheeks flushed crimson with embarrassment, and he cast his eyes to the ground, unable to meet Voldemort's gaze. "N-no, my Lord, I-I've never..."
Voldemort was amused by Wormtail's behaviour.
"I expected that. But no issue. Then perhaps you deserve a reward for your loyalty."
Wormtail's eyes widened, "R-reward, my Lord?"
"Yes. From now on, this woman, Pernelle, will belong to you." Voldemort said casually as if he were speaking about an object and not a human being.
Perenelle's eyes widened in horror. This turn of events was no different from feeding her the love potion. Why did she deserve this? Now, with how things were happening, she regretted not being able to take her own life. Even the Dementor's kiss would have been better than this humiliation, and Nicolas would not have been blackmailed into helping this vile dark wizard.
Nicolas could not believe what he was hearing. "You can't do this!" he roared, straining against his bonds.
Voldemort's eyes snapped to Nicolas, "Oh, but I can," he countered, "And you will be the one who decides exactly what Wormtail can do to your wife."
Voldemort then spoke to Wormtail, who was still shocked by his Lord's announcement.
"Should Nicolas ever decide to show even a hint of disloyalty towards me, well, then Perenelle becomes yours to... entertain, however, you see fit."
Nicolas's blood ran cold at Voldemort's words. As for Perenelle, she felt like she was literally in hell. As soon as one nightmare finished, another started.
Voldemort elaborated, "If Nicolas even dares to breathe a word out of line, or if I suspect any disobedience, then Perenelle becomes your plaything, Wormtail. Use her for your pleasure, or for your torture... whichever dark fancy strikes you."
Voldemort, enjoying the grotesque scene before him, continued, "And Wormtail, since she is an old woman, she is very fragile and could easily die. Thus, I shall provide you with a steady supply of the Elixir of Life. You'll keep her alive at all costs, feeding her the potion whenever she weakens. A never-ending plaything, wouldn't you agree?"
The revelation hit Nicolas like a hammer.
The Elixir of Life, his own creation, the very thing he poured years of research and effort into, twisted into a weapon to torment his beloved. Shame turned into a searing ember of hatred, not just for Voldemort, but for himself.
As Nicolas was in thought, he felt the rope binding him disappear, and his body fell to the ground. When he looked up, he saw that it was Voldemort who had removed it and was walking towards him.
Voldemort's eyes bore into Nicolas's. "Do you understand, Nicolas?" he questioned, "Disobey me, and your wife will suffer the consequences. The choice, Nicolas, is entirely yours. Become my loyal dog, and your wife will be spared this… humiliation."
He gestured towards Wormtail.
Nicolas's jaw clenched tightly. The very idea of submitting to Voldemort, of becoming his pawn, filled him with a burning rage. But the alternative, the image of Perenelle, his beloved wife, broken and violated, was a horror he couldn't bear to even imagine.
"Or perhaps you fancy yourself a hero, Nicolas? A martyr to some misguided cause? But heroism comes at a steep price in these times. A price your wife, I suspect, wouldn't be willing to pay."
Nicolas would lie if he said the idea did not cross his mind. There was a need to put an end to Voldemort's evil. There was not a single benefit to himself or humanity, the longer the dark Lord remained alive.
Still, knowing all these things, Nicolas could not fight.
There was no escape. He was completely trapped. He had seen the fear in her eyes, the way she flinched at Voldemort's touch. The thought of her enduring such treatment at the hands of Wormtail was unbearable.
He was completely defeated from the moment Voldemort entered his house.
With a choked sob, he surrendered.
Nicolas pushed himself off the ground, not standing, but crawling. He reached Voldemort's feet. With a trembling hand, Nicolas grasped the hem of the dark robe. Nicolas bent forward and pressed his lips to the hem of Voldemort's robe.
"I will become your loyal dog, my Lord," Nicolas said, knowing fully that this was maybe the last time he held some humanity. From this day onward, he lived only to protect his wife.
Voldemort looked at the esteemed wizard.
Love. Such a wonderful magic. So easy to manipulate.