Voldemort listened to the cries and desperation that came from Harry. There was no need to check. The agony in his voice was a clear indication that his plan had worked.
Such euphoria.
This could be counted as his first victory. One of many to come.
Voldemort saw clearly in the new memories how Dobby, as an elf, was able to bypass all the anti-apparition spells he cast inside the Manor. The little creature was able to break free the trio from Bellatrix before Voldemort was able to return. That's why Voldemort knew that the little creature posed a threat and was the only one who could find the boy in Voldemort's possession.
Luckily, Lucius was able to find a piece of cloth belonging to the house-elf.
Using that, Voldemort cast a very painful curse. Knowing how the house-elf behaved from the memories, Voldemort was sure Dobby was going to fall into his trap.
And look how successful his plan was. This was the final nail in the coffin for Harry. The boy was now his to mold the way Voldemort liked.
Voldemort just had to make sure that he cast a soundproof spell in that room. He did not want the Malfoys to get too spooky from these cries.
But that was for later.
Right now, he needed to put his other plans in motion and thus address Lucius.
"Lucius, you have so much experience funding the Ministry. I hope you don't mind doing the same for me now."
Lucius was now alone with Voldemort, as Wormtail had left for his assigned mission. He was still shocked by the cries coming from below. Apart from Voldemort, he was the only one who knew Harry Potter was imprisoned below, so he assumed that the shriek came from him.
He could only guess what caused the boy to react like this.
Lucius thought that Voldemort would visit the cellar, but the Lord remained seated. And now, it was clear that the Lord had another assignment for him.
"Totally, my Lord," even though Lucius was unwilling to spend money at the moment, he had to agree.
Then Voldemort gave him more and more tasks to investigate the current wizarding world. He even asked Lucius to search in detail about the Magical Congress of the United States of America.
As soon as Lucius left, he first had to go to the Gringotts Wizarding Bank to take out some Gallons from his Vault and then meet the minister to give the donation.
Lucius was sure this was going to take him many days or even weeks before he returned.
As he left, Voldemort got up from the long table and began walking up the corridor. The Malfoy was not undeserved for their fame and their wealth. The mansion was grand with so many rooms. He took the stairs leading to the bedroom.
Now with Lucius gone, Narcissa was alone. Voldemort had some plan for her, too, and he just hoped that Draco had already gone to his room and was not together with her mother.
After reaching the door, it seemed luck was on Voldemort's side. The door was not locked. Without any privacy concern, Voldemort pushed it open and silently got inside.
There was a big black bed in the middle of the room with a large chandelier hanging in the middle of the room. Lucius must really love the black color with everything, including the furniture and curtains being of that color. There was an antique dark dressing table desk with a triple mirror and a stool, on which Narcissa Malfoy was sitting. She had her hands behind her back as she was struggling with the delicate zipper at the back.
"Lucius, dear, could you lend me a hand? This zipper seems to be particularly stubborn today." Just then, she heard the door to her room open. Without turning her head, she assumed it was Lucius entering.
"Oh, this is much better than I needed." Thought Voldemort as he saw Narcissa. Voldemort approached her from behind.
He took in the sight of Narcissa at the dressing table, her blonde hair falling gracefully down the left side. She was wearing a long, black lace dress covering her arms but showing her bare back.
Voldemort's pale, long fingers reached for the zipper on Narcissa's robe. Instead of simply pulling it up, he allowed a single finger to brush against her skin as he slid the zipper up, inch by inch.
Narcissa shivered at the unexpected touch. The way the fingertip traced her spine sent a strange flutter through her stomach.
Immediately after, she wanted to lift her head and watch her husband, but then a thought occurred. "What if that causes Lucius to stop?"
Instead, Narcissa closed her eyes and leaned more into the touch. Her breath grew as the fingers trailed upward, causing her body to heat up. The sensation was so intoxicating. A sensation she thought had completely died.
Voldemort's other hand moved to the end of Narcissa's neck, where he skillfully caressed it.
The unexpected sensation elicited a gasp from Narcissa. She wanted this moment to last longer, but her zipper was done, and the hand left her back.
"Thank you," she murmured, assuming it was her husband who had assisted her.
She felt a rush of happiness. Lucius has been very distant in terms of love since Draco's birth. Narcissa has long accepted that. As such, this action from Lucius has awakened the desire she has long since buried. Maybe she was all wrong throughout the years. Maybe Lucius was just busy with so much going on. Maybe now she could display her love once again to her husband.
As such, she lifted her head to look into the mirror and acknowledge her husband's help.
Narcissa's eyes widened in shock.
The reflection staring back at her was not Lucius.
No.
Rather, she saw Lord Voldemort staring at her with a smile on his face. Another gasp escaped Narcissa's lips, this time, one of shock as realization struck.
Narcissa swiftly stood up from the stool. She reached for the dark green coat hanging nearby and pulled it around herself as if seeking a shield against the unsettling encounter with Lord Voldemort.
"I apologize, my Lord. I thought it was Lucius," Narcissa said.