"Professor Snape, the Killing Curse is too merciful."
Liam's calm voice echoed through the dungeon.
"Death comes instantly. There isn't much suffering involved."
He looked down at the screaming Death Eater writhing on the floor.
"If you kill him with that spell, you're letting him off too easily."
Rosier's agonized cries filled the air.
Around them, the cold stone walls amplified every scream.
"For someone like him, a quick death would be a reward."
Liam glanced toward Snape.
"If you don't object, I'll handle the interrogation."
For several moments, Snape said nothing.
The image of Lily flashed through his mind.
He had spent years burying those memories.
Years pretending not to care.
Yet a few words from Rosier had been enough to tear the old wound open again.
Had Rosier mocked him about anything else, Snape could have ignored it.
But Lily Evans was different.
She always would be.
The sound of Rosier screaming in pain was strangely satisfying.
Far more satisfying than the instantaneous death of the Killing Curse.
"Please."
The word escaped through clenched teeth.
Liam nodded.
"Then perhaps we should continue somewhere private."
He glanced back toward the Great Hall.
"I don't think first-years need to witness this."
"Follow me."
Snape turned immediately.
The two left the Great Hall.
Rosier floated helplessly behind them under Liam's Levitation Charm.
They descended into one of Hogwarts' oldest underground chambers.
The dungeon.
Dark stone walls.
Rusting chains.
Ancient shackles fixed to the walls.
The room had rarely been used in recent decades.
Only truly dangerous prisoners were ever brought here.
Once inside, Liam casually released the Levitation Charm.
Rosier crashed onto the stone floor.
The impact sent another wave of pain through his mutilated body.
Even so, he forced himself to glare upward.
Hatred burned in his eyes.
"Ha!"
Blood stained his teeth.
"You can forget about interrogating me!"
"I won't tell you anything!"
"I'll never betray the Dark Lord!"
Liam looked genuinely confused.
"No."
He shook his head slightly.
"I think you've misunderstood."
Rosier froze.
"The reason I asked Professor Snape to bring us here wasn't because I wanted information."
Liam smiled.
A very polite smile.
Which somehow made it worse.
"I simply didn't want to traumatize the younger students."
Rosier's eyes widened.
Then Liam pointed his wand.
"Crucio."
The curse struck instantly.
Rosier's body folded into itself.
A scream tore from his throat.
Before it ended—
"Diffindo."
A silver flash.
His left little finger fell onto the floor.
The wound sealed immediately.
No blood.
No escape.
Only pain.
"You little monster!"
Rosier screamed.
"You're crueler than most Dark Wizards!"
"I'll take that as a compliment."
Liam sounded pleased.
Another Cutting Curse.
Another finger dropped.
Rosier howled.
"You're right, though."
Liam tilted his head.
"Perhaps my appearance should have been a clue."
"If you've spent time in Knockturn Alley, you've probably heard of me."
Rosier's expression changed instantly.
A horrifying possibility entered his mind.
Black hair.
Silver eyes.
Young.
Powerful.
Cruel.
"No..."
His face went pale.
"No..."
"You're him?"
"The Black-Haired Silver-Eyed Reaper?"
Liam smiled.
"Correct."
Rosier felt his heart sink.
Every Dark Wizard in Britain knew the stories.
The child who slaughtered Death Eaters.
The monster who could tear secrets directly from minds.
The nightmare of Knockturn Alley.
If it really was him...
Then silence was meaningless.
Legilimency would expose everything eventually.
Which meant he was being tortured for no reason.
"Professor Snape."
Liam continued casually.
"Would you mind standing back a little?"
Snape immediately stepped aside.
His expression remained cold.
But he made no attempt to interfere.
The next half hour became Rosier's personal hell.
"Crucio."
"Diffindo."
"Crucio."
"Confringo."
"Glacius."
"Incendio."
Burns.
Frostbite.
Cuts.
Broken bones.
Every injury was carefully controlled.
Never enough to kill.
Never enough to allow unconsciousness.
Only suffering.
Endless suffering.
Rosier had witnessed countless tortures during his years among the Death Eaters.
Nothing compared to this.
Voldemort preferred efficiency.
Most Dark Wizards preferred killing.
Liam treated pain like an art form.
Every wound was calculated.
Every scream intentional.
Worst of all, Liam continuously used healing magic and sealing charms to keep him alive.
Death wasn't an option.
Even bleeding out wasn't permitted.
Finally—
Rosier broke.
"I'LL TALK!"
His voice cracked.
Tears streamed down his face.
"I'LL TELL YOU EVERYTHING!"
Liam cast another Cruciatus Curse.
Rosier screamed again.
"Please!"
"I'll talk!"
"We came here for the Philosopher's Stone!"
"There are others!"
"Mulciber!"
"Anthony Dolohov!"
"They used Polyjuice Potion too!"
Another curse struck.
Rosier nearly passed out.
"Why?!"
He sobbed uncontrollably.
"Why are you still doing this?!"
"I told you everything!"
Liam crouched beside him.
The smile on his face never changed.
"Again."
"You misunderstood."
Rosier stared at him in terror.
"We didn't bring you here for information."
Liam spoke gently.
"As I said before, I brought you here because I wanted to torture you."
The words nearly broke Rosier's sanity.
Half an hour later, he lay on the floor weeping.
His body was covered in cuts, burns, frostbite, and bruises.
Most of his fingers and toes were gone.
Every inch of him hurt.
His spirit had completely collapsed.
Meanwhile, Liam looked perfectly calm.
"What did I ever do to you?"
Rosier cried.
"We've never even met!"
Liam considered that.
Then he nodded.
"That's true."
"Personally, we don't have a grudge."
Rosier almost laughed in relief.
Until Liam continued.
"But you insulted my friend."
The smile disappeared from his face.
"You mocked Professor Snape."
"So naturally, I'm helping him take revenge."
Rosier stared.
Then slowly turned toward Snape.
The Potions Master remained standing beside the wall.
Silent.
Watching.
For the first time in many years, warmth stirred within Snape's chest.
A friend.
So this...
This was what having a friend felt like.
....
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