The Bones family was once considered a prominent family in the British Wizarding community.
But now only Amelia Bones and her niece, Susan Bones, were still alive.
During the first Wizarding War, Voldemort, with his Death Eaters, murdered everyone that was dear to Amelia.
Her father, mother, and brothers were all killed. Even her sister-in-laws and their children were not spared.
The only remaining member of her family was Susan.
She had raised Susan since the girl was three. She wasn't a mother. Not in the way Susan deserved, but she had tried. But since becoming the head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement and having a seat on the Wizengamot, she did not have enough time to spend with her niece.
Susan, her niece, was typically quick to greet her upon her return. At first, she felt a sense of unease. But she quickly dismissed that feeling, blaming her time with cases for causing her to be paranoid.
Still, she needed to check on her.
Amelia ascended the staircase, and the wooden boards creaked softly with every step.
"Susan?" Amelia called out.
No answer.
Has she heard the news about Harry Potter? Amelia was concerned. Susan was, after all, a classmate of the boy. Amelia did not know if her niece was affected by his friend's situation.
Knocked. "Susan, are you alright?"
Still nothing.
Was she sleeping?
Amelia Bones pushed open the door to Susan's room.
The sight froze her blood. Her heart lurched into her throat. A sight that would haunt her for days to come.
Susan was sitting on her bed, shoulders shaking, tears streaming down her cheeks.
But it wasn't the crying that paralyzed her.
It was the man behind her.
Behind Susan, sitting on the bed, was none other than the dark Lord himself, Voldemort.
"No," she whispered, barely audible.
His left arm was wrapped tightly around Susan's waist. Possessive. As if she were his. As if he belonged there. His fingers rested casually against her stomach.
And his other hand... Merlin... his other hand was toying idly with a lock of Susan's hair, twirling it between long, bone-white fingers.
The smile on his face deepened.
"Amelia Bones," Voldemort said softly, as if greeting an old friend. "How delightful to see you again after all these years. I trust my unexpected visit doesn't disturb you too much."
Her mouth opened, but no sound came out. Her knees nearly gave way beneath her. This wasn't real. This couldn't be happening. Not in her home. Not with Susan.
Not again.
Not him.
Susan's tear-filled eyes met Amelia's, pleading for some semblance of reassurance or protection. But the presence of Voldemort overshadowed any hope of safety.
"Don't move," Amelia whispered not to him, but to herself.
Amelia's mind raced, torn between the instinct to protect her niece and the paralyzing fear that any abrupt action might endanger Susan further.
Every maternal instinct within her screamed to rush forward, to unleash a spell at him. Yet, the cruel reality was that any rash move might bring harm to Susan.
Even if she was faster or more powerful than Voldemort, which she was not, she could not launch any spell, as Voldemort's cunning tactics were evident, using her niece as a shield.
Amelia's fists clenched involuntarily, nails biting into her palms as she struggled to maintain composure. Amelia's voice trembled as she forced herself to speak, her eyes never leaving Susan's tear-streaked face.
"What do you want, Voldemort? If it's me you seek, leave Susan out of this."
Voldemort continued to toy with Susan's hair and let out a soft chuckle.
"Oh, Amelia, my dear," Voldemort said, "Such a tragic tale, the plight of the Bones family. Heroes in a futile war against Muggles, only to meet their demise. And now, sweet Susan here, an orphan left to navigate a world that has forsaken her. If only they did not mingle with things that did not concern them and were more occupied with their family, this young girl here would have a lovely family. Just sad, all that for the muggles."
Amelia's fists clenched harder.
"Your sympathy is nothing but mockery, Voldemort," Amelia retorted, "You won't get away with using her as a pawn in your sick games."
Instead of getting angry, Voldemort laughed.
"Oh, Amelia," Voldemort sighed, "you seem to forget the perilous situation we find ourselves in."
He tightened his hold on Susan slightly, just enough to make her whimper.
"Your defiance is admirable. But let's not pretend you hold any cards here. You stand in my presence. Shall I give you a taste of what your action costs?"
Then, without warning, the softness vanished.
Voldemort ceased playing with Susan's hair and, with an almost casual cruelty, moved his hand near her neck.
A shiver ran down Susan's spine as Voldemort's cold fingers traced the delicate contours of her skin. With a forceful grip, he seized the top of her clothing near her chest and tore it.
"STOP!" Amelia's voice shattered. But it was too late.
The material ripped apart like paper, exposing Susan's bra and leaving her vulnerable and exposed.
Susan let out a choked, startled cry. Her hands flew up, clutching at what remained of her robes, trying to preserve what little dignity she had left.
"You bastard..." Amelia choked.
Voldemort completely ignored her and instead gazed at Susan.
"Oh, a yellow bra, a true Hufflepuff," Voldemort taunted.
Susan's cheeks flushed crimson with embarrassment. Her hands were trembling as she struggled to cover herself better.
She did not want Voldemort to see. This was humiliating.
The tears continued to stream down her face.
"You are welcome to try anything, Amelia. As long as you are willing to sacrifice your niece."
Amelia felt helpless. Her niece was going through so much, and yet Amelia could only watch.
Her hands were tied up.
Any actions from her would only increase her suffering. One wrong move, one impulsive action, could spell her doom.
How could the world be so unjust?
And she, Amelia Bones, Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, was utterly, painfully useless.