Even the students and parents found the situation strange.
Even the Death Eaters who had successfully escaped felt awkward.
They had no idea what to do next. The only order they had received was to return to prison eventually.
There had been no specific instructions on how to return, or what to say or do in the meantime.
Fortunately, the awkwardness did not last long, because Voldemort's voice sounded in Dolohov's ear.
"Repeat after me."
The Dark Lord pointed his wand at his own throat and controlled the transmission of his voice, ensuring that only Dolohov could hear him.
Dolohov shuddered with excitement when he heard Voldemort speak, but he quickly calmed down.
"We made mistakes, and for that we..."
Voldemort's voice continued to flow into Dolohov's ear, and Dolohov quickly memorized his words.
"We made mistakes."
Dolohov's words drew everyone's attention. "And we have already paid for them with twelve years in prison."
The wizards murmured in surprise the moment he paused, speculating about what he was going to say.
"I and four other Death Eaters were imprisoned for killing Fabian and Gideon Prewett. Twelve years of punishment is nowhere near enough for us."
A sorrowful expression appeared on Dolohov's ferocious face, but he was a terrible actor.
Voldemort had told him to look remorseful, but all he managed to convey was sadness.
And there was something almost gleeful about that sadness.
Fortunately, no one paid much attention to his expression.
Most people were simply listening to what he said.
But the content of his words still drew a collective gasp from the crowd.
"For twelve years, we have been repenting for the mistakes we made."
"Imprisonment with no end in sight, the happiness we can never have again—none of it can extinguish the remorse in our hearts."
"We