"Of course, I'm not a devil either. I know what keeps you all going here."
Douglas changed tack and turned sideways, revealing the thing he had been blocking from view.
It was an ancient-looking stone basin.
In the dimly lit cave, the stone basin seemed to emit a strange, alluring magical aura.
"I imagine some old friends can sense something familiar."
Douglas gently stroked the rim of the stone basin, his tone turning mysterious.
"I didn't build this place. A Dark Lord who attended school before me built it as a sanctuary for his soul."
"Inside it lies the very core, the purest part of your master's... soul."
"What?!"
That single word instantly pierced the minds of every Death Eater.
Rodolphus.
Lestrange sprang to his feet, heedless of his rattling chains. He stared fixedly at the stone basin, fanatical flames burning in his eyes.
"It's the master's presence... yes! I can feel it! That great, dark summons!"
Dolohov trembled all over with excitement, pressing his face against the invisible barrier until his features were distorted.
"A holy relic! It's a holy relic! He's there! He's right there, watching us!"
"Master!"
Bellatrix let out a piercing wail. Like a madwoman, she rushed to the edge of the stone pillar, trying to cross the dozens of feet of abyss and charge toward the Island in the Middle of the Lake.
"That's mine! The Dark Lord left that for me! Let me through!"
Bang!
A pale blue magical barrier lit up at the edge of the stone pillar, flinging her violently back.
Bellatrix fell onto the stone platform, but immediately scrambled up on all fours and hurled herself against the barrier again, over and over, not caring even when her forehead bled.
"Calm down, Mrs. Lestrange. That's a protective spell for living creatures,