Severus didn't say anything to Rodolphus' quiet musing. What was there to say? The four of them had used the Unforgivables. The sentence to Azkaban had been automatic. That they'd attacked a popular couple after everyone had thought it all over, leaving their young son orphaned, had just compounded the horror of it in people's eyes. And Azkaban had not been kind to any of them but then, anyone who knew what the Dementors were like would not be surprised about that.
He closed his eyes and hummed softly at the pleasurable feel of Rodolphus' fingers running through his hair. He hadn't realised how much he liked that but then few people ever got close enough for him to allow this kind of touching. And his hair had always been the bane of his existence. Clean and dry, it was soft and silky but it had always become oily within a day or two. And potions fumes ruined what little semblance of decency it retained. He'd given up the battle to maintain it in his early teens. It would probably be easier to manage if he cut it short but it had always been useful for hiding his face behind and he certainly hadn't cared about any of the comments people made.
"Things ramped up considerably," he said. "The Dark Lord's return had been secret up until mid-1995 but in June of that year, everyone knew. He kept things quiet for another year then stepped things up in the middle of 1996. Draco had become a Death Eater then as well and he had been given the task of killing Albus Dumbledore. Narcissa came to me to beg me for my help. Bellatrix was with her." He sighed and his expression became something rueful and exasperated. "I let Narcissa manoeuvre me into a corner. I couldn't be seen to be agreeing too quickly if the Dark Lord found the memory in my mind but I wasn't going to let Draco suffer for Lucius' mistakes. Unfortunately, Narcissa took a tack I wasn't quite expecting. She demanded an Unbreakable Vow to help him and, if he failed, to complete the task for him and with Bellatrix there, there was little I could do but agree to it."
He grimaced. "As it was, I had to complete the task. I killed Dumbledore and for that, the Dark Lord elevated me to be his Most Favoured. With Dumbledore gone, the Dark Lord felt he had no opposition and made his move. We were able to take over the Ministry quite easily with all those we had in their ranks and whom we controlled. I returned to Hogwarts as Headmaster. Potter remained elusive, along with his friends, and in the end, it came down to a battle at Hogwarts in the May of 1998. I... am unaware what happened to you during and after the battle, though I have been told you survived it. I... have also been told that I die shortly after the point in time when I was brought here."