I got a more coherent version of the story when he woke up a little while ago and had some toast and tea.
Apparently Mulciber blamed Deverill for some missing office supplies. Had Bill bring him to his office. He cruciated Deverill in front of Bill, then told Bill he had a choice -- he could cruciate Deverill, or Mulciber would. He said that if Bill could successfully cast the curse, even briefly, that would satisfy him and he'd let Deverill go without further punishment. Or, if Bill needed another 'demonstration' he'd provide that, instead. But it was clear that if Mulciber cast the curse it would be kept on for a lot longer than if Bill did it.
Bill pointed his wand and said 'crucio' but with no intent behind it, and Deverill screamed to try to make it sound like he'd cast it successfully, but Mulciber wasn't fooled. He cruciated Deverill again -- Bill said he held the curse on him for a full two minutes, that time -- and then sent him out and cruciated Bill. It's not clear to me whether he cruciated Bill for failing to successfully cast the curse, or because he could tell Bill didn't really try. Or because he thought Bill was cooperating with Deverill in trying to make it look like he'd cast it when he hadn't.
Bill's worried about this happening again.
So am I. I don't even know what to tell him. He said Deverill begged him to try, because he knew Bill wouldn't keep it on him for more than an instant, and from Mulciber it would be a good deal worse. And he was right.
Private message to Padfoot and Tonks
Apparently Mulciber blamed Deverill for some missing office supplies. Had Bill bring him to his office. He cruciated Deverill in front of Bill, then told Bill he had a choice -- he could cruciate Deverill, or Mulciber would. He said that if Bill could successfully cast the curse, even briefly, that would satisfy him and he'd let Deverill go without further punishment. Or, if Bill needed another 'demonstration' he'd provide that, instead. But it was clear that if Mulciber cast the curse it would be kept on for a lot longer than if Bill did it.
Bill pointed his wand and said 'crucio' but with no intent behind it, and Deverill screamed to try to make it sound like he'd cast it successfully, but Mulciber wasn't fooled. He cruciated Deverill again -- Bill said he held the curse on him for a full two minutes, that time -- and then sent him out and cruciated Bill. It's not clear to me whether he cruciated Bill for failing to successfully cast the curse, or because he could tell Bill didn't really try. Or because he thought Bill was cooperating with Deverill in trying to make it look like he'd cast it when he hadn't.
Bill's worried about this happening again.
So am I. I don't even know what to tell him. He said Deverill begged him to try, because he knew Bill wouldn't keep it on him for more than an instant, and from Mulciber it would be a good deal worse.
And he was right.