Lord Voldemort was conducting a rather cruel experiment. In any case, every day in the Chamber of Secrets was filled with human screams and agonizing wails.
However, Severus and Snape each looked completely unfazed by it all. In fact, finding the noise somewhat annoying, the two of them exchanged a glance and instantly reached a tacit agreement: they would set aside some of the less useful potions for a moment and instead develop a spell capable of isolating soul-shattering screams.
The tip of Lord Voldemort's wand crackled with a baleful, ghostly green light as he occasionally poked the dark, twisted, writhing mass of a soul forced before him.
Chapter 93