章 203: Chapter 203: An Uninvited Guest
He raised his twisted face, flaring his narrow, slit-like nostrils as if sniffing the air.
"I smell guilt," he said. "There's a stench of guilt in the air."
The circle of Death Eaters trembled slightly, as if each person wanted to step back but dared not move.
Harry looked in fear at the circle of Death Eaters surrounding him and at the man standing in their center. The golden age of the Boy Who Lived was drawing to a close, and with Voldemort's return, the darkest era was poised to begin anew. Strangely, at that moment, the image that floated into Harry's mind wasn't Dumbledore's towering figure but a pair of calm, wise silver eyes. In the face of Voldemort, only that person could ignite hope in the darkness.
The Death Eaters' eyes occasionally flicked toward the Nordic team standing near Voldemort. Noticing this, Voldemort's crimson eyes glimmered with amusement. "Our allies," he said, "the first to pledge loyalty during my time of weakness. Compared to them, my old followers—tell me, who among you truly sought to find me after I vanished?"
"I see you all here now, healthy, your magic intact, quick to respond to my summons—but I ask myself: why did these wizards, who swore eternal loyalty, not come to aid their master? Did they think me defeated, finished? Did they slither back to my enemies, proclaiming innocence and claiming enchantment?"
A man within the circle suddenly fell to his knees, crawling to Voldemort's feet, trembling from head to toe.
"Master!" he cried. "Master, forgive me! Forgive us!"
Voldemort sneered coldly and raised his wand.
"Crucio!"
"Lucius, my cunning friend," Voldemort said softly, stopping in front of the groveling man. "I've heard you haven't entirely abandoned your past ways, though you present a respectable facade to the world. I trust you still delight in tormenting Muggles, do you not? Yet you never sought to find me, Lucius... Your antics at the Quidditch World Cup were amusing, but how much better would it have been if you'd expended that energy in service of your master?"
"Master, I was always watchful," Lucius Malfoy's voice came hurriedly from beneath his hood. "Had there been any sign of you, any rumor of your whereabouts, nothing could have stopped me from coming to your side—"
Harry stared at Lucius in shock. Although the Malfoy family's affinity for dark magic was well-known, it was still surprising to discover that Lucius had been one of Voldemort's henchmen. At this moment, Harry found himself hoping Voldemort would punish them further. Surely Augustus, with his sense of justice, would not overlook such a blatant conspiracy. If he could stall for time, however slim the chance, there might still be hope!
Voldemort took a few steps, halting between Lucius and another individual, leaving a gap wide enough for two.
"The Lestranges should be standing here," Voldemort murmured, "but no matter. Once Azkaban falls and the Dementors join us… They are our natural allies. We will summon back the giants as well, and I will gather all my loyal servants once more, commanding creatures that strike fear into all."
"Tonight, now, let us extend a grand welcome to the Triwizard Champion from Hogwarts—Harry Potter." Voldemort's cold smile deepened as he turned toward Harry, who was bound to the headstone. "The youngest champion in history, the golden boy who once defeated Voldemort. Such a remarkable wizard gracing the Riddle graveyard calls for nothing less than the highest honors!"
The circle of Death Eaters broke into malicious laughter, which Voldemort silenced with a wave of his hand. "Since that day, the wizarding world has whispered of a natural adversary to Voldemort, an ultimate foe. Not Dumbledore, nor any member of the Order of the Phoenix, but our dear friend here. Now, before all these witnesses, I will give you the chance to defeat me yourself."
With a flick of his wand, the ropes binding Harry snapped.
"Give him his wand," Voldemort commanded Wormtail, his crimson eyes gleaming with cruelty.
Receiving his wand, Harry bit his lip, gripping it tightly as he glared at Voldemort defiantly.
"Staring won't kill your opponent. Before a duel, we bow. Surely your schoolteachers taught you that?" Voldemort said mockingly, prompting laughter from the Death Eaters.
"Very well," Voldemort said softly, raising his wand. "Now, look at me—stand tall, like a man… just as your father did before he died."
A streak of pure blue plasma descended from the sky. Sensing danger, Voldemort swiftly flicked his wand and vanished, reappearing elsewhere. The electric light struck the graveyard, carving a deep crater into the earth.
"Another uninvited guest," Voldemort mused, his tone lazy as he gazed skyward. "What a lively night. A celebration of Voldemort's rebirth surely deserves such illustrious attendees. Welcome, friends from above."
In the dark sky, five figures astride unicorns hovered. Harry recognized them with a mixture of joy and regret—they were Yang Fan and his team. While their presence brought relief, Harry couldn't help but wish Augustus had come instead. With Augustus, safety would have been assured. Though powerful, Yang Fan's group paled in comparison to Voldemort. Could they ensure his survival tonight?
"The Dark Lord's reputation precedes him, even across the seas," Yang Fan said with a polite smile. "Though we hail from the East, we've long heard tales of your power. We are here today only to bring Harry back. Surely, with your immense strength, sparing a child would be but a trivial matter."
"Ah, wizards of the East," Voldemort said, his crimson eyes gleaming ominously. "Since when did your kind side with Dumbledore? Are your actions tonight representative of your faction's decision? Whatever Dumbledore can offer you, I can offer far more. Think carefully: is it truly worth opposing Voldemort for the sake of this so-called golden boy?"
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