Chapter 1511: Driven to Madness
Chapter 1511: Driven to Madness
"Finally...taken care of?"
Lord Voldemort remained vigilant, his eyes fixed on the spot where Anderson had been standing, anticipating an ambush as the dust and debris from their previous clash still hung in the air.
But the expected surprise attack never came. It seemed that the person he had just faced had fallen to the Avada Kedavra curse. Yet, this was more of Voldemort's wishful thinking. It was exceptionally rare for an extraordinary wizard to be killed so easily, and this proved to be the case once again.
Albert was still alive.
At the last critical moment, Albert had used Disillusionment to escape the battlefield and cleverly feigned death as bait. Just as Voldemort thought he had succeeded, Albert would suddenly jump out and surprise him.
Voldemort was indeed startled, and he was sent flying as if he had been hit by something. The spot where he had been standing was bombarded with explosions one after another, completely obscuring his figure.
When Voldemort managed to escape using Disillusionment, he found that he had lost track of Anderson once again.
A sense of foreboding arose.
Before Voldemort could react, he was sent flying again.
Although it happened in the blink of an eye, Albert had indeed predicted his approximate landing spot and greeted him with silent, wandless curses that could be cast instantly.
However, this time, Albert chose not to pursue. He sensed that Voldemort's reinforcements had arrived.
A group of uninvited guests had forcefully inserted themselves into this duel.
A torrent of Dementors swept in like a tidal wave, and Albert could clearly feel the temperature around him plummeting rapidly.
Usually, Albert would have summoned a Patronus to deal with these evil dark creatures effortlessly. But he couldn't afford to do so now as he was still facing his arch-nemesis. It would be foolish to fight Voldemort while also guarding against the Dementors' sneak attacks.
Even though he could currently suppress Voldemort, it didn't mean he should take such a reckless risk.
Thankfully, Albert didn't need to worry about dealing with the Dementors. Their presence here signaled that it was time for him to retreat.
His purpose in appearing at this location was to stop Voldemort from killing Snape.
From the moment Snape escaped, Albert's task was accomplished. He had stayed behind only to monitor Voldemort better and create a sense of urgency by making him feel that his power was insufficient, thus driving him to seek the power of the Elder Wand eagerly.
Undoubtedly, Albert had executed his task brilliantly, to the extent that Voldemort was unaware of his true intentions.
However, after being slapped twice by Albert's well-placed Impediment Curses, Voldemort couldn't tolerate the idea of letting Albert slip away right under his nose, especially since that scoundrel had the audacity to wave goodbye with a smile on his face, as if he had been having the time of his life. It almost made Voldemort's nose twist with fury.
Oh right, Voldemort didn't have a nose.
Just as Voldemort prepared to transform into a cloud of black mist and pursue Albert relentlessly, denying him any chance of escape, Voldemort stood frozen in place as if he had suddenly lost his senses.
And just before the Dementors could pounce on him, Albert disappeared using Disillusionment.
Harry had succeeded!
He had destroyed Voldemort's last Horcrux hidden in the vault at Gringotts, tipping the scales of the Wizarding War decisively in their favor.
Voldemort's end was near.
As for the final Horcrux fragment residing in the lightning-bolt scar on Harry's forehead, Albert trusted that Harry would handle it himself. That was Harry's last thread of connection to Voldemort, and Albert had no intention of interfering.
He believed that Harry would make the best choice and create the opportunity for the final confrontation with Voldemort.
"That guy will definitely enjoy the surprise I left him."
Indeed.
A huge surprise.
But Voldemort didn't seem to appreciate it, as he appeared to be in a rage, leaving the reinforcing Dementors bewildered. They could only sense the intense shift in his emotions.
"This can't be true! It's impossible! No one could know!"
Voldemort's heart was filled with anger and fear, driving him to the brink of madness.
For just now, the Horcrux that he believed to be the vessel for his eternal life had been destroyed.
There was no mistake; he felt the destruction of one of his Horcruxes.
"Who?"
Who had destroyed his Horcrux?
Albert Anderson?
Impossible! That treacherous, despicable coward had just been fighting him. There was no way he could have had the time to locate and destroy his Horcrux.
If it wasn't that scoundrel, then who else could it be? Voldemort frantically racked his brilliant brain and soon fixed upon a target.
Harry Potter! That boy was the most likely suspect.
But how could that brat have possibly discovered his greatest secret? Who could have told him about the Horcruxes?
In an instant, Voldemort had his answer.
Albus Dumbledore! It had to be that meddlesome old fool.
Who else could it be? That man had always suspected him and conducted private investigations.
If Dumbledore knew his secret and had told Harry Potter...
That despicable, cunning old man whom he had killed, was still finding ways to get his revenge from beyond the grave.
Despite this realization, Voldemort didn't believe that Harry knew about their connection to the Gaunt family or the location of the cave where he had hidden one of his Horcruxes.
There were hardly any clues pointing to that location, and Harry Potter certainly didn't have the ability to penetrate through layers of protective enchantments and destroy the Slytherin locket hidden within the potion basin. Yet, a sense of unease and fear crept into Voldemort's heart.
Because Albert Anderson certainly had that capability.
Voldemort hadn't forgotten that Albert was also a Seer, and he might have gained clues through divination.
If he were Dumbledore, he would have made use of Albert's divination abilities.
Indeed, Albert Anderson had no reason to be unaware of this secret.
Now, the diary that had been residing with the Malfoys was destroyed, Nagini, who had been by his side, was slain, and an unknown Horcrux had been shattered.
Voldemort suspected that they had known about his Horcruxes and their locations, which was why they dared to take control of Hogwarts at this critical juncture.
But how had they found that Horcrux so quickly?
The hiding place was incredibly secretive, known only to him.
Voldemort refused to believe that Harry Potter could have located that Horcrux in such a short time. It had to be that mudblood meddler; no one else possessed such skill and cunning.
"No!"
Having lost three Horcruxes already, Voldemort had to ensure the safety of the remaining ones. They were his hope for eternal life! (End of Chapter)
Chapter end
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