Chapter 1546: Entrapment
Chapter 1546: Entrapment
But, there was nothing that could be done about it.
Who would have thought that Voldemort would encounter such a cheating opponent? Moreover, not only was this opponent cheating, but he also had foreknowledge of future events. The most frustrating thing of all was that he was extremely cunning and evasive.
This made for an unsolvable problem.
Even a fully grown cheater, like Voldemort, who was touted as the most formidable boss in the Harry Potter series, was helpless against this opponent. After all, he had missed the best opportunity to eliminate Albert.
By the time Voldemort truly realized that Albert Anderson posed a threat and wanted to take matters into his own hands to eliminate this threat, he was astonished to find that it had become exceedingly difficult to do so.
Voldemort, who had transformed into a wisp of black smoke and entered through the window, coldly glanced at the corridor strewn with the bodies of fallen Death Eaters before turning his gaze back to the young man standing across from him, a confident smile playing on his lips.
"So, this is your scheme? To shake me off your trail, then wantonly slaughter my followers to weaken me?"
"Yes!" Albert readily admitted without hesitation.
Even Voldemort was taken aback for a moment, unable to immediately cast the Killing Curse at his opponent.
This wasn't because people had misunderstood Voldemort, nor had Voldemort's temper improved. It was simply that such an action would be pointless. In fact, Voldemort had intended to launch a surprise attack just now, planning to take Albert's life in one fell swoop.
Unfortunately, his arrival had been foreseen by Albert.
Realizing that his attempt at a sneak attack would fail, Voldemort patiently engaged in conversation with Albert, buying time for the retreating Death Eaters.
"Speaking of which, I have you to thank for this."
Albert felt no shame in bullying the "weak," and instead, he smiled broadly and said, "The little tricks I learned from you are indeed very useful."
Voldemort naturally understood that Albert was mocking his past behavior of slaughtering the "weak," and he neither denied it nor intended to argue with Albert over such trivial matters. Instead, he directly cast the Killing Curse at his opponent to shut him up.
Unfortunately, Voldemort's attempt was thwarted as the curse was blocked by the bodies of the fallen Death Eaters that Albert had used as shields.
This caused a momentary look of bewilderment to flash across Voldemort's face, as he likely hadn't anticipated that his opponent would use the corpses of the Death Eaters as shields.
Ordinary Death Eaters probably wouldn't have been able to bring themselves to do such a thing, but this self-proclaimed champion of justice had done so without hesitation, and the level of proficiency he displayed suggested that this wasn't his first time.
"I was right about you. Someone as unscrupulous as you should be in Slytherin, not Gryffindor."
As he spoke, Voldemort waved his wand, sending forth a jet of black flame that forced Albert and the group of Order of the Phoenix members behind him to retreat.
"If we were to work together, we could easily control a large portion of the wizarding world." Voldemort seemed to express regret at the current state of affairs.
"Severus Snape," Albert suddenly brought up Snape's name.
But Voldemort understood what he was implying and gave his response.
"He is merely a servant, while you are a potential partner."
"We both know that's an empty promise," Albert shook his head, "Moreover, why should I work for you and go through the trouble of controlling a vast wizarding world, all for that pathetic amount of power?"
"That is truly regrettable."
Voldemort expressed regret with his words, but he felt none in his heart. While they were conversing, he had already signaled for the group of defeated Death Eaters behind him to temporarily retreat by jumping out the window.
"That's unlike you." Albert paid no heed to the escaping Death Eaters.
"You've been waiting for this opportunity as well." Voldemort gently caressed his wand with his fingers, "I'll be waiting for you downstairs."
"To the death?"
Albert seemed surprised by Voldemort's proposal.
"To the death."
"Then you might be disappointed."
"You're afraid? That's surprising." The murderous intent in Voldemort's eyes was replaced with astonishment, "However, I'm afraid it's not up to you to decide."
"No, I think you've misunderstood." Albert shook his head in explanation, "Your life has never been mine to take. You only belong to Harry Potter."
"Harry Potter?"
"Everyone wants to witness the Boy Who Lived defeating the Dark Lord. I can't steal Potter's thunder." Albert spoke words that left everyone bewildered.
"You actually believe that Harry Potter can kill me?" Voldemort narrowed his eyes as he stared at the young man before him, "That's the funniest joke I've heard all year."
"You should believe in that prophecy."
"If Harry Potter has the courage to duel with me, I wouldn't mind killing him first, then dealing with you. Don't try to escape, you know what I'm capable of."
With that, Voldemort transformed into a cloud of black smoke and rushed out of the castle through the broken window, disappearing from view as he descended.
"Escape? No, I won't be escaping." Albert muttered to himself as he watched Voldemort's retreating back, "It's you who should be worried about escaping. You have no idea that I've been waiting for this day as well!"
"You actually let Voldemort get away?"
After Voldemort fled in the form of black smoke, everyone heaved a sigh of relief. They turned to Albert, surprised by his decision to engage in a duel to the death with Voldemort.
"I've said it before, it's difficult to kill an extraordinary wizard." Albert withdrew his gaze from the complex expressions on their faces and said, "So, if you want him to willingly walk into a trap, you need to make him feel like it was his own decision."
"But can Harry really..."
Lupin's words were cut off by Albert before he could finish.
"It's his destiny."
"Damn destiny! You actually believe in that?" Sirius Black knew that sending Harry to duel Voldemort was as good as sending him to his death.
"I'm a seer, so of course, I believe in it. Besides, Harry has no choice. He knows what he needs to do." Albert stopped the others from asking further questions.
"Then what about you? Why did you agree to duel Voldemort?"
"It's an insurance policy to ensure Voldemort's demise."
This was the truth, a lie, and only half the truth.
In fact, from the very beginning, in this damned Wizarding War, no matter how many people died on either side, it held no significance. The true significance lay with the leaders of each faction. This final battle would be the deciding factor in the outcome of the war—just like the legendary duel between Dumbledore and Grindelwald.
However, Albert wouldn't share these thoughts with the others before everything was settled, to avoid creating new variables.
"Let's go. We're heading downstairs."
"What about Harry?"
"He'll know soon enough."
As soon as the words left his mouth, Voldemort's voice echoed in everyone's ears.
"Harry Potter, I'm speaking directly to you now..."
(End of Chapter)
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