Chapter 841: No Matter What, I Want to See You Again...
Chapter 841: No Matter What, I Want to See You Again...
"You did very well this time, Severus! Very well indeed!" Voldemort paced the living room, clutching The Tales of Beedle the Bard, the story replaying in his mind again and again.
The Elder Wand... the Invisibility Cloak... the Resurrection Stone... Three Deathly Hallows, crafted by Death itself, possessing immense power. Legend has it that whoever holds all three can become the master of Death!
Conquering death had always been his ultimate dream!
"Do you think this story is true? Is this wand the legendary Elder Wand crafted by Death?" Voldemort examined the Elder Wand in his hand, asking with a tone of certainty.
"Master, I cannot be certain... However, the tale of the Three Brothers has been a part of the British Wizarding World for a long time. The Tales of Beedle the Bard merely recorded it. I believe it might be true!" Snape replied cautiously.
"Yes, legends always have some basis in truth!" Voldemort murmured to himself, already fully convinced.
After all, he had just experienced the power of the Elder Wand, which far surpassed that of any ordinary magical item.
More importantly, Voldemort desperately hoped the legend was true, as it offered him a chance to defeat Ivan Hals!
The humiliating defeat in Knockturn Alley had been a dark cloud hanging over his head ever since.
Voldemort still remembered how confident and ambitious he had been upon his resurrection, the entire Wizarding World within his grasp, only to have it all shattered in a single night. Ivan Hals had used his unimaginable power to crush all of Voldemort's grand ambitions...
This was different from fifteen years ago, when his opponent was not the lucky boy Harry Potter, but someone who had genuinely outmatched him. No matter how many times it happened, the outcome would likely remain the same.
At times, Voldemort even felt pessimistic, believing he would never have the chance to wash away this disgrace in his lifetime. However, the legend of the three Deathly Hallows gave him new hope!
Despite his excitement, Voldemort did not lose his rationality entirely. The power boost from the Elder Wand, though beyond his expectations, was still far from enough to easily defeat Ivan Hals.
Moreover, he noticed a subtle resistance from the wand when he cast spells.
Voldemort's brow furrowed. Logically, the original master of the Elder Wand, Dumbledore, was dead. With his power, he should have been able to wield it freely.
"Perhaps it has something to do with Dumbledore being killed by Ivan Hals", Snape suggested. "Master, in the legends I know, the Elder Wand changes masters only through a duel..."
"Only the victor and the strongest deserve to wield the strongest wand!" Voldemort immediately understood Snape's meaning, his expression darkening.
While he agreed with the Elder Wand's method of choosing its master, this realization meant that the current master of the Elder Wand was Ivan Hals!
Voldemort's face turned as sour as if he had swallowed a cockroach. He had hoped that with the most powerful wand, he would no longer fear that boy. Now, it seemed he would have to rethink his plans.
Using a wand that had already recognized its master to challenge that master directly was something he was not foolish enough to do...
However, Voldemort felt a twinge of relief that Ivan Hals was not familiar with the legend of the three Deathly Hallows and dismissed the Elder Wand with contempt. Otherwise, he would have had to face an opponent who could never be defeated.
"Where are the other two Deathly Hallows? Severus, do you know their whereabouts?" Voldemort turned to Snape, his voice tinged with urgency.
If the Elder Wand was so powerful, what incredible abilities must the other two Deathly Hallows possess?
Voldemort felt a new purpose in life: to gather the three Deathly Hallows, become the Master of Death, and defeat Ivan Hals, thereby dominating the entire Wizarding World!
However, his hopes were dashed when Snape hesitated and shook his head, indicating he had no information on the other Deathly Hallows.
The flame of excitement in Voldemort's heart dimmed, but he did not lose heart. Dumbledore's recent urgent search for the Deathly Hallows suggested that he had obtained some information.
Moreover, the Elder Wand now in his possession was a crucial clue.
Perhaps the venerable wandmaker Ollivander knew the truth behind the Hallows.
With this thought, a new plan formed in Voldemort's mind.
"Severus, return to Ivan Hals and keep a close watch on him. Try to find clues about the Deathly Hallows in the Headmaster's Office and Dumbledore's bedroom", Voldemort instructed.
"I understand, Master."
Snape nodded, though inwardly he was skeptical. After discussing the grand plan with Voldemort, he left Riddle House alone.
As he pushed open the door and stepped outside, the tension in Snape's mind finally eased. His palms and the back of his robe were drenched in sweat.
Since the defection of the Malfoys and others to Ivan Hals, the Dark Lord's paranoia had become almost pathological.
Despite nearly perfect completion of every quest Voldemort assigned him, Snape still felt the Dark Lord's lingering suspicion.
Each visit to Riddle House felt like a dance with death...
Snape regretted, to some extent, agreeing to Dumbledore's plan.
But he knew that even if he had the chance to do it all over again, the outcome would not change. He had never had a choice...
A shadow of gloom crossed Snape's eyes as he recalled the story of the Three Brothers from The Tales of Beedle the Bard.
"Deathly Hallows... Resurrection Stone..." Snape murmured to himself.
Dumbledore had told him that the Deathly Hallows were merely powerful magical items, and the Resurrection Stone could only show magical illusions of memories. Their sole purpose was to lure people into pursuing death.
Snape did not believe Dumbledore's explanation. He still harbored a glimmer of hope that Dumbledore might have been deceiving him, not wanting him to become obsessed with the power to reverse death...
At this thought, Snape could hardly contain his excitement. He clenched his fists, nails digging into his flesh.
No matter what, I want to see you again... Lily...
Even if it's just to apologize in person...
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
