bioinnovel Chapter 424 Voldemort Never Forgives
Chapter 424 Voldemort Never Forgives
Chapter 424 Voldemort Never Forgives
A day later, Muggles accidentally landed on a reef near the Shetland Islands and found Igor Karkaroff's body in a cabin.
Two days later, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Magic’s Public Relations Office announced that former Durmstrang Headmaster Igor Karkaroff had died at the hands of Death Eaters.
That afternoon, the Moon newspaper's evening special edition and the Evening Prophet were the first to report the murder that had occurred near the Shetland Islands, causing widespread panic in the wizarding community.
Some were afraid. They worried that the Death Eaters wouldn't stop there, that the brutal and bloody killings would continue, and that Dumbledore had been telling the truth, that the man whose name couldn't even be mentioned had really returned.
Some were furious, utterly disappointed with the Ministry of Magic, and vehemently criticized the only political institution in wizarding society for its inaction. They demanded that the Ministry of Magic fulfill its responsibilities and protect the lives and property of people from all walks of life.
Overnight, the general public, filled with fear and anger, remembered Dumbledore, who had been so badly smeared, and they strongly demanded that Albus Dumbledore take over the Ministry of Magic.
If Albus Dumbledore is unwilling to serve as minister, Amelia Bornes, with her tough stance and clear position, is also an option.
On the third day, the discussion in Wissengamo finally came to a conclusion, and Ms. Burns was elected by the group of old men.
Those neutrals and fence-sitters who had hoped to profit from the chaos were reminded of the fear of being ruled by Voldemort by the Shetland Islands murders, and thus switched sides and joined Ms. Burns's camp.
Only a small minority of profit-driven individuals remain clinging to wishful thinking, continuing to live by the guise of neutrality. They will never feel the pain until the executioner's blade falls upon them.
Those who opposed Ms. Burns were determined to play the rogue to the end, stubbornly refusing to admit that the two bloody incidents were committed by the Death Eaters.
However, their voices were too weak to influence Wissengamo, and Amelia Borns' victory was a foregone conclusion.
On the fourth day, the Moon newspaper, having somehow obtained the information, reported on the speeches of Roland Foley and others at the meeting on its front page, directly putting the opposition group led by Foley in the spotlight.
The crowd, filled with fear and anger, immediately found an outlet, unleashing their pent-up fear and rage on these bastards, almost storming into Foley Village in Hampshire for a free shopping spree.
Poor old Roland Foley was overwhelmed with the most heartfelt greetings from the crowd in his hospital room in St. Mungo that very day.
These greetings included both abusive shouts and poison disguised as ordinary letters, along with curses. The emotionally agitated old man suddenly passed out and was almost beyond saving.
Outside the Ministry of Magic, outside the general public, in a mansion gradually forgotten by the world, two men are also talking about the murder case that occurred in the Shetland Islands.
"So, Belvina killed Karkaroff." The man's voice was high-pitched and clear, but devoid of any human emotion.
He had a skeletal, pale face, and his scarlet eyes shone even brighter in the dimly lit living room, the pupils of which were slits like the eyes of a snake.
"Yes, Master," Severus Snape said respectfully. "On the day Karkaroff disappeared, Dumbledore urgently summoned Black, and the two talked for a long time in the Headmaster's office."
Voldemort, hidden in the darkness, let out a soft, unreadable hum, his crimson eyes sweeping across the once incredibly luxurious but now dilapidated living room.
"The next day, Muggles unexpectedly discovered Karkaroff's body," Snape continued. "Although Dumbledore didn't say it explicitly, but—"
"But, Belvina is most likely the murderer of Karkaroff, isn't she?" Voldemort said, his red eyes turning to Snape, staring intently into Snape's black eyes.
"Yes." Snape's tone became even more respectful. "Very few people know that Karkaroff is hiding in Hogwarts. Take him away and kill him—I can't think of anyone else but Black."
Voldemort casually picked up a candlestick shaped like a large snake, with a raven pattern engraved on the bottom of the candlestick.
"Belvina Black," Voldemort said, "tell me, shouldn't I thank her? Thank her for getting rid of the traitor for me?"
thump!
Snape knelt down very decisively, without the slightest hesitation.
Hesitation for even a second is a disrespect for life.
"Get up, Severus," Voldemort said, gesturing for him to rise. "I'm not blaming you."
If Voldemort cannot forgive the Death Eaters for losing faith in him during this special period, he will have very few followers left.
"Master, Black—" Snape remained kneeling on the ground, and even when Voldemort told him to get up, he dared not move.
"I know what she's trying to do," Voldemort said. "She wants to use Karkaroff's death to create panic and use the Dark Mark to tell everyone that Voldemort is back."
He paced back and forth in the living room as he spoke. His pale, skeletal face betrayed no emotion, but his crimson eyes were filled with murderous intent—intense intent toward those who had impersonated the Black Mark.
Voldemort continued, "In this way, she can force those who are unwilling to take a stand to quickly express their opinion: whether they will join her and Burns in the rebellion, or surrender and await their doom."
Snape, kneeling on the ground, slightly raised his head and asked, "What if those people still refuse to give a statement?"
"Then keep killing until they're willing to give their opinion," Voldemort said coldly. "In that respect, I admire her approach."
If they refuse to take a stand, then keep killing them until they are forced to take a stand, or have no way to express their opinion.
Voldemort admired this ruthlessness and decisiveness, this willingness to use any means to achieve his goals, but that was all.
If Voldemort hadn't had ulterior motives, he wouldn't have minded playing along with this Slytherin junior.
"Master, what should we do?" Snape asked. "The newspapers are reporting very negatively on us, and the Ministry of Magic is about to fall into Burns' hands. Should we take the initiative?"
Belvina can use blood to force neutrals to make a statement, and Death Eaters can also use human lives to intimidate neutrals and Burns' supporters.
"It's not the right time yet, Severus." Voldemort seemed quite patient. "Even if Burns becomes Minister, the Ministry of Magic won't be able to cause much trouble."
In Voldemort's view, it made little difference whether the Minister of Magic was Cornelius Fudge or Amelia Bornes.
This is the arrogance of the most dangerous dark wizard in history; the Ministry of Magic, which crumbles with a single blow, is not worthy to be his enemy.
"Master—" Snape hesitated, then stopped himself.
"Speak freely." Voldemort reached out again to help Snape up, and Snape involuntarily stood up.
Standing up, Snape became even more respectful. He said, "Master, I'm worried that Black might use this as an excuse to cause trouble. I'm worried that she might secretly arrest Yaxley and McNeil."
If Amelia Borns successfully takes over the Ministry of Magic, not only will Yaxley and McNeil, who work in the Ministry, be in danger, but Malfoy, Avery, Nott, and others will also be targeted.
"Borns might not dare to take the risk, but Black certainly would," Snape continued. "She's never been one to hold back."
"You want to use me to kill Belvina Black?" Voldemort's voice suddenly turned cold. "I know your relationship with her has always been terrible."
"Master, I didn't mean that." Snape hurriedly knelt down. "I was just worried that the reckless Black would ruin your grand plan."
Clang!
Voldemort threw the candlestick in his hand to the ground.
The crisp sound echoed in the living room, and Snape's heart skipped a beat.
"Severus, what do you think is most important to us right now? Is it indirectly controlling the Ministry of Magic, or getting what I want?"
Voldemort continued in a cold voice, "Killing Burns and Black is not difficult. Killing them is easy, but it will cause a lot of unnecessary trouble, especially for Albus Dumbledore."
If he could, Voldemort would not want to start a war with Dumbledore right now.
He hasn't figured out his connection to Harry Potter yet, and he hasn't accumulated enough advantages.
Voldemort did not want to repeat the mistakes of 1981, he did not want to go on another thirteen-year-long escape, and he did not miss the Black Forest of Albania at all.
"As long as none of you act like that fool Avery in the coming period of time!" Voldemort said coldly, "as long as no one does anything stupid, the Ministry of Magic will lower its guard and let its guard down."
If the Death Eaters remain inactive, the Ministry of Magic's vigilance will gradually decrease, creating an opportunity to infiltrate the Department of Mysteries and steal the Prophecy Orb.
Even if Belvina acted recklessly, she dared not commit further bloodshed in order to support and maintain Bones' rule.
"I understand, Master," Snape said, having completed the task Dumbledore had given him.
"Severus, I do have something I need you to do." Voldemort looked at Snape kneeling on the ground and said coldly, "I need a little Harry Potter blood. You wouldn't mind, would you?"
Severus Snape felt a chill run down his spine instantly. Before he could even pledge his loyalty, Voldemort continued speaking on his own.
"Harry Potter's blood, and the Prophecy Orb, these are what I need most right now, Severus."
""
"Yes, Master," Snape said.
If he were to look at Voldemort now, he would see a twisted, bizarre smile on Voldemort's face.
Albus Dumbledore, Harry Potter, and Belvina Black were the top three on Voldemort's kill list.
After these three, the first in line is Severus Snape, Voldemort never forgives anyone who betrays him.