"Of course not!" Voldemort naturally found such words very pleasing. "She was merely carrying out a task for me, while also readjusting to this world."
There was more than a trace of confusion in Snape's voice. "Readjusting to this world?"
Voldemort rose to his feet and slowly paced over to Snape's side.
He patted Snape on the shoulder and said gently, "After all, so many years have passed. Only now has she reappeared before you with my help."
"Think about it... after all these years, how many new changes must there have been? She needs time to accept the world as it is now and process those changes, doesn't she?"
"Of course!" Snape nodded, lowering his voice. "Master, you have thought it through far more thoroughly. I was too impatient."
Voldemort slowly returned to his seat and said gently, "I understand how you feel, Severus. I understand very well..."
"I really do understand very well..." He repeated the words, as though using them to hint that Snape ought to appreciate his generosity.
Carcas, listening in, felt a chill run down his spine and could not help shuddering.
He truly found it hard to imagine that Voldemort could... speak in such a tone.
It seemed Barty Crouch Jr.'s sudden betrayal had indeed dealt Voldemort quite a blow.
Now that he still had a loyal servant like Snape, even someone like Voldemort would consider changing his attitude in order to preserve Snape's loyalty.
Carcas did not know exactly what Snape thought, but he knew what Voldemort was thinking.
Voldemort only displayed this so-called "generosity" because he needed Snape right now.
And the Lily Evans Snape truly wanted had not been brought before him by Voldemort.
Once all the plans had been carried out and Snape belatedly discovered that Lily Evans had been