After Wormtail left, Voldemort, who was considering his next move, suddenly felt uneasy. Possessing a large rat, he abruptly raised his head and looked around, red light flickering in its beady eyes.
This place should be safe. What had he overlooked? Just then, faint sounds came from outside.
"Has Wormtail returned?"
The unease in Voldemort's heart grew stronger. He knew the person who had come was very likely not Wormtail.
"Good evening, Tom. I know you're hiding in there."
The wooden doors of the hall creaked open, and a familiar, irritating voice rang out from the corridor outside. Dumbledore entered, holding a glowing wand.
Voldemort's heart immediately sank to the bottom.
He had never expected Dumbledore to appear here.
An inexplicable sense of frustration rose within him.
Not long ago, Dumbledore had blocked him at the door, completely disrupting his original plan. Nagini had even had her head cut off, while he himself had been chased everywhere.
And now, Dumbledore had blocked him again.
"Found you." Dumbledore raised his wand and gave it a light flick.
Voldemort suddenly felt his body float upward. His entire body—no, the entire rat—seemed to be lifted by an invisible force. It struggled helplessly in midair, looking utterly ridiculous.
Voldemort had intended to use the advantage of possessing a rat to hide, but he had never imagined Dumbledore would find him so easily.
"This really surprises me. You've actually become like this. How pathetic."
Dumbledore stared at the rat before him. He was certain Voldemort possessed it. As for Voldemort's possession itself, he had seen it on Quirrell years ago.
Dumbledore waved his wand. Spell after spell flew toward the rat in the sky, completely trapping it. Voldemort finally gave up struggling.
At last, he stopped pretending.
"Dumbledore!"
Voldemort's remnant soul violently tore itself free