"They were only joking..."
Neville's voice grew quieter as Voldemort passed along his own disdain.
"I never let anyone treat me like that, Neville."
Voldemort said, "Perhaps my reputation makes people excessively afraid of me, but believe me, I've been through the same things you have."
"Really?" Neville asked, unconvinced.
"Let me show you my memories, Neville. You'll be the first to see them."
As he spoke, Voldemort set his soul spinning, revealing memories of the Wood Orphanage.
There weren't many, just a few fragments, but they were enough to shock Neville.
"Were the people who beat you Muggles?" Neville asked.
"Yes, Muggles, but I don't resent them." Voldemort shrugged. "When I have a grudge, I usually settle it on the spot. If I put it off, I might forget why I was angry."
"Is that why you kill Muggles?" Neville asked.
"No, Neville. I did it to win more Pure-blood support. You know, not every Pure-blood is as peace-loving as the Longbottoms. Most of them hate Muggles," Voldemort explained.
"So it was for power?"
"Honestly, yes."
"Then why do you want me to join you?" Neville asked, then quickly added, "I could never become a Death Eater."
"I didn't say I wanted you to become a Death Eater, Neville," Voldemort said. "I only want you as my apprentice. I hope you can carry on my will... All right, I admit it. I saw your courage."
"Me? Courageous?" The shock radiating from Neville's soul was no less than when he'd heard Voldemort admit who he was.
"Yes, Neville. Courageous," Voldemort affirmed. "I have many followers, but few are like you."
"You mean I'm even better than those Death Eaters?"
"Ninety-nine percent of the Death Eaters are no match for you," Voldemort said firmly.
Neville's soul hesitated, and Voldemort clearly felt