"My invitation will always stand, Mr. Sylvester. Before you make a decision, please allow me to explain why I want your help."
Dumbledore, the director, didn't seem surprised by Voldemort's refusal. As he spoke, he walked down the steps.
Voldemort noticed that he seemed somewhat distracted, but that mood gradually faded as he explained the Death Hall to him.
"We study death."
Dumbledore pointed toward the veil hanging over the stone platform they were approaching. "That is a passage to the underworld. Countless spirits are there, and so is the God of Death."
"The God of Death?" Voldemort asked in surprise. "Are you sure?"
"Yes, I'm quite sure."
Dumbledore looked at Voldemort and nodded firmly before continuing, "We occasionally hear its requests. Usually, when that happens, we choose to answer."
"How do you answer?" Voldemort asked.
"By fulfilling its demands," Dumbledore replied.
"So you make offerings to that unknown entity?"
"It is the God of Death."
"All right. You make offerings to the God of Death?"
"Yes."
As he answered, Dumbledore stepped onto the stone platform and approached the strange door standing there, which somehow didn't fall over.
"I've never heard of wizards worshipping gods," Voldemort said as he followed him up.
Dumbledore spread his hands, as if to say that was just how things were.
"The more deathly a person's aura, the more voices they hear when they approach this door."
Dumbledore gestured for Voldemort to come closer. "Usually, we choose wizards who are near death, but if someone has an especially strong aura of death, we invite them as well."
"Like me?"
"Yes." Dumbledore nodded with a smile. "Can you hear anything?"
Voldemort leaned toward the veil to listen, but didn't dare get too close. He thought the thing was far too strange.
"Don't worry. A hand isn't