Snape glanced at Igor Karkaroff's corpse. Seeming to understand the deeper meaning behind Voldemort's words, he deliberately put on a frightened look for Voldemort to see.
He hurriedly said, "Master, please wait patiently a little while. The journey from Durmstrang back home is much farther than one might imagine."
"It isn't actually that far..." Voldemort had been waiting for Snape to say exactly that. He raised a hand and pointed to the spot where Snape stood.
"Go on! Use your Apparition to get there directly." He gave Snape a kindly smile. "That will save quite a bit of time."
Snape said to Voldemort in a respectful tone, "Master, you are truly great!"
With an exceptionally loud crack, his body seemed to be swept into a raging whirlpool, vanishing from the Headmaster's Office in the blink of an eye.
Having been beaten to the flattering words by Snape, Barty Crouch Jr. inwardly fumed and quickly stepped forward to kneel before Voldemort.
He said in a most deferential voice, "Congratulations, Master, on completely taking control of Durmstrang! You are truly great! None in this world can compare to you!"
"Mm!" Voldemort answered with a smile. "I still prefer Durmstrang. Becoming headmaster is far easier than I imagined!"
He narrowed his eyes as though sensing something. "No wonder Dumbledore was willing to remain at Hogwarts rather than accept the position of Minister for Magic. So this is what it feels like?"
Barty Crouch Jr.'s heart was filled with curiosity, and he could not resist secretly glancing up at Voldemort.
His lips moved a few times, as though he had many questions to ask. In the end, however, he lowered his head again and resumed his original posture.
Noticing Barty Crouch Jr.'s little movement, Voldemort could not help feeling somewhat disappointed.
In Voldemort's eyes,