Killing with a Borrowed Knife

Upon hearing Dumbledore's name, Voldemort's eyes narrowed, like a provoked king cobra, his crimson gleam flashing like thunder. "Just now, you—" His sharp voice rose and fell, indicating his own unease, "He resembled— Dumbledore?"

"Hahaha..." Voldemort's ferocious face laughed wildly, his red eyes became hollow and cold, as if he was possessed by a demon, "You actually said he looks like Dumbledore!" His hand holding the wand didn't even make any movement, but the magic power released from his body caused a violent wind to roar around the cemetery, so that all the Death Eaters had to stretch out their cloaks to tighten their cloaks in order to stabilize themselves. Read М

"Master, please let me explain—" Selwyn stepped forward and said respectfully, "The Nott Family and Carrow Family are no ordinary families. Even among the Sacred Twenty-Eight, they belong to the top tier. Without fear of offending anyone, they are at least a notch stronger than the House of Avery and Fawley Family..."

"A family like that... you can suppress them, attack them, and even eliminate them after paying a certain price... but if you want to turn them from enemies to friends, to make them switch sides from their original opposing camps and become loyal and steadfast allies—that requires quite ruthless methods..."

Voldemort finally couldn't resist and raised his hand, sending Selwyn flying sideways and crashing heavily to the ground three feet below, spitting out a mouthful of blood.

He fully understood Selwyn's meaning and knew that Selwyn was actually right, but the truth is often the most hurtful.

Voldemort knew his own character and methods. He preferred to rule and discipline his subordinates through authority and terror, and to bind them with self-interest. Those who disobeyed him, refused to submit, or even actively rebelled against him were ruthlessly eliminated. To turn his enemies into friends and make them dependent on him? He had to admit, he truly couldn't do it.

In this respect, only that white-bearded old man who talks about love and forgiveness every day has the will and ability to influence his enemies.

Selwyn's words, on the surface, meant that the Malfoy family boy possessed a personal charm that was no less than Dumbledore's, but they also implied that he himself was inferior to Dumbledore in this respect.

This is why he couldn't control himself and sent Selwyn flying. It seems that although he was trying his best to maintain his rationality, the Horcrux magic still inevitably affected his temperament, making him irritable and easily angered.

"Interesting... this is truly interesting..." Having struck Selwyn, Voldemort's anger slowly subsided, and his tone returned to its previous coldness. He said lightly, feigning nonchalance, "It seems the House of Malfoy, after all, is not one of us..."

Selwyn, Fawley, and Yaxley exchanged a knowing glance; they knew—

This scheme of sowing discord and using someone else to do the dirty work has succeeded!

Judging from the changes in Voldemort's demeanor and tone, it wasn't hard for them to guess that Voldemort had been persuaded and had given up on the idea of recruiting the House of Malfoy. Voldemort's style was always very simple: anyone not under his command was his enemy—therefore, it wasn't difficult to predict Voldemort's next move against the House of Malfoy.

Cut the weeds and eliminate the roots!

It seems that the name Dumbledore was indeed Voldemort's inner demon.

Voldemort ignored the empty seat that belonged to Lucius and continued to stride forward.

Voldemort took two steps, then stopped and looked at the gap between Malfoy and the person next to him—a gap big enough for two people to stand in.

"The Lestrange should be standing here," Voldemort said softly, "But they've been imprisoned in Azkaban. They are loyal. They would rather be in Azkaban than betray me... When Azkaban falls, the Lestrange will receive a reward they could never have dreamed of. The Dementor will join us... they are our natural allies... We will recall the banished Giant... I will find all my loyal servants and once again possess a retinue of fearsome Fantastic Beasts..."

Selwyn struggled to his feet, bowed slightly, and said respectfully, "My master, the Werewolf who have defected from the House of Rowle to my side will also serve you."

"Very good... very good..." Voldemort pointed his wand at Selwyn, and a crimson mist emanated from the tip of the wand, seeping into Selwyn's body through Selwyn robes. Selwyn instantly felt his injuries heal instantly, and his magic power increased considerably. Overjoyed, he exclaimed, "Thank you, Master... thank you for your great reward..."

Voldemort ignored Selwyn and continued walking, passing some Death Eaters silently before stopping in front of others.

"Macnair... Wormtail told me you're eliminating dangerous beasts for the Ministry of Magic? Soon there will be something even better for you to eliminate, Macnair, Voldemort will provide..."

"Thank you, Master... thank you," Macnair murmured.

Next, he went to Peter Pettigrew and made him a silver-white prosthetic hand, which Peter Pettigrew kissed with tears of gratitude.

Finally, he walked to the largest gap and stared at it with his empty red eyes, as if someone were standing there.

"Six Death Eaters are missing here... Three died for me, one didn't have the guts to come back... He'll pay the price. Another, I think, is gone forever... He'll certainly be executed... And the last one remains my most loyal servant, who has returned to my service."

A small commotion broke out among the Death Eaters, and Harry noticed the masked men exchanging furtive glances.

"He's at Hogwarts, and it's thanks to my loyal servant that our little friend is here tonight..."

All eyes turned to Harry. "Indeed," Voldemort's lipless mouth twisted into a smile, "Harry Potter has graced my Rebirth Party with his presence. We might even call him my special guest."

Then, Voldemort launched into his long, elaborate story, detailing how he had meticulously planned and orchestrated his resurrection, and triumphantly told the Death Eaters that the boy was no longer his nemesis; he had received the protective magic from Harry Potter's mother flowing in his blood, and was no longer afraid to touch him...

He placed his finger on Harry's forehead, watching with a smile as Harry gritting his teeth in pain.

"Cruciatus Curse!" Voldemort suddenly shouted coldly.

Harry screamed in agony, shaking his head and limbs frantically, his screams gradually weakening. When the torture ended, he slumped limply on the ropes, breathing heavily.

"Next, I will completely dispel the misunderstandings in everyone's minds," Voldemort said. "Now, in front of you, without Dumbledore protecting him, and without his mother to sacrifice for him, I will give him the opportunity to duel with me."

"Put him down, Wormtail, and give him back his wand."