The low murmur of discussion died away. The Death Eaters parted to either side, revealing a rather short, stout figure standing at the back.
Voldemort studied the figure with his narrow red eyes for a moment, then said softly:
"Dolores Umbridge... former Deputy Minister for Magic... shamefully betrayed once you had outlived your usefulness..."
Umbridge began to sob quietly:
"Yes, yes, my master... so when your servants opened my cage, I resolved to devote everything I had to serving you.
"You are the one person in this world most worthy of following."
"Well, well, some people always say such lovely things, just like that cunning servant of mine, Lucius...
"Now, when I need him most, he has vanished... no matter. No one can escape punishment for betraying me!
"Umbridge, my new servant, I hope you will offer me your loyalty as you claim."
Speaking at such length seemed to have tired Voldemort. He panted heavily, and Bellatrix immediately edged closer, producing a tiny bottle filled with a milky-white liquid.
She carefully fed it to Voldemort.
After drinking the disgusting potion, Voldemort recovered a little strength:
"Let me hear it."
"Yes, my master." Umbridge nervously cleared her throat before speaking in her shrill voice:
"Thanks to all the positions I held at the Ministry of Magic, I know certain highly confidential matters.
"For example, Harry Potter's address in the Muggle world..."
"But that is of no use. The place is heavily protected."
One Death Eater could not help mocking her loudly.
Umbridge shuddered twice, bowing her head even lower:
"M-master... do you know..."
Voldemort gave a piercing laugh:
"Of course I know-on the night I lost my magic and my body, I tried to kill him.
"His mother died to save him-inadvertently granting him a certain protection. I admit I did