When Wormtail raised his head again, he seemed to see a terrifying smile on a snake's face.
Voldemort's hoarse voice spoke again:
"I, the sole descendant of the great Salazar Slytherin, leader of the Death Eaters, the Dark Lord, Voldemort, He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named, the Immortal, the most dangerous Dark Wizard in history...
"In this world, no one can kill me except myself. Even Albus Dumbledore, whom those fools call their guardian, could only steer clear of me at the height of my power.
"Although, ten years ago, with the help of my dear old friend Mr. Peter Pettigrew, I..."
Hearing this, Wormtail thought Voldemort was about to settle old scores with him. He hastily prostrated himself again, his body trembling as he said hurriedly:
"Master, Master, I truly didn't know Lily could hurt you. You are the great Dark Lord... I am your most loyal..."
While Wormtail bent down, Voldemort quickly possessed another snake, for his earlier excitement had already caused the previous one to begin weakening.
"Oh, dear friend, this was not your fault. It was my own carelessness. I overlooked the Sacrificial Protection Lily Potter cast before her death, which caused the Killing Curse to rebound upon me. No one can withstand the great Voldemort's spells, not even he himself.
"My carelessness stripped me of my body, leaving me nothing but shadow and vapor, less than a ghost, less than the lowliest wraith.
"But I still lived on, unbowed!
"Just as my goal is to conquer death, I have traveled farther along the path to immortality than anyone.
"You know my goal-to conquer death.
"Now I had been put to the test, and it seemed at least one or two of my experiments had worked...
"For I did not die, though that spell was lethal. Yet I was as helpless