Chapter 586: Voldemort: There is only one theme for this meeting

Today, it is not just Hogwarts that is buzzing with talk, but the entire British wizarding community.

It is hardly surprising, given Voldemort's notorious reputation and the Ministry of Magic's recent poor performance.

The Ministry has been invaded twice already!

Azkaban has been robbed of its prisoners several times, and in the end, Voldemort managed to rescue all the prisoners. Even the dementors rioted.

As a result, many people have lost confidence in the Ministry of Magic.

Even though Minister Bones has repeatedly encouraged the public to resist Voldemort in the newspapers and even issued a policy of allowing the use of the Unforgivable Curse against Death Eaters, it still wasn't enough to restore people's confidence.

But now, everything is different!

Last night's battle was really important for the wizarding community.

Because it restored the confidence of many people and showed them Voldemort was not that invincible.

In the face of a more powerful foe, Voldemort and his Death Eater entourage could only flee in disarray.

On this day, Andy received letters from people from all walks of life in the wizarding world. The praise they showered on Andy in the letters made Andy blush a little when he read them.

How were you able to write such things?

Don't you feel your stomach churn?

Of course, Andy also received a scolding letter from Helen and a praise-filled letter from Isabel, who still adores her brother.

As for Kyle... After reading today's newspaper, he almost didn't dare go to work for fear of being ambushed by Death Eaters in the Ministry.

But since his son was a hero, he couldn't chicken out.

Kyle went to work as usual, taking the Portkey with him.

He was even looking forward to the promotion and pay rise that would follow—and, above all, the chance to ensure his family's survival.

That day, the wizarding world brimmed with optimism, and the general mood turned positive.

But none of this had anything to do with the Ministry.

They published photos of the Aurors fighting Voldemort in the Daily Prophet to show off their bravery, but it only further damaged the Ministry's reputation.

The Aurors' desperate battle only proved how powerful Voldemort and Andy were and how even more powerful Dumbledore was—after all, Dumbledore's appearance scared Voldemort away.

At this moment, Hogwarts had become the focus of attention of the entire wizarding world, and they fervently hoped that Dumbledore and Andy would stand up against Voldemort and achieve an even greater victory in the next battle.

As for the Ministry of Magic...

The only hope the people had for them right now was that they would not hold Hogwarts back.

***

In the midst of the public celebrations, night fell once again.

As night fell, outside a luxurious manor house, Snape appeared out of thin air.

Voldemort had been summoning him all day.

Straightening his clothes, Snape walked into the manor with a blank expression—he had to control himself; otherwise, he would burst out laughing in Voldemort's presence.

Then he really would be looking for death!

In the meeting room of the manor, Voldemort sat in the main seat, and a dozen Death Eaters sat sparsely on both sides of the long table—all of them are part of the core circle of Death Eaters.

Just one day before, there had been more than 20 people here.

But in just one night, six people had been killed and one captured.

This included Bellatrix Lestrange, a core member even among the upper echelons of the Death Eaters.

"My Lord!"

Snape nodded slightly to Voldemort and then sat down in his place.

Voldemort looked around with a gloomy face, and his scarlet eyes flashed with a dangerous glint—except for the time he had gone to kill Harry, he had never suffered such a great loss.

Everyone who met Voldemort's gaze bowed their heads, afraid to make eye contact and reveal their innermost thoughts.

Many people had joined Voldemort out of fear of his power.

But now, the myth of Voldemort has been shattered!

And it was shattered by a third-year wizard!

"I must admit, that young wizard named Andy Collins is extremely talented. I even saw a reflection of myself in him when I was young."

Voldemort's hoarse voice slowly rumbled, "So I wanted to recruit him to join my ranks and work with me to create a great cause."

"I truly appreciated him, and I couldn't bear to kill him."

"But he obviously didn't appreciate it..."

"Just as I was about to kill him for good, Dumbledore arrived... There were other people there, and if Dumbledore had entangled me, they would have been in danger."

"If Collins had teamed up with the Aurors, you might not have seen Barty and the others here today."

Voldemort tried to save his reputation!

To put it simply, I wasn't defeated by Andy, but rather I let him off lightly because I appreciated him.

Didn't you see how Andy was completely unable to defend himself when I finally got serious?

That's how strong I truly am!

I retreated, not because I couldn't defeat them, but because Barty Crouch Jr. and the others were holding me back. I chose to retreat just to save their lives.

Whether people believe it or not, there is still some truth in these words.

Because Voldemort did try to recruit Andy!

At the end of the battle, Voldemort did suppress Andy.

And judging from the situation at the time, once Voldemort was restrained by Dumbledore, Barty Crouch Jr. and the others would indeed be in danger.

Andy would not show mercy to them!

If it was based on the situation at the time, these words were actually not wrong.

But everyone here knows Voldemort's character.

Would Voldemort show mercy to anyone?

Would he fucking appreciate Andy?

Appreciate my arse!

But...the boss has spoken; what can the Death Eaters in the audience say?

Yes, yes, yes!

You're right!

Voldemort may not be able to kill Andy, but he can definitely kill them. They dare not go against Voldemort.

In last night's battle, Voldemort did indeed demonstrate overwhelming power—he alone suppressed more than 20 Aurors.

This even included Aurors as strong as Scrimgeour and Mad-Eye Moody.

If it wasn't for the somewhat embarrassing duel with Andy, Voldemort would definitely have an even more fearsome reputation today. Rather than being the laughingstock of the entire wizarding world, as he is now.

He can't kill a baby.

He can't defeat a third-year wizard.

The most powerful Dark Lord of all time...that's it?

"Severus..."

After explaining everything forcefully, Voldemort fixed his gaze on Snape. "You never told me that Hogwarts actually had such a... powerful young wizard."

Voldemort was originally going to belittle Andy.

But if he belittled Andy, what would that make him, who fought back and forth with Andy?

The only way to show that you are even more powerful is to brag about the power of your opponent.

At this, Snape remained calm.

"I believe Wormtail informed you of the Collins boy..."

Snape bowed slightly and said in a humble tone, "So I did not repeat it."

---

#NanoBot, Thanks for all your love and support.

Read advance chapters on P@treon. If you have some extra pocket money, Support me at P@treon: www.p@treon.com/Crazy_Cat.

Happy Reading!!!