All eyes turned toward the figure standing next to Barty Crouch Jr.
That person was Snape.
Everyone knew Snape well. He was a talented potions expert and had joined the Death Eaters during his time at Hogwarts. He had enough experience and enjoyed Lord Voldemort's trust. But what was most interesting was that he had fallen in love with a Muggle-born witch.
When Lord Voldemort had gone to his house to eliminate the problem, Snape even interceded for that woman, which surprised everyone.
"That's correct," Snape said, inclining his head. His tone was calm, and no one knew what was going through his mind.
"I've heard that our Snape has become the head of Slytherin. It seems you're quite favored by Dumbledore," Voldemort stared intently at Snape. During his possession of Quirrell, he had spent an entire year with Snape. To him, Snape's actions and betrayals were no different. According to Voldemort's personality, a traitor deserved death, but since Snape dared to return here today, he decided to give him a chance and hear his justification.
"Yes, I've gained Dumbledore's trust. He's always naive when it comes to giving second chances," Snape's justification was very simple, even sounding weak.
Voldemort smirked mockingly, "How did you manage that?"
Snape's tone remained calm, "Thanks to you killing Lily Evans. Dumbledore thought that had created a rift between you and me, but in reality, pursuing Evans was only a matter of pride for me..."
"You bastard!"
Upon hearing Snape's words, Barty Crouch Jr.'s body trembled. Veins bulged on his face, and he roared.
All eyes turned to Barty Crouch Jr.
He realized his inappropriate behavior and, speaking more quickly, shouted, "You're lying! You've betrayed us and joined Dumbledore-"
"Let him finish, Barty," Voldemort instructed Barty Crouch Jr. to be silent. "No one can deceive the great Lord Voldemort."
Barty Crouch Jr. obediently closed his mouth, but his body still trembled.
For Voldemort, it was a completely normal reaction. A loyal follower would think of their own benefit. He admired Barty Crouch Jr. even more for it.
"It doesn't matter whether you believe it or not. Dumbledore believes it. Recently, I've been keeping an eye on Dumbledore and looking after the Slytherin students at the school, protecting them from Gryffindor's oppression."
"Oh?" Voldemort looked at his followers, seeking confirmation.
Many Death Eaters nodded repeatedly: Snape did indeed have a reputation for favoring Slytherin students.
Voldemort briefly contemplated and decided to believe Snape. He found him quite reasonable, and Dumbledore really was the kind of fool who easily forgave. Even if Snape had truly surrendered to Dumbledore in the past, it wasn't a significant issue. His presence here tonight demonstrated that he still desired to follow Voldemort.
Voldemort was willing to accept it, as Snape was a "rare gem." He was the only Death Eater to gain Dumbledore's trust, which gave him a high status and increased Voldemort's patience toward him.
Voldemort wasn't just a mad killer; he hadn't earned favor from so many people just by killing when he was young. He was a cunning individual, only that his growing power made him resort to using too many tactics.
If it could be resolved with an Avada Kedavra, why think? Only when the Killing Curse didn't solve the problem did he turn to other methods.
Earning Dumbledore's trust was not something that could be achieved with an Avada Kedavra. Snape was useful to Voldemort, and useful people didn't die.
"It seems it was right to kill that foolish woman," Voldemort sighed when he mentioned Lily Evans. She had also fallen into the hands of that woman. When he roamed the world, he had wondered if his fate would have changed if he had listened to Snape and spared Lily.
He had no answer.
Voldemort had indeed considered sparing Lily in the past, but she refused to give up her son, so he could only kill her. Due to the prophecy, Voldemort believed that he and Harry were destined enemies, and coexistence between them was impossible.
As Voldemort immersed himself in his memories, Snape remained with his head bowed and silent; no one knew what he was thinking. Voldemort's words had deeply angered him.
Voldemort had made a mistake. He truly didn't understand what "love" was; that was his greatest weakness and the curse he had carried since birth.
"Continue to infiltrate with Dumbledore," he ordered Snape. Snape nodded and then straightened up, returning to his silent state.
"Lucius, have your son make contact with Tom Yodel. We need fresh blood," after investigating Snape, Voldemort also gave Lucius a task, hoping to recruit a group of new Death Eaters.
Although he didn't agree at all, Lucius accepted the order.
Voldemort continued to inspect his followers.
"Here was the Lestrange couple, but now they're in Azkaban... They prefer Azkaban to betraying me... Very well, when Azkaban is conquered, the Lestranges will receive an unexpected reward," Voldemort whispered softly, "I will summon the exiled giants; the Dementors will also join us... They are our natural allies... and there are also the Inferi..."
One by one, plans unfolded in Voldemort's mind.
"I will take control of the Ministry of Magic, lead my followers to capture Hogwarts, and restore the glorious pure-blood lineage..."
It must be admitted that Voldemort was very skilled at painting a promising future. At the very least, this vision of the future excited the people present.
At the end of his inspection, Voldemort stopped in front of the largest gap in the circle.
"Four Death Eaters are missing here: Rosier, Wilkes, Regulus died for me, and Karkaroff didn't have the courage to return... He will pay the price," Voldemort's eyes fixed on the distance; he seemed experienced in finding traitors.
...
At that moment, Igor Karkaroff was fleeing for his life. He didn't dare to return and face Voldemort, so he only had one option: escape.
Where to escape to was something he had to consider. Karkaroff thought of going to Hogwarts immediately and seeking refuge with Dumbledore, but he quickly dismissed that unreliable idea. He had no close relationship with Dumbledore; they had been enemies in the past. Why would Dumbledore protect him? He no longer had any value!
Aside from Hogwarts, Karkaroff had another possible destination: Japan!
He had some friendship with the new "Shogun."
It all started two years ago when he was not yet the "Shogun." They had met in the barren lands of the Scandinavian peninsula, and Karkaroff had taken him in and brought him to Durmstrang, providing him with help.
Then he left Durmstrang and made a great name for himself in the Far East... Now that Karkaroff was in dire straits, seeking refuge with the "Shogun" seemed like a good choice.