"They had found me, hoping to obtain my help, but I also needed their assistance to restore my strength. This was a matter of mutual benefit and common progress," Voldemort said softly. "I agreed to their request, and we used magic to form an alliance. They provided a host for me to possess, the blood of numerous unicorns, and my dear Nagini's venom, which made me slightly stronger."
Voldemort was referring to the person he had possessed, the same Vampire(s) Evan had seen degenerating in the Centaur's grove. Unicorn blood and Nagini's venom had helped him regain his strength.
Evan glanced at Nagini, contemplating whether he could seize this opportunity to deal with her. This snake was one of Voldemort's Horcruxes, and finding the right moment to destroy it was generally difficult.
"After obtaining the help of the Vampire(s), my first thought was to use today's magic to resurrect myself. However, during my prolonged concealment, I learned from animals about the deep forests of Albania, where there was a relic of ancient Centaur(s)," Voldemort explained. "The Centaurs dared not approach it because of the ancient and formidable evil residing there, which could help me return quickly and even become stronger."
"We devised a plan to lure those fools into approaching greedily, offering their flesh and blood to the ancient creature, awakening it from its deep slumber. It was meant to succeed, but Dumbledore thwarted me once again. Sirius Black and a student named Evan Mason together destroyed my plan. I could only hastily extract part of that ancient creature and had no time to even consider the body I had acquired or the Philosopher's Stone that I might have gained. I abandoned the strength that surpassed imagination!"
Hatred emanated from Voldemort's words, and the Death Eater(s) began to feel uneasy. They didn't fully understand the references to a new Philosopher's Stone or the ancient evil creature, but they could sense Voldemort's anger.
"My path to resurrection has not been easy, has it?" Voldemort asked as he surveyed the Death Eater(s). "Now, my only option was to proceed by collecting flesh and blood to summon that ancient evil creature. The Vampire(s) had brought Bertha Jorkins to me; she was a witch from the Ministry of Magic. Through her, I learned many things. All I had to do was convince her, and she confessed a wealth of information."
"She told me about this year's Triwizard Tournament at Hogwarts and mentioned that there would be loyal Death Eater(s) present. All I needed was a way to contact them, and they would willingly help me. She provided me with valuable information. However, I used a very powerful Obliviate spell on her, which left her mentally damaged and beyond recovery. She had served her purpose, but I could not possess her and had to dispose of her."
A terrifying smile spread across Voldemort's face, and his red eyes turned cold and heartless. "I chose to possess a Vampire, standing right before you, Durand. I took over the life of a fellow abandoned by his kin and whose fate had made him fearful. He was unwilling, but I could help him and did not sacrifice him lightly. He had to give his loyalty to me in return for what he desired, submitting completely."
The eerie smile on Voldemort's face grew even more pronounced, with an air of sinister delight. "And now, take a look at how destiny has favored Voldemort. This fellow had stolen valuable ancient literature from his family and presented it to me. My great ancestor, Salazar Slytherin, personally compiled these records centuries ago. I don't deny that he may not understand the value of these documents, but I do. This is not an empty gift. Within those pages, I found the correct method to harness the ancient power of a certain creature—an ability my great ancestor had pursued. That incredible strength will eventually belong to me, to the great Voldemort. I will advance further on the path to immortality!"
Evan looked at Voldemort with surprise, his mind racing to grasp the significance of Voldemort obtaining something from the Slytherin family—Salazar Slytherin's research notes and literature. He also wondered about the method to harness the power of an ancient creature for immortality.
Furthermore, Voldemort mentioned his path to conquering death and advancing further. What method of creating Horcruxes was he using, and was it more effective than before? Kreshkov, the Death Eater, might not have revealed such crucial information as he might not have known.
Voldemort divulging these secrets in front of everyone suggested that he believed Kreshkov's clan would betray him but was unaware of their betrayal. Evan realized that Voldemort's repeated splitting of his soul had led to a gradual decline in his intelligence, making him arrogant enough to share this information openly. Otherwise, they might have remained dark, leaving them disadvantaged.
"I departed from Durand because I needed a strong, healthy body like his to serve me. Although he is an inferior wizard and an unexceptional Vampire, he can carry out my instructions and assist me in acquiring a new, albeit weak, mortal body," Voldemort continued. "With this body, I can accomplish everything I need to do, including studying the notes left by my ancestor and that ancient creature."
"As I continued my research, I began to find the way," Voldemort said as he turned his attention to Nagini, who continued to circle around them. "I attempted to control her power but failed! It was then that I realized I needed to set my sights lower. I can pursue immortality and seek even greater power only by restoring my original body and strength."
"I understood that to achieve this, I needed three crucial ingredients," Voldemort explained. "First, an actor's opening words that could match the potion used to resurrect me today—ancient dark magic. Second, the flesh of my servant, Durand. Third, my father's bone. The Vampires had already provided me with my father's bone. These fools had planned to allow me to resurrect easily in the Albanian forest!"
Voldemort paused momentarily before concluding with a chilling declaration, "The final ingredient for the ritual was the blood of an enemy. They suggested I use the blood of any wizard who hated me because many still harbored such hatred. But I refused. I knew that to achieve my resurrection and regain my former strength, I needed the blood of Harry Potter. I needed the blood of the person whose mother's protection still lives on in him from thirteen years ago when she saved him with her sacrifice!"
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By using Harry's blood to resurrect, Voldemort had made a fatal mistake. Ivan carefully considered the information he had just heard, trying to piece together what he knew.
Centuries ago, Salazar Slytherin had dissected a monstrous creature, finding three distinct parts: the eyeballs, the brain, and the body. From what he could gather from the current situation, separating these parts allowed each to maintain consciousness and abilities without dying. Slytherin might have used this research process to harness the strength of an evil god(s), passing it down to his Vampire(s) descendants, who guarded these secrets. However, Voldemort had now learned of these secrets and was preparing to attempt to harness the strength of an evil god(s). This was a terrifying prospect, and Ivan believed it was essential to understand what Voldemort was trying to achieve.
"I need Harry Potter's blood, but how can I get it? He's been well protected, something he's unaware of. Long ago, when Dumbledore was planning for this boy's future, he designed a protection scheme. He used ancient magic to ensure that as long as Harry is under the care of a family member, I cannot harm him," Voldemort continued, his voice a low hiss. "Later, after the Quidditch World Cup, I attempted to weaken his protection. I separated him from his family and from Dumbledore. And then there's that annoying Ivan Mason. How can I get to him?"
Voldemort's words resonated with a deep hatred that Ivan could feel directed at him. He realized that Voldemort was now considering him a significant threat.
"After the World Cup ended, Harry returned to Hogwarts. He was always under the watchful eye of that idiot muggle relative of his, which I detested. And that hateful Ivan Mason was always nearby. How could I get to him?" Voldemort mused. "I couldn't trust those Vampire(s). I knew they might betray me. Relying on the information obtained from Bertha Jorkins, I began to save loyal Death Eater(s) within my ranks. This time, we had to take action."
"We devised a plan to have one of my servants, a high-ranking Ministry of Magic official, prepare the Triwizard Tournament at Hogwarts. We used Harry Potter's friend's name to trick the Goblet of Fire into selecting him. In reality, we intended to choose Ivan Mason and ensure he met with a fatal accident during the competition," Voldemort explained. "Of course, we failed again, but that didn't matter. We could manipulate the Ministry of Magic officials to alter the tournament rules. But I couldn't wait any longer. I felt a powerful force summoning me. I had to accelerate my plans. Right after the second task of the tournament, I used a Portkey to bring Harry Potter here, far from Dumbledore's protection, away from Ivan Mason's help, and without his mother's sacrifice. I gave him an opportunity, and he can now face me. This way, none of you can question who's stronger!"
Voldemort slowly turned his gaze toward Harry and raised his wand. The next moment, the ropes binding Ivan and Harry loosened, and Voldemort's twin-engine red eyes locked onto them through the mist.
"Now, I must completely dispel the foolish misconceptions you all have," Voldemort whispered. "Harry Potter escaped me by mere luck. I must kill him to prove my strength, right here and now, without Dumbledore to protect him, Ivan Mason's assistance, and his mother's sacrifice to save him. I will give him a chance to fight me so that you will not doubt who is more powerful."
Voldemort began to approach Harry, raising his wand menacingly.
Ivan and Harry stood there, surrounded by Death Eater(s), who jeered at them in hushed voices. They huddled together, and Death Eater(s), who had joined the circle without casting any spells, watched closely. The giant snake Nagini positioned herself not far from Ivan in the grass.
Harry was panting heavily, contemplating his options. He had considered escaping in a flash, but his legs were trembling. He couldn't leave Gabrielle behind, as the two couldn't outrun Voldemort and his Death Eater(s).
Vampire(s) Durand approached them from beyond the circle, carrying Harry's wand awkwardly in his hand. He didn't spare them a glance as he returned to the circle of Death Eater(s).
Ivan also held his wand, its tip glowing faintly. He knew they had only a few minutes at best. He hoped Voldemort would continue talking, revealing more information and buying them some time if possible. But the odds of a safe escape were slim. Their best chance lay in disarming Voldemort, although Harry doubted its effectiveness.
The Death Eater(s) who surrounded them seemed to view Ivan as an eight- or nine-year-old girl and underestimated his abilities.
"An interesting girl you are, voluntarily challenging me to a fight," Voldemort hissed softly, his red eyes dodging the misty light. "Because of your foolish courage, I'll give you a chance to challenge me. But we must abide by the custom of a duel. First, I'll kill Harry, then it will be your turn. Wait a while, Nagini. Soon, they will be yours."
The giant snake moved closer to Ivan and hissed menacingly.
"Gabrielle, I will create an opportunity for you to escape when the action begins!" Harry whispered, his voice strained.
He wasn't sure how to handle Voldemort, but he had to protect Gabrielle. He had no choice but to rely on spells, even though he couldn't think of any beyond the Disarming Charm. He realized that Voldemort was right; he was completely vulnerable without his mother's protection.
"You run to that large stone over there; it's a Portkey. Can you hear me?"
"It's me, Harry! It's Ivan, not Gabrielle!" Ivan spoke quickly, leaning close to Harry's ear. He gripped Harry's trembling hand firmly. "Listen, when the time comes, use the Disarming Charm on Voldemort. Duel him one-on-one!"
"What?!" Harry looked at Ivan in disbelief, unable to trust his own eyes. His prayers had been answered. It was nothing short of a miracle!