Magical Studies at Hogwarts...

Chapter 136 Nagini

"You brought me a present, Wormtail," Voldemort said.

"Yes, Master, she is Bertha Jorkins, and she is currently in the Department of Magical Sports."

"The Department of Magical Physical Education? Crouch? That reminds me of someone..." Voldemort's tone held a hint of nostalgia, but it vanished in an instant. "Wormtail, go, go and find what I need..."

"I can't wait..."

Peter Pettigrew knelt down respectfully and bowed his head.

"I'm going, Master."

"Go, go..."

The curse was broken the moment Peter Pettigrew saw Voldemort, as Voldemort himself confirmed; otherwise, Peter Pettigrew would have had to endure countless more inhuman torments.

Three days later, after using many underhanded methods to finally gather the materials Voldemort needed, Peter Pettigrew finally returned to Voldemort's hiding place.

Besides the precious magical materials, there was also a baby—a newborn infant from a wizarding family.

The most important thing is that the child is alive and well; Peter Pettigrew wouldn't dare let anything happen to him.

But his life ended there...

"Very good, very good." Voldemort's joy was palpable. "Now, let's begin, Wormtail. I can't wait!"

He set up a pot, lit a flame at the bottom, and waited for the water to boil slightly before Peter Pettigrew began to add magical ingredients one by one. Unicorn horns, dragon blood, serpent fangs, and various other rare materials gradually melted into the pot, and a strange aroma began to emanate from it.

It's wonderful, it's intoxicating.

The baby seemed to sense its impending fate and began to cry loudly. Peter Pettigrew did not hesitate for a moment; as soon as the pot filled with steam, he threw it in.

With a wave of the magic wand, the pot suddenly emitted a multicolored light, gradually turning into mist that enveloped the air. Faintly visible inside was a baby, curled up, seemingly asleep.

"Wormtail, send me up!" Voldemort commanded. Peter Pettigrew carefully cradled Voldemort in his hands and sent him into the clouds.

Suddenly, like ink dripping into clear water, the clouds were instantly dyed black. Tumbling and tumbling, it slowly entered the infant's body.

His face resembled Voldemort's, and he was wrapped in a black veil with what appeared to be flowing smoke.

Peter Pettigrew gently held Voldemort in his arms, knelt on the ground, and dared not look him in the eye.

"Congratulations, Master..."

"Not just the Wormtail, that's far from enough..." Voldemort's voice was still hoarse, but it lacked as much weakness. "We need to do more..."

"Now, give me your wand, I'm going to enjoy the gift you've brought me..."

He took the wand, which was almost half the length of Voldemort's, and gently waved it, waking Bertha, who had been lying on the ground.

Without giving her a chance to regain her senses, a Heart-Piercing Curse was unleashed.

"Hehehe! Hehehe..."

Voldemort thoroughly enjoyed Bertha's pained, unspeakable state; this state of wanting to die but being unable to was what he missed most.

Countless people once appeared before him; they were symbols of his power!

He vented his frustrations of the past years until Bertha was foaming at the mouth and blood was streaming from her eyes. But before Bertha could catch her breath, another Soul-Stealing Curse was cast.

Soaked in sweat and with an unnatural bluish-purple tinge on her face, Bertha stood up and began to recount her life over the years.

There are many things, and they are quite varied. There are her disappointments, but also some small joys.

Voldemort listened quietly, his small hand gripping his large wand, waving it rhythmically in the air like a conductor.

"...Mr. Barty Crouch was having a terrible time. When he learned that Barty Jr. was a Death Eater, he completely broke down, which ultimately led to his defeat by Minister Fudge..."

"...He seems to have many secrets. Sometimes I hear him arguing with people, even though he's usually alone in his office..."

"...Oh, Sparkle, the loyal house-elf of House Crouch, utterly devoted and unconditionally obedient to the men of House Crouch..."

"Men?" Voldemort paused, his wand still in his hand. Bertha continued, "Yes, men. It's hard to believe that Barty Crouch has been raised in his home all this time..."

"Oh, oh, oh, look what I just heard!" Voldemort was overjoyed. "Barty! Did you hear that, Wormtail, Barty!"

Bertha completely ignored Voldemort's words and continued, "Barty Jr. has broken Mr. Crouch's heart; they're always arguing. Mr. Crouch is already very busy, and the Ministry of Magic has been unusually busy this year..."

"The Quidditch World Cup requires a lot of manpower, and they also seem to be reviving an ancient competition that hasn't been held for over a hundred years..."

"...The people from Durmstrang and Beauxbatons are not easy to deal with, especially since they've set up the tournament at Hogwarts..."

Voldemort abruptly stopped his wand, and Bertha fell silent.

"Excellent, Wormtail, this is a wonderful gift!"

"Thank you for your praise, Master..."

"Let me think, let me think..." Voldemort lowered his hand; holding his wand for so long was still a great burden on him. After a while, as if he had come to a conclusion, he cried out, "Nagini! My darling, I need you!"

Nagini slowly crawled over and quietly watched Voldemort.

"Oh Nagini, don't be afraid, soon, very soon..." she murmured, then suddenly raised her wand, and a dazzling green light fell directly on Bertha.

"Avada Kedavra, eating a giant melon!"

"what!"

Voldemort let out a heart-wrenching scream, and as Bertha fell to the ground, Nagini rolled around in agony, her wildly thrashing tail even breaking the large cauldron.

But soon, she calmed down and slowly crawled to Voldemort's side, gently placing her snake head under his hand.

"Nagini, I told you, it'll be soon..."

Peter Pettigrew was clinging to Voldemort, too afraid to move; this bizarre magic was completely beyond his comprehension.

"Insect tail..."

"Yes, Master."

"We should go back, back to England. I can't wait." Voldemort's tone was weak but light and cheerful. "To Great Hangleton, to the Gaunt family's old house. We'll be safe there."

"Take Nagini with you; we're going to be there for a long time."

"As you wish, Master," Peter Pettigrew replied respectfully.

"By the way, bring Little Barty to see me, I can't wait..."

"I want to see him!"

"Yes, Master, we'll set off now..."

"Let's go, let's go back!"

And more~

(End of this chapter)