A Certain Magical Hogwarts

Chapter 309 Spy Wormtail

As his own original self, predecessor, and elder brother, Voldemort collapsed overnight, bringing Riddle countless life experiences.

He pondered it deeply, and the biggest lesson he learned was: never use Avada Kedavra on Potter!

There's a reason this spell is banned... If he had heeded even a little of the Ministry of Magic's warnings, he wouldn't have ended up in this situation.

In addition, there is another point: violence and fear cannot solve all problems.

When Voldemort was at his peak, his servants were extremely respectful; but once he lost his power, the Death Eaters scattered like birds and beasts.

Almost no one thought of looking for him, otherwise he wouldn't have been wandering outside for twelve years, enduring hardships and setbacks.

This is the price of repressive policies and terrorism; not only are his enemies afraid of him, but even his subordinates are terrified of him.

If it were the first Dark Lord Grindelwald, just look at how his followers would go crazy welcoming him back after he lost his power.

Violence cannot solve everything; sometimes, one must rely on personal charisma and the power of words.

Riddle is different from Voldemort; he is a sixteen-year-old soul, and that's what he excels at.

He decided to pick up the traditional skills that the Fallen Demon had abandoned, to bewitch people again, and to build a new team.

A more reliable team!

Peter Pettigrew is the person he's currently trying to win over!

The diary left Ron and came into Lockhart's hands, thanks to Peter Pettigrew's help.

Riddle's initial plan was to manipulate Ron into handing the diary to Lockhart, but Ron's unusual behavior caught Peter's attention.

He took the initiative to contact his diary.

Riddle suddenly realized that there was such an interesting person next to Dumbledore!

But Peter Pettigrew is a fickle person who only cares about his own life and death.

Riddle decided to use his eloquence, his silver tongue, and his persuasive charm to completely win over Little Pettigrew's loyalty.

Riddle walked over to Peter, patted him on the shoulder, and whispered:

"Peter, although you call me master, I have never considered myself your master."

You helped me during my most difficult time; you are my friend, brother, and trusted subordinate.

"I am not Voldemort, I am Riddle... Although we share the same soul, we are ultimately different, you can feel that too, can't you?"

Riddle raised his right hand, gesturing for Peter to feel his burning soul. Peter hesitated for a moment, then nodded, extending a pair of large, ugly hands.

The dark, old room

A greasy middle-aged man

With trembling hands,

She touched the blond man's chest in a daze.

"It really is different, Master."

Little Pettigrew kept stroking Lockhart's chest, his face showing excitement.

This young man in front of me is really different from the Dark Lord.

The Dark Lord would only say: "Fool, damn it, Avada Kedavra..."

She never gently pats someone on the shoulder, yet smiles so brightly.

"Peter, I pity you." Riddle moved a little further away from Little Pettigrew.

"I've been a mouse for twelve years, never having a single good day, never feeling the warmth of love. Who caused this situation?"

"The Ministry of Magic, Dumbledore? Neither, it's Voldemort himself!"

"Look at him, he can't even beat a baby, dragging you underlings down with him! This is my future, my true form, the incompetent Voldemort."

"This shouldn't be happening." Riddle touched Pettigrew's bald head with pity.

"Suffering is not death-eating, hardship is never our goal."

When you are in unbearable pain because of this, who hears your cries?

Where is Voldemort?

I despise him just as much as you do, and he abandoned me, banishing me to his diary for fifty years! We are in the same boat.

Riddle stared directly into Peter's eyes.

"I know, Peter, you like to associate with the strong. The stronger the being, the more you like to get close to them."

You'll ask yourself, "What's the point of following this young man... He's no match for the most evil demon king, nor is he a match for Dumbledore..."

"Don't forget, because of your betrayal, Voldemort lost most of his power, and those Death Eaters in Azkaban wish they could kill you."

Because of your betrayal, the Potters died. If Dumbledore knew the truth, he would want to kill you too.

"I'm different. I won't kill you. I'll trust you and treat you as my best subordinate because you gave me... help during my most difficult time."

Riddle's voice grew even gentler.

"I don't want to make too many verbal promises, but you should remember one thing, Peter."

Voldemort is my future. I possess the same extraordinary talent as him, and I have the guidance of Slytherin… I will soon be as powerful as him!

Times have changed!

The future doesn't belong to Dumbledore, it doesn't belong to Voldemort, it belongs to me.

Of course, it could also be ours!

"Don't you know who to pledge allegiance to?!" Riddle asked softly.

He took Lockhart's wand and drew a horizontal line of black flames around himself.

"Peter, join me through the flames. Make an unbreakable vow to me, swear allegiance to me."

Peter hesitated; he remained silent.

After a long silence, he finally mustered his courage and stepped into the flames.

Riddle hugged Pettigrew, touched Pettigrew's face, and said happily:

"Very well, I will save you from the curse of death, and I will lead you to a future that brings eternal immortality."

"Master, where will we go after leaving Hogwarts?" Peter asked cautiously.

Riddle shook his head. "No, Peter, I need you to stay for now."

Little Pettigrew stood there, stunned.

“Listen to me, it’s not that I don’t want to take you with me. I’ve planned this all school year and done so much. Dumbledore won’t let me go; he’ll keep chasing me,” Riddle said.

"I will not die; I have conquered death. But you are different. I don't want to sacrifice you while we are being pursued. You have a more important mission."

"What mission?"

"...At the right moment, I demand that you leave Hogwarts, find Voldemort, and find my true form!"

"What?" Peter shrank back in fear. "Master, he'll kill me, he'll definitely kill me..."

"No." Riddle's voice softened again.

"I know his situation better than you do... He's probably hiding somewhere, cowering in fear, waiting for someone to rescue him."

"He won't believe you if you appear before him because of what happened back then. But since it's so rare for a Death Eater to be willing to seek him out, he won't kill you, much less torture you."

"I need you to be my spy and spy on him!" Riddle's voice echoed in the room.

"I can't..."

"You're too modest, Peter. No one is more suitable than you. You've lived under Dumbledore's nose for twelve years."

"Furthermore, I don't need you to do anything; just resurrect him as he requested."

"What if the Dark Lord were to rise from the dead..."

"Believe me, even if he were to be resurrected, he wouldn't be a match for Dumbledore and would die again. I, on the other hand, will absorb his soul and become whole again!"

Little Pettigrew said, trembling, "The Dark Lord has masterful Legilimency; he knows what I'm thinking."

"No, it won't happen," Riddle said confidently.

"I'll help you forge a fake memory, and change everything about me."

When you first appeared before Voldemort, he wouldn't delve into your memories; he was afraid of killing you. Once you resurrected him, he would be even less inclined to explore your memories.

Because he has gained power... your memories are irrelevant to him!

I understand my true self; he is just that arrogant and ignorant person.

"A man destined to die!"

Little Pettigrew remained silent for a moment, then asked, "Master, where are you going?"

"America... Slytherin's things are there. I am his heir, and I will take them back."

"I think...you'll soon hear rumors about me in Britain!"

……

……

(P.S. To explain: Sixteen-year-old Voldemort was very skilled with memory spells. He created false memories for his uncle Morpheus, and Dumbledore said that "it would take a lot of skillful Legilimency to elicit them.")

Professor Lughorn also altered his own memories, burying the truth deep in his heart to prevent Dumbledore from seeing through it.

Given Riddle's abilities, if Voldemort wanted to see the true memories, he would probably have had to resort to torture, just like he did to Bertha, but the price was that Bertha was killed. Voldemort certainly wouldn't have wanted to kill Pettigrew.

(End of this chapter)