With extraordinary comprehension, I built a floating city at Hogwarts.

Snape slowly raised his head, his black pupils meeting Voldemort's magical red eyes.

He knew that Voldemort was using Legilimency on him, trying to probe his true thoughts.

At that moment, Snape felt as if his soul had been ripped from his body, and all his secrets and lies had nowhere to hide.

He diligently employed the "Brain Occupation Technique," striving to fabricate thoughts and memories that he had prepared long ago.

“I once thought you were gone too… Back then, everyone was convinced…” Snape’s voice was filled with deep sincerity, each word like a heartfelt confession.

“I made an unforgivable mistake, actually doubting your power.” He closed his eyes tightly, as if unable to face his own betrayal. “I have no intention of making excuses or covering up, but that’s just how it is…”

"yes……"

Voldemort chuckled softly, his blood-red eyes gleaming with an evil light in the dim light. His face was pale and flat, like a cold-blooded snake.

“Everley, Yaxley, the Carlows, Graybury, Lucius… they all had the same thoughts as you.”

"They, and so many others, foolishly believed that the great Dark Lord was dead, defeated by a mere infant."

Voldemort's tone was full of sarcasm and resentment: "Even as I keep revealing the truth to them, telling them that I have gone further down the road to death than anyone else."

He sighed deeply, his tone revealing utter disappointment:

"But none of you believe me! You have disappointed me greatly!"

Suddenly, a beam of green light shot out from Voldemort's wand, pointing directly at Snape:

"【Heart-piercing and bone-scraping】!!"

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This book is free to find. New books are not available from time to time. He rolled on the ground in agony, begging for mercy.

However, Voldemort watched him suffer indifferently, as if enjoying the torment. This spell was longer and more cruel than ever before.

There is only one reason why he is so cruel:

Snape is late!

Yes, Snape didn't arrive immediately when the Dark Lord summoned his servants... For that alone, he deserved to die!

However, Voldemort did not intend to kill him immediately.

He wanted to hear more explanations from Snape, and if Snape couldn't provide a satisfactory answer, the merciful Dark Lord wouldn't mind giving him a "surprise."

"Why did you stop me from getting the Philosopher's Stone four years ago?" Voldemort asked slowly.

"I didn't know it was you at first."

Snape struggled with his words, uttering, "At the time, I only saw a greedy, incompetent Quirrell trying to steal the Philosopher's Stone. I admit, I did my best to stop him. But you didn't come to me! If you had only told me a little about the plan, I would have risked my life to help you steal the Philosopher's Stone!"

"Do you know why I didn't tell you? Do you know why I was so weak? Why I preferred to share a body with a mediocre wizard rather than expose myself to a former servant?"

Voldemort stared intently into Snape's eyes, his voice rising slightly to reveal intense anger and disappointment.

"Because I don't know if you can be trusted! I'm afraid... afraid that you've gone from a loyal Death Eater to Dumbledore's lackey! I didn't dare trust you then, so tell me four years later, why should I trust you!"

He stomped hard on Snape's back.

"Even if you could have rushed to my side the moment I resurrected... I could have convinced myself to try trusting you. But you didn't!"

"That's right, I returned two hours later, Master."

Snape shouted loudly despite the pain.

"I returned on Dumbledore's orders."

"What? You came back following Dumbledore's orders?" Voldemort was furious.

“Yes, Master,” Snape said firmly, his voice piercing the pain. “I admit I was late, but I only waited two hours, and during those two hours, I ensured that I remained at Hogwarts as your secret agent!”

Voldemort stared at Snape without saying a word, seemingly pondering his words.

Snape seized the opportunity and quickly added, "Now, Dumbledore considers me one of his men. I can keep you informed about him and the Order of the Phoenix!"

"The Order of the Phoenix!" Voldemort roared.

He was filled with hatred for the name.

“Yes, Master. Earlier tonight, Dumbledore issued the Phoenix Command, reactivating the Order of the Phoenix.” Snape delivered his first piece of information, attempting to prove his worth.

"…As expected." Voldemort scoffed. "Go on!"

“During those months, the Dark Mark became clearer and clearer, and I knew you were about to return. All the Death Eaters knew!” Snape continued to explain.

"I have ample time to consider my options and plan my next steps. I keep your orders firmly in mind."

He tried his best to appear sincere.

“But I couldn’t contact you, so I had to take matters into my own hands. I felt that as long as I gained Dumbledore’s trust, I could bring you more benefits. I succeeded; he really believed I was one of his men…”

Voldemort's high-pitched and clear voice echoed in the night sky, like a cold snake's tongue slithering through the air, "So, what important information have you brought me, Snape?"

Snape answered without hesitation, “All the information I have gathered for you about Dumbledore over the past sixteen years, Master.”

Voldemort nodded slightly, a hint of satisfaction flashing in his eyes. "This is indeed a valuable gift... You've done well, Snape."

"anything else?"

Snape continued, “Crouch has been captured, along with his father. Crouch’s influence in the Ministry of Magic has been wiped out. They were prepared, which is why Dumbledore is at your Resurrection Party tonight.”

"A loyal servant, but alas... utterly useless," Voldemort coldly remarked.

To him, a dead servant was of no value.

Even if he is extremely loyal, it's the same.

“I have another important piece of information, Master.” Snape took a deep breath.

"what?"

Snape said in a low voice, “Dumbledore and Minister Fudge have parted ways. I heard them arguing. Fudge doesn’t believe you’re back. I think it won’t be long before he starts interfering at Hogwarts next term. Dumbledore will be too busy to deal with us.”

Voldemort smiled; this was the first time he had smiled since seeing Snape.

“Excellent, this is the first good news I’ve heard today. The other servants are of no use except for regret.”

Suddenly, he stared intently into Snape's eyes, as if trying to see into his soul.

“Severus, you begged me to spare that Mudblood—Lily Potter—but I killed her anyway. You won’t blame me, will you?”

Snape looked into Voldemort's eyes, his voice flat and emotionless.

"Master, it was just a Mudblood! It died... and that's it."

He struggled to suppress the trembling in his heart and said calmly, "I've long forgotten about that mud-born."

Voldemort stared intently into Snape's eyes for a long time before finally smiling and saying:

Voldemort continued to stare into Snape's eyes, and after a long while, he smiled and said:

“Very good! I’m giving you a task now. While keeping an eye on Dumbledore, also keep an eye on Levin Green and the Jaina Proudmoore faction behind him. They’re troublesome too.”

"Your will, Master Liang."

Snape answered expressionlessly, but inwardly he breathed a sigh of relief.

This means... he passed tonight.

Voldemort trusted him again.

He successfully completed his task and retained his position.

Chapter 446 The Trial of Crouch

The atmosphere in the Wizengamor courtroom of the Ministry of Magic was solemn and dignified.

The walls of this hall were devoid of any decorations or portraits, giving it a bleak and eerie appearance.

The wizards sat upright on rows of closely packed benches, their eyes all focused on the judgment seat.

The front row was filled with reporters from major newspapers and magazines, their automatic quills ready to record every detail of the trial.

Barty Crouch Sr. stood not far from the judge's bench, his figure still upright, maintaining the dignity of a high-ranking Ministry of Magic official. His previously slightly wrinkled magical robes had been carefully smoothed out, displaying his usual neatness and graciousness.

If one didn't notice the fully alert Tonks and the other two Aurors behind him, one might mistake him for someone attending a routine trial rather than being the one being tried.

Suddenly, a series of heavy footsteps broke the silence of the room.

The door at the corner of the dungeon slowly opened, and three people walked in—at least one of them was human, being held hostage by two Dementors.

The two Dementors—those two tall monsters with their faces covered by hoods—had their rotting, dead-like hands gripping the arm of the man in the middle.

The man didn't seem to be greatly affected; his face was pale and blank, without any expression.

However, a flicker of emotion crossed his eyes when his gaze fell upon Mr. Crouch, who stood not far from the judge's bench.

As the Dementor approached, the people around seemed a little timid.

Dementor 743 placed the man on a chained chair, then slowly floated out of the room, the door slamming shut behind them.

The trial of Barty Crouch Jr. went both smoothly and not smoothly.

Fortunately, he readily accepted all the charges read by the judge without raising any objections;

Unfortunately, he remained almost completely silent, keeping quiet about any details of the event planning.

His attitude left the judges and spectators feeling helpless and frustrated, because it meant they might not be able to understand the full picture and the truth of the matter.

“I think we should use Legilimency or Truth Potion on him, so that we might be able to reveal whether the Mysterious Man has truly returned, and more secrets of the Death Eaters.” Dumbledore slowly stood up, his aged voice unusually serious.

Fudge's expression changed, and he lowered his voice to retort, "Dumbledore, I've already said before that I hope you won't make such remarks again, as they will cause panic in the wizarding world."

“Fudge, you should know that everyone has the right to know the truth,” Dumbledore said calmly.

“But, Dumbledore, this will plunge the wizarding world, which has just regained its peace, into turmoil once again.” Fudge’s voice held a hint of pleading.

“Fudge,” Dumbledore said, his blue eyes fixed on Fudge as if he could see into his heart, “the truth cannot be hidden. Your concealment will only cause the wizarding world to suffer greater harm while it is caught off guard.”

Fudge gritted his teeth, veins bulging on his forehead: "Dumbledore, who can prove you're telling the truth? You have no proof."

"That's why we need to use Legilimency or Veritaserum on him," Dumbledore said, pointing to Crouch Jr., who was chained to a chair.

“I’m sorry, Dumbledore, we can’t do that. You know, both of these methods are easily manipulated by masters skilled in memory alteration and cannot be used as evidence.” Fudge stood up, his round face no longer bearing the slick smile.

He tried to shrink back his protruding belly to make himself appear more dignified.

However, the beads of sweat on his forehead betrayed his inner turmoil and the immense psychological pressure he was under.