“They were just joking…”
Neville’s voice grew quieter as Voldemort conveyed his disdain.
“I never allow anyone to do that to me, Neville.”
Voldemort said to him, “Maybe my reputation is too scary, but please believe that I have experienced the same situation as you.”
“Really?” Neville asked in disbelief.
“Give you a look at my memory, Neville, you’ll be the first to see it.”
Voldemort said, letting his soul spin, revealing the memory of Wu’s Orphanage.
Not much, just a few snippets, but it was enough to shock Neville.
“Are those people who hit you Muggles?” Neville asked.
“Yes, Muggles, but I don’t hate them.” Voldemort shrugged. “Usually when I have a grudge, I retaliate on the spot. Holding it off makes me forget the grudge easily.”
“Did you kill Muggles because of them?” Neville asked again.
“No, Neville, I just want to get more pure-blood support. You know, not all pure-bloods are as peaceful as Longbottom. Most of them hate Muggles.” Voldemort explained.
“Is that for rights?”
“Honestly, yes.”
“Then why do you want to subdue me?” Neville said, and immediately emphasized, “I can’t become a Death Eater.”
“I didn’t say let you become a Death Eater, Neville.” Voldemort said, “I just wanted to accept you as a disciple, hoping that you could carry my will… Well, I took a fancy to your bravery.”
“Me? Brave?” The surprise radiating from Neville’s soul was no less than when he heard Voldemort admit his identity.
“Yes, Neville, brave.” Voldemort confirmed, “I have many people under my command, but few are like you.”
“You mean, I’m more powerful than those Death Eaters?”
“Ninety-nine percent of Death Eaters are inferior to you.” Voldemort said with certainty.
Neville’s soul hesitated, and Voldemort clearly felt the looseness in his soul.
“Do you really…can you really wake up my parents?” Neville asked.
“I will work hard for this, if you are willing to become my apprentice.” Voldemort said.
“But can you cure them?” Neville asked again, “Can you develop that kind of magic?”
“I am the most powerful dark wizard in history, bar none, and the magic that hurt your parents happens to be dark magic.”
Voldemort stopped, turned to the library aside, and found an empty seat to sit down.
“I think such a name should be enough for you to trust me, but I still have to say that I will work hard, but I may not be able to do it.”
“Headmaster Dumbledore can do it, right?” Neville said. “He was the one who worked on the repairing spell wave diagram with you last year.”
“If he can do it, Neville, why doesn’t he do it after eleven years?” Voldemort asked.
Neville was silent again, and there was a hint of sadness in his soul.
“What do I have to give?” Neville asked.
“Become my disciple, follow me, and fight for me.” Voldemort said without hesitation.
Faintly, he felt a little excited, feeling that his own Hagrid was waving to him.
“Drop out of school to follow you?” Neville was a little surprised, “I don’t know anything now.”
“This school can’t teach you anything, Neville. Your mental strength is far beyond that of ordinary people. You are on the same level as me.” Voldemort said with certainty.
“Uh… Fu… Tutor, I find it hard to believe this,” Neville said.
“Feel the thorn in your soul. It is your spiritual power. For some reason, it has solidified. Melt it, and your talent will be completely awakened.” Voldemort guided.
Neville felt it, and even gestured to stab Voldemort with the thorn.
“I can see into people’s minds. This is my talent, Neville, but I have always opened my heart to you for dialogue. I think you can feel my sincerity.” Voldemort said.
“I can feel it, but I’m still not sure I want to follow you. I’m afraid my grandma will be pissed off by me.” Neville said aggrievedly.
“Your stupidity has pissed her off half to death.” Voldemort made a joke, but then said, “Don’t worry, I will convince her.”
“But you have killed too many people, and I still don’t want to follow you…” Neville hesitated again, as he always did, “Harry’s parents, and…”
“It’s all over, isn’t it?” Voldemort said, “And those people weren’t very kind to you either.”
Neville’s soul stirred, but he said nothing.
Indeed, he didn’t have many friends at Hogwarts since he fought alone last year.
“Besides, I will teach you everything I have. When you become stronger, you can also stop me from killing innocent people indiscriminately, right?” Voldemort began to tip the scales in his heart.
“Uh… I’m afraid I can’t do it.” Neville was moved, but he still had some hesitation.
“I’m optimistic about you, Neville. You are favored by the most powerful dark wizard in history. Are you still afraid that you won’t be able to become stronger?”
Voldemort said, in order to increase Neville’s confidence, he added, “Think about Trelawney’s words. She thinks I can become a prophet of this era.”
“Her words have never been reliable, I heard the Weasley brothers said that.” Neville retorted.
“That’s because you don’t know her well enough. I killed Harry’s parents because of her prophecy. She had that talent.”
“Really?” Neville didn’t believe it.
“Dumbledore and Snape both know this. The prophecy ball is still in the Ministry of Magic. I’m not lying to you.”
Neville really hesitated this time.
On the one hand, there is the possibility of his parents awakening, on the other hand, he surrenders to the Dark Lord and is cast aside. It is such a difficult choice.
“I am willing to make an unbreakable oath for this, in the presence of your grandmother.” Voldemort threw the weight again, and the scale tilted again.
“Can you give me some more time to think?” he asked.
“Okay, Neville, but I have to lend you your body for today, so don’t mess with me, okay?” Voldemort asked.
“What do you want to do?” Neville asked.
“Deal with some things and get out of here.” Voldemort said.
“Can I refuse?” Neville’s soul conveyed a joke.
This little guy has actually become a little more cheerful, and it seems that the balance has completely tipped over.
“Can’t, Neville.”
Voldemort said, getting up and leaving the library, he needed to find Luna.
But not far from the library, he saw the children who had laughed at him before, and Ron was also hanging out with them.
Since Harry became busy, he had nothing to do.
“Hey, Neville, look what I brought out of you.” Ron shouted from a distance, and raised the sword in his hand.
“You’re angry, Neville, don’t you do something?” Voldemort asked him.
