In the headmaster's VIP suite, Albus Dumbledore frowned, his gaze fixed on the green Dark Mark emblazoned across the sky.
"Dumbledore, what is your student up to now?" Madame Maxime asked, her voice laced with worry and a hint of helplessness.
"That was not Tom's doing... no, that was Tom's doing..." Dumbledore's disjointed words nearly convinced Madame Maxime that the old wizard had finally lost his mind. "In any case, you need not concern yourself with your students."
With that, Dumbledore and Fawkes disappeared in a burst of flame.
...
Meanwhile, in the "Dark Lord's Private Suite," Nagini frowned, observing the Dark Mark before turning her gaze to Tom Riddle. He, however, seemed utterly unfazed. With a flick of the Elder Wand, a beam of silver light shot skyward, morphing into a multi-segmented, withered replica of the wand that pierced the skull of the Dark Mark, shattering it into green mist. Then, a silver viper tore the remaining serpent to shreds.
The stunned crowd fixed their attention on the highest stands. Tom Riddle rose and slowly stepped forward, his voice magically amplified. "Find them," he commanded, "and then... kill them."
...
Within the Quidditch World Cup grounds, Lucas, the loyal servant of Voldemort (remnant soul), the burly man representing 'sick' in the remnant soul's band of "old, weak, sick, and disabled," frowned deeply as he witnessed his Dark Mark being obliterated.
He had hoped to use this opportunity to recruit more Death Eaters who had "bowed down to the No-Nose." Now, that seemed highly improbable. And, barring a miracle, they would soon find themselves hunted.
"What are you doing?!" His companion, drenched in a cold sweat, was terrified. They were the only two sent on this mission. Voldemort (remnant soul) wanted them to plant something in Tom Riddle's tent during the match, something crucial to his plan. The tent had been unguarded, making it a simple task. But now, this act had turned into a suicide mission! Their chances of escape were virtually nonexistent.
"There's no time for this!" Lucas barked at his companion. "Quickly stash the package, then we're out of here!" He bolted toward the largest, most opulent tent in the encampment.
...
Lucas's companion stared after him, speechless and incredulous. Did the man really believe he could conceal the package now and escape unnoticed? But, upon reflection, it mattered little. The mission was doomed, and their escape impossible.
Almost as if on cue, the air filled with the unmistakable crack of Apparition. Witches and wizards were converging on their location.
...
Two or three minutes later, Lucas and his accomplice were dragged before Tom Riddle.
With no interest in "interrogation games," Tom Riddle delved straight into Legilimency. He wondered if Voldemort (remnant soul) himself was nearby, seeking a bit of amusement. Of course, Tom Riddle knew Voldemort (remnant soul) wouldn't risk himself directly; he would merely go berserk and sever a small fragment of his soul to accompany his pawns. Apparently, that wasn't the case. Tom Riddle wondered if Voldemort (remnant soul) was still underfed, his soul insufficiently recovered, or if he had simply calmed down from his insanity.
Regardless, even if Voldemort (remnant soul) remained absent, Tom Riddle had other means.
Through Legilimency, Tom Riddle gleaned the task assigned to them. Although Voldemort (remnant soul) had not explicitly stated it, Tom Riddle recognized within the memory the presence of a vicious curse.
Since Voldemort (remnant soul) wished to give him a gift, he would reciprocate.
With a flick of his wand, Tom Riddle decapitated Lucas's companion. The body slumped to the ground.
Just as Lucas braced himself for death, Tom Riddle stayed his hand.
"Your name reminds me of someone I know, so I will spare you this time."
"Are you friends with him?"
"No. I fully intended to kill him."
"..."
"Get out!"
The other Death Eaters exchanged puzzled glances, but none dared question Tom Riddle's decision.
...
Numb with disbelief, Lucas scrambled to his feet and fled as if his life depended on it, only stopping when he was sure they weren't going to attack him.
As Lucas disappeared, Tom Riddle glanced at Nagini, whose face reflected her confusion. "Are you not curious as to why I let him live?"
"Yes." Nagini didn't hesitate. "Will letting him go not cause Tom Riddle trouble?"
"No, or rather, I would rather the Voldemort (remnant soul) lose such a talented subordinate." Tom Riddle chuckled. "Besides, I even had him take a little 'gift' back to that bald fellow."
...
In an old house shrouded in thick fog near a cemetery, Voldemort (remnant soul) was held in the arms of an elderly wizard—the oldest of his "old, weak, sick, and disabled" subordinates.
Voldemort (remnant soul) weakly turned his head to Lucas, who knelt before him. "So, he let you go? And how did you manage to escape?"
Lucas, having no comprehension of Tom Riddle's motives, could only offer his own flawed explanations.
Voldemort (remnant soul), ever suspicious, was far from convinced. In fact, he suspected Lucas knew nothing at all.
"Enough," Voldemort (remnant soul) interrupted, cutting short Lucas's stammering explanation, and unhesitatingly used Legilimency on him.
Lucas's memories flooded into the Spirit's mind.
Witnessing the breathtaking spectacle of Death Eaters welcoming Tom Riddle back during the Quidditch World Cup, he could not help but feel a surge of envy.
He had witnessed such scenes many times, back when he had been in Tom Riddle's place, but he'd taken it all for granted and hadn't paid much attention.
But now... all he could say was, "That should have been his glory!"
He should have been the one looking down on everyone from a lofty position, not cowering like this… like a dying mouse huddled in a corner.
Enraged, Voldemort (remnant soul) probed deeper into Lucas's memories, until Lucas stood face-to-face with Tom Riddle, and then…
"Ugh… tonic!"
Voldemort (remnant soul) felt incredibly unwell! But his weakened body rendered him immobile, leaving him only able to whimper in agony.
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