Chapter 736: Plans (Edited)

In the magnificent Malfoy Manor, Voldemort was alone in his study with Snape, who had come to "report" on his work.

"How is the old man?" Voldemort asked coldly.

"The same as before," Snape respectfully replied, pretending he had no idea about what had injured Dumbledore. "The peculiar curse is so stubborn and powerful that not even I am capable of healing Dumbledore, and I believe Professor Slughorn can't either."

"Professor Slughorn... such a nostalgic name..." Voldemort smiled faintly, his scarlet eyes narrowing as if trapped in some kind of memory.

"Just..." Snape suddenly interrupted his train of thought.

"But what?" Voldemort frowned.

It's just... Fish McGonagall has been healing Dumbledore with their special spells, which has kept Dumbledore in a decent state, and from the looks of it, Fish McGonagall seems confident that they can cure Dumbledore."

"Fish McGonagall... humph!"

Voldemort had a love/hate relationship with Fish.

The rain from the Forbidden Forest had not only restored his strength from his near-death state, but it had also replenished a part of his missing soul, giving him the power to create his new Horcruxes. So, Voldemort was eager to recruit Fish for his team.

As for the hate, needless to say... how many times had this damned Fish ruined his plans?!

"How likely do you think it is for Fish to cure Dumbledore?" Voldemort asked hesitantly.

Though the Dark Lord had great confidence in his own spells, that little Fish does not follow common sense.

Snape hesitated for a moment before answering, "I don't know, but they seem confident, and based on their past performances, I believe the chances are high."

"So, can't we just wait for the old man to die on his own?" Voldemort's snake-like nostrils flared, displaying the Dark Lord's violent mood.

At the same time, Nagini, who was coiled at his feet, was affected by her master's mood and raised her head high, maliciously flicking her tongue.

Snape remained expressionless, bowing his head respectfully and remaining silent.

Voldemort closed his eyes, attempting to calm his anger and frustration, and Nagini lowered herself again, staying silent at his feet.

After a few moments, he opened his eyes.

"Yes, let Lucius's son invite Fish to come here as a guest..." He lightly tapped the armrest of the chair with his fingers, murmuring to himself.

Snape's heart skipped a beat, but his face remained composed. As much as he wanted to say something to dispel Voldemort's idea, he knew that doing so would greatly diminish Voldemort's trust in him.

Voldemort quickly shook his head. "It's not realistic. The Imperius Curse has little effect on him, and Minerva McGonagall might not necessarily agree. Moreover, with that boy's strength, it would be difficult to capture him... Damn it! How did all the good things end up happening to that old Dumbledore?"

Voldemort was truly jealous of this. If it had been him who recruited Fish, let alone the magical world of England, the entire world would have already fallen into his hands.

However, the most important thing now was to secure the old man's death before Fish could cure Dumbledore.

Neither of them spoke further. Only the tapping of the armrests and the occasional hiss from Nagini echoed in the room, enveloping the study in an oppressive silence.

Snape, accustomed to such scenes, stood by his side with his hands hanging, eyelids lowered, and eyes fixed on the floor with an unreadable emotion, like a faithful dog awaiting his master's orders.

When Voldemort returned from his musings, a satisfied expression appeared on his face as he observed Snape's continued respectfulness, but it quickly faded away.

"The boy of Lucius, that Draco fellow, how is the mission going?" Voldemort's cold voice echoed once again.

Snape responded with an impassive tone, "I don't know much about it, my Lord." He lifted his eyes slightly to look at Voldemort, then quickly lowered them again and continued, "Draco does not reveal his mission to me. He probably thinks I will take credit for it."

"Oh?" Voldemort looked at Snape with a mocking smile. "Aren't the Malfoys supposed to trust you, Severus? If I recall correctly, you are still the boy's godfather."

"Draco doesn't trust me as much anymore since Lucius was punished by you..." Snape continued with a grimace.

"Hm hm hm..." Voldemort chuckled softly, seemingly pleased with Draco's performance. "He is more Slytherin than his father was."

Snape remained silent, merely continuing to bow his head respectfully.

"But I suppose Narcissa asked you to take care of him," Voldemort inquired again.

"Yes," Snape replied with the same expressionless deference. "But she didn't tell me exactly what had happened, only that you had entrusted Draco with a task, my Lord." He looked up at Voldemort at the right moment, showing a slight hint of confusion.

Voldemort, as Snape had predicted, ignored his confusion and turned to ask about the Order of the Phoenix.

"That place, have you still not found a way to enter?"

Snape cooperated and pushed aside his confusion, returning to his impassive face as he answered, "The ancestors of the Blacks placed too much protective magic on it. Unless Sirius Black dies and leaves Bella as the heir to the Black family..." For the first time, a visible emotion appeared on Snape's face as he spoke with disgust, "Dumbledore is keeping a close eye on him and not allowing him to handle any matters, but..."

He snorted contemptuously and continued, "Black is the typical Gryffindor. Days like these are driving him mad, he could escape on his own at any moment... just like he did last year."

"That is not the ambiguous kind of answer I need," Voldemort said coldly.

"... I will do what I can," Snape said after a moment of silence, pursing his thin lips, still unsure of the response. "Black is stupid and reckless, but he does what Dumbledore tells him to do, and I can't guarantee that I will be able to lure him out."

Voldemort frowned, displeased, but he knew Snape was telling the truth and understood the relationship between Snape and Black. It seemed to Voldemort that Snape would do everything possible to have Black killed if given the chance.

So he didn't dwell on the matter any longer, instead asking Snape a few more questions about Fish and Harry before dismissing him. "You may go, and by the way, bring Wormtail to me."

Snape bowed to Voldemort and left the study, and shortly after, Peter entered with a silver arm.

"Master, what are your orders?"

As soon as Wormtail entered the study, he knelt at Voldemort's feet, carefully avoiding Nagini as he stretched his head to kiss Voldemort's shoes.

Voldemort narrowed his scarlet eyes, resting his head in his hands as he observed Wormtail's flattery with interest for a moment before kicking him away and removing his mouth.

Wormtail retreated two kneeling steps, his face filled with humility and adulation, as he awaited Voldemort's command.

"I need you to do something for me, Wormtail," Voldemort's voice was filled with joy. "You know, Voldemort never mistreats his friends..."