After years of planning and hard work, he ultimately failed because of a newborn child.
How could the arrogant Voldemort accept this!
The fact that he managed to refrain from taking action was already a result of his extreme restraint.
Harry stood up, bewildered, wondering why the problem had been thrown at him, a nobody.
Little did he know, he was already on the verge of death!
Looking at the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor's frosty expression, for some reason, he had a feeling that he was seeing Snape.
Facing death seemed to jolt his seldom-used brain, and Harry spoke weakly.
"I'm sorry, Professor, I don't know."
"Don't know?" Voldemort was taken aback.
You don't even know how your parents died?
That's incredibly carefree!
He stared at Harry with a suspicious look and continued to ask, "What is the definition of Dark Arts?"
"I don't know, Professor."
How many types of spells are there?
"have no idea..."
What are the necessary conditions for casting a spell?
"I...I don't know!"
Harry kept shaking his head, almost driving Voldemort crazy.
He couldn't believe he had lost to a little kid who had absolutely no knowledge of magic!
Voldemort could accept losing to a powerful legendary wizard like Dumbledore, or he could accept losing to a Dark Arts wizard like Grindelwald who swept across Europe.
He could even accept losing to a brilliant and talented wizard like Argus.
But what was that thing in front of him?
I'm useless at everything, and I can't answer any questions!
To die at the hands of such a person would be the greatest disgrace of his life!
Argus looked at Voldemort's bewildered expression and tried to keep his head down so that Voldemort wouldn't see the smile on his face.
How much magic do you expect someone who has always lived in the Muggle world to know?
If he hadn't heard some information from Hagrid and Ron, he probably wouldn't even know who was in the wizarding world!
The main reason for Voldemort's rage was that he hadn't gathered any information about Harry.
Ever since he was struck by his own Avada Kedavra, his soul has been living in the bodies of rats, reptiles, and other creatures, barely surviving.
Even after it parasitized Quirrell, it only thought about how to be resurrected.
I have no time to care about Harry's affairs!
Moreover, in his understanding, Harry, as a pure-blood wizard, is also the savior of the wizarding world and the heir to the Potter family.
Dumbledore will definitely take good care of him.
It's not impossible that he could be taken as a personal disciple.
If they know nothing when asked, there's only one explanation!
Harry is a hopeless case! He's idle all day, just waiting to die!
Voldemort struggled to suppress his rising anger and gritted his teeth as he spoke to Harry.
"Mr. Potter, due to your ignorance, Gryffindor loses five points!"
"sit down!"
Harry looked aggrieved, not knowing what he had done wrong.
I feel like everyone has been targeting me ever since I came to Hogwarts.
Voldemort, too, harbored resentment because of Harry.
Although the class continued, the mood from before was clearly gone.
Having barely finished the lesson, he called out to Argus, who was about to leave.
"Mr. Grindelwald, please wait a moment."
Argus glanced warily at Voldemort, then waved his hand, indicating that Draco and the others didn't need to wait for him.
Voldemort's methods were far beyond what these newly enrolled young wizards could resist.
They are the core strength of my future, and I cannot allow them to be in danger.
"Professor Quirrell, is there anything I can help you with?"
Argus asked politely.
"I remember saying a couple of days ago that we would meet again."
"Will you refuse my invitation again this time?"
Seeing Argus hesitate, Voldemort turned his gaze to Draco and the others not far away.
His eyes were full of meaning.
"Or, you could invite Malfoy and Mr. Nott to come along."
"Given their level of curiosity about magic, they would probably accept it readily."
A threat, a blatant threat!
Voldemort's meaning was quite clear.
Come with me, or I'll go and trick Draco and the others!
They certainly can't have the same brain protection as you!
Argus was seething with hatred, but dared not risk Draco and the others.
He bowed with a smile.
"It is my honor to be invited by the professor."
...
Following Voldemort, they arrived at Quirrell's office.
"Mr. Grindelwald, with your intelligence, you must have already guessed what it is."
With no one else to stop him, Voldemort no longer had any concerns.
He fully embodied the style of the Dark Lord.
The way he looked at Argus was like the way one eyed prey, full of certainty.
Argus, unwilling to reveal his innate advantage of knowing the plot, played along with Voldemort.
"You're not Professor Quirrell, so who are you?"
"Let me introduce myself. My name is Tom Riddle, but you can also call me by another name."
"Voldemort!"
Argus showed no surprise at this answer, which he already knew.
Look at the other person calmly.
"I knew I wasn't wrong. You are one of the few people who don't show fear when they hear my name."
Voldemort was astonished by Argus's character.
But upon realizing the other party's identity, it became clear.
How could the son of the Dark Lord be afraid of another Dark Lord?
"So, you called me here just to tell me who you are?"
"Of course not." Voldemort sat in his chair and looked up at Argus.
"Mr. Grindelwald, with the blood of the Dark Lord, do you only want to stay at Hogwarts and play house with those Mudbloods?"
"Submit to me and offer your loyalty!"
"I will lead you to the pinnacle of the world!"
Argus remained silent, watching Voldemort in quiet contemplation.
When Voldemort revealed his identity to him, he already guessed what the other man was going to say.
Both his own talent and the acolytes were things Voldemort coveted.
It's perfectly normal for the other party to want to recruit me.
Unfortunately, he didn't like it!
The night before last, he and Voldemort were in an empty corridor. Since there were few people around and no one knew where he was going, he would have been powerless to stop Voldemort if he had made a move.
But now that at least a few dozen people knew he was in Quirrell's office, he didn't believe Voldemort would dare to make a move!
As for the Soul-Stealing Curse... he needs to have that ability first!
Occlumency is also effective against brain-invading magic such as Imperius, not to mention that the target was currently in a half-dead state.
To steal a soul with a hammer?
"Mr. Voldemort, my loyalty cannot be obtained with just a few words."
"From any perspective, my situation and the situation of the acolytes are much better than yours and your Death Eaters."
"Isn't that so?"
Voldemort was not angered by Argus's words.
Even though he became cruel and bloodthirsty because of creating Horcruxes, as the leader who could build such a large organization as the Death Eaters, his character was far beyond that of ordinary people.
Many things are not that he cannot control himself.
I just don't want to!
He stood up and looked directly into Argus's eyes.
"Mr. Grindelwald, you know very well that everything the acolytes have is built on your father's foundation."
"But how much longer can he live? Three years? Five years?"
"I always knew that my father's passing was inevitable, just like…"
A glint of blue light flashed in Argus's eyes, interrupting Voldemort's words.
The next second, a red light appeared.
"Expelliarmus!"
"It's as if I knew you were going to attack me!"