It had to be said that being able to remain calm in front of Voldemort was a rare thing indeed.
After all, most wizards were unwilling even to mention Voldemort's name, let alone face the Dark Lord himself.
Even Death Eaters felt more fear than reverence when they stood before Voldemort.
So, when Voldemort saw Draco behaving like this in front of him, he honestly felt a sense of novelty he had not experienced in a long time. That was why he did not attack Draco at the first opportunity.
Perhaps, toward certain geniuses, the Dark Lord still had that exceedingly rare thing called mercy.
Although he found it hard to believe that Barty Crouch Jr. had been defeated by a wizard before him who had not even come of age, and although he could not quite believe Draco possessed the strength to defeat Barty Crouch Jr., the result was undeniable. It was the truth that had happened before everyone's eyes.
...
Hiss, hiss, hiss.
After letting out several strange laughs like a venomous snake, Voldemort's lower body turned into black mist, and he rose to a height where he could look Draco directly in the eye.
It seemed like respect, but in truth, judging from the fact that Voldemort did not even glance at Norberta, he was still the same arrogant Dark Lord.
If Draco had not defeated Barty Crouch Jr., and if there had not been something special about Draco himself, perhaps Voldemort would never have given him a chance to speak at all. He would have killed Draco on the spot.
"Interesting. You are far more outstanding than your father."
"....."
"It has been a long time since I have done this. So offer your loyalty, and the Great Dark Lord will tolerate your offense."
Voldemort hovered in midair.
His two pale hands held the Elder Wand together, as if in prayer, or perhaps silently counting down.
Faced with this sudden invitation, or threat, Draco narrowed his eyes slightly and did not answer at once.
It was not because he was considering it, but because his attention had been drawn to something else.
"Is that... a snake?"
Only now did Draco notice that beneath Voldemort's robes, a massive serpent was coiled upward around his body.
The serpent's head rested just behind Voldemort's, its large, almost human eyes staring at Draco as if, in the very next second, he would become its companion.
Just then, from below, Harry Potter, feeling as though he had been ignored, shouted before Snape and Lucius could act.
"Your opponent is me, Tom!"
With a cold expression, Voldemort lowered his scarlet eyes.
It was Harry Potter, whom the two of them had just forgotten.
Even though Draco had already drawn Voldemort's attention away, Harry Potter still managed to enrage Voldemort with a single sentence.
"Horcrux!"
"....."
"Tom, your greatest secret is no longer a secret. In fact, your biggest trump card is already gone!"
"....."
Horcrux.
This was the trump card that had allowed Voldemort to return to the world, and it was also the secret he had hidden all this time.
And now, under these circumstances, Harry Potter had spoken it aloud.