CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

Voldemort, newly restored, admires his body, ignores Wormtail’s agony, and reveals the Dark Mark on Wormtail’s left arm. He ignites it, summoning Death Eaters to the graveyard, and mocks Harry over the use of Tom Riddle Sr.’s bones in his rebirth.

Hooded Death Eaters Apparate and kneel. Voldemort berates them for abandoning him and tests their fear by torturing Avery with the Cruciatus Curse. He then “rewards” Wormtail’s service by conjuring a seamless silver hand, binding Wormtail’s loyalty through fear and gratitude.

Voldemort calls out Lucius Malfoy for hypocrisy and fleeing the Mark at the World Cup, honors the imprisoned Lestranges, and addresses Macnair, Crabbe, Goyle, and Nott with expectations of renewed service. He notes six missing followers—including one faithful servant at Hogwarts who enabled Harry’s arrival via Portkey.

To the circle, Voldemort recounts his fall: Lily Potter’s sacrificial protection repelled his Killing Curse, leaving him bodiless, surviving only by possessing creatures. He describes possessing a Hogwarts teacher to seek the Sorcerer’s Stone and failing because of Harry. Weakened, he later gains Wormtail’s aid, extracts critical information from Bertha Jorkins (destroying her), and crafts a weaker body using unicorn blood and Nagini’s venom.

Voldemort explains choosing Harry’s blood to co-opt Lily’s protection, then details the plan: his agent at Hogwarts entered Harry in the Tournament, rigged his victories, and turned the Cup into a Portkey to bring Harry beyond Dumbledore’s reach. To demonstrate supremacy, Voldemort tortures Harry with the Cruciatus, announces a fair fight before his followers, and orders Wormtail to untie Harry and return his wand.