Struggling to survive at Hogwarts

Chapter 151 "The Shelf Life of Trust"

"Guardian Angel Spell!"

Voldemort's admiration froze on his face.

"...Say that again?"

"...Guardian Angel Spell".

Thea realized something was wrong, but still insisted, though she spoke softly.

Voldemort, recovering from his initial astonishment, frowned and asked, "You're trying to deal with the Dementors?"

"Yes, I've read through almost all the records about Dementors at Hogwarts, but I only found the Patronus Charm as a way to deal with Dementors."

"How long have you been learning the Guardian Charm?"

"...It will be a year in just a few days..."

Thea rarely blushed; the Guardian Angel spell was truly her Waterloo.

"A year?" Voldemort's brows, which had just relaxed, furrowed again.

"Your aptitude shouldn't be this bad. Have you been learning dark magic?"

Voldemort's guess was quickly refuted by Thea.

"I've only learned some evil spells; I'm not yet at the point of being corrupted by dark magic."

"Corrosion?" Voldemort picked out the word with some interest.

“Dumbledore taught me for a time, and I benefited greatly from it,” Thea said honestly.

"He has no idea what real black magic is!"

Voldemort immediately retorted.

"Dark magic tends to be offensive and damaging, while white magic tends to be defensive and protective; they are simply different in direction!"

"What is corruption? That word was coined by mediocre people who can't master dark magic!"

"Magic is magic. Whether it's white magic or black magic, it's just a tool!"

"A tool used to achieve people's goals!"

Voldemort tore off his noble mask and unleashed his arrogant and merciless tone upon Thea.

Amidst the raging wind and rain, Thea huddled pitifully in her chair, looking weak, pathetic, and helpless.

When Voldemort became aware of Thea's presence, a clean cup of honey tea was pushed in front of him.

"Have some tea, have some tea, take a break before continuing."

Seeing the particularly fawning smile on Thea's face, Voldemort's anger, which had just risen, was extinguished by the cup of tea in front of him.

"...Aren't you afraid of me?"

"Don't be afraid, because what you just showed is your most authentic self."

"…oh."

Voldemort didn't ask any further questions, and Thea didn't continue to mention the Patronus Charm.

Just when Thea thought she had gotten through this ordeal, Voldemort's voice rang out again, "But I'm still a little worried, Thea, what do you think I should do?"

Thea replied firmly without hesitation, "Perhaps an unbreakable vow can solve your troubles."

"Are you willing to swear to be loyal to me forever?"

"willing."

Can you promise never to lie to me?

"can."

After Voldemort finished reciting the first two oaths, watching the flames slowly coil around their arms, he unusually showed mercy and gestured to Thea with his eyes that she could make one condition.

Thea thought for a moment, and finally uttered only one sentence: "Are you willing to entrust your trust to me? Forever."

Since I'm not sure how long your trust in me will last, let's use magic to extend that period a bit.

Upon hearing Thea's oath, Voldemort frowned, but remembering the two oaths he had just sworn, he ultimately said:

"willing."

After Voldemort and Thea finished reciting their three oaths, Peter said tremblingly, "I have witnessed your oaths. Those who make promises must keep them, or they will be severely punished. Now, are you still willing to sign an unbreakable oath?"

"willing."

Voldemort and Thea spoke in unison.

When the three tongues of fire intertwined and wrapped around Thea and Voldemort's arms, the three people present all seemed to breathe a sigh of relief.

------

From that day on, Thea settled smoothly into Riddle House.

Luckily, I'm smart enough to have prepared toiletries, study materials, and alchemy tools.

The little devil in Thea's mind proudly put his hands on his hips.

Later that evening, Thea saw a large snake on the dining table—Nagini.

【Laud?】

A mature female voice rang out, and Thea turned her head to look. The giant snake was rubbing its head against Voldemort.

In a blurry moment, Thea thought she saw Voldemort's figure become illusory for a second.

Seeing the doubt in Thea's eyes, Voldemort no longer hid anything and said casually, "I used some methods to maintain this appearance for the time being."

Voldemort did not bring up the topic again, and Thea wisely refrained from asking further questions.

Judging from Voldemort's current attitude towards Thea, she has temporarily gained his trust, but no one can be sure how long this trust will last.

Time passed slowly, but by the end of July, Thea had been there for almost a week.

To be honest, life at the Riddle House was pretty good.

After gaining Voldemort's initial trust, Thea began to slowly establish herself as Voldemort's successor.

Judging from that day's conversation, Voldemort was not afraid of Thea's ambition for power.

Thea later realized that Voldemort's pursuit was immortality, and power was not his greatest desire.

After realizing what was happening, Thea began to use the pretext of seeking guidance from Voldemort to embark on her annual study journey during every holiday. Unlike before, this teacher's identity was far more unusual.

Thea did not deliberately learn the three Unforgivable Curses, and Voldemort, for some unknown reason, did not bring it up either.

In Voldemort's class, Thea mostly sought his guidance on alchemy, transfiguration, potions, and other related subjects.

Old Voldemort is, after all, an all-O talent, and someone who once worked at Borgin Burke's store based on his own abilities. So, Thea's problem is naturally a piece of cake.

As Thea gradually got used to Voldemort's classes, she became bolder and began to take out her badges to ask for help.

Voldemort understood Thea's little scheme and didn't mind. He casually pointed Thea in a research direction, and Thea naturally began to work hard in that direction.

Honestly, teaching a genius and teaching a fool are completely different experiences.

In Voldemort's eyes, everyone except geniuses was a fool, and he looked down on all non-geniuses equally.

A genius can apply what they've learned to other situations. As long as she understands a certain principle, even if she writes the formula incorrectly, she can deduce the formula through reverse engineering during the verification process.

That's what makes genius terrifying.

Thea didn't notice Voldemort's subtle admiration; she was just a little bored.

Although she has no problems with food, clothing, shelter and transportation, what Thea lacks most right now is connection with the outside world.

If I had known, she had just finished writing the plan against Barty Crouch a few days before she arrived, and the indictment had just been filed.

I wonder how Uncle Lucius and his team are doing, and what Barty Crouch's strategy is.