Of course, Tver couldn't possibly finish the banquet alone. In reality, the main task fell to Marvolio. He never felt full anyway—he just needed to keep stuffing himself, then slowly dispel the food using magic.
"Here, Dawlish, eat some more," Tver said with a smile, placing a large platter of fish in front of the expressionless Marvolio.
"You know perfectly well I can't taste anything!" Marvolio muttered under his breath, gritting his teeth. Without taste, everything he ate was like chewing wax. Even though he could magically get rid of the food afterward, it still left him irritated.
Especially since everyone else was enjoying their meals so happily—it made him feel like a complete fool. And this wasn't even the first time Tver had served him food!
"What's wrong? You don't like it?" Tver asked loudly, drawing the attention of Brenda, who was chatting with Cynthia.
"Does none of this suit your taste, Dawlish?"
"No," Marvolio quickly flashed a compliant smile under Tver and Cynthia's teasing gazes. "It's just... all this food... I feel awkward eating alone."
Meeting Tver's wide-eyed stare, he casually dumped the remaining fish onto Tver's plate.
"So, you should appreciate Madam Brenda's thoughtfulness."
"Exactly, Tver should eat more too. Look at how much Dawlish has eaten," Brenda muttered before turning back to her conversation with Cynthia. This left behind a smug Marvolio and a dumbfounded Tver.
"Wait, you're the mighty Dark Lord! How could you do something so shameless?!" Tver whispered.
"Sorry, I don't understand what you're saying." Marvolio provocatively speared a piece of fish and stuffed it into his mouth under Tver's helpless gaze.
"Seems like you're really getting used to your new role," Tver retorted sarcastically, turning his attention to his own plate of fish.
"Of course I am. But not for long," Marvolio chuckled. "If you don't help me achieve true resurrection soon, this body is going to be exposed. Then, the Auror Office will be entirely up to you to manage~"
His tone was light. After all, it was Tver who was the target in the Ministry, not him. If his disguise was discovered, he could simply flee, but the Ministry would be impossible to stay in.
Tver examined his body. Apart from the internal structure, the exterior was virtually indistinguishable from the real thing.
"Looks perfectly fine to me."
Marvolio shook his head. "I'm gaining more and more influence within the Ministry. Promotion aside, when high-ranking officials need bodyguards, I'm their first choice."
"Especially at important events and meetings—Cynthia isn't even allowed to observe, but I can slip into the venue easily." He paused, then added, "If it was just Fudge, that'd be one thing. But at the last International Magical Cooperation Department meeting, I crossed paths with Barty Crouch. The moment we passed, he sensed something was off about me."
"If Cynthia hadn't helped cover for me, I might have been exposed already."
Tver wasn't surprised. Barty Crouch was the former Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, one of the most powerful divisions in the Ministry. Few who held sway there were ordinary, and their abilities were far from simple. Had his Death Eater son not been arrested and imprisoned, Barty Crouch would likely be the Minister of Magic by now.
"Then just avoid him."
"The problem is, there's also Rufus Scrimgeour in the Auror Office. He's as fierce as a lion. It won't be long before my identity is exposed anyway."
Well, here was another formidable opponent. If it came to raw power, Marvolio certainly had nothing to fear. But pretending to be a harmless lamb among so many dangerous individuals—especially maintaining that disguise long-term—would eventually start to take a toll on his health.
"Then let's talk about Barty Crouch Jr!"
Tver changed the subject so abruptly that Marvolio blinked in confusion, unable to follow the sudden shift. But Tver confidently sliced a piece of fish and popped it into his mouth.
"Do you remember young Barty Crouch Jr?"
"How could I possibly remember? I'd only been out of school a few years when the Dark Lord stuffed me into the ring."
Marvolio's bewilderment vanished instantly, replaced by contempt.
"But I did come across his name while reviewing files. Wasn't he already dead in Azkaban?"
Tver chuckled softly.
"You're cold-hearted, aren't you? Barty Jr. was your loyal servant."
"So what? He swore allegiance to Voldemort. What does that have to do with me, Marvolio?" Marvolio sneered.
"Besides, what's the point of commemorating a dead subordinate?"
"Hmm. What if I told you he's not dead?"
"Oh?" At Tver's words, Marvolio's interest finally piqued.
"Barty Crouch couldn't bear his wife's pleas. He used Polyjuice Potion to swap bodies with his wife and son, thus smuggling Young Barty out of Azkaban."
Tver said with a sigh.
"So Young Barty has been out of Azkaban for years? Where is he now?"
"Right at home. He's just been kept under his father's control, not making a sound."
"Then why bother rescuing him? Might as well have left him locked up in Azkaban." Marvolio curled his lip.
"Come on, not everyone can treat Azkaban like home the way you do!"
Tver rolled his eyes in exasperation, his hand trembling so violently he nearly flung the fish fillet off his fork.
"But what does he have to do with my resurrection?"
"The key to your resurrection lies with young Barty Jr."
Tver set down his knife and fork, surveying the surroundings before continuing.
"If you were to resurrect, what method would you choose?"
Marvolio immediately began to ponder.
Technically, it wasn't resurrection, since he hadn't died—he existed as a disembodied soul.
In other words, he only needed to reshape a physical form!
"Exactly. That ancient magic requiring a father's bone, a servant's flesh, and an enemy's blood suits you best."
Yes, Tver planned to have Marvolio sip Voldemort's potion when he resurrected next year, causing two Voldemorts to rise simultaneously!
"Great! I'll go gather those ingredients now!" Marvolio exclaimed excitedly, about to rise.
"Wait, don't rush!" Tver quickly grabbed his arm.
"Some ingredients aren't so easy to obtain."
"Easy enough," Marvolio replied blankly.
"Father's bones are right in the graveyard. Servant's flesh? Azkaban's full of it. Enemies? Plenty in the wizarding world."
"..."
Tver stared at him speechless.
...
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