Thirty seconds ago, Tom, who was using magic to control Ginny Weasley's body, had been silently watching the dot representing Albert on the Diary, waiting like a venomous snake for his target to step into striking range.
Tom approached the Basilisk, intending to let the Muggle-born wizard witness the truth with his own eyes before being killed by the serpent's gaze—this was the ultimate mercy granted by Voldemort.
However, Tom's sadistic pleasure was not to be fulfilled.
Chapter 574