Things are starting to come together for Voldemort. The Malfoy boy is at Hogwarts, with a plan that sounds like it may actually work. Several key members of the ministry have been brought to his way of thinking, so to speak, and it seemed as if all were going according to plan. Particularly important -  after the debacle about losing the prophecy at the Ministry for magic earlier on in the year.

 This year, Voldemort thought,will be my year.