Disclaimer: I own nothing of Harry Potter.

Courage.

Courage? How foolish humans can be. There is no such thing as courage only blind stupidity. I suppose if one follows the text book term then they would find courage in nearly every human being. Including me, well, at least those who still would consider me human.

I don't. I am much more than some mortal man who can easily fall by some terrible or fortunate chance of fate. That will not happen to me and those who thought it could are even more idiotic than I originally perceived.

Dumbledore, though, he knew. I knew, even when I was but mere shadow, forced like a parasite to feed off of the essence of other lesser beings, I knew that Dumbledore did not believe that I was truly gone. The beacon of light to the world dared not to voice his beliefs, though, not wanting to mar what would otherwise have been a thoroughly wondrous victory. Therein lies the fool's weakness. He could not; and still cannot bear to cause any sort of pain.

Now, his stupidity has caused what could possibly be the greatest downfall for the light. He has estranged himself from Harry Potter, and in doing so, has left the boy open to my forces of darkness. Oh, how glorious that would be. I am not blind enough to not see that the child could pose a threat to me at one point, but there is the snag. The catch that is not seen as yet by others. Only in the future could he be a real threat.

Yes, he has thwarted me more than once, displaying his cleverness and adept survival skills, but he has never come close to defeating me by his own merits. All the Patronus' in the world will not be enough to defeat me. But I must not grow content in my position. I know that was my foolish mistake before, no matter what sentimental excuse the muggle-lover may have dreamed up.

From what the spy says, Dumbledore places my first fall purely on the mudblood's love for her son. I will let him think what he chooses to, it is only one more card in my deck.

Just like Snape is a card in my deck. If Dumbledore thinks that I do not know of the underhanded ways of the last of the Snape line, then he is even more idiotic than I previously knew. I use the man to my advantage, punishing when I see fit, but keeping him close. One day, he will die. It is no great loss. His presence on this earth is merely a passing shadow. From what I can tell no one will grieve his death.

But he is just an instrument to me, one to be used until it has lost it's purpose, then I will dispose of him. Just like Snape, I will use these fools and their so called courage. I shall be able to bend and shape them. Force them into situations of my choosing. Their weakness is my strength, and before long, all will bow down before Lord Voldemort!

Oh, I can feel the glory now. The current Death Eaters are but a glimpse of the adoration that is to come. All will bow down before Lord Voldemort or they shall forfeit their lives. Then where will their pitiful courage be? Gone, thrown to the winds and forgotten for the more foolish reminders and grief. How easy those who call themselves 'good' are to decipher.

The fools with their friendships and love. What has love ever gotten anyone? What good does friendship do while you are tortured under my cructiatus? None! And it is all too satisfying hearing those so stalwart in their beliefs realize that their so-called friendships mean nothing in reality. To hear them break and betray those that they 'loved' it is euphoric; almost like a muggle drug. I am addicted. It brings me pleasure knowing that they have realized the truth, but it is too late. They all die, all too easily. A flash of green light is all it requires, but most of them beg for death anyways, not able to live without their disgusting love and happiness.

They can keep their courage and I will continue to destroy them all until they all are mine. Mine to control and kill or torture at my own pleasure. One day nobody would dare even think that they had courage.

A/N: Alright, it took me a really long time to do this one, I kept coming back to it and rewriting it. I think Voldemort aka Tom Riddle is one of the more fascinating characters in the Harry Potter books. What makes him the way he is? In this I tried to portray his bitterness, a small bit of insanity, and a sense of longing for love even if he doesn't know it, more of a him trying to convince himself that it is useless and will only drag you down in the end. I hope this is up to your standards and thanks to all reviewers who have been so kind!