"Oh, I know," Voldemort chuckled, then he became serious again. "Harry, those we care about can hurt us with callousness and thoughtless words. But those we love have infinitely more power. I know that you're scared. I also know that you're playing for time under the pretence of respecting Severus" boundaries. That's fair, honourable even, but what will you do when you are still unsure the day you graduate?"