bioinnovel Chapter 332 Hidden Dangers
Chapter 332 Hidden Dangers
Chapter 332 Hidden Dangers
With the Hogsmeade weekend over, everything at Hogwarts returned to normal, and the Christmas Ball seemed like something from the last century.
Although there was still a draft in the castle, everyone did not feel as cold as before, and the snow on the ground was not as thick or plentiful as before.
As the weather gradually warms up, Hagrid, heartbroken from his breakup, gradually emerges from the shadow of his unrequited love, and the familiar hunting grounds keeper returns.
Hagrid's hair was no longer shiny and smooth, but had returned to its messy state. His ugly brown suit was also put away, and his rat-skin coat was put back on display.
Everything seemed to be moving in a positive direction, if Dumbledore hadn't issued the midnight summons.
On Friday night, just as Belvina was getting ready for bed, Dumbledore's note appeared with a flash of fire.
Belvina reluctantly put on the clothes she had already taken off halfway, lamenting her miserable life as she walked out of the bedroom.
The moonlight outside the window was bright and clear, and the corridor, illuminated by the bright moonlight, was empty and very quiet.
Along the way, Belvina didn't encounter any unlucky night owls, and she quickly arrived at the eighth floor where the principal's office entrance was located.
The ugly, drooping stone beast seemed to have known someone was coming, and jumped aside early, revealing the spiral staircase leading to the office. Belvina stepped over the crack in the stone wall, ascended the spiral staircase, and arrived at the principal's office.
The wooden door to the office was wide open, and you could see Dumbledore resting with his eyes closed in the room at a glance.
Belvina knocked on the door, making a little noise to alert the headmaster who was resting, before slowly walking into the round office.
Before Belvina could even find a place to sit down, Snape, who seemed to be the reincarnation of a ground bat, arrived.
Without Dumbledore's prompting, Belvina and Snape each found their seats and sat down, then stared at each other as if they were competing to see whose eyes were bigger.
A moment later, a distinctive sound of footsteps rang out, and Professor Moody appeared at the office door with a limp and a limp.
Only then did Dumbledore, who had been resting with his eyes closed, open them, a hint of weariness flashing in his blue eyes hidden behind his half-moon spectacles.
"Severus," Dumbledore said, looking at Snape, "what has Karkaroff been up to lately?"
Snape blinked his dry eyes and said dismissively, "Professor Karkaroff has been very busy lately, busy helping Krum through the Triwizard Tournament and busy worrying about his own safety."
"Security?" Professor Moody said dismissively. "The one who should be worried about security is not Igor Karkarov."
Belvina touched her nose; she knew perfectly well why Karkaroff was worried about security.
"The Dark Mark on Karkaroff's arm is clearer," Snape said slowly. "This means the Dark Lord's power is slowly returning."
When Karkaroff was imprisoned by the Ministry of Magic, he made all the choices and extracted information about a group of Death Eater core members.
Now that Voldemort's power is gradually returning, how could the traitor Karkaroff not be worried? He probably can't even sleep well.
Upon hearing Snape's explanation, Professor Moody let out a laugh.
Moody has always believed that Karkaroff was an absolute scoundrel, and that Azkaban should be his final resting place.
"And the others?" Dumbledore pressed. "Did they conspire together in private, or say anything to you?"
Snape shook his head and said, "There's probably no secret collusion, but there's some panic. Some people—"
As he spoke, Snape glanced at Belvina.
The Potions professor continued, "Some people, like Karkaroff, are worried about the Dark Mark on their arms."
Some things, some people, don't need to be named. Just from that one glance Snape gave her, Belvina knew he was talking about that cowardly Malfoy.
Although Lucius Malfoy did not betray any Death Eaters, he initially lied, claiming he was under the influence of the Imperius Curse, in order to escape responsibility.
While this behavior wasn't as serious as Karkaroff betraying the Death Eaters, it still couldn't stop Malfoy from worrying.
Judging from that night at the World Cup campsite, Lucius Malfoy and the others were clearly more afraid of Voldemort's return.
Dumbledore closed his eyes and thought for a moment, then asked Belvina, "What about Barty Crouch? Has he been in contact with anyone?"
"No. Crouch's contacts are all at the Ministry of Magic, and they're all normal working contacts," Belvina said. "He works very late at the Ministry every day; he's almost as hardworking as me."
Snape gave a disdainful snort.
"After returning home from the Ministry of Magic, he basically doesn't go out, much less receive guests," Belvina said, ignoring Snape's criticism. "The only suspicious thing is that his family consumes a lot of food."
"I don't think Crouch, at his age, would suddenly have such a large appetite," Professor Moody said gruffly. "There might be something wrong here."
When suspicion falls on Barty Crouch, all his actions are magnified.
Even if it's just that you cook a little more food each day, it will arouse suspicion from others.
“That’s what I think too, Alastor. I suspect he’s hiding someone in his house,” Belvina said. “My informant is investigating this, and I trust her expertise.”
"As long as Rita Skeeter doesn't get slapped to death by the house-elf Sparkle." Belvina silently added to herself.
After hearing about Barty Crouch's recent situation, the circular principal's office suddenly fell silent, with only the faint voices of the old principals echoing on the walls.
Belvina and the other two looked at Dumbledore. They knew the headmaster must have something to say, otherwise he wouldn't have called them over in the middle of the night.
"I have the results of my investigation into Azkaban," Dumbledore said in a deep voice. "The situation is not quite what we expected."
Everyone.
Belvina frowned. What did she mean by "the situation is not quite the same"?
In her view, Voldemort had already secretly sneaked back to England, and the situation could only be "bad" or "worse," and what the hell was this "different" thing!
"None of the Death Eaters imprisoned in Azkaban have escaped, and there have been no deaths recently," Dumbledore continued. "My friends at the Ministry of Magic have also confirmed the reliability of this information to me."
No one escaped, and no one died. Did Barty Crouch Jr. not have any help?
Or perhaps Barty Crouch Jr.'s accomplice isn't in Azkaban, but rather someone who previously escaped punishment, or a Death Eater who is deeply hidden?
Belvina's heart sank. If Barty's accomplice was some unknown Death Eater, things would get complicated.
"Also, I have a friend who was just released from Azkaban," Dumbledore continued. "I checked with him, and recently, none of the Death Eaters we know have died in prison."
Upon hearing this, Belvina's thoughts suddenly wandered. She remembered what Hagrid had said to the Three Broomsticks that day—Dumbledore knew that even a person born into poverty could achieve great things.
Belvina, who was with the Three Brooms that day, could never have imagined that Dumbledore had a friend who had just been released from prison, a friend who could help Dumbledore verify crucial intelligence.
Instantly, a sense of curiosity arose in Belvina's heart; she was eager to know just who this friend, who had just been released from prison, was.
Belvina glanced at Snape sitting opposite her. The Potions Professor had a blank expression and seemed to have no interest in this special friend.
Then, Belvina looked at Professor Moody, who was fiercely opposed to evil. The retired Auror had a solemn expression, and it seemed that he had focused all his attention on Barty Crouch Jr.
"It seems that the Azkaban route is not viable," Snape said slowly. "If Barty Jr. is still alive, he would likely be wary of us starting our investigation from the prison."
Belvina glanced at Snape warily, thinking to herself: "Hindsight is 20/20, why didn't you think of this sooner!"
"The trail has gone cold," Professor Moody said gruffly. "All we can do is keep a close eye on Crouch."
"If Crouch's goal is to take Harry away and hand him over to Voldemort, then the second project is a good opportunity to strike," Belvina said. "Maybe—"
Snape, sitting opposite him, suddenly let out a cold laugh.
He interrupted Belvina, saying, "This is the result of all those meetings you've had? Warriors dive into the Black Lake, and the spectators just stand on the shore and watch?"
The second task requires the warriors to dive to the bottom of Black Lake, where Harry will disappear from everyone's sight, making it Crouch's best opportunity to take action so far.
Realizing the danger of losing sight, Belvina was also at a loss. When they were discussing the Triwizard Tournament, she never imagined that someone was plotting against Harry!
However, while Belvina could admit her mistakes, she absolutely could not indulge Snape.
Before Belvina could even stand up and retort, Dumbledore interrupted her about to begin chanting.
"That's enough. Now is not the time for you two to bicker pointlessly."
A single sentence from the Hogwarts headmaster effectively prevented a pointless argument between the two professors.
Belvina pouted, then politely sat back down in her seat, not bothering to argue with those petty people.
"I'll figure this out," Dumbledore continued. "Harry can't be harmed in any way, and he certainly can't fall into Voldemort's hands."
"No, Professor Dumbledore," Belvina refused Dumbledore's help. "I can clean up this mess myself."
No one can use the second project to take Harry away.
Belvina spoke with great certainty, as if she had everything under control.
However, the sensitive and suspicious Alastor Moody was not quite convinced, and his darting magical eyes fell on Belvina.
Snape, his nemesis, didn't utter a sarcastic remark, but merely let out a faint snort.
"You're in charge of the Triwizard Tournament, Belvina, you handle it." Dumbledore thought for a moment and decided to trust Belvina.
However, since Dumbledore already knew that the second project was risky, he naturally wouldn't stand idly by. He would secretly support Belvina and become her backer.