Chapter 911: Conversation
Chapter 911: Conversation
"So that's what you were up to last night?"
Snape put down the newspaper and fixed Dumbledore with a stare, as if expecting some sort of explanation from him.
"You knew about it already, didn't you?"
"Knew about it? No, we were just on our way to discuss with Bagman about strengthening security measures for the Triwizard Tournament, and also to verify a suspicion." Dumbledore appeared calm, though he regretted Barty's death. Having lived for a century, he had witnessed countless partings and had long since learned to suppress his emotions.
"You... killed the Dark Lord?" Snape couldn't help but ask the question that had been plaguing him. He pulled up his left sleeve, revealing the Dark Mark on his arm. "The Dark Mark has grown faint, and it seems to have returned to its previous state."
"Kill? No, I merely drove him away temporarily." Dumbledore shook his head. "Now, tell me about what happened at the school during my absence. I trust there were no unusual incidents?"
"Moody still looks suspicious. I suspect he knows that you asked me to keep an eye on him." Snape spoke up.
"Anything else?"
Dumbledore paid no heed to this matter. He had long been aware that someone as cautious as Alastor Moody would eventually discover this fact.
"Potter has fallen ill. According to him, it's due to pain in his forehead scar, and it's not a common scar." Snape continued, "Even Madam Pomfrey couldn't find a solution."
"The scar pains him?" Dumbledore looked thoughtful.
"You must know the reason." Snape said.
"I can't be certain." Dumbledore actually had a good idea of the cause.
"Do you think Voldemort will regain a body?" Snape was more concerned about Voldemort's situation.
"Wormtail is still alive. Although the Aurors from the Ministry of Magic are searching for him, I doubt they will be able to capture him." Dumbledore didn't believe for a second that the Ministry had the capability to do so. "Since it has happened once, it can happen again. I believe Voldemort is eager to regain a body and restore his former power. I have no doubt about that. It's only a matter of time."
Snape's face looked even paler than usual.
"Although I am loath to admit it, it would be best if you prepared yourself. You know what I mean." Dumbledore looked at Snape.
"I know what must be done." Snape's lips twitched slightly, and he turned and left.
Dumbledore watched Snape's retreating back, then picked up the Prophet and looked at the front-page news. He murmured, "So, you went through with it after all."
"That man is a disgrace to the Ministry! How that fool became the Minister of Magic is beyond me." The portraits in the office began to voice their disdain for Fudge as soon as Snape left.
"There's nothing to be done about it now."
Dumbledore raised his hand to silence the portraits. He took a handful of glittering powder from a jar on the mantelpiece and threw it into the fireplace, saying, "Alastor, could you come to the office, please?"
A few seconds later, Mad-Eye Moody climbed out of the fireplace, his magical eye spinning wildly.
"Take a seat, my friend." Dumbledore pulled a chair with arms toward Moody. "Tell me about last night."
"If I have to say something, I suppose it's that Potter fell ill." Moody recalled. "I didn't notice anything else amiss. No one left the castle, and no messages were sent out. Of course, Snape remains suspicious. I noticed him holding his left arm at one point, which should be where his Dark Mark is located. If that mark has some sort of special function, you know the Death Eaters can use it to summon Voldemort."
"I am aware." Dumbledore was quietly observing Moody.
"I read the latest issue of the Prophet, and I can't shake the feeling that Fudge is hiding something." Moody glanced at Dumbledore, who could guess what had transpired the previous night.
Barty was seething with anger, but he had to keep it under control and not let Dumbledore see any cracks in his facade, or he would truly be finished. He couldn't even take a Calming Draught to soothe his nerves, lest Dumbledore noticed something amiss.
"It was Voldemort." Dumbledore said, "He used the Imperius Curse to control Barty, and I suspect he has another helper besides Wormtail."
"Who?"
"Barty Crouch Jr." Dumbledore answered without hesitation.
"I thought Barty Crouch Jr. died in Azkaban?"
Moody's face twitched imperceptibly, and he frowned. "His body should be buried in the graveyard of Azkaban, consumed by the Dementors."
"I know, but... Wormtail's body was also buried in Azkaban, yet he didn't die. So, it's possible that Barty Crouch Jr. might still be alive." Dumbledore mused, "Otherwise, why would Voldemort control, or even kill, Barty?"
"You suspect that Barty Crouch Jr. infiltrated Hogwarts?"
"I don't know. If he really infiltrated Hogwarts and operated under my nose, I should have noticed something amiss."
In truth, Dumbledore had a strong control over Hogwarts, and it was rare for anyone to keep secrets from him.
"Are you suspecting anyone in the school, including me?" Moody suddenly asked.
"My apologies, old friend."
"It's understandable. Before we catch that bastard, anyone is a suspect." Moody didn't seem to mind. "However, we both know each other well enough, and if you had any suspicions about me, you would have taken me down at the first opportunity."
Dumbledore didn't refute this. Indeed, this was the reason he only suspected Moody at the moment. He shouldn't have revealed this, but he wanted Moody to know his stance and observe his reaction.
"Tell me about last night. Did you encounter Voldemort?" Moody changed the subject, showing sufficient curiosity and vigilance about the previous night's events.
"Yes, Voldemort had transformed into a baby."
"He's regained a body. That's not good news." Moody murmured.
"The situation is a bit dire. Where there's one, there's bound to be a second. I still don't understand Voldemort's current situation." Dumbledore sighed. "That guy seems to be plotting some grand scheme. The Aurors found a lot of potion ingredients at Barty's house."
"At least you successfully thwarted Voldemort's plot. If we can capture Wormtail, we should be able to get more useful information from him." Moody sounded a bit regretful. "Also, I'm curious about how Wormtail managed to come back to life after his supposed death."
"Mrs. Wormtail visited Azkaban a couple of days ago." Dumbledore suddenly said.
"That's despicable." Moody fell silent for a moment. "I recall the Ministry of Magic doesn't usually allow family visits to Azkaban. Fudge must have taken some Galleons from her."
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
