Harry Potter and the Hidden Treasure (Volume 3)

Chapter 550 Karkaroff

Ron looked around to see what had become of Krum, and his question was almost instantly answered.

They were now level with the Slytherin table, and Karkaroff had just hurried over to his students.

"Back to the ship, then," he was saying. "Viktor, how are you feeling? Did you take the medicine in time? Did you eat enough? Should I send for a hot wine from the kitchens?"

Krum shook his head somberly as he put back on his fur coat.

"Professor, I would like some wine," said one of the other Durmstrang boys hopefully.

"I wasn't offering it to you, Poliakoff," snapped Karkaroff, his warm paternal air vanishing in an instant. "I see you've spilled food all down the front of your robes again. Clean it up quickly, you disgusting boy..."

Karkaroff turned around and led his students towards the doors, reaching them exactly at the same time as Evan, Harry, Ron, Hermione, Colin, Ginny, Fred, and George.

Everyone stopped to let Karkaroff pass first.

"Thank you," said Karkaroff casually, glancing at them.

And then Karkaroff froze. He turned his head towards Harry and looked at him as if he couldn't believe his eyes.

Behind their headmaster, the Durmstrang students also halted.

Karkaroff's eyes moved slowly over Harry's face and fixed on his scar.

The Durmstrang students also gazed at Harry with curiosity, and amazement could be seen on some of their faces.

The boy with food in front nodded to the girl next to him and openly pointed at Harry's forehead.

Krum also gazed at Harry with scrutinizing eyes, and then his gaze shifted to Evan and Hermione.

Evan met his gaze and felt that Krum's eyes seemed to hold some strange emotions.

Feeling Evan's gaze back at him, Krum hastily turned his head to the other side.

This was truly unusual. They had already met at the Quidditch World Cup last time. Why did Krum seem to be avoiding eye contact with him?!

"You are..." said Karkaroff slowly.

"Yes, that's Harry Potter," said a deep voice from behind them.

Karkaroff turned around. Mad-Eye Moody was standing there, leaning heavily on his staff, his magical eye staring fixedly at the Durmstrang headmaster.

The color drained from Karkaroff's face, revealing a terrible expression of mixed rage and fear.

"You!" he said, looking at Moody as if he wasn't sure he was truly seeing him.

"Me," said Moody grimly. "And unless you have something to say to Potter, Karkaroff, you might want to move. You're blocking the entrance."

It was true; half of the students in the Hall were now waiting behind them, peering over each other's shoulders to see what was causing the delay.

Without another word, Professor Karkaroff led his students away.

Moody watched him until he disappeared from sight, his magical eye fixed on his back, an expression of intense antipathy on his disfigured face.

In response to Karkaroff's reaction, though posing as Moody, Caresius' reaction was a bit too extreme.

Evan pondered for a moment, broke away from the crowd, and said he would go say goodbye to Gabrielle and then return.

But in fact, he followed Moody up the remote side stairs to the empty office on the second floor.

"Young man, I warned you it would be better to have less contact!" Caresius gritted his teeth and said.

At that moment, they were standing in the dark hallway, although they were very close, they could not see each other clearly.

"It seems you have something against Karkaroff," Evan asked directly, ignoring the warning.

"That cunning individual is causing more trouble to me and my people in the northern region. That's my business; I will handle it. All you need to know is that Karkaroff is very dangerous. Don't be fooled by his appearance." Caresius said in a low voice, "He's a Death Eater."

"Once, he betrayed Voldemort, but it can't be denied that he is truly dangerous." Evan paused and continued, "However, it shouldn't be our current focus. Have you found the man tonight? Could it possibly be Barty Crouch?!"

"Barty Crouch is clearly under control, at least he's not himself. I've seen it with my own eyes, but I'm not sure if he's the impostor. I repeat it again. He doesn't trust me. He hasn't told me his plan!" Caresius whispered, "I only came in to draw attention. This is the task Voldemort assigned me. It's also a punishment for my last failure. Well, if you don't want to be discovered immediately, get out of here and go to sleep!"

Evan turned around and left; it seemed that Caresius knew no more than him.

When he returned to the Common Room, the young wizards were all gathered to discuss the Goblet of Fire.

Fred and George were vending their Aging potion, surrounded by a crowd.

It appeared that if the Aging agent worked after tomorrow's verification, they planned to sell it massively.

Hermione ignored them, holding a thick book in her hand and constantly jotting down something.

Evan bid farewell and returned alone to his dormitory.

He retrieved the Marauder's Map, placed it on the bed, and tapped it gently with his wand.

Evan quickly searched for the name of Barty Crouch Jr. on it. In Dumbledore's office, he saw Dumbledore, Karkaroff, Madame Maxime, Barty Crouch, and Ludo Bagman there.

The five seemed to be discussing something. Due to Barty Crouch Jr. and his father sharing the same name, it was unclear if it was him or not.

Evan's finger gently descended and caressed the familiar names.

The Beauxbatons people lived in their carriage and headed towards him.

The Durmstrang students had already returned to the ship. On the map, the lake's location was covered by a dense white mist, hiding all names, making everything invisible. The powerful protective magic on the ship rendered the Marauder's Map useless.

It seemed Evan needed another opportunity to investigate Durmstrang.

He carefully reviewed it again before stowing the map away.

He looked up at the ceiling and reconsidered the matter. If he were Bartemius Crouch, Jr., how would he act!

Voldemort, Caresius, Karkaroff, Barty Crouch Jr and Senior, whose faces kept swirling in his mind, made him think that the next event was probably not unfolding as he had anticipated...