Harry Potter and the Hidden Treasure (Volume 3)

Chapter 579 Nocturnal Action

Sirius didn't let them return until it started to darken.

Before leaving, Evan sought the opportunity to speak alone with Sirius.

He also inquired about the recent frequent activities of the vampires, but Sirius didn't know much about it.

"Obviously, according to the information we have, they must be searching for something in those ruins. But I believe they haven't found anything. The ruins of ancient sorcerers are so old, and have been explored countless times by wizards for thousands of years. There shouldn't be anything valuable left. As for the reliquaries where magic still functions, anyone who ventures into them recklessly is seeking death."

"Well, besides that, any progress with Barty Crouch?" Evan asked.

He suspected that Barty Crouch Jr. was impersonating his father, Mr. Crouch, a highly advantageous identity for Voldemort.

Mr. Crouch held a high position in the Ministry of Magic and could access many resources.

More importantly, he was responsible for planning all the tasks in the Triwizard Tournament, making it much easier for him to set up any traps.

"There's been no progress on that front, but it is truly unusual. He hasn't been at the Ministry of Magic for a while. You better be careful. I understand what you mean, but again, considering Crouch's identity, we can't verify it at the moment, and if that man impersonates Barty Crouch and is not at Hogwarts, how can he ensure that things on this side of the school are as expected, once some accident happens...?"

That was precisely Caresius' role. He received a note from Barty Crouch Jr. asking him to do everything possible to help Ron.

Obviously, Barty Crouch Jr. had no intention of going any further from the start. Naturally, he didn't want things to spiral out of control.

"I will go see the tournament when it starts. Once something happens, don't rush to act on your own," Sirius warned anxiously. "I know you are very strong, but against Voldemort, you alone will certainly not be enough."

"I know, and this also applies to you. Don't always think of rushing in alone," Evan sighed. How concerned both he and Sirius were. "By the way, do you have any acquaintance in the Department of Magical Transportation?"

"For what?"

"Help me register for the Apparition License exam and to cancel the Ministry's supervision over me," Evan said, "It's too cumbersome not being able to use Apparition!"

"But you are not of age yet..."

"I know, that's why I'm asking for your help." Evan quickly added, "I have mastered this magic completely, but due to the Ministry's control, I can't use it at all."

This magic and related abilities were not allowed without passing the Apparition License exam in the Department of Magical Transportation.

If someone Apparated without the license, they would face heavy fines, or could even be imprisoned in Azkaban.

After several centuries of exploration, the Ministry of Magic had established a refined and comprehensive Apparition monitoring system to ensure that wizards who had not passed the exam could not use this magic, or they would immediately show up at the scene in case of any accident after using it.

The principle of this monitoring system was more or less the same as that of wand monitoring for young wizards, but it was more effective.

Evan didn't want a bunch of Ministry officials around him as soon as he Apparated; only adult wizards could take the corresponding exams, and he couldn't wait that long.

If he wanted to take the exam, he could only ask Sirius to think of a solution.

"I will try. I will just erase your name. It shouldn't be too difficult!" Sirius smiled bitterly. "But I suggest you be careful. For your first Apparition, it's better that either Remus or I look after you."

"Understood!" Evan nodded.

At dusk, when the figures of Evan, Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Gabrielle had completely disappeared, Sirius Disapparated from the Shrieking Shack, leaving only the eerie old house there, in silence.

At midnight that night, Evan, Harry, Ron, and Hermione slipped out of the common room.

They had to wait a long time. The Creevey brothers had managed to get a bunch of badges that said Support Cedric Diggory! and were trying to charm them to say Support Ron Weasley! instead. They worked hard but failed.

When they both went to bed, everyone quietly left the Common Room.

Both Evan and Harry had considerable experience wandering the castle at night. They knew how to avoid Filch and his cat. Although Harry had an invisibility cloak, with the help of the Marauder's Map, they simply left the castle without using it.

Evan had planned not to participate in spying on the dragon, but Harry and Hermione insisted that everyone should go.

Now that it had been confirmed that the first task would be against a dragon, it might be useful to take a look at the appearance and types of this creature.

Meanwhile, Ron was already in a panic, and all he could think about was the Conjunctivitis Curse.

He spent the whole night rehearsing, fearful of forgetting the spell.

He was too nervous. He couldn't go alone to see Hagrid. He wished everyone would go with him.

The grounds were very dark. They walked across the lawn towards the lights shining in Hagrid's cabin.

The inside of the huge Beauxbatons carriage was also lit up, and it seemed like they hadn't slept yet.

As Harry knocked on Hagrid's front door, they could hear Madame Maxime speaking inside the carriage.

"Ron, is that you?!" Hagrid whispered, opening the door and looking around, furrowing his brow. "Why are all of you here? There are too many people!"

"Everyone knows, Hagrid, just show us!" said Harry directly.

"Alright, alright, remember to put on the invisibility cloak, you shouldn't be seen!" said Hagrid, visibly excited.

He didn't dwell on this for long and agreed that the four of them would follow him to see the dragon.

Evan paused for a moment and touched Harry, Ron, and Hermione on the head with his wand.

"What have you done?" said Harry, surprised.

"I feel like a cold liquid running down my entire body from where your wand struck me," Hermione said suspiciously, watching as her body took on the exact color and texture of the surroundings, then exclaimed, "My goodness, this is a Disillusionment Charm!"

"Yes, this may be a bit safer," Evan nodded.

It might be a bit challenging to hide everyone under Harry's invisibility cloak.

But with the use of the Disillusionment Charm, there would be no issue. This charm could render them completely hidden.

"What is the Disillusionment Charm?" Harry kept asking, and Hermione whispered to him and Ron to explain.