Chapter 512: There must be something wrong with Alastor Nya! (Edited)

Dumbledore's expression was very serious. For it showed that the other person knew Hogwarts, or rather Fish, well....

Just like Sirius did last year.

So is this another Animagus infiltration? Or is it Karkaroff? Or maybe... another teacher or student has been controlled by Voldemort?

As for the fact that Barty Crouch went off alone... the possibility is so low that Dumbledore didn't even think about it.

"Albus! It must be Alastor! Fish is going to beat him up!"

?(??ω??)?

Fish, who had also thought of a similar situation, shouted excitedly and, based on past experiences, quickly took aim at Moody before turning and running in the direction of the castle, intending to go fight Mad-Eye Moody.

"Wait, wait!"

Dumbledore stopped him with a jerk, shouting, "Alastor's fine!"

Even though he said it, Dumbledore actually felt a little guilty, because Voldemort's curse was no joke.

Only he dismissed the idea, as Mad-Eye Moody only intended to stay at Hogwarts for a year and, given his character, it was impossible for him to be tempted by Voldemort.

"You could try, if you can find Mr. Crouch another way," Dumbledore added, "Like one of your spells that locates me, or asking nearby small animals?"

"Oh..."

(?ω?)

Fish pouted in disgust at not being able to fight Moody again, then closed his eyes.

A few moments later, Fish covered his head and shook it, saying, "I found no trace of Crouch nya... or animals to ask about nya."

"Well... thanks for that, Fish." Dumbledore managed to sketch a smile, "You go home too and don't hang around tonight."

"Is that a serious problem nya?"

?ω?

Fish didn't jump the gun, but asked curiously.

"It's not particularly serious," Dumbledore didn't want Fish to interfere too much, so he replied with a smile, "Anyway, his place is now taken by Percy Weasley, it won't affect the Triwizard Tournament."

Fish wasn't so easily fooled, however.

"What about Voldemort? He's a bad guy, isn't he? But he's weak."

"Like you said, Voldemort is weak, so even if he's involved, it won't be a big deal." Dumbledore continued reassuringly.

"Well... that seems about right..." the cat thought about it, and nodded, "Then Fish will be back with Hermione nya. Good night, Albus."

? (?) ?

With that, Fish ran off in the direction of the castle. And as Dumbledore watched Fish leave, the smile on his face faded and became serious again.

After that, Dumbledore called the professors to search for Barty Crouch in the Forbidden Forest, and when Fish returned to the dormitory, he was quickly surrounded by Hermione, Harry, and Ron, who already knew.

"What's the situation? did you find Mr. Crouch?" asked Hermione.

"No. The man knows how to hide his scent too... Fish is angry!"

?(?`ω′?)?

Fish replied with irritation.

"He's not another Animagus, is he?" Having only met Sirius a short time ago and having guessed that Rita Skeeter was an Animagus, Harry found it easy to tie up loose ends.

"Even if Mr. Crouch's attacker was an Animagus, what about Mr. Crouch himself? He couldn't have turned into an Animagus and left too, could he? And in that sort of delirium." replied Hermione quickly.

And Fish riveted, "Fish scouted with a special tracking spell, and Crouch's scent is completely gone nya."

"The Marauder's Map must have been picked up by that person too!" Harry patted his thigh angrily.

"Yeah... it's such a good thing, and you lost it." said Ron somewhat reproachfully.

The Marauder's Map had been a gift from the twins to Harry, and Ron had always complained about it, but if Harry wasn't his best friend and would need it more than anything else, Ron would never have let it go.

"Didn't Remus and the others make that map? Why don't we have them make another one? And isn't Sirius your godfather? he can teach you how to do it too."

(??ω??)?

Fish scratched his head in confusion, wondering what the pitiful thing was.

"Yes!" Ron's eyes lit up, "And we can get them to help us make more!"

And Hermione's eyes lit up, she was even more interested in knowing how the Marauder's Map was made.

Harry froze... hadn't we just been talking about Mr. Crouch's disappearance?

He looked at Fish who was standing next to him speechless.

Fish: "Nya?"

?ω?

"By the way, Percy's letter said that Mr. Crouch seemed to be in a bad mood before school started." Harry picked up on the subject, "Does that mean...he was under the Imperius Curse at the time?"

"But why check on Mr. Crouch?" asked Hermione suspiciously.

"I'll write another letter to Percy tomorrow, see what else he has to say." said Ron seriously.

Fish wasn't interested in such things and went straight into his cat form, jumping onto Hermione's lap.

They discussed the matter late into the night before yawning and going to bed in their respective dormitories.

In the morning, when Fish got out of bed and joined Hermione in the common room for breakfast, he found Harry and Ron already seated at the long Gryffindor table.

"We just had Hedwig and Piglet send letters to Cold and Percy, hopefully they'll have some clue."

Harry whispered across the table.

"Uh-huh."

Ψ(?Φ~Φ?)

Fish replied nonchalantly and gobbled down his breakfast.

"Can you go to Dumbledore's office later and ask about the situation?" Harry continued quietly.

"Yes, yes, yes."

Ψ(?Φ~Φ?)

Fish continued gobbling.

Fish wasn't really interested in the matter, but he'd do it as a favor....

"Albus and the others haven't been able to find Crouch either."

Fish had told Harry before the first lesson.

And the next day, both Sirius' and Percy's letters had come in reply.

However, Sirius had only written to Harry to look out for his own safety, apart from some advice on how to prepare for the third test, and not a word about the Marauder's Map....

Hermione and Ron were very disappointed, but for different reasons.

Percy said in his letter that he would report the matter to the Ministry of Magic, that he would have someone search Mr. Crouch's house to see if there were any clues, and that he would write to them when he had any new information.

At this point, Harry had no choice but to wait honestly for news from Percy as he prepared for the third test.

In addition to Harry and the other two champions, this time Fish was also preparing for the third test...he began pestering Professor McGonagall for stories of wizard fights or treasure hunts.

The prize of a thousand gold galleons, that could only be Fish's!