About half an hour passed.

Little Crouch cautiously peeked half of his face out of the frame, and only after being sure that there was nothing unsuitable in the room for onlookers did he return to his usual position. "He's gone?"

Andrew nodded slightly. He was still recalling Hermione's flushed cheeks when she left, a little nonchalant. I didn't think about it at all, and I didn't know until I was ashamed, but it was also very much in line with Gryffindor's impulsive and reckless character.

Little Crouch stared at him and didn't say anything.

The silence continued for a while, until Andrew could no longer ignore the anomaly. "Do you have something to say?"

"Obviously. Crouch Jr. was still staring at Andrew tightly, "I was just guessing, but you really ......" He seemed to choke.

"Really?" Andrew answered, not particularly responsive.

Little Crouch took a deep breath imperceptibly. He'd thought about it in the time he'd been away, and now he just had to say the organized language: "I think you've changed." ”

The tone and content of his speech made the atmosphere serious, but Andrew still didn't react in particular. "I want to hear about it. ”

"I don't know exactly how you've been together," Crouch Jr. said, frowning, "but tonight, you've reacted at least three times that I didn't expect. ”

"Don't talk about these things, it's my personal matter, let's talk about the plan. Andrew bowed his head, as if he wasn't one of the people who had been in a state of confusion earlier, "Any news?"

This calmness made Crouch Jr. more cautious in his words. "Well, what kind of agreement does it seem like you have made with him about Blake. If I'm not mistaken, you didn't want to see him in the first place. You can't fail to anticipate his purpose. And if you decide not to waste time on him, or don't give him a real chance, you have at least a hundred ways to keep him from you. ”

Andrew did not refute. He was still looking somewhere on the table, the candlelight casting a dim shadow in his eye sockets. "Any other news?"

Little Crouch's brow tightened, but he continued. "Later you try to convince him. Given his particular circumstances, there was nothing wrong with that approach. I note, however, that your statement is in essence based solely on his position. When will you think from someone else's point of view, let alone on what you despise the most, or will you pretend to be like this so that he can ......?"

"So that he can live up to what he just declared?" Andrew replied with a blank face.

Crouch Jr.'s eyes widened slightly. "So you did do it on purpose. He suddenly said, "You've pinched him!"

"In fact, only half. Andrew leaned forward slightly, not entirely sure. "I never had unrealistic hopes, and he did. Then I'd have to force him to come to terms with the reality — either get out of the way, which is his last chance, or ......," his voice suddenly muffled, "and he can't quit no matter what." ”

Little Crouch didn't show any more surprise, but his brow didn't let go. "You do want him to help us, and let's be honest, Sirius has Black's last name, but his abilities ....."

"What's the problem?" Andrew smirked, "everyone has their place, and we don't need Blake's fighting power. Some victories require a magic wand, while others require fame. ”

"I couldn't agree with you. It doesn't matter what you do to him as long as you want: kill him or control him with the Imperius Curse. Little Crouch bowed slightly, and shook his head again, "But listen to what you just said—what is the last chance to get out?"

"Because Halle Black --- that girl, it's more important. Andrew replied not too seriously, propping his chin on his slender index finger.

Little Crouch stared at him for a moment, then shook his head slowly. "Let's be honest, if I hadn't seen the past, it's hard to imagine that you would have subdued Blake like this, and even now I'm still surprised. ”

Andrew's eyes, hidden in the shadows, finally lifted, and it was pitch black. "Let's get straight to your conclusions. ”

Little Crouch met that gaze, and somehow he had a bad premonition. "As I said, it doesn't matter what you want to do to him—whether it's because of Harley Black or Bella, the Death Eater, tempting him out of fear of the unknown, or because you can't get more power to control him. He paused slightly, "It doesn't matter. But it doesn't matter if you think of him as a potentially threatening enemy, or something that might be useful, but after all, he's Albus Dumbledore's man, and you have to be careful of Dumbledore. ”

"What?" Andrew asked calmly, "Do you think Dumbledore still doubts me?"

For the first time since the conversation began, Crouch Jr. hesitated. After a long hesitation, he replied, "I don't think so." But Albus Dumbledore is indeed powerful, and even if he trusts you temporarily, it doesn't mean that he will always trust you. ”

"So you mean, we're going to have to watch out for Dumbledore now?" Andrew asked softly, still calm.

Crouch Jr. hesitated again. "Perhaps, you know, my experience over the years has been extremely painful a lot of the time. His tone was full of bitterness and unwillingness, "The more I reminisce about all this, the more uncomfortable I become." I really want to go back to the past and persuade that invincible young man so that he can go on a normal path. ”

Andrew didn't get angry and didn't answer directly. "I know, you don't want me to be like you. ”

It sounded like a no-brainer, but little Crouch quickly understood, and a genuine surprise appeared on his face. "Definitely. No matter what the standard, you are different. "So, I want you to be the person I never was." ”

There was a long silence in the room.

"Maybe we all want to be the person we want to be. It was barely enough time to fall asleep before Andrew replied with an exclamation, his voice lower than ever before, and less certain.

He didn't say any more, but the meaning behind it was self-explanatory. None of them expected things to come to this, in other words, if it weren't for Crouch Jr., things wouldn't have turned out this way.

Crouch Jr. was shocked to silence, and was replaced by doubt. "Do you know that the method of retrieving the Horcrux has a problem? After all, the condition of the human soul has a non-negligible impact on the mind and even emotions, and it is a very important matter for Voldemort to find such a way. He tried to suggest a possibility that he could better understand.

Andrew shook his head. "Not sure. His chin-propped fingers curled up until they were pressed against the raised joints, his gaze unfocused, "No one has ever tried what he did, and any possible after-effects are unknown." ”

This is the truth through and through. The Dark Lord's value for Horcruxes was clearly higher than his usual contempt for affection, and he became more cautious when he learned the dangers of splitting souls.

"Well, we can deal with this later. Crouch Jr. had to make a compromise - because if it really involved the soul, it would not be possible to solve it immediately, "just talk about anti-Blake...... Although the Black family is there, I don't see that he has the trait of being the first to strike. This may be a common problem among their people, but Dumbledore doesn't either. In that regard, Blake might be a safe bet;" he said, "but where do you think our Halle Black will be today?"

This is a question that is so obvious that it does not need to be answered at all. "Dumbledore told him about the crown," Andrew pouted almost at the same time as he looked at the portrait, "and it was strange that he could hold it." ”

Crouch Jr. nodded. "Blake's motives are easy to understand, as are Dumbledore's. But who can guarantee that next time, next time, there will be no threat?"

Andrew pursed his lips and did not answer. Instead, he got up, raised his two hands, and parted in a void, and the ancient lead-limestone seemed to be invisibly pulled, slowly moving to both sides, revealing a new hidden space—

Inside, a faint green candle was lit, the flame floating three inches above the body of the candle out of thin air, and the modest light reflected the tall glass jars filled with dark liquid that lined up around them. Some of the jars appeared to be empty, while most of them had pale human limbs floating around. In the innermost jar, a pair of scab-covered hands with sharp nails scratched at the walls of the jar, both looking and sounding creepy.

But none of the people present had such a reaction. "Perfect creation. Little Crouch looked in and sighed sincerely.

"Dumbledore didn't expect that. Andrew put his hands behind his back, a sneer on his lips.

"Oh, I'm sure they're racking their brains to know, but they never know what we can do. Crouch Jr. withdrew his gaze and stared intently at Andrew. "But a few more, maybe Dumbledore could guess something to do with the Regenomic Stone?"

"He couldn't verify it. Andrew grimly emphasized, "He's not going to get what he wants most." ”

"Are you talking about the Soul Stone or the truth?" asked Crouch Jr. with certainty, "I don't know if I should mention Blake again...... Dumbledore may have used him to get the information he wanted. ”

Andrew groaned for a moment. "To keep an eye on me, I'm sure there's a chance Dumbledore can do something to keep Blake by my side. But so far, there is no reason for him to do so......"

"Because he still believes in you for the time being, or because we haven't made him find a reason yet?"

"You're on the point. Andrew shrugged slightly. "If you want me to say, whatever the reason, it's the result that matters. What you said could happen, but on the other hand, why would Dumbledore feel comfortable letting Blake test me alone?"

Crouch Jr. looked at the assessment of the gains and losses. "Are you saying that's all Dumbledore can do......" he pondered, "if he had to make a final decision, if Sirius failed, would he really try to get Harley Black to approach you?"

"That phrase is still engraved above the entrance to Newmondgard," Andrew said, no lack of mockery, "for the greater good, isn't it?"

Crouch Jr. was finally convinced. "It's not entirely bad. After all, with Blake's Occlumency, you'd have gotten the news of the Order of the Phoenix before our news leaked to Dumbledore. He was quite confident, "Let's see who is better." ”

Andrew didn't answer.

It was late at night when Harry returned to the Gryffindor Tower. But he didn't use the cloak when he entered the door, because he didn't need it - the masquerade was a great time for couples to strengthen their relationship, and he was far more than the only one who returned late. In fact, the fat lady was interested to know which cute girl he was playing with so late.

Harry slurred, easily getting rid of the portrait of the fat lady. After seeing the sparse crowds in the common room, he was glad that Ron and Longbottom hadn't returned.

Thanks to Merlin, it was exactly the same as it was before Harry left. He was able to safely change out of his makeup, take a shower, and keep himself behind the crimson velvet curtain. By this time, his feverish brain had finally calmed down a little, and he could seriously rethink what had just happened.

With good expectations, Harry fell asleep. He had expected him to have some spring dreams about Ginny, but the sleep was so sweet that he didn't dream of anything. There was a team training session on Saturday morning and he was refreshed, his reflexes and command were perfect. Everyone was surprised by his performance after a week, but no one did not welcome it.

"If you recover sooner, we'll be able to win against Slytherin. While manipulating the broom to descend, Demirza said not without regret.

Ron and Ginny were also missing, and they looked at Harry. Harry coughed awkwardly, "I'm sorry...... I swear I'm going to do well for the rest of the races. ”

Their feet touched the ground. "We believe in you. Angelina patted Harry on the shoulder, and Dean winked at Harry before leaving, and Harry's guilt finally healed.

Hermione, who was originally in the stands, also came down. Unlike the others, she looked at Harry with thoughtful eyes.

Harry knew he couldn't hide it from her. Back in the Gryffindor common room, he took advantage of Ron and the rest of the discussion to talk about the previous night, as quickly and quietly as he could.

Just as Harry had been taken aback when she first found out, Hermione had been taken aback. "You're like that with Ginny? God, you won't ....."

"What, Hermione, what do you think, we're just ..... each other Forget it, don't talk about it, you're not the same as Andrew. ”

"Andrew and I are not like you, Ginny is a year younger than you..."

Seeing that Hermione was about to make a tirade, Harry hurriedly said, "Okay, okay, let's get down to business." How's that going about the ghosts and the crown?"

"You say the ghost of Ravenclaw is Ravenclaw's daughter??The mysterious man knows the whereabouts of the crown from her mouth?"

Dumbledore said he had verified. Harry whispered, carefully keeping an eye on the crowd not far away, "I don't think he could be mistaken." ”

Hermione stared at Harry with wide eyes. "Do you know what that means?" she said, her voice shrivelled, barely able to hide her excitement, "it's not the same as our previous speculation that his cancellation of Occlumency might have something to do with a Quidditch match!