Tracking

If Ivan was telling the truth, then his move was a joke!

However, what infuriated him even more was the possibility that Moody was being manipulated…

Fortunately, his anger did not interfere with Dumbledore's thinking, and he was able to quickly identify the discrepancy.

"Hales, I remember you and Alastor exposing Barty's misdeeds over two months ago. That's how we found out about Barty Junior's escape…

If Barty Junior was controlling Alastor through the Imperius Curse, as you suspected, why would he want to expose it?" Dumbledore asked.

"I haven't figured that out yet, Professor," Ivan said with a resigned shrug. He had been unable to confirm the other's suspicions because of Moody's actions.

"Could Professor Moody be trying to gain your trust?" Hermione asked, trying to analyze the situation.

Ivan rolled his eyes. Nobody but he knew that Barty Junior was behind this until Crouch was caught.

The man was not insane. He could have used a different approach to gain her trust. There was no point in exposing Crouch's identity.

However, to Ivan's surprise, Dumbledore nodded, confirming Hermione's suspicions. "It is possible…"

Ivan looked at the professor in surprise, and then he added,

"Last summer, I received news of a break-in in Alastor's yard. According to the testimony of the residents, there had been a small explosion…"

As he spoke, Dumbledore took a letter from his drawer and handed it to them.

Yvonne took a look at the envelope and saw that it was signed Arthur Weasley.

On the eve of Moody's departure for Hogwarts, a loud explosion was heard coming from his room, and soon wizards from the Improper Use of Magic Office arrived to deal with it, led by Arthur Weasley.

At the end of the envelope was written the results of the investigation, and the wizards who went to investigate agreed that the explosion occurred because Moody mistook a rubbish bin for a Dark Wizard intent on attacking him.

Ivan was speechless when he read the article. He was highly suspicious of Arthur Weasley's professional skills. He had brought a bunch of people with him to investigate the incident, and they had come to the conclusion that it was nonsense. Who would want to duel with a Dumpster?

"It's not the first time something like this has happened…" Dumbledore said helplessly.

Every so often since Moody's retirement, there have been minor mishaps, so he was not overly concerned when he received the news, not to mention the fact that for the better part of a year he behaved exactly as he usually did.

"So, Professor, what do we do now? Do we confront Professor Moody?" Hermione asked.

Dumbledore shook his head, his voice low. "No, to avoid mistakes, I think it would be wise to test the waters first… such as tonight being a good opportunity!"

… .

After discussing the details of the meeting, Ivan and Hermione left the Headmaster's office, thinking about what they had to do tonight.

On the way, Hermione looked worried and hesitant.

They returned to the Gryffindor common room in silence, and when they opened the door, the lively atmosphere there almost made Ivan wonder if he had entered another world.

It was not until Ivan saw the victory flag hanging on the wall that he remembered he had just won his second match that morning.

However, Ivan was obviously not in the mood to celebrate, so he made a few perfunctory excuses before returning to his room, exhausted. He set an alarm for himself and fell asleep.

In the middle of the night, Ivan woke up to the sound of his alarm, and it was nearly one o'clock.

It was quiet in the dark dormitory, and he had placed a noise-insulating spell on the mosquito net so that no amount of noise would alert Harry and the others.

Ivan carefully removed the Marauder's Map and placed his wand against it.

"I solemnly swear I did no good!"

As Ivan whispered the command, delicate lines of ink gradually emerged from the blank parchment, linking together into a plan.

Using the moonlight from the window, Ivan scouted for Moody and found him in the staffroom.

Had the operation not begun? Or was it over?

Yvonne was a little uncertain. According to the house-elves, Moody went to the kitchen every two or three days in the middle of the night and asked the elves to prepare supper for him.

As Ivan was wondering if Moody wasn't planning on going out tonight, the names on the Marauder's Map began to move.

Ivan stiffened, his eyes fixed on Moody's name as he walked down the stairs past the entrance hall and into the kitchen.

Ivan didn't waste any more time. He got out of bed, cast a Disillusionment Charm on himself, and ran out of the room in pursuit.

Moody was just coming out of the kitchen when he went downstairs and down a corridor.

Too afraid of Moody's magical eye, Ivan stayed at a distance, keeping at least two corridors away from it.

Moody did not seem to notice that he was being followed, as the names on the Marauder's Map moved slowly and regularly. After leaving the kitchen, Moody headed straight for the Defence Against the Dark Arts office and stayed there for a while.

About ten seconds later, Alastor Moody disappeared from the Marauder's Map…

"I knew it!" Ivan muttered to himself as he watched in amazement, confirming his suspicions.

Moody's office must have contained a secret space, like the suitcase in which Barty Crouch Jr. was imprisoned.

It was possible to insulate the suitcase from the detection of the Marauder's Map by drawing insulating runes on it.

Yvonne had not forgotten that she had consulted Tom Riddle about her Isolation Charms, which suggested that there was no technical problem.