Chapter 659 The Next Barty Crouch Jr
There was no doubt that this was a dilemma... to hesitate or face the challenges.
Evan pondered it carefully and decided to proceed with the original plan.
The plan to prevent Voldemort from returning this time would not address any fundamental issues. The challenges to be faced would become even more daunting. Evan disliked the unease he felt, and Caresius's words were evident. If he chose to stop it, they would no longer be allies.
Collaborating with the vampire was greatly beneficial to Evan. At the moment, he did not wish to have disagreements with him.
Furthermore, with the possibility of the vampire and Bartemius Crouch, Jr. joining forces, he was uncertain about preventing them from removing Harry from the school.
Even if Evan and Dumbledore ultimately stopped them, the future would be harder to control.
In this case, sticking to the original plan was preferable. After all, the current progress was still under Evan's control.
Regarding the future, Voldemort would ally with the wicked god and even become a wicked god acquiring great power...
It was just a possibility, not a certainty.
Evan still had enough time to find the secret treasure left by the Four Founders and become stronger.
Since he had chosen to follow the original plan, what Evan needed to do now, with Voldemort's imminent return, was to weaken his strength as much as possible.
For instance, he needed to get rid of Barty Crouch Jr., the dangerous Death Eater.
"Caresius, I choose to stick with the original plan and let Voldemort regain strength with Harry's blood," said Evan.
He saw Caresius nod approvingly before the impulse in his body faded once more.
"I did not misjudge you. You made a wise choice!" Caresius nodded. "Running away will solve nothing. Evan... you are good... you are the best young wizard I have ever seen. Can I ask you again, will you become a vampire? Just agree, and I can provide you with many things... power you will never attain as a human."
"I am not interested... I will never be a vampire!" Evan rejected outright.
It was not the first time Caresius had extended the invitation. In this matter, this individual had never given up.
"What a pity!" Caresius ran his tongue over his lips. "Indeed, I did not come to Hogwarts for nothing this time. I have many fine seedlings that I could cultivate into the kindred."
"I can remind you..."
"Calm down, I know what you desire. I will not force anyone to become a vampire," Caresius smiled again. "But if they consent, you have no right to prevent their choice, do you?"
"Hmm," Evan ignored him.
"This is a Time-Turner that is not registered at the Ministry of Magic. I made it myself. Take it just in case!" Caresius handed him a pendant shaped like a black bat. "I have prepared it. It will bring you back to this room."
Evan took the pendant and placed it on his arm. Since he opted to stick to the original plan, he was prepared to face Voldemort alongside Harry. That object could save his life upon Voldemort's return to power.
"If there is nothing else, I will take my leave."
"Wait, I have something to tell you about my own arrangements. If you had chosen to stop him, I would not have shared these words with you!" Caresius continued.
"What are you going to do?"
"Do I have any other choice?" Caresius said. "At this moment, I can only leave Hogwarts."
"Oh!" Evan turned and looked at him, reminding him, "Do not forget who you are."
He understood why Caresius wanted to depart. If he stayed, the vampire race would soon be divided by Voldemort.
Perhaps, Caresius, who had been at Hogwarts, would eventually be completely isolated.
Regardless of his ultimate purpose, that was a good thing.
Evan speculated that he would probably reach some compromise with Voldemort and stabilize his peers.
As for the outcome, it was unknown!
"My current situation was the focus of my discussions with Bartemius Crouch, Jr. last night," Caresius looked at Evan. "After I leave, he will replace me at Hogwarts as Moody..."
"What, Barty Crouch Jr. is coming?!" exclaimed Evan surprised. Things had returned to their former course.
"Yes, after all, the plan has changed, and extracting Harry from the school is becoming more challenging," said Caresius with a smile. "The identity of Mad-Eye Moody is very useful. It can make his task of entering without raising suspicions easier."
In the face of this assertion, Evan expressed doubts.
As it should have been, the experience of Mad-Eye Moody and his role as the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor were a natural shield.
But since Caresius went to Snape's office last night and caused such a commotion, the situation was completely altered.
Now, it would be truly peculiar if Dumbledore and Snape did not suspect Moody.
Thus, it seemed that Caresius was not well-intentioned either, and it was no wonder he had been in such a rush to go to Snape's office the previous night.
Even if Barty Crouch Jr. succeeded in ultimately delivering Harry to Voldemort with the Golden Snitch, it would not end well for him.
Initially, Evan found it rather peculiar. He believed that even if the plan had changed, there was no need for Caresius to expose himself in that manner.
Now it appeared that he was doing this solely to set a trap for Barty Crouch Jr., ensuring that he never returned.
It was truly insidious. He must exercise great caution when dealing with this vampire!
"Do you know what to do, don't you?" asked Caresius gently.
"I do!" said Evan, waving his hand and leaving the office under Caresius's smiling gaze.
It was time to speak with Dumbledore, inform him about the matter, and listen to his opinion.
Evan headed to the headmaster's office and began practicing Occlumency as he walked, attempting to clear his mind.
Meanwhile, Harry, Ron, and Hermione also rose early and gathered in a corner of the Common Room.
The only topic they discussed was how to help Ron survive underwater for an hour on the twenty-fourth of February.
"You can use the Summoning Charm again," said Harry. "You know about the Aqua-Lungs, the diving equipment for Muggles. They will help you breathe underwater. You can get a set in the nearest Muggle village."
"This idea sounds brilliant!" said Ron delighted.