Chapter 665 A Conversation With Sirius

The four gathered around the fireplace and crouched down.

"Good evening, Evan, Harry, Ron, Hermione," Sirius said with a smile. "You look well."

"We are well!" Harry asked eagerly, "Sirius, where are you?"

"At 12 Grimmauld Place, in the ancient house of the Black family," Sirius replied. "We are safe here. We don't have to worry about being discovered or overheard. Well, forget about me... tell me everything you have."

Harry and Ron discussed Karkaroff's abnormal behavior that morning. Hermione hesitated and spoke about what happened at the castle last week at night, while Evan added a few words about Moody, who had broken into Snape's office.

"Oh, Moody secretly went to Snape's office at night?" Sirius was interested.

That was true, but it was purely because Caresius wanted to get Dementor fangs and set a trap for Barty Crouch Jr. Now that Sirius was here, Evan intended to seize this opportunity to provide him with some information. Then, inquire about the Ministry of Magic's tracking of Death Eaters, vampires' exploration of ancient wizards' remnants, and Barty Crouch's situation to see if there were any new developments with the Aurors.

Because Barty Crouch Jr. was very dangerous, Evan did not tell Harry, Ron, and Hermione about his false identity and the truth about Moody.

They were unaware of Occlumency and had never experienced anything like it.

He discussed with Dumbledore and agreed that for the time being, it should be kept a secret from the others. Harry and Ron, in particular, would not be able to handle themselves if they knew the truth.

Once discovered by Barty Crouch Jr., the consequences would be unimaginable.

It was alright to share appropriate information with Sirius, which would help him understand the current situation and make better use of his Auror identity to carry out his work, and eventually, he would need his help to face Voldemort, as long as he did not rush to Hogwarts out of excessive concern.

"You don't know Moody," Sirius said, "I have no doubt that Mad-Eye searched all the professors' offices when he arrived at Hogwarts. I'm not sure he trusts anyone, and after what he's seen, it's not surprising. I will say this for Moody, he never killed if he could help it. He always brought people in alive when possible. He was tough, but he never stooped to the level of the Death Eaters."

"So, Snape might have done something wrong," Harry continued. "That's why Moody..."

"It's hard to say," Sirius said slowly. "I haven't finished, because what happened to them is truly abnormal. From what I know of Mad-Eye Moody, if he were to recheck Snape's office, he certainly wouldn't be as stealthy."

"Yes, he publicly searched Snape's office the day before yesterday... right in front of everyone... we were all watching. Snape's face was terrible," said Harry. "But I think Moody must be looking for something. He probably knew Snape was up to something shady."

"Harry, we should trust Snape. Dumbledore believes in him!" Hermione couldn't help but say.

"Oh, be quiet, Hermione," Ron said impatiently. "I know Dumbledore is brilliant and all, but that doesn't mean a really smart Dark wizard couldn't fool him."

"Why did Snape save Harry's life in the first year? Why didn't he let him die?" Hermione asked.

"I don't know, maybe he thought Dumbledore would dismiss him."

"I think you both have a point," Sirius said, looking thoughtfully at Ron and Hermione. "To be honest, since I found out Snape was teaching here, I've wondered why Dumbledore hired him. Snape has always been fascinated by the Dark Arts, he was famous for it in school. A slimy, oily snot-nosed kid with greasy hair, he was. He knew more curses when he came to school than half the seventh-year boys, and he was part of a group of Slytherins that turned out to be mostly Death Eaters."

In the flickering flames, Sirius began to mention their names one by one.

"Rosier and Wilkes... both were killed by Aurors the year before Voldemort's downfall. The Lestranges... they're a married couple... in Azkaban. Avery... as far as I know, he got off by claiming he was under the Imperius Curse... he's still at large, and…" He mentioned many Death Eaters incarcerated in Azkaban, and finally concluded, "But as far as I know, Snape was never accused of being a Death Eater... not that it means much. Many of them were never caught. And Snape is certainly cunning and skilled enough to stay out of trouble."

"And Karkarov too!" Harry remembered Sirius mentioning. "You said he was also a Death Eater."

"Yes, he is also a Death Eater," nodded Sirius, a bit perplexed. "But I have no idea what he showed Snape on his forearm. It's really strange, but if Karkarov is genuinely concerned, and he is turning to Snape for answers..."

He looked at the four of them with a serious expression, then grimaced in frustration.

"Hermione is right, Dumbledore trusts Snape, and I know Dumbledore trusts where many others wouldn't, but I simply can't see him allowing Snape to teach at Hogwarts if he ever worked for Voldemort."

There was a silence. Sirius watched them for a while, and finally, his eyes settled on Evan.

"Evan, have you found anything?" he asked softly, noting that Evan hadn't spoken.

"Karkarov and Snape used to be Death Eaters after all. They have had common experiences in the past. It's not strange that they have some communication, especially in the current circumstances," Evan paused and looked at Sirius. "What's the situation at the Ministry of Magic? I heard Mr. Barty Crouch is unwell!"

"Yes, Fudge has been alerted about this, and the Ministry of Magic is aware," Sirius nodded knowingly. "Suddenly, Crouch fell ill and couldn't work. It's very strange... very abnormal, indeed. There have been no signs of his illness. Also, he didn't go to the hospital but stayed at home. At least that's what we've seen from the outside. Only Percy would receive his instructions..."