The fierce wind and rain raged for several days but eventually became mild. However, the misty moonlight still faintly shone through the thick cloud layers.
It could be that the Dementors guarding the entrance to Hogwarts were subdued by Amortenza, and the cold wind swirling through the school grounds carried a hint of freshness.
The night was not yet deep, and many young witches and wizards were still discussing the events of the day in the common room or dormitory, but the professors would not forget that Sirius Black, the Black Prince, was lurking in the shadows, watching a particular student with a fierce gaze.
Before entering Dumbledore's office, Amortenza had already prepared for the night. Hagrid and Professor Flitwick would both stand guard at the school gate, while Filch and Professor Snape would patrol the castle, always on the lookout for unexpected situations.
"Yes, Harry must die..."
Dumbledore's voice was calm, causing Amortenza's heart to freeze.
"So it means--"
Amortenza snorted a cold laugh.
"You're treating Harry like a pig...laughable. I thought you were hoping that Harry would one day defeat Voldemort. Do you need my help? I can rush to the infirmary right now to find out about his life."
"Please do not misunderstand..."
Amortenza's attitude did not threaten Dumbledore at all; instead, he nodded and smiled with satisfaction.
"I have some ideas...of course, they're not perfect, as there are still some key protections missing."
"What kind of protection do you mean?"
"Ensure Harry's 'safe' death," Dumbledore said. "Please forgive me for not being able to share my ingenious ideas with you yet, Amortenza, but I can assure you that the prerequisite for defeating Voldemort is not to sacrifice Harry."
"That really is a contradictory thing."
If, as Dumbledore said, Harry is indeed one of Voldemort's Horcruxes, then in order to completely kill Voldemort, Harry must be killed first. However, Dumbledore's words...
Amortenza's gaze drooped, fixated on the cups in front of him where the trembling water surface carried around bits of stale, brown tea leaves... Hmph, even the tea is old and musty. That heartless old sod...
"So it seems..."
After a moment, Amortenza said with a furrowed brow.
"In fact, there is a way to strip Voldemort's soul from Harry's, and that method is to have Harry... 'killed'?"
"Let me keep some mystique, Amortenza."
Dumbledore took a deep breath and refused to return to the subject.
Several hours had passed since the events on the Quidditch field were settled and the two had entered the Headmaster's office, and they had been discussing matters that required great effort. Therefore, both Dumbledore and Amortenza were exhausted enough.
Upon seeing Amortenza reinsert the bottle sealing the Dementors into his pocket, Dumbledore hesitated for a moment but did not stop him. Like all the faculty, he was also quite reluctant to have these unwelcome creatures placed around the school by the Ministry of Magic.
"By the way, Amortenza..."
Amortenza took his leave, but Dumbledore, who was about to bow back, suddenly stopped him.
"While I'm away from Hogwarts, if Black--"
"You can rest assured, Headmaster Dumbledore, I will not let him harm any life within this school, not even a mouse."
"Of course, I trust your ability, Amortenza, but..."
"Just..."
"That's right, Amortenza, before we took Harry to the true Chamber of Secrets that was set by Slitherin, your words gave me some inspiration, so--"
Dumbledore hesitated and said.
"So... I hope, if you uncover any trace of Black, in the matter of capturing him, I would like you to involve Harry and his friends to some extent... Of course, on the condition that it is safe."
Amortasta raised his eyebrows, suggesting that the three young witches and wizards should be involved in capturing Black?
After a moment of consideration, Amortenza agreed, as long as it did not affect his commission. Taking these little ones along for some fun wouldn't be a problem.
"I'll look after it, Headmaster Dumbledore."
Amortasta pushed open the gleaming oak door of Dumbledore's office and gave two stone statues standing outside a few sneaky glances, as they were quietly snoring. It wasn't until he left the office that they opened their eyes wide pretending to be surprised. The fresh breeze cleared up some of his somewhat hazy thoughts.
Amortanza suddenly remembered that he had forgotten to ask Dumbledore about the knowledge of 'soul perspective' and the clues related to the Horcruxes.
"Zeep, Voldemort's Horcruxes, each is worth eight thousand."
Amortenza turned to walk down the tower, making discontented noises and thinking about how he would sell Voldemort's Horcruxes to Dumbledore at this price if he comes across any more in the future... if he can find a hundred and eighty or so...
Zeep, retirement on the spot, ascending to the peak of life... Just thinking about it gives me a bit of a thrill!
Dumbledore's office was in a separate tower, which could be accessed by descending down one floor through the rotating staircase. Amortaza walked into the foyer and prepared to return to his post.
Oh, no, my office was all night long with the surveillance cameras. Because if Sirius Black has been spying on the castle from a distance, he should already have noticed that the Dementors guarding the gate are gone. Normal people wouldn't think that Hogwarts had lost its defense. But for a madman who has been tortured by Dementors for twelve years in Azkaban, he might see tonight as a good opportunity to make a move.
"Lie!"
Amortaza was mulling over his thoughts. From a distance, he could hear an angry growl coming from the foyer. He recognized the sound as that of his only loyal subordinate, Argus Filch... who is Dumbledore's "watchdog."
"What's going on, Argus?" Amortaza quickly walked into the light and asked.
To his surprise, besides Filch, Professor Snape was also standing there with a sardonic expression. When he saw Amortasta suddenly appear, the gloom that had clung to him visibly lifted.
"We are questioning this Lembaton gentleman, who is blank and empty-minded,"
Snape made a superior and mocking gesture with his chin.
"He violated the school rules by wandering around the castle and tried to enter through the front gate, and we caught him red-handed, Amortaza. Do you want to come listen to his absurd and hilarious defense?"
"Professor Breedle!"
"Filch said happily. "
"I think the reason this little wizard wants to leave the castle may be because he wants to give Black a secret message... you know, the Dementors have been locked up by you completely, and tonight that criminal might try to sneak into the castle to kill people."
You're pure mischief?
Amortaza gave Filch a disdainful glance and said to Breedle, who was trembling all over.
"Then, what explanation do you have, Mr. Breedle?"
"He claimed to have lost his wand."
Snape examined Amortaza from head to toe, and then carefully stared into his eyes for a moment before subtly releasing his breath with a sigh, speaking lazily.
"I didn't... Professor--"
Breedle, trembling in color and despair, looked like he was being surrounded by two ravenous wolves.
"That, that was my father's wand. If... if it's lost, my grandmother will kill me..."
"No wizard would be so foolish as to lose their wand everywhere, Professor Breedle. Just look at this little liar. He's still trying to argue!"
Filch's shout echoed loudly in the empty castle, and he looked excitedly at his leader, eagerly saying.
"My office has some instruments of torture, Professor Breedle. If you need, I can go fetch them now... of course, you can also question him in my office!"
"Lost his wand?"
Amortaza sighed, pressing his forehead. The little brat is usually quite absent-minded.
"So, do you think you lost your wand on the Quidditch pitch?"
Neville nodded pitifully.
"All right--"
Looking at the deep night and Neville's arm scratched by his Hippogriff, Amortaza thought for a moment before saying,
"When the morning comes, you can go to the pitch with Argus to search for your wand. But for now, I think it's best for you, Mr. Breedle, to rest properly on your four-poster bed."
Hearing what he said, Filch looked as shocked as a witch hearing that her Halloween feast was canceled, with a stunned and laughable expression. Before he could express his true feelings, he heard his boss command in an unrefusible tone.
"Argus, would you please accompany Mr. Breedle back to where he belongs safely?"
