The Hogwarts Emerald

Chapter 420 Reexamination
As the weather gradually warmed up, the cold wind outside the castle no longer howled and hurt people's cheeks.

The warm spring sunshine came to Hogwarts again, and everything grew, but Ada's mood did not improve, and it was still cloudy and rainy.

But Ada hid it very well. No one knew what she was thinking about every day except the twins. Her worried look could never be hidden from this pair of mischievous people.

During this period, Ada suddenly fell in love with overlooking Hogwarts from the Astronomy Tower. She would always set aside some free time and climb to the top of the tower alone.

Ada didn't know why she was so fascinated by the scenery here. You know, she used to hate climbing towers and even disliked astronomy class because of it.

Perhaps it was because climbing high and looking far made one's mind broaden, or perhaps it was because looking down at all living beings were like ants that gave her vanity great satisfaction, it was hard to say.

One day in late March, Ada climbed to the top of the astronomy tower as usual, holding on to the parapet and looking at the clouds. Under her feet, Hogwarts was full of vitality.

The piled white snow on the field began to fade away, revealing the buried tender green, full of spring.

Ada's hands tapped the wall gently, in a rhythmic but regular way. She was thinking about two recent reports, one titled: Barty Crouch's Illness and the other: Ministry of Magic Witch Still Missing.

An adult who could take care of herself had been missing for several months. Ada felt that this was no longer a case of missing. Bertha Jorkins was likely dead long ago.

Albania, Albania again! Ada couldn't understand why British wizards had nowhere else to go on vacation? Why did they all like to go there?

This was the case with Quirrell and Bertha Jorkins. As a result, one of them became a two-faced person and was possessed by Voldemort, and the other's whereabouts were unknown (most likely dead). This place is simply poisonous.

Another report about Barty Crouch was even more shocking. The newspaper said: Barty Crouch has not appeared in public since November... No one has lived in his home for a long time... St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Injuries and Injuries has no record of him visiting...

It seemed that the man who Ada had previously identified as the mastermind had gone into hiding, or that he, like Bertha Jorkins, had deliberately "disappeared".

Someone once said: Don't hate your enemies, it will affect your judgment. Ada also said something similar to Harry, asking him not to be prejudiced against Snape and to look at him objectively.

Now, Ada made a similar mistake. Ada's assumptions, her views on Barty Crouch, were all too subjective, and everything was based on her perspective.

Putting aside her own assumptions and prejudices, Ada tried to re-examine Barty Crouch and try to be fair and just.

But Ada suddenly realized that she didn't know this Ministry of Magic official at all. She didn't know his personality, preferences, or anything about Crouch. Even all of Ada's current knowledge of Crouch might be fake.

Someone once said: The person who knows you best may be your enemy.

Ada felt that she needed help, she needed someone who knew Barty Crouch, or the Crouch family, and it just so happened that there was such a person in Hogwarts.

This person is Sirius Black, who happened to be staying at Twilight Cottage recently. Sirius said he came to visit Harry and cheer up his godson, but Ada thought he came to report to Dumbledore.

Ada always did what she thought of without delay. As soon as she thought of Sirius, she left the astronomy tower and rushed to the Twilight Cabin.

Walking out of the castle and along the gentle grass slope, we soon reached the edge of the Forbidden Forest.

The Whomping Willow stood there, and its branches had sprouted new buds again this spring, but Ada was in a hurry and had no time to appreciate its vitality.

Before the Whomping Willow could get angry and use its newly learned "Chopping Wind" move, Ada had already pressed the boil on the Whomping Willow, crouched down and slipped into the secret passage.

In the Twilight Cottage, Sirius was talking to the twins. The loyal prank lovers were discussing a new "creative idea" in a harmonious atmosphere with laughter and chat. Sirius grabbed a handful of cashews from the plate on the coffee table and stuffed them all into his mouth at once. He said vaguely, "When did Ada like to eat this? Doesn't she like chocolate?"

"We asked that question, too," Fred replied. "She said it's for brain health."

"She said she's been using up too much brain power lately and needs to replenish it," George said. "I think dragon claw powder might be more helpful. It would be best if she could play less detective games."

"No, George, you're not right," Fred retorted, "Ada doesn't need any brain supplements at all, she's just too smart. Smart people all have one problem, which is that they think too much and live too hard."

Sirius grabbed another handful of cashews. He seemed to have suddenly thought of something funny and couldn't stop laughing. He said as he laughed, "You think so much all day long. Do you think Ada will be bald in the future?"

Suddenly, a picture appeared in Fred and George's minds, and the two brothers started laughing. They even thought about where to order a wig for Ada.

There is a saying that goes "Extreme joy leads to sorrow", which is very suitable for the current situation of Sirius and the twins, extreme joy, then sorrow.

The door of the hut was pushed open from the outside. Although there was no creaking sound, the three of them were more frightened than if they had heard the sound. It was because they saw Ada behind the door. No need to ask, she must have heard everything that had just been said.

The twins' smiles immediately stopped and their expressions became a little funny; Sirius put the cashews in his hand back on the plate and wiped the residue from his beard.

"Ada, you're just in time." Fred tried to liven up the awkward atmosphere. "We were just looking for you. I think we need to hold an expanded shareholders meeting. Sirius..."

Fred couldn't continue speaking because he was afraid that he would burst into laughter if he continued.

George did not choose the method of his twin brother, but took a different approach. He asked, "What's wrong? Is there something that makes you so anxious to come here?"

George saw that Ada was in a hurry, and it was obvious that she had come here because she suddenly thought of something. George tried to get Ada back on track so that she could forget about the topic of the bald girl.

"It's nothing. I just came here to let you see me with my hair." Ada said, "After all, one less look is one less look."

Sirius and the twins lowered their heads guiltily at the same time, touching their noses awkwardly. The three people's movements, demeanor, and expressions were completely synchronized, but what they were thinking was not quite the same.

Glancing at the three guilty people, Ada didn't bother to keep nagging them. She had more important things to do. She sat on the sofa opposite Sirius and asked, "Sirius, how much do you know about Barty Crouch?"

"It seems you have thought of it too." Sirius said, "You have also cast your doubts on him."

Sirius straightened his back, put away his previous joking expression, and said seriously: "I dare not say how well I know Barty Crouch, but not showing up for such a long time and leaving all the work to others is not his style. He would not do such a thing."

"I think he might not be sick, or not that sick, but he has to make himself very sick." Sirius continued, "Do you understand what I mean?"

Ada nodded. She certainly understood what Sirius meant. Sirius was saying that Crouch might have been threatened, and Crouch's current behavior might not be intentional.

When Voldemort was at the height of his power, Barty Crouch was the most determined rebel. Aurors had the right to kill rather than just capture alive when they captured dark wizards and Death Eaters, and this tough measure came from Barty Crouch.

There was no reason for such a person to side with Voldemort at this time, unless he was forced or was simply under the Imperius Curse.

"Anything else?" Ida asked again. She wanted to know more. "Like his family, his wife, or his son, little Barty."

(End of this chapter)