"Michelle, please inform Dumbledore and Professor Snape."

Staring into Karkaroff's somewhat distracted eyes, John said solemnly.

Michelle also understood the seriousness of the matter, nodded and ran quickly towards the castle.

"I'll go with you. You can't let the lady travel alone at night."

Bagman was ready to follow as he spoke.

However, under John's gaze, he could only stop in his tracks.

Bagman explained with some embarrassment:

"I mean it entirely out of good intentions..."

"I know," John interrupted directly, "but in this situation, it's better for you to stay with me."

John stood a little further away as he spoke.

This is a position that can alert both Karkaroff and Bagman at the same time.

What happened tonight was too suspicious.

As soon as Bagman came to pay back the money, they discovered Karkaroff.

He would not completely believe Bagman.

After a while, Dumbledore arrived at the scene under Michelle's guidance.

Behind him were Snape and Madam Pomfrey.

John moved out of the way.

Madam Pomfrey bore the brunt and rushed directly to Karkaroff to start checking.

Dumbledore and Snape were obviously focused on Karkaroff at the moment, and they just nodded to John.

For a moment, no one spoke at the scene. There was only the sound of the night wind blowing through the hedges and the rustle of Madam Pomfrey conducting inspections.

After a long time, Madam Pomfrey raised her head under the concern of everyone.

Her expression was extremely solemn and she said:

"Dumbledore, it's the Cruciatus Curse."

"What!?"

Bagman was so frightened that he almost jumped up, "Are you mistaken?"

Madam Pomfrey frowned and retorted:

"I don't want to believe this result. But I did five tests, and the results were the same every time!"

Bagman's body softened when he heard this, and he said with a confused expression:

"It's normal for Karkaroff to be attacked. I had already guessed that he would not die well. But why now... why must it be during the Triwizard Tournament? This is a project I am responsible for..."

"Bagman!"

Snape's sharp shout woke Bagman up.

He waved his hands in panic and said:

"I said the wrong thing!"

John glanced at him meaningfully, strolled over to Snape and said:

"Karkaroff said before that 'they' are back."

Hearing this, Snape's eyes narrowed suddenly, and he clenched his left hand tightly, subconsciously looking at Dumbledore.

Dumbledore's expression wasn't very good either.

His eyes passed over the faces of everyone present, and finally fell on Karkaroff.

Compared to when John first discovered it, Karkaroff's situation has become worse now.

He seemed to have lost his self-awareness and could only murmur meaninglessly, and from time to time he would roar like a madman.

Dumbledore took out his wand.

With a gentle wave, large swaths of silver-white positive energy fell from the tip of the staff like silk, covering Karkaroff.

[Patronus Charm] very well relieved Karkaroff's crazy mood and gradually calmed him down.

Seeing this, Dumbledore softened his tone and asked:

"Karkaroff, what happened?"

"It must be them... they are back." Karkaroff said tremblingly, "I wanted to come to the venue this morning to peek at some of the construction progress and internal structure of the venue, and to find out some information to help...

Help Viktor gain some advantages in the third project..."

"Aha! I knew it would be like this!"

Bagman shouted excitedly.

But everyone present ignored him at all.

Karkaroff continued:

"... something went wrong. Someone was waiting for me in the maze... They were waiting for me... Too bad! He cast a spell on me! It hurts! It hurts—"

Karkaroff screamed and started twitching again.

"Stop asking, Dumbledore." Madam Pomfrey stopped her, "The person who used the Cruciatus Curse on Karkaroff was very strong, although the other party stopped at the last moment and did not let Karkaroff completely

He became a fool. But it also caused him a lot of harm! What Karkaroff needs now is to rest!"

Dumbledore nodded.

Madam Pomfrey immediately wanted to carry Karkaroff away.

However, at this moment Karkaroff struggled hard.

"Michel, come and help me." Madam Pomfrey shouted, "The patient is in such a condition that no more magic can be used on him!"

After hearing this, Michelle glanced in the direction of John. Seeing John nod, she quickly stepped forward and cooperated with Madam Pomfrey to walk towards Hogwarts Castle.

Bagman also went up to lend a hand and walked away together.

Now only John, Dumbledore and Snape are left in the huge maze.

Without outsiders, Snape finally broke out.

"Dumbledore! People from the Ministry of Magic are derelict in their duties!" he yelled, "They... how could they sneak into Hogwarts and attack Karkaroff!?"

John also said:

"This is normal. Didn't Black sneak in last year? It's unrealistic to expect the Ministry of Magic. I think the question we should pay more attention to is, who is the 'they' that Karkaroff talks about? And he has just been there.

When he saw me, he asked me to find Professor Snape... Yes, he specifically mentioned Professor Snape."

"It should be a Death Eater. As for Severus..."

Dumbledore suddenly stopped mid-sentence.

Because Snape was staring at him with a nervous and slightly pleading look.

"Of course, it could also be the 'Townley' Moody mentioned. There are many cases of Aurors degenerating into Death Eaters. Although there is no way to explain why his primary targets of attack are not you and Michelle, but

Karkaroff, and they spared Karkaroff’s life..."

Dumbledore changed the subject and said, "The target of the Death Eaters is probably Harry. They want to kill Harry and avenge Voldemort. So, John, maybe this request is a bit excessive... but can you please share some of it?"

Are the security forces around you going to protect Harry?"

John said without hesitation:

"Of course, Harry is my friend."

Dumbledore smiled happily and said:

"Thank you, John. I will talk to Mr. Minister about the deployment of Aurors. Please rest assured that the number of Aurors deployed will not be too many."

After saying this, Dumbledore waved his hand and motioned for John to follow him back to the castle.

Snape also came over and patted John on the shoulder and said through gritted teeth:

"No matter what, I will protect you!"

John nodded and followed the two of them silently.

His expression was a little complicated.

Naturally, the previous interaction between Snape and Dumbledore's expressions could not escape his eyes.

Based on his knowledge of Snape and Dumbledore, he could roughly guess something.

Snape probably didn't want to reveal his dark history as a Death Eater in front of him.

Although John already knew about it, Snape most likely knew that John already knew about it.

But Snape was still unwilling to discuss this topic with John openly.
To be continued...