Building Momentum

From Fake Moody's identity being exposed to Little Barty Crouch being taken away, after all that, Eli was not quite sure what the point of his trip had been. He had merely played a supporting role.

Harry had already been taken by Professor McGonagall to the Hospital Wing to treat his hand injury, while Snape was responsible for taking away the real Moody. Eli remained where he was, looking at the way Dumbledore was watching him. "You don't need to say it. I understand."

Then Eli made his way to the Headmaster's Office with practiced ease.

He had been at Hogwarts for nearly four years now. Almost every time something major happened, Dumbledore would summon him to his office. Eli had already learned to answer before being asked, which Dumbledore found quite gratifying.

The two arrived at the revolving staircase leading to the Headmaster's Office. Dumbledore stood in front of Eli, and neither of them said much.

Dumbledore suddenly glanced at the Hippogriff beside them, then said in an apparently casual tone without shifting his gaze, "When you have time, clean that statue."

A chill ran down Eli's back. Does old Dumbledore know I smeared boogers on his statue?

Fortunately, Dumbledore did not dwell on such matters. The two of them entered the Headmaster's Office directly.

"Tell me what happened," Dumbledore said as soon as he closed the door. Neither of them had even had the chance to sit down.

Eli recalled what had happened at Riddle's Graveyard. "Voldemort was indeed resurrected according to the method you described. For some reason, Krum was taken there as well. Fortunately, with him there, we rescued Harry before the Death Eaters could make a move."

"You fought him?" Dumbledore took a step and sat in the Headmaster's tall chair, a cold gleam flashing