After Sirius returned this time, it looked as though he would not be leaving anytime soon.
Harry disappeared every day as soon as classes ended. There was no need to guess-he was undoubtedly sneaking off to see Sirius.
Ron's stories gradually lost their appeal, and Harry was always nowhere to be found, so Ron had no choice but to spend every day glued to his girlfriend.
One evening, just as Su Er was preparing to go to the Library with Hermione to catch up on homework, Harry made a rare appearance and sought him out, looking conflicted.
"The Marauder's Map..." Harry glanced around and lowered his voice. "You'll never guess who I saw on the Marauder's Map."
Su Er raised an eyebrow. Sure enough, Harry had noticed something wrong after all.
But he put on a puzzled expression. "Who?"
Hermione, who was also carrying books, looked at Harry curiously.
"B-Barty Crouch..." Harry swallowed, a trace of fear appearing on his face. "Remember what Sirius said? Barty Crouch died in Azkaban."
Before Su Er could respond, Hermione spoke.
"Are you sure you didn't misread it?"
"No, absolutely not." Harry shook his head. "I checked several times. The name was definitely Barty Crouch. He appeared briefly outside Snape's office."
"How interesting. A dead man suddenly appearing in Hogwarts Castle." Su Er raised a hand to rub his chin. "Have you told Sirius what you found?"
"Not yet." Harry hesitated. "I'm still wondering whether I should tell him."
Su Er thought it over. Telling Sirius about this might cause unpredictable changes to the original course of events. Sirius was a born Gryffindor, impulsive and reckless. Even so, after ten years in prison, he might have changed considerably and become steadier.
But Su Er did not dare gamble on whether Sirius could remain sufficiently