The smile on Sirius's face froze for a moment.
Of course he knew what Moody meant.
But he could not take out that map.
"There are still technical difficulties, Alastor."
Sirius answered cautiously, "Besides, Headmaster Dumbledore believes protecting the students' privacy is important too."
"Privacy?"
Moody gave a short, cold laugh, as though a stone had lodged in his throat.
"Death Eaters won't care about your privacy! They'll just hit you with a Killing Curse when you're most relaxed!"
He struck the floor hard with his walking stick, producing a dull thud.
"Rules and privacy are worthless in the face of Dark Magic! Only constant vigilance will keep you alive!"
He growled.
Sirius did not argue.
There was no point arguing the importance of privacy with a paranoid man.
"All right, Alastor."
Sirius checked the time and changed the subject.
"The patrols are all arranged. Let's go see Douglas. His office is right next door."
Moody took another swig from the flask he carried, nodded, and turned toward the door.
The corridor was silent.
The students' clamor was shut out by the thick stone walls.
Only Moody's wooden leg struck the flagstones with heavy, rhythmic clicks.
The sound was like some ancient clock, counting out the seconds in the silent night.
His Magical Eye, meanwhile, swept wildly over everything around him like a stray dog off its leash.
The tapestries on the walls, the vaulted ceiling, even the shadows showing through gaps in the suits of armor.
It pierced the wall, looked into the classroom next door, then turned back to look at the back of Sirius's head.
"His office is just ahead."
Sirius's voice broke the silence.
He glanced sideways at Moody and found the man's normal, beetle-black eye fixed on him.
"I know."
Moody's voice was as hoarse