Morris did not answer immediately.
The most sensible thing to do now is to inform Dumbledore.
Ultimately, it would be better to leave this matter to the headmaster or Snape.
He was just a student who helped the professor guard the warehouse. Now that the murderer has been found, it's time for him to go back and hand in his assignment.
However, Morris noticed that Moody's hand remained discreetly placed at his waist, just in time to draw his wand at top speed.
He had a feeling that as soon as he turned around, Moody would most likely make a move immediately.
No, I will definitely take action.
What should he do?
It seems there's no other choice.
"What?" Moody broke the silence first, again feigning friendliness, "You don't want to, Black?"
Morris smiled. "I'd be happy to keep your secret, Professor."
"Very good." Moody nodded in satisfaction. "I knew I could trust you, Morris. Hurry up, the ball is about to start, don't forget you're leading the dance."
"Yes, Professor."
The two started walking at the same time.
" Stupefy!"
Morris swung his wand with lightning speed.
Since a problem has been confirmed and the other side could launch an attack at any time, there's no need to wait any longer.
Moody's clearly thinks so too.
Almost at the same instant, Moody's wand was already pointing at Morris.
The two spells collided in mid-air and exploded with a deafening roar.
A blinding light shone forth.
Morris was forced back two steps by the shockwave, and was just about to retaliate—
" Imperio!"
Moody's chanting began much faster than he had anticipated.
This is a soul -Imperius Curse.
Without any warning, a cold, viscous force crashed into Morris's mind, trying to grasp his consciousness like tentacles.
A feeling that evokes nostalgia.
Morris stopped what he was doing and turned to Moody blankly—of course, he was just pretending.
In fact, it only took him a second to break free from the Imperius Curse.
Even Voldemort's Imperius Curse couldn't harm him, let alone Moody.
To his surprise, Moody's Imperius Curse was even more powerful than Tom's previous one, even though Tom was just a remnant soul clinging to life inside the notebook back then.
Moody seemed not to have seen through Morris's performance. He put down his wand and slowly approached Morris.
Morris didn't retaliate immediately.
The two were now less than ten feet apart.
Moody's prosthetic eye darted around, sizing up Morris.
Perhaps just in case, he raised his wand again and pointed it at Morris's forehead.
"All at a glance"
He probably wanted to erase Morris's memory.
But Morris didn't give him a chance to finish the spell.
Suddenly, the air behind Moody distorted, and several pale white bone spikes emerged from the void, Silencio aiming at the back of Moody's head and shooting fiercely.
Moody sensed the danger and abruptly stopped himself from uttering the Memory Charm, instead waving his hand sharply behind him.
Magic rippled from the tip of his staff, instantly turning the bone spurs that were about to strike him into dust.
Bone-Breaking Curse.
Morris recognized the magic.
The last time he fought Moody, Moody used this magic to counter his Bone Summoning Spell.
But he didn't expect the other party to react so quickly.
Regardless of who this Moody is, he's no ordinary person.
The corridor was quiet for a moment, with only the powdered bone spurs slowly falling into the air like grayish-white snowflakes.
Morris stared at Moody and asked, "You're not the real Professor Moody, are you?"
Moody remained silent, simply watching him quietly.
Morris shook his head inwardly.
This is practically tacit agreement.
So what you need to do next is simple: have a thrilling and exhilarating battle.
" Bone Summoning Spell!"
With a thought, Morris felt a glint in his eye, and the hideous bone armor slowly climbed up his body and face.
Moody knew the Unforgivable Curses, and although he wasn't sure if his bone armor could stop Avada Kedavra, it was better to have it than nothing.
And then...
" The Shadow Veil!"
The black mist spread out instantly from him.
This is the magic he truly uses to resist Dark Magic; as long as the opponent loses sight of him, even the most powerful Killing Curse will not hit him.
However, just as darkness was about to engulf Moody, he moved.
He did not choose to confront, but instead—
He took off running.
This behavior was completely unexpected by Morris.
So decisive?
" Weakening Curse, Wailing Curse!"
Morris unleashed several curses in succession, but his opponent was simply too fast; only one Wailing Curse managed to penetrate his back.
But Moody seemed completely unaffected, not even pausing for a moment.
To pursue or not to pursue
Morris thought for a few seconds.
Going back to report is certainly the safest option, but to think you can just run away after ambushing him?
There's no such thing as a free lunch.
" Guantou, keep up."
Morris immediately started walking and chased after him.
Moody's speed was astonishing. His prosthetic leg, which should have been a hindrance, seemed to be under some kind of magic, leaping forward a great distance each time it was lifted.
Morris could barely keep up.
"If only I could use Apparition," he thought.
They walked through corridor after corridor, heading towards the back door of the castle.
During the chase, Morris used his Mental Power Connection Crystal Ball, attempting to make contact with Fred.
A few seconds later, Fred's voice entered Morris's mind through Sound Transmission Technique.
"Thank goodness, I finally got in touch with you. Where have you been? I must tell you, the ball has already started. Delacour is furious, and I hope you've already found a reason to apologize to her."
"Alright, I will," Morris transmitted telepathically. "Shall we go find Dumbledore now? Have him lend a hand at the back door of the castle, and the sooner the better."
"What do you mean? What are you going to do?"
Before Fred could finish speaking, Morris had already cut off the connection.
There's no time to explain.
He had already rushed out the back door with Moody.
A cold night wind swept over them; they were currently in the Clock Tower Courtyard.
Moody stood there, with the bridge leading out of Hogwarts behind him.
"I was planning to deal with you later," he said expressionlessly, "But you insisted on coming up here."
Morris sensed the killing intent.
Avada Kedavra!
A blinding green light swept through the night sky, heading straight for Morris's chest.
Morris was prepared.
He was already preparing to dodge the moment Moody uttered the first word.
The Killing Curse grazed past him, striking the wall behind him with a muffled thud.
" Bone Summoning Spell!"
Morris swiftly retaliated.
More than a dozen thick bone spikes shot out from the ground beneath Crouch's feet, converging from all directions.
Moody waved his wand and used the Bone-Breaking Curse again, shattering the bone prison into pieces.
Seeing this, Morris did not panic.
This was just a feint.