Tver had no idea what had happened in the kitchen, but since he had entrusted that part of the task to Hermione and Fleur, he trusted them completely.
With that peace of mind, he left the kitchen and headed for Dumbledore's office.
Today was their weekly magic study session. He would not miss it. Besides, inviting Scamander over would require Dumbledore to make the introduction.
"Cockroach Clusters."
"Professor!"
A girl suddenly rushed up and stopped him in his tracks.
"Have you found a partner for the Yule Ball yet?"
"Why do you ask?" Tver looked at her in surprise, then at the cluster of girls gathered behind her.
"Because she wants to invite you to be her partner!" one of the girls blurted out bravely from the back.
Tver suddenly smiled gently. In the afternoon sunlight, the expression seemed dazzling, at least to the girl in front of him.
Her heart skipped a beat. She clutched the front of her robes, her cheeks flushing even brighter than the Gryffindor scarf around her neck.
"Then… does that mean…" she asked hopefully, "you're inviting me?"
"No."
Tver's smile vanished at once, replaced by clear exasperation.
"I'm reminding you that in your assignment about dealing with dragons, you actually suggested using the Summoning Charm to summon me. That ridiculous plan has earned you a punishment. You will write a full summary of the characteristics of every species of dragon in the world."
Ignoring her pitiful expression, he strode into the Headmaster's office.
"Professor Fawley seems quite popular with the girls," Snape said with a cold sneer, standing by the doorway and looking down at him.
"Isn't that obvious?" Tver replied with a shrug as he stepped up beside him.
"Oh?" He covered his mouth in mock surprise. "Surely it can't be that no one wants to attend the ball with Professor Snape?"
"I have no desire to attend any ball," Snape said flatly.
"Oh, I see. You do not want to attend," Tver echoed in exaggerated imitation of Snape's earlier tone, even copying the way he looked down at people.
"You…"
"That's enough, Severus. And Tver."
Professor McGonagall appeared at the door and took each of them by the arm, steering them inside.
"I could hear you arguing from within. Fortunately, it was only us here. If the students had seen that, they would think our professors are hopelessly rude."
Tver and Snape shot each other stubborn glares but said nothing further.
Once inside the familiar office, Tver noticed that Moody was there as well, murmuring something to Dumbledore.
"Is there something important to discuss today?" Tver asked curiously.
"Indeed. And what brings this uninvited guest here, I wonder?" Snape said, pretending to ponder. "Perhaps to overhear information he should not hear, so that certain unsavory plans may proceed smoothly?"
"Or perhaps," Tver replied calmly, "I simply had business with Dumbledore and happened to run into you all. And evidently, Headmaster Dumbledore has not objected to my presence."
In the past, he might truly have had some secret scheme. Now, however, the person with something to hide was someone else.
"Sit down," Dumbledore said, cutting off the tension. "I asked Alastor to fetch you, but there was no answer at your office."
With a wave of his hand, chairs slid neatly into place behind each of them as he brought his conversation with Moody to an end.
"I've called you here today because of Harry."
At that, Snape, who had been ready to continue his sarcasm, frowned and sat down stiffly.
"Alastor has just brought me some news. Not good news, I'm afraid." Dumbledore's expression turned grave.
"Voldemort is attempting to return."
Tver glanced at Moody in surprise. Moody's face remained calm and unreadable.
Barty Jr.'s move was puzzling.
But his reaction went unnoticed, because Snape and Professor McGonagall looked even more shaken.
"Is the information reliable?"
"How do you know?" Snape demanded, gripping the armrest so tightly that he might have stood up if Dumbledore had not gestured for him to remain seated.
"I may be retired, but I'm not dead," Moody said indifferently. "I still have sources."
"And lately the Dark Lord hasn't been as careful. There are reports that Peter Pettigrew was seen in Athens, accompanied by a ghostlike figure."
Snape shot Dumbledore a questioning look. Dumbledore gave a firm nod, clearly confirming that Moody's intelligence matched his own.
Snape's expression darkened further, a trace of alarm creeping in.
"We must respond to this."
"Indeed, Severus. That is precisely why I asked you to come."
Dumbledore's steady tone eased some of the tension in both Snape and McGonagall.
"The good news is that, judging from Voldemort's condition and behavior, I believe I know what dark magic he intends to use to restore himself."
"The bad news is that he lacks only one final ingredient."
"What is it?" Professor McGonagall asked urgently.
"Harry."
She drew in a sharp breath.
Snape's face barely changed, but the hand gripping his chair turned white, betraying his agitation.
"So Potter's entry into the Triwizard Tournament was arranged by Voldemort?" Snape asked through clenched teeth.
"At present, that seems likely."
"But how could the Dark Lord take Potter out of Hogwarts?" McGonagall pressed. "All the tasks are held within the grounds. Unless he simply flies off on a broom?"
"That is still unclear. It is one of the two things we must determine next." Dumbledore's gaze sharpened as it swept across the four of them.
"Minerva, I need you to do everything possible to protect Harry. At the very least, ensure that he does not leave Hogwarts in any improper manner."
"Severus, I want you to look into the former Death Eaters. See whether any of them have disappeared."
"You suspect a Death Eater has infiltrated Hogwarts under another identity?" Snape asked sharply.
"Yes. The Imperius Curse would not be enough to make a young wizard cast a powerful Confundus Charm. Only a Death Eater's own ability could have forced Harry's name into the Goblet of Fire."
"And me?" Moody asked in his gruff voice.
"Continue monitoring Voldemort's movements. Ideally, find out how he intends to take Harry."
Dumbledore turned back to him, lowering his voice again.
Only then did Tver realize he had not been assigned anything.
He shot Snape a provocative look and raised an eyebrow smugly.
Better this way. If he were given a task, he would have no idea how far to go.
If he accidentally exposed Voldemort's entire plan, that would be a real problem.
"All right, you may leave," Dumbledore said suddenly.
But as Tver stood up, Dumbledore added, "Tver, stay. I have something to ask you."
A faint snort sounded.
Snape had already turned his back, but the slight shake of his shoulders made it obvious where the laughter had come from.
"…"