Chapter 321: Crouch Awakens
Chapter 321: Crouch Awakens
"Regarding his reluctance to easily kill Crouch, I prefer to believe that he is planning for his successful return."
"Although he is mad, cruel, and merciless, he has never lacked foresight. Even if he were to rise again, he has already failed once. Achieving a position of power in the Wizarding World and the Ministry of Magic as he did before would be the best outcome this time around."
"So, he needs to start infiltrating the Ministry of Magic early, and Barty is undoubtedly a good stepping stone."
Dumbledore had a thorough understanding of Voldemort.
Even in his student days, he could see through Tom Riddle's facade as a model student. Now, he still analyzes Voldemort's character with great clarity.
"Your ability to bring Crouch back is crucial. It's not just about finding out what he did under the Imperius Curse, but also about disrupting Voldemort's subsequent plans."
When they traveled back in time, Crouch's son, Barty Jr., worked as a spy within the Ministry of Magic, causing Sherlock considerable trouble. This led to a less than favorable view of Crouch.
However, upon understanding Crouch's importance, Sherlock realized that bringing him back would save a lot of trouble in the future.
As they spoke, Mad-Eye Moody and Lestrange returned to the headmaster's office.
Their faces indicated that things did not go well.
"He led me to the spot at the bottom of the lake, but there was nothing there. After confirming multiple times that he had not forgotten the location, I had to return", Mad-Eye Moody said with a frown.
Lestrange nervously explained, "That, that is indeed the place. If my memory hasn't been altered, when I was under someone else's control, I was holding the boy's arm, intending to take him there."
Dumbledore's face did not show much disappointment; he only sighed and said, "We reacted too late. We should have had Harry guide us to the bottom of the lake immediately after he came ashore. Perhaps that would have led to an important discovery."
Regret could only be expressed after the fact. With no other leads, Dumbledore gently consoled Lestrange and apologized for the events that transpired, hoping that the merpeople of the Black Lake would not hold a grudge.
Lestrange, being a supporter of wizards or, more specifically, a supporter of Dumbledore, was flattered by Dumbledore's words. He repeatedly stated that these were mere accidents and that the blame should only fall on the cunning dark wizards who used the Imperius Curse on him, not on Hogwarts.
After Lestrange left, Mad-Eye Moody felt more comfortable speaking freely.
"I believe that only Karkaroff could have done this. He has always lived above the Black Lake, giving him a natural advantage."
Clearly, he and Sherlock were on the same page. After more than thirty years as an Auror, Mad-Eye Moody naturally had a "nose" for such matters that others lacked.
Dumbledore clasped his hands together, his eyes reflecting a slight white light.
"However, this cannot be used as evidence for the Ministry of Magic to arrest him. Moreover, he is not a British wizard. Unless there is direct physical or testimonial evidence, Fudge would never be willing to take on this trouble."
Mad-Eye Moody fell silent. Having worked under Fudge's government for three or four years, he naturally knew the temperament of the current Minister of Magic.
As the office lapsed into quiet, Crouch, who had been lying on the sofa, finally opened his eyes slowly.
He first scanned the surroundings with his cloudy, bewildered eyes, and his gaze eventually settled on Dumbledore, coming into focus.
"Albus!" Crouch's tone was very urgent, a stark contrast to his usual calm and stern demeanor.
"You must know these things! That person has already regathered his former forces and is planning to make a comeback!"
Dumbledore gently tried to soothe him.
"Calm down, Barty. I already know what you're saying. Your mental state is still very fragile. Perhaps I should have the kitchen prepare a cup of hot cocoa for you."
It was at this moment that Crouch realized he was not being tortured by the Death Eaters but had returned to the safety of Hogwarts.
His tense body and mind gradually relaxed, and he slumped back onto the sofa. His face, which had been flushed red from tension and excitement, now returned to its usual sickly pallor.
A cup of hot cocoa soon appeared in the headmaster's office, the perfect drink for someone exhausted both physically and mentally.
He held the cup, took a few sips, and his complexion visibly improved.
Dumbledore then asked at the right moment.
"Can you tell us now what you have been through?"
With his thoughts now more stable, Crouch's expression became complex, especially when he looked at Sherlock.
He seemed to be hesitating about where to start and whether to reveal certain things.
The other three, waiting for him to speak, did not rush him but waited patiently for him to gather his courage.
"I admit I made a mistake", Crouch said with a somber expression.
"My son, Barty Jr. Crouch, was indeed a Death Eater, and you all know that. After I personally sent him to Azkaban, I never regretted my decision."
"But Kreacher resented me for it. She was furious that I had sent our only son to that prison. This resentment took a toll on her health, and the healers at St. Mungo's were at a loss with her condition. She had a broken heart, and no potion could cure her."
"She knew she didn't have much time left. In her final days, she only asked me to do one thing for her."
Crouch's tone returned to calm, but the tremor in his voice revealed his true emotional state.
"She wanted to die in Barty Jr.'s place. She asked me to transform her into Barty Jr.'s appearance and switch places with him in Azkaban."
"I shouldn't have agreed. It went against everything I stood for, but I believed I had wronged no one in my life except her."
"I was strict with Barty Jr. and had few opportunities to educate him properly, which led him down the wrong path. I take responsibility for that. However, I also provided him with a starting point far superior to his peers, allowing him to choose any career he wanted after graduating from Hogwarts, ensuring he never had to worry about a living, and even living better than most adult wizards."
(End of Chapter)
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