https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-638-Get-Out-of-My-Head-Right-Now-/13453020/
Chapter 639: I Just Made Some Reasonable Guesses Based on Information
Chapter 639: I Just Made Some Reasonable Guesses Based on Information
Ivan looked at Crouch, who was lying on the ground, with a pitying gaze. He straightened his disheveled clothes and spoke.
"Don’t be so agitated, Mr. Crouch. No one invaded your mind; I was just making some reasonable guesses based on the information I had... that’s all!"
"But it seems I was right, wasn’t I?" Ivan said, half-serious and half-teasing.
Legilimens is not a pleasant term; no one likes someone who can read their memories at will.
Crouch slumped to the ground, his spirits low, and remained silent for a long time.
Beside him, Mad-Eye Moody couldn’t hold back his frustration. He angrily demanded, "Ivan, what are you playing at? Who is Barty looking for? And why did that person put Harry’s name into the Triwizard Cup?"
"What good would it do to ask me? I was just making guesses!" Ivan shook his head.
Mad-Eye Moody didn’t believe a word of it, but he had no leverage against Ivan. He turned his gaze to Barty Crouch Jr. and said menacingly, "You’d better start talking, Barty. You know I have no patience for this nonsense. Or would you prefer a dose of Veritaserum?"
Crouch didn’t move, seemingly determined to remain silent.
Mad-Eye Moody sneered, rummaged through his robes, and pulled out a small vial of clear potion, ready to force it down Crouch’s throat.
"Don’t do that, Professor Moody!" Ivan placed a hand on Moody’s, giving him a calming look before turning to Barty Crouch Jr. "Mr. Crouch, I’ve heard many stories about you. They say you are a just and serious man, dedicated to fighting the Dark Lord and his Death Eaters during your time as the Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement. You’ve prosecuted countless Dark Wizards, and even sent your own son to Azkaban in the name of justice!"
Crouch’s expression softened, a look of shame crossing his face. Ivan continued, "I don’t know what you’re hiding, but you must realize that the person you’re looking for is planning something dangerous. He infiltrated the castle and placed Harry’s name in the Triwizard Cup, intending to put Harry in mortal danger!"
Ivan’s voice grew more urgent, and he stared into Crouch’s eyes, demanding, "We all know his plans go beyond this. Are you really going to continue hiding the truth? Professor Dumbledore once said you were the most trustworthy person in the Ministry of Magic. I hope you can live up to that reputation, Mr. Crouch. Don’t make another mistake!"
Ivan’s words resonated deeply with Crouch, who closed his eyes in pain and remained silent for a long time before finally speaking softly.
"I’m sorry, he was wrong. I’m not that noble..."
"But you’re right, Hal. At the very least, I can’t keep making mistakes..." Crouch struggled to his feet, leaning on a blanket, and seemed to regain some of his former vigor.
Ivan smiled and waved his wand, summoning a few chairs. He gestured for everyone to sit down and talk.
"Could I see that note again?" Crouch asked, looking at Mad-Eye Moody before taking a seat.
Mad-Eye Moody had no objections. He retrieved the note with Harry’s name on it and handed it to Crouch.
Crouch reached out and took it, running his fingers over the writing, his voice filled with nostalgia. "This is my son Barty Jr.'s handwriting. I know it well; there's no way I could be mistaken!"
"Your son?" Mad-Eye Moody's face was a mask of surprise, as if he had just seen a ghost. "If I remember correctly, he died in Azkaban over a decade ago, didn't he? Several Aurors even witnessed his body being buried."
"Or do you mean to say that the body wasn't your son's, and you managed to switch it out?" Mad-Eye Moody quickly added.
"Yes, I had my dying wife drink Polyjuice Potion to transform into Barty Jr., fooling the Aurors and the Dementors..." Crouch explained, his voice filled with pain.
"No wonder. At the trial, I thought you were truly impartial, but it turns out you had planned everything from the start. You used your dying wife to salvage your reputation and your son!" Mad-Eye Moody sneered, grabbing Crouch by the collar, as if he wanted to punch him.
"Calms down, Mad-Eye Moody. We should let Mr. Crouch finish his story first!" Ivan hurriedly interjected, trying to prevent a fight.
Ivan, who had read the original story, knew very well that Crouch was indeed an impartial man. He had followed the proper procedures during Barty Jr.'s trial, without any personal bias.
However, he ultimately could not resist his wife's pleading—saving Barty Jr. was her last wish before she passed away.
Ivan's gaze softened with pity as he looked at Crouch. This man had done countless good deeds throughout his life, dedicating himself to the fight against the Dark Lord. Yet, one moment of weakness had led to a grave mistake, one that would tarnish the reputation he had built over a lifetime.
Under Mad-Eye Moody's stern rebuke, Crouch's face was filled with remorse. He made no attempt to defend himself or shift the blame onto his wife.
After all, regardless of the circumstances, the final decision had been his own.
A mistake was a mistake!
Crouch sighed deeply, moving past the topic and began to explain how he had brought Barty Jr. back home, placed him under the Imperius Curse, and ordered the house-elf Winky to constantly supervise Barty Jr.'s every move.
"I was always very careful, thinking this secret would remain hidden, but it was discovered anyway..." Crouch's expression turned grim as he spoke, and he fell silent for a long moment.
"Was it this witch, Bertha Jorkins?" Ivan continued for him, picking up the Daily Prophet from the table, flipping to a certain page, and tossing it in front of them.
Mad-Eye Moody leaned in to read the article. The back page of the Daily Prophet reported the disappearance of a witch from the Department of International Magical Cooperation. He quickly pieced together the information.
"Barty, did you kill her? Just because she discovered your secret?" Mad-Eye Moody glared at Crouch, his anger evident.
"No, I didn't kill her. I only performed a powerful Memory Charm on her. I have no idea where she went or how she disappeared after that." Crouch shook his head and explained hurriedly.
"Who knows if you're telling the truth..." Mad-Eye Moody scoffed, never believing a word from any criminal, even if it was his former superior.
(End of Chapter)
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