A Certain Magical Hogwarts

Chapter 684 This Hogwarts is better left unattended!

Crouch is dead, but his son is alive.

Such an absurd claim, no matter how hard you may not believe it, is a fact that is right before your eyes, leaving you no choice but to believe it.

That's how Fudge felt at that moment.

The evidence is right in his face. If he still stubbornly refuses to accept it, then it's not a matter of stance, but a matter of intelligence.

He remained silent for a long time before giving the order:

"Kingsley, you immediately take a squad of Aurors and search Barty's house thoroughly."

"Ideally, I could catch that house-elf named Sparkle."

Kingsley nodded and left quickly.

Previously, this kind of work was done by Delix.

Since he let Blake go last year, claiming that the minister ordered his release... Fudge has completely sidelined him.

Fudge thinks that Dexter might not be one of Dumbledore's men.

It's best to avoid using Aurors that are treacherous like this.

Unlike Kingsley, who was capable and obedient.

"I think... in this situation, the third project should be canceled."

Professor McGonagall, who had been silent until now, spoke up.

"If Barty Crouch Jr. could take so many hostages at the Quidditch World Cup, he might do it again!"

Professor McGonagall's concerns were not without merit, and they reflected everyone's worries.

If Little Bati can kidnap once, he is very likely to do it a second time, grabbing students and threatening them.

"No, the warriors must complete the third task," Fudge insisted.

"This is an event organized by the Ministry of Magic, and it cannot be ended hastily."

The attack last July had already caused his approval ratings to drop.

If this competition ends in such an unclear way again, what will the public say?

How will the Ministry of Magic explain this?

Fudge didn't want to reveal Batistuta's death, much less ruin the excellent situation of the game!

After all, these are only two large-scale events he has organized since taking office.

The championship is more than just a competition; it represents a much deeper meaning.

If the Quidditch World Cup is about "betting the fate of the nation," then the Triwizard Tournament is simply a vanity project.

The gamble on the nation's fate has failed, and this championship is the only chance to shine. We can't afford to ruin this prestige project.

"Five referees, one missing, one dead," Professor McGonagall said angrily, clenching her fist.

"I don't think the competition can continue; we have a responsibility to the students!"

"No, Minerva," Fudge forced a smile, "I received good news before I came—Ludo…we found him."

Everyone stared at Fudge in astonishment.

This is indeed good news... especially for those who are gambling addicts.

After the first competition, the Director of Sports, Ludo, suddenly and mysteriously disappeared.

To put it nicely, it's called disappearing; to put it bluntly, it's called decisively running away.

He owed money not only to fairies but also to wizards. For example, the twins gambled with him and got ripped off.

The reason why Ludo fled is easy to understand.

William learned from the goblins that he and Gringotts had entered into another betting agreement:

Ludo overpowered Ron to win the championship.

However, in the first project, Ron was disqualified due to his use of dark magic and received a zero score.

Perhaps that's why Ludo ran away.

Does his appearance now mean he's made some money?

Fudge left quickly; he was going to search Crouch's house to see if he could get lucky and catch Barty Jr.

Professor McGonagall stayed behind, fuming, seemingly wanting to argue with the principal about stopping the game.

Mad-Eye Moody also stayed behind; he needed to discuss security for the third project with the principal.

William then took Hermione and left the office.

The two strolled toward the Gryffindor common room, still discussing what had just happened.

As they stepped over the portrait of the Fat Lady, Hermione whispered to William:

"The Mysterious Man has probably found Barty Crouch Jr."

"Yes...he tortured Bertha," William sighed.

Bertha was tortured by Voldemort, and with his abilities, he could certainly break Crouch's Oblivion Curse.

Once Voldemort obtains this information, there's no reason he wouldn't use it.

You see, he would definitely trust Barty more than Wormtail, and then go looking for his servant.

"Crowch has probably been imprisoned or controlled by the Imperius Curse during this time," William said, his eyes sharp.

The latter situation is alright, but if it's the former... then it's terrifying to think about.

Crouch was under control. Who is Crouch, who has been wandering around Hogwarts?

It's possible that Little Barty used the compound decoction and turned into his father's appearance.

Since they all have the same name, there's no difference between them on the Hogwarts map.

Or perhaps... Bugtail taught the Tracking Spell to Barty.

He erased his own name, used Polyjuice Potion to transform into someone else, and infiltrated Hogwarts.

Either way, it represents something that is uncontrollable.

"Should we remind Minister Fudge about the mysterious man?" Hermione asked worriedly.

William shook his head: "With his intelligence, can he understand the current situation?"

"Hmm... I guess so?" Hermione frowned uncertainly. "Even a troll could understand something this simple."

"Yes, but... can Fudge's intelligence compare to that of a troll?" William countered.

"Hmm... I guess so, when I'm in good shape." Hermione shrugged.

William chuckled and ruffled her hair. This girl's sharp tongue is getting more and more outspoken.

There was really no need for Fudge to remind him.

He barely believed that Barty was still alive, so would he believe it if he were told that Voldemort had found Barty?

However, this did not prevent William from acting cautiously.

Voldemort and Barty Jr. will definitely use this match to do something.

William needs to check the venue again, including the trophy for the third event.

During Christmas, he secretly made a key out of his own door.

If he can do that himself, we should be even more wary of Voldemort doing the same.

Otherwise, what if Hermione grabs the trophy during the match and gets teleported away?

In short, it's always better to be cautious. Details determine success or failure.

William has always been cautious in this regard.

……

……

Crouch's death caused no ripples, as if it had vanished without a trace.

Fudge suppressed the matter and forbade anyone to reveal it.

But less than three days later, the story was leaked and published in The Daily Prophet.

The author is undoubtedly... Aunt Rita.

The news headlines were also extremely exaggerated.

A high-ranking official of the Ministry of Magic has met a gruesome end! The fourth Dark Lord has arrived!

Goodness, William is just...goodness.

Last year, Sirius Black was described as the third Dark Lord, and this year a fourth one has emerged.

The Dark Lord profession has finally ushered in an industry boom, and has begun to rapidly evolve and change.

William naturally told Rita the news of Crouch's death.

However, he certainly cannot admit it.

In the report, Rita deliberately used the name of a famous football star.

Fudge immediately suspected Krum and Karkaroff.

He had said long ago that Karkarov was unreliable.

It must have been those two who leaked it to that damned woman, Rita!

Those two Nordic barbarians!

When Krum saw the newspaper, he read it several times and felt that the "famous football star" was referring to him.

Krum was also completely bewildered.

When did he reveal this news?

Ah! Krum felt so wronged.

After Harry and Cedric, he had a vague feeling that someone had secretly tricked him again.

This Hogwarts,

Let's not wait any longer!

……

……

(Please vote with your recommendation tickets and monthly tickets, everyone.)

(End of this chapter)