Hogwarts: My name is the Unforgivable Curse...

Chapter 303 An Unbreakable Oath

So, the next day.

Fortunately, Durmstrang only had one dining hall, and Barty Crouch, who was representing the British Ministry of Magic as the judge, probably also had a room in the castle, unlike the other "investigation teams" who lived in special tents. So, after getting up at five in the morning and forcibly dragging Baron there to stall for more than an hour with conversation, he finally saw Barty Crouch walk into the dining hall with that serious face...

"Look, he's here!"

Baron nudged Avada with his elbow and quietly pointed to Crouch, who was carrying a plate towards the table: "Can you spot anything unusual?"

[...Don't speak yet.]

Avada outwardly pretended to chat and eat while secretly sending a brief message to Baron via their mental link. Simultaneously, he drew back all his mental energy from Nobiridge University, focusing intently on analyzing Crouch's life force and mental energy through his magical senses, meticulously examining any trace that might be a sign of a contract—after all, he didn't know if the contract between Crouch and Karkaroff had an expiration date, and more than a decade had passed, so he was actually prepared for this mission to end in failure…

then.

"..."

"???"

As Avada's observation deepened, his brow furrowed more and more, for what he saw was an unexpected situation: [Why does he have so many contract marks on his body?]

This is normal.

Baron wore an expression of surprise and explained via the mental link: "[After all, he's a high-ranking official in the Ministry of Magic, and he's even served in a highly confidential position like the Director of the Department of Law Enforcement. It's normal for him to have several contract marks on him—not to mention, didn't he recently sign a confidentiality agreement for the Triwizard Tournament? That level of agreement should also use a magical contract...]"

Wasn't he transferred to a more public position in the International Department of Magical Cooperation a long time ago?

Avada's brow remained furrowed, but outwardly he continued eating silently: [Although most of the contract marks on him are time-limited, there are also more than one permanent mark. I'm afraid I can't draw a conclusion without comparing him to Karkarov. But Karkarov's recent movements have been very strange, and if I go to see him without authorization in my current situation, it might arouse suspicion… Wait!]

Baron saw that Avada's hand suddenly gripped the hem of his clothes tightly, so tightly that the veins on the back of his hand bulged. He knew that Avada must have discovered something extraordinary, so he didn't dare to ask or disturb him...

[...an unbreakable vow.]

Finally, Avada slowly withdrew his gaze and exhaled a long breath.

【Congratulations.】

Although Baron offered his congratulations, his expression was quite serious: "You've probably solved a major case—and it'll likely cause a big stir in a few days."

Should I pass a message to Dumbledore?

Avada had already revealed his speculations to Baron beforehand—except for the two things he couldn't reveal: trespassing into the Ministry of Magic's archives and his secret alliance with two other heroes. Therefore, Baron had also learned the general situation over the past hour, and what dangerous undercurrents lurked beneath the seemingly calm surface of Durmstrang…

Of course, all this information was transmitted via the mental link; he hadn't forgotten the badge he possessed that could monitor his every move. However, he didn't tell the other two warriors about the mental link—after all, it was one of his trump cards.

[...Tell him, he should prepare himself.]

Avada nodded slightly.

The discovery of an unbreakable oath speaks volumes—because the content of an oath cannot be put in writing, and the process of making an oath is too convenient, has no time limit, and the consequences of breaking it are often fatal, unbreakable oaths are usually widely used in shady transactions, with dark wizards being the primary users.

Therefore, the Unbreakable Oath is officially considered a mild form of Dark Magic oath, with related knowledge strictly regulated. Unauthorized use is illegal, and the Ministry of Magic has even enacted a law prohibiting its staff from using the Unbreakable Oath in an effort to ensure transparency (though this hasn't been fully achieved). Therefore, the fact that such a thing exists in the possession of a high-ranking Ministry official is a significant discovery in itself.

Even if Crouch and Karkaroff didn't have any secret agreement, the Avada Kedavra oath alone is enough to conclude that Crouch is definitely hiding something shameful—of course, he already has the secret of letting Barty Jr. go, but that shouldn't require the binding force of an unbreakable oath...

[And things became much easier afterward.]

The corners of his mouth curled up slightly: "After all, an unbreakable oath leaves obvious traces. Even if Crouch did some special cover-up, it probably wouldn't escape Dumbledore's careful observation... Be extra careful from now on, especially hold off those investigation teams—they are the most likely threat to cause trouble."

【I know. 】

Baron nodded—having experienced a locked-room crisis and been a key figure in unraveling the diary conspiracy, Baron harbored a certain apprehension towards the "investigation team": [Anytime you need a wand, just ask me.]

【it is good. 】

Avada didn't say much, nodded, and then stood up and left the cafeteria with Baron to prepare for the morning's classes.

……

A morning passed, and at 11:30 a.m., on a corridor on the third floor.

A group of seventh-grade students poured out of the classroom in a noisy, chaotic manner, heading downstairs towards the cafeteria. After the students in the classroom, including Beauxbatons and the other warrior candidates who had attended the class, had all left with puzzled expressions, Fleur Delacour was the last to leave the classroom. As she closed the door, she glanced at the other end of the corridor—sure enough, a figure was slowly approaching from that direction.

"..."

Furong silently withdrew her gaze and walked straight towards the figure. Just before she passed him, she raised her hand and brushed the hair covering her cheek behind her ear, as if she were just being tickled by the hair.

"No surprises, no further communication needed, proceed as planned."

Avada, who was passing by her, understood immediately. She touched her nose and quickly walked over, going downstairs from the other side of the corridor.

(End of this chapter)