"What did you tell me about Barty Crouch's son?"I asked Sirius quickly, rushing into the kitchen. "Is he still in Azkaban? "
"Is this your boss's topic again? I'm starting to think that you and Percy Weasley will set up a fan club. " My uncle answered me, smiling.
"It's important, Sirius. Please. "
"All right, all right," he agreed, a little startled, probably by my worried look. "I was already in Azkaban when Barty Crouch Jr. was brought. He was screaming inside his cell for his mother for the first few days but then quieted down. Everyone is like that, then the dementors drink everything from you. " and he shivered, which made me a little sorry that I bring him back to his memories of prison. "Barty already looked in poor health when he was brought in. A year later, his father and mother seemed to come to visit him because she was very ill. Farewell, I think. Few days after their visit, Barty Crouch Jr. died. I saw it when they took it out. "
"Are you sure?"
"Deadly sure."
I felt a lump in my throat, my heart pounding in my chest. I began to walk around the room nervously, thinking about what I had learned. How was that possible? Why did my boss say the opposite in his letter? Is he mad? Or did he suddenly feel guilty about his son's death? Well, was it true that Voldemort was rising? All the weird things that happened - the World Cup, Harry's inclusion in the Tournament, the pain in his scar, the appointment of a former auror as a teacher at Hogwarts…
"What's going on, darling?" Remus asked anxiously. "Will you tell us what are those thoughts of Barty Crouch again?"
"You're close to Dumbledore, aren't you? Will you ask him to meet me? I need to talk to him. "
"With Dumbledore? Ash, what's going on? Tell me, something is bothering you. "
"Write to Dumbledore," I said more sharply than I wanted. "You can help me with that."
"And you won't tell me why? I can't just write to him that you want to meet him without good reason. He doesn't even know you. Also, you know he's a pretty busy man. Especially now and during the Tournament. " His tone hardened a little. "I'm going to need a good reason, not childish whims."
I took a deep breath, then hissed angrily "Childish whims? Is that why you think I'm begging you? Whims? "
"You won't tell me, will you?" His voice was cold.
"No ... Look, I can't. I just can not. "
"Ash, Remus is right. You should say to us and why it's all this shit. " Sirius intervened.
I felt helpless. I couldn't tell them. Something was eating me inside. How stupid was I? How could I give so recklessly an Unbreakable Vow? Anger curled hot and unstoppable in my gut, like a blazing inferno that wanted to burn me from the inside out. I clenched my fists so hard that my nails cut into my skin. I didn't know what's happening to me. All I felt was this furious feeling inside. Remus and Sirius didn't want to help me.
"Fine. Obviously, I can't count on you. I will find another way. " My pulse sped up, breathless with anger, I walked out and slammed the kitchen's door.
I went to my room, my fingernails still in my hands. Tears started to run through my face. What was happening to me? Where does this anger come from? Why I was so emotional? I had to calm down. I had to gather my thoughts and figure out what I was going to do. I had taken the Unbreakable Vow. I couldn't tell anyone. I had to figure out a way to talk to Dumbledore myself.
Remus didn't come to me tonight. He must have been angry. Understandable. It is normal for them to ask for an answer, but how can I tell them anything without breaking my promise. I don't know why I reacted like that. They are my closest person in the world.
"Where is Remus? " I asked my uncle after I got up in the morning and went to the living room. Sirius was lying on the couch, flipping carelessly through the pages of a book.
"He left after your theaters last night. "Sirius smiled, but it didn't reach his eyes.
"Look, I'm sorry. I don't know what happened to me last night. This anger ... "
"Don't apologize to me. Moony is much more sensitive. You're hiding something from him and that has affected him. He cares about you more than you think "
I sighed guiltily. What I had done I could not un-do. I'll at least try to make things right when I see him again. The clock in the kitchen reminded me that I had to go to work. I waved carelessly at Sirius and left. It was quieter than usual in the Ministry. Most employees had extended their weekends by a few days off. Percy was in the office, and although he looked visibly tired, he waved at me unusually cheerfully.
"What's going on, Perce?" I asked, tossing my bag on the chair next to him.
"I was promoted. Mr. Crouch is not feeling well and will take a month off. And I will take on his responsibilities. Unfortunately, I am overwhelmed. Work after working hours is not excluded. " He nodded to me. "I have to finish my report to the International Confederation of Wizards, I have a bunch of letters to review, the second task is approaching and I have to check all the documents again, and I have to give these instructions personally to Dumbledore ..."
My eyes lit up. This was my chance.
"Let me help you, Perce." I tried to smile at him, then pursed my lips slightly and leaned closer to him. I wasn't very good at seduction. In principle, I would not apply such measures if it were not absolutely necessary. Good thing I put on a nice perfume today. Percy didn't answer at first, but she visibly stirred, realizing how close we were. I saw his gaze shoot at me for a moment. I bit my lower lip lightly. God, I must look comical!
"You can check these letters," he said to me, our faces an inch away. I tried not to show how uncomfortable I felt from the whole situation. "and if you want to give the instructions to Dumbledore… You have to go to Hogwarts at 5 o'clock in the afternoon. You will save me time and I will be able to complete my report to the Confederacy." He leaned toward me.
"Great! "I pulled away quickly, grabbing the letters and instructions from his desk. "I'm glad to help you! "
Percy looked at me confused. Oh, how awkward. I felt terrible for using him that way. But I had to meet Dumbledore, and that was my chance.
My day passed imperceptibly. There was a lump of anxiety in my throat, but at least I didn't care how I could make an appointment with Dumbledore. When the time was approaching, I apparated near the school building, my documents and the reason for my visit were checked at the entrance. A giant of a man welcomed me in the inner gate. His face was almost completely hidden by a long, shaggy mane of hair and a wild, tangled beard, but you could make out his eyes, glinting like black beetles under all the hair.
"Hello, you must be coming on behalf of Mr. Crouch. Professor Dumbledore sent me to meet you and take you to him. I'm Rubеus Hagrid, by the way, I'm a Gamekeeper here at Hogwarts and a professor of the Care of Magical Creatures. " at his last words he bulged slightly, then nodded to me to follow him.
He led me through many corridors, moving stairs, moving paintings before we reached a gargoyle statue and Hagrid stopped in front of it. I still looked confused. The castle was huge and amazing and far more hospitable than my school, which was usually gloomy and cold.
"Fizzing Whizbee," Hagrid said of the statue. The gargoyle will step aside in response to a password. Moving, spiral steps climbed up. "Come on up, he's waiting for you," Hagrid called to me and waved goodbye.
I followed his instructions and climbed the stairs and stood in front of a wide wooden door. I knocked cautiously. I heard an inviting voice inside. One thing was certain: I never had visited such an office before, Dumbledore's was the most interesting... It was a large and beautiful circular room, full of funny little noises. A number of curious silver instruments stood on spindle-legged tables, whirring and emitting little puffs of smoke. The walls were covered with portraits of old headmasters and headmistresses, all of whom were snoozing gently in their frames. There was also an enormous, claw-footed desk, and, sitting on a shelf behind it, a shabby, tainted wizard's hat. In front of the desk was Dumbledore himself, whom I had seen several times in the distance, during the first task and in the pages of the newspapers. But nothing could compare to my live meeting with him now. He was remarkable. He was tall, thin, and very old, judging by the silver of his hair and beard, which were both long enough to tuck into his belt. He was wearing a long robe and purple cloak that swept the ground. His eyes turned to me as I entered through the door and they were light, bright, and sparkling behind half-moon spectacles.
"Welcome ... Miss Karkaroff, if I'm not mistaken, right? " He smiled at me. I nodded in response, still speechless. "I was expecting Barty because I wanted to talk to him. But I guess he instructed you what to tell me. "
"Yes," I said. "Unfortunately, Mr. Crouch is not feeling well, and I have taken on some of his responsibilities." I walked hesitantly to his desk to hand in the documents for him when I noticed that there was another person in the room. How had I missed him before? This man could not even be said to be unremarkable. His face was roughly carved from wood. It was covered with scars, and a chunk of his nose was missing. He had dark grey, grizzled hair. He also had a wooden leg. But his eyes, however, were his most shocking feature: one was small and dark while the other was a vivid, electric blue magical eye that moved around independently from his normal eye. This one now was fixed on me and it seemed to pierce me.
"Let me introduce you to Alastor Moody," Dumbledore began, catching my gaze. "A former Auror and current Hogwarts Defense Against the Black Arts professor."
"Yes, yes," he interrupted with a growling voice. "No silly formalities. I hope the young lady leaves the documents sooner and leaves. Dumbledore, we need to continue our conversation. "
"Actually," I began a little uncertainly, "I'd like to talk to Professor Dumbledore in private about something."
"I don't think there's anything you can't say in front of me." His blue eye just burned me. Sirius spoke with awe and respect for this man, but there was something I didn't like about him at all.
"Alastor," Dumbledore scolded. "Miss Karkaroff wouldn't take my time if it wasn't important, would she?" and he turned to me for confirmation. His voice was calm and he smiled reassuringly at me.
"Yes," I said more confidently. "But I want to talk to you alone, if not a problem."
"Good," Moody growled, tapping his fist lightly on the desk and walking out. He kept his eyes on me the whole time, and I had the feeling that even when he had his back to me, he was following me again. He slammed the door behind him and heard his tumble down the stairs.
"Well, what worries you? " Dumbledore asked, approaching me and placing his hand on my shoulder.
I took a deep breath and told him absolutely everything. From Crouch's strange behavior in the office, his request, the Unbreakable Vow, his letter, and its contents. The director kept his eyes on my face the whole time, a thin wrinkle had appeared between his eyebrows, his face was worried. When I finished the story, I felt as if a thread had broken inside me. All the anxiety, anger, and emotion had evaporated. I done it. I fulfill my promise.
Dumbledore stepped away from me and began pacing the room, visibly thinking and worried. Suddenly he stopped and asked me:
"Crouch didn't explain the details of his son's escape to you, did he?"
"No, sir. That was all he had written in the letter. Could this be true? I mean, there are witnesses that Mr. Crouch's son died in Azkaban ..." I paused here, not knowing how far I should involve my uncle in the story.
"Did Sirius tell you?" then he waved his hand, not to answer him. "Yes, I know you're his niece. I correspond with him and Remus. Look, what you were telling me was really important. But there are many missing pieces of the puzzle. Some things don't connect. But anyway, your mind should not be bothered by such things. Go home. But remember that the Vow still remains in the part where you should not tell anyone but me. So be careful. "
"But, Professor," I began, "isn't it better to visit Mr. Crouch at his home. You will be able to ask him for details. Even now. "
"No. Maybe it's more dangerous than you think. Leave that to me. Don't worry unnecessarily "He told me, though his face looked worried. "Would you call Professor Moody out, he's probably down the hall waiting for us to finish."
"All right," I agreed.
"And ... Ashling ..." he began unfamiliarly. "If you find out something, contact me through Phineas Nigellus Black" and he points to one of the paintings on the wall. It shows a wizard with black hair and eyes, a goatee, and thin eyebrows. He seemed familiar to me. He was dozing in his chair at the moment. " This is a relative of Sirius and has a portrait in the house on Grimmauld Place. "
I nodded and left, taking one last look at Dumbledore, who was sending me away visibly concerned. But if he can't find a solution to this mystery, who else could? Worried in my thoughts, I did not notice how I went down the stairs and walked down to the long corridor of the castle. Just when I thought I should see Remus and try to explain my behavior to him, I heard a noise behind me. I didn't have time to turn around. The last I remembered was a voice that whispered:
"Imperio!"
Then came the whiteness.