Chapter 2: Lovegood Behind Bars

Xenophilius Lovegood was in the middle of writing a new story about the Crumple-Horned Snorkack when some Aurors showed up. "Xenophilius Lovegood, you are under arrest under suspicion of being a Grindelwald supporter." Alastor Moody declared.

"Absurd!" Xeno cried in protest.

"Don't lie, Lovegood." Moody replied. "Director Crouch recognized Grindelwald's symbol on your locket."

"Crouch." Xeno hissed in recognition and frowned. "Grindelwald only wore this symbol to show that he believed in the Deathly Hallows!" He pleaded. "Some wizards in the continent do take it for a symbol of his political ideologies but Crouch's likely pretending to be just as ignorant because he wants to oppress those who call him out for his injustices."

"You should have thought about that before defending You-Know-Who's right-hand-man, Lovegood." Another Auror replied. "Anyone able to do so and defame a martyr must really be a Grindelwald supporter."

"I just pointed out the reasons to doubt Sirius Black's guilt." Xeno pleaded.

"You must be really insane if you genuinely doubt." Moody commented.

In the next morning, Bartemius Crouch Senior was satisfied with the Daily Prophet article describing Xeno as a Grindelwald supporter who made up excuses to doubt Sirius Black was a Death Eater. He was briefly worried about what Xeno's wife would publish in retaliation but he ended up finding it amusing. "Editor Arrested for Believing in the Deathly Hallows" 'Really?' Crouch thought. He was surprised that Pandora would play along with her husband's crazy theories. To be fair, she only stated he believed the Deathly Hallows were real and Crouch knew Xeno to be crazy enough for it to be true and, considering she only said Xeno believed, there was technically NO falsehood he could challenge her headline for.

Crouch was in the middle of scheduling trials for those he didn't think he could directly send to Azkaban without one when Dumbledore showed up. The Headmaster was unusually angry. "Bartemius Crouch, do you have any idea of what you just did?" Dumbledore asked while slamming a copy of the Quibbler at Crouch's desk.

"I showed people what happens when someone tries to help a Death Eater to cheat justice, Headmaster." Crouch explained.

"That symbol represents things that should stay forgotten, Barty." Dumbledore pleaded.

"Headmaster, I don't want to disrespect a war hero but all things Grindelwald must be oppressed so his regime won't reach England." Crouch said. "We just got rid of You-Know-Who."

"Call him 'Voldemort', and that symbol really refers to the Deathly Hallows, Bartemius." Dumbledore replied.

"Are you saying the Deathly Hallows are real?" Crouch skeptically asked.

"I am saying Grindelwald really believed that and the symbol merely represents that belief, Bartemius." Dumbledore answered.

"In that case, we'd better never mention it in public or Lovegood might be free to defend Black one more time." Crouch suggested.

Dumbledore was appalled. "Barty, Xenophilius' crazy theory should have been ignored like we do with all his other crazy theories. By having him arrested over his defense of Sirius Black, you gave the impression that it could have some sort of truth."

"Fine." Crouch dismissed. "Even if he's acquitted, it'll show him what happens to those who support Death Eaters."

Meanwhile, Bob Ogden was interrogating Xeno at the latter's cell. "So, you say that symbol which some associate to Gellert Grindelwald is actually a symbol of the Deathly Hallows and those who wear it do it only to show they believe the Hallows are real?"

"Yes." Xeno answered.

"Then why would someone produce a stone with that symbol and hold the symbol as evidence that the stone belonged to the Peverells?" Ogden asked.

"Because most people who believe the Deathly Hallows are real also believe the tale's titular brothers are Antioch, Cadmus and Ignotus Peverell." Xeno answered. "Since the Gaunts are the middle brother's last known direct descendants, assuming You-Know-Who isn't a Gaunt himself instead of someone related to them through Salazar Slytherin, the someone you speak of is probably a Gaunt. I recall that you once arrested Morfin Gaunt for assaulting a muggle and arrested his father for interfering with the investigation. They must've brought up the stone hoping their blood status would exempt them from punishment."

"Good guess." Ogden reluctantly commented.

Someone then showed up. "Excuse me, but Professor Dumbledore wants to speak to you, Sir." The someone told Ogden and the questioning was over.

"Did you want to see me, Chief Warlock?" Ogden asked the Headmaster upon reaching Crouch's office.

"Yes, Bob." Dumbledore answered. "What did Xenophilius tell you about the symbol?"

"He told me it's a way people who believe the Deathly Hallows are real express that belief." Ogden explained.

"A likely story." Crouch grumbled, still wanting to portray Xeno as a Grindelwald supporter.

"And a true one." Dumbledore replied. "The symbol has been used for such a purpose for centuries before Gellert Grindelwald's birth and will, assuming it won't remain too associated to him, keep serving this purpose for centuries after his death."

"So, what does that mean for Lovegood?" Ogden asked.

"He'll still be tried so he'll learn not to defend Death Eaters." Crouch answered. "It's not like the Deathly Hallows are real anyway."

Dumbledore knew better but decided to keep quiet and hope it won't lead anyone into figuring out he's the Elder Wand's master.

Having not been accused of either murder or unauthorized use of the Unforgiveables, Xeno couldn't be just sent to Azkaban without a trial so he had one. "Xenophilius Lovegood, are you or have you ever been a supporter of Dark Wizard Gellert Grindelwald?" Minister Bagnold asked.

"No." Xeno answered.

"Then how do you explain the fact you wear his symbol?" Bagnold asked.

"That symbol represents the Deathly Hallows, Minister." Xeno answered. "It's not widely known because not many wizards and witches believe they're real but those who, like me, believe they're real wear the symbol so we can recognize one another as fellow believers. At least that's how things used to be before people not knowing the symbol's origin started associating it to Grindelwald."

"If you have no dark inclinations, why do you defend You-Know-Who's right-hand-man?" Bagnold asked.

"Presumed right-hand-man, Minister." Xeno replied. "I doubt Sirius Black's guilt."

"Your proposed scenario is ludicrous." Bagnold stated.

"Prove that it couldn't have happened that way, Minister." Xeno defied her.

Augusta Longbottom then stood up. "Minister, we're here to discuss Mr. Lovegood's supposed allegiances, not his doubts regarding Sirius Black's guilt."

"Yes, Madam Longbottom." The Minister agreed and then turned her attention to Xeno. "Mr. Lovegood, how does this symbol represent the Deathly Hallows?"

"The triangle represents the Cloak of Invisibility; the circle represents the Resurrection Stone; and the line cutting the circle and the triangle in half represents the Elder Wand, Minister." Xeno explained.

Enough wizards and witches in the jury found it plausible enough to acquit him while others simply assumed he was crazy enough to believe in fiction tales but otherwise harmless and Crouch shouldn't waste his time with his conspiracy theories.

"I hope Lovegood learned his lesson." Crouch commented once he was back at his office with Headmaster Dumbledore.

"I'm just glad this Deathly Hallow mess is over." Dumbledore commented. He was more worried about someone finding out he owned the Elder Wand than Sirius Black being free.

Meanwhile, Xeno went back home. "Dear, are you okay?" Pandora asked her husband.

"Yes, Pandora." Xeno replied. "I've just learned something that might help me find the Deathly Hallows thanks to Bob Ogden."

End chapter.