Chapter 376 Title Of This Chapter: Barty Crouch
"And those pair of wings, somewhat akin to those of an Augurey," Evan said hesitantly.
"You two have helped me greatly!" the esteemed wizard expressed his gratitude, "You have spared me the trouble of determining its specific species."
He drew a small notebook from his robe and jotted down every word Sirius and Evan had just spoken.
Evan noticed that the notebook was filled with peculiar animal sketches, with annotations below, resembling a dark wizard's study notes.
Above the peculiar creature of the cat and the Crup, there was a rooster pattern that seemed to be crowing, but flames were emerging from its mouth.
"What will you do with this creature?" Evan asked, curiosity piqued.
"The first step is to identify its specific species, and then attempt to restore one of them to their original state. If truly impossible, it will be recorded as a new species and then sent to a special location for breeding," responded the pale young wizard, leaning in and gazing seriously at Evan. "Listen, lad, if you graduate in the future, remember, never work at the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures! It's a nightmare, dealing all day with strange and challenging creatures, and pests. It's like a garbage bin where all the unmanageable monsters are dumped, and the office smells foul, and the animals cry..."
"Thank you for informing me, I will keep that in mind," nodded Evan.
The pale wizard seemed to have reached his limit, but it sounded as if Hagrid enjoyed that place.
They fell silent. The elevator reverberated and ascended swiftly, with the chains jingling all the while.
Apart from the bearded wizard and the pale young wizard who were concerned about the content of the metal box, the others gazed at Evan and Sirius with curiosity.
"Level seven, Department of Magical Games and Sports, incorporating the headquarters of the British and Irish Quidditch League, the Official Gobstones Club, and the Office of Ridiculous Patents," resonated a serene woman's voice in the elevator.
The elevator doors opened; Evan caught sight of a cluttered corridor, with several Quidditch team posters haphazardly stuck on the walls.
"In a few months, the United Kingdom will host the Quidditch World Cup finals," Mr. Weasley said cheerfully, "If you two are interested, you can come with us. I have over ten tickets; one of the perks of working at the Ministry! Of course, Harry and Hermione can be invited along with others."
"Thank you, Arthur," Sirius whispered, "Evan and I are embarking on an additional journey with Dumbledore. If circumstances allow, we will go. I want to ask you to look after Harry while we're away. You know..."
He suddenly paused and cautiously gazed at the wizard standing nearby, listening to their conversation.
Swiftly averting his eyes, he pretended not to have heard anything.
"I understand. Come to my office!" Mr. Weasley nodded.
The doors closed, the elevator jerked upward again. After a while, the woman's voice said, "Level six, Department of Magical Transportation, incorporating the Floo Network Authority, Broom Regulatory Control, Portkey Office, and Apparition Testing Center."
Once again, the elevator doors opened, and under Sirius's gaze, the wizard who had overheard him hurriedly disembarked; simultaneously, several paper airplanes were launched into the elevator.
Evan watched them flutter lazily above his head; they were a pale violet color, with MINISTRY OF MAGIC stamped along the edges of their wings.
"Just interdepartmental notes," Mr. Weasley murmured. "We used to use owls, but the mess was unbearable... droppings everywhere..."
"Yes, and ultimately, the responsibility of caring for those owls fell on us, feeding them, looking after them, cleaning up after them," the young pale wizard complained once more, "Once, there were thousands of owls, but there were only five people available in the Department. We were all young wizards like me who had just graduated. It was very taxing work; another nightmare! Thank goodness, I no longer have to worry about those blasted owls!"
"Alright, Angus, don't always utter those disappointing words in front of the children," Mr. Weasley said dissatisfied, "Say something pleasant."
"I see no joy in it. Soon I'll have this menagerie of cats and dogs waiting for me to deal with," Angus murmured, "That's what the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures does, all the trouble..."
He stopped abruptly, and the elevator doors opened again.
"Level five, Department of International Magical Cooperation, including the International Magical Trading Standards Body, the International Magical Law Enforcement Office, and the International Confederation of Wizards, British Seats."
Mr. Barty Crouch, with a serious and unsmiling face, stood at the elevator entrance.
He wore the neatest wizard's robe Evan had ever seen; his short gray hair had a meticulously straight part that almost seemed unnaturally straight.
Angus was so frightened at seeing him that he was left speechless.
He quickly shut his mouth and swallowed the second half of the complaint.
"Good morning, Barty!" Mr. Weasley greeted cheerfully.
But he was ignored. Mr. Crouch looked at Evan and then stared at Sirius, his face expressionless.
Sirius also gazed back at him, his eyes filled with hostility.
It was as if they were poised for a duel, and the oppressive atmosphere filled the elevator.
Evan knew that Mr. Crouch was the Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement. He had put Sirius in Azkaban without trial, sparking the animosity between the two sides.
Ultimately, Mr. Crouch did not enter, and the elevator doors closed again.
There was silence, only the memos fluttering around the swaying lamp on the elevator ceiling.
"It's dreadful, isn't it?" Angus lowered his head and said, "Mr. Crouch is a true power figure at the Ministry. I heard even the Minister is afraid of him..."
Indeed, when Voldemort led the Death Eaters, Barty Crouch gained the common people's trust by publicly advocating for harsh means to counterattack.
His reputation was unmatched for a while, and he was considered the most popular candidate for the next Minister of Magic.
But after the war, it was suddenly discovered that his son, Barty Crouch Jr., was also a Death Eater, and he eventually imprisoned him in Azkaban himself.
However, after the incident was revealed, his voice dwindled, and people thought his approach was too harsh and ruthless.
He was eventually transferred to the Department of International Magical Cooperation, and the more moderate Cornelius Fudge managed to become Minister.
That was common knowledge, and Evan also knew some unknown secrets.
Subsequently, at his wife's request, he entered Azkaban and used Polyjuice Potion to switch Barty Jr. and Mrs. Crouch for the Dementor's Kiss.
Then, he used his curse to control his Death Eater son and kept him at home for many years, even using Memory Charms on those who discovered the truth.
However, he was eventually killed by his deranged son a few months later.
Evan's head ached when he thought about that Barty Crouch Jr. Today's meeting suddenly made him realize that he needed to take action.
Since the future had drastically changed, there was no longer a need to keep Barty Crouch Jr.
He should find an opportunity to remind others and have them watch the movements of the Crouch family.
