Chapter 679 Heavyweight Judgment
"No... no more than Rosier deserved!" said Karkaroff, a genuine tone of panic in his voice now.
It became apparent that he was beginning to worry that none of his information would be useful to the Ministry.
Karkaroff's eyes drifted towards the door in the corner, behind which the Dementors undoubtedly still lurked, waiting.
He then uttered a few more names, each one being rejected by Crouch.
The trial resembled more of a negotiation process. Karkaroff was indeed cunning, but Crouch was clearly one step ahead.
"Anything else?" Crouch asked with a solemn expression.
"Wait a minute! There was also Travers!" said Karkaroff nervously. "He helped in the murder of the McKinnons! Oh... and Mulciber... specialized in the Imperius Curse, forcing many people to do horrible things! Rookwood, who was a spy, and provided useful information from He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named from within the Ministry itself!"
When he mentioned the name Rookwood, there was a murmur among all those present.
"Rookwood?" said Mr. Crouch, nodding to a witch sitting across from him, who began scribbling on her piece of parchment. "Augustus Rookwood from the Department of Mysteries?"
"The same," said Karkaroff eagerly. "I believe he used a network of well-placed wizards, both inside and outside the Ministry, to gather information. Rookwood's position is very crucial and grants him access to the Department of Mysteries..."
"Well, what you said about Travers and Mulciber is what we already know," said Crouch. "Karkaroff, if that is all, you will be returned to Azkaban while we decide..."
"No!" shouted Karkaroff, looking quite desperate. "Wait, I have more!"
Harry could see him sweating in the torchlight, his white skin starkly contrasting with the black of his hair and beard.
"Snape!" He cried, "Severus Snape!"
"Snape has been acquitted by this council," Crouch said disdainfully. "He has been endorsed by Albus Dumbledore."
"No!" shouted Karkaroff, struggling against the chains binding him to the chair. "I assure you, Severus Snape is a Death Eater. He is a total Death Eater!"
Dumbledore stood up, and many eyes turned to him.
"I have already testified on this matter," he said calmly. "Severus Snape was indeed a Death Eater. However, he joined our side before the fall of Lord Voldemort and became a spy for us, risking a great deal personally. He is no more a Death Eater now than I am."
"No!" said Karkaroff reluctantly. "He isn't..."
In that regard, Snape's status as a double agent was truly very successful.
Both Dumbledore and Voldemort believed he was their man, and even those Death Eaters believed it until Voldemort returned.
Even Evan had to admire this. Only Snape could pull it off.
"Very well, Karkaroff," said Crouch coldly. "You have been of assistance. I will review your case. In the meantime, you will be returned to Azkaban..."
"Snape is..." Before Harry had a chance to comment, Crouch's voice faded away.
The dungeon dissolved as if made of smoke; everything faded. Evan and Harry could only see their own bodies... everything else was a spinning darkness...
And then, the dungeon returned!
They were seated in a different seat, still at the highest bench, but now to the left of Mr. Crouch.
The atmosphere felt very different from what it was just now: very relaxed, almost cheerful. The witches and wizards around the walls chatted among themselves, as if at some kind of sporting event.
Evan noticed a witch halfway down the rows of opposing benches. She was dressed in magenta robes and sucked on the end of an acid-green quill. She was undeniably a younger Rita Skeeter.
Her eyes scanned over several people, and Dumbledore was sitting by her side again, Moody had disappeared.
Mr. Crouch appeared more weary, somehow fiercer and more gaunt...
The door in the corner opened, and Ludo Bagman entered the room.
This was not a broken Ludo Bagman, but a Ludo Bagman who was clearly at the peak of his physical form as a Quidditch player. His nose was not broken now; he was tall, slim, and muscular.
Bagman looked nervous as he sat in the chained chair, although he was not restrained; and Bagman, perhaps drawing courage from this, glanced around the crowd, waved to a couple of them, and managed a small smile.
"Ludo Bagman, you have been brought here before the Council of Magical Law to answer to charges related to the activities of the Death Eaters," said Mr. Crouch. "We have heard the evidence against you and are about to reach our verdict. Do you have anything to add to your testimony before we deliver the judgment?"
"Just one thing," Ludo Bagman smiled awkwardly, "Well... I know I have been a bit foolish..."
One or two wizards and witches in the surrounding seats smiled indulgently and nodded.
However, Mr. Crouch remained undisturbed. He was staring sternly at Ludo Bagman with an expression of extreme severity and disapproval.
"Bagman was a Death Eater?" whispered Harry, surprised.
"No, as he himself said, he was a fool!" Evan replied.
"Ludovic Bagman, you were caught passing information to Lord Voldemort's supporters," said Mr. Crouch. "For this, I suggest a period of imprisonment in Azkaban that should not be less than..."
But there was an angry protest from the surrounding seats. Several of the witches and wizards around the walls stood up, shaking their heads and even raising their fists towards Mr. Crouch.
"But I told you, Barty; I had no idea!" called Bagman enthusiastically, his round blue eyes widening. "None at all! Old Rookwood was a friend of my father's! It never crossed my mind that he was with You-Know-Who! I thought he was gathering information for our side! And Rookwood kept talking about getting me a job at the Ministry later on... once my Quidditch days are over, you know?... I mean, I can't keep getting hit by Bludgers for the rest of my life, can I?"
There were murmurs and giggles in the crowd.
"It will be put to a vote," said Mr. Crouch coldly. "The jury, please raise your hands... those in favor of imprisonment..."
No one raised their hand. Many witches and wizards around the walls began to applaud. One of the witches on the jury stood up.
"What is happening?!" Roared Crouch.
"We would like to congratulate Mr. Bagman on his splendid performance for England in the Quidditch match against Turkey last Saturday," said the breathless witch, "It's an honor for us!"
Mr. Crouch looked furious. The dungeon now echoed with applause. Bagman stood up and bowed, smiling.
"Despicable!" Mr. Crouch spat at Dumbledore, sitting back as Bagman exited the dungeon. "Rookwood should get him a real job... the day Ludo Bagman joins us will be a sad day for the Ministry..."
Then the dungeon dissolved once again.
When he returned, Evan, Harry, and Dumbledore were still seated next to Mr. Crouch.
But the atmosphere was very different. There was a complete silence, interrupted only by the dry sobs of a fragile and ethereal witch sitting next to Mr. Crouch. She clutched a handkerchief to her mouth with trembling hands.
Suddenly, Evan regained consciousness. He knew that this was the trial of Bartemius Crouch Jr., and the critical moment had arrived!
He also recalled that Sirius and Barty Crouch Jr. had been sentenced on the same day.
Of course, Sirius was sent to Azkaban without a trial.
However, he must be here now!