Chapter 680 * The Relentless Crouch.*

At the jury table, Crouch appeared more haggard and gray than ever. A nerve was twitching in his temple.

"On behalf of the Wizengamot High Court, I sentence Sirius Black to life imprisonment in Azkaban for various crimes," Crouch announced solemnly. "Does anyone have any objections?"

Silence filled the room, with only Crouch's voice echoing in the somber dungeon. Dumbledore seemed as if he wanted to say something, but ultimately remained silent.

The Ministry of Magic did not properly judge Sirius, an injustice that deviated from proper procedures.

Nevertheless, at that moment, Sirius was truly broken. After mistakenly believing he had killed Peter Pettigrew, he spiraled into a state of madness. He sought redemption for Harry's parents and voluntarily confessed to many unjust crimes.

Evan considered that if he went to the cell now, he might catch a glimpse of Sirius.

"Let us continue..." Crouch glanced around, as if suddenly surrounded by dragons. "Bring them in!"

The door at the corner creaked open again, and six Dementors entered, escorting a group of four individuals.

In contrast to the previous silence, many in the crowd turned to scrutinize Mr. Crouch, exchanging whispers among themselves.

The Dementors seated each of the four people in the chained armchairs that had been set on the dungeon floor. There was a burly man glaring at Crouch; a thinner, nervous man whose eyes darted around the crowd; a woman with lustrous dark hair and deeply narrowed eyes, sitting on the chair like a throne.

It was a youthful Bellatrix, radiating beauty but occasionally revealing a glint of madness.

She gazed fearlessly at the wizards on the jury table. The faint smirk on her lips clearly exuded mockery and disdain.

And then there was a boy of seventeen or eighteen, starkly different from the others. He appeared completely petrified, trembling with straw-colored hair falling over his face, his freckled skin as pale as milk. It was Barty Crouch Jr.

He looked like a Hogwarts graduate, except for the fact that he was the most cunning and pure Death Eater. Evan would have mistaken him for a regular teenager, wrongly entangled in the trial, if he didn't know better.

Evan observed Barty Crouch Jr. in anticipation, but found nothing.

It was no wonder Voldemort trusted him. Such remarkable acting skills and cunning were beyond ordinary individuals.

Perhaps he believed his father would show him leniency as long as he played the innocent. But Barty Jr. was about to face a rude awakening, as Evan noticed Mr. Crouch not even sparing him a glance.

Crouch seemed to detest his own son now. As the war drew to a close and he was on the verge of becoming Minister of Magic, this situation suddenly arose. He deemed it necessary to sever ties with Barty Jr. as swiftly as possible.

In this regard, Crouch's cold-bloodedness and cruelty were unimaginable.

One had to concede that this family was truly dreadful...

They epitomized Slytherin, the stereotype of a pure-blood wizard family willing to forsake everything for power.

Yet they plotted behind the scenes, secretly scheming to save their son from Azkaban.

After glimpsing Barty Jr., the young witch beside Crouch began rocking back and forth in her seat, sobbing into her handkerchief. She appeared deeply saddened and distraught, her face reflecting a myriad of emotions.

Crouch rose to his feet and cast a disdainful gaze upon the four before him.

"You have been brought before the Magical Law Council and the Wizengamot High Court, so we may pass judgment upon you," he stated firmly, though his body continued to tremble, "for a crime so heinous..."

"Father," the straw-haired boy interjected. "Father... please..."

"... that we have rarely heard its like in this courtroom," Crouch continued, speaking louder, drowning out his son's plea. "We have heard the evidence against you. The four of you stand accused of capturing an Auror... Frank Longbottom... and subjecting him to the Cruciatus Curse, believing he possessed knowledge of the whereabouts of your exiled master, He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named..."

"Father, I didn't do it!" shouted the chained boy below. "I didn't do it, I swear, father, I am innocent, I was just there, don't send me back to the Dementors..."

"Furthermore, you are accused," Mr. Crouch roared coldly, "of using the Cruciatus Curse on Frank Longbottom's wife when he refused to provide information. You were planning to restore He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named to power, and resume the violent lives you presumably led when he was strong. Now I ask the jury..."

"Mother!" shouted the boy below, and the frail witch beside Crouch began to sob, rocking back and forth. "Mother, stop him, mother, it wasn't me, it wasn't me!"

His mother continued to sob. She kept wiping away the tears with her handkerchief, but remained silent.

"Now I ask the jury," Mr. Crouch shouted, "to raise their hands if they believe, like me, that these crimes deserve a life sentence in Azkaban."

Simultaneously, the witches and wizards along the right side of the dungeon raised their hands. The crowd around the walls began to applaud as they had done for Bagman, their faces filled with wild triumph.

Barty Crouch Jr. let out screams, echoing in the courtroom.

"No! Mother, no! It wasn't me, I didn't do it, I didn't know! Don't send me there, don't let him do it!"

The Dementors glided back into the room, and the boy's three companions silently rose from their seats.

Bellatrix looked at Crouch and exclaimed, "The Dark Lord will return. Throw us in Azkaban; we will wait! He will return and come for us, reward us handsomely! We alone were loyal! We alone tried to find him!"

But Barty Crouch Jr. tried to fend off the Dementors, although their cold, draining power had started to affect him.

The crowd jeered, some standing.

"¡Soy tu vástago!" he shouted at Crouch, "¡TU VÁSTAGO!"

"¡No eres progenie mía!" bellowed Mr. Crouch, his eyes suddenly bulging, his countenance fierce.

For the first time, he focused on Barty Crouch Jr. and yelled, "¡No tengo descendencia!"

The slight witch beside him let out a large gasp and slumped into her seat. She had fainted. Crouch seemed not to have noticed.

"Take them away!" He bellowed at the Dementors, saliva flying from his mouth. "Take them away and let them rot there!"

"Father! Father, I was not involved! No! No! Father, please!" Barty Jr. struggled.

But it was futile. He was ruthlessly dragged away by the Dementors.

Evan stood up, pulled Harry along, and ran. He wanted to witness the scene before they were sent to Azkaban.

Undoubtedly, Sirius was also there.