[136] Wine and Venom

"Look who's here?" Crouch squinted. When he saw who stood before him, a thin smile crept across his lips. "Our two little champions."

"What are you doing out so late? Go back and rest."

He tried to make his smile seem friendly, but his wand remained pointed directly at Hall and Harry.

Barty Crouch didn't know how much the two children had seen, and he couldn't gamble.

Hall understood the implication well enough. Since that was the case, he might as well lay it all out.

He lifted his chin slightly, a hint of defiance in his eyes, and waved his hand at Crouch.

"Mr Crouch, is this what you're looking for?"

They weren't far apart. Crouch could see clearly. In Hall's hand was the scale he had been searching for. Hall had taken advantage of the chaos to cut it off the dragon.

Crouch's expression shifted. He tried to sound friendly. "Child, give me that. It's enchanted. You can't touch it carelessly."

As he spoke, his eyes locked onto the scale Hall was tossing up and down in his hand.

"Well, I think it's fine," Hall said casually, tossing the scale in his palm.

Crouch's eyes followed the scale as it rose and fell. His expression grew tense.

"Give it to me now." He leaned forward slightly.

Hall saw it clearly — an obvious stance, preparing to attack.

Harry nervously tugged Hall's sleeve.

"Sure," Hall said. "Take it if you can."

He stuffed the scale into his pocket, a fearless smile on his face.

"You're asking for it!"

Crouch raised his wand high — but a soft sound came from the darkness.

The scene wasn't actually quiet. Leaves rustled around them, the wind whistled faintly. But that sound came from a dark, empty place.

Crouch froze. An expression crossed his face — one of sadness, sorrow.

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"Who's over there? Get out of my way!"

His shout came out odd and strained.

A thought flashed through Hall's mind. He shouted into the darkness, "Mr Crouch, I'll keep this safe for Headmaster Dumbledore. Once he reports it, you'll definitely be promoted. Minister of Magic, even."

Crouch turned and glared at Hall, about to speak —

A figure leaped from the darkness. Impossibly fast. Too fast to defend against.

The figure rushed towards Crouch.

"I knew it! It must be you!"

The face that leaped out was one Hall and Harry recognised — a keeper from the Dragon Protection Society.

The keeper had Crouch by the throat. Crouch seemed completely unable to resist, only struggling helplessly. Pain crossed his face. He opened his mouth, wanting to explain, but couldn't find the words.

"Son —"

"It was you! You betrayed me! You made my mission fail!" the keeper snarled through gritted teeth, his voice filled with resentment.

Hall and Harry couldn't help but step back.

"Let's go." Hall turned slightly, signalling Harry to get reinforcements. Harry understood and reached for the Invisibility Cloak, his movements hurried.

Just as Harry was about to put it on, a blinding flash struck the lawn in front of him, illuminating the darkness.

Crouch lay on the ground. His face was pale, his eyes filled with anxiety.

The keeper — Barty Crouch Jr. — released his grip on Crouch's neck and slowly stood up. A sinister smile spread across his face, particularly menacing in the darkness. "Harry Potter. Hall Weasley."

His voice was cold as ice. "You think you can escape?"

"Barty Crouch Jr.," Hall said with certainty.

Harry stood beside Hall, his heart pounding, but he didn't flinch.

Barty Crouch Jr. burst into laughter, the sound echoing through the night. "You're quite clever. I'm almost reluctant to kill you."

Crouch Sr. lay on the ground, coughing, each cough seeming to drain all his strength. His eyes were filled with pain and despair. Tears welled. He struggled to lift his head, looking at his son, his voice weak as a candle flickering in the wind. "Son, why did you do this? I was trying to protect you."

Barty Jr. remained unmoved. His eyes held only madness and hatred. "Protect me? You've never truly cared about me. You only care about your reputation and status."

Hall tried to reason with him. "Voldemort will only bring destruction. There's no future in working for him."

Barty Jr. glared at Hall. "Shut up! What do you know? My master gives me power and glory. You only stand in my way."

He raised his wand, ready to attack Hall and Harry. His arm was taut, the tip of his wand flashing with danger.

A powerful beam of magical light flew from afar and struck Barty Crouch Jr., staggering him backwards.

"Headmaster!"

Hall and Harry cried out at the approaching figure.

Dumbledore walked forward slowly. "Mr Crouch, if I remember correctly, you should be serving your sentence in Azkaban."

At this moment, Barty Crouch Jr.'s face began to twist and contort, kneaded by an invisible hand. His face became grotesque, terrifying, finally settling into another face — a pale-haired, light-skinned young man.

Dumbledore looked at Crouch Sr., who lay weeping on the ground. He sighed softly. "Mr Crouch. Continued protection only leads to uncontrollable consequences."

Crouch Sr. was in tears, his face contorted with pain. His hands trembled as he reached out to Dumbledore. "My son was only temporarily misled. He knows he was wrong."

In the distance, Barty Jr. roared viciously, "I don't need your pity! Dumbledore, now that you've taken me, our great Dark Lord Voldemort will avenge me!"

His eyes held madness and obsession, as if he had been completely swallowed by darkness.