HP: The Dropout Who Saved the World

Barty Crouch was discovered to be under the control of the Imperius Curse at home!

According to Percy, Mr. Crouch was found by the members of the Department of International Magical Cooperation, mumbling Dumbledore's name incessantly.

He was alternately lucid and confused, gradually breaking free from the curse's control.

This incident startled the entire Ministry of Magic, and Aurors were dispatched to escort the staggering Mr. Crouch to Hogwarts.

"Wetherby, your cauldron... Dumbledore..."

Crouch was still incoherent, his eyes fixed on the Pensieve in the headmaster's office, mistaking it for a large cauldron:

"This cauldron clearly doesn't meet the standards, Wetherby, please handle it, thank you."

His eyes were bulging, his body covered in scars, hair and beard tangled together, looking more like a vagabond or madman than a stern director:

"Sorry, I'm in a hurry to meet my wife and son at the door, he got twelve O.W.L.s, he's brilliant."

Fudge, who arrived hurriedly with a frown, exclaimed in shock:

"He's gone mad! His wife and son are clearly—"

Dumbledore, with a serious expression, quickly cast several spells on Crouch.

Crouch seemed to regain some clarity, a glimmer of light appearing in his eyes.

He suddenly leapt, clinging tightly to Dumbledore's legs, and even several Aurors couldn't pry his arms open:

"I... I'm guilty... I need to find Dumbledore..."

Finally freeing himself from the bear hug, Dumbledore gasped for breath, soothing his emotions:

"Take it slow, calm down, Barty."

But Mr. Crouch was utterly terrified, his eyes bloodshot, speaking haltingly:

"Dumbledore... I made a big mistake... Bertha was killed... My son and Voldemort... and Pettigrew... they intend to kill Harry Potter..."

Everyone gasped, a sense of panic and helplessness spreading in the headmaster's office.

"Nonsense! Nonsense!" Fudge was aghast, "He's out of his mind, we already know Voldemort is gone—"

But Crouch continued to ramble, seemingly not hearing Fudge's words at all:

"Pettigrew and Voldemort... took my son... controlled me... I did something foolish... I traded my wife and son..."

Dumbledore cautiously discerned the meaning in his words, then asked:

"Where has your son gone? What are they planning?"

Crouch struggled to respond:

"Hogwarts—he's here—bring Harry Potter—"

"And Jane Yu—I occasionally heard—she will become his servant—"

Dumbledore's face suddenly changed!

Everyone in the headmaster's office watched his face turn a livid color, anger nearly shooting from his eyes.

Only Fudge continued to shout:

"Nonsense, fake! You won't believe him, will you? Just a few Death Eaters, they're no threat—"

...

Jane Yu and Harry were soon summoned to the headmaster's office.

The two exchanged confused glances.

An innocent Jane Yu felt bewildered.

Aside from the incident with dance partners leading to a fight, she hadn't caused any trouble, right?

Moreover, during the fight... and the Polyjuice Potion incident, she wasn't even present!

But she didn't expect that upon entering the headmaster's office, she would be met with Fudge's questioning:

"Speak, what are you students up to?"

This made her even more confused.

Sitting in the dorm, a pot fell from the sky?

"I don't understand what you're asking?"

But her reply seemed to anger Fudge further:

"A Death Eater is in the school—he must have had contact with you—"

Dumbledore stopped his questioning:

"Cornelius, students can't know these things, you must send Aurors to search, find Barty Crouch, crush Voldemort's plot—"

But Fudge impatiently interrupted him, as if listening to Dumbledore's suggestion was utterly repulsive:

"You heard what he said, she's to become his servant! She must have connections with the Death Eaters—"

"And Harry Potter, he must sense who harbors ill intent towards him—"

It seemed the notion of Voldemort growing stronger was completely unacceptable to him, leading him to cross the line with his words:

"They're pretending not to know—we might need some Veritaserum, no need for gentleness in this situation—"

Dumbledore looked at him coldly, barely suppressing his anger, repeatedly reminding himself that the person before him was the Minister of Magic, controlling the urge to throw him out the window.

"Cornelius Fudge!"

Under his pressure and angry shout, Fudge seemed to regain some clarity, realizing what he was saying, he awkwardly fell silent, then forcefully explained:

"Albus, we must find Barty Crouch, since he's hidden among the school's staff and students—having them speak the truth is the fastest way—"

"My children can't have any contact with Death Eaters." Dumbledore glared at him, "But since you want to investigate the school's staff and students, why don't we go talk to Alastor, you're quite familiar with the former Auror from the Ministry."

Fudge frowned, muttering something:

"Why find him?"

But the inexplicable pot falling from the sky made Jane Yu realize something, she remembered the foe-glass in Moody's office, capable of distinguishing who the real enemies were.

Sure enough, Dumbledore continued:

"Although he's recovering, he's very familiar with the school's staff and students, he has ways to help us—with some tools."

But what they didn't expect was that when they opened the office door, they saw not Moody, but a pale, thin man with light golden hair!

That was the target they were looking for—

Barty Crouch Jr.!

...

And unbeknownst to them, Barty Jr. was already in great anxiety.

To avoid exposure and secretly take Harry away—

Following the Dark Lord's orders, he attacked Moody, locked him in a trunk, and infiltrated Hogwarts disguised as the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor.

He was working to replace the Triwizard Tournament trophy with a Portkey, to teleport Harry, essential for the Dark Lord's resurrection, away.

But his plan was thwarted before it could be fully implemented.

Because his Polyjuice Potion was about to run out!

That day, as usual, he sneaked into Snape's private storeroom, pulled open the drawer containing African tree snake skin—

Only to find it empty!

This made his heart skip a beat!

He suddenly realized his disguise might be exposed!

Perhaps Snape had already discovered his theft, hence clearing out all the African tree snake skin!

Cursing his bad luck, Barty Jr. was sweating profusely.

But misfortune never comes singly, as he had to take sick leave due to the depleted Polyjuice Potion—

Dumbledore and a group from the Ministry of Magic burst into his office!

Among them was his father!

It's all over! His father broke free from the Imperius Curse!

Realizing his identity was exposed, Barty Jr. was shocked.

But fortunately, his clever mind quickly made a decision—

He must act immediately, sending Harry Potter, needed by the Dark Lord, and the prospective Death Eater recruit Jane Yu away!

"Such a small oversight—I never imagined I'd be caught because of the Polyjuice Potion."

Facing the Aurors and Fudge's warning to "drop your wand and surrender," he appeared calm, even having the leisure to lament his failure.

Dumbledore stared at him, calmly asking:

"Where is the real Moody?"

But Barty Jr. didn't answer, instead picking up the teapot on the table, making a pouring motion:

"I have many things to say... What are you worried about? With so many people here, I won't resist. Why don't we sit down, have some tea, and chat slowly."

He began serving tea to everyone present, even though no one dared to drink the tea he offered.

An Auror carefully sealed the tea and teacups as evidence needing examination, only Dumbledore calmly drank the tea in one go.

"And my favorite students, Harry, Jane—"

He placed two teacups in front of them.

Jane Yu didn't take it, she watched him warily.

"Good, very cautious. It's a pity—"

The next second—

The teacups fell directly into Jane Yu and Harry's arms!

The two vanished instantly!

Everyone was stunned by the sudden change, Dumbledore quickly cast a spell to restrain the fleeing Barty Jr.

"It's an illegal Portkey!"

"Where did you send them?"

Facing various questions, Barty Jr. merely stared at his dazed father and laughed heartily, after a while, he finally said with a smile:

"Of course, to my master."

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