Hogwarts: Even Voldemort Can't Stop Me From Studying

Chapter 850: Chapter 221: Legilimency

Barty Crouch Jr. let out a painful groan, but quickly revealed a relieved smile—his memories were being inspected by his master, was there a better way to prove his loyalty?

He could feel a hand roughly rummaging through his memories. Voldemort could of course enter someone’s mind silently, but at this moment, he intentionally used this approach to assert his presence and authority.

Barty Crouch Jr. supported himself on the ground with trembling hands, as scenes from the past flashed through his mind:

He threw the old caretaker into the trunk... Stood by the door in Filch’s guise, watching Harry Potter and his friends walk into the hall, laughing and talking... Intentionally troubled Vid, dragging him into the office, just as he was about to act, Sirius suddenly appeared...

The speed of searching through the memories suddenly slowed, the magic pierced into the man’s consciousness like a knife, his head hurt as if it was about to split open.

But Barty Crouch Jr. restrained his instinct to fight back, maintaining a submissive posture throughout.

Alastor Moody poured Veritaserum into him with a face full of loathing, interrogating fiercely...

”No... no... don’t think I’ll betray my master...”

Barty Crouch Jr. shouted in pain, resisting the effects of the Veritaserum with sheer willpower, and suddenly his entire magic power erupted...

Moody flew out, crashing heavily against the wall... Dumbledore suddenly broke in, and a blinding light filled Barty Crouch Jr.’s vision...

He was forced to revert to his original appearance, his identity recognized... Tied to a chair, his head hung powerlessly, looking almost dead... Outside the door, voices argued fiercely:

”We can’t hand him over to the Ministry of Magic, Dumbledore!”

Moody shouted loudly, spitting out words: ”Those incompetents won’t accomplish anything, give him to me! Three days! I promise, in just three days, I’ll make him spill everything he knows!”

”No, Alastor.”

Dumbledore said gently but firmly: ”This man is a fugitive from the Ministry of Magic; he should be interrogated and managed by the Ministry. I believe Scrimgeour is as excellent an Auror as you are.”

”Aren’t you worried that this approach will let him escape again?” Moody said anxiously: ”I don’t trust those reckless young men!”

”Scrimgeour isn’t young, and Kingsley is battle-hardened too.” Dumbledore said: ”It’s time to pass the heavy burden to the next generation and enjoy retirement, my dear old friend.”

In the distance, a huge explosion suddenly sounded, as if something had blown up, and screams filled the chaos.

Footsteps quickly moved away, the people guarding outside left, and the man tied to the chair moved his fingers.

After a while, a tall boy sneaked in, looked around, quickly closed the door, then ran to Barty Crouch Jr.’s side.

”Mr. Crouch... Barty Crouch Jr.?”

Barty Crouch Jr. raised his head: ”You... who are you?”

”I’m Ryan Smith, also a follower of the Dark Lord.”

The boy said, while quickly waving his wand, releasing the binds on Barty Crouch Jr., also giving him a potion to restore his strength.

Though dazed, Barty Crouch Jr. instinctively disliked the boastful tone in his speech... At the same time, doubts grew wildly in his mind.

He grabbed Ryan’s wrist and intermittently questioned: ”How do you... know... I’m here?”

His nails dug deep into the teenager’s skin, and Ryan groaned in pain, his expression twisted, but he dared not refuse to answer.

”It was Vid Gray.”

He said trembling: ”I overheard him bragging to his friends... claiming he helped catch a Death Eater. So I followed and eavesdropped, that’s how I found out.”

”Then I reported to the Dark Lord, who said... by any means necessary, to rescue you...”

—Then unimaginable rewards would follow.

Of course, Ryan didn’t say this last part, but the Dark Lord was well aware of this Ilvermorny student’s desires.

”By any means necessary”—these words deeply pleased Barty Crouch Jr. and made him choose to trust Ryan Smith.

With Ryan’s help, he escaped the room that imprisoned him as swiftly as possible, diving into the nearest secret passage. But just as he was about to leave, Barty Crouch Jr. suddenly turned back.

”No... I can’t leave just like this!” Barty Crouch Jr.’s eyes were wild, a hoarse whisper squeezed from his throat: ”No matter what... I must... I must complete the Dark Lord’s mission...”

”Are you insane?” Ryan whispered harshly: ”Dumbledore will quickly find out you’ve escaped! If you don’t leave now, you’re truly done for!”

Barty Crouch Jr. jerked his head up, bloodshot eyes: ”No! The mission must be completed... This time... I... I can’t fail again! I must bring Potter back to the master! You have to assist me in this. Otherwise, if I’m exposed, you won’t have a good outcome either!”

Ryan’s fingers clenched and unclenched, hesitant, his eyes fierce then weak, but in the end, ambition conquered reason.

He gritted his teeth: ”Fine, I can help you! But if things go wrong, you leave immediately!”

”No problem!” Barty Crouch Jr. agreed without hesitation, but whether he’d keep his promise, that was uncertain.

The flow of memory scenes suddenly accelerated again.

Ryan helped Barty Crouch Jr. hide in the Ilvermorny student dormitory. Although Hogwarts quickly discovered Barty Crouch Jr.’s escape and launched a search, it was impossible to search the Ilvermorny individuals thoroughly.

Barty Crouch Jr., from various hidden perspectives, saw Dumbledore and others pass by with grave faces several times and had also seen several Aurors enter and exit the school, but they remained without any gains.

Soon, the Triwizard Tournament arrived, and Barty Crouch Jr. pulled Ryan to explain his plan—

”There’s only one way to achieve our goal, and that is to turn the prize cup into a Portkey leading to the master, while ensuring Harry Potter is the first to touch it.”

”That’s impossible.” Ryan said with a grim look: ”With Vid Gray around, how could Harry Potter become the first? Even you failed to take that guy down!”

”Then make Gray the target of everyone.”

Barty Crouch Jr. said with a gloomy look: ”I’ll make sure all the champions cross paths with Vid Gray, creating more trouble for him. Meanwhile, I’ll clear the obstacles on Potter’s path as much as possible. Of course, just in case, I’ll also do some work on the Goblet of Fire.”

”That’s better.” Ryan said hesitantly: ”Do you need me to help you with anything?”

”Of course.” Barty Crouch Jr. looked at Ryan deeply and said: ”I need a pair of eyes.”

”Eyes?” Ryan was puzzled.

”Yes.” Barty Crouch Jr. said: ”A pair of eyes that can keep track of all the champions’ movements, regardless of whether they are in the broadcast frame, and doesn’t draw anyone’s attention.”