Less than two hours after the film was released, Lucius visited Barty Crouch in person, showing great "sincerity".
He waited from morning until noon, and finally until almost the end of the workday in the evening.
He went to the Minister's Office halfway through, but was politely refused.
Fudge chose Barty Crouch as director because he didn't want outside influences on the normal operation of the Magical News Department, at least not during the Triwizard Tournament.
The Ministry of Magic has been busy enough lately. The three Death Eaters who attacked the World Cup camp are still missing, and a minority of people are beginning to question their abilities. If similar smear articles happen again, it will be difficult to suppress the public's anger.
Even his "old friend" couldn't help, so Lucius had no choice but to wait patiently until evening.
Gradually, he began to suspect that Barty Crouch had deliberately kept him waiting for so long.
He stood up impatiently and, for what seemed like the umpteenth time, peered through the window at the newly renovated Magical News Department.
The press releases that had been scattered on the table were now neatly organized, while the newly purchased storage cabinets against the wall remained unchanged.
Several employees, who appeared to be reporters or editors, were discussing something. In front of them was a very large newspaper template, presumably being laid out for tomorrow's news.
Lucius sat back down in the chair by the door.
Before his patience ran out, a young employee finally called him in.
"Mr. Malfoy, Chief Crouch wants you to go in now."
Lucius suppressed his anger and walked toward the newly opened director's office.
The room is not large, and although the walls are white, the overall style is very simple, without any unnecessary decorations, giving people a particularly efficient feeling.
Barty Crouch sat at a dark, long table, seemingly unaware of Lucius's arrival, engrossed in reading public reviews of "The Warriors' Daily Life."
Without cutting out the beginning or end or maliciously editing, the focus was on authenticity, which indeed generated a huge response.
The wizards began to discuss whether it was necessary to improve physical abilities, whether magic or combat was superior, or whether Pure-blood Wizard were inherently superior.
Of course, the most popular topic is the comparison between the Potter Champion and the Malfoy Champion.
"Cough cough—"
Barty Crouch put down the thick stack of parchment in his hand, and looked up expressionlessly at Lucius, who was already sitting opposite him.
He frowned slightly. "Mr. Malfoy, I'm sorry to have kept you waiting."
Lucius gave a fake smile. "It's alright. I heard the Magical News Department is very busy lately. I can wait a few more hours."
Barty Crouch's brow furrowed even deeper, as if he disliked him somewhat.
Crouch and Malfoy are both members of the Sacred Twenty-Eight, and are more or less related by blood.
But this is the Ministry of Magic, the Magical News Department, Lucius has only one reason for visiting.
Barty Crouch placed his hand on the table and began to tap it gently, one tap at a time.
"Mr. Malfoy, please go back. The Magical News Department is firmly committed and will not arbitrarily modify any content that has already been published."
Lucius clenched his fists tightly on his lap, but maintained a gentle smile on his face.
"Director Crouch, I believe you have also noticed the controversy from the outside world. I think the Champion should maintain a proper sense of mystery. This will not only make people look forward to the Champion's performance, but also protect the Champion from outside interference to the greatest extent."
His precious son's arrogant and domineering side has been completely exposed, and he must be feeling extremely tormented right now.
If this affects your performance, or even if something unexpected happens...
Barty Crouch suddenly slammed his hand hard on the table.
His tone was remarkably calm. "Mr. Malfoy, we did not distort the facts, nor did we force the Champion to do anything. Everything they did in front of the camera was voluntary."
Lucius's eyes darted around, and his face instantly fell. "Chief Crouch, I am Draco's father. I don't want to see my son get hurt."
His acting was excellent; his eyes even turned red.
However, Barty Crouch remained stern. "No exceptions, Mr. Malfoy."
If the soft approach doesn't work, then we'll have to use the hard approach.
Lucius's expression changed, and he stared intently at Barty Crouch across from him.
Just then, a knock came from outside the door.
"Come in."
Gerry opened the door and walked in, and upon seeing Lucius, he unconsciously straightened his back.
"Chief, the Champion of Delacour went back to their carriages to rest after dinner, but I have already taken enough footage."
"Hmm." Barty Crouch handed him the thick stack of parchment in front of him. "I've read the public's comments. Edit the footage we shot today as usual. After we finish filming the daily life of the Viktor Krum Champion tomorrow, you'll be in charge of the live broadcast of the game."
"Yes, Director." Gerry took the parchment with a delighted expression and left the office without even saying goodbye to Lucius.
Even a lowly editor-in-chief dared to ignore Lucius; he now completely understood Barty Crouch's attitude.
Even the toughest measures probably wouldn't be able to move this incorruptible director.
Instead of continuing to embarrass ourselves, we should try to mitigate the impact.
The fake smile on Lucius's face gradually disappeared, replaced by that familiar arrogance.
"Chief Crouch, I want to secure all the advertising slots in the Daily Prophet for the next month."
Barty Crouch's eyes changed slightly, as if he was mocking or amused.
"I'm sorry, Mr. Malfoy."
He quickly reverted to his previous expressionless demeanor, "I can't help you with this request either; all the advertising slots have already been taken."
Lucius clenched his fist again. "By whom?"
"Mr. Black."
It's him again?!
Lucius's eyes blazed with fury, as if they were about to burst forth at any moment. "Chief Crouch, when did he secure the advertising space?"
Barty Crouch calmly met his gaze. "Just yesterday."
"Hmph—" Lucius sneered. "I understand, Chief Crouch."
After a whole day, he had finally seen through everything.
All that talk about no precedent or yesterday is just a lie. Barty Crouch simply doesn't like himself.
"I think I should go now, Chief Crouch."
"Please take your time, Mr. Malfoy."
Staying here will only waste time; it's better not to humiliate yourself any further.
Barty Crouch watched Lucius's departing figure, a fleeting look of disgust crossing his eyes, as if he were looking at a tattered rag that had been soaking in sewage for a long time.
Perhaps it's because of Lucius's former Death Eaters status, claiming that he could be exonerated by paying a large sum of Gold Galleons after being afflicted with the Imperius Curse? Barty Crouch, who hates evil, certainly wouldn't look down on such a person.