Barty Crouch was actually Barty Crouch Jr.., who had been dead for 13 years, in disguise. This reality instilled a deep sense of crisis in Fudge.
It was one thing back then, but the news that Barty Crouch Jr.. is still alive will definitely push Luke Wood's situation back into the spotlight.
Even the most incompetent Ministry of Magic at the time could only manage to have Barty Crouch Jr. the Young escape from Azkaban.
The Ministry of Magic, now led by Fudge, always boasts about its efficient governance. However, with Sirius Black preceding it and Luke Wood following, the so-called strengthening of Azkaban's management has become a joke. It would be better to simply turn it into a hotel.
"What a joke! Would I be scared!"
Fudge's mood at this moment is very similar to that of Barty Crouch Jr. is still stubbornly arguing.
If Voldemort hadn't returned, he could have forcibly suppressed public discontent with the Ministry of Magic.
But because Vincent refused to cooperate, last night's live broadcast had already deeply resonated with the audience, and no amount of forceful measures could change that.
If they didn't want to be ousted by the angry public, they could only insist that the live broadcast of Dumbledore's duel with Voldemort was fake, fabricated by certain dangerous elements to sow discord within the British Wizarding World.
Fudge took a deep breath, no longer caring whether Barty Crouch Jr. would explain everything.
Compared to his position, his escape from Azkaban was nothing.
But for Moody and Scrimgeour, the opposite is true. Barty Crouch Jr.. 13 years ago, Sirius Black the year before last, and Luke Wood last year all proved that Azkaban had extremely serious vulnerabilities.
If the loopholes are not identified and plugged as soon as possible, it's hard to say whether the Death Eaters who have been imprisoned for more than ten years will also escape.
Back to reality, simply interrogating him won't get him to Barty Crouch Jr..
Although he was most likely under a spell cast by Voldemort, Moody and Scrimgeour decided to give it a try anyway.
In front of Fudge, the two poured a bottle of Veritaserum into Barty Crouch Jr.'s mouth.
His body was trembling, and cold sweat was pouring down his forehead, as if he were enduring immense pain.
Veritaserum work by interfering with the user's consciousness, making it impossible for them to conceal or fabricate information after drinking it, thus forcing them to tell the truth. The entire process is painless.
Barty Crouch Jr.'s reaction, however, did not seem like he was under a restriction; rather, it was more like he was resisting interference and erosion of his consciousness.
Moody pulled a second bottle of Veritaserum from his pocket, Scrimgeour tried to stop him but Moody poured it down his throat first.
Overdosing on Veritaserum can cause confusion and, in severe cases, even permanent long-term effects.
When Moody pulled out the third bottle, Scrimgeour quickly stopped him. "Alastor, are you crazy? This stuff doesn't even need a whole bottle to deal with an ordinary wizard. If he drinks any more, he'll go crazy!"
Moody let Scrimgeour snatch the Veritaserum from his hand. "Rufus, I suspect he knows Occlumency."
Occlumency not only resists Legilimency, but also forces the mind and spirit to remain in a state of alertness.
Since Voldemort did not place any restrictions, Barty Crouch Jr..'s only reason for being so fearless was Occlumency.
It's not impossible to take the antidote for Veritaserum in advance, but even an antidote made by a top Potions Master cannot last for more than ten hours.
"Hmph—" Barty Crouch Jr. stared at Moody with a twisted expression. "As expected of a legendary Auror, he deduced that I know Occlumency so quickly."
He and Luke Wood must have had some extraordinary abilities to be sent by Voldemort to the Ministry of Magic as spies.
Moody, who was being glared at, grinned menacingly. "Very well, I would have been very disappointed if you had told me everything sooner."
The Occlumency relies on focused willpower and emotional isolation, and it is not unbreakable.
Scrimgeour watched as Moody raised his cane but made no attempt to stop him.
Conventional methods won't work against Death Eaters; you can torture them to death as long as you don't cripple them.
"Ah—" Barty Crouch Jr. screamed in agony as he was tormented by the Cruciatus Curse.
He startled Fudge awake. "Rufus, Alastor, what are you doing?"
Moody responded coldly, "Does the Mr. Minister have any doubts about interrogating Death Eaters?"
This attitude severely provoked Fudge; if it were before, he definitely wouldn't have been able to swallow this insult.
But the situation is different now. The Ministry of Magic's tough measures cannot completely suppress public opinion. If they can find something to divert attention, such as the story of Barty Crouch Jr. escaping Azkaban, which Fudge has overlooked, the wizards will be quite interested.
"The Dark Lord has been defeated again, and he fled in a sorry state just like last time."
"Shut... shut up..."
Moody continued, seemingly oblivious to his own words, "You destroyed your home with your own hands. Your father should have been Minister for Magic, and you deserved a bright future."
"Shut up..."
"It was you. You sided with the doomed Dark Lord. You not only destroyed your happy family, but also countless other families."
Barty Crouch Jr. was tormented by the Cruciatus Curse, and with Moody's verbal attacks, his mental defenses were crumbling little by little.
"Shut up... don't say anymore..."
"You were able to escape Azkaban 13 years ago, but what about now? Do you think the Dark Lord will come to your rescue?"
Moody grabbed his left arm, which bore the Dark Mark. "You're incredibly stupid, Barty Crouch Jr. Crouch. The Dark Lord only saw you as a pawn. From the moment we captured you, you were completely useless."
"Kill... kill me..."
Moody pressed his cane against the Dark Mark on his left forearm. "Can't hold on any longer? Don't worry, I won't let you die so easily."
Under the effect of the dispelling spell, the Dark Mark projected wisps of black smoke.
"Ah! Kill me! Kill me now!"
The Dark Mark is essentially a master-servant Contract. Any attempt to remove it is considered a violation of the Contract, and it will cause intense burning pain to the branded person.
Coupled with the torment of the Cruciatus Curse, Barty Crouch Jr.'s mental defenses finally collapsed, and his consciousness began to be interfered with by the truth-telling effects of the Veritaserum.
Moody only dispelled the spell and put away his cane after Moody lowered his head expressionlessly.
"Barty Crouch Jr. Crouch., can you hear me?"
"I can hear you."
"Tell me, how did you escape from Azkaban? What have you been doing so far?"
Barty Crouch Jr. took a deep breath, his voice trembling, and told his story in a completely emotionless tone.
Unlike Sirius Black, he did not escape Azkaban on his own.
"My mother saved me. She knew she was going to die, and she begged my father to rescue me as a last thing for her."
My father loved her very much, even though he never loved me. He eventually agreed, and they came to see me together. They gave me Polyjuice Potion containing my mother's hair.
Barty Crouch Jr.'s mother drank Polyjuice Potion containing his hair, and the mother and son swapped appearances.