Were you here to arrest me?

The office door closed behind him, and the firewood in the fireplace crackled softly.

"Mr. Crouch," Regulus looked at Crouch, nodded slightly, then turned to Moody, "Mr. Moody."

Moody nodded.

He stood half a step behind Crouch, leaning back slightly, his weight on his right leg, his left shoulder slightly higher than his right, his gaze fixed on Regulus's face.

Regulus glanced at him.

I saw him when I returned from Hogsmeade in my first year, and later when I interacted with him as Geralt. He still looked the same, quite wary.

Crouch sat at his desk, his dark robe buttoned up to the collar, the silver scales and sword emblem on his chest reflecting the firelight.

His hair was neatly combed back, his thin face had prominent cheekbones, and nasolabial folds stretched from the sides of his nose to the corners of his mouth. His eyes were fixed on Regulus's face, and his voice was cold and hard. "Mr. Black."

Slughorn walked over to Regulus and pointed, "Sit here, Regulus."

The old man turned the chair that was originally facing the guests around and sat down himself.

Regulus stepped over and sat down, his legs spread out, knees naturally apart, back not straight, head not deliberately raised, just leaning back, taking up a lot of space.

The three Auror stood apart, one by the door and the other by the glass case, keeping a distance from each other. Moody was positioned so he could watch out for Crouch.

1

x can clearly see Regulus and the doorway.

Crouch turned to Slughorn: "This involves the investigation, Horace. Please give us a moment to speak alone."

Slughorn sat down and showed no intention of getting up again, his tone considerate. "You can begin, Barty. I'd like to hear it too."

Crouch stared at him for a moment, the lines around his mouth deepening. He opened the file beside him, pulled out a photograph, placed it on the table, pushed it forward, and fixed his gaze on Regulus.

"Edmund Wilton, a member of the Wizengamot, was absent from last week's meeting. The clerk was unable to contact him and his body was subsequently found at his country residence."

Regulus waved his hand, and the photograph flew off the table, hovering about a foot in front of him.

The male wizard in the photo is lying next to a desk, half of his face pressed against the floor tiles, his mouth twisted to one side, and dark brown blood flowing from his mouth and nose, congealing in a patch beneath his face.

The neckline was open, the neck was swollen and Transfiguration, the fabric in front of the chest was slumped inward, the right arm was bent at an abnormal angle to the side, the exposed skin was covered with large patches of dark purple, and the eyelids were bulging.

After Regulus finished reading, he summoned Crouch to retrieve the Study records, the pages hanging next to the photograph. Without even looking up, he asked, "How many days has the Ministry of Magic been investigating?"

"From the day the body was discovered," Crouch's voice was cold, "The residence was secured, the remains at the scene and the body were examined, old case materials were compared, and the summary report was sent to the Department of Magical Law Enforcement this morning."

He pulled out the page marked with the time, pressed two fingers against the edge of the paper and pushed it forward. "The time of death was before the start of the school year, when you hadn't returned to school yet."

Regulus glanced at the date, waved his hand, and the photos and materials fell back onto the table.

Crouch let the pages fall, his eyes fixed on him. "Mr. Wilton proposed a draft code of conduct regarding the private use of high-risk Magic, and we are investigating whether his death was related to fulfilling his duties as a member of the Wizengamot."

Regulus understood, glanced at the other person casually, then lowered his gaze to the scene diagrams shown in the dossier.

Crouch waited a moment, then pulled out the bottom stack of records and placed it on the other side of the table.

"On the left are the test results from Wilton's Study, and on the right, from the Rowle Manor," he pointed to a spot, his eyes still fixed on Regulus, "The two sites have been compared."

The Study diagram unfolds, revealing shattered floor tiles around the corpse, a section of marble near the fireplace cracked, fragments scattered under the corner of the table, while the bookshelves stand upright in the distance, and the roof remains intact.

Regulus casually asked, "Where is the matching part?"

Moody approached the table, still standing with his legs apart, and bent down to arrange the relevant materials side by side.

His voice was low and husky, with a rough, grinding sound, "The residual Magic Power on the stone, the unfolding of the Magic after it entered the object, and the traces of power being released from the inside out—all these are similar to the records of the Rowle Manor. Based on this, the appraisers determined that the two sites used the same type of destructive Magic."

Regulus reached out and turned the page toward himself, glancing down at it.

The distribution of residual Magic Power within the stone is described separately, with overlapping areas marked separately.

By comparing the traces left by the method of Spellcasting, the report linked this to the shock damage suffered by the body, attributing it to the same Attacks.

Crouch placed a hand on the edge of the table and leaned forward. "You were the one who used this Magic at the Rowle Manor. The evidence at the scene, along with Wilton's recent involvement in proposals, is sufficient to warrant further verification."

Regulus showed no reaction, his gaze still fixed on the record.

Moody added, his rough voice continuing, "The possibility of roof collapse, falling heavy objects, and bodily impact has been ruled out; the fatal damage occurred inside the body."

Regulus raised his eyes. "Directly affect him?"

Moody stared down at him, his wariness deepening. "The destruction of surrounding objects couldn't have caused these injuries; Wilton took the Magic directly."

Regulus lowered his eyes again.

The Disintegration Charm can damage inorganic matter, such as rocks, the ground, and manors. However, when applied directly to the human body, it does not produce the manner of death described in the report.

Someone recreated this scene based on the battle traces at the Rowle Manor, probably using what they understood to be the Disintegration Charm.

Crouch's attitude began to change. He presented photos, evidence, and comparisons, but Black on the other end showed no reaction whatsoever.

He sat up straighter, withdrew his hand from the edge of the table, his nasolabial folds deepening, and his eyes turned cold. "During the time of your death, did you have any contact with Mr. Wilton?"

Regulus raised his eyelids slightly, his expression blank. "I've never seen him, and I didn't kill him."

Crouch stared at him, his expression growing increasingly stern, while Regulus remained expressionless as he stared at him.

"Your statement will be recorded in the file," Crouch said, gathering the materials on the table, his tone even harsher than before. "Next, you will need to return with us to the Ministry of Magic, where your whereabouts, Spellcasting records, and any evidence found at the scene will be further verified by the Department of Magical Law Enforcement."

The other three Auror in the room simultaneously took a step forward, their gazes all falling on the armchair, waiting for Regulus to rise.

Regulus glanced first at the person blocking the aisle, then at the arm reaching out from beside the glass cabinet, before turning back to Crouch.

He remained seated comfortably, but his voice softened, and he asked casually, "You brought these people here to arrest me?"

"The deployment of operations is determined by the Department of Magical Law Enforcement based on risk," Crouch met his gaze, his tone unwavering. "Whether you accept the investigation is not a decision you can make on your own."

Regulus remained silent, looking at Crouch with a calm gaze.

Crouch's jaw muscles tightened, his face turned pale, and his hand, which was next to the dossier, pulled inward slightly. His Magic Power began to gather.

The Auror by the door looked at Crouch and stopped in his tracks.

Slughorn shifted in his chair, glancing first at Crouch, then at the Auror, and finally at Regulus, without saying or making any other move.

Regulus looked across at the person opposite him, his voice barely rising and falling. "I'm still sitting here listening to you because your last name Crouch."

Crouch's face turned completely cold. "The person who's here to see you today is the Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement."

Regulus continued to look at him, his eyes devoid of emotion, his posture unchanged.

Moody's gaze lingered on Regulus's hands, and his shoulder, which had been to the side, turned to shield Crouch.

The firewood in the fireplace cracked, Mars flew from the broken pieces, landing with a splatter in the embers.

Crouch waited a moment, and seeing that Regulus did not react, his expression softened from its earlier coldness, and he resumed his composed demeanor, continuing to make arrangements.

"Before you leave the school, your wand will be temporarily kept by us for a Prior Incantato test. You are not allowed to Spellcasting on your own while we are with you."

Regulus lowered his eyes.

Hand over the wand, restrict his Spellcasting, and take him back to the Department of Magical Law Enforcement. When his father arrives, he will be faced with the fact that he has already been controlled.

The questioning will end soon, and the materials will be released; these will require further negotiation with Crouch.

Black's allegiance had already been decided; he was on Voldemort's side. His future destination had also been predetermined.

If Crouch could take him away from the school, it would be enough to make those wavering wizards reconsider whether they should continue to disobey the orders of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement.

The final outcome of the case is still pending, but the news of the arrests has already spread.

If Crouch makes a good impression, more people in the Ministry of Magic will be willing to get close to him, and those who advocate a hardline stance will have someone to support them.

The report in front of him seems to have a strong chain of evidence, but if Crouch were to question it, a lot of loopholes could be found. However, he is obviously eager to put the charges into practice and wants to make it a reality.

Slughorn spoke up from the side, "Barty, I invited him here to hear your explanation, but I didn't agree to arrest him."

The old man's tone still left room for discussion, but his eyes were resolute. He sat next to Regulus, his hand pressed against his stomach, looking at Crouch and waiting for his direct answer.

Crouch turned to Slughorn, his previously suppressed coldness now fixed on him. "The school has no right to dismiss the Department of Magical Law Enforcement's investigation. Are you trying to prevent us from fulfilling our duties?"

"You may explain your reasons clearly," Slughorn said, his tone equally firm. "Orion has been notified to remain here for now."

Crouch frowned slightly, then quickly suppressed it, pursed his lips, and said in a firmer voice, "The investigation won't wait for the family to reach a conclusion."

Regulus tilted his head slightly and glanced at the little old man beside him.

Slughorn noticed his gaze, turned to look at him, his expression softened slightly, and then quickly looked back at Crouch.

Crouch beckoned behind him, his voice short and curt. "Prepare to hand over the records, seal the wand."

An Auror produced a long, slender black wooden box. The lid was open, revealing a groove in the center of the lining for holding a wand, with a silver clasp at each end.

He approached Regulus, carrying the open box, and held out a hand. "Mr. Black, please hand over the wand."

Regulus didn't even glance at him; his gaze passed over Crouch's face, his expression remaining indifferent.

Crouch stared at him, his brow furrowed, and neither of them spoke.

The Auror, who had been standing with his elbows outstretched, quietly bent down, glanced at Regulus, his Adam's apple bobbed, and then he swallowed back the words he was about to say.

Crouch paused for a moment, then coldly ordered, "Make a note of this: Black refused to hand over his wand for verification."

Slughorn frowned.

Unexpectedly, Barty was so firm this time. He had already listened to the materials and informed Orion. He should have waited a little longer, as there was always room for negotiation. But instead, he was in a hurry to take the wand away.

He then looked at Regulus.

The child showed no anger on his face, his expression was calm, and his Magic Power was subdued.

He secretly breathed a sigh of relief; it was good that Regulus hadn't attacked directly.

Orion and Dumbledore received the message that if either of them arrives, the situation can be stabilized. It would be best to hurry, before Regulus loses his patience.

Regulus's gaze remained fixed on Crouch.

Of course, the wand couldn't be handed over; Crouch's words just now left him with an option to pursue the matter further.

He looked at the hand still in front of him, then his gaze followed it to Auror's face.

The person opposite him visibly stiffened, their eyes met, and they slowly lowered their hand and stepped back.

Regulus recalled the people at the Malfoy family dinner party, the young Death Eaters who dared to question Black about loyalty in Voldemort 'Black name, and then someone bringing a murder case to the Department of Magical Law Enforcement.

The two events may or may not be related.

Voldemort may not have given any direct orders, or even explicitly stated that he wanted to test Black. He could have simply allowed those around him to act, knowing the situation and tacitly approving.

If that's the case, Regulus thought about the current situation and realized that if it were up to him, he would want several Auror to die here.

For now, we can still debate the identification and re-examine the scene. But if the Auror dies at his hands, the Ministry of Magic will have to respond to the death before its eyes, Black will also have to deal with it.

Those behind the scenes can temporarily suppress the original issue, allowing the two sides to continue their conflict.

Crouch wanted to bring back the living Black heir, but the person who brought him the opportunity might not have wanted this outcome.

Next, we can observe who makes the first move, which actions are carried out under orders, and which exceed those orders.

Crouch stood up, walked around the desk, and stood a step or two away from Regulus. He lowered his head, his voice already carrying a threat.

"Refusing to hand over the wand will not affect the continuation of the investigation. If necessary, the Department of Magical Law Enforcement will take coercive measures, including the use of Veritaserum. The decision is mine, and I will bear the responsibility."

Slughorn immediately retorted, "Barty, you can't give my students Veritaserum in my office."

Crouch kept his eyes fixed on Regulus, not even glancing at him. "Obstructing the execution of investigative measures will also leave an official record."

o

Slughorn's smile vanished, "Then write down my name."

Regulus then raised his right hand, extended his index finger, and gently tapped it on the armrest.