Barty's Resolve

Barty Crouch Sr. battled the Imperius Curse every day. Fortunately, Voldemort's current condition required frequent rest, preventing him from constantly monitoring him. Instead, he entrusted the responsibility of keeping an eye on him to Peter Pettigrew.

Peter Pettigrew, for some unknown reason, was often lost in thought and spacing out. Deceiving Peter Pettigrew was a million times easier than deceiving Voldemort in his infant form. It took him a considerable amount of time and effort to finally break free of the Imperius Curse. He dared not use magic, lest Voldemort's uncanny methods allow him to track him down. He could only rely on willpower and walking day and night to reach Hogwarts, no longer caring about the potential disgrace this might bring.

If Voldemort were to truly rise from the dead because of him, then he would truly be a sinner for all time. He decided to find Dumbledore and confess everything.

That's why he was at Hogwarts.

The problem was that Barty Crouch Jr.., disguised as Mad-Eye Moody, obtained the Marauder's Map from Harry and learned of Barty Crouch Sr..'s escape from Peter Pettigrew's letter. He used the Marauder's Marauder's Map in wait, and eventually, he caught Barty Crouch Sr.. walking right into his trap. If it weren't for Skylar's strength, Barty Crouch Sr.. would probably be a pile of bones by now.

After regaining his memory, he shook his head vigorously. He felt as if there were some inexplicable things in his mind. This gave him a sense of dissonance with reality, and his head felt throbbing and aching.

After a while, his eyes regained their usual clarity, but with a hint of coldness.

In that brief moment, he had already witnessed the scene from when he was delirious—

His son, the son who shared his name, the son who earned 12 O.W.L. examinations and was the one he had pinned his hopes on, the son he risked his reputation to save, the son his beloved wife gave her life for—

He truly wanted to kill himself, and without hesitation!

He clenched his fists tightly, a fierce glint in his eyes, thinking, "Since you no longer have any fatherly affection for me, then don't blame me for hardening my heart and turning against you for the greater good."

He was such a shrewd and decisive person. After severing the burden of family ties and escaping death, it seemed that the ambition that had been worn down more than ten years ago had been rekindled in his heart.

To be honest, before all this turmoil, he had already planned to sacrifice his reputation and status to tell Dumbledore the whole truth. But now, he had another choice!

He knew very well that his survival this time was not truly due to divine favor, but rather to that student named Malfoy, the one regarded as the rising star of the Wizarding World, the next Dumbledore!

He had the ability to repel the enemy in such an unfavorable situation while also saving himself from being a burden. Clearly, his strength was far beyond that of an exceptionally talented student.

Barty Crouch Sr. had a premonition that the exceptionally talented young Malfoy was no less capable than the most elite Auror in the Ministry of Magic. Even if someone told him that Skylar could hold his own against Grand Sorcerer, he didn't think it was an exaggeration at all.

Since the decision has already been made to get rid of one's own son--

Therefore, sacrificing his power, reputation, and status would be unnecessary. Once Barty Crouch Jr.. is dead, no one will know what he did, except for Mr. Malfoy Jr. Mr. Malfoy. is clearly not a problem; his past extensive network within the Ministry of Magic shows he's an ambitious man.

Therefore, he must understand the importance of talented people and subordinates.

He was, after all, the head of one of the 28 Pure-blood families, holding the powerful position of Department of International Magical Cooperation at the Ministry of Magic of Ministry of Magic. He had once been a candidate for Minister for Magic, and had countless disciples and students under his command. He didn't believe that Skylar couldn't see his value.

As for killing Barty Crouch Jr.., there's even less to worry about; just ask Skylar to handle it. That's the only condition for getting him to surrender. If even that can't be done, it means Skylar doesn't yet have the means or ability to make him submit. As for giving Schelling leverage over him, that's even less of a problem. Barty Crouch Sr., who is familiar with politics and human nature, knows very well that only when Skylar has his most fatal secret can he gain his utmost trust.

In an instant, a variety of thoughts flashed through his mind, finally settling on the image of Mrs. Crouch looking at him with tears in her eyes and a pleading gaze, which lingered in his mind. He closed his eyes, the muscles in his face twitching slightly, and after a long while, as if he had made up his mind, his tightly closed lips trembled and he let out a long sigh.

"Darling, I'm so sorry. After you left, this home became a home where I was all alone. In reality, it was already dead in name only. I was just deceiving myself, thinking I could find the family affection I lost with that brat, but that kid is beyond redemption..."

Barty Crouch Sr. suddenly opened his eyes, his bloodshot eyeballs filled with determination, "Since I've lost love and family, I'll make up for it with my career!"

Meanwhile, in the Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor's lounge, Barty Crouch Jr.., now transformed back into Mad-Eye Moody, suddenly woke up in a wooden chair. He tapped his head, feeling dizzy and with a splitting headache.

All he remembered was that he had been using the Marauder's Map to keep watch, waiting for the old man to appear. Finally, he found him at the edge of the Forbidden Forest, but as luck would have it, Harry Potter, whom his master valued, and that troublesome Malfoy were chatting nearby.

Fortunately, a flash of inspiration struck him. He used magic to create some commotion, drawing the two away, and then, before anyone else could appear, successfully killed the old man with Killing Curse. He then transformed the body into an animal skeleton and buried it in the mud near Hagrid's Hut. Hagrid used that mud to grow some of Hogwarts' ingredients, and he often threw animal skeletons into the mud as organic fertilizer, so finding skeletons there wouldn't attract anyone's attention.

He twisted his slightly sore neck, then looked at the scabbed wounds on his body where he had just applied Dittany Ointment, and couldn't help but curse, "Useless Peter Pettigrew, can't even take care of a person properly, almost ruined Master's important business, luckily there was Potter's map..."

He rubbed his temples, his headache seeming to ease a little, and cursed again, "Truly a master of disguise, even without a wand and weakened to this extent, he can still fight back against me..."

Then, he grinned, "Fortunately, I've solved all the problems perfectly... without delaying Master's important matters..."