Little Barty Crouch Captured

The once-boisterous Hogwarts Quidditch pitch was now silent, as if someone had pressed a mute button on everyone.

When Krum finished recounting what he had seen and heard in a low voice, the Ministry of Magic personnel and school professors around him all looked grief-stricken, as though they had lost all hope. Fudge's face was even more terrifying—Peter Pettigrew, who had been dead for months, had not been as pale as him.

Eli sneered at the devastated Fudge, then turned his gaze to Dumbledore, who had remained silent all this time. Dumbledore's expression was unreadable.

"Our Champions have been frightened. They should get some proper rest." Fudge's eyes were vacant, and his mouth seemed as though it did not belong to him.

The Aurors around them exchanged looks as if they had not heard clearly.

"Evacuate everyone!" Fudge suddenly roared. It did not sound like his usual voice at all; he was as hysterical as a squealing pig.

The Aurors jolted awake as if from a dream, hurriedly put away their wands, and headed into the stands to disperse the crowd.

Even as they were ushered away, every spectator kept their eyes fixed on the people at the center, like chickens, ducks, and geese being herded along.

"We need to carefully sort through what just happened. That will take some time," Dumbledore, who had not spoken until now, said calmly. His expression had not changed in the slightest because of Voldemort's resurrection.

Dumbledore did not continue emphasizing the fact that Voldemort had returned to Fudge here, because he knew it would be a complete waste of time.

Things were different now. Eli was on the Board of Governors, and Eli's influence reached into outside forces as well. A mere Minister for Magic was no longer important. He would only hold