"Veritaserum..." Scrimgeour glanced hesitantly at Madam Bones beside him.
Under his leadership, and with Fudge deliberately adjusting the balance of power, the Auror Office had effectively become an independent department, reporting directly to the Minister.
In name and organizational structure, however, the Auror Office remained under the Department of Magical Law Enforcement.
Using Veritaserum on a wizard required approval from either the Minister or the head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement. Otherwise, it was a violation of regulations.
"Mr. Crouch," Madam Bones naturally understood what Scrimgeour meant, but rather than answering him directly, she looked at Crouch. "Unless absolutely necessary, we would rather not resort to methods such as Veritaserum or Legilimency. So please tell us the truth. If we find anything that does not add up, we will have no choice but to use special measures."
"I understand. As I just said, I have no intention of denying my crimes. I merely wish to explain them-not only this latest crime, but also those I have committed over the past thirteen years..."
"Crimes over the past thirteen years?" Everyone present froze, including Tris, who had thought he already understood everything.
"Yes." Crouch nodded and began recounting the story.
Everyone, Tris included, listened in stunned disbelief.
It all began when Barty Crouch Jr. was caught by Aurors in the Longbottom family's home, charged with torturing the Longbottoms, and sent to Azkaban.
Although Barty Crouch Sr. was rigid in temperament and uncompromising in his methods, he adored his wife.
His wife had already been in poor health, and after Barty Crouch Jr. was imprisoned in Azkaban, she became bedridden and critically ill. Her dying wish was to save her son.
Utterly devoted to his wife, Barty Crouch Sr. agreed.
As the former head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement,