Before Percy and Ludo Bagman could set off, a crack rang out on the path beside the tent, and a wizard appeared out of thin air.
"Barty, you're just in time. I was about to look for you." Ludo Bagman waved.
So that was Barty Crouch. Su Er looked over curiously.
Barty Crouch wore an immaculate black suit and tie like a Muggle bank manager, his leather shoes polished to a brilliant shine.
Su Er doubtfully checked the temperature. Yes, it was summer...
Although Barty Crouch wore a crisp suit, his condition did not match his clothes at all. His eyes were sunken, his hair was somewhat disheveled, his breathing was heavy, and his back was slightly stooped. A profound air of dejection and exhaustion hung about him.
Every official forced down from a position of real power was like this. Some took it well, but Barty Crouch was clearly not among them.
Barty's current situation had something to do with him. Su Er rubbed the tip of his nose, but he did not regret it at all. What had happened to Sirius had been Barty Crouch's fault in the first place. Had he so much as questioned him back then, things would never have turned out this way.
Percy was even more interesting. Although Barty was his direct superior, he merely gave him a perfunctory greeting of "Deputy Head." That "deputy" was particularly telling.
"Sit down and rest a while, Barty. You must have been run off your feet lately." Ludo Bagman grinned.
"No, thank you, Ludo." Barty Crouch waved a hand. "I've been looking for you. The Bulgarians insist that we add another twelve seats to the top box."
"So that's what it was." Ludo Bagman nodded in realization. "I thought they wanted me to get them a