The Disappearance of Barty Crouch
"Are you absolutely sure, Black?" said the British Minister of Magic, Cornelius Fudge, standing right in front of Sirius's desk.
Sirius rubbed his forehead, clearly irritated and exhausted, holding back his disdain for the man as best he could.
"I've already told you several times. Moody himself went to check and got attacked by someone. But Barty Crouch wasn't there," Sirius said, sounding like he was repeating the same thing he had already said at least a dozen times to this incompetent minister.
Before Fudge could ask again, the office door burst open once more.
Mad-Eye Moody walked in, his gaze sweeping over the Minister for a brief second before landing on Sirius. Without saying much, he turned slightly and dragged someone in by the collar, shoving him into the office.
Percy Weasley.
He looked completely pale, especially after being practically dragged there by Moody just as he had been heading to work. Judging by his clothes, Moody was about to do the same to the second person behind him, but the man spoke up quickly.
"I… I can come in on my own," Ludo said, stepping inside while raising his hands, as if trying to show he meant no harm.
The moment he saw the Minister, he seemed to grow even more nervous, his whole body starting to shake.
"Ah, Minister. I… I can explain. I didn't think it would get out of hand. I just wanted to make a few coins, but the goblins… you know how they are…" Ludo rambled, clearly panicking.
"What are you talking about, Bagman? Does this have something to do with Crouch's disappearance?" Fudge asked immediately, frowning at him.
"Crouch? What? No, of course not. Crouch is missing? Wasn't he sick?" Ludo said, looking completely confused before quickly realizing that wasn't why he had been dragged here, letting out a quiet breath of relief.
Sirius, however, was now watching him closely, eyes slightly narrowed.
"Mr. Crouch is missing? Since when? Is he alright? Do you know where he is? That's not possible. He sent me an owl just this morning, asking me to take care of his duties," Percy said, his expression turning worried and tense all at once.
At his words, everyone turned to look at him.
Especially Moody.
"When did he send you that owl?" Mad-Eye asked immediately. His magical eye spun sharply, locking onto Percy with an intensity that made him visibly uncomfortable.
As if it was trying to find something in him.
"How long has Crouch been communicating with you only through owls? And how long has it been since you've seen him face to face?" Sirius asked, shifting his gaze to Percy, his tone turning noticeably colder.
That alone was enough to make Percy nervous under the weight of it.
"I… I haven't seen Mr. Crouch in person since he fell ill after the first task of the tournament. Since then, he's only been communicating with me through owls, saying his condition was quite serious. I didn't want to disturb him, so I took care of his work myself… I thought it would help him rest and come back fully recovered," Percy said, trying to sound like the perfect employee, a hint of pride slipping through, especially in front of the Minister.
"That's why I've been holding back anything from the Prophet," he added.
Sirius didn't look away.
He wasn't really judging Percy's words…
but how much damage had already been done without him even realizing it.
Sirius let out a quiet breath and ran a hand through his hair, feeling the weight of a much bigger problem starting to fall into place.
"You're a complete idiot," Fudge snapped, glaring straight at Percy.
That made him stiffen even more, realizing he had just said something incredibly stupid. What kind of employee doesn't make sure his superior is actually fine… or even alive, for that matter?
"You were among the last people to see Crouch as judges of the tournament. I've already sent Shacklebolt to investigate, but he reported the place was completely clean by the time he arrived. For now, word of Crouch's disappearance must not spread. It won't reflect well on the Ministry… or the tournament. Is that clear?" he said, looking at each of them in turn.
"Because if this gets out… it won't just be a political scandal," Fudge added, more serious than usual.
"It'll be a hunt."
He didn't say who it would be for… or who would be doing the hunting.
"You want to hide the fact that someone is missing just to protect the Ministry's image?" Sirius asked, a hint of mockery in his voice.
"The Ministry is not in a good position right now. One of the tasks already went wrong, and that was under your supervision. That nearly caused us more trouble than we could afford. And now one of the judges disappears without a trace… do you think this only affects the Ministry? It affects Hogwarts as well. And you don't want that, do you?" Fudge replied.
It sounded less like concern… and more like a warning.
"And for now, put someone to keep an eye on that French giant," Fudge added.
Sirius narrowed his eyes.
"Why her? If anyone should be considered suspicious, Karkaroff would be a far better candidate," he said.
"Don't play dumb, Black. We both know what giants are like. Just do it. And if you want to keep an eye on Karkaroff too, go ahead. I've said what needed to be said," Fudge replied sharply.
Sirius looked at him with clear disdain.
"Weasley, remain at home for now. You're under investigation," Fudge added, turning to Percy.
Percy went even paler, if that was even possible.
"A-And… what about my position as a judge?" he asked, his voice shaking.
"That is no longer your concern. I'll be taking your place for now," Fudge said, already turning away.
Without waiting for any response, he walked toward the fireplace and disappeared in a flash of green flames.
"Still the same useless man as always," Sirius muttered the moment he was gone.
Then he turned his gaze toward Ludo and Percy, making a small gesture with his hand, dismissing them without a word. He clearly had no interest in dealing with them any longer.
They didn't need to be told twice.
Both of them left quickly, as if they had just been granted a pardon.
Sirius then looked toward Mad-Eye, who had remained silent the entire time, watching everything as if he were analyzing each of them.
"None of them are involved. They don't look like they're lying… though Bagman is hiding something," Moody said in a serious tone, pulling out a flask from his pocket and taking a drink.
As he did, several of the still-open wounds on his body seemed to tighten slightly, closing just a bit more.
"You could go see Madame Pomfrey. I'm sure she'd fix those in a second," Sirius said, glancing at the flask, clearly recognizing it as a healing potion.
"I don't like drinking anything I didn't make myself," Moody replied immediately.
"Suit yourself. For now, get some rest. Hogsmeade's been getting a bit too comfortable for visitors lately. It'd help to have another set of eyes there, just in case. Some people have started gathering there… and they're becoming a problem," Sirius said.
As he finished speaking, something seemed to click in his mind.
"What if it's all connected?" he muttered.
Then he looked up at Moody again.
"Maybe it's time to call in reinforcements," he added, his expression darkening at whatever was starting to take shape… something he couldn't fully grasp yet.
And something that was clearly going to keep him busy.