Ludo Bagman's death had just so happened to occur right after the interviews with the three champions, and the three champions themselves just so happened to each carry an almost perfectly balanced share of suspicion… wasn't that a little too coincidental?
Although there was still one problem with that line of reasoning: whether it was Bagman's dispute with Krum or his debt relationship with the goblins, all of it had happened before the Triwizard Tournament even began. So how exactly had the murderer managed to predict the identities of the champions and their ties to Bagman before the competition had even started?
And even the fact that Ludo Bagman, a British official, had come to Durmstrang to host the tournament—was the reason behind that really as simple as Karkaroff had made it sound?
"So, until we uncover the truth, all of you must remain under supervision."
Crouch spoke in a tone that allowed no argument, while the two headmasters behind him remained silent, seemingly acquiescing to his statement.
"During this period, you will continue staying in these rooms. However, classes and daily life may proceed as normal. You are still not allowed to possess your wands. Aside from that, you are also temporarily forbidden from privately contacting your own headmasters, in order to ensure the accuracy of the investigation… any further questions?"
"Yes."
Avada raised a hand.
"Since our studies and daily lives may resume as normal, are we also allowed to look for evidence in our favor on our own, or at least go take a look at the crime scene? That shouldn't be some top-level secret, right? Quite a few people have already seen it…"
"That is your freedom. But you would do well not to expect whatever so-called 'evidence' you find to carry much persuasive value."
Crouch gave a casual nod.
"As for the crime scene—because Durmstrang is still negotiating with the British Ministry of Magic, the scene has already been magically frozen, pending the arrival of a professional investigative team. It is currently under heavy protection, and no one is permitted to approach. But if you only intend to observe it from a distance, that is of no consequence. That likely has little to do with actual investigation anyway…"
"And one more thing."
At last, he warned sternly, "Do not play any tricks. Every move you make outside your own rooms will be recorded by the badges. The moment you display any abnormal behavior, we will know at once and take action."
"Outside our own rooms?"
"Of course. Surely you don't expect to remain under surveillance while bathing and sleeping, do you?"
This time, it was Dumbledore who answered in Crouch's stead.
"And that is also because your rooms themselves are already secure. So while you are inside them, please behave yourselves as well. Do not do anything unnecessary—anything that might make it harder for you to clear yourselves."
After saying that, he exchanged glances with Crouch and Madame Maxime, then turned and left together. From start to finish, he had not given Avada even the slightest hint with his eyes. And so, all that remained on the underground floor were the three champions who had yet to clear themselves, now looking awkwardly at one another.
"Do you believe what that Englishman said?"
Krum, who had remained silent the whole time, was the first to break the silence.
"The deceased just happened to have ties to all three of us. Even Ken, the one with the least motive… that is your name, right? Good. Even Ken was arranged to be the last one to meet Bagman, giving him the greatest suspicion… we were probably targeted."
"Anyone can see that."
Fleur tossed her hair, looking irritated.
"Goblins… what exactly was that man called Bagman's relationship with the goblins? Do any of you know?"
Avada and Krum both shook their heads.
"I need to find Professor Karkaroff."
Krum said, "That doesn't count as private contact, since he is currently Durmstrang's person in charge. I have to ask him and get this straightened out. At the very least, I can't stay completely ignorant like this. If Bagman really was killed by an outsider, then that probably also means the school is no longer safe—and we don't even have our wands now!"
"Then I'll go look at the crime scene."
Avada nodded gravely and turned to leave the underground level first—right now, he was equally uncertain himself.
Even though losing his wand was not a major problem for him, since he had long since become capable of casting most spells wandlessly, if things truly were as Krum said, then that undoubtedly meant the other students were also in danger.
And that was not what he and Dumbledore had agreed upon.
…
Second floor, Durmstrang. Ludo Bagman's office had long since been protected by layer upon layer of magic. Although the door was still left open, several protective enchantments had been drawn outside it, including warnings, defenses, and counterattacks, and two professors were stationed outside guarding it. The moment they saw Avada approaching, they immediately became wary, clearly aware of how sensitive his identity was.
"…I'm only here to look."
Seeing this, Avada had no choice but to stop several meters away from the first boundary line. From that distance, he could not even clearly make out the inside of the office with his eyes alone.
Just as Crouch had said, Bagman's office had indeed been preserved in its entirety. Even Ludo Bagman's own corpse had been left exactly where it was. Under Avada's magical senses, the entire office was shrouded in a strange magical power that had halted the movement of everything inside, freezing all objects at the instant just before the spell had taken effect.
And just like the furniture and objects around him, Ludo Bagman's corpse sat motionless in the chair behind the desk, leaning back. A silver dagger was embedded in his heart, yet not a single drop of blood had spilled. One of his hands still held a quill, and his eyes were slightly widened, as if the terror on his face had not even had time to fully emerge before he had forever lost the ability to express emotion…
"Killed instantly? No resistance at all… no, not even the slightest awareness?"
Avada did his best to control his expression, not letting the two professors in front of him realize that he was actually scrutinizing every detail in the room.
"Is that really an effect a dagger can produce?"
"…That dagger does indeed bear magical traces unlike any human style. It should be what they call goblin craftsmanship—but that magic only has the function of eliminating bloodstains. Aside from that, it is just an ordinary silver dagger…"
"Then let's look at something else… his spiritual power has already completely dissipated, which makes sense, since too much time has passed since his death. Vitality… wait?!"
"Why has his vitality completely dissipated too?!"
Ordinarily, vitality, as the bond connecting body and spirit, exists throughout every part of the body. Muscles, blood, bones… everywhere is suffused with vitality. Although vitality greatly collapses upon death, it should never collapse so completely as it had now, leaving behind not even the slightest trace of ever having existed—unless the victim had been struck by some special kind of magic…
And whether in theory, or in all the knowledge Avada possessed, only one spell could produce such an effect.
(End of Chapter)