bioinnovel Chapter 230 Barty Crouch
Chapter 230 Barty Crouch
Chapter 230 Barty Crouch
Walton McNeill works in the Office of Beasts within the Department of Magical Creatures Control and Management, and serves as an executioner on the Committee on the Disposal of Dangerous Animals.
A person responsible for executing animals should not be qualified to attend this trial, let alone express their opinions during the trial.
However, McNeil's identity was not as simple as it seemed; he was also a Death Eater who had escaped punishment.
The method of escaping punishment from the Ministry of Magic was rather unoriginal: McNeil claimed he was under the influence of the Imperius Curse and that his actions were not intentional, and that was the end of it.
Years later, Walton McNeill obtained a position at the Ministry of Magic, becoming an executioner on the committee.
Even though McNeil was once a fearsome Death Eater, and even though he once outmaneuvered the Ministry of Magic, it couldn't change the fact that he was just a nobody.
It's truly disgusting that such a minor character would jump out and question the authenticity of Peter Pettigrew's testimony and the Ministry of Magic's previous interrogation of Peter.
Arguing with McNeil would be beneath him, but ignoring his questions wouldn't work either, as it would affect the procedural justice that Connelly Fudge wanted.
Belvina strongly suspected that McNeil had other Death Eater remnants behind him, which was why he dared to jump out so brazenly and disgust people.
Either it was Lucius Malfoy's idea, or it was instructed by that scoundrel Coban Yaxley.
What Belvina couldn't understand for the moment was why they did this, and what the Death Eater remnants' purpose was in doing so.
If they really wanted to rescue Peter Pettigrew, they could forget about it. Instead of using procedural justice to exonerate Peter, they might as well just openly snatch him away.
It can't be that the Death Eaters are cowardly and know they can't save Peter Pettigrew, and they just want to come out and disgust people. "I don't think so."
In any case, Belvina cannot ignore the questions raised by Walton McNeil and must not allow him to continue his unreasonable arguments.
Belvina thought for a moment and said, "Torture? Mr. McNeil, I'm sorry, I don't quite understand what you mean."
As she spoke, Belvina glanced at the highest rows of benches, but Coban Yaxley was nowhere to be seen in the dark judge's seat. Similarly, Lucius Malfoy was not among the invited members of the prominent families on one side of the judge's seat.
The two most influential Death Eater remnants were not present. Where were Malfoy and Yaxley?
“Miss Black, you know exactly what I’m talking about,” McNeil said slowly. “Someone used the Unforgivable Curse on Peter Pettigrew at Hogwarts to force him to confess.”
As soon as he finished speaking, the people present began to whisper among themselves again.
All eyes were on Belvina and Sirius; some looked annoyed, others quite worried.
Some people also seemed a little scared.
Connelly Fudge's brows were furrowed like a twisted rope in the dock. Had McNeil gone mad? How dare he jump out and stir up trouble? Who gave him the guts!
Dumbledore's expression was calm, and he closed his eyes with an air of composure, as if he had long anticipated such a commotion, as if he had known all along that Belvina could solve this problem.
"First of all, there was no torture or forced confession," Belvina said calmly. "Peter Pettigrew confessed to his crimes while under the influence of truth serum."
Belvina paused for a moment, then continued, "Of course, truth serum can't guarantee a wizard will tell the truth. But if Peter Pettigrew had the ability to resist its effects, would he have confessed? Would he have told the truths that could send him to Azkaban?"
"I told you, you used the Unforgivable Curse!" McNeil roared. "If Peter Pettigrew doesn't confess, he'll only face more torture!"
"What exactly are you trying to say? What are you implying, McNeil!" Belvina said. "Can you produce any evidence, witness testimony or physical evidence? At least produce one piece of evidence before you have the right to question me."
Having said that, Belvina looked around and said loudly, "Peter Pettigrew," she pointed to Peter slumped in his armchair, "whether at Hogwarts or the Ministry of Magic, whether or not he had the Truth Potion, Peter confessed to his crimes without hesitation. What more is there to say? A man who should have died thirteen years ago is still alive. Isn't that enough to prove anything?"
The courtroom was silent. The Ministry of Magic had determined that Peter Pettigrew was dead, but he was not only alive, he had also confessed to his crimes.
Thinking of this, the people on both sides of the courtroom looked at the Ministry of Magic official in the center. They couldn't tell whether he was dead or alive, or whether he was guilty or helpless. What use were they?
Cornelius Fudge looked somewhat flustered, glancing pleadingly at Belvina before turning to Dumbledore, who was resting with his eyes closed. McNeil's sudden appearance disrupted Fudge's pursuit of procedural justice.
Even more flustered than the minister was the director of the International Magical Cooperation Division; Barty Crouch unconsciously clenched and unclenched his fist much more frequently.
From the moment this miscarriage of justice was exposed, Barty Crouch knew he was culpable and was prepared to be fired, but that didn't mean Mr. Crouch wanted to get himself into trouble.
At that moment, Sirius Black suddenly spoke, breaking the silence in the courtroom.
He said, "It's just the Unforgivable Curse, isn't it? Why not examine the wands of everyone present that night, and everything will become clear? I've waited thirteen years, I don't mind waiting a little longer."
Yeah, check the wand! A Flashback Charm would solve it, I don't know why we're making such a fuss!
Wait a minute, did the Ministry of Magic examine Sirius's wand thirteen years ago?
"Oh, and while we're at it, let's also bring in all those who were hit by the Imperius Curse back then, and have them examined again. What do you say, McNeil?"
Time was of the essence; an ominous silence hung in the deep, dimly lit courtroom.
The Imperius Curse caused the Ministry of Magic a great deal of trouble back then. Many Death Eaters claimed to have been cursed after being arrested, and ultimately escaped Azkaban's one-way ticket.
If the investigation into those cursed by the Imperius Curse is reopened, the downfall of a number of high-ranking officials will be a minor matter; the Ministry of Magic will likely be finished as well.
"Huh?" McNeil seemed completely at a loss. "The Ministry of Magic already has a conclusion on the Imperius Curse; there's no need to investigate it again. It's a completely different matter—"
"This involves the Dark Lord and his followers, so we can't be too careful," Belvina pressed her advantage, saying loudly, "I remember Mr. McNeil also claimed to be under the Imperius Curse back then, so how about we start with you?"
"You! You are questioning the authority of the Ministry of Magic!" McNeil, all bark and no bite, pointed at Belvina, looking furious as if someone had stepped on his tail.
"Who first questioned the authority of the Ministry of Magic?" Belvina retorted loudly. "It was you, Walton McNeil! Peter Pettigrew was sitting right there, and you ignored him; his testimony was right there, and you deafened him!"
Belvina suddenly shouted, "McNeil, what are you up to! You're protecting Peter Pettigrew!"
You're still trying to curry favor with your old friends!
The thunderous roar and resounding question startled Walton McNeil, who slumped back onto the bench, drenched in sweat.
Barty Crouch was also sweating profusely; the case being retried had to be, and could only be, between Sirius Black and Peter Pettigrew, and absolutely no one else could be involved.
"Answer me, McNeil!" Belvina said immediately. "What are your intentions? What are your purposes? And who instructed you to disrupt the trial and protect Peter Pettigrew, the Death Eater?"
Belvina's questions grew louder and louder, like surging waves rising one after another.
McNeil, looking ashen-faced and at a loss, felt a deep hatred for Lucius Malfoy and Coban Yaxley.
The Wizengamo members all looked toward the judge's bench, seemingly wanting McNeil to give an explanation, or perhaps putting pressure on Fudge and the others.
McNeil had already conceded defeat without saying a word, but Belvina was unwilling to let him off the hook. Belvina, who was not one to give up easily, planned to send McNeil away in one fell swoop.
Before Belvina could question McNeil again, the gavel suddenly rang out.
Barty Crouch left his seat, walked to Cornelius Fudge's side, snatched the gavel from the minister's hand, and slammed it down.
"Under special circumstances, law enforcement officers have the right to use the Unforgivable Curse on criminals," Barty Crouch said, his voice trembling slightly but his eyes unwavering.
Mr. Crouch continued, "Peter Pettigrew is suspected of killing twelve Muggles, posing an extremely high level of danger. It is legal and reasonable to render him incapacitated by the Unforgivable Curse, and the caster bears no responsibility."
With that final word, Barty Crouch's statement ended the debate and also declared Peter Pettigrew guilty.
However, to everyone's surprise, after making his statement, Barty Crouch did not return to his seat, but instead continued speaking.
Mr. Crouch continued, "After the Quidditch World Cup, I, Barty Crouch, will resign from all public office."
With that, Barty Crouch dropped his gavel, walked straight down from the bench, and headed out of the courtroom without looking back.
Unlike Dumbledore, Mr. Crouch did not apologize, nor did he even glance at Sirius Black, but he did publicly acknowledge his mistake and resign.
Watching Barty Crouch's aged figure recede into the distance, Belvina's emotions were mixed for a moment. She felt no joy as a victor. Barty Crouch, a hero of the Wizarding Wars and a loser in peacetime, whose merits and demerits were difficult to quantify, had faded into obscurity.
Whether it was a case of the rabbit mourning the fox's death or a feeling of kinship, Belvina couldn't quite say; perhaps she simply felt sorry for the creature.
The gavel struck again, drawing everyone's thoughts back to the dimly lit courtroom.
This time, the one who struck the gavel was Amelia Borns, the current Head of the Department of Law Enforcement at the Ministry of Magic.
She said, "Raise your hand if you agree that Sirius Black is guilty."