Chapter 559: Crouch's Hatred

"Imagining things, are you?" growled Moody. "Can you refute what Ivan just said now?!"

"I clearly see that you seem to have put a lot of thought into this!" said Karkaroff coolly, "You and Ivan Mason, and this boy, are obviously very skilled at this sort of thing. If anyone mistook the Goblet of Fire, it was you."

"If I did, I would have made Ivan a champion. There is no young wizard here who is a match for him. He will definitely win the championship." Moody retorted, "Am I not right? Otherwise, you would not have deliberately prevented him from competing. This is despicable cowardice."

Neither Karkaroff nor Madame Maxime spoke, and there was no way to refute Moody. They both knew Ivan's strength.

After the World Cup, Ivan was now very famous in European wizarding circles.

If any of the students from their schools could beat Ivan, they would not have specifically named him to be out of the tournament.

Compared to Ivan, Ron was really nothing. Everyone could sense the insignificant magic in him.

As Snape said, the boy's head was empty and he was a complete idiot.

Even Karkaroff himself didn't believe Ron could overcome the tasks of the tournament.

"Making Weasley champion seems like a harmless act on behalf of Hogwarts, but don't forget that there are those who will turn innocent occasions to their advantage." Moody replied in a menacing voice, "My job is to think as dark wizards do, Karkaroff...as you should remember."

"Alastor!" said Dumbledore in a warning tone.

Moody was silent, though he continued to watch Karkaroff with satisfaction. Karkaroff's face burned, and he dared not look at him at all.

"There is no point in arguing. We must obey the rules." said Mr. Crouch quietly, and finally came to a decision on the matter.

"But..."

"Madame Maxime, if you have an alternative, I would love to hear it!" said Mr. Crouch, entering the center of the room. He looked carefully at Ron with a cold stare. "This boy has to compete. There will be a reasonable explanation in writing to the Ministry of Magic to your two countries."

"Thank you, Barty!" Dumbledore nodded to Mr. Crouch. He said to all assembled in the room, "How this situation has come about, we do not know. However, it seems to me that we have no choice but to accept it. Both Cedric and Ron have been chosen to compete in the tournament."

Madame Maxime did not speak, but merely glared angrily. Snape also looked furious, and Karkaroff was livid. Bagman, however, seemed quite excited.

Ivan breathed a sigh of relief. It seemed that the trouble was over. Then it was Barty Crouch Jr.'s turn to act.

He looked back at Mr. Crouch, whose slender frame looked very strange.

Crouch was looking at Harry and noticed Ivan's gaze. He turned and looked at Ivan.

It was the first time they had ever looked at each other. Neither looked away, as if they wanted to see through the other.

Ivan didn't know what Crouch saw in his own eyes, but from his indifferent eyes, Ivan saw a trace of madness and monstrous hatred.

It looked like he couldn't wait to pull out his wand and kill everyone present.

Ivan could clearly sense that this guy was a madman, a completely dangerous maniac.

The expression was fleeting, and in the blink of an eye, Crouch was back to his former appearance.

"Well, shall we get going, then?" said Bagman, rubbing his hands together and looking around with a smile. "We have to give our champions their instructions, don't we? The other three kids..."

"Let them stay here, there's nothing to keep secret about this matter!" said Mr. Crouch.

"Well, listen up, champions, the first task is meant to test your daring," said Bagman to Ron, Cedric, Fleur and Viktor. "So we're not going to tell you what it consists of. Courage in the face of the unknown is an important quality in a wizard...a very important one. I hope you can understand that."

"The first task will take place on November 24, in front of the other students and the panel of judges."

"Champions may not ask for or accept help of any kind from their teachers in completing the tournament tasks. Champions will face the first challenge armed only with their wands. They will receive information about the second task upon completion of the first task. Due to the demanding and lengthy nature of the tournament, champions are exempt from the end-of-term exams."

Bagman said this in one breath, wiped the sweat from his brow and turned to look at Crouch.

"I think that's it, do you have anything to add?"

Crouch shook his head and returned to his position in front of the fire, as if he had a special fondness for it.

"Are you sure you don't want to stay at Hogwarts tonight, Barty?" said Dumbledore, looking at Mr. Crouch with mild concern.

"No, Dumbledore, I must get back to the Ministry!" said Mr. Crouch. "You know, it's a very busy and very difficult time right now. I have to do a written report for Fudge about tonight.... I've left young Weatherby in charge...very enthusiastic...a bit over-enthusiastic, to tell you the truth."

"Will you come for a drink before you go, at least?" said Dumbledore.

"Come on, Barty, I'm staying!" said Bagman cheerfully. "Everything's happening at Hogwarts now, you know, it's much more exciting here than in the office!"

"I don't think so, Ludo. I can't stay here," Crouch said with a touch of his old impatience.

"There are so many things waiting for me to do." He turned directly around and walked out of the room. Snape followed him out.

Glancing at his back, Ivan thought quickly.

If Barty Crouch Jr. had tricked him, it wouldn't be long before he took his previous form if he didn't leave.

The discussion went on for a long time. If he didn't drink the multijuice potion again, unless he didn't use the multijuice potion, it would soon be regression time.

In this case, it was understandable that he was in a hurry to get out of Hogwarts. Crouch wasn't Moody and he couldn't drink wine from his flask all the time. If he talked to Dumbledore for a while, he wouldn't have time to sneak a drink of the multijuice potion.

Anyway, things here were over.

Although he didn't know what conspiracy he had, Ron became a champion with his help, and the rest of the matter could be taken care of by Caresius.

He could let him help Ron like Moody, and it wouldn't raise suspicion.

There was no need for Bartemius Crouch, Jr. to risk his life at school, as long as he could show up at the last moment.

But when he thought of the crazy light in Crouch's eyes, Ivan sensed that things would not be so simple.

"Professor Karkaroff, Madame Maxime, a drink?" said Dumbledore.

Madame Maxime ignored him. She had already slipped her arm around Fleur's shoulders and was leading her quickly out of the room.

As they walked away towards the Great Dining Room, they spoke very fast in French and their faces didn't look very good.

The same was true of Karkaroff, who was waving at Krum.

Krum merely looked up and drank a small bottle of supplements. His face was grim and he followed Karkaroff without saying a word.