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Just as Lynn was introducing the wonders of that ring to Lucius Malfoy in detail—
In the nearby campsite, the Weasley family's tent was brightly lit, but the atmosphere was strange.
Only Arthur Weasley and Barty Crouch were sitting opposite each other, with unfinished butterbeer still sitting on the table between them.
The Weasley children, along with the visiting Harry, Hermione, and Edgar, had all taken advantage of the post-final excitement to head to the livelier center of the camp for the celebrations, leaving the tent quiet for the moment.
Arthur looked at Barty Crouch, who had been sitting stiffly in the chair opposite him since entering the tent, staring blankly ahead and saying nothing, his heart filled with doubt.
Why would his former superior visit alone late at night just to sit there like this?
"Mr. Crouch?" Arthur spoke tentatively, breaking the silence. "It's so late. Did you come here specifically because... is there something wrong? Or is there an urgent notice from the Ministry?"
Hearing the question, Crouch's body seemed to twitch slightly.
Crouch slowly lifted his eyelids and looked at Arthur. His mind was currently like a jumbled mess, a chaotic swirl where various fragmented instructions conflicted with each other.
But at this moment, one thought overrode all others: he had to find Harry Potter immediately and take him to... the vicinity of the Gaunt House...
He opened his mouth and answered in a dry voice:
"Sorry to disturb you so late, Arthur. There is some urgent official business at the Ministry that requires Harry Potter's cooperation in an investigation. I've been sent to take him there now."
"The Ministry? Urgent business? Looking for Harry?" Arthur's brow instantly furrowed. "What kind of business requires an underage student to cooperate in the middle of the night at the World Cup campsite? Besides, even if such a thing existed, it's usually handled through official channels to notify the guardian, or by the Aurors in charge of security. Why would you come personally..."
He paused, looking at Crouch. "Mr. Crouch, what exactly is going on? Can you be more specific?"
This question seemed to touch upon a blank area in Crouch's chaotic thoughts.
He froze, his eyes staring blankly ahead, his lips twitching a few times as if he were a jammed old machine struggling to process a problem beyond its programming, falling into a long silence.
Arthur reached out and waved his hand in front of Crouch's dull eyes, trying to regain his attention:
"Mr. Crouch? Are you alright? Are you too tired? Should you take a rest first..."
This action seemed to stimulate Crouch, and he suddenly "snapped out of it."
"Arthur! This is an order! Not a notice! I don't need to explain the details to you! Hand over Harry Potter immediately!"
The sudden roar startled Arthur, but his tone also became firm:
"Mr. Crouch! I believe that even an order from the Ministry of Magic must respect basic procedures and the rights of a minor to rest! Harry is very tired today, and without any official documents or an Auror escort, I cannot let you take him away like this for no clear reason! At the very least, you must tell me which department it's for, what the matter is, and show me the relevant authorization!"
"Move aside, Arthur! I'm taking him now!" Crouch appeared extremely impatient with Arthur's obstruction.
He suddenly stood up from his chair and prepared to go around the table, heading for the inner room of the tent.
"Mr. Crouch! Please calm down! You can't do this!" Arthur also grew anxious and stepped forward to stop him.
"Out of the way!" Crouch's patience completely snapped.
A fierce light flashed in his eyes, and with startling speed, he drew his wand from his sleeve. Without even looking, he pointed it at Arthur Weasley, who stood in his way:
"Stupefy!"
The Spell burst forth from the tip of his wand!
"You—!" Arthur had completely not expected his former superior to suddenly attack him. In his haste, it was too late to dodge or defend.
Bang!
The Spell hit Arthur squarely in the chest. He let out a muffled groan, his eyes instantly losing their light, and his body slumped backward, falling heavily onto the tent's carpet, unconscious.
This scene was witnessed by Edgar, who had just walked into the tent intending to relieve himself.
Edgar's urge to pee instantly vanished from fright. He gasped, his heart nearly jumping out of his throat.
His mind went blank, with only one thought remaining: something happened! Crouch attacked Mr. Weasley! He had to call for help! Notify Lynn! Notify the others!
He turned around, wanting to run out and find help in the center of the camp.
But his movements and intentions were clearly noticed by Crouch inside the tent.
"Brat!" Crouch snapped his head around, locking his gaze onto Edgar, and his wand turned in that direction as well. "Tell me! Where is Harry Potter?! Or I'll give you the same fate as Weasley!"
Edgar was scared out of his wits and didn't dare answer, putting all his effort into rushing out of the tent.
"Incarcerous!"
Crouch recited the incantation without hesitation, and a beam of light shot toward Edgar's back.
At the critical moment, just as it was about to touch Edgar's body—
A palm-sized metal plate in his left pants pocket suddenly became scorching hot. Complex miniature runes instantly lit up on its surface. (Chapter 116)
Hum—!
A translucent, faintly glowing protective shield suddenly appeared, centered on Edgar and wrapping him up tightly!
The binding curse shot by Crouch hit the protective shield with a dull thud. Light splattered, but it failed to penetrate that seemingly thin yet resilient barrier.
The protective shield fluctuated violently a few times, its color dimming slightly, but it successfully blocked the strike.
Failing with one attack, the fierce light in Crouch's eyes grew even stronger. He clearly hadn't expected this brat to have such a protective item.
But his thoughts were simple and crude now—clear all obstacles and take the target.
He raised his wand again. This time, Crouch was clearly preparing to cast a more powerful Spell, one sufficient to break the shield.
At the moment Crouch was fully focused and about to deliver a fatal blow to Edgar, who was trapped inside the shield—
A small cluster of gold-red flames rose behind him without warning.
In the instant the flames flashed and vanished, a figure stepped out from the flame mark like a ghost.
Lynn's gaze quickly swept over the fallen Arthur Weasley, the pale-faced Edgar trapped in the shield, and Barty Crouch, who was raising his wand with his back turned toward him.
In a flash, he had already assessed the "basic situation"—this guy was asking for a beating!
Without a single word of nonsense, without warning, and without even a pause after revealing himself—
Lynn's hand was already raised the moment he appeared.
"Crucio!"