Hogwarts: From Little Wizard to White Lord

Across from him, Vaughn leaned back, legs crossed. "How about this? Do you accept my offer? I'll help you heal your son, and you'll work with the Werewolf Affairs Committee on the wolfsbane potion, and help me with some small favors when the time is right."

Crouch was silent for a moment: "How sure are you?"

"I don't know." Vaughn was very frank. "I need to carefully examine Mr. Barty's memories to confirm the state of his spiritual world and the extent of the influence of the dark magic on him. Then, I can develop a treatment plan based on this."

"As a potential partner, I need to explain to you that Mr. Barty Jr. is also very important to my research. To be honest, I have never learned in detail about the mind of a completely corrupted dark wizard."

This is indeed the main reason why Vaughn came to Barty Crouch.

Crouch also obviously noticed it, "You said helping you with some small favors is also related to dark wizards?"

Vaughn smiled and said, "Yes. For example, you took advantage of your position to give me some dark wizards to study."

"..."

This was a bit like the evil human research on Muggle TV, but it actually made Crouch feel at ease.

This means that the other party did not fool him.

Through the demonstration and explanation in the spiritual world, Crouch also saw the potential of the strange personality suit. He hesitated for a moment before saying, "Let me think about it...how can I contact you?"

This kind of reaction is basically confirmed.

Vaughan's smile grew gentler. "You can send me a letter by owl, or you can contact Professor Snape through the fireplace and have him tell me a time."

As he said this, he handed Crouch a slip of paper with the address on it and a few "Throw me in the fireplace" notes.

Crouch took it and smiled sarcastically: "Are you very confident that I will agree?"

"No, I'm just certain that a father would never let go of even the slightest possibility to save his son!"

"..."

……

The inquiry meeting continued for the next two days.

Minister's Office.

Cornelius Fudge, with a gloomy face, observed every move in the Wizengamot meeting room through the magic mirror.

This is his power as a minister. Although he cannot participate in Wizengamot decision-making, he can still observe.

The Wizengamot itself does not refuse outside observers, and occasionally even allows ordinary wizards to attend some trials.

Watching the questioning meeting proceeding calmly under the chairmanship of Amelia, looking at the hateful face of Vaughn Weasley on the central podium, responding to those harmless questions with understatement.

Fudge gritted his teeth and forced a glass of liquor down his throat.

"a ha ha ha--"

He suddenly burst into laughter, shaking with laughter, and then he was furious: "Damn it, I want sherry, not this damned giggling liquor, I don't want to laugh!"

"I'm sorry, Mr. Minister."

Umbridge apologized hastily and hurriedly replaced his glass with a new one.

"Damn Burns, damn Weasley... those damn bastards! See, Umbridge, they don't even bother to hide their nonsense and pointless questions!"

Fudge used cursing to cover up his panic and frustration.

According to the process, the establishment of the Werewolf Affairs Committee after the questioning meeting was basically no surprise. The purpose of this meeting itself was to find out what problems a proposal had by asking questions.

If the proposer can answer all questions and get the approval of the questioner, it means that he has carefully thought about and made detailed plans for the proposal itself, and it meets the approval principles.

It is undoubtedly very painful to watch something that should belong to you being snatched away from you.

Umbridge consoled him, "Mr. Minister, you don't have to worry too much. The Werewolf Affairs Committee has a very serious problem. As an organization, it has no source of income. You've heard about this, right? The other day, that Weasley brat even tried to win over Barty Crouch in order to solve his financial problems!"

She covered her mouth shyly and laughed shrilly like a little girl. "But he underestimated your prestige. Barty Crouch ignored him. That old guy wouldn't dare to confront you. Just wait and see how much money Weasley and Dumbledore can give to those filthy werewolves!"

Hearing this, Fudge finally smiled. Suppressing Crouch was what he was most proud of.

And this thing that he was originally most proud of now disgusts Weasley!

Just double the joy!

Humph, stupid and naive Weasley!

He gulped down another glass of wine, and then, in the magic mirror, he was shocked to see...

Barty Crouch, who had been like a transparent man for the past few days, suddenly raised his hand.

This action obviously left the Wizengamot at a loss. Amelia paused, then said, "Mr. Crouch, what's your question?"

Everyone looked at Crouch's thin, serious face.

He stood up, his voice a little weak, but clear enough: "Mr. Vaughn Weasley, I'd like to ask you about the specific plans you mentioned the other day regarding promoting cooperation in exporting wolfsbane potion?"

boom!

Umbridge turned around tremblingly and saw the Minister's face was ashen and he threw the wine glass heavily to the ground.

The Wizengamot's inquiry meeting into the Werewolf Affairs Committee ended unexpectedly on the last day.

No one knows why Barty Crouch, who has been in hiding for many years and almost exiled himself from the power struggle, suddenly went crazy and jumped out at such a sensitive time.

At the meeting, everyone was carefully observing old Crouch. He seemed to have not changed at all. He was still dressed the same way as in years past, meticulously and in a gloomy manner. He was still taciturn, as if he only had a pair of ears.

However, his mental state was obviously different, like a dying person who suddenly saw hope of survival.

Although he rarely spoke throughout the whole process, every time he spoke, he grasped the key points of the cooperative export of wolfsbane potion. He even communicated with Vaughn directly in the meeting to help Vaughn fill in some details.

There was no concealment at all on that cooperative and eager look!

In fact, everyone knows that after the establishment of the Werewolf Affairs Committee, it will inevitably face attacks and targeting from the Ministry of Magic headed by Fudge.

Even with the approval of the Wizengamot, the Committee is a legal institution in England and the Ministry of Magic cannot take direct action. However, they still have many ways to indirectly influence such a powerful body.

For example, blocking the approval of potion sales, inciting public opinion and partners to boycott werewolves to earn gold galleons, adjusting the raw material market, etc...

Of course, the premise of all this is that the various departments of the Ministry of Magic can operate harmoniously and effectively implement Minister Fudge's series of plans.

But now, the Minister’s plan has not even started and it is about to be torn into pieces!

"...The Committee's biggest weakness before was its lack of income and official power. This was also Fudge's biggest reliance on turning the tables. However, Barty Crouch's betrayal gave the Committee a new channel - the international wizarding community!"

"With Barty Crouch's support, many of the issues we were worried about will now be resolved: Is it about approval for the sale of magic potions? That's okay. England's approval won't affect other countries. At least with Crouch as a social butterfly, some countries with minority languages ​​should be happy to open a green channel for old friends. It's proven that knowing a few foreign languages ​​can help you make many more friends."

"Stuck on raw materials? That's not a problem. Some countries with serious werewolf problems (like Northern Europe) probably don't mind buying raw materials + gold galleons just to get the wolfsbane potion quickly."

"Restricting pharmacists? The Extraordinary Apothecary Association is currently taking an ambiguous stance. However, regarding Extraordinary Potions, thanks to Dumbledore and Severus Snape's call, several pharmacists have expressed their willingness to be hired to brew the Wolfsbane Potion. For example, Mr. Slughorn, this lovable yet cunning old man, never misses any opportunity to become famous..."

"Although we still don't know how Mr. Vaughan Weasley persuaded Barty Crouch, his participation did make the successful conclusion of the inquiry meeting even more perfect."

"This also means that the establishment of the Werewolf Affairs Commission has officially entered the countdown—Rita Skeeter reports for you!"

Putting down the newspaper in her hand, Amelia Burns looked at Vaughn with a half-smile:

"Since when did Rita Skeeter become your mouthpiece?"

Vaughan shrugged as he ate his cookies. "Perhaps she was always a fair and compassionate journalist, but she was too focused on storytelling and neglected the pursuit of news authenticity."

"Ah……"

Amelia laughed. She had been interviewed by Rita several times and knew very well the stupidity and viciousness in that woman's heart.

She actually didn't care much. She was a die-hard Dumbledore supporter and a politician. She knew that in political struggles, the right approach was to unite all forces that could be united.

It is respectable to be close to the virtuous and stay away from the villains because of personal likes and dislikes, but it is too idealistic.

but……

Amelia put down the newspaper, pinched her brow, and said with a headache and a hint of curiosity, "The day before yesterday, I just told you not to contact Crouch, but... come to think of it, how did you convince him?"

Vaughan didn't answer, but instead asked, "After watching Crouch's performance today, do you think winning him over will do more harm than good?"

"...It's hard to say, but his mental state is definitely different. His positivity far exceeds my expectations."

Although she didn't quite understand, Amelia answered honestly.

The one who lost his value was Crouch, who was just waiting to die, not the Crouch who was very cooperative and proactive with Vaughn's plan in the previous meeting!

Vaughn smiled.

When a father is in desperate situation, he can indeed burst out energy far beyond the imagination of outsiders for his son and family.

Looking at the child sitting on the sofa in front of her and eating cookies, Amelia felt that he was more mysterious and unpredictable.

As for Crouch, in fact, in the first few years, many people were still optimistic about him, expecting him to get out of the haze of life and lead everyone out of the downturn in the era of Millicent Barnold (this was a rather appeasement leader, and her main strategy during her administration was to play ostrich. The current backwardness and inefficiency of the wizarding world were partly due to her).

Many people have tried to help him get back on his feet, including Amelia.

But everyone failed, and everyone thought that the once iron-fisted Crouch had become a useless man!

No one could have imagined that such a guy, who many old friends and colleagues could not pull out of the quagmire, would be conquered by Vaughn Weasley today.

Amelia was curious about what method Vaughn used.

Others were curious as well.

The two were chatting when someone knocked on the office door. Amelia coughed, straightened her appearance, and responded, "Come in!"

The door opened and an imposing middle-aged man walked in.

He was a middle-aged wizard with thick, messy brown hair, wearing gold-rimmed glasses, but with extremely sharp eyes. His legs seemed to be a little lame, but his gait was big and menacing, and every move revealed a tough style.

At first glance, one might think they are seeing a lion ready to go to war.

"Rufus?"

"Amelia!" The wizard pursed his lips slightly, his voice low and serious. He nodded to Amelia, then fixed his sword-like gaze on Vaughn:

"Mr. Vaughan Weasley, my name is Rufus Scrimgeour. Could you tell me how you persuaded Barty Crouch? As far as I know, he has not been involved in political affairs for a long time!"

"..." Vaughn, who had just taken a bite of a biscuit, blinked, a little confused by his bluntness. "So?"

"So, I suspect you used abnormal means on him..."

Amelia frowned, "Rufus!"

Amelia was a little angry.

Rufus Scrimgeour is the Head of the Auror Office, which is under the Department of Magical Law Enforcement. Although the Auror Office has a certain degree of autonomy due to the separation of legislation and law enforcement, in name, the other party is still her subordinate.

But now her subordinates were questioning her guests in front of her.

"I'm sorry, Amelia."