Chapter 228 "Unavoidable Clash"

Crouch grappled with the daily challenges posed by the Imperius Curse. Fortunately, Voldemort's weakened state meant he couldn't monitor him constantly. Instead, he entrusted Pettigrew with the responsibility, unaware of Pettigrew's frequent bouts of confusion.

Hiding Pettigrew was far easier than concealing Voldemort in his infant state. After substantial effort, Crouch successfully broke free from the Imperius Curse.

Considering how Pettigrew was a more cunning and agile individual when he transfigured into his rat form, easily concealing his presence and avoiding even high-level Aurors.

Avoiding magic use to elude Voldemort's tracking, he relied on sheer willpower to travel day and night toward Hogwarts

. The potential damage to his reputation no longer concerned him, for he was determined to confess everything to Dumbledore if Voldemort truly resurrected because of him.

This intention brought him to Hogwarts.

The predicament arose when Crouch Jr., disguised as Mad-Eye Moody, acquired the Marauder's Map from Harry, learning of his father's escape through a letter from Peter Pettigrew.

He persistently employed the Marauder's Map to observe, finally witnessing Crouch falling into a perilous situation. Were it not for Skyler's formidable strength, Crouch might have become a mere skeleton.

Upon regaining his memory, he vigorously shook his head, feeling an inexplicable sensation tearing at his mind—a disorienting detachment from reality, causing a throbbing pain in his head. After a while, his eyes regained clarity, tinged with a coldness.

In that moment of unconsciousness, he had glimpsed a scene—

His son, bearing the same name and honor, the son who achieved twelve OWL certificates, the son in whom he invested high hopes. The son he saved at the cost of tarnishing his own reputation, the son he genuinely loved at the expense of his life—

The desire to end his own life surged within him, unwavering! The disappointment in his face could be clearly seen as his eyes were dancing in between the confused state of anger and sadness, still caught in disbelief upon learning of his own son to be one of the ruthless Death Eaters.

Clutching his fists tightly, a fierce resolve reflected in his eyes. He contemplated, "Since our father-son bond is severed, do not blame me for embracing ruthlessness and a determination to extinguish the bond that ties us before."

Being a shrewd and decisive individual, he, post-severing familial ties, underwent a near-death encounter that seemingly reignited the ambitions extinguished over a decade ago.

Frankly, before this convoluted series of events, he had contemplated sacrificing his reputation and status to reveal the entire truth to Dumbledore. However, now, an alternative path has presented itself.

Aware that his survival wasn't a mere stroke of luck but owed to Skyler, the student hailed as a beacon of hope in the magical world and the future Dumbledore, he recognized an unexpected choice.

He understood that Skyler's prowess extended beyond exceptional academic achievements. Surviving an utterly dire situation while fending off the enemy and preserving himself indicated strength surpassing that of the most elite Aurors in the Ministry of Magic. If someone asserted that Skyler could contend with the Archmage, Crouch wouldn't dismiss it as an exaggeration.

With the resolve to dispose of his son now cemented—

With no necessity to sacrifice his power, reputation, and status, all he needed was Crouch Jr.'s demise, shrouded in secrecy.

The only one privy to his actions would be young Mr. Malfoy, and he posed no apparent threat. Given Skyler's ambitions, derived from his influential connections in the Ministry of Magic, he surely grasped the significance of capable individuals.

He muttered to himself, "How low can I go? I should have punished you for who you were when I discovered your true intention. Now, I need to get a helping hand from a family that I despise... The Malfoys, all of this for the sake of the wizarding world's future."

As the head of one of the sacred 28 pure-blood families and the Department of International Cooperation's formidable leader, he held a prestigious position.

A former Minister of Magic candidate, his influence extended through numerous disciples. He remained confident that Skyler recognized his value.

Concerning Crouch Jr.'s demise, there was no cause for worry. Requesting Skyler to handle it became the sole condition for his surrender. If Skyler couldn't fulfill this task, it indicated his lack of means and abilities, rendering surrender unwarranted. The risk of exposure was a negligible concern.

Crouch, seasoned in politics and human nature, discerned that Skyler's ultimate trust rested on his possession of the most lethal secret.

Amid a myriad of thoughts, the image of Mrs. Crouch gazing at him with tearful longing crystallized in his mind. Closing his eyes, facial muscles twitching, he sighed deeply as if reaching a decision after a prolonged struggle.

"Dear, I apologize sincerely. Since your departure, this home has been a desolate haven. In truth, it existed only in name. I deluded myself, thinking I could recover what was lost with that scoundrel. It was merely a facade of familial affection, and that child is beyond redemption..."

Abruptly, Crouch's eyes flew open, bloodshot orbs ablaze with determination. "Given the absence of love and familial bonds, I shall compensate with a thriving career! In the end, I had to sacrifice everything that I've built so hard... Dear, forgive me... but give me the strength to end this cursed matter of our own family!"

Simultaneously, in the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor's chamber, Crouch Jr., once again transformed into Crazy Eyes Moody, sat on a wooden chair and abruptly regained consciousness.

He rapped his head, engulfed in dizziness and a throbbing headache.

Recollection surfaced – he had diligently followed the Marauder's Map, tracking the old man's movements near the Forbidden Forest's edge.

Unexpectedly, he stumbled upon Harry Potter, the master's prized pupil, and the fortuitous Malfoy, engrossed in conversation nearby.

With quick thinking, he employed magic to create a diversion, steering the two away. Seizing the opportunity, he swiftly dispatched the old man with the Killing Curse, transforming the lifeless body into an animal skeleton, discreetly burying it in the muddy expanse near Hagrid's shed.

This plot of mud served as Hogwarts' food cultivation site, and Hagrid often employed animal bones as organic fertilizer. Disposing of the skeletal remains amidst the mud would evade any unwarranted attention.

He craned his sore neck, scrutinizing the freshly treated wounds adorned with a layer of white ointment, cursing, "Incompetent Pettigrew, can't even manage a simple task. Almost jeopardized the master's crucial plans, but thankfully, I had Potter's map..."

Massaging his temples, the headache seemed to ease, prompting another curse, "Truly an old man, wandless and feeble in spirit. Even at this state, he managed to resist me..."

A sinister grin crept across his face, "Fortunately, I've resolved every issue flawlessly, ensuring no hindrance to the lord's important plans..."

"Just you wait, Pettigrew, all these costly mistakes of yours shall be paid together along with their heads presented to our lord! A great present to commemorate the start of our reign of terror once again in this wizarding world. Everyone shall tremble in fear upon hearing his name once again!"

Clashing fate between the unavoidable confrontation between the father's betrayed love and the son's blind respect, given to the wrong figure.

Meanwhile, Skyler and Dumbledore are constructing their plan to prevent one of the major evil forces from resurface in the upcoming time. Not only once or twice did Skyler had thought of thinking to tell everything to Dumbledore, starting from how he encountered with Destiny and learning of the undeniable resurrection of someone powerful that even Salazar Slytherin was afraid of.

But for now, his main focus is to get rid of Voldemort in one quick succession so he can return to honing his magic power.