Hogwarts: I will not become the Dark Lord

"Oh, by the way, Arthur, could you do me a small favor? I'm looking everywhere for Barty Crouch. There's this official from Bulgaria, same rank as me, who keeps badgering me all day long, and I can't understand a word he's saying. Barty's an expert in that area. He's eloquent and knows a hundred and fifty languages."

"Mr. Crouch?" Percy's eyes lit up with admiration at the mention of Barty Crouch Sr. "No, no, Mr. Bagman, Mr. Crouch commands over two hundred languages! Even the melodious songs of the mermaids, the unique gobbling of turkeys, and even the rough Giantish tongue are no match for him!"

Fred scoffed from the side, interjecting dismissively, "Hey, speaking of Giantish, it's not that impressive a skill. You just point at them and make some grunting noises, and they get it. Simple as that."

Percy's face darkened upon hearing this, and he glared fiercely at Fred. Then, he stirred the kettle in the campfire even more vigorously, as if to boil away his inner dissatisfaction.

Ludo Bagman found a spot to sit on the grass beside them, and Mr. Weasley promptly asked, "Any news about Bertha Jorkins, Ludo?"

Bagman shrugged, looking nonchalant. "Not a peep, she's vanished into thin air. But you know Jorkins' memory, it's like a leaky cauldron, and with her terrible sense of direction, she's probably just lost."

"But don't worry, Jorkins might just wander back into the Ministry one day in a daze."

"Shouldn't we send someone to look for Jorkins?" Mr. Weasley said with a slight frown, just as Percy conveniently handed Bagman a steaming cup of tea.

"Oh, Barty Crouch thinks so too," Bagman said, lounging on the grass. "But the reality is, we're short-staffed as it is. Oh, speak of the devil, look, it's Barty!"

With a soft cracking sound, a wizard suddenly Apparated beside their campfire.

Barty Crouch Sr. was about fifty years old, tall and upright, with an air of unquestionable authority.

He wore a pristine suit, his tie perfectly knotted, as if he were ready to attend the most formal of occasions. His short hair was meticulously combed, the part in the middle as straight as a ruler, and his toothbrush mustache looked as if it had been trimmed with precision, every hair so exact.

"Barty, come on, come sit down and take a load off," Ludo greeted enthusiastically, patting the empty space beside him.

"No, thank you, Ludo," Crouch replied curtly, with a hint of impatience in his voice. "I've been looking for you. The Bulgarian delegation has a new request; they insist we add twelve more seats to the top box."

"Oh, I see!" Bagman nodded in understanding.

"Mr. Crouch, would you like a cup of tea?" Percy asked, barely able to contain his excitement. He leaned forward, almost bowing obsequiously, which made him look rather comical. He stammered as he spoke, trying to hide his nervousness.

"Oh?" Mr. Crouch glanced at Percy, slightly surprised, then replied politely, "Very well, thank you for your kindness, We… Weasley."

The twins nearly choked on their tea, suppressing their laughter at Crouch's misidentification of Percy. Percy's ears turned bright red, and he quickly lowered his head, pretending to focus intently on the teapot to hide his embarrassment.

"Barty, you look like you're running around in circles. Are you about to collapse from exhaustion?" Bagman asked lazily.

"It is quite busy, indeed," Mr. Crouch replied tersely. "Organizing and coordinating Portkeys across several continents is no easy task, Ludo."

Mr. Weasley interjected, "I guess everyone's hoping this will all be over soon, right?"

Over? Ludo Bagman, that gambling addict, would love it if every day was the World Cup final!

"Don't forget, there's still plenty to do at Hogwarts in October!" Ludo Bagman seemed to suddenly remember something.

"What's happening at Hogwarts?" Fred asked George in a low voice. Although they tried to be discreet, they couldn't escape Barty Crouch Sr.'s notice.

"Oh, look at me, I almost forgot there were Hogwarts students here!" Ludo Bagman waved his hand dismissively. "Don't worry, you'll find out soon enough. After all, it's happening right there in your Hogwarts grounds..."

However, he was interrupted sternly by Mr. Crouch before he could finish speaking: "Ludo, you need to go and see those Bulgarians now."

"Arthur, are these young people all members of your family?" Barty Crouch Sr.'s gaze swept over Jerry and the others.

"No, not all of them," Mr. Weasley shook his head. "This is Harry Potter, this is Hermione Granger, and that's Jerry Green. They're all friends of my sons."

When Barty Crouch heard the name "Harry Potter," he involuntarily shifted his gaze, like everyone else, to the lightning-shaped scar on Harry's forehead. But Barty quickly regained his composure, and his gaze turned to Jerry, with a hint of special attention in his eyes.

"I heard Albus mention you, Jerry," Barty said with a hint of warmth in his voice. He reached out and shook Jerry's hand, his smile like that of a kind elder, giving the younger generation his most sincere affirmation. "I remember you received the Order of Merlin, Third Class. You were just a first-year student back then, weren't you?"

Upon hearing this, Jerry looked at Barty Crouch and nodded slightly, a hint of confusion rising in his heart. Are Barty and Dumbledore close? How come Jerry never heard Dumbledore mention it before?

"Truly remarkable, even many adult wizards don't have the courage to face Dementors," Barty continued, his words full of praise for Jerry. "Well done, worthy of being a Dumbledore family child, you haven't embarrassed Albus!"

Barty Crouch completely ignored everyone else around him. He took Jerry's hand and asked him which house he was in at Hogwarts. When he heard that Jerry was in Slytherin, a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes. He then asked Jerry about his grades at school and his plans after graduation. Barty Crouch now looked completely like a kind elder caring for a younger member of the family.

Jerry scratched his head. Did Barty really have such a kind and affectionate side? Did his son, Barty Crouch Jr., know about this?

"Alright, Jerry, I should be leaving too," Barty said with a smile as he stood up. "If you have any problems in the future, you can write to me. I still have some connections in the Ministry!"

"Oh, Weasley, thank you for the tea." Barty handed the cup back to Percy, untouched, and then turned and Apparated away.