This Hogwarts isn't normal.

Less than two hours after the film was released, Lucius personally visited Barty Crouch Sr. with plenty of "sincerity."

He waited from morning until noon, and finally until almost quitting time in the evening.

He went to the Minister's office in the middle, but the answer he got was a polite refusal.

Fudge chose Barty Crouch Sr. to concurrently serve as the Director precisely because he didn't want external influences to affect the normal operation of the Department of Magical News, at least not during the Triwizard Tournament.

The Ministry of Magic has been busy enough recently. The three Death Eaters who attacked the Quidditch World Cup campsite are still at large. A small number of people have begun to question their ability. If there is another smearing article, the public's anger will be difficult to suppress.

Since even his "old friend" couldn't help, Lucius had to honestly continue waiting until evening.

Gradually, he began to suspect that Barty Crouch Sr. was deliberately keeping him waiting for so long.

He stood up with considerable impatience, peering through the window glass at the newly renovated Department of Magical News for the unknown number of times.

The news drafts scattered on the table had been sorted out again, but the newly purchased storage cabinets by the wall hadn't changed much.

Several employees, who were either reporters or editors, were discussing something. In front of them was a particularly large newspaper template, probably laying out tomorrow's news.

Lucius sat back down on the chair at the door.

Before his patience was completely exhausted, a young employee finally called him in.

"Mr. Malfoy, Director Crouch will see you now."

Lucius suppressed the anger in his heart and walked towards the newly opened Director's office.

The room wasn't big, and although the walls were white, the overall style was very simple, without any unnecessary decorations, giving it a particularly capable feeling.

Barty Crouch Sr. sat at a dark long table, seemingly unaware of Lucius's arrival, engrossed in reading the public's reviews of 'The Daily Lives of the Champions'.

Without cutting corners or maliciously editing, focusing on being authentic, it really caused a great response.

Wizards began to discuss whether it was necessary to improve their physical fitness, or whether magic or combat was superior, or whether pure-blood wizards were naturally superior.

Of course, the comparison between the Potter champion and the Malfoy champion was the most popular topic.

"Cough cough—"

Barty Crouch Sr. put down the thick stack of parchment in his hand and looked up expressionlessly at Lucius, who was already sitting across from him.

He frowned slightly, "Mr. Malfoy, thank you for waiting."

Lucius showed a false smile, "It's okay, I heard that the Department of Magical News has been busy recently, I can wait even a few more hours."

Barty Crouch Sr.'s frown deepened, seemingly disliking him somewhat.

Crouch and Malfoy were both from the Sacred Twenty-Eight, and they were more or less related by blood.

But this was the Ministry of Magic, the Department of Magical News. There was only one reason for Lucius's visit.

Barty Crouch Sr. put his hand on the table and began to tap it lightly.

"Mr. Malfoy, please go back. The current Department of Magical News has a firm stance and will not arbitrarily modify any content that has already been published."

Lucius clenched his hands into fists on his lap, but still maintained a gentle smile on his face.

"Director Crouch, I believe you have also noticed the controversy outside. I think the champions should maintain an appropriate sense of mystery. This will not only make people look forward to the champions' performance even more, but also protect the champions from external interference to the greatest extent."

His precious son's arrogant and domineering side has been completely exposed, and he must be feeling particularly tormented now.

What if this affects his performance, or even if something unexpected happens...

Barty Crouch Sr. suddenly slammed his hand hard on the table.

His tone was exceptionally calm, "Mr. Malfoy, we have not distorted the facts, nor have we forced the champions to do anything. All their actions in front of the camera are voluntary."

Lucius rolled his eyes and his face instantly fell, "Director Crouch, I am Draco's father, I don't want to see my son get hurt."

His acting was very good, his eyes were even red.

However, Barty Crouch Sr. still kept a straight face, "No exceptions, Mr. Malfoy."

If soft tactics didn't work, then he would use hard ones.

Lucius's eyes changed, staring straight at Barty Crouch Sr. opposite him.

Just then, a knock sounded from outside.

"Come in."

Gerry opened the door and walked in. He straightened his back unconsciously when he saw Lucius.

"Director, the Delacour champion went back to her carriage to rest after dinner, but I've already filmed enough footage."

"Okay." Barty Crouch Sr. handed the thick stack of parchment in front of him to Gerry, "I've read the public's reviews. Edit today's footage as usual. After filming the Krum champion's daily life tomorrow, you will be responsible for the live broadcast of the competition."

"Yes, Director." Gerry happily took the parchment and left the office, without even greeting Lucius when he left.

Even a small editor-in-chief dared to ignore Lucius. He now completely understood Barty Crouch Sr.'s attitude.

Even with the toughest methods, he probably couldn't move the unfeeling Director in front of him.

Instead of continuing to embarrass himself, it was better to find a way to eliminate the impact.

The false smile on Lucius's face gradually disappeared, replaced by that familiar arrogance.

"Director Crouch, I want to take all the GG positions in 'The Daily Prophet' for the next month."

Barty Crouch Sr.'s eyes changed slightly, as if mocking, or as if savoring.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Malfoy."

He quickly returned to his previous expressionless state, "I can't help you with this request either. All the GG positions have already been taken."

Lucius clenched his fists again, "By whom?"

"Mr. Black."

It's him again?!

The anger in Lucius's eyes seemed to erupt at any moment, "Director Crouch, when did he take the GG positions?"

Barty Crouch Sr. calmly met his gaze, "Yesterday."

"Heh—" Lucius sneered, "I understand, Director Crouch."

After this whole day, he had completely seen through it.

What no precedent, what just yesterday, were all actually fake. Barty Crouch Sr. simply didn't like him.

"I think I should go, Director Crouch."

"Please leave slowly, Mr. Malfoy."

Continuing to stay would only waste time, so he shouldn't embarrass himself anymore.

Barty Crouch Sr. watched Lucius's departing figure, a flash of disgust flashed in his eyes, as if he had seen a tattered rag that had been soaked in sewage for a long time.

Perhaps it was because of Lucius's former Death Eater identity. Claiming that he was under the Imperius Curse and then spending a large sum of Galleons to escape punishment? The righteous Barty Crouch Sr. certainly wouldn't look up to this kind of person.

……

……