Chapter 230: Alliance

Bartemius Manor, Living Room.

Currently, Bartemius was sitting in the main seat with a dissatisfied expression, while Winky shivered in the corner.

She had realized that Arthur had deceived her, and he and her master were not friends at all.

What had happened to the world that even a simple house-elf like her could be fooled?

Winky looked angry at Arthur and then sad at Bartemius.

But at the moment, both Bartemius and Arthur ignored her.

"Mr. Crouch, I apologize for using these means to find you. I had no other choice."

Arthur said this with a smile after setting down his teacup.

Bartemius snorted coldly and didn't believe his act.

Arthur shouldn't have come without being asked, but going into his house like this was like declaring war.

If a Death Eater had taken Winky hostage and barged into his home, would he still be sitting here calmly sipping tea?

However, Bartemius also admitted that it was partly his fault because he had forgotten to remove Winky's permission to come into his house.

"No need for nice words, Mr. Gaunt. What exactly brings you here?"

Bartemius's tone was stern, expressing his displeasure.

But Arthur didn't mind; Bartemius would get even angrier soon.

"Mr. Crouch, your son, Barty Crouch Jr., has escaped your control, hasn't he?"

One sentence made Bartemius's face drastically change. He calmly held his wand without revealing his emotions, but inside, he was panicking.

"Mr. Gaunt, don't joke. My son died in Azkaban several years ago. If death is considered escaping my control, then he has been gone long ago."

Arthur looked at him with a half-smile and said, "Oh, but during the World Cup, I clearly saw Barty Jr. wearing an invisibility cloak, leaving your box."

Playing with Bartemius's wand, a dogwood with an 11-inch dragon heartstring core, Arthur was confident that Bartemius was highly skilled in curses and Dark Arts defense.

Bartemius stopped talking, or rather, Arthur stopped him from talking.

"Also, the Dark Mark last night was released by him, right? Isn't that right, Winky?"

Winky looked at Alvin with horror; this young wizard was a devil!

A sense of despair flashed through Bartemius's eyes. Arthur had guessed everything right.

Could he get out of this situation today?

Suddenly, he felt his body relax, and he regained control of it.

His strong rationality told him that he was no match for Arthur.

Bartemius calmly said, "Mr. Gaunt, now that you have discovered everything, state your purpose."

In an instant, he looked much older.

Arthur stood up, walked to the opposite side of Bartemius, and patted his shoulder affectionately as if he hadn't just controlled him a moment ago.

"It's simple. I'll help you get your son back, and you'll help me control the Ministry of Magic."

"Do you know where he is?"

"I do, but I can't tell you right now."

Arthur opened his palm, and a phantom image of Voldemort's young self appeared.

"Voldemort has returned. Barty Jr. will definitely find his master, and then he'll bring an ally to control you, using your position to interfere in the Triwizard Tournament."

Bartemius' eyes shrank.

Voldemort was back?

Why didn't the Ministry know anything about something so important?

Arthur kindly explained, "I set Bellatrix Lestrange free. She has found Voldemort and helped him return."

Crouch: ...

His emotions were complex. He didn't know what Gaunt was up to.

Couldn't he just focus on being a skilled alchemist? Why did he have to get involved with Voldemort's return?

Arthur wasn't going to explain his plan. He had already said enough to Bartemius, giving him face due to his high position and authority.

The plot had been deeply changed by Arthur.

In order to control Voldemort's movements, Bellatrix Lestrange alone was not enough; he needed Barty Crouch Jr.'s help as well.

With control over Barty, Voldemort couldn't flee Arthur's grasp.

"What do you think about my proposal?"

Arthur asked Bartemius, who had remained silent.

Bartemius was feeling troubled.

Should he put everything on the line for the wizarding world and face Arthur?

"For the time being, I can't tell you my purpose, but I can assure you that I will ultimately kill Voldemort and protect your son."

Arthur's words made Bartemius hesitate. As a wizard who despised evil, he had no hidden hatred for Voldemort.

It was his son who had become Voldemort's supporter, and he had sent him to Azkaban himself.

It was only thanks to his wife's sacrifice that Barty Jr. was freed from Azkaban. Voldemort was the mastermind behind all of this.

"Because of my son, I have lost any chance of becoming the Minister of Magic."

Crouch sighed and explained his troubles.

He was previously the Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, making him a strong candidate for the position of Minister of Magic.

But now he was just the Minister for the Department of International Magical Cooperation, not in a position of real power.

"Don't worry. Voldemort's return will lead to some mistakes made by Fudge. At that time, you can declare your support for Dumbledore. He'll help you."

Arthur assured.

This young wizard not only plotted against Voldemort but now had plans involving Dumbledore as well.

Despite the shock, Bartemius thought about Arthur's plan carefully and felt it could work.

"By the way, Lockhart is also under my control. He'll deliver a killing blow to Fudge when the time comes."

This casual mention also swayed Bartemius's opinion. Lockhart was currently trusted with Fudge.

Fudge was trying to promote Lockhart to higher positions, such as Head of the Auror Office. If Lockhart betrayed Fudge at a critical moment...

Bartemius' suddenly felt a sense of sympathy for Fudge. He was like a puppet, played around by pure-blood families and the young wizard before him.

Taking a deep breath, Bartemius accepted Arthur's condition.

He couldn't die now. Staying by Arthur's side allowed him to at least monitor Voldemort's and the young troublemaker's actions.

If he died, the wizarding world would face more disasters.

Bartemius felt like he was carrying shame and weight for no reason.

Once the contract was signed, Arthur revealed his plan.

"I left a mark on your son. Once they show up near your home, I'll know. If they try to control you, pretend to be under their influence, and then pass their actions to me."

After explaining, he handed Mr. Bartemius a pocket watch.

"This is a special item I made to resist the Imperius Curse. Unless Dumbledore or Voldemort interferes, it will keep your mind clear."

Taking the pocket watch, Bartemius silently accepted Arthur's arrangements.

"Why are you so sure they will interfere with the Triwizard Tournament?"

Bartemius asked, curious about Arthur's complete confidence in Barty Jr.'s return and Voldemort's intentions.

"It's simple. Their target is Harry Potter. Voldemort will definitely try to kill his arch-nemesis and announce his return to the wizarding world. The Triwizard Tournament provides the perfect opportunity."

As the contract was finalized, Arthur's attitude towards Bartemius became much gentler, patiently answering his doubts.

"Oh, and you've never experienced the Imperius Curse, have you? To avoid any slips, we'll practice for a couple of days."

Bartemius face changed, "No need! I have encountered it before..."

...

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