Chapter 484: Caught Skipping School?
Peter's unusual behavior quickly drew attention. His vacant, almost dazed state struck many as unnerving, not to mention suspicious. If Scrimgeour hadn't already verified Peter's identity, some might have assumed Dumbledore had conjured him with a Transfiguration spell—or even controlled him with the Imperius Curse. Though that idea seemed absurd, it wasn't entirely out of the question.
Scrimgeour soon approached Peter again. As an Auror rather than a Healer from St. Mungo's, he was unsure how to address Peter's unresponsiveness, so he cast a few standard diagnostic spells.
"No issue," Scrimgeour concluded, shaking his head. "He's probably in shock, unable to process the situation, which explains his behavior."
Fudge exhaled in relief; the scenario he'd feared had not come to pass.
"I propose we temporarily adjourn the retrial!" Crouch announced abruptly. "Clearly, Pettigrew is unfit to be questioned in his current state. I suggest we send him to St. Mungo's, and resume once he's capable of coherent communication."
Immediately, several voices on the benches behind him echoed in agreement.
"I agree..."
"Yes, send him to St. Mungo's first..."
There was a considerable show of hands in support of Crouch's proposal.
Fudge's eyes narrowed. "Barty, I don't believe that's necessary," he said icily. The entire point of holding this retrial was to blindside Crouch; agreeing to delay would undermine his strategy.
Turning to a stern-looking witch with glasses beside him, Fudge asked, "Amelia... if I'm not mistaken, under these circumstances, we're permitted to use Veritaserum, correct?"