Chapter 551: The Conclusion of the Barty Crouch Investigation
Barty Crouch?
Kyle realized it had been over half a year since he'd last thought about that name. Ever since Sirius was acquitted early in the school year, Crouch had faced severe scrutiny for his role in incarcerating Sirius without a trial, throwing him directly into Azkaban.
At the time, it had seemed reasonable—even Sirius himself had admitted as much. Kyle recalled that Sirius had even spoken respectfully of Crouch on occasion.
During Voldemort's rise to power, Crouch had been a staunch advocate for aggressive, borderline draconian measures. Under his leadership, Aurors were granted unprecedented authority: they could arrest and execute Death Eaters, as well as use Unforgivable Curses. The lack of a trial for Sirius wasn't unique; several others had met the same fate.
This violence-for-violence policy had its costs, but it also provided a fragile balance that kept the Ministry from being entirely overwhelmed by the Death Eaters. The harsh measures saved lives during the chaos, even if they turned Aurors into something perilously close to the enemies they fought.
Crouch's downfall began when his own son, Barty Crouch Jr., was revealed to be a Death Eater. That scandal had paved the way for Fudge's rise as Minister of Magic.
Sirius, for his part, held no ill will toward Crouch. His priority had been securing his freedom so he could look after Harry, not pursuing retribution. But the public outcry over Sirius's case had been relentless, and an investigation into Crouch was inevitable. Accusations of deliberately covering up Peter Pettigrew's crimes and tarnishing the Ministry's reputation dragged on for six months.
Kyle stared at the accompanying photograph in the Daily Prophet.
The once-imposing Barty Crouch looked utterly defeated. His meticulously groomed beard was now scruffy, and his demeanor seemed broken.