"Isn't this man an official from your Ministry of Magic?" Krum asked, his face marked with astonishment. "I recall he was one of the judges."
Augustus's expression turned serious. He nodded slightly and stepped closer to Crouch.
Crouch showed no reaction to his surroundings, muttering incessantly under his breath.
"...Weatherby, after you're done with this task, send an owl to Dumbledore to confirm the number of Durmstrang students participating in the tournament. Karkaroff mentioned twelve in his letter..."
"...then send another owl to Madame Maxime; she might want to increase her numbers as well. Since Karkaroff's total went up to twelve, we should do the same. Can we do that, Weatherby? Yes? Yes..."
"What's wrong with him? He doesn't seem to be doing well. Should we call for medical staff from the school?" Krum asked directly.
"This state," Augustus frowned slightly, "resembles the aftereffects of prolonged exposure to the Imperius Curse. It's a serious condition. Stay here and keep an eye on him while I go find help."
"Imperius Curse?" Krum looked doubtful but agreed. "Alright, I'll watch him. Be quick and get a teacher or someone else."
As Augustus turned to leave, Crouch suddenly lunged forward and grabbed Augustus's black cloak.
"Dumbledore! I must see Dumbledore," he gasped.
Augustus spoke calmly, trying to soothe him. "I'll go fetch Dumbledore right now. Wait here for a moment."
"I've done... something... stupid..." Crouch panted. He looked entirely deranged, his bulging eyes darting about, saliva dripping from his chin. "I must... tell... Dumbledore!"
Krum shook his head lightly. "This is too strange. You should hurry and bring someone back."
Crouch's wild eyes fixed on Augustus.
"Who... are you?" he asked softly.
Augustus didn't answer but activated his Seer's Eye, his pupils reflecting Crouch's shadowed figure.
"Warn Dumbledore..."
"Thank you, Weatherby. After you finish that task, I'd like a cup of tea. My wife and son will arrive soon, and we're attending a concert with the Fudges tonight..."
Crouch abruptly turned his attention to a tree, speaking to it as if it were a person, completely forgetting Augustus's presence.
Augustus drew his wand, a thin thread of white light connecting it to Crouch's hair. The shimmering glow began to emanate a calming aura, gradually pacifying the man.
Crouch's eyes cleared somewhat, and he gasped for breath.
"I... escaped... must warn... must tell... I need to see Dumbledore... It's my fault... It's all my fault... Bertha... is dead... My fault... My son... It's all my fault... Tell Dumbledore... Augustus... the Dark Lord... is growing stronger... Augustus!"
Augustus nodded to Krum. "He should be stable for now. Stay here for a moment; I'll return quickly."
With that, Augustus's tall, lean figure vanished into the night.
Three minutes later, he stood before Dumbledore's office.
The stone gargoyle at the entrance stood guard. Augustus tapped it lightly with his wand three times, murmuring indistinct words. A line of glowing blue text appeared above the statue: "Acid Pop Mound."
A strange look crossed Augustus's face, but he repeated the words aloud.
The gargoyle slid aside, revealing an entrance large enough for an adult.
As Augustus entered the room, a melodious trill greeted him, and a fiery red blur darted from the room. Augustus paused, and Fawkes, the phoenix, alighted on his shoulder, affectionately nudging his cheek.
"Looks like Fawkes has a good impression of you," Dumbledore remarked with a kind smile from behind his desk, the half-moon glasses on his face glinting. "What do you think of my new password? If you have time, I recommend trying it—the taste is quite unique."
Augustus hesitated only briefly. "Forgive my intrusion, Professor. Crouch is at the edge of the Forbidden Forest. He wants to see you."
Dumbledore's deep blue eyes flashed with surprise. He rose immediately without further questions. "Lead the way."
As they strode swiftly along the edge of the castle toward the forest, Dumbledore broke the silence.
"What did Mr. Crouch say, Augustus?"
"His condition is dire, likely caused by prolonged exposure to the Imperius Curse," Augustus replied thoughtfully. "Before gaining some clarity, he mentioned his son... Bertha Jorkins... and Voldemort. He seemed to say that Voldemort is regaining strength."
"The situation seems graver than expected," Dumbledore muttered, quickening his pace with a grave expression.
"I left Krum there to watch over him," Augustus added.
"Good. If his condition is as unstable as you say, having someone nearby should help prevent any issues."
"Where are they?" Dumbledore asked as the Beauxbatons carriage came into view in the distance.
"They were here earlier," Augustus said, sweeping his gaze around the darkened area. Drawing his wand, he cast a faint yellow light.
The beam illuminated the ground, falling on a pair of feet.
They hurried forward to find Krum curled on the forest floor, seemingly unconscious. Crouch was nowhere to be seen.
Dumbledore knelt and gently opened one of Krum's eyelids.
"Unconscious," he said quietly, glancing around the trees, the lenses of his glasses reflecting faint light.
"I should've stayed behind and sent Krum to fetch you," Augustus sighed, pointing his wand at Krum.
A flash of white light later, Krum's eyes fluttered open, his face a mask of confusion. As he sat up, he saw Augustus and Dumbledore.
"He hit me!" Krum murmured, clutching his head. "That old madman struck me! I was waiting for Augustus to return when he attacked me from behind!"
"You're certain it was Crouch who attacked you?" Augustus asked gravely.
"Pretty sure," Krum replied. "It was just the two of us, and I was hit from behind. Who else could it have been?"
A rumbling of heavy footsteps interrupted them as Hagrid arrived, panting heavily with Fang at his side, a bow in hand.
"Professor Dumbledore!" Hagrid exclaimed, his wide eyes darting between Augustus and Krum. "What's going on here?"
"Hagrid, fetch Professor Karkaroff," Dumbledore instructed. "One of his students has been attacked. Then alert Professor Moody—"
"No need, Dumbledore," a low, rasping voice interrupted. "I'm already here."
Moody limped toward them, his magical eye glowing in the dark.
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