บท 57: Shadows of Suspicion

The evening following the completion of the Second Task, Hogwarts was alive with chatter and celebration. Harry walked back to the castle, his mind a mix of satisfaction and lingering unease. The victory of completing the task had boosted his confidence, but an inexplicable sense of dread crept over him.

Raja walked beside Harry, looking calm but equally introspective. "How's it feel, Harry? Two tasks down and still standing."

Harry managed a smile. "Feels good, but… I can't shake the feeling that something worse is coming."

As they approached the castle doors, they spotted a lone figure standing in the shadows. It was Barty Crouch Sr., the wizened Ministry official and judge for the Triwizard Tournament. He seemed to be waiting for someone, his face expressionless in the dim corridor.

"Mr. Potter, Mr. Powers," Crouch greeted them, his voice low and grave.

Harry and Raja shared a glance before walking over to him.

"Well done on today's task, Harry," Crouch said, his gaze lingering on Harry. "Your parents… they would be proud."

The words took Harry by surprise, warming his heart and leaving him uncertain of how to respond. "Thank you, sir."

Crouch's face softened briefly before it hardened again, as though remembering something painful. "We're never whole again, you know. Losing family…" he trailed off, his gaze shifting as if looking at something beyond the present. The sentiment, weighed down by his own experiences, resonated deeply with Harry, who knew all too well the ache of loss.

Raja cleared his throat gently, breaking the silence. "That kind of loss changes a person," he agreed, his voice carrying an understanding weight.

Before Crouch could respond, heavy footsteps echoed down the corridor, and Alastor "Mad-Eye" Moody appeared, his magical eye whirring suspiciously as he took in the scene. Moody's demeanor was intense, almost territorial, as he stepped closer to the group.

"Crouch," Moody greeted, his voice gravelly and thick with suspicion. "Recruiting young Potter for a summer internship, are you?"

The comment, though seemingly in jest, carried an underlying sharpness. Crouch stiffened, visibly uncomfortable, and Harry noticed a glint of fear in his eyes—a look that struck him as odd. Why would Crouch, a high-ranking Ministry official, be unnerved by Moody?

"No… nothing like that," Crouch replied, hastily glancing away. "I was merely congratulating the champions."

Harry felt the tension between the two adults, and Moody's next move only heightened his suspicion. Moody's tongue flicked out in a strange, snake-like manner, catching Harry's attention and leaving him unsettled. Raja, who observed the exchange closely, shot Harry a look, silently telling him to stay alert.

"Always good to be careful, Crouch," Moody muttered, his magical eye darting between Harry and Raja. "You never know who might be listening."

Crouch's face paled, and he mumbled a quick excuse before retreating down the corridor. Harry felt an inexplicable chill, the weight of Crouch's words and the strangeness of Moody's behavior gnawing at him.

Once Crouch was gone, Harry turned to Raja, concern evident in his eyes. "Did you see that? Moody… he was acting weird."

Raja nodded, his gaze thoughtful. "There's something off here, Harry. Moody's behavior, Crouch's fear… it's like they're both hiding something."

They stood in silence for a moment, a shared understanding passing between them. Whatever was going on, it was far more dangerous and complex than they had initially thought.

Later that night, as Harry wandered the castle grounds, his mind returned to his conversation with Crouch and the unsettling encounter with Moody. Feeling restless, he walked toward the Forbidden Forest, hoping the solitude would help clear his thoughts.

Raja had decided to join him, sensing Harry's unease. They walked quietly, both lost in thought, when Harry's gaze suddenly focused on a form lying in the shadows of the forest's edge. As they drew closer, he felt his heart drop.

There, partially obscured by branches and fallen leaves, was the lifeless body of Barty Crouch Sr., his face twisted in a final expression of horror. The sight sent a chill through Harry, the reality of death staring back at him.

"Harry…" Raja's voice was steady, but his face was grim. "This… it's not an accident. He was trying to warn us."

Harry swallowed, his mind racing. "Crouch knew something. And now he's dead."

They both stood in silence for a moment, absorbing the gravity of the situation. It was clear now that the tournament was no ordinary event; dark forces were at play, and they were willing to kill to keep their secrets hidden.

"We need to tell Dumbledore," Raja said firmly, his voice a mix of urgency and determination.

They left the body and headed back to the castle, making their way to Dumbledore's office. The path seemed longer than usual, the weight of what they had just witnessed pressing heavily on them.

As they approached Dumbledore's office, Harry's steps faltered when he heard voices coming from within. He hesitated, motioning for Raja to wait with him by the door.

From inside, they could hear the familiar voice of Cornelius Fudge, the Minister of Magic, sounding defensive and insistent. "We can't just cancel the tournament, Albus. The wizarding world is watching, and we can't afford to show fear."

Dumbledore's voice responded, calm yet resolute. "Fear isn't a weakness, Cornelius. Ignoring a clear threat to our students, however, is a grave mistake."

Harry felt Raja's hand on his shoulder, grounding him as they listened.

"The tournament will continue as planned," Fudge replied, his tone cold. "Canceling it would be tantamount to admitting we're not in control. The Ministry cannot afford such a blow."

Dumbledore sighed, the sound heavy with frustration. "The safety of our students should come before any political agenda, Cornelius. Hogwarts has always been a sanctuary, and I refuse to put that at risk."

Harry exchanged a look with Raja, the severity of the conversation adding to their concerns. Fudge's priorities were clear—image over security. The implications were unsettling.

"Do you really think there's any danger, Albus?" Fudge's voice dropped to a whisper, but Harry could still make out the doubt in his tone.

Dumbledore's response was measured. "I have no doubt. Dark forces are gathering, and this tournament may be a means to an end. We must be vigilant, now more than ever."

At that moment, Harry's mind raced with the memories of his dream, the graveyard, and Voldemort's chilling voice. Dumbledore's words struck a chord deep within him, a warning that went beyond the physical dangers of the tournament.

Raja gave Harry a reassuring look, sensing his friend's growing fear. "We'll get through this, Harry. We're in this together."

Just then, the voices within Dumbledore's office faded, and the door opened, revealing Fudge's irritated face. He cast a brief, disdainful glance at Harry and Raja before storming off.

Dumbledore looked at the two boys, his eyes filled with warmth and a silent understanding. "Gentlemen, what brings you here at this hour?"

Harry hesitated but then spoke, his voice filled with urgency. "Professor, we… we found Barty Crouch. In the Forbidden Forest. He… he's dead."

Dumbledore's face remained calm, though a flicker of sadness passed over his eyes. "Thank you for bringing this to my attention," he said, his tone gentle. "I shall handle it from here."

As they turned to leave, Dumbledore placed a reassuring hand on Harry's shoulder. "Stay vigilant, both of you. There are forces at work here that seek to divide and destroy. But remember, even in the darkest times, there is always light."

In the days that followed, a somber mood settled over Hogwarts. Rumors of Crouch's death circulated, whispers filling the corridors as students tried to make sense of the tragedy. Harry, Raja, and their friends found solace in each other's company, but the weight of the tournament and the lurking danger never left them.

Raja noticed Harry's moments of quiet reflection, his friend's mind clearly troubled by the recent events. One evening in the Gryffindor common room, he sat beside Harry, a comforting presence amid the turmoil.

"Harry, no matter what happens, we're in this together," Raja said firmly. "We've faced dark things before, and we'll keep fighting."

Harry managed a small smile, grateful for Raja's support. "Thanks, Raja. I don't know what I'd do without you."

As they prepared for the final task, the friends grew even closer, their bond fortified by the challenges they had overcome. They trained harder, studied longer, and held each other up through the uncertainty.

The tournament had turned into something far darker than any of them could have anticipated, and Harry knew that his journey was only beginning. But with Raja and his friends by his side, he felt a glimmer of hope amid the gathering shadows, ready to face whatever lay ahead.