Chapter 123: Inner Struggles (1/2)

”Who're you?” Bagman said, looking around frantically.

Chris still was under the invisibility cloak.

”I'll not repeat Mr Bagman.” Chris said in icy tone.

”Er.... I don't know what're you talking about.. please don't kill me.” He was really scared as he didn't have his wand with him, and the attacker was invisible.

”Really?” Chris gave cold laugh. ”If you really don't know, what I'm talking about then you're quite useless, aren't you? I should kill you, right now.”

Saying this shot a offensive spell near Bagman's legs, he jumped back.

”Please... please... I'll tell you what I know... please don't...” He nervously looked around again.

”Fine. Tell me then.” Chris said angrily. ”And fast.”

”Alright.... I don't know who she is... really... I mean the woman I was talking just now... she just wants Barty.. I don't know why... she instructed me to do few things... and promised me that she'll give me money in return.” Bagman was sweating furiously, he continued, looking in every direction, ”I really need to pay the goblins and loads of people.... Some of them have threatened me.... that's it... I don't know anything else...”

”What about Harry... Potter?” Chris asked.

”He... oh... the woman wants Harry Potter to win... this Triwizard Tournament... I don't know why... please...” Bagman spoke hurriedly.

”To win?”

”Yes.”

”What other instructions she gave? Don't lie to me.” Chris said.

”No no I'm not lying... when I agreed to do her job.. she gave me the mirror to contact her... few days ago she asked me to look for Crouch... and also help Harry to win.. in fact she asked to make sure that Harry wins...” Bagman said. ”That's all.. I didn't even see her face..”

”Didn't you asked why she wants those things?” Chris asked skeptically.

”I did but she said if... I ask questions then she'll make the amount half.... so I stopped asking and start working.. please understand... I'm getting death threats for borrowing money.. I'm helpless...”

Chris was about ask something else but she heard rapid footsteps approaching. Bagman heard them too, as he froze in his place. Chris looked at Crouch and realized he was unconscious. Soon Harry came followed by Dumbledore.

”Dumb... Dumble... Dumbledore...” Bagman almost chocked. ”Thank heavens you're here...”

”Indeed? I heard you were taking Barty to St Mungo's yourself? What happened?” Dumbledore said calmly but didn't look very pleased.

”Er... I....” before Bagman could finish, Dumbledore pushed him aside and bent over to Mr Crouch. Then Dumbledore carefully looked around. Chris hold her breath as Dumbledore eyes swept past her but she was sure Dumbledore sensed something.

Suddenly the sound of thunderous footfalls reached them, and Hagrid came panting into sight with Fang at his heels. He was carrying his crossbow.

”Professor Dumbledore!” he said, his eyes widening. ”Harry..... what the..... Mr Bagman...?”

”Hagrid I need you to carry Mr Crouch to the Hospital wing.” Dumbledore said. ”All of you follow me.”

”Crouch?” Hagrid exclaimed blankly but then quickly followed the orders and picked up Crouch from the ground. ”Fang go back and wait for me.”

Dumbledore led the way and Hagrid, Harry and Bagman followed behind. Chris's instincts told her that she should follow them as well, so she did. Bagman threw a nasty glance towards Harry but as Harry looked back at him, he changed his expression. Bagman nervously looked around. No one spoke until they reached the Hospital wing. Madam Pomfrey hurried to see what's wrong.

”Hagrid kindly alert Professor Moody and Professor Snape.” Dumbledore said to Hagrid.

Hagrid nodded and left.

”Madam Pomfrey please take special care of Barty. His mind is not in a good condition and also informe me as soon as he wakes up.” Dumbledore said calmly then turned to Harry, Bagman and Chris(who was still under the invisibility cloak). ”I'll wait outside.”

”Dumbledore... actually I...” Bagman said as soon as they stepped outside the hospital wing.

”First, I would like to know Ludo, why did you try to take Barty away when he clearly stated he wanted to see me?” Dumbledore said stopping Bagman.

”Er... I... you didn't have seen him Dumbledore.. he was out of his mind... I thought he can attack Harry... that's why...” Bagman turned to Harry, ”isn't it, Harry?”

”... Er....” Harry looked back and forth between Dumbledore and Bagman.

”Surely, Your intentions can't be wrong Ludo.” Dumbledore said calmly. ”But still I would like to know the situation in details. Harry tell me from the start.”

Harry nodded then narrated the incident just the way it was. Bagman tried to intercept few times but Dumbledore stopped him.

”Hmm..” Dumbledore looked in deep thought as Harry finished.

”You called Headmaster?”