CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE

Reappearing at the maze with Cedric’s body, Harry clings to the Triwizard Cup and tells Albus Dumbledore that Voldemort has returned. Amid the shocked crowd and Cornelius Fudge’s alarm, “Mad-Eye Moody” leads the weakened Harry to his office, questioning him closely about Voldemort’s rebirth and the Death Eaters.

Moody abruptly claims he placed Harry’s name in the Goblet, manipulated each task, Stunned Fleur, and Imperiused Krum to clear Harry’s path. He raises his wand to kill Harry, boasting of loyalty to Voldemort, when Dumbledore, Snape, and McGonagall burst in and Stun him. Dumbledore opens Moody’s many-locked trunk, revealing the real Alastor Moody imprisoned within, and identifies the office’s Moody as an impostor using Polyjuice.

As the potion wears off, the impostor transforms into Barty Crouch Jr. Snape returns with Veritaserum and Winky; Dumbledore revives Crouch Jr. and doses him. In a flat voice, Crouch Jr. recounts his mother’s deathbed Polyjuice swap that freed him from Azkaban, his years under Barty Crouch Sr.’s Imperius, and Winky’s guardianship.

Crouch Jr. explains Bertha Jorkins discovered him and was obliviated, then at the Quidditch World Cup he stole a wand, cast the Dark Mark, and was recaptured, leading to Winky’s dismissal. Later, Voldemort and Wormtail seized control of his father and freed Crouch Jr. to infiltrate Hogwarts by abducting Moody and impersonating him.

He details preparing Polyjuice, stealing ingredients, guiding Harry through tasks, and using Harry’s map. When Crouch Sr. broke free and neared Hogwarts, Crouch Jr. Stunned Krum, murdered his father, and hid the body. Finally, he turned the Triwizard Cup into a Portkey, sending Harry to Voldemort and ensuring the Dark Lord’s return.