Chapter Text
Free, calm, that was what Barty felt. He couldn’t tell how long it’s been since he was last lucid but through the fog, he heard a voice, a familiar voice.
“Oh, Barty, I’m so so sorry,” the voice said, filled with guilt and regret.
Barty wants to laugh and joke so that the voice doesn’t feel guilty anymore.
“I know, after what I did, this probably doesn’t mean much coming from me but I promise I’ll get you out of here.”
Then the voice was gone and it felt like quite a while before he heard the voice again. He could only hear the occasional voices of his dad and Winky passing by.
It didn’t take long, or at least, Barty didn’t think it took too long, before the voice came back.
“Alright, Barty, Dobby had finally convinced Winky to get you out of here, okay?”
Barty suddenly felt the air shift and wet grass touching his arse.
“Are you sure this is a good idea, Archie?” A new and unfamiliar voice said.
“I’m sure,” the familiar voice replied.
“You better, it was quite hard to find Crouch Sr. and imperius him.”
His father got imeprioed? The idea brought joy in Barty’s veins.
“Thank you, Sev.”
“Release the imperio on your son,” The unfamiliar voice said.
One moment, Barty was in a state of calm and serenity, the next moment consciousness gripped his mind followed by extreme dizziness. He ripped off the blanket that covered him and proceeded to vomit all across the wet ground.
“What the fuck,” Barty rasped, then continued to vomit.
After regaining his bearings, Barty stood up to be faced with a familiar yet unfamiliar sight.
“You…,” Barty said.
“Crouch,” Severus Snape greeted, his expression giving away nothing — not a single emotion except neutrality. Judging from Snape’s aged face, he’s been under imperius for quite a while.
He never quite liked nor disliked the older Slytherin but Regulus and him seemed to have formed quite a bond somewhere around their later years in Hogwarts — both besotted to the golden couple of Gryffindor, a mudblood and blood traitor. Pandora found it cute at the time, Dorcas thought there was nothing wrong with it, and Evan said that it at least helped distract Regulus from things at home. Barty, on the other hand, found the whole thing quite pathetic.
“Apparate back to your home and forget everything that has happened here,” Snape commanded the stiff figure of his father.
After a crack, his father disappeared. Bartemius was looking forward to having his way with the old man. sad.
“Where…Where’s Regulus?” Barty asked.
“Black?...He’s dead — has been for the past fourteen years. Why would he be here?” Snape asked with a raised brow.
He looked around to only find endless forest and mist.
“I..I thought..” Barty started but changed his mind.
“Where are we?” Barty asked instead.
“Dartmoor,” Snape replied.
“Are you going to explain? Or do I have to ask for every little detail?” Barty asked impatiently.
“I was informed by a trusted source that your supposed death had not been as it seemed. It took me a while before I managed to discern your fate by performing legilimency on your father. I’ve taken you to the uncharted woodlands of England, here you will be assisting the Dark Lord in his plans to regain his former glory. I cannot do so freely as I’m under the careful eye of Dumbledore,” Snape explained.
The greasy haired oaf dropped a stack of newspapers in front of him after he finished explaining.
“What’s this supposed to be?” Barty asked with a sneer.
“A way for you to catch up,” Snape said before disapparating and leaving Barty on his own in the middle of the who-the-fuck knows where.
“Rude arsehole,” Barty mumbled as he started reading the paper at the very front.
After what felt like hours of reading, skipping minor details and unnecessary news, Barty finally managed to catch up on all that had happened and after a few more hours of trekking the woods, he felt a cold shiver run down his spine.
He swiftly turned around to find a dark apparition made of black smoke.
“Bartemius,” the figure rasped. “You’ve returned.”
Barty knew that voice, albeit dry and wispy. He had followed that voice’s commands, captivated by his taste for violence, and had stayed loyal to that voice until Regulus’ betrayal.
“My Lord?”
“Severus has enlightened me on your whereabouts for these past few years, I am glad I was able to free such a loyal follower,” the voice purred.
“You are still loyal, aren’t you, Bartemius?” the voice said as it drifted closer, the cold pricked Barty’s skin — eerily reminding him of the way cold and frost follows Dementors in Azkaban.
Now that’s a question Barty himself can answer quite easily. No. Barty wanted revenge, wanted power, and most of all freedom from his father’s thumb. Voldemort gave him that and for that, Barty was grateful and loyal. He followed the man, he even went so far as to condemn those who only followed him for the sake of elevating their status.
He had every reason to join Voldemort — Pandora, Dorcas, Regulus, and Evan were all dead while his father was still breathing. Why is it that people like his father get to live but his friends have to die?
“Of course, my lord. I am extremely grateful, I had no doubt that you would reward my loyalty,” Bary said sweetly.
“I’m glad to hear that, Bartemius. You’d be pleased that I have a mission for you”
“I am eager to follow, my lord”
Barty waited
“I need you to get Pettigrew for me, Bartemius.”
“Of course, my lord,” Barty said without hesitation, a pause, then, “Apologies, my lord…but did you just say Pettigrew?” he asked with a visible look of confusion across his face.
Barty thought he would get punished for daring to question Voldemort’s command but the Dark Lord only chuckled at his confusion.
“Yes, it does seem quite an odd choice but unfortunately, as much as a pathetic thing he is, Pettigrew is our only option. He is the ideal choice to assist me in regaining my body as I require your talents elsewhere.”
“What would you have me do, my lord?”
“Free Pettigrew, infiltrate Hogwarts, and get me Harry Potter.”
· - —–•☽𓆘☾•–— - ·
(James POV)
Barty Crouch Jr. is dancing on James’ last fucking nerve. They managed to drag the bastard all the way to Grimmauld place but so far, they still had no success in making the guy talk. Lily already sent a letter to Hogwarts for Snape and Dumbledore but they still haven’t arrived. Crouch was currently tied to a chair in Sirius’ parent’s room — staring blankly at a wall for the past hour. Every spell and tactic they tried was only met with laughter and taunts from Crouch, not even flinching at the threat of torture.
Now, here James sits, in the living room, pacing around furniture waiting for Dumbledore’s arrival. James honestly thought he was dead and buried somewhere in Azkaban, as was originally reported by the prophet and implied by Regulus but that was proven wrong when Dumbledore suddenly arrived at their doorstep a few days ago asking for their assistance in apprehending the apparently alive Death Eater. When asked where he got the information, Dumbledore stared straight at James and Sirius with a look of pity, it was all James needed to know the answer — Regulus.
Even after his disappearance, Regulus still proved to be as prepared as ever. James, for his own peace of mind, tries hard not to think of how much time Regulus spent alone as a ghost in order for him to plan his schemes. He still didn’t believe Regulus was really dead, he refused to believe it.
The sudden knock on the door helped break James’ train of thought before it could devolve further into his daily spiral of trying to track down or bring Regulus back. He quickly opened the door to see the familiar face of Dumbledore and the unpleasant sight of Snape.
“Good evening, James — I heard that you had a visitor,” Dumbledore said.
Before James could say anything, he was interrupted by the sound of a scoff behind him. He turned to find Sirius leaning against the stairway.
“More of an unwelcome guest more like,” Sirius said.
They made their way upstairs towards the disheveled room that Barty was locked away in. They were greeted by the sight of Crouch still staring blankly at the wall with peeling wallpaper.
“Good evening, Bartemius,” Dumbledore greeted.
Crouch remained unresponsive, still staring at the wall as if it were some entertaining piece of literature.
“We were led to believe that you know of vital information related to a mutual acquaintance of ours,” Dumbledore continued.
Crouch still remained unresponsive. Sirius made a move to come closer, probably to snap at Crouch but James stopped him before he could do anything. As much as James wants to beat Crouch to a pulp, but he wants Voldemort dead as soon as possible. The sooner that snake-faced shithead is dead, the sooner he can focus on finding Regulus.
“Hold on a moment, Pads,” James whispered. “Let’s trust Dumbledore on this.”
“Last time I trusted that bag of bones, my brother had to do all the work and the only way I can talk to him now is through a painting you keep hogging to yourself,” Sirius whispered/hissed aggressively.
“I…” James did not make any effort to make a reply.
“We can offer you protection from your father, Bartemius,” Dumbledore offered.
Still no response. Dumbledore sighed.
“We’ll tell you where Mr. Rosier’s buried,” Dumbledore said.
Crouch suddenly flipped his head back and cackled wildly.
James startled at the spontaneous reaction. Crouch violently swerved the chair to face them with a manic smile and a wild look in his eyes.
“If that traitorous bastard wants to interrogate me, he can go fucking face me himself,” Crouch snarled. His features transformed into an ugly snarl. Dumbledore remained calm and faced Crouch with an amused look more than anything.
“I’m afraid I don’t know the individual you’re referring to, my boy,” Dumbledore said with a twinkle in his eye.
“I’m not an idiot, old man,” Crouch said with a condescending look. “Black escapes Azkaban, gets proven innocent, Pettigrew gets caught years after staying hidden, your lot suddenly knowing I’m alive, Evan, Winky defying my father’s orders and freeing me, and…” Crouch slowly turned his gaze towards James, giving him an amused look. “James Fucking Potter, alive and immune to the killing curse.”
“There’s only one person I know that has enough audacity to betray Voldemort and fake his own death — Regulus Black.” Crouch said this with a look of extreme satisfaction.
James could feel Sirius stiffen next to him.
Regulus never had any patience to associate with anyone he deemed below him when James first hung out with him. It always perplexed him why Regulus ever considered Crouch a close friend, James had always assumed that Crouch’s high marks were just him copying off Regulus' brilliance. But James now understood why Regulus hung out with him so much during his time in Hogwarts — Crouch is terrifyingly smart and that fact filled him with incredible unease.
Dumbledore didn’t look surprised at all, more like he expected this reaction.
“I apologize, my boy, but I’m afraid you’re mistaken — Regulus Black died fourteen years ago,” Dumbledore said.
“Bullshit,” Crouch denied.
“I know that coming to terms with a close friend’s death may be difficult at first—” Dumbledore started but was immediately interrupted by Crouch’s cackle.
“I have to give Reg credit where credit is due, I’d never thought to see the day Dumbledore becomes a Slytherin’s bitch,” Crouch said rather crudely.
“Watch it, Crouch,” Snape said.
“Ah, traitor number two,” Crouch mused. “I always found you and Reg’s cute little friendship rather pathetic but I guess Regulus had to find someone to relate to after all.”
Crouch looked at him with sickening glee all over his face.
“James Potter and Lily Evans, Slytherins pining for the golden couple of Gryffindor. Pathetic,” Crouch said, licking his lips in delight. “Tell me, Potter, after he brought you back, did Reggie show you how good his tongue can be? Those pretty eyes looking up are just—”
Before Crouch could finish or before James could shut him up himself, Sirius beat him to the punch, literally. Sirius punched Crouch in the face hard enough that he was knocked over along with the chair with a loud thump.
“Stop with the bullshit, Crouch,” Sirius growled.
Dumbledore kindly levitated the bastard upright — Crouch still sprouting an irritatingly wide toothy grin despite the blood running down from his nose to his lips.
“Black,” Crouch said sweetly as if he just realized Sirius was here, “a bit too late for the protective older brother act, don’t you think?”
“Just tell us about that snakey bastard, Crouch,” Sirius snapped impatiently.
“Hmmmmm,” Crouch looked up with a faux contemplative expression. “Nope.”
“You think this is a joke, Crouch?” Sirius snapped.
“From what I see? Yes,” Crouch shrugged. Then sighed.
“Regulus,” Crouch barked looking up. “You can stop showing off your guard dogs now — yes, I find James Potter under your leash very entertaining but you can start your dramatic entrance now.”
“Regulus is dead, Crouch,” Snape said with a surprising look of pity on his face.
James saw Crouch pause for a bit before returning back to normal…ish.
“So what? You found his diary or something? Following his will?”
Snape remained silent. James can see him clenching his fist and James was surprised he himself was doing the same thing.
“We’ll tell you everything if you cooperate, Bartemius,” Dumbledore finally said.
“Everything?” Crouch asked.
“Everything,” Dumbledore confirmed.
“No,” everyone brought their attention to Sirius.
“We can’t trust him!” Sirius snapped. “He’s the reason why Alice and Frank have been stuck in St Mungos for the past fourteen years!”
“Pads, Regulus trusts him,” James said, placing a hand over Sirius’ shoulder.
“James, should I remind you again what happened the last time you trusted my brother?” Sirius hissed.
James flinched the same time Crouch’s eyebrows raised in interest.
Before a new argument could start, James was saved by Lily popping her head out the door.
“If you boys are done being goaded by Crouch, the kids are waiting downstairs and Kreacher has prepared dinner,” Lily said before she left.
Snape quickly followed her out.
Sirius inhaled deeply before sighing and heading out the door, following Snape.
James was about follow as well when Dumbledore called out,
“James, a moment if you please.”
“Yes, Dumbledore?” James asked, feeling uneasy with the way he can feel Crouch’s intense gaze at the side of his head.
“I’d like you to be the witness of an Unbreakable Vow.”
Both James and Crouch widened their eyes at Dumbledore.
“WHAT!?” They both yelled in unison. Dumbledore’s eyes twinkled.
“I do apologize, Bartemius, but I’m sure you understand the precaution,” Dumbledore said.
“This is Regulus’ idea isn’t it? Making Potter unkillable so that the vow can never be broken until fulfilled. Bet he’s laughing like a madman wherever that sick bastard is,” Crouch said with sick amusement in his voice.
“My idea actually but I do believe that Regulus would find this amusing, yes,” Dumbledore said with a smile.
James was about to argue that an Unbreakable Vow seemed to be overkill but then he remembered what Crouch was capable of just from a few clues and he quickly understood why Dumbledore would go to such lengths to secure Crouch’s cooperation.
“Now, let’s begin,” Dumbledore said.
“Ehem,” Crouch coughed, gesturing with his head to his tied-up state — a condescending look on his face.
“Ah, right. Apologies,” Dumbledore mused as he flicked his hand towards Crouch’s general direction and the ropes lit up before dissipating into a white mist. Crouch stood up with a big stretch and rubbed his wrists, his signature crazed look on his face.
James gripped his wand, readying himself in case Crouch had any ulterior motives. Regulus might’ve trusted the mad bastard but James still had his doubts.
But Crouch surprised him by extending his hand towards Dumbledore with a smile filled with anticipation. James got a clear look at the ugly mark on his wrist, the same mark that blemished Regulus’ skin — the mark filled James with a rage he could barely contain.
“Ready when you are, old man,” Crouch said with a grin. Dumbledore firmly clasped the Death Eater’s hand.
James approached, wand extended and looked straight at Crouch.
“You know that you’ll die if you break the vow, right?” James asked.
Crouch smiled at him and said, “I never thought Regulus’ type would be muscles for brains.”
James’ eye twitched and contemplated punching Crouch.
“Bartemius,” Dumbledore scolded.
“Fine, fine, I’ll behave,” Crouch shrugged.
James placed the tip of his wand in the middle, where Dumbledore’s and Crouch’s hands were held tightly. A long ribbon of fire encircled their hands tightly and brightly.
“Will you, Bartemius Crouch Jr., swear to not harm or kill any of the Potters and those that they consider family?” Dumbledore asked.
“I will.”
“And will you, with your full cooperation, share any information relating to Voldemort in exchange for information related to Regulus Arcturus Black?”
“I will.”
The flames dissipated as soon as Crouch finished. Crouch quickly wiped his hands as if Dumbledore carried a disease.
Crouch saw James’ distaste and said, “Sorry, Potter, unlike Reg, I don’t make it a habit of touching flea-ridden Gryffindors.”
James put on a tight smile and reminded himself that this was for Regulus.
“Now,” Crouch started with a smile and clapping his hands together, “I heard you prepared Dinner!”
~•☽𓆘☾•~
“DIE IN A HOLE, CROUCH!” Sirius yelled.
“That was my Mum but I understand the confusion — she was polyjuiced as me afterall,” Crouch hummed.
Not even two minutes into dinner and it was already chaos. It started with Sirius questioning whether or not it was safe for Crouch to be near the kids — Draco, Hermione, Ron, and Harry — then Crouch took the opportunity to goad Sirius into an argument after taking a seat between Dumbledore and James. Now there were mashed potatoes stuck on the chandelier, Kreacher providing more food to Crouch because apparently the Death Eater used to be a frequent visitor, Harry desperately trying to get Draco’s attention while the Slytherin in question was having an avid conversation with Hermione, and Remus trying to stop Sirius from falling for Crouch’s taunts. Ron, on the other hand, was avidly avoiding Crouch’s attention while he talked with Lily about chess. Snape was silent next to Dumbledore but he occasionally answered some of Lily’s questions as she talked with the young Weasley. Regulus’ portrait had entered an empty frame and watched them with amusement.
James couldn’t help thinking of a different world, where things happened differently, where Regulus — not the painting — here, with James.
“Oi, Dumbly! I’m guessing the Reggie portrait is the reason you’re all caught up,” Crouch yelled at Dumbledore.
Dumbledore finished chewing his piece of steak before dropping his utensils.
“Not quite,” Dumbledore said.
“So we’re starting already?” Crouch asked with raised brows.
“Starting?” Sirius asked with a confused look directed at Dumbledore. “Start what?”
“Dumbledore had Crouch do an unbreakable vow not to hurt us and exchange information,” James supplied to everyone’s confused looks.
“Isn’t that a bit overkill?” Lily asked with an unsure expression.
“You wouldn’t think that if you know what Crouch is capable of, Lils,” James argued.
“Thanks for the compliment, Pots,” Crouch said, grinning.
“Don’t call me that,” James growled.
“Thank you, James. You may start anytime, Bartemius,” Dumbledore said as he gestured towards Crouch.
“Well to start, I don’t know where Voldemort is,” Crouch said.
“Bullshit!” Sirius said, slamming his fork down.
“Unbreakable Vow~” Crouch said in a sing-song manner.
“Pads, let him finish.” Remus placed a comforting hand on his shoulder.
“As I was saying, I was supposed to meet up with him at Dartmoor when your lot ambushed me out of nowhere. He must’ve retreated with Pettigrew when ya’ll arrived. I’m sure he hasn’t made any attempts at contacting Snape if you’re asking me for information on his whereabouts,” Crouch said as he took a large bite out of a turkey leg.
“Yes, you are correct in your assumption, Bartemius. Ever since your return to Tom’s side, he had stopped contact with Severus ever since. We suspect that he’s keeping himself hidden in Albania. We were hoping you could shed light on the possible locations where he might have hid away in.”
“Up, up, up,” Crouch said as he wagged his finger at Dumbledore. “I don’t think so.”
“You have a vow, Crouch,” James growled as he tightened his grip on his fork. Just as James finished his sentence, flames encircled Crouch’s wrists. Judging by the twitch in Crouch’s smile, it’s hurting quite a lot.
“Yes, and so does Dumbledore,” Crouch said as he raised an eyebrow at Dumbledore.
“We made a deal, Wolfric,” Crouch said with a tight smile. “Tat for a tat.”
“Very well,” Dumbledore sighed. “I believe young Draco can explain the story much better,” Dumbledore said as he gestured towards the blonde Slytherin that’s now wide-eyed by the sudden amount of attention directed at him.
Crouch had a confused look before directing his gaze at the spot where Draco was sitting. His eyes widened at the sight of the Slytherin before him.
“Lucius’ kid?” Crouch asked. “What’s he got to do with Regulus?”
“I’m his cousin,” Draco drawled in a tone that makes him sound like he’s asking if you’re an idiot or not. James can’t tell if Regulus taught him that or if it’s a genetic thing.
“Ah,” Crouch said as if realizing the kind of family tree the Black family has. Then his gaze flickered to where Harry was sitting next to Draco.
“Anyways, I’ll keep it short since I don’t have the patience to repeat the story for the sixtieth time,” Draco started.
“Regulus died on a mission that was extremely vital in defeating Voldemort but he didn’t move on to the afterlife, no, he remained as an incorporeal ghost for a bit more than a decade until he stumbled upon me at Hogwarts in my third year where I was suddenly able to see him. With the help of my friends, I was able to make it so that Regulus was visible to others as well. He blackmailed me and my friends to help him and shenanigans ensued that led to Pettigrew being caught, Sirius Black being proven innocent, Harry’s parents being revived, and now you — also apparently alive this whole time and now stuck with us or else you’ll die,” Draco said in a rush, barely pausing to take a breath.
Crouch just stared at the young Slytherin for a few seconds before staring at empty air with a contemplative look on his face. James thinks it’s probably him trying to process all that information.
There was an awkward silence in the air for about five minutes before Crouch finally raised his head to stare at Draco. Quite calmly, Crouch opened his mouth and asked,
“Then where is he? Regulus?”
“Gone,” Draco replied with a pained look. “We lost him when he made James invincible.” James tried his best not to let the guilt eat him more than it already has.
Crouch scoffed while rolling his eyes. “Typical, reviving the brainless idiot rather than the friends that died covering his back.”
It was Snape that responded to him this time, “Arch– I mean, Regulus, was already toeing the line of the forbidden by just reviving Potter and Lily. Doing more resurrections might attract forces that none of us could be prepared to handle.”
“I can list more useful people to revive than Potter but nooo, Regulus had to let his emotions cloud his judgement,” Crouch said bitterly.
“As much as I agree that choosing Potter was an idiotic choice—” Snape started.
“Oi!” James shouted.
“Severus,” Lily admonished.
“If you really think that he didn’t care for you as much as he did Potter, then he would’ve left you in your father’s clutches,” Snape continued.
That surprisingly shut Crouch up, James couldn’t enjoy the sight as he just registered the fact that Snape implied that Crouch was of equal importance to James in Regulus’ eyes.
“Nah, pretty sure Reg likes me more, he did make me the indestructible one after all,” James added smugly.
“I’m pretty sure that means Reg trusts you less if he had to make you indestructible just so you can survive, Potter,” Crouch argued with an ‘are you stupid?’ look.
James ignored the statement for the sake of his already crumbling sanity.
Crouch directed his gaze to Draco again and said,
“And you, you’re an idiot,”
“Excuse me?” Draco asked, flabbergasted, while Ron snorted in amusement and Harry gasped in offense.
“You take that back!” Harry shouted in anger. It was unfortunately ignored by the two Slytherins.
“Do you really think this is a good idea?” Crouch asked, a serious look on his face for once.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Draco asked with squinted eyes as he noticed Crouch flicking his gaze toward Harry.
“It means, don’t be an idiot like Reg.” Crouch replied. “You’re the pureblood heir of two of the wealthiest wizarding families in all of Europe and you want to risk it all just so you can go frolicking with a bunch of Gryffindors?”
“I don’t really care what you think of my decisions, Crouch,” Draco hissed.
“Why don’t you look at the facts, Lucius jr.? Do you really think following in Regulus footsteps is a good idea?” Crouch challenged.
“I don’t see anything wrong with that,” Draco replied with a tone that says he’s proud to be compared to Regulus.
“Well I’m afraid that once again, a Black has been tainted with a Potter’s brainlessness,” Barty drawled. “Look at Regulus, he spent the last few years of his life trying to make buddies with Gryffindors and it ended up with him dying twice.”
James physically flinched at the statement and had Sirius slamming his goblet against the table.
“Watch it, Crouch,” Sirius growled.
Draco actually looked stunned and it was quite a bit before the Slytherin came back to awareness. James thought that Draco looked as if he was heavily contemplating what Crouch said.
“I want my family to survive this war,” Draco started, “and to do that, I need to be on the winning side.”
“Joined the light side, have you?” Barty snorted. “Ya’ll were barely winning last time, what makes you think you have a better chance at stopping Voldemort now? As much as I despise your father for being a cowardly suck-up, he made the right choice in joining Voldemort last time.”
“Last I checked, your lot are the ones behind bars,” Sirius said angrily.
“Thanks to your little macguffins over there,” Crouch argued by pointing at Harry and Lily. “Without Evans’ little sacrifice, your lot would’ve lost the war and if Regulus hadn’t betrayed Voldemort in the first place, we would’ve been living our fine little lives by now,” Crouch sneered.
“You’re wrong,” James snapped.
“Oh? Care to share, Potter?” Crouch asked with a smug look and an amused raise of his brow, as if he was confident that anything James said would just be plain out stupid and irrelevant. James looks forward to wiping out that smug look on his face.
Crouch raised from the chair and said, “don’t be so naive as to think you know Regulus better than me, if you did, you would’ve foresaw the stunt he was planning as soon as he tried to make you invincible.”
“Yeah? You think so, Crouch? You’re not the only one Regulus confided in, I may not have known him for as long as you have but I know for a fact that Regulus would never stand idly by and let the people he cared about suffer,” James argued.
“And look where that got him,” Crouch snapped back, slamming his hands against the table.
“Look where it got you,” James replied with just as much heat.
Finally, James had the satisfaction of shutting Crouch up. Crouch sat there, breathing heavily as he tried to reign in his anger. After a while of staring each other down, Crouch finally backed off, sat back down on his chair, and huffed a heavy sigh.
“You’re right, it wouldn’t have mattered,” Crouch said. “Pandora always thought that Reg could’ve been in Gryffindor from his name alone. Idiot.”
“What I’m seeing,” everyone startled and looked at Harry as he took the opportunity to speak. “Is that despite knowing Regulus was a traitor and that he would fail, you still covered for him.”
“Of course I did,” Crouch said without a hint of doubt. “My loyalty has always belonged first and foremost to my friends, Dark lord or no Dark lord.”
“Then why still follow him? The Dark Lord?” Draco asked this time, he had a look that suggested that he’s looking for answers for his own questions in Crouch’s replies.
“Who was I left loyal to? Dorcas died fighting, Regulus went missing, and Pandora went into hiding — it was only me and Evan left, we had no one to turn to and no way to get out. I was fine with the violence and mayhem that came with it but I could tell that Evan wanted better for me, for us, so we planned to get out of the war alive and see where it takes us. Fat load of shit that led to,” Crouch said bitterly, an uncharacteristic tiredness in his voice.
· - —–•☽𓆘☾•–— - ·
(Barty POV)
Thirteen years ago — November, 1981
“Someone shut that brat up!” Bellatrix roared.
Barty quickly cancelled the crucio on Alice Longbottom and headed towards the room where the wailing was coming from.
“No!” Barty could hear Alice scream hoarsely before it was replaced by another drawn out scream.
“Fuck, fuck, fuck,” Barty said as he paced around the room, the loud intense wailing of Neville Longbottom in the back. Barty didn’t know what to do, one moment they were at Lestrange Manor, the next, they were apparating to the Longbottoms searching for clues on where Voldemort was. He and Evan had separated with Evan going off to find Sirius Black.
Neither of them believed that Sirius Black would ever betray James Potter and if they wanted Regulus’ vengeful ghost haunting them for the rest of eternity, they better make sure that his brother was safe and sound.
It was early into the war when Regulus, the lunatic, admitted that he had planned to betray Voldemort and he wanted both his and Evan’s assistance in helping his cover and they knew it was only a matter of time before he ended up getting himself killed. Regulus had promised that he would find a way to get him and Evan out of this mess but that was a promise made in vain and Barty had a feeling that James Potter is to blame for his friend’s sudden desire to abandon his self preservation.
Originally, he and Evan thought that Regulus’ disappearance was somehow one of his usual insane plans but after months of silence on Regulus’ end, they accepted that their friend was gone, it didn’t take long before the news of Dorcas’ and her fiance’s death arrived at their doorstep. So there was nothing he and Evan could do but play the role of loyal Death Eater, live in a world where kill or be killed was the rule — of course they could’ve joined the light side but Barty would rather die than join the side his father actively supports. He joined Voldemort to both piss off his father and as a form of solidarity for both Evan and Regulus, although they both warned him about the dangers, he couldn’t leave any of his friends to die alone — the fact that it would drive his father absolutely mad was a bonus.
Somehow, all of Barty’s choices have led him here, summoning a patronus to find Evan.
“Evan, you better find Black fast. Bellatrix and the others are torturing the Longbottoms to insanity and I’m trying my best to make sure their child isn’t handed the same fate.”
The last thing Barty saw after he sent his patronus was the door slamming open and an auror sending Barty flying into the wall.
His patronus never reached its intended recipient — Evan Rosier died at 20, trying to evade arrest from Alastor Moody.
On the spot where his body hit the ground, Alastor Moody had reported seeing a crow patronus circling high above, it circled once, twice, and a final third time before disappearing in a fine mist just as Evan released his last breath.