"Severus, the Veritaserum" Albus Dumbledore implored while never taking his eyes from Barty Crouch Jr., the Death Eater whom had masqueraded as Mad Eye Moody the entirety of the school year.
With balletic grace, Professor Severus Snape drew a delicate flask from his inner robe and unstoppered the cork. His rough hands, calloused over from years spent chopping and stirring ingredients, clamped down tightly on Crouch's jaw, forcing the man's mouth open. Haphazardly, Snape poured the Veritaserum down Crouch's throat, careful to avoid the man's teeth, which were threatening to bite his fingers off.
When it was clear that Crouch had received enough potion for Dumbledore's questioning to be effective, Snape stepped behind the older wizard and patiently waited. Crouch's eye clouded over, his jaw slackened and his posture immediately became submissive, all sure signs that the Veritaserum had done its job.
"What is your name?" Demanded Dumbledore.
Without hesitation the prone Death Eater responded, "Barty Crouch Jr."
"State your purpose at Hogwarts"
"To infiltrate Hogwarts and guarantee Harry Potter's admittance to the Tri-Wizard Tournament."
At that admission, Dumbledore's eyes narrowed, "On who's orders?"
A beat of silence. "The Dark Lord's"
Neither Dumbledore nor Snape were shocked, despite the fact that Voldemort had not retained a corporal form since the fateful day the Potter's perished while the Wizarding World rejoiced. The Potter boy after all had been gasping and shuddering Voldemort's name in between sobs when he had come back with Cedric Diggory's body.
Dumbledore indicated to his potion's master "Severus, if you wouldn't mind?"
Snape swept over to Crouch and peeled off his outer jacket, revealing a simple white button up soaked with perspiration. Slowly, as if fearing what he would find though he knew better, Snape rolled back the man's sleeve to reveal a forearm stamped with the Dark Mark. It was grotesque. It was hideous. And it was seemingly alive.
Snape closed his eyes and imperceptibly shivered. Crouch must have sensed this for he looked up. The corner of his lips upturned in a smirk, "Do you feel that Severus Snape? He is back and he is so hoping that you'll join him."
As if on queue, the Dark Mark leapt to life on Crouch's arm, the snake rapidly weaving through the skull's eyeless sockets.
A pained groan issued from behind Dumbledore and when he identified the source, he saw Snape doubled over, his fringe masking the look of agony no doubt marring his features.
Meanwhile, laughter from Crouch Jr. echoed off the stone walls, "Will you answer the call Snape? Will you return to your master?"
Dumbledore glanced over to Snape who had by now composed himself, his face schooled into impassivity.
"Severus. You know what I must ask you to do. If you are ready…if you are prepared…"
"I will tend to my duties" Snape spat, whether out of fear or disdain, and likely a combination of both, Dumbledore couldn't say.
The potion's master swiftly exited the room, leaving Dumbledore to deal with the "prisoner." The two stared at each other a while, the older wizard contemplating snuffing out the deceptive younger man's life before eventually regaining control. He raised his wand at which Crouch stiffened, preparing for the worst, only to collapse from his chair from a particularly strong Petrificus Totalus.
Albus Dumbledore than left the room to alert the authorities and ponder the fate of Severus Snape.