Title: Bloodshot Skies, Blue Eyes
Chapter length: 422 words
Summary: A series of short drabbles, and oneshots revolving around Barty Crouch, Junior.
Chapter summary: It was pure curiosity and regret that drove Albus Dumbledore towards Moody's office, yet neither deed nor wish could bring back Bartemius Crouch, Junior.
Chapter verse: Book-verse
A/N: Have recently developed a David Tennant obsession, hehe. It led me to look a lot more closely at the character of Barty Junior, and I've realised how brilliant a character he is. It's a shame they changed his character in the film, since he was the one who was a little sympathized, and Barty Senior was the hard and very stern one. Ah well, my view of Barty Junior is half way between the movies and books. He is absolutely mental, and yes a little sadistic, but he does deserve a bit of sympathy. That's mainly why I'm doing these drabbles, so I can sum up the other characters' views on him. The chapters will alternate between the books and the movies. This particular chapter is book-verse. Read on...


Bloodshot Skies, Blue Eyes
Aftermath of the Kiss

He had meant to go to the Diggorys, or so he'd told Harry, yet it was pure curiosity and regret that drove Albus Dumbledore towards Moody's office. By then the Dementor was gone, driven away by the fury and wrath of the professors McGonagall and Snape, but Winky had remained, sobbing uncontrollably as she clutched a pale figure, her spindly arms thrown over his rope-bound chest.

"Master Barty! Master Barty is gone!" She wailed. "Master Barty is not hearing Winky! Oh, Master Barty!"

"...Poppy..." One word. One word was all it took from him, and the healer rushed forward from her place, attempting to pry away the elf.

"NO! Master Barty, speak to Winky!!! NO! NO!" the little house-elf's shrieks intensified, rising to a shrill pitch as she continued to weep. "Master Barty! Why is Master Barty not speaking to Winky?!"

"My dear Winky," The old wizard began softly. "I'm afraid Bartemius cannot hear you."

Winky froze. Her brimming wide eyes bore into him with shocked intensity as the tears continued to leak, dripping from her chin and staining abstract patterns into her rag, but finally with an almighty cry she released the figure and turned to bury herself in Poppy's apron, resuming the shuddering weeping as the healer patted her back. Albus sighed heavily, slowly striding further into the cluttered room. The thin and disheveled form remained completely motionless against the wall, his head bowed down to his chest. Compared to the large and baggy clothes he wore, he appeared oddly frail, and the coat was more empty than not.

"Is he... gone, Albus?" Poppy whispered fearfully over the cries of Winky, staring wide-eyed and worriedly at the form.

Albus flicked his wand and the ropes disappeared, releasing the figure to slump further down the wall; any lower and he would have lying on the floor. Gently reaching out, he cupped the unshaven chin, tenderly lifting the face to the dim light. His eyes met brown; brown eyes which had once shone ablaze with dark glee and unconditional madness.

Your father loved you, Bartemius, Albus thought sorrowfully, brushing strands of straw-coloured hair away from the eyes. Even if he never thought to show it.

"Albus?"

The headmaster picked up Bartemius' calloused hands, holding them in his own as he gazed into the dull eyes. They bore nothing. No emotion, no life, no recognition. They merely stared back at him, blinking slowly.

Neither deed nor wish could bring Bartemius Crouch, Junior back; sanity had long since fled, and taken spirit and soul with it.

"Yes, Poppy... He's gone."