Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by J.K. Rowling. No money is being made.
Collection of related one-shots, in chronological order, pertaining to Barty and Harry.
Written for the Harry Potter Halloween Collection Competition
Prompt: (word) Revolting
Slippery Slope
He couldn't believe how far the old fool had fallen, how easy it was to deceive the great Albus Dumbledore.
How would the old fool react if he knew just who he had let into his school?
Barty willed away endless hours of boredom imaging his reaction, he was sure it would be immensely entertaining.
He glanced up and was caught in brilliant green. How was it that whenever he laid eyes on the child every notion of boredom flew out the window?
His master had told him to observe the child, and he did. However, he was man enough to admit that it had stopped being a simple order long ago. Had it ever been a simple order to begin with? He clearly remembered how fascinated he had been at the World Quidditch Cup.
He was unwavering loyal to his Lord, but his curiosity had always been his greatest weakness – and Potter woke his curiosity like nothing else.
In the week he had found himself at Hogwarts he had been watching Potter every chance he got. Potter was the perfect, little Gryffindor. A fierce lion, ready to defend his pride. He was everything the Hero of the Light should be. He was also a mediocre student, more interest in Quidditch than studying.
All in all, Potter was just like any other teenager at Hogwarts.
However, when no one was watching, Potter would curl up with a book in some out of the way alcove. He would practice magic that the seventh years had difficulty with. He would lay in wait, like a snake, and curse those that tormented him in the back, leaving no trace that he had been the one to have done it.
All in all, Potter was a walking contradiction.
So, he watched Potter. Fascinated by every new layer he uncovered, wondering what the future would bring if he was already so hooked after only one week.
Barty delighted in putting the students under the Imperius. He still couldn't believe that Dumbledore had allowed him to cast it on his precious students. He had to wonder if the man truly was senile.
Still, no matter how fun it was to make all those students do the most humiliating things, what really interested him was Potter. He didn't think Potter would be able to resist, but he wanted to see if Potter would at least be able to put up a fight. The students he had been through hadn't a strong enough will to even put up a fight.
He was almost giddy when he cast the curse on Potter.
He had to stop himself from cackling when Potter not only fought, but broke it.
Class soon ended and he dismissed the students, however his hungry gaze never left the slight figure of the Boy-Who-Lived.
Later that day, right before curfew, he was slightly surprised to hear a knock on his office door. Students did their best to avoid him.
He grimaced when he noticed the time was almost up. Sighing, he took out his flask and took a swallow. He grimaced at the taste – it was absolutely revolting – but needs must, and he wouldn't fail his Lord.
"Come in!" He hid his surprise when he saw Potter stepping into the room. The Gryffindor looked around curiously, not showing any sort of discomfort. "Potter, do you need anything?"
Potter looked at him, those eery green eyes seemingly glowing, and he had to stop himself from fidgeting. It was ridiculous, he was one of the Dark Lord's most trusted Death Eaters, he would not fidget because of a fourteen year old.
"I was wondering, Professor, if you could answer some questions I have."
Barty didn't remember Potter's voice being so soft. Was the teen even hiding his tone of voice? Was anything he showed the world real? Why would he hide in the first place? If the traitor was to be believed Potter relished in the fame he had. Then again… who trusted a traitor?
"Ask away, Potter."
"In class, while we were learning about the Unforgivables, you said there was more to it than simply saying the words. What did you mean?"
That certainly wasn't what Barty had been expecting. He hadn't thought that many of the students would remember that little bit. Dark Magic was perceived in such a bad light that most wizards and witches never bothered learning even the theory behind it.
"Why do you want to know?" There were several reasons why Potter might want to know, none of them something the Golden Boy should be interested in – at least that would have been his thoughts before he had actually seen Potter. Now it could be anything from academic curiosity to wanting to cast the curses.
"Curiosity," Potter replied and Barty could detect no lie, even so he was sure that Potter wasn't telling him everything either.
Still, it wouldn't hurt to talk with Potter about this. Maybe he would finally solve Potter and he would be able to go back to his mission without Potter occupying more of his mind than need be.
He couldn't see how it could hurt.
