Hi guys. I know this update seems to be a late one. I am sorry if it took too long. I actually finished this chapter two weeks ago. I just didn't get to upload it since I typed this chapter down in another computer. I also started another fanfic but its on the Tomb Raider series called Tomb Raider:The Stolen Farewell so if any one of you wants to read it, just search for it in the games section.

CHAPTER TWELVE

A DINNER WITH THE ENEMY

The next day rolled by with Harry telling Ron everything he knew on the recent events that had happened. Everything. As Harry expected, millions of questions erupted from Ron's mind.

"So" said Ron. "Crouch was like You-Know-Who's biggest admirer or something?

"Ron!" answered Harry. "Voldemort has been dead for years. You still can't speak his name?"

"Well, I never got used to saying it." said Ron as he scratched his head. "Oh all right. So you reckon Crouch wanted to be like Voldemort?"

"Yes. At least that's what Lucius told me. What bothers me the most is the fact that Sirius is still trapped under the veil. You should have seen Draco's face though, being fooled and everything."

"I wish I could. Well I would like it more to be able to put a curse on him like you did, mate"

"Well" said Harry anxiously as he sat on his bed. "I actually regret doing that. I mean casting an Unforgivable Curse to anyone, even Draco, is going too far."

"You can't be saying that!" answered Ron loudly as he brushed his teeth in the bathroom, getting ready for breakfast. "I mean its Draco Malfoy."

"But still. It's like being Voldemort or one of his Death Eaters. They put Unforgivable Curses on anyone all the time. It's as if I am no different"

"Don't be so hard on yourself, mate. Once you get some breakfast, you'll forget all about this."

As Harry stood up from his bed, an unfamiliar barn owl swooped form their window, carrying a letter. Harry went to the owl and untied the letter. He unfolded the parchment and saw Hermione's fancy writing all over the paper.

Dear Harry and Ron,

Hello. Hope you both are well. I'm writing to invite you guys to a dinner celebration tomorrow evening here at my place. It's going to be a simple get together, just the four of us, including Edgar. Know why? I just got promoted!

Reply using my new owl. Hope you can make it. I can't wait to see both of you again so we all could catch up on things.

Love,

Hermoine

"Hey Ron, Hermione is inviting us to dinner." said Harry to Ron, who was still in the bathroom.

"That's great. Of course we're going" answered Ron.

"Guess who's there besides us three?"

"Who"

"Crouch!"

"That can't be good. I mean, well, at least we know where he is but I can smell trouble."

"I know what you mean. We have to think of a way to get him to cough up how he escaped from the veil so I can rescue Sirius."

"We'll think of something." said Ron as he emerged from the bathroom, ready for breakfast.

"I hope so" answered Harry as he then went to the bathroom and closed the door.

The whole day was spent having fun. Harry and the rest of the Weasleys played some Quidditch while Mrs. Weasley went to Diagon Alley to shop. The weather was good as the new year slowly came closer.

That evening, Harry had formulated an idea on how to get Crouch to tell the truth on everything before possibly disappearing again. He went downstairs to call Ron over and tell him.

"Okay" said Harry as they went to their room and locked the door to prevent anyone from barging in. "Tomorrow evening, I'll bring a small vial of Veritaserum and put it in Crouch's drink"

"Sounds simple enough" said Ron. "But where will you get the Veritaserum?"

"At Hogwarts. Tomorrow, I'll go there in the morning to get some."

"Good plan!"

"Remember Umbridge? She tried to do the same thing to me. She put some Veritaserum on my tea."

"At least now she's good for something."

That night, Ron and Harry were ready with a plan. That provided Harry with some comfort for at least he had a bit of control over the matter. He, as of now, has the upper hand in the whole thing.

Seven am came and Harry woke up with Ron still snoring. Readying himself, he went downstairs into the empty living room and fired up the fireplace. He then went inside the hearth, used some Floo Powder, and went zooming towards the Defense Against the Dark Arts fireplace.

Harry had the Mauraders Map inside his pocket since he knew that Snape wouldn't give him any Veritaserum even if his life depended on it so he had to steal some. He opened the map and pointed his wand on it saying "I solemnly swear that I am up to no good."

Ink appeared on the parchment as well as dots that personify people inside Hogwarts. He searched for Snape and found him in his bedroom, possibly sleeping, beside his office. He then folded the map and went out of the classroom. He walked past the corridors leading to the Grand Staircase and went down towards the Great Hall. He then went to the entrance of the dungeons and walked along the stone walls. Now in front of Snape's office door, he whipped out the map again and saw that the dot labeled Snape was still in the bedroom on the next door beside the office. He then opened the door of the office and stepped inside.

The room was lined with a desk with cabinets surrounding it. Inside were bottles and vials of strange substances. Some even had animal corpses floating in them. He then opened a cabinet and searched bottle per bottle, looking at the labels one by one.

As he searched, he found a small cabinet by the corner of the room stuck with some Spellotape to make its doors close. It was the same cabinet that held Snape's Pensieve years ago. He ignored this and continued to search the bottles and vials. He then went to the next cabinet then the next one, still having no luck in getting what he wanted.

All the cabinets have been searched, all but the small one that once contained Snape's Pensieve. He approached it and opened it. It didn't have the Pensieve but an assortment of bottles in different shapes and sizes. He searched through it and found one with Veritaserum labeled on it. Pocketing the small bottle, he hurried outside and closed the door behind him. He walked swiftly through the dungeon hall and emerged form it towards the Great Hall. He then went upstairs to the Defense Against the Dark Arts fire and was transported towards the Weasley's fireplace, still clutching the Marauder's Map.

Luckily, no one was awake yet so he didn't have to waste his breath on explaining why he left. He then pointed his wand on the map and said "Mischief Managed" and the ink disappeared.

He then went upstairs to his and Ron's room, finding Ron now awake.

"So did you get it?" asked Ron when Harry closed the door.

Harry took out the bottle and showed it to Ron.

"Good" said Ron as he stood from his bed. "Tonight, we'll know everything about everything that's going on in here."

Evening came as Harry and Ron dressed up for the dinner with Hermione. The night was pleasantly breezy, a complete contrast to what Harry was feeling. He was filled with worry and doubt over what he must do tonight. What if he fails? If he does, Sirius will have no chance of getting away from the Dementor's realm. Thoughts like these swam through Harry's mind as he checked himself in front of a mirror.

"Ready?" asked Ron.

"Yeah" said Harry.

"Look" said Ron slowly. "Everything will turn out okay, mate. It will." With that, they both disapparated towards Hermione's house in Dufftown.

The arrived in Hermione's place, which was a nice small home lined with simple decors. The chandelier in the living room was probably the most extravagant furniture in the house. They walked towards the cozy dining room and were welcomed by Hermione, who hugged Harry and Ron tightly and ushered them in to sit.

Crouch was there, sitting across Harry. An awkward tension was building between both of them. Hermione wasn't there to break the silence as she was in the kitchen, preparing the food, so Harry just sat there quietly. A wink flashed form Crouch's face, followed by a twisted, evil smile. Annoyed, Harry stood up and went towards the kitchen to help Hermione out.

"So" started Harry. "You got promoted."

"Yeah, isn't it great?" said Hermione as she took out the chicken form the oven. "I've always wanted to be in the Ministry work force, you know."

"Congratulations" said Harry as his hand went into his pocket. He clutched on the small bottle that was inside.

"Thanks" said Hermione. She then went to the dining room and asked what drinks they wanted.

"I'll have some Champagne" said Crouch while Ron asked for Butterbeer.

Hermione then went inside the kitchen again and asked Harry what he wanted to drink.

"Just tea" said Harry as Hermione bustled in making the drinks.

This was Harry's chance to put the Veritaserum onto Crouch's drink. He waited for Hermione to finish putting champagne in the champagne glass to go towards it. As Hermione tuned around to get some Butterbeer, Harry took out the glass of Veritaserum and opened the cap as he stepped closer towards the champagne glass. Just a big drop was enough but in haste, he emptied the whole bottle in Crouch's drink. He then slipped the now empty bottle quickly in his pocket and then told Hermione that he'll just wait in the dining room.

As he sat down by the table, he did a thumbs-up under the table cloth to tell Ron that the Veritaserum was now in Crouch's drink. Ron then smiled as Hermione, clutching a tray with all their beverages on it, arrived. She then placed the tray on the table and sat down herself. Taking out her wand, she said "Accio food" and a plate of chicken and bowls of salad and pea soup zoomed in.

Harry then stood up and held his cup of tea. "I think we should have a toast for Hermione."

"Great idea" said Ron, getting an idea of what Harry wanted to pull off. "For Hemione."

They all stood up, with Crouch holding the champagne glass, as Harry said "For Hermione, whose genius has yet again advanced her to her goal." With that, they all drank. Harry's eyes were full of triumph as Crouch gulped down his champagne.

They then sat down and started to eat. As Harry took some salad, he started to do the next step of the plan.

"So Edgar," started Harry "so you work in the Ministry right?"

"Yes" he replied "In Muggle Relations."

"You know what, I know a Grindle just like you. She is a neighbor of mine. Maybe you know her."

"Oh, but I am not a Grindle. That's is not my real name."

Silence filled the room. Hermione's eyes widened instantly after hearing this.

"Then what is your real name?" asked Hermione, clearly offended by Crouch lying to her about his name.

Crouch then looked at Hermione.

"My name is" said Crouch "Barty Crouch Jr."

END OF CHAPTER TWELVE