As planned, the Golden Trio found Sirius under his dog form in front of Dervish and Bang, and followed him where he hide with Buck.
Except that there, they had the surprise of the century by seeing the man with an epic pompadour from the Quidditch World Cup.
-Sorry, Thatch, it was a long due date, sighed Sirius transforming back into a human.
He had a better face, noted Harry. He was cleaner, better clothed, and better nourished. And something told him that the guy with the pompadour wasn't a stranger to that.
-Oh, no problem, don't worry. I'm hiding with you, so that, when Marco see the foolish things I wrote on my report he won't want to take my head, said the man in the traveling cloak.
-Young ones, I introduce you to…
-Hey! But you were in front of us in the line for water, during the quidditch match! Pointed out Ron, cutting Sirius.
-What a memory, Ronny-kun! Smirked the man.
-How…
-I know the twins very well… genius, those kids…
-What is a commander of Shirohige doing here? Asked Hermione.
-No need to do the introductions, it seems, commented Sirius, making Thatch laugh.
-I'm not doing anything bad, miss! I swear on the head of the Flying Pineapple! I just came to bring some supplies to Sirius here and hand in person my last report to Marco. I took the opportunity to say a happy birthday to the little Sabo!
-Oh…
-He like to swarm your Natural Magic's teacher with paperwork, sighed Sirius leaning on a wall.
-Marco doesn't torture you too much? Asked Thatch.
-This man is a genius, remarked Harry.
-We all say that. In better circumstances… he could have become Vegapunk… or Einstein. Please, don't mind me… I'm in hiding.
The young ones raised their eyebrows, puzzled, but turned toward Sirius who smiled at them.
Harry forced himself to smile, but not able to hide his worry.
-What are you doing here? He asked him.
-My duty as a godfather, answered Sirius. Don't worry about me, I'm a nice little stray dog.
He was still smiling but, seeing the anxious expression on Harry's face, he took a more serious tone:
-I want to be here. Your last letter… Well, let say that the things seem to be shady. I stole the Daily Prophet who was thrown out and, apparently, I'm not the only one worrying.
He showed with his head the old editions of the Prophet that he had thrown on the ground. Ron took them and began reading.
-And if someone see you? If you are taken? Harry said.
-You are the only one, with Dumbledore and the Shirohige, to know that I am an Animagus, answered Sirius. And it's a nice panther who helped me find this hiding place.
Harry sighed.
-You want me to hold Ace so you can kill him? Proposed Thatch with a little smile, still rolled in his cloak.
-Gladly.
Ron elbowed Harry and gave him the editions of the Daily Prophet. There were two of them. The first had for title : Bartemius Crouch's mysterious sickness. And on the headlines of the second, we could read: The Ministry's witch stay untraceable – The Ministry of Magic personally involved.
Harry read the article on Crouch. Some pieces of sentences were quite obvious to him: wasn't seen in public since November… The house seems desert… Saint Mungo's hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries abstain from comment… The ministry refused to confirm the rumors of a grave sickness…
-When you read that you could think that he is dying, slowly said Harry. But he can't be that sick, if he was able to come here…
-Crouch came when? Thatch asked frowning.
-During January, Harry answered him.
-That's not possible. If it was the case, Marco wouldn't have asked Izou to do research on him.
-Well…
He looked at Sirius.
-The Map? Guessed Sirius.
-Yes. He was on it.
-Crouch isn't good enough to pass the marines, pointed Thatch. Sure, the castle is full of low grade, but they all have a magical formation. He couldn't have escaped Smoker or Hina. There must be some mistake…
-My brother is Crouch's assistant, Ron told Sirius. From what he says, Crouch suffer from overwork.
-Anyway, he really seemed sick when I saw him, the night when my name came out of the Goblet… stated Harry continuing reading the article.
-He had what he deserved when he freed Winky, hadn't he? Said coldly Hermione.
She noticed Buck's absence.
-I'm sure he must regret it… He must feel the difference now that she isn't here to take care of him. Where is Buck?
-We introduced him discreetly in the Forbidden Forest in the summer, answered Thatch without thinking.
-Hermione is obsessed with House Elves, Ron whispered to Sirius.
But Sirius seemed interested by the new, as was Thatch whose eye were veiled when house elves were mentioned.
-Crouch freed his elf?
-Yes, the day of the Quidditch World Cup, said Harry.
-When? Asked Thatch.
-During the night, after the Death Eaters' attack, after the appearance of the Dark Mark.
Thatch's eyes became round.
-I should have stayed longer after the match! Damn Benn! He should have told me that there was some animation! You'll pay Beckman, the next time I see you in the Shin Sekai!
Harry then began to tell the story of what happened that night, the appearance of the Dark Mark, Winky found in possession of Harry's wand, Crouch's furor.
When Harry had finished, Sirius had stood up and paced in the cave. Thatch was cross-legs and was stroking his beard lost in thought.
-Let's resume, he said after some time. Okay, you saw the elf in the official stand. She was keeping a place for Mr Crouch, right?
-That's right, Harry, Ron and Hermione chorused.
-But Crouch didn't came to the match?
-No, Harry answered, he said he had too much work.
Sirius walked around the cave silently. Then he asked:
-Harry, did you check if you still had your wand in your pocket when you left the stand?
-Eh… Harry pondered for a long time. No, he ended up saying. I didn't need to use it before being in the forest. At that time, I put my hand in my pocket and I only found my Omnioculars.
Harry stared at Sirius with inquiring eyes.
-You mean that the one who made the Dark Mark appear would have stolen my wand when I was still in the stand?
-Possible, answered Sirius.
-Winky didn't steal this wand! Exclaimed Hermione in a shrilling voice.
-The elf wasn't the only one in this stand, Sirius said continuing pacing, frowning. Who else was sitting behind you?
-A lot of people, Harry told.
-Benn told me that he was on the same rank as the elf. He swapped with the revolutionary Koala who was complaining of being too small to see the match. He said he sensed someone hidden there… it may be him who took your wand, Potter, pointed Thatch.
-Possible…
-But where? It was all very full! said Ron.
-Crouch's empty chair! Pointed Hermione. It was just behind Harry! If it was claimed, nobody would have taken it. Someone sitting there under an invisibility cloak and no one the wiser!
-You are an intelligent kid, I'd say… you must be the little Granger. Marco told me about some promising students that he had and you were in this number.
Hermione couldn't stop herself from blushing.
-When the Dark Mark appeared and that the elf was discovered with Harry's wand, what did Crouch do? Asked Sirius.
-He went to see in the bushes, said Harry, but there was no one else.
-Of course, muttered Sirius continuing pacing. He would have preferred to put this on the back of anyone else than his elf… and then, he freed her?
-Yes, Hermione said with a voice full of wrath. He freed her simply because she didn't stayed under the tent to wait to be swamped…
-Hermione, will you leave us alone, with your stories about elves? Exclaimed Ron.
But Sirius nodded, throwing a discrete and nervous glance toward Thatch who was staring at Ron frowning.
-She understand who was Crouch much better than you, Ron. If you want to know what a man is worth, look at how he treat his inferiors, not his equals.
He passed one hand on his face covered by a birthing beard. Obviously, he was deep in thoughts.
-All these absence of Barty Crouch… He go so far as to ask his elf to keep him a place for the Finals of the Quidditch World Cup, but don't come to see the match. He work relentlessly to put back in place the Three Wizards Tournament, but doesn't come to watch either… It isn't like Crouch. If, during his career, he missed one day of work because he was sick, I'm ready to eat Buck.
-He is in the in the Forbidden Forest, Sirius, reminded Thatch.
-Damn…
-You know Crouch? Wondered Harry.
Sirius' face darkened. He suddenly looked as threatening as the evening Harry had seen him for the first time and still believed he was a killer.
-Very well even, Sirius said in a low voice. The one who gave the order to lock me in Azkaban without a trial was Crouch.
-What? Ron and Hermione exclaimed in a same voice.
-You're kidding, right? Harry said.
-Not at all, answered Sirius. At this time, Crouch was Director of the Department of Magical Justice, you know?
Harry, Ron and Hermione nodded.
-His name was sworn on the seas. It was a common threat between the wizards serving the black flag. 'Be careful, or I'll send you to Crouch' was what was said. Some said that it would be better to give yourself to Garp, than to go against Crouch… at least, before Akainu came to his post of Admiral… the dick, this guy… growled Thatch.
-He was favorite for the next Minister of Magic, Sirius continued. He is a powerful wizard, Barty Crouch, he has a great magical power and the power, he is hungry for it. Oh, he was never one of Voldemort's servant, he added seeing Harry's expression. No, Barty Crouch has always been openly against black magic. But a lot of persons who were opposed to the black magic… no, you wouldn't understand… you're too young…
-That's what my father said at the World Cup, threw Ron slightly irritated. Still try to explain, we will see if we understand or not…
A smile appeared on the Sirius' thin face.
-You're not of the good generation, for that. You don't have memories of this period of fear, of what the people were living. It's like asking a lambda kid what he think of Roger. If he is less than twenty, the name of Gol D. Roger won't mean anything to him. For others, it would be memories of a mess of misdeeds which made that the name is still swore today, sighed Thatch.
-If they want to try to understand, we should at least try to explain… said Sirius.
-If it please you.
Sirius walked through the cave again, and then continued:
-Imagine that today Voldemort is at the peak of his power. You don't know who his followers are, you don't know who work for him, but you know that he is able to use his power on people that h force to commit unspeakable acts against their will. You are scared for yourself, your family, your friends. Each week bring news of several death, new disappearances, new suffering… The Ministry of Magic is in full turmoil, its responsible didn't know what to do anymore, they try to hide everything from the muggles but, at the same time, the Muggles die too. Terror reign everywhere… panic… confusion… it was like that at this time… Time like that can lead some to the best and others to the worst. Crouch's ethic was maybe very good at first. I don't know. His advancement in the Ministry was very fast and he took immediately radical measures against Voldemort's followers. The Aurors received new powers like to be able to kill instead of capturing them alive, for example. And I wasn't the only one given to the Dementors without a trial. Crouch fought violence with violence and gave the authorization to us the Unforgivable against some suspects. I would even go as far as saying that he became as merciless, as cruel, as the numerous wizards who had chosen the Dark Path. He had followers too – a lot though it was te good method and he found himself with a lot of wizards and witches pushing him to become the next Minster of Magic. When Voldemort vanished, everyone though that Crouch would soon get the supreme post. But an unfortunate event happened…
Sirius gave a dark smile.
-Crouch's own son was arrested in the company of a group of Death Eater who had convinced the judge to not send them to Azkaban. Seemingly, they were trying to find Voldemort to bring him back.
-Affair Lestrange, muttered Thatch. Him and the three Lestrange tortured a couple of Auror until they lost their minds. With the Cruciatus. They had a son your age, who has to see his parents in the wing of Incurable Diseases of St Mungo. They don't recognize him anymore.
-A big shock for this old Barty. Maybe he should have passed a little more time taking care of his family. He should have left his desk a little earlier sometime… it would have allowed him to know his own son.
-His son really was a Death Eater? Inquired Harry.
-No idea, answered Sirius. I was in Azkaban myself when he was locked in. I only learn most of the things I tell you after I ran out of prison. What is sure, it's that Crouch son was taken in compagny of people which I sure were Death Eater. Thatch?
-I think he was… supposed the pirate taking a pondering pose.
-Did Crouch tried to get his son out of prison? Murmured Hermione.
Sirius cracked a laugh who sound more like a bark.
- Ah, the naivety… sighed Thatch.
-Crouch, get his son out of prison? Hermione, I though you had understood what sort of person Crouch was! All that could threaten to darken his reputation had to disappear. He dedicated his life to his sole ambition : to become the Minister of Magic. You saw him dismiss his house elf who was totally loyal to him simply because by her fault there was a risk for him to be associated to the Dark Mark again. It's enough to show everything, no? The parternal affection of Crouch just drove him to make sure his son received a trial but, in fact, it was only an occasion for him to show how much he hated this boy… Then, he send him directly to Azkaban.
- He gave his own son to the Dementors? Harry said in a low voice.
-I know a guy who boast that he killed his own father when he was ten. The Family, you will know, doesn't have the same value for everyone, kid, pointed Thatch. If you have an ambition stronger than anything else, then, even if it's your family, you can be ready to push it away and reny them. The hard law of life.
-I saw the Dementors bring him in Azkaban, I saw them pass by the door of my cell, told Sirius. He couldn't be more than nineteen. They put him in a cell close to mine. When the night fall, he screamed calling for his mother. But after several days, he shut up… Everyone ended up shutting up… except those screaming in their sleep…
The look in Sirius eyes darkened as if a veil suddenly came before his eyes.
-He is still in Azkaban? Asked Harry.
-No, Sirius answered in a low vice. N, he isn't there anymore. He is dead one year after his incarceration, approximately.
-He is dead?
-It's common in prison, more so in those highly secured like Azkaban or Impel Down. Most prisoner becom insane and a lot ended up not eating. They lose their will to live.
-In Azkaban, we always knew when someone was going to die: the Dementors sensed it and were more and more excited. This boy seemed sick when he came in. Given Crouch's important position in the hierarchy of the Ministry, him and his wife was allowed to visit him one last time on his death bed. It's the last time I saw Barty Crouch. When he passed in front of my cell, his wife was so distraught that he was half carrying her. She died some time later herself. Of grief. She wasted away like her son. Crouch never came to ask the body of is son. The Dementors buried him in front of the fortress, I saw them dig the grave. With this, everything fell apart for the Crouch senior the moment he though he had succeed in everything, he continued wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. The hero promised to the post of minister lost at the same time his son and his wife, the honor of his family, and from what I heard since my escape, his popularity. Learning his death, people began to feel simpathy for Cruch junior and wondered how a boy so young, from a good family, could go so much away from the good path. They ended up concluding that the true responsible was his father who had never really loved him. And it's like that that the seat of Minister came to Cornelius Fudge while Crouch was send to the Department of Magical International Cooperation.
There was a long silence. Harry though back to the wide eyes of Crouch when he raged against his elf, the day of the World Cup. So it was the reason why he had reacted with so much violence when Winky was discovered under the Dark Mark. The incident had bought back the memory of his son, f the scandal, of the disgrace.
-But there is something that leave me puzzled… Crouch is rather intelligent, he could have found a way do deflect the fault on someone else, sighed Thatch standing up. Why did he leave his house elf… except if…
-Except if…? Said Hermione.
-You have to see Marco, guessed Sirius with a smile.
-And he will be happy because he will be able to kill me… it was nice meeting you, young ones.
Thatch put the hood of his cloak back on his head and walked out of the cave under the gaze of the teens.
-They are like that. When one has an idea, he go see the nearest pirate and more experimented at hand to help clear up the matter.
-If you are caught, I won't get your ass out of Impel Down, Marco pointed out while he watched Thatch put his coat away in is office.
-Roh, sorry, I didn't know you want some alone time with Ace! Joked the man.
-Do I have the right to trow him by the window? Ace asked Marco showing his friend with his thumb.
-No, Oyaji still need him, yoi. But not for long if he continue. What do you want?
-You didn't say that Crouch came by in the office of the Potion Master of a school we know well… pointed Thatch sitting on the desk.
-When? Asked the two commanders frowning.
-January.
-We didn't have a visit from Crouch. He reported sick for the Second Task! Exclaimed Ace.
-I didn't sense Crouch's voice anywhere… mumbled Marco, yoi. I need this damn Map, yoi.
-Accio Marauder's Map.
For a moment nothing happened, then the parchment passed under the door and jumped in Ace's hand who held it to Marco with a little smirk.
-Arigatou, Ace, smiled Marco. I'll be able to keep an eye on things and confirmed an idea…
-Ace, I will need to access to some info of Beckman or even Koala on what happened the night of the World Cup, pointed Thatch.
-Benn, I can try, but Koala, it's Sab's area, you know. We avoid to cross eachother's territory…
-You can at least ask him to ask around.
-I'll ask him.
-What are plotting? Asked a frowning Marco.
-There is something shady going on with Crouch. I'm sure of it… and the story with his elf is just the top of the Iceberg.
-This man want to be Minister. He will do everything he can to get his consideration back, muttered Marco.
-Easy, there, someone can brief me in, old ones! Demanded Ace raising his hands. What is the original mess with this guy?
The two looked at Ace with affection and resumed to him Crouch career.
Kali, Sabo, Robin and Nami were in a corner, looking at the two first commanders of Shirohige talking beside the houses' hourglasses.
-You're on… said Sabo as the Golden Trio and Luffy were passing by them.
-I'm okay for participating, but I don't want it to fall back on me! Specified Nami.
-Fufufufufu! I doubt they will like it, But Thatch-san's idea is very funny! Laughed Robin.
-Oi, Nami-chan, don't worry, it's the revolutionary in first line, we don't risk a lot, smirked maliciously Kali.
-Huh… I want to know what you are doing? Asked Luffy a little worried.
- A prank on our favorites commanders! Announced Sabo with a devilish smirk.
-Is it prudent to prank the professor Fushisho? Hermione asked biting her lip.
-The worst he can do is to kill me!
Sabo had said that with such a smile…
-Ladies? Asked Sabo turning toward the girls.
The girls shared a glance than laughing, went to join the men.
Kali perched herself on Ace's shoulder, surprising him and began to caress one of his cheek, while Nami was taking in hostage one of Marco's arm, leaving Robin to put her hands on the opposite shoulder of Marco, her face near his ear (je pense que ici tu voulais dire oreille et pas oreiller).
-Kyun! Kyun kyun kyun! Kyun! Kyun kyun kyun!
The two commanders tried to release themselves from the arms of these ladies, but there was nothing to do.
-Marionetto! Sang Sabo coming to grab hold of the free shoulder of his sibling.
-Marionetto! Chorused the women.
-Tiichaazu petto!
-Tiichaazu petto!
-Marionetto!
-Marionetto!
-Sensei no petto,
Boku wa marionetto!
-Marionetto!
-Tiichaazu petto!
-Tiichaazu petto!
-Marionetto!
-Marionetto!
-Sensei no petto,
Boku wa marionetto!
Sabo changed side and imitated the bored look so characteristic of Marco (who at this instant was trying to understand what was happening):
-Boku wa Romeo!
Sabo came back beside Ace and grabbed his brothers hair to make some pigtails.
-Kimi wa Jurietto!
Sensei no petto sensei no petto…
And he took Kali in his arms, leading her in a sort of waltz, intentionally ignoring the blush the oldest brother, the annoyed face of Marco, and the flames that were appearing on the two men.
-Zenmai jikake no guran ginyooru!
Itoshiki omoi wa vaioretto!
Kokoro no jiyuu wo ubawarechau…
Sabo turned Kali around, allowing her to join Ace.
-Etsurakushugi na no nen?! said the girls with a huge smile, before going back to their chorus.
The Golden Trio stared at the scenery, having the impression that they were missing something, then Luffy was rolling on the ground with laughter.
-What are they talking about? Asked Ron.
Luffy tried to breath, but he couldn't anymore.
-They tease them with an anime's song, grumbled Sanji passing by, a lollipop between his teeth. I prefer not to translate it to you. Stand up, ahou.
And he forced Luffy to stand up, since the young man was still bursting in laughter.
-Boku wa marionetto!
Boke wa onapetto!
Boku wa marionetto!
Sensei wa petto, sensei mo petto… Sabo was saying.
And Robin gave Marco a beautiful smile singsonging in his ear:
-Zenmai jikake no guran ginyooru!
-Itoshiki omoi wa viretto…
-Hoshigari ningyou guran ginyooru!
Afureru omoi wa vaiorensu… continued Nami with a jab in Ace'sribs and a mischievous smile.
-Kokoro no Jiyuu wo ubarechau… Completed Kali.
The three girls took each others' arms, facing the two men and concluded smiling:
-Zetsubouteki na no nen?!
-Nami and Sabo… I give you detention until the end of the year, yoi, hissed Marco trying to fight to take back the control of his power which was making some blue feather appear on his fist.
-Kali… twenty percent taken on your next loot… until further notice… Robin… I'm disappointed in you… hissed Ace a throbbing vein on his forehead.
The girls giggled and Kali walked forth, with a dark look in her eye.
-Think yourself lucky, it could have been worst… we could have sang Hore ppoi…
She hugged, under the stunned look of everyone, Ace's neck, she caressed his cheek, before skimming through the bright chest of her Commander. Commander who by the way seemed panicked. But the young woman didn't stop there and declaimed in a hot and charming voice
-Netsuppoi no anata ni…
Bam!
Everyone turned around to see a crossed arm Sanji in the stairs, a heart in his sole eye, bloog flowing from his nose and a moronic smile.
Ace took advantage of this distraction to transform int his animal and run away.
-The Gray. Fifty percent in less, yoi, hissed Marco.
-Aye, Nii-sama! Smiled Kali
And the Phoenix walked away, angry.
-You have the impression you missed something? Harry asked to Hermione and Ron.
-I think that in this world, there are things that I don't want to know… sighed Hermione who was staring at the place where Ace ran away, then at Marco, with a strange look.
-Good initiative, Granger! Approved Sabo.
Translation of the song marionetto:
Marionette (Marionette)
Teacher's pet (Teacher's pet)
Marionette (Marionette) Teacher's pet
I'm a marionette (Marionette)
Teacher's pet (Teacher's pet)
Marionette (Marionette) Teacher's pet
I'm a marionette
I am Romeo
You are Juliet
Teacher's pet, teacher's pet
Spring-powered mechanical grand guignol
These beloved feelings are violet
Your heart's freedom is snatched away
(It's rather hedonistic, isn't it?)
Teacher's pet, teacher's pet
Teacher's pet, teacher's pet
(Squeeze, squeeze, squeeze...)
Marionette (Marionette)
Teacher's pet (Teacher's pet)
Marionette (Marionette) Teacher's pet
I'm a marionette (Marionette)
Teacher's pet (Teacher's pet)
Marionette (Marionette) Teacher's pet
I'm a marionette
I'm an onanism pet
I'm a marionette
Teacher's a pet, teacher's also a pet
Spring-powered mechanical grand guignol
These beloved feelings are violet
Greedy doll grand guignol
These overflowing feelings are violence
Your heart's freedom is snatched away
It's rather despairing, isn't it?
And the first sentence of the second song mean "For the feverish you".