She launched into a pounce and arms wrapped tight around his neck as he more than willingly returned the hug, his arms around her waist, burying his face in her soft hair and taking a deep sniff.

"I had no idea that spell would actually bring you back" she mumbled softly as she drew back and deep blue eyes locked onto his. But there was something...different there.

"Bloody shame then you can't read Latin, ay? Otherwise I'd've said the homecoming would have been a bit...better?" He grinned down at her. One hand lifting and the back of his fingers brushing against her cheek. "It's been a while, love." Soft. But then he pulled back from her and spun around, looking at the study that surrounded them.

"Let's see...roaring fireplace...all Mahogany and wood," he moved to the bookcase and glanced at the titles. "Various books on business and finance and some magical lore..." and he turned and saw the safe open with the 4 books. A devious smile tugged at his lips and he shot her a sideways look as he prowled over to it, and knelt down beside the books, picking up the one she had just used. "And what have we here..." playful tone as he leafed through the pages."Four of the darkest Magic arts books one can illegally own." That smile once more back up at her and he slowly stood up, leaving the book where it lay. "Definitely your daddy's study. Not your typical family room." Then a mock frown and an index finger waggled at her. "And I'm guessing Pops has no clue you're in here, ay?"

She laughed softly, leaning back against the back of the couch, arms folded across her chest, as she had watched him move about the room and "Very good, Mr. Crouch. No. My father isn't here. As a matter of fact, he took mum on some business venture to Paris, I think it was. And as for my brother, he's with friends in London. So what shall be next? A full tour of the Manor? But I know you've been here so many times that yo-" And she froze.

"I'm sorry, Barty. I...didn't mean that."

He grinned and walked over to her, sliding his arms around her shoulders in a hug and a kiss to her forehead. "Don't worry about it, Fall." He mumbled his lips still against her skin. "Things will get better. And this time we'll..." but the sentence hung in the air as he pulled back and looked her up and down, a most wicked smile crossing his face. "Grown up quite a bit since last I saw ya, huh?"

Fallyn smiled and shook her head, patpatting him on the chest. "Some things never change. Men are always going to be number one on that list." But he had been right. She had changed. More than any of the adults would realize.

Lucius, in a desperate bid for power and leverage with the Dark Lord had offered up his twelve year old daughter as a...well...as the proverbial virgin sacrifice. But Voldemort knew what sort of minion Lucius was and what he was truly after, and in a moment of pity for the girl, he accepted the offer. But that was as far as he would go. When Barty had expressed an interest in the Malfoy girl, Voldemort saw his chance and promised Fallyn to the younger Crouch. They would be the breeding couple. They would be the ones to help the Dark Wizard take over the world.

Fallyn couldn't believe that she had been, literally, handed off that way. She was Lucius' daughter! His youngest! But then she thought about it. She was also the constant reminder of his last indiscretion with Narcissa. Her mother had been a young witch in a tavern that Lucius had met while on a business trip alone, and of course we all know the old dog...Fallyn's real mother had been murdered (the crime never solved) when the little girl was not quite 2, and since the Wizarding Board of Foster and Adoptions was already overcrowded, she had been sent to the only person she had left. Her father.

Even after the story was told, Narcissa doted on the baby girl and even though Lucius had taken over Draco's "lessons', she was allowed to train Fallyn. Socialites aren't JUST born. They're taught. But then Narcissa had no clue what was going to happen eventually. After Lucius offered his 13 year old daughter to the Master, Voldemort knew that he would never be able to...well...so instead he would give the "privilege" to his number one.

Barty Crouch Jr.

The couple were introduced and Fallyn found him - let's just say it - insane. At first she was terrified of him. But it was resolved that she would finish her schooling and when she graduated at 17, they would be married. Sounded good to the girl!! Hey! She was willing to wait till she was out of college!!

But then the more she thought about him (and he WAS hard to get out of your mind) the more she began to understand him. And understand the hold Voldemort had him under. She had resolved herself to talk to him during her fourth year at Hogwarts but her father nor Voldemort would say where he was and when she finally found out, he had already been captured trying to kill Harry Potter and there was a Dementor sent for and they had performed the Kiss on him.

Everything Barty had known was erased. Every evil twisted thought he had had was erased. Everything he had been...was erased. And even though she had never admitted to liking him, Fallyn felt as if a part of her was erased as well.

But now look here. He was back. And for some reason he was different. But that would be discussed later. Right now she just hugged him. "I've missed you so much," she mumbled softly.

Barty smiled and hugged her back even more so. "I've missed you, Princess. But we have things to talk about." And he pulled back from her and a small smile. "One of which...is how to bring down the Dark Lord...and...Harry Potter."

((TBC))