Chapter 2
Now how by Merlin did this happen?! He had it all planned out. Put Potter's name into the goblet, help the boy get through the tasks, put the portkey spell on the cup to take the boy to the Dark Lord. What was so hard about that?!
Crouch Jr paced back and forth. This was bad. His master wanted Potter, and now this Heartright character was messing everything up. Oh he could feel the crucio already. He needed to fix this. No, he needed to tell his master. Yes, the Dark Lord would know what to do.
Barty waited until nightfall and apparated to his master's hideout. He went inside and dropped to his knees before the grotesque baby like man.
'My Lord'.
'Is it done Crouch? Will Harry Potter be joining us for our little celebration?'
Barty cringed.
'I placed his name in the goblet My Lord. And he was due to compete just as you planned…'
'Was?' came a whisper.
Crouch Jr gulped silently.
'Yes well… You see My Lord he looked up the rules of the tournament. And he found the one that allowed him to back out and name another champion in his place'.
He bit his tongue as he was hit with the pain curse, thrashing around on the floor.
'HE BACKED OUT! YOU FOOL HOW COULD YOU LET HIM BACK OUT!'
'M…My Lord… I had no say in the matter. That…that fool Dumbledore let it happen' the whimpering man stuttered.
'I have no time for your excuses!' Voldemort hissed.
He fell silent, idly petting his familiar Nagini.
'Who has taken his place?' he finally asked.
'My Lord. A childish man called Julian Heartright. He works as an assistant in the school. He is an Elemental My Lord' Barty answered.
Voldemort's interest was piqued, as was his curiosity. He was sure he had heard of that surname before.
'An Elemental? How interesting. Such a thing is very rare. Who else knows of this?'
'He is very open about his heritage My Lord, everyone knows'.
'Is he strong?'
'I have seen him walk on water My Lord. And he is known to be able to engulf you with fire without burning you. I believe the tournament will be of little challenge to him' Crouch Jr answered.
'Is that so? Very well then, we shall allow this Julian Heartright to compete. His blood will work well mixed in with mine. With such an ability at my hands, Potter will not live much longer'.
Crouch Jr gave a small nervous smile as his master let out a hissing laughed.
'Return Crouch! Watch him and make sure he reaches the third task. If he is as strong as you say then I must plan for his downfall. Wormtail!'
Recognising he was dismissed, Barty stood and bowed before heading out. He passed a whimpering Peter on the way and rolled his eyes. How such a pathetic man ever became a deatheater was anyone's guess.