-1Snape's POV
The Mark burned with a pain so fierce and intense that I thought I might pass out. I would have welcomed even that relief from pain, had Olivia not been there. The longer I went without Disapparating the more it hurt and I fought to stay conscious. It was worse than it had ever been- perhaps because it had been thirteen years since it last burned.
Olivia sat beside me on the ground, looking desperate. She wanted so badly to help. I pried the fingers of my right hand from around my left forearm and clasped her hand, squeezing it tight. My left hand was balled into a first. With her free hand, Olivia carefully pulled back my sleeve to look at the Mark. She had seen it before, of course, but never as it was now, burning black and raised from my skin like something demonic.
A movement caught our attention and we both watched as Karkaroff ran from the stadium, clutching arm. He fled into the forest a few feet from us, completely oblivious to our presence. He was close enough for us to see the terrified look on his face and the wild, mad look in his eye. He kept running, straight into the heart of the forest. Eventually we could no longer hear his footsteps.
"Coward," I said under my breath, still gritting my teeth and clutching Olivia's hand. She let out a weak chuckle.
After a while the pain receded to just a dull throb and I relaxed. I let out a breath and leaned back against a tree. I was pale and shaking.
"Is it over?" Olivia asked anxiously. I nodded.
"I am sorry that you had to see…" I said. "…But I am glad that you are here."
I still held her hand limply. I laced my fingers with hers and lifted her hand to kiss it.
We sat there a while longer until I felt strong enough to return to Dumbledore. When we stood, Olivia released my hand and stood on tiptoe to fix my hair which was askew. I smiled weakly at her.
"We have to go back to the stadium and see what's happened," I said to her.
When we returned to the stadium, the crowd was in an uproar- and it didn't sound like the cheerful uproar of someone having just won the Triwizard Cup. I quickened my pace and saw Dumbledore was no longer seated here we had left him.
Minerva and several others were at work keeping the students in their seats. I quickly turned and tapped Olivia on her head, Disillusioning her so that she could follow me and know whatever was happening. I hurried over to Minerva.
"What's happened?" I asked her, glancing towards the maze where I noticed a crowd of people, Albus included, surrounding the end of the maze.
"Cedric Diggory…" she said quietly, her face pale. "…He's been killed."
I left her and made my way towards the maze.
"Stay here, Olivia," I said softly. I heard a 'humph' but was too preoccupied to focus on her. I hoped she would listen to me.
I pushed my way through the madness of the crowd to Albus' side. He was kneeling beside Potter, who was cut, bleeding and crying, clutching onto Diggory's body. Diggory's eyes were open, staring lifeless up at the sky. There was not a mark on his body, like so many other victims of the Dark Lord.
"Dumbledore, Diggory's parents…they're here in the crowd," Fudge murmured anxiously.
The headmaster told Potter to remain there as he went to head off Diggory's father, who had already pushed past the people trying to help the crowd in the stands.
Through the confusion I saw Moody leading Potter away, back towards the castle, despite the fact that Albus said the boy should stay. I didn't think much about it- there was too much going on around me. Somewhere I heard Amos Diggory let out a cry of immeasurable anguish. I felt sympathy for him, but I was on edge. I knew at any moment Albus could tell me to go and I would have to go. In my mind, I rehearsed what I would say to the Dark Lord. What memories I would lock away from the past 13 years. The Mark on my arm still stung unpleasantly. I wondered vaguely where Karkaroff was at. I didn't blame him for fleeing, coward though he was…still, it would be something for me to tell the Dark Lord. What Karkaroff was a coward and a traitor. He had betrayed many of his fellow Death Eaters to save his own skin. Some weren't so lucky as me to have Albus' word to keep me out of Azkaban. There were many who would gladly hunt him down and the Dark Lord would be glad for the information. He hated a traitor more than anything.
"Where's Harry?" I heard Albus ask sharply.
No one seemed to know. I made my way to his side, as did Minerva.
"I saw Moody taking him back to the castle," I said quietly. His expression darkened.
"That is not Alastor Moody. The boy's life may yet still be in danger," he said and hurried towards the castle. Minerva and I exchanged confused looks, then hurried after him.
Our footsteps echoed as the three of us ran into the castle, but I was almost certain I heard a fourth set of footsteps. It was Olivia, no doubt, and she was hiding her mind from me. Rather than being mad, I was pleased with her Occlumency skills and somewhat glad that she was there, as it would save me a retelling of whatever was going to happen.
Dumbledore burst into Moody's office, wand out, and Stupefied Moody, who'd had his wand raised menacingly over Potter. Albus strode into the room and flipped Moody onto his back with his foot. I looked around the room and was surprised to see my own face glaring back at me from a Foe Glass. Albus and Minerva's faces were there as well. I was curious that Olivia's face did not show up, even if she was Disillusioned.
"Come along, Potter," Minerva whispered, sounding as if she were about to cry, "Come along…hospital wing…"
"No," said Albus sharply.
"Dumbledore, he ought to- look at him- he's been through enough tonight-"
"He will stay, Minerva, because he needs to understand," he replied curtly, "Understanding is the first step to acceptance, and only with acceptance can there be recovery. He needs to know who has put him through the ordeal he has suffered tonight, and why."
"Moody," said Potter in a hollow, disbelieving voice, "How can it have been Moody?"
"This is not Alastor Moody," said Albus softly, "You have never known Alastor Moody. The real Moody would not have removed you from my sight after what happened tonight. The moment he took you, I knew- and I followed."
Albus bent over and took two things from Moody's robes- his hip flask from which he always drank, and a set of keys. He turned to Minerva and I.
"Severus, please fetch me the strongest Truth Potion you possess, and then go down to the kitchens and being up a house-elf named Winky. Minerva, kindly go down to Hagrid's house, where you will find a large black dog sitting in the pumpkin patch. Take the dog up to my office, tell him I will be with him shortly, then come back here," Albus instructed.
Minerva and I left the room and once she was gone, I paused.
"Olivia?" I said uncertainly. There was a moment of silence, then-
"Yes?" she said innocently. I hid a smile.
"Go and get the Veritaserum while I get the house elf. I'll meet you in the Entrance Hall."
"Okay," she said somewhat cheerfully. I heard her footsteps recede and I hurried to the kitchens. Several dozen house-elves were moving about and most of them stopped to look at me.
"Professor Dumbledore wishes to see an elf named-" my lip curled involuntarily, -"Winky."
Why do elves always have such ridiculously stupid names? I wondered to myself.
"Winky is there, sir," said an elf with a tea cozy on his head and two different colored socks. I looked to where the elf had pointed and saw an elf unconscious by the fireplace, surrounded by empty bottles of Butterbeer. A half full bottle hung limply in her hand. I walked over to where she stood and looked down at her. Disgusted, I toed her awake. She stared up at me through bloodshot eyes and did not move.
"Get up," I said. "The headmaster wants to see you."
The elf blinked but didn't move. Annoyed, I dragged her to her feet. The bottle of Butterbeer fell from her hand. She looked down at it, then stumbled after me as I left the kitchen.
Olivia's POV
When I came back into the Entrance Hall Snape was waiting for me, a ragged-looking house elf at his side. I said nothing, but quietly slipped him the vial of Veritaserum and followed him back to Moody's office.
Snape stopped dead in the doorway of the classroom, causing me to crash into him. Professor McGonagall, who had caught up with us, also stopped before she collided with me. Both of them were staring at the man on the floor who was no longer Mad-Eye Moody.
"Crouch!" said Snape, "Barty Crouch."
Who? I asked, directing my thoughts at Snape.
He used to be a Death Eater. He's supposed to be dead, he replied.
"Good heavens!" Exclaimed McGonagall. The house-elf peered around Snape's legs. She let out a piercing shriek.
"Master Barty, Master Barty, what is you doing here?" she cried. She threw herself onto the man's chest.
"You is killed him! You is killed him! You is killed Master's son!" She shrieked at Dumbledore.
"He is simply Stunned, Winky," said Dumbledore, "Step aside, please. Severus, you have the potion?"
Snape wordlessly handed Dumbledore the potion. Dumbledore crouched down beside the boy, forced his mouth open, and poured three drops inside it. Then he pointed his wand and said, "Ennervate."
Barty Crouch's eyelids opened. His face was slacked and his eyes unfocused.
"Can you hear me?" Dumbledore asked quietly.
"Yes," he muttered
"I would like for you to tell us," said Dumbledore softly, "how you escaped from Azkaban."
Crouch took a shuddering breath and began in an expressionless voice that wouldn't have been present if the Veritaserum wasn't forcing him to respond.
"My mother saved me. She knew she was dying. She persuaded my father to rescue me as a last favor to her. He loved her as he had never loved me. He agreed. They came to visit me. They gave me a draught of Polyjuice Potion containing one of my mother's hairs. She took a draught containing one of my hairs. We took on each other's appearance," he said.
"Say no more, Master Barty, say no more, you is getting your father into trouble!" cried the house-elf.
"The dementors are blind. They sensed one healthy, one dying person entering Azkaban. They sensed one healthy, one dying person leaving it. My father smuggled me out, disguised as my mother, in case any prisoners were watching through their doors.
"My mother died a short while afterward in Azkaban. She was careful to drink Polyjuice Potion until the end. She was buried under my name and bearing my appearance. Everyone believed her to be me," he continued in the same tone.
"And what did your father do with you, when he had got you home?" said Dumbledore quietly.
"Staged my mother's death. A quiet, private funeral. That grave is empty. The house-elf nursed me back to health. Then I had to be concealed. I had to be controlled. My father had to use a number of spells to subdue me. When I had recovered my strength I thought only of finding my master…of returning to his service."
"How did your father subdue you?" asked Dumbledore.
"The Imperius Curse. I was under my father's control. I was forced to wear an Invisibility Cloak day and night. I was always with the house-elf. She was my keeper and caretaker. She pitied me. She persuaded my father to give me occasional treats. Rewards for my good behavior."
"Master Barty, Master Barty," sobbed Winky, "You isn't ought to tell them, we is getting in trouble…"
"Did anybody discover that you were still alive?" Dumbledore inquired, "Did anyone know except your father and the house-elf?"
"Yes. A witch in my father's office. Bertha Jorkins. She came to the house with papers for my father's signature. He was not at home. Winky showed her inside and returned to the kitchen, to me. But Bertha Jorkins heard Winky talking to me. She came to investigate. She heard enough to guess who was hiding under the Invisibility Cloak. My father arrived home. She confronted him. He put a very powerful Memory Charm on her to make her forget what she'd found out. Too powerful. He said it damaged her memory permanently."
"why is she coming to nose in my master's private business?" wept the house-elf, "Why isn't she leaving us be?"
"Tell me about the Quidditch World Cup," said Dumbledore.
"Winky talked my father into it," continued Crouch, "She spent months persuading him. I had not left the house for years. I had loved Quidditch. Let him go, she said. He will be in his Invisibility Cloak. He can watch. Let him smell fresh air for once. She said my mother would have wanted it. She told my father that my mother had died to give me freedom. She had not saved me for a life of imprisonment. He agreed in the end.
"It was carefully planned. My father led me and Winky up to the Top Box early in the day. Winky was to say that she was saving a seat for my father. I was to sit there, invisible. When everyone had left the box we would emerge. Winky would appear to be alone. No one would ever know.
"But Winky didn't know that I was growing stronger. I was starting to fight my father's Imperius Curse. There were times when I was almost myself again. There were brief periods when I seemed almost myself again. There were times when it seemed I was outside his control. It happened, there, in the Top Box. It was like waking from a deep sleep. I found myself out in public, in the middle of the match, and I saw, in front of me, a wand sticking out of a boy's pocket. I had not been allowed a wand since before Azkaban. I stole it. Winky didn't know. Winky is frightened of heights. She had her face hidden."
"Master Barty, you bad boy!" whispered the house elf.
"So you took the wand," said Dumbledore, "and what did you do with it?"
"We went back to the tent. Then we heard them. We heard the Death Eaters. The ones who had never been to Azkaban. The ones who had never suffered for my master. They had turned their backs on him. They were not enslaved, as I was. They were free to seek him, but they did not. They were merely making sport of Muggles. The sound of their voices awoke me. My mind was clearer than it had been in years. I was angry. I had the wand. I wanted to attack them for their disloyalty to my master. My father had left the tent: he had gone to free the Muggles. Winky was afraid to see me so angry. She used her own brand of magic to bind me to her. She pulled me from the tent, pulled me into the forest, away from the Death Eaters. I tried to hold her back. I wanted to return to the campsite. I wanted to show those Death Eaters what loyalty to the Dark Lord meant, and to punish them for their lack of it. I used the stolen wand to cast the Dark Mark into the sky.
"Ministry wizards arrived. They shot Stunning Spells everywhere. One of the spells came through the trees where Winky and I stood. The bond connecting us was broken. We were both Stunned.
"When Winky was discovered, my father knew I must be nearby. He searched the bushes where she had been found and felt me lying there. He put me back under the Imperius Curse and took me home. He dismissed Winky. She had failed him. She had let me acquire a wand. She had almost let me escape.
"Now it was just father and I, alone in the house. And then…and then…My master came for me. He arrived at our house late one night in the arms of his servant, Wormtail. My master had found out that I was still alive. He had captured Bertha Jorkins in Albania. He had tortured her. She told him a great deal. She told him about the Triwizard Tournament. She told him the old Auror, Moody, was going to teach at Hogwarts. He tortured her until he broke through the Memory Charm my father had placed upon her. She told him I had escaped from Azkaban. She told him my father kept me imprisoned to prevent me from seeking my master. And so my master knew that I was still his faithful servant- perhaps the most faithful of all. My master conceived a plan, based upon the information Bertha had given him. He needed me. He arrived at our house near midnight. My father answered the door. It was very quick. My father was placed under the Imperius Curse by my master. Now my father was the one imprisoned, controlled. My master forced him to go about his business as usual, to act as though nothing was wrong. And I was released. I awoke. I was myself again, alive as I hadn't been in years."
"And what did Lord Voldemort ask you to do?" said Dumbledore. "He asked me whether I was ready to risk everything for him. I was ready. It was my dream, my greatest ambition, to serve him, to prove myself to him. He told me he needed to place a faithful servant at Hogwarts," continued Crouch. I glanced at Snape.
"-Ensure he reached the Triwizard Cup," Crouch continued. "Turn the cup into a Portkey, which would take the first person to touch it to my master. But first-"
"You needed Alastor Moody," said Dumbledore, voice calm.
"Wormtail and I did it. We had prepared the Polyjuice Potion beforehand. We journeyed to his house. Moody put up a struggle. There was a commotion. We managed to subdue him just in time. Forced him into a compartment of his own magical trunk. Took some of his hair and added it to the potion. I drank it; I became Moody's double. I took his leg and his eye. I was ready to face Arthur Weasley when he arrived to sort out the Muggles who had heard a disturbance. I made the dustbins move around the yard. I told Arthur Weasley I had heard intruders in my yard, who had set off the dustbins. Then I packed up Moody's clothes and Dark Detectors, put them in the trunk with Moody, and set off for Hogwarts. I kept him alive, under the Imperius Curse. I wanted to be able to question him. To find out about his past, learn his habits, so that I could fool even Dumbledore. I also needed his hair to make the Polyjuice Potion. The other ingredients were easy. I stole Boomslang skin from the dungeons. When the Potions master found me in his office, I said I was under orders to search it."
I glanced again at Snape, who looked furious.
"And what became of Wormtail after you attacked Moody?" asked Dumbledore.
"Wormtail returned to care for my master, in my father's house, and to keep watch over my father," replied Crouch.
"But your father escaped," said Dumbledore.
"Yes. After a while he began to fight the Imperius Curse just as I had done. There were periods when he knew what was happening. My master decided it was no longer safe for my father to leave the house. He forced him to send letters to the Ministry instead. He made him write and say he was ill. But Wormtail neglected his duty. He was not being watchful enough. My father escaped. My master guessed that he was heading for Hogwarts. My father was going to tell Dumbledore everything, to confess. He was going to admit that he had smuggled me from Azkaban. My master sent me word of my father's escape. He told me to stop him at all costs. So I waited and watched. I used the map I had taken from Harry Potter. The map that had almost ruined everything."
"Map? What map is this?" asked Dumbledore quickly.
"Potter's map of Hogwarts," said Crouch, "Potter saw me on it. Potter saw me stealing more ingredients for the Polyjuice Potion from Snape's office one night. He thought I was my father. We have the same first name. I took the map from Potter that night. I told him my father hated Dark wizards. Potter believed my father was after Snape.
"For a week I waited for my father to arrive at Hogwarts. At last, one evening, the map showed my father entering the grounds. I pulled on my Invisibility Cloak and went down to meet him. He was walking around the edge of the forest. Then Potter came, and Krum. I waited. I could not hurt Potter, my master needed him. Potter ran to get Dumbledore. I stunned Krum. I killed my father."
"Nooo!" wailed the house-elf, "Master Barty, Master Barty, what is you saying?"
"You killed your father," said Dumbledore in a soft voice, "What did you do with the body?"
"Carried it into the forest, covered it with the Invisibility Cloak. I had the map with me. I watched Potter run into the castle. He met Snape. Dumbledore joined them. I watched Potter bringing Dumbledore out of the castle. I walked back out of the forest, doubled around behind them, and went to meet them. I told Dumbledore Snape had told me where to come.
"Dumbledore told me to go and look for my father. I went back to my father's body. Watched the map. When everyone was gone, I Transfigured my father's body. He became a bone…I buried it, while wearing the Invisibility Cloak, in the freshly dug earth in front of Hagrid's cabin."
"And tonight?" Dumbledore asked.
"I offered to carry the Triwizard Cup into the maze before dinner. Turned it into a Portkey. My master's plan worked. He is returned to power and I will be honored by him beyond the dreams of wizards," said Crouch, his face lit with an insane smile.
Dumbledore used his wand to bind Barty Crouch with ropes before turning to Professor McGonagall.
"Minerva, could I ask you to stand guard here while I take Harry upstairs?" he asked her. She looked as nauseous as I felt. Her hand was quite steady as she drew her want and pointed it at Crouch.
"Severus please tell Madam Pomfrey to come down here; we need to get Alastor Moody into the hospital wing. Then go down into the grounds, find Cornelius Fudge, and bring him up to this office. He will undoubtedly want to question Crouch himself. Tell him I will be in the hospital wing in half an hour's time if he needs me," Dumbledore said. Snape nodded swiftly and we left the room.
Snape's POV
"Are you still here?" I asked Olivia as I started towards the Hospital Wing to fetch Madam Pomfrey.
"Yep," she said in a small voice. "…He's really back, isn't He?"
"We knew that when the Mark burned," I said, flexing the fingers of my still-sore left arm.
"Does this mean…you'll have to go back to Him?"
"If Dumbledore tells me to," I said quietly, eyes down.
She said nothing. A moment later I felt the fingers of her invisible hand lace take my hand and squeeze it gently. I couldn't speak, but returned the pressure wordlessly.
When we reached the hospital wing I let go of Olivia's hand before opening the door. Madam Pomfrey was in her office. There was no one else in the hospital wing except for the unconscious form of Viktor Krum, who she had taken from the maze earlier.
"Is it another of the champions?" Madam Pomfrey asked as I entered her office. One look at the nurse's face and I knew she hadn't heard about Diggory's death. I couldn't bring myself to tell her.
"Professor Dumbledore wants you to come to Professor Moody's office immediately," I said.
"Why? What's happened to Professor Moody?" she inquired.
"…Minerva is there. She'll fill you in," I said, then turned and quickly left the room.
"You could have told her," Olivia said to me as we headed down the stairs.
"I have to go back down onto the grounds to find Fudge. He will want to hear Crouch's story himself. …You can go back to your dormitory, if you want to."
"No, I'll stay with you," she said quickly.
"Very well…stay invisible. And stay silent."
Olivia remained silent as I hurried back out onto the grounds to the Quidditch field. We passed Sprout leading Mr. and Mrs. Diggory away from the field. Silent tears streamed down Sprout's face. The Diggorys' grief seemed beyond words.
When we reached the field, Cedric's body was no longer there. The teachers were trying to herd the students back into the castle, telling them a great tragedy had happened. I ignored the shouts from my own students, demanding to know what happened, and scanned the crowd for Cornelius Fudge. He was standing at the end of the maze, looking dazed.
"Where's Dumbledore?" he asked as I approached him. "People want answers and I don't have them."
Quietly I explained to him what happened. I told him what Crouch had said. His face paled as I spoke.
"I must go up there…but, this is a dangerous criminal. A deranged lunatic…I require protection," he said. "I will go and return with a dementor for my protection."
The Minister strode towards the gate of Hogwarts and I followed him quickly.
"Minister, I'm not sure Dumbledore will like-"
"Frankly, I don't give a damn what Dumbledore thinks. I am the Minister of Magic, not Albus Dumbledore," he said hotly. He Disapparated as soon as he reached the gate.
"Shit," I said aloud.
I didn't know whether to go and fetch Dumbledore or to remain by the gate and wait for Fudge to return. I didn't know how long it would take for him to get an actual dementor. I decided it probably wouldn't take him long so I waited by the gate, pacing.
The Minister had returned within ten minutes, a dementor at his side. The dementor sniffed the air curiously and started to drift towards me. I could feel the cold, hopeless feeling the dementor brought with it.
"Come," the Minister said authoritatively to the dementor. "You, lead us to the criminal."
"Yes, Minister," I said somewhat reluctantly.
I led Fudge and the dementor into the castle, back to Moody's office. Minerva was standing, wand in hand. She looked up as the minister entered the room. Immediately the dementor swooped into the room and descended on Barty Crouch.
"No!" Minerva cried and Crouch let out a scream. The scream died on his lips as the dementor sucked his soul out through his mouth. Crouch went limp and hit the ground.
"You idiot!" Minerva shouted at the minister and even I was surprised at her gall. "Now he won't be able to testify to what he did!"
"It seems to me we already know what he did," Fudge said uncomfortably. "He was responsible for the many deaths, including the one that happened here tonight, and he was a raving lunatic nonetheless."
"I can't believe you brought one of those- those things here!" Minerva continued, her cheeks tinged pink with anger. "Get it out of here, out of the castle! Dumbledore will be furious!"
The minister looked rather uncomfortable at being addressed like such by Minerva.
"Go, dementor. Return to Azkaban. Your services are no longer needed here," Fudge said.
"Make sure it leaves the castle," she said, following Fudge as he followed the dementor out of the castle, onto the grounds. When it was gone, Minerva continued to yell at the Minister.
"-just wait until the headmaster hears about this!"
"I will go and find him myself, then!" Fudge said loudly, finally letting his temper get the better of him. "Where is he, anyway? Leaving me to deal with all of this mess by myself."
"He was taking Potter to the hospital wing," Minerva said. "The boy's been through a lot-"
Fudge ignored her and strode off in the direction of the hospital wing.
They continued to shout back and forth the whole way to the hospital wing. I stayed as quiet as Olivia and followed them.
"His fate is regrettable, but all the same, Minerva-" Fudge said loudly.
"You should never have brought it inside the castle!" yelled McGonagall, "When Dumbledore finds out-"
They burst into the hospital wing and I followed. Moody's unconscious body lay on a bed in the corner. Potter was on another of the beds, his friends surrounding him.
"Where is Dumbledore?" Fudge demanded of a red-haired woman who I knew to be Molly Weasley.
"He's not here," she said angrily, "This is a Hospital wing, minister, don't you think you'd do better to-"
The door opened and in walked Albus, looking rather angry.
"What has happened?" he said sharply, "Why are you disturbing these people? Minerva, I'm surprised at you- I asked you to stand guard over Barty Crouch-"
"There is no need to stand guard over him anymore, Dumbledore!" she shrieked, "The Minister has seen to that."
"When we told Mr. Fudge that we had caught the Death Eater responsible for tonight's events he seemed to feel his personal safety was in question," I told the headmaster, "He insisted on summoning a dementor to accompany him to the castle. He brought it up to the office where Barty Crouch-"
"I told him you would not agree, Dumbledore!" McGonagall interrupted, "I told him you would never allow dementors to set foot inside the castle, but-"
"My dear woman!" roared Fudge who looked angrier than ever. "As Minister of Magic, it is my decision whether I wish to bring protection with me when interviewing a possibly dangerous-"
"The moment that- that thing entered the room-" Minerva shouted over him. "-it swooped down on Crouch and- and-"
"By all accounts he is no loss!" said Fudge, "It seems he has been responsible for several deaths!"
"But now he cannot give testimony, Cornelius," said Dumbledore, staring hard at Fudge, "He cannot give evidence about why he killed those people."
"Why he killed them? Well, that's no mystery, is it?" protested Fudge, "He was a raving lunatic! From what Minerva and Severus have told me, he seems to have thought he was doing it all on You-Know-Who's instructions."
"Lord Voldemort was giving him instructions, Cornelius," Dumbledore said, "Those people's deaths were mere by-products of a plan to restore Voldemort to full strength again. The plan succeeded. Voldemort has been restored to his body."
Fudge looked like someone had hit him in the face with a frying pan. Dazed, he stared back at Dumbledore unbelievingly.
"You-Know-Who…returned? Preposterous. Come now, Dumbledore…"
"As Minerva and Severus have doubtless told you we heard Barty Crouch confess. Under the influence of Veritaserum, he told us how he was smuggled out of Azkaban, and how Voldemort- learning of his continued existence form Bertha Jorkins- went to free him from his father and used him to capture Harry. The plan worked, I tell you. Crouch has helped Voldemort to return."
"See here, Dumbledore," said Fudge, a slight smirk on his face. "you- you can't seriously believe that. You-Know-Who… back? Come now, come now…certainly, Crouch may have believed himself to be acting upon You-Know-Who's orders-but to take the word of a lunatic like that, Dumbledore…"
"When Harry touched the Triwizard Cup tonight, he was transported straight to Voldemort," said Albus in a steady voice. "He witnessed Lord Voldemort's rebirth. I will explain it all to you if you if you will step up to my office."
The headmaster glanced at Potter, who I saw now was awake.
"I am afraid I cannot permit you to question Harry tonight," Albus said, shaking his head.
Fudge's odd smile still lingered. He glanced at Potter, then back to Dumbledore.
"You are- er- prepared to take Harry's word on this, are you, Dumbledore?" Fudge replied with a curious smile. There was a silence which was broken by the growling of a large black dog at the foot of Potter's bed.
"Certainly, I believe Harry," said Dumbledore, eyes blazing, "I heard Crouch's confession and I heard Harry's account of what happened after he touched the Triwizard Cup; the two stories make sense, they explain everything that has happened since Bertha Jorkins disappeared last summer."
"You are prepared to believe that Lord Voldemort has returned on the word of a lunatic murderer, and a boy who…well…"
"You've been reading Rita Skeeter, Mr. Fudge," said Potter quietly. Many people jumped slightly. They hadn't realized he was awake. Fudge reddened slightly, but an obstinate and defiant look came over his face.
"And if I have?" he asked, looking at Dumbledore, "If I have discovered that you've been keeping certain facts about the boy very quiet? A Parselmouth, eh? And having funny turns all over the place-"
"I assume you are referring to the pains Harry has been experiencing in his scar?" said Dumbledore coolly.
"You admit he's been having these pains, then?" said Fudge quickly, "Headaches? Nightmares? Possibly- hallucinations?"
"Listen to me, Cornelius," said Dumbledore taking a step towards Fudge, "Harry is as sane as you or I. That scar upon his forehead has not addled his brains. I believe it hurts him when Lord Voldemort is close by, or feeling particularly murderous."
"You'll forgive me, Dumbledore, but I've never heard of a curse scar acting as an alarm bell before…"
"Look I saw Voldemort come back!" Potter shouted, "I saw the Death Eaters! I can give you their names! Lucius Malfoy-"
I made an involuntary movement and Potter glanced at me, but I was careful to look only at Fudge, wondering how he would react.
"Malfoy was cleared!" said Fudge, clearly insulted, "A very old family- donations to excellent causes-"
"Macnair!" Potter continued.
"Also cleared! Now working for the Ministry!"
"Avery- Nott- Crabbe- Goyle-"
"You are merely repeating the names of those who were acquitted of being Death Eaters thirteen years ago! You could have found those names in old reports of the trails! For heaven's sake Dumbledore- the boy was full of some crackpot story at the end of last year too- his tales are getting taller, and you're still swallowing them- the boy can talk to snakes, Dumbledore, and you still think he's trustworthy?" Fudge declared.
"Voldemort has returned," said Dumbledore, "If you accept that fact straightaway, Fudge, and take the necessary measures, we may still be able to save the situation. The first and most essential step is to remove Azkaban form the control of the dementors-"
"Preposterous!" shouted Fudge, "Remove the dementors? I'd be kicked out of the office for even suggesting it! Half of us only feel safe in our beds at night because we know the dementors are standing guard at Azkaban!"
"The rest of us sleep less soundly in our beds, Cornelius, knowing that you have put Lord Voldemort's most dangerous supporters in the care of creatures who will join him the instant he asks them! They will not remain loyal to you, fudge! Voldemort can offer them much more scope for their powers and their pleasures than you can! With the dementors behind him, and his old supporters returned to him, you will be hard-pressed to stop him regaining the sort of power he had thirteen years ago!" Dumbledore retorted.
"He just can't be back, Dumbledore, he just can't be…" Fudge was pleading with Dumbledore. Fudge needed concrete proof and I realized I had it- right on my left arm. Not looking at Potter I strode forward to the minister and jerked down my sleeve. Fudge recoiled visibly.
"There," I said harshly, "There. The Dark Mark. It is not as clear as it was an hour or so ago, when it burned black, but you can still see it. Every Death Eater had the sign burned into him by the Dark Lord. It was a means of distinguishing one from another, and His means of summoning us to Him. When He touched the Mark of any Death Eater we were to Disapparate, and Apparate, instantly, at His side. The mark has been growing clearer all year. Karkaroff's too. Why do you think Karkaroff fled tonight? We both felt the Mark burn. We both knew He had returned. Karkaroff fears the Dark Lord's vengeance. He betrayed too many of his fellow Death Eaters to be sure of a welcome back into the fold."
Fudge took a few steps back from me, clearly not listening to a word I said. He stared at the Mark on my arm, utterly repelled, until I jerked my sleeve back down and walked back over to where I had been standing.
"I don't know what you and your staff are playing at, Dumbledore, but I have heard enough. I have no more to add. I will be in touch with you tomorrow, Dumbledore, to discuss the running of this school. I must return to the Ministry," Fudge said shortly.
The Minister left the room shortly and Dumbledore turned to face the group around Potter's bed.
"There is work to be done," he said, "Molly…am I right in thinking that I can count on you and Arthur?"
"Of course you can," replied Molly Weasley, "We know what Fudge is. It's Arthur's fondness for Muggles that has held him back at the Ministry all these years. Fudge thinks he lacks proper Wizarding pride."
"Then I need to send a message to Arthur. All those that we can persuade of the truth must be notified immediately, and he is well placed to contact those at the Ministry who are not as shortsighted as Cornelius," said Albus.
"I'll go to Dad," said one of the boys whom I recognized to be Bill Weasley, standing up. "I'll go now."
"Excellent. Tell him what has happened. Tell him I will be in direct contact with him shortly. He will need to be discreet, however. If Fudge thinks I am interfering at the Ministry-"
"Leave it to me," Bill said, leaving the room.
"Minerva," said Albus, turning to McGonagall, "I want to see Hagrid in my office as soon as possible. Also- if she will consent to come- Madame Maxime."
McGonagall left without another word.
"Poppy," said Albus to Madam Pomfrey, "would you be very kind to go down to Professor Moody's office, where I think you will find a house-elf called Winky in considerable distress? Do what you can for her, and take her back to the kitchens. I think Dobby will look after her for us."
"Very- very well," she said, looking startled, then she left as well.
Albus made sure the door was closed securely before turning back to the others.
"And now," he said, "it is time for two of our number to recognize each other for what they are. Sirius…if you could resume your usual form."
The huge black dog at the end of the bed looked up at Dumbledore and the next moment turned into Sirius Black. Molly Weasley shrieked and leapt up.
"Sirius Black!" she screamed, pointing at him.
"Mum, shut up!" Ron Weasley yelled, "It's okay."
I stared at one of my childhood enemies with a mixture of loathing, anger, and horror. Sirius mirrored the look.
"Him!" I snarled, "What is he doing here?"
"He is here at my invitation," said Dumbledore, "as are you, Severus. I trust you both. It is time for you to lay aside your old differences and trust each other."
I barely suppressed a snort. What Dumbledore was asking was damn near impossible…like asking the sun to stop shining during summer. I continued to glare at Black.
"I will settle, in the short term," continued Dumbledore, "for a lack of open hostility. You will shake hands. You are on the same side now. Time is short, and unless the few of us who know the truth stand united, there is no hope for any of us."
Very slowly and much against my will I took a step towards Black We shook hands as quickly as possible and let go.
Olivia's POV
I stood silently in the corner near Snape as Dumbledore gave instructions to Sirius. I could tell Snape was furious. It seemed, if possible, that he hated Black even more than he hated Lupin. I wondered, vaguely, if there headmaster was aware I was there.
"Severus," Dumbledore said, finally turning to Snape. "You know what I must ask you to do. If you are ready…if you are prepared…"
"I am," he said, his black eyes glittering oddly.
"Then good luck," Dumbledore said, watching somewhat apprehensively as Snape headed for the door. I hurried after him, slipping out just before the door closed. Snape walked a ways down the corridor then stopped and looked at me. I removed my Disillusionment Charm and met his gaze. His face was pale. That and his eyes betrayed what he felt- terror.
"Do you know what you are going to do?" I asked anxiously. "What you're going to say?"
"I have an idea," he said. We were silent a moment, just looking at each other. I couldn't stand it. I ran forward and hugged him. He put his arms around me, seeming to find comfort in my embrace.
"I wish you didn't have to go…" I murmured, my face buried in his chest.
"I know," he said softly. "But it is my duty. I gave my word…"
We stood there like that a few minutes, then we heard the sound of Dumbledore clearing his throat. Snape quickly released me and I stepped back. The headmaster's blue eyes were twinkling behind his spectacles and his lips formed the ghost of a smile. Snape adopted a scowl.
"Are you ready, Severus?" the headmaster asked him.
"Yes," he said shortly. "I'm leaving now."
"Good luck. I must go down and speak with Diggory's parents…"
With that the headmaster continued past us and down the stairs. Snape glanced at me and I shrugged.
We walked together down to the Entrance Hall. There we had to part ways.
"Go get some rest," he said softly to me. "It's been a long night."
"I don't think I will be able to rest until I know that you are safe," I said with a sigh.
"There is a Sleeping Potion in my office, if you want it."
I nodded my head.
"…Be careful," I said to him.
"I will be."
We stood there, gazing at each other. We didn't have to speak the words aloud. A look was enough to convey our feelings.
He turned suddenly and left the Entrance Gall. Part of me wanted to run after him into the night. The rest of me wanted to go wait in his office for his return. I chose the latter.
I entered the dungeons and made my way to his office. Once inside, I re-locked the door and replaced his usual enchantments. I knew it would take hours for him to return and, worried as I was, I was also weary. I found the sleeping potion and set it on the desk. I dragged one of the chairs behind his desk. I sat in his chair and I put my feet in the other one. It wasn't too terribly uncomfortable. I took a few sips of Sleeping Potion and felt it begin to work immediately. I yawned and leaned my head back in the chair and closed my eyes.
Author's Note: Come on you guys, give me some good reviews! I've been rather down lately and could use some positive feedback.
Will update soon!
~LittleReporterGirl