Chapter 5

"Hello, Barty," my voice was even colder than usual, "are you looking for something?" my eyes hard, I held up the hipflask he had left in the hospital wing.

"I always carry a spare, Snape," his voice was still his own but getting closer to Moody's unintended drivel of a voice; soon it would be impossible to tell the imposter apart from the real thing – soon no-one would believe me. We continued our little conversation in mind-speak. I escorted him to the centre of the maze where he placed the now portkey; but as we turned to leave,

"Look, Snape, over the years we've known each other, know that I am sorry for this," he was too imposter Moody.

"Sorry for what?" I could feel the thin ice fail underneath me as Crouch Jr, pushed me into the stone plinth on which the Cup sat, momentarily forgetting that it was now a portkey, I rested my head against it. I knew my mistake as soon as I'd made it; waking up in a graveyard far from Hogwarts; Little Hangleton, I think but I had been here before, when Voldemort still looked human but was clearly more than. Apparently the cup had a delay on it – it would return itself to Hogwarts – and this seemingly explained how there was a breathing person above me bound to the winged angel of death while I lay in pain on the floor – one too many crucio's.

"Are you Diggory or Potter?" I had to ask but it was painful to.

"Diggory, sir. I came along,"

"Right so Potter's at Hogwarts," I waited for an answer as the large cauldron before us flickered on a fire. "We need to get out of here, now," I was seeing a mad shine in Diggory's eyes, as if the power of head-boy had gone to his head – that's the last thing that I needed was a power crazy Hufflepuff.

"How do we do that then Snape?" no emotions at all, he was better than me.

"Don't know,"

"Your no help, you can barely stand,"

"It'll get us out of here, Diggory," I snarled at him, his blatant tone of disrespect was one that Potter would never manage – too cold and calculating.

"I really don't like being snarled at, now untie me or I'll kill you," he spat at me, I ignored him as I untied his ropes. I was not expecting a killing curse to be shot over my shoulder and then hit Wormtail in the centre of his forehead. Now I was shaking; I was in the company of a seventeen year old murdered – still his victim had been Wormtail – but to kill in cold blood was an achievement I never wanted on my list. I stared at him until he grabbed my wrist and forced something painfully blunt into my stomach, I'd deal with it later.

"Accio," I called, at once the Cup flew towards us we both caught a handle each; once seeing Hogwarts around me I knew I was safe. Diggory had already gone to his adoring fans it made me sick; but I had no more energy to live – collapsing heavily on the hard dusty ground of the Quidditch Pitch – I panted coarsely unsure of how long I had left. I saw a blue-ish silver cloak heading for me, the headmaster; yes Dumbledore would know what to do. But his face was livid, what had I done wrong? I'd saved a student's life at the cost of my own – well nearly. Then again Diggory could pull the wool over my eyes then he certainly could Dumbledore's.

"Where's Potter," was all I managed to choke out, it was Pomfrey who answered me.

"With Alastor, why?"

"Not Alastor, Barty Jr; evil, polyjuice,"

"Albus we need to get Potter!" she was beyond worried now, as was Minerva for as I had expected her cat senses would be of benefit.

"Yes we do, but for now let our head-boy celebrate his victory," both women looked at him as if he'd finally lost his mind; I could see the cloudy eyes of a confundus charm. Somehow Barty had got to the headmaster, as I tried to get up it became fairly apparent that the thing in my stomach had to be removed rather quickly, but that could lead to blood loss. I'd have to it, I had been through worse; as I slowly pulled the dagger, it was clear I'd left it too long. Great Snape, this is why you don't act like a Gryffindor.

"Poppy, help," I was wheezing how pathetic.

"Severus, what is it?"

"Dumbledore confounded," I coughed at her but I continued, "Diggory gone wrong," was all I could say. It was Minerva who needed more information.

"What do you mean, gone wrong? What's he talking about?" she turned to Pomfrey.

"I need to get him to the hospital wing; go and finite incantatem the headmaster seems like he's confunded," she shook herself, she didn't believe me either then. But my priority was finding Potter.