BARTY sensed Christine's piercing gaze on him as he raised his eyes, locking them onto the icy, wintry blue depths of Ollie Black's chilling stare. Ollie, the wizard, wore a savage snarl on his lips, his skin near a burn mark beneath one eye stretched taut, devoid of any warmth as he glared at Barty.
A hint of concern pricked at Barty when he noticed Christine's distress from the corner of his eye.
An uncomfortable tightness gripped his chest. He didn't like seeing her so troubled. Swiftly, he refocused on Ollie Black, trying to dispel the anger building within him. He knew Christine would hold him accountable for whatever he was about to do to Black if he didn't agree to help them. In her eyes, he'd be as culpable as the Dark Lord who had compelled him to harm her, burning her left arm.
Though Ollie Black's wand remained threateningly close to Barty's throat, the fellow Death Eater's expression held a mixture of curiosity and amusement at discovering them in his abode.
"Well, well, Crouch," Ollie growled, his hoarse voice carrying a trace of amusement, "it seems you two had quite the night while my wife and I were away. I hope we're not interrupting anything important."
Barty swallowed hard, his throat parched. He exchanged a nervous, fleeting glance with Christine, whose cheeks had flushed a bright pink in response to Ollie Black's remark.
Ollie lowered his wand and let out a grunting chuckle, his amusement growing.
"Fear not, lovebirds. I won't kill you for this, not yet. But you'd better start explaining why in the hell you're trespassing in my home, why my wife and I come to find you here with this witch," he snarled.
As Barty was about to formulate his response, his attention was suddenly diverted by a subtle movement behind Ollie. There, revealed in the shadows, stood Ollie's wife, Norah.
The witch was a woman of striking beauty, with elfin-like features and short blonde hair styled almost effortlessly into a wispy pixie. Her presence seemed to add an aura of ethereal elegance to the room, contrasting sharply with the tense atmosphere.
Shyness and curiosity danced in her sky-blue eyes as she gazed upon the intruders into her and her husband's home, her lips parted slightly in shock and disbelief.
Norah Black's voice, soft and curious, broke the silence.
"Barty, it's so good to see you again, but who's your…friend?" she asked shyly, her voice barely audible and above a whisper, her curious gaze lingering on Christine, whom Norah didn't recognize.
Barty blinked in surprise, momentarily forgetting the pressing situation at hand.
He cleared his throat awkwardly and replied, "This is Christine, Norah. She's…" He paused, weighing how much to disclose to Ollie Black. He had always considered Black a shrewd, inquisitive bastard, scrutinizing every move. Yet, he was the only person he could trust with Christine's life and the one who could assist them in breaking their Vows. He recalled that Ollie's wife had asked for an answer, and he promptly responded, "A friend."
Ollie scoffed and rolled his eyes at Barty's response, his vicious snarl cutting through the room's uneasy atmosphere.
"Obviously more than a friend, Crouch," he retorted, his tone laced with a knowing edge. It was obvious the Legilimens knew they'd shagged, by the glint forming in the man's blue eyes. His eyes narrowed as he continued to study Christine, clearly discerning a deeper connection between her and Barty.
Barty let out a frustrated exhale and looked away for a moment to will his temper to cool before returning his gaze to Ollie in front of him, realizing that attempting to deceive the natural-born Legilimens was impossible.
The man even without his ability had always been astute and perceptive.
"Fine, Ollie," he admitted begrudgingly. "She's…she's important to me, that's all either of you ever need to know. We need your help, both of you and swiftly."
Norah's expression shifted from curiosity to a mix of concern and intrigue. She took a timid step closer to Ollie, yet the witch's blue eyes never left Christine.
"Help with what, Barty?" she asked, her voice soft but filled with genuine curiosity.
Barty exchanged a glance with Christine, silently pleading for her understanding as he prepared to reveal the dangerous truth they had come to share with the Blacks. Only when Christine gave a faint nod did he continue. He took a deep breath, the urgency of their predicament pressing upon him. He decided to be direct.
"Ollie," Barty began, his voice low and serious, "we need your help for something crucial. We want you to help us reverse the Unbreakable Vows that bind us and help me find a way to remove the Dark Mark from Christine's arm."
Norah's eyes widened in shock, and she exchanged a worried glance with Ollie. The weight of Barty's request hung heavily in the air between the couple, its significance slowly sinking in. Ollie Black's expression shifted from skepticism to a mixture of astonishment and concern.
"Removing the Dark Mark is no simple task, Crouch," he growled, his voice laced with a deep sense of apprehension. "And reversing Unbreakable Vows…that's no child's play, either. Do you even realize what you're asking me?"
Barty nodded with a grave determination. "We do, Ollie. Time is slipping away, especially with the Aurors closing in on us. I trust the two of you more than anyone else to assist us. Besides," he added, his tone hardening, "you owe me, or have you forgotten that fact?" He didn't relish bringing up the reminder of the favor Ollie owed him, but it was a debt long overdue, and now seemed like the moment to collect.
Ollie's face darkened with anger, his jaw clenching visibly as Barty mentioned the owed favor. His eyes bore into Barty's, and for a moment, the room crackled with tension.
"You're not wrong, Crouch, I do owe you," Ollie hissed through gritted teeth. "But you're here, in my house, asking for the kind of help that could cost me everything. You think that debt gives you the right to waltz in here and demand of me whatever you please?"
Norah, sensing danger, strode forward and placed a calming hand on Ollie's arm, her gaze shifting between the two wizards, sensing the rising hostility between them.
"Ollie, let's hear them out," she urged quietly, her voice soothing but firm as she gave his shoulder a light squeeze. "We should at least understand what they're facing before you go turning them away to fend for themselves," she murmured.
Ollie shot a fiery glance at Barty before reluctantly nodding, his anger simmering beneath the surface.
"Fine," he grumbled. "Explain what you need, but it better be worth my time and the risk."
Barty was about to provide an explanation when Christine, detecting an opportunity in the conversation, interjected with a puzzled expression.
"Hold on, Barty, if you don't mind," she interrupted. "Could you please tell me why Ollie owes you a favor?" Norah and Ollie exchanged a quick, meaningful look.
Ollie released a heavy sigh and, with a flick of his wand, summoned two additional chairs. He waited until both he and Norah were comfortably seated before he began to speak.
His gaze turned distant and slightly glassy as he briefly averted his eyes, as though reluctantly delving back into the past, where the old debt resided.
"It was roughly a year ago, the night Barty managed to outwit that old mental bloke and bested him in his own home," Ollie began, speaking to Christine but fixing a penetrating gaze on Barty throughout his narrative. "That night, Moody managed to corner Norah as she was returning home from her job at Borgin and Burke's. He... he was on the brink of doing something dreadful. Barty stepped in and saved her life. We're here to support both of you," Ollie continued, his voice tinged with a blend of resignation and compassion. "But there's something about Norah that only those closest to us are privy to, something that even Barty knows."
He gently squeezed Norah's hand to reassure her, while Christine observed with a perplexed expression. Norah swallowed hard, her eyes welling up with tears.
"I... I'm a werewolf," she confessed in a hushed tone, her voice trembling as she spoke, her gaze cast down toward the wooden floor beneath her feet, her shame evident in her features. "And that night, Moody was after me. He wasn't trying to protect anyone; he intended to apprehend me, to subject me to questioning about the deaths of two Muggle women, not far from here at the time. But I had nothing to do with it. As you probably know, the Ministry has always been deeply prejudiced against werewolves, and I wouldn't have stood a chance."
Christine's initial confusion gave way to a mix of surprise and empathy as she absorbed Norah Black's revelation. She hadn't expected such a deeply personal and troubling secret to be unveiled.
Barty, who had been silently observing Christine's reaction, now added his voice to the somber discussion.
"Christine, darling, Norah's….condition….is a well-kept secret, born out of necessity," he began darkly, his tone tinged with disapproval. "I've known of his wife's situation for some time. But his taste in women has never ceased to amaze me," Barty muttered, casting a sideways glance where Ollie and Norah sat. His raised eyebrow and a disapproving glance towards the Blacks made his feelings on the matter abundantly clear without Barty needing to elaborate further.
Ollie's eyes flared with a mixture of defensiveness and passion as he angrily retorted, "Barty, you can scoff all you want, but my love for Norah and our marriage means more to me than your judgment. You've never understood what it's like to truly love someone beyond your self-interest."
Barty's usually composed demeanor faltered for a moment, a flicker of vulnerability crossing his features. He cleared his throat, regaining his composure.
"You're right, Ollie. I may not have experienced love in the same way you have. But that doesn't mean I can't recognize when someone else has found it." He cast a glance at Christine, his expression softened. "Maybe, just maybe, I've found a flicker of it myself, after all," he admitted, a hint of introspection in his voice as he met Chrstine's gaze.
Ollie, his frustration barely contained, forcefully redirected the conversation to their pressing matter.
"Enough of this, Crouch," he declared with firm resolve, channeling his anger into determination. His gaze bore into Barty with a warning. "We have a favor to discuss, and the sooner I fill you in, Crouch, the sooner you can leave my house and not return," he growled. Turning his attention to Christine and Barty, he conceded, "You both were wise to come to me for help if nothing else. I know how to break an Unbreakable Vow. I've done it successfully once before."
Ollie's words hung in the air, capturing the rapt attention of Christine and Barty, who leaned in with mounting anticipation.
"The linchpin of this 'Vow Reversal' involves a cursed tome known as the 'Codex of Shadows.' It holds the knowledge you need, but it exacts a steep price from those who seek its wisdom," Ollie divulged, his expression growing somber. "I should warn you, I paid the price myself. The mark under my eye," he said, pointing to the disfiguring scar, "is the reminder of what it demanded of me."
A shadow of concern flickered across Barty's face, but he refrained from pressing the issue.
There was something else, something Ollie wasn't sharing, and Barty sensed it. For now, they had a daunting task ahead of them in the Forbidden Forest, and that required their full attention.
Christine, grasping the gravity of their situation, finally spoke up after Ollie had finished laying out their plan. "Where will we go after the Forest? The Aurors are undoubtedly going to keep searching for Barty and me until they find us and Auror Tonks would have informed Moody about everything that transpired back at the manor," she gently reminded. As the words left her lips, she was reminded of something she had nearly forgotten, and she cursed herself for it. "What about Kreela and Winky, our house-elves? I'm concerned for them. Are they safe? Will they be safe?" she asked, her worry evident in her voice.
Without hesitation, Norah stepped forward, volunteering, "I'll go myself, tell your house-elves what's happened, and bring them back here. I can stay with them at the house. I won't let them out of my sight, and I could use the company," she offered kindly, accompanied by a nonchalant shrug of her shoulders.
Ollie's fury cast a dark shadow over his features, his voice seething with anger. "Norah, are you out of your mind? It's far too dangerous for you to go alone. You can't just waltz into that viper's nest!" His words came out with a harsh edge, surprising Christine with their intensity.
But Norah stood her ground, her determination unyielding as she shook her head. "Ollie, we can't abandon them there alone. They won't be safe if the Aurors catch them and use them for questioning. I'll be cautious and discreet, I promise," she said, trying to assuage her husband's concerns.
Christine was on the verge of thanking Norah for her kind offer, but Barty, his tone almost icy, interrupted her with a firm stance. "Leave the elves, Norah. They'll be just fine."
Christine, equally resolute, interrupted with a glare, determined to hold her ground just as Norah had done with Ollie.
"No, Barty! They won't be left behind! They're part of our family, and we don't abandon our own, no matter what." Her words left no room for compromise as she fixed Barty with a look of stern disapproval.
Barty's expression remained unyielding, his voice unwavering as he responded with frustration.
"Christine, you're underestimating the danger we're in. They can't come traipsing through the Forest with us. The elves will only slow us down with their fussing and fretting, putting themselves at risk."
Christine's determination remained steadfast as she closed the distance between them, meeting Barty's gaze with unwavering conviction.
"Barty, we can't leave them. They've been loyal to us, and we can't abandon them now. I won't do it. Winky saved your life," she reminded him, her anger evident in her flushed cheeks and the stomping of her foot.
Barty, his initial resistance crumbling in the face of Christine's stubborn determination and Norah's heartfelt offer, found himself in a precarious position. He let out a sigh, realizing that this was a battle he might not emerge victorious from.
Ollie, attuned to the tension and sensing the futility of further resistance, finally interjected, his voice carrying a calmer tone infused with concern.
"Alright, for now, they'll stay with Norah and me while the two of you venture into the Forest. We won't allow them to leave the house or speak to anyone who might come knocking without our express permission first. And you both will have to give us that permission, of course," he added, punctuating his words with a determined grunt.
Christine's eyes softened, a gesture of gratitude in response to Ollie's compromise.
Meanwhile, Barty, though begrudgingly agreeing, still retained a hint of frustration in his expression, the reluctance apparent in the set of his jaw.
As the discussion drew to a close and the decision to keep Kreela and Winky in the house was settled, Norah rose from her chair and began to make her preparations to Disapparate to the Crouch manor to retrieve the two house-elves and bring them back to safety with her.
As she grabbed her coat hanging off a coat rack near the door, she turned to Christine and Barty, her expression determined.
"Before I head out, I insist that you have dinner with us tonight and stay in our guest room," she insisted firmly, her resolve unwavering as she fixed them with a smile.
Ollie's face contorted with a mixture of horror and fury at his wife's suggestion as Christine and Barty could only watch as all the color in the wizard's face drained. "Norah, tell me you're not serious. We can't allow them to stay here!" he protested vehemently, his voice filled with concern as it rose to match his angry mood.
But Norah, unfazed by Ollie's reaction, held her ground. "Ollie, sweetheart, it's the right thing to do and you know it. They have nowhere else to go or they would have gone there instead of coming to us for help," she pointed out, her words clumsy and blunt as she reached up to tuck a wisp of her blonde hair back behind her ear, a nervous habit of hers, Barty silently observed, as Ollie's wife continued her argument. "The entire Auror Office is now probably on the lookout for both of them."
Christine, sensing Ollie's resistance and understanding of the gravity of their situation, chimed in.
"We…we don't want to impose, b-but…" She trailed off and looked concerned towards the window, at the torrential downpour that had begun only moments ago, hard raindrops now spattering the glass windowpanes. "We can't risk going out in this weather. If you don't mind, we'll stay, just for a little while, and we promise not to cause any trouble for you."
She cast a worried glance towards Barty and instinctively felt herself reaching for his hand.
Barty, though visibly uncomfortable with the arrangement, seemed to calm at the touch of her hand and reluctantly added in a low voice, "It's only temporary, Ollie. You've my word. We don't seem to have much of a choice right now."
Ollie, still seething, but realizing the storm outside made it impractical to argue further, relented with a reluctant nod, not one to refuse his wife anything if it was within his power to give.
"Alright, Norah, honey, but just for tonight. Tomorrow, we'll need to figure something else out," he snapped bitterly, casting a slightly rueful and mistrustful look to Barty.
As Norah prepared to Disapparate, she darted forward to give Ollie a quick, affectionate kiss goodbye and ruffle his hair, which only seemed to annoy him, though he said nothing.
"I'll be back soon," she assured him, before turning to Barty and Christine. "Make yourselves at home here," she said with a warm smile. With a soft pop, Norah vanished from the room, leaving behind a faint hint of Apparition magic in her wake.
Barty couldn't resist a wry comment directed at Ollie the moment his wife left them alone.
"Black, a bastard like you doesn't deserve such a charming wife," he quipped with a roll of his eyes and a sly grin forming.
Ollie, though still a bit miffed at the situation, couldn't help but crack a faint smile at Barty's remark. He knew, deep down, that he was lucky to have Norah.
Christine, sensing a moment of tension diffusing, chimed in with a friendly tone, "Thank you both for your kindness. We truly appreciate your help, sir."
Barty nodded in agreement, realizing that, for the time being, they were safe and had a roof over their heads and would soon have a meal when Norah returned.
"Yes, thank you," he added, his tone more sincere this time. With Norah's absence, the atmosphere in the room became a tad more relaxed.
As they settled in, Ollie and Christine began to exchange stories, slowly getting to know each other better in this unexpected and peculiar situation. As the conversation flowed, Ollie couldn't help but wonder aloud. He was conjuring a bottle of house-elf-made wine and a few glasses, setting them neatly on a small wooden side table between their seats.
His curiosity got the better of him as he turned to Barty and asked, "You know, Barty, I've never seen you take such an interest in a witch before, until now. What is it about Christine Lestrange that's so special?"
Barty's countenance underwent a swift transformation, a fusion of anger and astonishment warping his features. Leaning in, he adopted a hushed, fervent demeanor as he addressed Ollie, "She's not your run-of-the-mill witch, Ollie. Christine is a Dire Woman, a shadow walker. She possesses the ability to enter and inhabit souls without the reliance on a wand. You're clever enough to be aware of this, Black. There's no need for me to reiterate it."
The room fell into an eerie silence as Ollie and Christine absorbed this revelation. The gravity of what Barty had just disclosed to Ollie hung in the air, casting a shadow over their unexpected gathering. Christine's face paled at Barty's revelation, and she was visibly taken aback.
She had only just met Ollie Black and his wife, and the fact that Barty had just disclosed such a deeply personal and potentially dangerous secret about her left her feeling hurt and offended.
Her voice quivered with a mix of emotions as she responded, "Barty, why would you share that with him? I've only just met Ollie, and this is not something I want to discuss yet so casually," she said, trying to keep her voice level-headed.
Barty, however, grew defensive at her reaction, the edges of the Death Eater's mouth pinching and turning down into a frown.
"Christine, darling," he said firmly, "you should be proud of your gift. It's a remarkable power that allows you to wield incredible abilities."
Christine remained silent, her emotions swirling. She hadn't expected this revelation to be laid bare so suddenly, and the conflicting reactions from those around her left her feeling even more uncertain about how to navigate this newfound companionship with Ollie Black and his wife, Norah.
The room fell into an awkward silence, tension hanging heavy in the air.
Christine, still feeling vulnerable, didn't know how to respond to Barty's unexpected defense of her abilities she had always been ashamed of the first time they'd manifested when she was only six.
Ollie, sensing the discomfort, quickly attempted to diffuse the situation.
"Perhaps, it's best if we put this behind us," he said in a conciliatory tone. "Let's not dwell on this. We have more immediate concerns to address," he muttered softly.
Barty nodded in agreement, his earlier frustration now mixed with regret for unintentionally causing distress to Christine. "You're right, Ollie. Christine, darling, I'm sorry for bringing it up so soon."
Christine managed a small, appreciative smile, feeling a bit more at ease with the acknowledgment of the situation. As they redirected their conversation to more practical matters, they hoped that the tension would gradually dissipate, allowing them to focus on the challenges that lay ahead.
As the room's awkward tension gradually dissipated, a soft pop resonated within it.
Norah reappeared, with Kreela and Winky clutching onto fistfuls of her skirts. The house-elves' eyes brimmed with relief upon seeing Christine and Barty safe, and they wasted no time in bounding forward, their expressions filled with heartfelt concern as they began to fuss over the newly returned couple.
"Oh, Mistress Christine, Kreela was beside herself with worry about you!" Kreela exclaimed, wringing her tiny hands together. She exchanged a knowing look with Winky, who was ever eager to provide information in the hopes of pleasing her master.
In a shrill and squeaky voice, Winky chimed in, "Mistress Lestrange, Master Barty, Aurors came searching for you after they found an Auror unconscious in the gardens. But Master Barty's enchantments held strong. They couldn't enter the house to investigate, Winky made sure of that."
Barty nodded in acknowledgment, appreciating Winky's dedication to maintaining his enchantments.
"Well done, Winky," he praised, though he couldn't help but notice how Winky's eyes brimmed with tears as if she might burst from happiness at hearing his words.
Winky beamed at the praise, but her eyes were still filled with concern. "It was frightening, Master Barty."
Christine smiled warmly at her house-elf, grateful for their loyalty. "We're safe now, Winky, Kreela."
Norah, her heart warmed by the house-elves' concern, turned to them with a warm smile. "Thank you both for looking out for them. Now, how about we get dinner started?"
Kreela and Winky exchanged a quick look and then nodded vigorously. With a burst of house-elf enthusiasm, they immediately headed to the kitchen, leaving no room for Norah to protest or help.
Turning to Norah, Kreela and Winky nodded in unison. "Mistress Norah, we'll make a fine dinner for everyone. You don't worry."
Norah chuckled and patted Kreela's head. "Thank you, Kreela. But let me know if you need any help."
Kreela and Winky quickly disappeared into the kitchen, leaving Norah, Christine, Barty, and Ollie to discuss their plans.
"We'll leave for the Forbidden Forest tomorrow morning, all of us," Ollie announced, his tone resolute. "With any luck, the storm will have abated by then."
Christine nodded, determination etched on her face. She had been about to express her gratitude to the Blacks for providing refuge for the night and for Ollie's daring assistance in undoing their Vows. However, her attention shifted as she noticed Barty's demeanor change.
He spoke hesitantly, his words weighed down by an unspoken burden. "I...There's...there's something I need to attend to first in the morning, Christine, my dear. After that, I'll join you in the Forest."
A shiver ran down her spine at the melancholic look in Barty's eyes.
Turning to face him fully, she sensed his unease and noted his inability to meet her gaze.
Suspicion tinged her voice as she questioned him, "Do what, exactly?"
Barty's breath caught, and he began to fidget, cracking his fingers in a nervous gesture. He struggled to find the right words, his voice strained as he attempted to reply in the best way possible.
Barty finally mustered the courage to speak, his voice laden with a mixture of apprehension and resolution.
"I…Christine, love, I intend to go after Mad-Eye. Alone," he emphasized with a low growl as he spoke through clenched teeth.
Christine's eyes widened in disbelief, a sense of icy dread creeping over her. "Alone?" she repeated, disbelief lacing her tone. "Barty, it's too dangerous! You can't face him by yourself!" she cried, horrified.
Barty met her gaze, his dark eyes filled with a strange mix of determination and sorrow. "I have to, Christine. It's the only way to protect you and ensure you stay safe. I handled Moody once, if I can do it again, then I can—"
But Christine cut him off, her voice shaking with fear and anger as she rose to her feet.
"You can't guarantee your safety, either, Barty! You're wanted by the Ministry! What if they catch you? What if something happens to you?" she challenged.
Barty's resolve wavered, and he admitted with a heavy heart, "I know it's risky, Christine, but…I have to try." Before Christine could respond, Barty continued, his voice strained with the weight of his decision, "And after that, I plan to approach the Dark Lord. I intend to ask him to release us from the mission to infiltrate the Department of Mysteries, at least until our Vows are reversed, my love."
Christine's eyes widened further, disbelief and alarm mingling in her expression. "Barty, you can't go back to him! It's too dangerous, and you'd be risking everything for me, for us, including your own life!" Her voice trembled with emotion.
Barty, his heart heavy with the weight of his choices, gently held Christine's hand in his. "Christine, darling, I have to find a way to protect you and keep you safe. If I remain on this mission, I fear the consequences will be dire for both of us, especially if the Dark Lord learns how important you've become to me."
The weight of Barty's decisions hung heavily in the air. Christine felt an overwhelming worry for him, knowing the immense dangers he faced, both in confronting Mad-Eye Moody and approaching the Dark Lord himself.
"Barty," she implored, her voice filled with desperation, "there has to be another way. We can find a safer solution together. Going back to your master is far too great a risk."
Barty squeezed her hand, his dark eyes reflecting the turmoil within. "I know, Christine, but I've seen the lengths the Dark Lord will go to. If I don't act, he'll use us against each other. I've seen it happen before. We can't let that happen to us, darling."
Ollie, who had been listening in silence, finally spoke up. While he didn't particularly care about Barty's fate, he was beginning to appreciate Christine's presence and thought that Norah could use a friend, a witch her age. For Christine's sake, he didn't want anything to happen to Barty.
"Barty," Ollie began, a tinge of concern in his voice, "if it's the only way to protect Christine and yourself, I understand your reasoning. Norah and I will take Christine into the Forest to retrieve the Codex while you handle what needs to be done. Just promise us that you'll be careful."
Christine nodded, tears welling up in her eyes as she looked at Barty. "Please, promise me you'll come back to me, Barty, no matter what."
Barty rose to his feet and moved to stand in front of her. He leaned forward to kiss her forehead gently.
"I promise, Christine. I'll be back. I made a Vow to protect you, and even if we can't break it before I speak with the Dark Lord, I'm still going to fight like hell to keep you safe. We'll find a way through this, together. You saved my life, and now it's my turn to save yours. I won't let anything happen to you."
As they huddled together, the weight of their decisions and the impending challenges ahead pressed down upon them. But their growing bond and love were a faint beacon of light in the darkness, the one thing they could hold onto as they faced the storm that awaited them.