CHRISTINE awoke to an excruciating throat ache, which kept her battling waves of nausea for nearly two hours. Aware of another presence in the room, though unsure of their location, she dared not open her eyes, fearing an immediate bout of sickness. She whimpered as she fervently implored Merlin for relief from the pain, all the while keeping her head buried in the mattress beneath her. Disoriented and overwhelmed by the searing discomfort in her throat, she couldn't muster the focus to discern her surroundings. She recognized that any attempt at rational thought would be futile until her mind cleared.

Even conversing with the Dark Lord would have to wait until she had carefully composed her words. The question lingered in her mind: why was she still alive when she expected he should have killed her? She had no answers.

On one occasion, as she started to tremble, a blanket was gently draped over her. It was thick and carried a musty, aged scent, yet it provided the much-needed warmth that stilled the incessant chattering of her teeth. Gradually, the pain began to recede, and after a considerable period, she cautiously opened her eyes. To her surprise, their house-elves, Winky and Kreela, were watching her intently, their saucer-sized eyes wide with concern. Their batlike ears hung low in nervous apprehension, but as soon as she began to stir and struggled to sit up in bed, both house-elves perked up, eager to assist her.

Winky and Kreela, their wrinkled faces etched with deep worry lines, hurriedly scampered to Christine's side as she slowly regained her bearings. With their tiny, nimble hands, they offered gentle support as they climbed up onto the bed to stand in front of her, helping her to sit up and fluffing the pillows behind her head, making sure she was comfortable.

"Mistress Christine, are you feeling better now?" Winky asked in her high-pitched voice, her dark eyes still wide and round with the utmost concern.

Christine managed a weak nod as she brought a hand to caress her throat, her throat still sore but the worst of the pain now subsiding. She found herself grateful for the kindness of the house-elves.

"Yes, thank you, Winky," she croaked, her voice hoarse and quiet.

Kreela, the other house-elf, scurried off for a moment and returned with a steaming cup of herbal tea. "Here, Miss Christine, Kreela made you some tea to soothe your throat," she said, offering the warm cup.

Touched by their care, Christine accepted the tea gratefully. The liquid felt like a balm as it eased her throat's discomfort. She looked at the two devoted house-elves, their loyalty evident in their worried expressions.

"What happened?" Christine finally managed to ask, her voice gaining strength. "Why am I here?"

Winky and Kreela exchanged glances before Winky hesitantly replied, "Master Barty's…colleague, Master Snape, Special Miss, saved you. Dumbledore, the bad, bad wizard who does nothing but take advantage of Winky's poor Master Barty time and time again and uses Master's mistakes against him, poor man, oh yes, he brought you here to safety to rest and to recover."

Christine nodded slowly, taking in the information Barty's house-elf divulged to her. As Christine's memory slowly pieced together the events leading up to her arrival in this unfamiliar place, she couldn't help but feel a sense of unease.

She had many questions, but for now, she decided to focus on her recovery and the mysteries that lay ahead.

Christine, as she slowly began to recover her strength, turned her attention to Winky.

Her voice still raspy from her ordeal, she asked, "Where is Barty, Winky? Do you know?"

Winky and Kreela exchanged glances, their expressions shifting from worry to solemnity. It was Kreela who spoke up, her voice trembling slightly, "We does not know, Miss Christine. Headmaster Dumbledore only left Kreela and Winky strict instructions to see to your care. We have been waiting, but Master Barty has not returned."

Christine's heart sank at the news. She had been hoping he would be here when he woke and did not understand how it was that he was still alive when the Dark Lord should have by rights, butchered them both.

Barty's absence added another layer of confusion to her already bewildering situation. She knew she had to find out where he had gone, and what had happened to him, but for now, she focused on recovering her strength so that she could search for the wizard she loved if need be and uncover the mysteries that surrounded their sudden separation.

At that moment, Christine found herself with little option but to reluctantly yield to the persistent attention of the two house-elves who were currently tending to her. She nibbled on the soup and toast they had served, her hunger absent but gradually returning as the nourishment worked its magic. Despite her preoccupation with thoughts of Barty, she couldn't help but acknowledge and be grateful for their caring gestures.

As she was about to take another bite, from another part of the safe house, a firm knock at the front door interrupted her, startling her. She turned her head towards the source of the noise just as Winky scurried out of the room to answer it.

The moment Winky opened the door, Christine could hear a muffled exchange, along with the unmistakable sound of the house-elf's indignant cries as she was trying to prevent someone from coming inside. She heard the sound of heavy footsteps, the heels of someone's boots reverberating on the wooden floor, coming.

Don't, she pleaded inwardly and swallowed and leaned back against the pillows, anticipating what would come next.

The door was pushed, its hinges creaked, and Christine felt the color drain from her face as Auror Nymphadora Tonks entered the bedroom without bothering to knock.

Christine's heart sank at the sight of Auror Tonks again, her fury from their previous encounters still smoldering within her. She had not forgiven the witch for betraying her trust and attempting to befriend her, only to get closer to Barty.

Tonks, her face stern and determined, didn't waste any time.

"Christine," she said firmly, "I need to speak to you alone. It's urgent."

Christine hesitated, her eyes darting between Tonks and the now-incensed house-elves. Winky and Kreela, their tiny faces contorted with anger, exchanged fiery glances with one another before stomping their feet in frustration.

Kreela's voice trembled with indignation as she spoke up, "Miss Christine, you shouldn't be speaking to this one after what she's done to you!"

Winky added, her voice dripping with anger, "You's is right, Kreela! Special Miss, this witch betrayed you and nearly killed Winky's poor Master Barty, she did!" Winky squeaked.

Christine nodded, her frustration evident. "I understand your anger, both of you, but please, I need to hear what she has to say. It might be important. Please, wait outside, I will call for you if you're needed."

Reluctantly, the house-elves acquiesced and left the room, though not without casting one last scathing look at Tonks before Winky gingerly closed the door behind her. Now alone with the Auror, Christine's expression remained hardened.

"What do you want, Tonks? Why are you here? I have nothing more to say to you, from now on, forever," she demanded, her voice laced with resentment and annoyance.

Tonks, her features still bearing the weight of a grim revelation, sighed deeply before speaking.

"Christine, I know you're angry with me, and you have every right to be, but I came here because I need to tell you something important."

Christine's eyes narrowed but she nodded, urging Tonks to continue speaking, still cautious about placing any of her trust or belief in this witch.

"Auror Ollie Black has arrested Barty, Christine," Tonks finally admitted, her voice filled with a mixture of regret and concern. "He found Barty outside St. Mungo's. He's currently being held in custody."

The news hit Christine like a Bludger to the chest, stealing the breath from her lungs. Her chest felt tight and her anger towards Tonks momentarily faded, replaced by a sharp pang of fear and disbelief as she struggled to process the young Auror's statement.

"What? Why was he at St Mungo's?" she demanded, her voice quivering with anxiety. "He—" she started to say and then immediately caught herself as it came to her. The Longbottoms.

"He…" Christine began, her voice faltering for a moment as she was unsure whether or not to continue, uncertain of how much she could reveal as the truth that Barty had divulged to her was not hers to share. Remembering she owed the Auror an answer, she swallowed down hard past a lump in her throat and continued, her realization sinking in. "He must have been there for the Longbottoms, for Frank and Alice. They're at St. Mungo's permanently, aren't they?"

Tonks nodded solemnly. "Yes, Christine, they are. They've been there for a while now, those poor devils. I can't fathom why Barty would try to sneak in to see them," she admitted, her expression twisted in a mixture of disgust and confusion, which ignited a surge of anger in Christine. However, before she could rush to Barty's defense, Tonks continued. "Auror Black found him outside and has him detained at the Ministry. I thought, given your... closeness, that you deserved to know what's happened to him."

Christine's cheeks flushed with indignation, but she held her tongue, unable to stand the judgmental look in Tonks' colorless grey eyes. She turned her gaze away, refusing to let the witch's scrutiny linger any longer. Christine's mind was a whirlwind of emotions, torn between her concern for Barty and her empathy for the Longbottoms, who had suffered greatly at the hands of Bellatrix Lestrange and other Death Eaters, including Barty himself. She couldn't help but recall a conversation they had over breakfast one morning when Barty had revealed the depth of his feelings for Alice, unrequited because she had chosen Frank over him. She wondered why he had gone to see them and couldn't shake the sense of urgency that had gripped her since learning of his arrest.

Ollie Black's face flashed before her eyes, his wintry blue gaze filled with grief and fury as he Disapparated with his wife's lifeless body. He held Barty responsible for Norah's death and was now consumed by a desire for revenge. The tangled web of emotions and relationships weighed heavily on Christine's heart as she contemplated what lay ahead.

Christine's determination to see Barty remained steadfast, despite the risks and obstacles. She also wanted to talk to Ollie, to ease his anger and possibly change his mind about Barty. She turned to Tonks, her voice resolute.

"I need to see Barty, Tonks," she declared firmly. "I have to find out if he's alright and try to reason with Ollie."

Tonks hesitated, her expression reflecting both concern and confusion. "Christine, I don't understand what you see in him," she said, her voice tinged with frustration. "He's a bastard, a savage, and a Death Eater. You should distance yourself from him."

Christine's patience wore thin, and her eyes flashed with anger. "You have no right to say such things about him. You've heard stories about him, I'm sure, but you don't know him, the things he's seen, the things he's suffered, the nightmares he's endured. You don't know him like I do," she retorted, her voice firm and unwavering. "Barty has a complex past, but he's more than his mistakes. He's a brilliant and misunderstood man who's suffered a great deal. You don't get to judge him like that."

Tonks sighed, still not fully comprehending Christine's loyalty to Barty. "Christine, just be cautious. You're walking into a dangerous situation."

Christine nodded, her determination unwavering. She knew she was taking a risk, but she couldn't abandon Barty in his time of need. She was prepared to defend him, even against those who doubted his character. Christine's anger simmered beneath the surface as she defended Barty's character.

"Tonks, you're judging him based on the worst moments of his life. He's done terrible things, yes, but he's also shown remorse and a desire to change. He's not the same person he was during the First War."

Tonks shook her head, unconvinced. "I've seen too much darkness in men that are just like him, Christine. He was a Death Eater and old habits die hard."

Christine's voice grew louder, her frustration mounting. "People can change, Tonks! Haven't you seen that in your line of work? You're an Auror; you've seen the worst in people, but you also know that some can redeem themselves."

Tonks sighed, her resistance weakening slightly. "I just worry about you, Christine. Getting involved with someone like him is dangerous."

Christine's expression softened, her anger giving way to understanding. "I appreciate your concern, Tonks, but you have to trust my judgment. I know who Barty is now, and I believe in the good in him. I have to be there for him, even if it means facing danger."

Tonks nodded, her reluctance evident. "Alright, Christine, but promise me you'll be careful."

Christine offered a grateful smile, despite her mistrust of the Auror. Though she doubted Tonks was someone she could ever be friends with, given what she had done, she still appreciated Tonks' apparent concern. "I will, Tonks. Thank you for understanding."

Their argument had simmered down, but the tension still lingered in the room. Christine knew that her decision to stand by Barty would not be an easy one, but she was determined to do whatever it took to help him, regardless of the doubts others may have.

Tonks couldn't completely shake her concerns, but she recognized the determination too well in Christine's eyes, seeing it often in herself whenever she looked in a mirror. With a frustrated exhale, she finally relented, realizing that the witch was resolute in her decision and would go with or without her.

"Alright, Christine, I'll do my bloody best to help you navigate this," Tonks muttered, her voice tinged with resignation. "But remember, I'm here to help you, not just with Barty, but also, to keep you safe if I can. I like you, despite what happened, and I don't want to see you get chucked into Azkaban alongside him if Fudge and the rest of the Wizengamot decide to throw the book at him for the bastard's crimes, Christine."

Christine's gratitude for Tonks' support was evident in her expression. "Thank you, Tonks. I know it won't be easy, but I'm grateful for your help tonight."

As Christine and Tonks prepared to leave for the Ministry, their focus on the impending challenges ahead, they were interrupted by an unexpected intrusion. The door burst open, and Winky and Kreela hurried into the room, their faces contorted with worry.

"Miss Christine, oh please!" Winky cried out, her high-pitched voice quivering with distress as she began to tug on fistfuls of her short black bob. "You's cannot go to the Ministry, Special Miss! It's dangerous!"

Kreela, equally alarmed at her mistress's decision, chimed in, echoing Winky's sentiments, "Yes, Miss Christine, please reconsider! We's cannot bear to see you in harm's way and all for him," she snapped, her tone indignant as her eyes clouded.

Christine turned towards the fiercely loyal house-elves, touched by their genuine concern for her well-being. She knew both of them cared deeply for her safety, but her determination remained unshaken.

"I appreciate your concern, Winky, Kreela," she said, her voice filled with gratitude, "but I have to do this. It's important."

Tonks, sensing the urgency of the situation, stepped forward. "We'll be as careful as we can, and I'll do my best to keep Christine safe, I promise."

Winky and Kreela exchanged glances, still visibly worried, but they nodded reluctantly, recognizing that their mistress was determined.

"Very well, Miss Christine," Winky conceded, her voice filled with resignation, "but please, come back to us safe and sound, and…with Master Barty too."

With a final nod of reassurance to her house-elves, Christine and Tonks left the room, embarking on a journey that held both danger and uncertainty.

As Christine and Tonks departed the room, leaving the worried house-elves behind, the weight of their mission settled heavily on their shoulders.

They made their way through the winding corridors of the wizarding world, navigating the bustling streets of London to reach the Ministry of Magic. Throughout the entire duration of their journey, Tonks maintained a vigilant watch, her eyes scanning the surroundings for any potential threats. Christine, on the other hand, couldn't shake the knot of anxiety that had settled in her stomach. She was determined to see Barty, but the risks were undeniable.

As they approached the imposing entrance of the Ministry, Christine couldn't help but glance back at Tonks.

"Thank you for doing this, Tonks," she said, her voice filled with gratitude and a touch of apprehension.

Tonks offered a reassuring smile, her features softening. "We'll get through this together, Christine. Just stay close to me, and we'll find out what the bloody hell is going to happen with Crouch."

With renewed determination, they entered the Ministry, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead in their quest to uncover the truth and help their friend.

Inside the Ministry, the atmosphere was tense, with witches and wizards bustling about, each absorbed in their tasks and missions. Tonks led Christine through the labyrinthine corridors, their footsteps echoing in the dimly lit passages.

As they navigated the bureaucratic maze of the Ministry, Christine's thoughts raced. She couldn't help but wonder about Barty's fate, about what had led him to St. Mungo's and into the custody of the Aurors. The weight of the unknown hung heavy on her mind. Finally, they reached a nondescript door marked "Interrogation Room."

Tonks stopped and turned to Christine, her expression serious. "This is where they're holding Barty. Just remember, Christine, be calm, and let me do most of the talking."

Christine nodded, her heart pounding in her chest. She had never been in a situation like this before, and her anxiety was palpable. With a deep breath, she followed Tonks into the room, bracing herself for the encounter with Barty.

Inside the interrogation room, Christine was taken aback by the sight of Barty, who was handcuffed to a cold metal chair by a pair of enchanted handcuffs that emitted a faint blue glue. His expression was a mix of frustration and anger, and he looked disheveled, bearing the obvious signs of exhaustion and stress.

As Christine entered with Tonks trailing behind her, Barty's eyes met Christine's, and a flicker of anger and exasperation flashed across his gaunt face before he shouted at her, "Christine what the hell are you doing here?! I wanted you back at the safe house, where you'd be recovering and safe!"

Christine was momentarily stunned by Barty's outburst. It wasn't the warm and relieved welcome she had expected, and she felt her pride slightly wounded.

Ignoring the presence of Tonks and the other Aurors in the room standing guard by the door, she stammered shyly, "Barty, I…I just wanted to make sure you're okay. What happened?" she asked softly.

Barty's frustration seemed to grow, and he gritted his teeth. "This is the last place you should be right now, Christine, darling. I didn't ask for your help, and I didn't want you involved in this bloody mess, Luv."

Tonks stepped forward, trying to mediate the situation. "Crouch, calm down. She's here because she gives a damn about you, unlike the rest of us in this room. Count yourself bloody lucky you've got one person in your life who seems to give a damn for you, you piece of dragonshit. She only wants to help you."

Barty ignored Tonks, his anger still smoldering as he glared at Christine, a vein in his brow twitching. "Merlin damn you, Christine, I wanted you safe, now you're in danger too," he bit out, sounding furious.

The tension in the interrogation room was palpable as they grappled with the situation and the emotional turmoil it had stirred. Before the tension in the room could escalate further, the door swung open, and Ollie stalked in. The wizard's face was a mask of grief, anger, and despair, and his eyes were red-rimmed from tears.

Ollie met Christine's nervous gaze, the edges of his lips curling up to reveal his teeth as the Auror all but snarled at her, his voice trembling with rage, "You! What the bloody hell are you doing here, Lestrange?! I should have known you'd come for Crouch, just as he came for you. Both of you are responsible for Norah's death. I'd be well within my rights to arrest you right alongside your bastard partner."

Christine was taken aback by Ollie's accusatory tone. She had known that Norah's death had deeply affected him, but she hadn't expected such a vehement reaction from the hardened Auror.

Tonks stepped forward, once more attempting to mediate the confrontation. "Black, mate, maybe you should let me handle this. You have a temper, Ollie."

But Ollie was inconsolable, his grief and anger consuming him. "I do, Tonks, and it's up," he growled through gritted teeth as he kept his gaze fixed on Christine, "if it weren't for my wife wanting to help you and Barty, Bellatrix would never have killed her! Norah would still be alive!" he shouted at the top of his lungs.

Christine's heart ached for Ollie's pain, but she couldn't accept the blame for something that was beyond her control.

"Ollie, please," she begged, but her plea fell on deaf ears as Ollie continued to vent his frustration and sorrow, his accusations echoing through the room.

The weight of Norah's death hung heavily in the air, casting a dark shadow over the already tense situation. As Ollie's anger intensified, he seemed to lose control of his emotions. He kicked aside an empty chair, sending it clattering across the floor, and then collapsed into the chair that was positioned just across the table from Barty's chair, burying his face in his hands. His shoulders shook with quiet sobs, and his voice cracked with grief. "I loved her, damn it!" Ollie cried out, his words choked with anguish. "I loved her so much, she was the only family I've ever had, but Norah was always there. The only constant. Without Norah, I have no home, and it's because of you two!"

Christine, her heart heavy with sorrow, exchanged a worried glance with Barty. She had never seen the man like this in the short time she had gotten to know him, and the magnitude of his grief was overwhelming. She stepped closer, her voice soft and soothing though she was unable to hide the tremor of fear as she dared to approach the man in his volatile and slightly emotionally unstable state.

"Ollie, we're so sorry for your loss," she said, her own eyes welling up with tears. "We didn't want any of this to happen. But if Norah were here, she would tell you that this is not the end."

Ollie's sobs continued, but he nodded, slowly regaining some composure.

It was a painful and heart-wrenching moment, but they were united in their quest for answers, even as the weight of grief and guilt bore down on them all.

Through his tears, Ollie managed to compose himself enough to share the painful truth.

Ollie's expression turned somber as he added, "You're alive, but I can't guarantee either of you will stay that way if Fudge decides to sentence you and Barty to Azkaban. He's looking for someone to blame for the chaos that's been happening thanks to Voldemort and his followers, and you're both prime targets. You, especially, Crouch," Ollie snarled.

Christine's stomach churned at the thought of Azkaban, the notorious wizarding prison known for its cruelty and despair.

Before they could delve further into their conversation, the door to the interrogation room burst open once more, and Alastor Moody, his magical eye spinning madly, strode in with a stern expression.

"Enough of this emotional nonsense," Moody growled. His reputation as a grizzled and no-nonsense Auror was well-earned, and he wasted no time in getting to the point. "Lestrange, you're not off the hook either."

Christine blinked in surprise, her heart pounding as she processed Moody's words. "What do you mean, Moody?"

Moody's magical eye fixed on her with an intense gaze. "The Ministry's charging you for illegal use of your powers as a Dire Woman," he said, his voice cold and unyielding. "You took over my body and soul, manipulating my actions. They see it as no better than the Unforgivable Imperius Curse. My will wasn't my own."

Christine's face paled as the weight of Moody's accusation settled in. She hadn't considered the consequences of her actions when she had intervened during their encounter with Norah. Now, it seemed she was facing serious charges.

Barty, his anger simmering beneath the surface, erupted into a rage. "This is madness! We need to speak to Fudge or Dumbledore immediately!"

Moody, however, let out a harsh laugh. "Dumbledore's the last person Fudge is on speaking terms with, boy. You won't be getting any help from him. And as for Fudge, well, he's not exactly in the mood to listen to your pleas at the moment."

The grim reality of their situation weighed heavily on Christine, Barty, and even Tonks. They were trapped in a complex web of accusations, mysteries, and political intrigue, with few allies and dwindling options. The room seemed to close in on them as the weight of the accusations settled in. Christine couldn't believe how swiftly their circumstances had taken a turn for the worse. She had been prepared for challenges, but facing charges from the Ministry was beyond her worst expectations.

Barty's frustration bubbled over, and he let out a furious blood yell. "We won't stand for this injustice! We have rights!"

Moody scoffed and regarded him with a steely gaze. "Rights? In this climate? You're both implicated in serious crimes, and the Ministry's under immense pressure to make examples of anyone connected to the dark forces. The rights you once enjoyed may not apply anymore."

Christine's mind raced, trying to find a way out of this dire situation. She couldn't lose hope now, not when their freedom and reputations were at stake.

Christine's determination to clear her name and Barty's had not wavered. She paused and considered that perhaps speaking to Cornelius Fudge alone might be their best chance to plead their case, and she was ready to take the risk. Her decision made, she turned to Mad-Eye Moody and Tonks with a firm expression. "I need to speak to Fudge alone," Christine asserted, her voice unwavering. "I need to make him understand the truth, Auror Moody."

Moody frowned, his reluctance apparent. "It isn't that simple, Lestrange. Fudge isn't known for his willingness to listen to those accused of Dark magic."

Barty, his frustration, and anger still smoldering, violently erupted into protest. "No, Christine! Do you truly think I'd be stupid enough to let you go alone? I won't let you face that bastard alone. We need to stick together, you and I."

Christine could sense Barty's concern for her, but she believed that this might be their best chance to sway Fudge's opinion.

She placed a reassuring hand on Barty's shoulder and let her other hand run through his hair in the way she knew he liked, hoping to calm him down. "Barty, please trust me. Let me try. If it doesn't work, we'll find another way."

Barty's anger flickered, and he shuddered as Christine ran a slender hand through his disheveled hair, clearly torn between his protective instincts and Christine's determination.

"I hate this," he muttered, his voice softer now. "But if it's what you believe is best, then go."

Barty's eyes bore into hers, a mix of worry and reluctance, but eventually, he nodded reluctantly.

Christine offered a reassuring smile, appreciating Barty's support despite his reservations. "Thank you, Barty. We'll get through this together, no matter what." With a nod of gratitude to Barty, Christine turned back to Moody and Tonks. "Please arrange a meeting with Fudge. I'll do my best to make him see reason."

As Christine prepared to meet with Fudge, the tension in the room remained palpable. They all knew that their battle for justice and the truth was far from over, and they were prepared to face whatever challenges lay ahead, united in their resolve to clear their names. With a final nod to Barty, Christine followed the Aurors out of the room, leaving Barty, Tonks, and Moody behind. As she walked down the dimly lit corridor, her heart pounded with a mixture of anticipation and anxiety.

The door to Cornelius Fudge's office loomed ahead, and Christine could feel the weight of the impending meeting.

She took a deep breath, steadying herself, and then pushed the door open. Once inside, Christine shut the door firmly behind her, leaving the outside world and its uncertainties behind.

She turned to face the man behind the desk, the Minister of Magic himself.

"Hello, Minister," Christine said, her voice steady and resolute, ready to begin the battle for her and Barty's future.