A/N:

Written for the Quidditch League Fanfiction Competition S11, R7

Team: Caerphilly Catapults
Position: Chaser 3
Prompt: (dialogue/quote) "Hufflepuffs are particularly good finders!"
Additional Prompts:
(emotion) trepidation
(character) Severus Snape
(setting) Headmaster's Office

And The Houses Competition, Y11, R1

House: Slytherin
Class: Ancient Runes
Category: Standard
Prompts:
(dialogue) "I do not say…"
(restriction) Only takes place in one location

Word count: 1998
Betas: Rose, Queenie, VanillaAshes
Warning: Mentions of death.

AU: Barty Crouch Jr. lives. Snape is in a romantic relationship with Voldemort and has always been on his side. For the sake of this fic, let's assume that, for some reason, Voldemort couldn't just gather his remaining Horcruxes and keep them safe once he's figured out Harry was hunting them xD

-x-x-x-

The first time Voldemort paid Severus a visit in his new office after he had become headmaster, he had been in such a triumphant mood that he suggested they make out while Dumbledore's portrait watched.

The Dark Lord truly was a sick man. Fortunately, Severus was spared telling him that, since Dumbledore rarely hung out in his frame in the Headmaster's Office anyway.

Today, however, was a much less joyful occasion. Severus was joined by Voldemort and Barty Crouch Jr.–the annoyingly handsome and young Death Eater who irritatingly continued to be their master's favorite. Except for Severus, of course. No one would outrank him, not even the clever, light-haired man. He hoped.

"I want Harry Potter," the Dark Lord announced icily.

Normally, Severus would have rolled his eyes and said something snarky. His master had been obsessed with getting Potter ever since his downfall. However, things were getting serious. Another Horcrux had been destroyed–Voldemort had felt the loss of a piece of his soul a few days ago–and he was convinced the boy who lived was behind it.

Severus's thoughts went to the strengthening potion he had brewed for his master after losing the Horcrux, and he wondered with trepidation if that would be enough if more of them were destroyed.

"You two are my most trusted servants," he said, pacing around the office.

Severus couldn't help feeling a pang at being leveled with some other Death Eater. Barty smiled, and it only added to his irritation.

When Severus attempted a smile, somehow, he usually ended up with a scowl on his face. But not Barty–he beamed radiantly, which made his features even more appealing. Severus hated that.

That was fine, though, Severus thought. Voldemort didn't love him for his looks.

Right, it's for your charming personality, a voice in his head sneered, and Severus told it to shut up.

Another voice reminded him it was debatable whether the Dark Lord could love at all, but he told it to shut up too.

"You know better than anyone how imperative it is to make finding the boy our number one priority," the Dark Lord continued. "Dumbledore had set him on a mission to hunt my Horcruxes, I'm certain of it!"

"If I may, My Lord," Barty said respectfully. "Although it makes little difference, because I'm sure they're in hiding together, perhaps we should direct our search to the boy's friends instead."

Severus rolled his eyes. As the young Death Eater noticed himself, it made little difference, so why did he bother bringing it up at all? What a smart-ass.

"I don't think that–" he began, but Voldemort raised his hand, cutting him off.

Severus fell silent instantly, recognizing his lover's look. His gaze was unfocused as if he was listening to something they couldn't hear, which meant he was being contacted either by a Death Eater or Nagini.

"What is it?" Severus asked once Voldemort blinked and his attention returned to his surroundings.

"It's Nott," he said in a low voice. "He's calling me through the Mark."

"Perhaps he's found the boy," Barty suggested hopefully.

"Let's hope so, for Nott's sake," he hissed dangerously. "I told those imbeciles to summon me for nothing else. In the past weeks, I've seen so many look-alikes, we could throw a Harry Potter themed party."

Severus stifled a snort that threatened to escape his lips at the absurd statement.

Barking an order to wait here for him, Voldemort left with a swirl of his robes. As soon as the door closed behind him, silence hung heavy in the room. Feeling an urge to express his superiority, Severus went around the desk and sat in his chair, casting Barty a haughty look, like he was a student sent to the headmaster's office for a talking-to. Barty shifted from one foot to the other, clearly uncomfortable. Good, Severus thought with satisfaction.

The young Death Eater looked away and began to pace slowly, turning his attention to instruments decorating the shelves of the office.

"Do you really think Dumbledore set Harry Potter on a mission to hunt Master's Horcruxes?" he asked conversationally.

Severus grimaced. He hated that anyone else knew about the Dark Lord's greatest secret–especially that it had to be this fair-haired, successful man.

"He could have," he replied coolly. "He had been giving Potter private lessons last year and wouldn't tell anyone what they were about."

His feeling of trepidation only grew as he remembered that. Who knew what Dumbledore had been teaching Potter during those lessons.

"Hmm," Barty acknowledged. "I wouldn't be too worried about it, though." When Severus raised his eyebrows, he explained, "I mean, he's not very bright, that Potter, is he?"

The corners of Severus's lips twitched in an almost-smirk. Perhaps there was something to like about the young man after all.

"I observed as much during the Triwizard Tournament."

At the mention of the Tournament, Severus felt his stomach twist with annoyance once again as he was reminded of the important task Barty had been given and how much the Dark Lord trusted him.

"He's happy with people around him doing everything for him and then just taking the credit," he continued while picking up an ornament and studying it with interest, unaware of the loathing glare that was being shot his way. "So whatever he's up to right now, I'm sure his friends are doing all the work for him. Potter himself is like a helpless infant."

"Tough talk for a man who failed to handle four teenagers," Severus muttered under his breath, although he very well knew Barty could hear him clearly.

"What are you talking about?" The young Death Eater blinked and raised his eyebrows, then put down the instrument and turned his attention back to Severus, who snorted with contempt.

"The third task of the Triwizard Tournament?" he reminded him. "The dead Hufflepuff boy Potter dragged back with him, causing an international scandal?"

Barty narrowed his eyes. "I'm sorry, how was that my fault?"

"You had one job, Crouch," he scolded the man as if he really was a student. "To make sure Potter gets to the Triwizard Cup."

Barty stared at him dumbstruck. He opened his mouth but no sound came out, and Severus felt a vicious satisfaction that he had managed to render him speechless.

"Potter did get to the Triwizard Cup," he finally said incredulously.

"Yes, but not without a Hufflepuff tagalong," Severus pointed out. "Four teenagers get into a maze. Your job is to make sure one of them gets to the Cup. How hard is that?"

Now it was Barty's turn to snort. His, however, was not contemptuous–it was an I-don't-care snort, which only fanned the flames of Severus's annoyance.

"What can I say?" Barty shrugged. "Hufflepuffs are particularly good finders!"

"That is the stupidest excuse I've ever heard!" he snarled.

"It's not an excuse; it's a fact! Look it up in 'Hogwarts: A History', Headmaster." A slightly colder tone of his voice and the last word, spoken mockingly, were the only indication Severus was getting to him. "Besides, what does the Hufflepuff boy even matter, anyway? The Dark Lord didn't care."

Severus was aware of it, but he was determined to blame Barty for something.

"The boy's death worked as a proof to Potter's claim the Dark Lord had returned," he spat maliciously. "If the then Minister for Magic hadn't been so deep in denial, this could have caused a lot of inconvenience!" He shook his head and murmured, "The Dark Lord is too lenient with you."

To his bewilderment, Barty laughed heartily. "We both know the Dark Lord is anything but lenient." He flashed a charming smile. "You're just jealous he entrusted me with such an important task."

Severus felt his cheeks burn.

"Please," he spat venomously through gritted teeth. "My task was far more important than yours."

"Right, it must have required a lot of skill to sit back and watch while I did all the work to restore our Lord to power."

"It was my work to sit back and…" Severus stopped, closing his eyes for a moment to clamp down on the wave of fury that was rising rapidly. This was going in the wrong direction. "I wasn't meant to tamper with the Tournament," he corrected himself. "My job was always Dumbledore; gaining information and his trust. You should try fooling a wizard like him!"

Barty stared at him with his eyebrows raised and an amused expression on his face.

"I did," he pointed out incredulously.

Damn, he had him again. Well, he couldn't allow that.

"I have had to go from a declared Death Eater and weasel my way into Dumbledore's circle, hiding my true loyalties from him for years, slowly but surely building up his trust and acquiring priceless information for our Lord. But I'm sure going through a bunch of teenagers to get to Potter was much more demanding. After all, one of them was a Hufflepuff," he mocked, "and as you say, they're particularly good minders."

"I do not say they're good minders!" Barty raised his voice and Severus felt a nasty satisfaction that he had managed to anger him at last, at least a little. "I say they're good finders! I mean, let's face it, I eliminated every obstacle on Potter's way in that maze, and yet he managed to tie with the Hufflepuff who played fair and square!" He took a deep breath and continued more calmly, "Anyway, as I said, the Dark Lord didn't care, so I don't see why you should. Had everything gone according to plan, neither of those boys would have left that cemetery alive."

Severus's lips spread in an evil grin. Knowing well Barty wasn't as comfortable using the Dark Lord's name as he was, he implied quietly, "So you say it was Voldemort's failure."

"I do not say…" Barty blurted out instantly, with his eyes wide, but cut himself off.

It was like watching a rabbit fall into a trap, and Severus basked in the delightful sight.

The young Death Eater shook his head and waved his hands with exasperation. "Okay, this is stupid. I know you don't like me, Snape–"

"Oh, good, I wasn't sure that was coming across," he interjected maliciously.

"Well, I'm not crazy about you either!" Barty snapped. "But we are on the same side!"

Severus regarded him coolly.

"You're right," he agreed reluctantly. "The Dark Lord's affairs should be our only concern." Before he could stop himself, he added, "Even if I have to work with a spoiled brat."

That seemed to finally cross the line. Barty's hands balled into fists and anger flashed across his handsome face.

"Shut up, Snivellus!"

Severus jumped to his feet at the sound of the hateful word from his past, a wave of blind rage engulfing him, and he pointed his wand at Barty.

"Where did you even hear that?!" he demanded as his fellow Death Eater drew his wand as well.

At that moment, the door to the office swung open and Voldemort strode in, taking in the scene before him. He did not look amused.

"Having fun, I see," he hissed icily, narrowing his eyes as they hastily lowered their wands. "It's good to know that my most capable followers waste no time finding a solution to their master's pressing issue."

All his anger evaporated as Severus was reminded of the problem at hand and the sense of trepidation returned with full force. Who knew how many more Horcruxes Potter would manage to destroy if they didn't find him soon.

"Sorry, Master," they both murmured with their heads down.

It was only then that Severus noticed Voldemort's robe was splattered with red.

"Is that Potter's blood or Nott's?" he asked quietly.

Voldemort answered with a deadly glare, and he nodded in understanding.

"We'll find him, My Lord," Barty assured.

Severus nodded again. As much as the young man irked him, that was one thing they could agree on.