I DON'T OWN HARRY POTTER OR ANY OF ITS ORIGINAL CHARACTERS, ONLY MY OCS AND THE SITUATIONS I PUT THEM IN. WARNING: There will be cussing, lemons, and violence. (Also, someone said I should put please don't steal. Didn't think I needed to, but ok. Please don't steal my stories.)
Some characters may seem OOC at some points at different times in the story, but I hope I explain that in the story when the time comes. Some things happen pretty fast at first (like certain relationships or legal stuff), but again I try to explain it. Some people may go back and forth at times, but I'll explain it! You get the idea. Spelling and grammar errors, I recheck constantly, so sorry if some slip by. Some character bashing in the beginning and for a little while, but that doesn't mean it will last the whole story. I don't hate certain characters though it may seem like that at times. THIS IS A WARNING. Though I will put a warning at the beginning needed. I do not condone all of these things, but my mind can be really fucked up, I apologize now. So, I am mixing both movie and book but I'm mainly following the movie. Though I will try to make a good blend between the two. Big thank you to everyone who reviewed, followed, and/or favorited. You guys rock! I wanna give one more thank you for everyone who favorited and commented/reviewed. I'd go through all of your names but there were a lot of you. Thank you again, love you guys.
WARNING: THIS CHAPTER HAS (SEMI) GRAPHIC VIOLENCE!
Chapter 8: Big Surprises (Part 2)
"Hello Tom" Harry wrote, speaking out loud as his large loopy letters disappeared.
'Hello Kritanta, I'm glad you wrote me again' Riddle wrote. The children snickered and giggle in the circle, passing the book around.
'Well, you said you wanted to be friends. Right Tommy' was put in. It took a moment for a reply to follow, and the children knew Riddle was burning over the common nickname. If there was one thing Riddle hated, it was being ordinary.
'Of course, Kritanta. Though, if you don't mind, I prefer Tom' he tried.
'Oh, sure Thomas' Harry put in trying to sound like a sad impressionable girl. 'I just thought that friends had special names for each other, but that's alright. Maybe I should just go' he put down.
"Sent out the fairy lights" Ron commented. "Let's see if we catch anything".
"It's almost like I can feel the horcrux reaching out and trying to latch on" Vivian mentioned with slight curiosity. "Can he not tell that there are multiple of us?" she looked to Hermione. The brunette looked to be thinking before speaking.
"Hmm, he might just think that she's writing around other people" Hermione surmised. "Or he's not strong enough yet to completely branch out". Hermione had to wonder on that seeing as unlike the locket, no one else had come in contact with this horcrux.
She doubted that Lucius Malfoy attempted to write in it.
"Oh, he is desperate" Neville murmured alerting her that Riddle had responded.
"Well, since we're friends then I suppose it's alright if you call me that. Only you" Riddle wrote back with crisp precise lettering.
"Really, no one else has called you that" Harry wrote back lazily. "Viv" Harry asked making his all-but sister look up at him in question. "What do you think Riddle would do if he found out that not only was his hopeful possession a half-blooded descendent of Dumbledore but also a werewolf?" was asked casually.
"He'd self-destruct" Ron joked.
The others looked more than interested though.
"Oy" Vivian asked leaning an arm on Ron's shoulder. "You think he'd self-combust" she asked Luna and Hermione.
"Anything is possible" was Luna's wise answer. "But" she continued as the Claw in her came to the surface. "If he didn't prepare for such a scenario then he is awfully short sighted".
Hermione jumped in as this had her academic mind priming with curiosity. "His goal was-is" she corrected, "To exterminate anyone not pureblooded".
"Hypocritical bastard" Harry muttered.
Hermione continued paying the now pouting boy no mind. "But perhaps he gave Malfoy instructions on the kind of person to pass the diary to" she suggested.
"I thought that he was angry Malfoy let the diary go" Neville spoke up looking confused with Ron.
"Maybe he was just pissy he failed…again" Ron offered up.
Harry decided to put in his two cents, "He's what muggles call bipolar".
"He's more like a sociopath" Hermione countered.
"He's just a nutter. Half of what he does doesn't make any sense" was Vivian's view. She high-fived Harry as Ron slung an arm around her narrow shoulders.
"Either way" Hermione loudly gained their attention making Luna giggle. "We will have to prepare for any tricks the book throws at us".
"Love, don't worry" Harry attempted to ease her. "We can handle anything".
Hermione only smiled.
"He's writing back" Neville made them all look at the no longer blank diary. "Oh, and feel that allure" he hummed making everyone pause.
Sure enough, the pull was back. Now though, there was a definite feel of aggression paired with it.
"Someone's not happy" Luna sang.
"Hmm" Harry hummed before writing. 'I don't feel so good Tommy' he put in. 'I think I have to see Madam Pomfrey again. I shouldn't-. Never mind, bye Tommy'.
"Subtle" Vivian teased getting a stuck-out tongue in reply.
####SCENE RBEAK####
Remus and Sirius were up shit's creek without a broom. The worst part was they knew Harry would be upset. They wouldn't blame him.
They thought they were so clever. And they almost were, but they had celebrated too soon. Once more, over confidence became a Gryffindor downfall. It was a double-edged sword, the confidence and almost school day like behavior that both gained from once more being around each other.
Remus had begun levitating Sirius up to the cup. The plan had been to go up, grab the cut in a shirt and leave.
Simple and painless.
Then…Griphook fucked everything up.
"Just a little further" Sirius whispered with bated breath. He was beginning to sweat from trying to be so careful.
Remus wasn't much better seeing as he was using full focus to keep the floating man steady.
"Can you grab it already. You're not exactly a feather" Remus grunted out trying to keep his wand arm from shaking. Sirius shot him a small glare before going back to the task at hand. Slowly, he moved his dragon skinned lined handkerchief to snatch up the chalice.
Just as he was able to grab and secure the chalice without triggering the charm, the vault door opened.
This startled both men making them turn to the door quickly. That meant that Sirius had a small fall onto a few more artifacts as Remus stumbled back, also knocking things over.
True, technically they weren't doing anything wrong. But one didn't shake off that running instinct right away. Sirius' name and then unlawful incarcerating and Remus' affliction made them both constantly on their toes.
It was deep rooted.
That all came into play when one ill-intentioned goblin attempted to spy on the two. However, it was extremely difficult to sneak up on a werewolf and canine animagus.
Not that Griphook knew that.
Even so, what happened made him think that the fates were working in his favor.
The chalice fell out of the cloth and began multiplying rushing the men up in a metal wave. Tomes began erupting into high flames, which many rare jewels began falling into.
"Siri-" Remus was cut off as he was tripped up by a statue. This had a particularly nasty figurine of a wizard with a sword. The silver made Remus hiss and jerk his head only to get knocked out by more of the chalice duplicates.
"Remus!" Sirius shouted struggling to stand and stop the other man from being buried alive. With the rate these cups were multiplying, both of them could die.
Sirius did his best to try to pull Remus up.
"Help us!" he demanded looking frantically at Griphook.
The goblin smirked in return. To Sirius' horror, Griphook used a bag to scoop up the horcrux and quickly shut the vault door. He was leaving them to die.
"I will find you!" Sirius shouted a promise before trying to lift the unconscious Remus. "I have never given up on you Remus" he struggled to keep his friend up as tears began to develop, quivering his rough voice.
"Not when I learned your secret. Not when I was an idiot and almost got the sniveling bastard killed, not even when I was in that hell hole" he forced the two of them to stand taking most of the brunt of Remus' weight.
"I'll be damned if I give up on you now!" was proclaimed. "So don't you give up!".
Sirius struggled to keep both of them above the crushing weight of all of the artifacts. Just as Sirius began to go under, whines and grunts leaving the courageous man, there was a pop.
"Mr. Padfoot sir!" a familiar high voice squeaked in shock.
Before he could go under or utter a single word, a tiny hand found its way onto his shoulder.
Suddenly, both men were in the sitting room of Potter Manor. "Does Mr. Moony require help Mr. Padfoot" their savior Dobby asked wringing his tiny hands. "I'll go get Mr. Moony and Mr. Harry Potter's dog-father potions" he rushed off not waiting for an answer.
Sirius was breathing heavily as he laid next to Remus on the warm carpet staring up at the dark wooden ceiling.
Just as he thought about how nice a nap would be, a cough from the side caught his attention.
Sirius rushed to move intent on helping his best friend.
Remus coughed again, smiling a little at the mother hen that was Sirius Black. "Just so you know" came his deep voice low. "I won't ever give up on you. Not again. I promise" he swore.
Sirius stopped, connecting gray and green gazes. With a watery smile, Sirius nodded, too emotional to speak.
No more words were needed. At this moment, enough was said as they understood one another.
Dobby rushed in and began tending to the two making them like new.
As their aches and pains were healed, neither had any idea of the note the little elf had sent off to one raven haired and electric green-eyed boy.
####SCENE BREAK####
Harry was getting ready for bed with Neville and Ron. He smiled, listening to Seamus go into a detailed quidditch game he had seen as Dean backed him up.
"Eh, what's that?" Dean pointed out a letter that popped out of nowhere and floated like a feather in front of Harry. He caught it, no longer smiling.
"Probably a love letter from Granger" Seamus made kissy faces.
Neville and Ron watched Harry on edge.
Besides the spike in Harry's emotion, which made the temperature drop drastically, he was now sporting a deep scowl.
"Mate" Ron finally asked.
Harry stormed out of the room as Neville and Ron followed. They heard the mental order that went out to the other knights as well.
Dean and Seamus looked after them with wide eyes. Dean used his wand to warm the room once more.
He would have let Seamus…but he had seen what happened when Seamus did anything that could explode. Which was a surprising number of things.
"What was that all about" came Seamus' Irish tones. He looked at a bemused Dean.
Dean shrugged, "Must have been important" he told him. "Or they were craving more sweets. You know how Harry is with tart".
"Or Ron with anything" Seamus joked.
Still, it didn't make sense how both Neville and Ron followed Harry when they did. Or why they all left in the first place.
Neither were willing to risk getting caught after curfew just to quench their curiosities.
Harry stormed through the halls. His powerful stride and fiery eyes made a for a truly disturbing, even frightening appearance. As if his age melted away revealing the true power within.
Hermione, ever thinking, threw out pulses to keep away anyone who would have crossed their path.
None of them knew what was wrong. Harry's thoughts were too erratic to properly read. However, that didn't concern them. The group's only concern was that something had upset their leader and whatever it was, needed to be fixed.
Each knew they'd be enlightened soon enough.
Vivian's nose twitched alerting that someone had run into Hermione's charms. The heavy sent of potions clued her into the identification of the individual.
'Very wise not to speak aloud' she surmised. Vivian looked back, narrowed eyes. She had the sinking feeling that Snape was fighting to get to them. It was the oddest sensation of being watched that gave her that idea.
"We need to hurry" Vivian lowly informed the others. Given her advanced senses, none of them questioned her.
Harry, and subsequently the others, all picked up speed.
Soon, the six were shadowing away towards Potter Manor.
Once the occupants became clear to them, the Death Knights' rage reached the same level as the Master's.
There, being tended to on the sofas by Dobby, was an injured Remus and Sirius.
Both men looked to be in bad shape. Though, Sirius was conscious enough to send them a sad, ashamed look. "Sorry Prongslet" he wheezed out ending in a cough.
That nickname shook Harry.
That burning anger that had just been consuming him revealed its true colors.
Harry was scared.
He was scared of losing either man all over again.
Harry began to tear up as he looked away, shocked and overcome by the sudden realization.
"Prongslet" Sirius asked with growing worry.
"Harry?" Hermione looked with concern. He looked at his soulmate then at each of his friends. It seemed they were at least reading his thoughts.
Many of them looked just as heartbreakingly bewildered as he did.
However, that was due over not knowing what was happening with Harry. They were cut off from the storm of emotion that was unleashed inside of him.
He couldn't believe it. It had been so long since he was scared.
It was as if he was a real child all over again.
Harry hated it.
It felt so out of control.
So frightening unknown yet hauntingly familiar.
It felt so…powerless.
Harry never wanted to feel powerless. Never again.
Hermione called out when Harry suddenly dropped to his knees, hands pulling at his raven locks.
Sirius, despite his body's protests, forced himself next to Harry as the others began trying to figure out what was happening. Luna ran to get more potions as Neville sent out magical censors hoping to help.
Ron and Vivian also fell next to their leader, their brother, worrying over his sudden mood switch. Hermione began to cry making Ron place a hand on her shoulder.
Luna had come back and was crying into Neville's chest as he held her tightly.
"Prongslet" Sirius took the boy's face in his hands. It was more distressing to see tears falling from those green eyes. "Pup, Harry" he soothed softly. "What's wrong? I'm sorry" he held the boy close, hugging him with his chin resting on Harry's head.
Harry desperately clung to Sirius with his face buried in his tattooed chest.
Sirius shared a look with a very upset Hermione. Ron wasn't any better as he wrapped an arm around a distressed Vivian.
"I-", Harry coughed, suddenly wracked with sobs. "I was so scared! I-I can't lose you again" he cried. "I can't Sirius!" he babbled out everything that was filling him. It was overflowing. His face was red and stained with tears, eyes wild as he looked around unable to focus.
"You won't" Sirius tried to promise.
"But I almost did. I got so mad but-but it's because I was scared" Harry did his best to explain. For his long, adventurous life, Harry still had trouble properly expressing himself. It was a true blessing that his friends, his little family, understood him.
"I can't Sirius" Harry clung to the older man. Tears fell rapidly from silver eyes as Sirius looked down at the boy that Sirius loved with all of his heart.
Seeing Harry so shattered, broke him. Broke him in a way Azkaban never could.
"Harry" Sirius said in such an adult commanding voice that it gained all of the children's' attention. He took the boy's thin face in his own thin hands. He looked at the upset Harry with such absolute devotion and resolve, that Harry's sobs subsided into hiccups. "I swear on everything dear to me that I will never leave you again" he told him.
"What if you don't have a choice" came the small, innocent question.
The broken man looked at the broken boy. Together, Sirius was sure, they could heal.
"What if I'm not strong enough to save you" Harry voiced his fears. Hermione let Ron hold her with his other arm as he, she and Vivian watched with their own tears. Their own rediscovered fears. Neville and Luna also watched, feeling drained, tired.
"Not even death could keep me away" was Sirius' heartfelt promise.
With that, he pulled Harry into a much-needed hug. They sat there, holding one another as the others began to feel filled with peace over Sirius' words.
####SCENE BREAK####
Lucius breathed in deeply as he made his way from Hogsmeade to Hogwarts. He had finally shaken Fudge's Undersectary Umbridge. More toad than woman.
She was gunning to win Lucius' favor. She heard that he was investigating Hogwarts, maybe placing someone from the ministry there in order to keep them on the know.
Apparently Umbridge really wanted the job.
Lucius had to admit that the woman had a knack for scaring people. She caused great difficulty for people who were…well anyone who wasn't a pureblooded elitist.
However, she also had a habit of trying to dig up as much dirt as possible, especially on people in power, for extortion. As far as Lucius could tell, the woman was Fudge's man through and through. She seemed a bit obsessed with the Ministry and everything about it.
Malfoy just wasn't sure if that was good for him or not. Someone strictly under the blonde's control seemed to be a better fit.
But who?
He pondered this as he strolled up through the castle gates early in the afternoon. Under the guise of visiting his son he planned on sniffing around the humongous caste. Of course, parental visits was not in the norm for the school, but he was a Malfoy.
That name carried a dangerous amount of weight.
Lucius raised a lip in disgust as he caught sight of the half giant, Rubeus Hagrid. The sheer fact that the large man was even around children, let alone not chained up somewhere, was proof to the blonde that Dumbledore was a fool.
A fool that Lucius was afraid of, not that he'd ever admit such.
With a royal stroll and the tapping of his cane hitting the cold, stone floor Lucius made his way to the Great Hall.
Children passed by him, some paying attention and others not. Lucius felt chills run up his body knowing that magic was being tainted by mudbloods. It felt like bugs were crawling up his alabaster skin.
'Who knows what diseases these little beasts are harboring in their dirty blood' he thought cruelly.
He walked through the doors and moved around children. Though he didn't smile, he did his best to seem less threatening. He had a reputation to keep up. Not to mention the fact that he was a Slytherin. There was no way Lucius would get any information if needed from someone if he wasn't good at deception.
What Lucius didn't know was although there were many adults who fell for his charms, most children had a nose for such deceit. Not all, but most. Evil had a way of rotting someone from the inside out.
That scent made itself known to animals and children alike.
"Father?" Draco spoke up. His voice cracked a bit earning some snickers as Draco blushed and glared. Lucius held in a tired sigh.
The boy had to control his emotions! He was far, far too easy to read.
"I've come to see you" Lucius said in way of greeting. Before Draco could get too excited and drag him to show off his dorm, his father went on. "I'm also here on business". With a flick of his wand, a grand snake decorated chair appeared against the wall. "I shall wait for you to finish. Take your time" he spoke already letting his eyes come over the hall.
There, just the person he was looking for; Ginny Weasley.
The girl looked just as healthy and annoyingly doe eyed as their previous encounter. It didn't appear she had the book anywhere on her.
She was talking with some other first years before giggling and looking down the table.
Lucius followed her gaze making his eyes narrow.
Harry James Potter.
The boy looked at Granger with soft adoration as the rest of his band of misfits laughed and talked with them.
Suddenly, the little blonde Lovegood chit looked back. Her starry powder blue gaze locked onto Lucius' cutting silver. The girl didn't look away. She didn't flinch. Nothing.
She didn't even blink.
He sneered at her, yet still nothing.
There was no curiosity in that wide gaze. Only knowledge that he was unable to identify.
The seconds ticked on and he became unnerved. He looked away first. Lucius then scoffed lowly. He was a Death Eater and a Malfoy, there was no way he was going to let some loopy girl get under his skin.
He looked back, yet this time, she wasn't alone. Now the whole group was staring. Though some looked more aggressive than others.
Potter looked infuriatingly regal. It was as if he had judged Lucius to be someone not worth his precious time as his cool gaze rolled over him with a brow raised.
Granger looked pleased. Very, very pleased. Yet, it wasn't like normal childlike joy. No, this was a too wide smile gleeful look that he couldn't help but liken to his sister-in-law.
It was unnerving either way since he never expected, or wanted, the mudblood to ever aim anything positive in his direction.
The Longbottom boy that Draco insisted was a squib was looking at him with hard, cold eyes. The youthful face might have been smoothed with unnatural apathetic stillness, but those eyes gave off hate. Patient hate.
Then there was the girl that Draco had written him at least four letters about. Vivian Lupin of the Noble and Ancient House of Black.
There was a girl who brought many complications for him. On multiple levels.
Lucius ignored his thoughts and wondered just how she came to be with the group.
She was looking at him with light narrowing of those large green eyes and a slight smirk on those purple tinted lips.
It was as if he was mildly amusing. His hackles raised at that not liking the look he had aimed at others redirected back onto himself.
Like a cat watching a mouse it planned on catching.
What surprised him the most was the lack of anger on Weasley's face. In fact, the boy was looking bored! As if Lucius was boring!
He couldn't believe the nerve of that freckled carrot!
"Father" Draco whined. Lucius realized that his son had been talking for Merlin knew how long as he was lost observing the group at the Gryffindor table. "Father, you need to talk to Lupin about sitting at the lion's table. She's a Slytherin, she should act like one" the young boy went on.
"I'm sure that can be arranged" Lucius murmured as his glance once more went to the girl in question.
Suddenly, there was another presence at his side.
One Albus Dumbledore. Next to him was Lucius' good friend Severus Snape. "Lucius" Albus began making the blonde's blood boil at the infuriating familiarity the man dared to show. "What brings you to Hogwarts this fine day" was poised.
"Ah, headmaster" Lucius greeted politely. He didn't react to the sparkling of Dumbledore's blue eyes. "I came to see my son. My wife was worried about him. Mothers" he added a joke at the end. "I'd also be interested in speaking with you if you have some time" he gave his true reason for arriving.
"Of course, but first if you don't mind, I'd appreciate to have my lunch. Please, fill free to spend as much time with Draco as you wish. I'm sure he'd love to show you around his favorite areas" Dumbledore allowed.
Draco went from scowling to almost busting with joy.
The corner of Severus' lips twitched up at that. Everyone knew about Draco's attitude. Albus giving such allowance would take away the small breath of relaxation that the man gained by sending his son to school.
Lucius' flat look let them know that he too was aware of such.
Harry watched the whole interaction from the table. He was still feeling mentally drained from last night's events.
The revelation felt good in a way. It gave him hope that he wasn't as lost as he believed.
Seeing Lucius Malfoy stroll into the Grand Hall was an unexpected yet pleasant surprise. Thoughts swirled in the raven-haired boy's mind. However, these ones were less bloody than usual.
In fact, a few of them were borderline mischievous. One would say he was feeling a bit like a Marauder.
His lips quirked at that as he watched Vivian and Ron laugh. Luna and Hermione were animating a silently amused Neville's Shepard pie and chips. Hermione snuggled into his side, content with the mini show that had their friends and table mates in stiches.
Harry's mind began to swirl with ideas as Malfoy Sr. walked out of the large room.
Lucius had to excuse himself with the weak excuse of using the facilities. Snape had been smirking at him as Draco continued to try to call after him.
'Bastard' he thought with a silent huff. He turned and began making his way towards the Gryffindor tower. 'I'll find that blasted book' he thought. He had to either retrieve the book for a later time or make it find its way into someone else's hands.
He came upon the Fat Lady. Lucius put on a charming smile for the plump, lovely looking vain woman. She inspected a mirror, barely giving him a glance.
"Hello beautiful lady" he began. She turned her done up brown eyes to view him. Lady looked very unimpressed by the flattery. "I was wondering if I may gain entrance for just a moment" he held his hands up, palms open.
It was as if to show he was no threat.
"No" she told him with a sniff of her little nose as she went back to her reflection.
The smile slipped ever so briefly as his inner anxiety and cruelty showed before once more the mask was back in place.
"My lady" he tried again. "I only wish to possibly retrieve an object that belongs to my son. I'm afraid that someone may have taken it from him with great malice. He is deeply attached to this object" he spun a tale.
"What is this taken object" she asked.
"His honor!" was shouted from the side. There was the eccentric knight, Sir Cadogan. He ran through other annoyed and disgruntled portraits until he was just a frame away from the Fat Lady. Lady didn't seem to mind as she sent the knight a flirty wink.
Sir Cadogan bowed in respect before speaking. "Fair maiden" he began making Lady giggle girlishly. "Shall I remove this rouge from your heavenly presence?"
"I am simply-" Lucius attempted yet he was interrupted by the two paintings as Lady answered. He glowered, breathing in deeply as he attempted to keep his cool. His soft hand squeezed the wand top of his cane in frustration.
"Oh, please do" Lady totally fell into the role of damsel in distress. She fluttered her long lashes along with waving a little hankie.
Cadogan sputtered and chuckled flustered as he puffed his armored chest out.
"When you're done, please come back so I can reward you, oh so brave hero" the flirting continued.
Lucius felt sick.
"Madam, not even the fiercest of beasts could keep me away" Cadogan swore. With that, he turned to the fed-up Malfoy. "I demand you leave this fair lady's presence before I am forced to handle you" he warned.
Lady sat watching pleased and eager. When her suitor wasn't looking, she made sure to add a bit of berry juice to her lips for color as she pinched her cheeks.
"Ah" Lucius cleverly countered, "But I am out here, and you are there" was pointed out.
Lady covered her mouth delicately as Sir Cadogan glared holes into the living man. "You dare challenge a knight of my standing" he couldn't believe it. "If you are too cowardly to face me one and one in an honorable fight" he went on knowing that Lucius wasn't about to think of a spell to put him into the portrait.
"Then I shall have to command my squire to deal with you in my name" Cadogan announced.
"Who in their right mind would allow themselves to be under you" Lucius had to laugh. There was no way any sane person would work with Cadogan.
"At your service sir!" came a much feared and dreaded voice from right behind Lucius.
Lucius spun around so quickly that his long blonde locks whipped him in the face.
"Peeves!" he gasped.
No one was ever excited to see the ghoulish pranking poltergeist. Well, maybe the Marauders and Weasley twins liked him.
Like usual, Peeves was in his jester outfit with that smile that was far too wide than any smile should be. It would have looked painful yet fit the tiny man's rounded face. His small, chubby body spun in circles in the air where he floated. The speed surprising.
"Ah yes, squire Peeves" Cadogan address gaining an exaggerated solute from the now stock straight spirit that was still floating in air. "This serf here" Cadogan pointed his sword at Malfoy.
"Serf!" the blonde aristocrat practically squealed in outrage.
"I need you to deal with him in your special fashion as he has pointed out my lack of dimension" the knight ended with a mocking sneer.
Lucius glared back as the Fat Lady tittered.
"You give the bestests gifts to Peeves" the poltergeist clapped with comically big and shining eyes and that unsettling fake childlike voice full of wonder. Suddenly, Peeves' face totally morphed into what Lucius could only describe as pure evil.
"Now wait just a moment" Lucius practically pleaded. He cleared his throat attempting to sound tempting.
Now all of the surrounding portraits were paying more attention as a show seemed to be promised.
"Think Peeves, you know me to be a powerful man" he began.
"Power in name not in weight" was the sing song counter. There were a few snorts or mumbles of agreement from the walls.
Still, Lucius pushed on. "I can give you anything that dastardly little heart desires. Doesn't that sound enjoyable? Name it and I shall deliver" he offered.
"There is one thing" Peeves rubbed his chin.
Surprisingly there was no surprise or anger voiced from Sir Cadogan. Lucius didn't risk turning his back to Peeves in an effort to see what any of the portraits were doing.
At the moment he was simply cursing their existence.
"Well" Lucius asked attempting to stand straight yet not offend the only spirit in the castle that could actually touch him.
"I want" Peeves began while floating a little higher. "Little Lucy to have a bad hair day" Peeves ended up screaming in Lucius' face with hands out in a grabbing motion. Lucius actually screamed and made a run for it.
Peeves was hot on his trail as portraits laughed and pointed. The Fat Lady giggled as Sir Cadogan cheered.
Lucius was a crying mess as he did his best to keep the grubby fingered phantom away from his beautiful, luscious locks.
Albus and Severus watched all of this from the bottom of the steps, totally unnoticed in the chaos.
Severus looked beyond tired as his older counterpart was smiling serenely.
"Would you like me to retrieve him?" Severus asked his boss. He really didn't want to deal with Peeves at the moment. He didn't really want to deal with Lucius either. In fact, he'd be happier just going back to bed. Forever.
Lucius continued to run back and forth in front of the Fat Lady with Peeves tauntingly following.
"No" Albus folded his hands easily in front of his bright blue robes. Severus perked up. "Why don't we allow ourselves time to digest. There's no danger here, on any front" he hinted. Severus nodded, not speaking as the two began walking out.
"If we're lucky maybe Lucius will dictate to visit us a different day" Albus explained as the two rounded a corner.
####SCENE BREAK####
Later that night saw Harry rushing to catch up with his friends after dinner. He had decided to treat himself to a few extra slices of treacle tart. Even Ron had left, laughing claiming they'd wait for him in the hall.
Just as he turned seeing his group, Harry and another body came crashing into one another.
"Oh, sorry" came a familiar British accent.
Harry looked up seeing "Cedric" he couldn't help but let slip. The death that started it all.
"I didn't know Harry Potter knew my name" the handsome good looking older boy lightly teased. He looked exactly how Harry remembered him, if not a bit younger. That kind smile was still on along with the eyes full of life and perfect hair. Things he hated when being love sick after Cho. Then things he couldn't forget in his nightmares the years following the Hufflepuff's death.
Harry spoke thinking clearly, "Well it's hard not to know your name. I think Fred and George mentioned something about Pretty Boy Diggory".
Cedric laughed a little surprised and embarrassed.
"I can't believe they're still saying that" he mumbled. "Well, it was a pleasure, but my mates are getting antsy" motioned to a group of Puffs messing around.
"Same" Harry motioned his chin to his own group that looked at the two waiting.
"Well until next time Potter" Cedric sent him an easy smile as he walked back to his friends. Back to his life. Totally carefree. Unknowing of the horrors two years would have brought him.
"Sooner than you think" Harry mumbled to himself as he made it to the others.
"What is it?" Hermione asked with her fluffy haired head titled.
"What's what?" Harry tried to play off.
"Come on mate" Ron scoffed as they all began walking to the ROR. "That's definitely your thinking face".
"I thought it was his restroom face" Luna spoke up.
"I don't think he ate that much" Neville assured her as Harry looked at them with a small huff.
"I don't have a thinking face or a loo face" he denied. Hermione chuckled opening a book to read and walk.
"Of course you do" Vivian countered easily while playing with a snitch from her first won game over the summer. "You're a deep thinker" she shot him a look, "In both situations" she teased.
"If you all are quite done going over my private activities" Harry sassed, "Then I will tell you that our plans are going forth".
That got everyone's attention.
"For extracurricular?" Hermione questioned.
"Or personal projects" Vivian asked smirking hopefully.
"I hope it's personal. I got an itch I can't get rid of" Ron told them.
"You should get Poppy to check that out" Neville commented getting a glare from Ron. The blonde paid no mind, waiting for Harry to continue.
"I heard gnome saliva is very good for that" Luna offered.
"Yeah Ron" Vivian laughed, "Use gnome saliva" she giggled as he moved to grab her. Hermione coughed in that no nonsense way.
"Harry, please go on" she gestured to her husband.
"Thank you. At least someone respects me" he bemoaned getting eye rolls and snorts throughout the group. "Now, I was going to say both. Both of our goals are on. Though, the one for a certain popular badger will take a little more finesse".
"Think you should handle that mate" Ron advised. Seeing Harry look away he continued. "It has to be you" he pointed out. "You're the only one with a real opening. Even if it's hard" he ended in a quiet kind voice.
Seeing her friend become uncomfortable Vivian jumped in. "But that can wait a bit yeah? You said there were two agendas. What's the other? Is it fun?" she excitedly asked easing the group's air.
"I hope it's fun" Luna commented. "A fun outing is exactly what we need" she put in.
"She's right" Neville added before lowering his lids fighting off a blush. "We do need to let off a little stress" he said. "And don't look at me like that" he grumbled to the two smirking boys.
"If we're going to do this then we need to be better planned than yesterday" Hermione got into planning mode.
Ron didn't see the real point. True, they had gotten a lot better at executing plans as they grew older. Still, a good number of their plans went out the window when things came to a head. It seemed being young again showed its head in various ways.
Plans going disarray was one of them. That didn't mean events always turned against them. But it was tedious as hell.
Luckily, besides last night their 'outings' so far had been very successful.
"We can't risk Snape running into our barriers again. He was trying to analyze my magical signature" Hermione was still going. "We also need to be on high alert if we're going after the target that I'm hoping you'll let us go for" she said with puppy dog eyes to Harry.
She went on not giving him a chance to speak.
"So, we need to be on our best behavior, sorry lovelies" she told the disappointed Luna and Vivian.
"Who'd you have in mind Mione" Ron cut off her long-winded speech.
"An imposter close to Neville and Harry" Luna cryptically spoke. Luna knew what Hermione meant in only the way that Luna could.
"Yes" Hermione said looking at a slightly confused Harry.
A very uptight Neville cleared everything up. "Crouch Jr".
Now everyone was silent waiting.
"I think it would be good if we do this. Do it now, I mean" Harry voiced. "Nev?" he asked.
"Yes" was the simple, sharp answer. "Tonight".
"Then we should go now and send the dummies off to bed" Hermione told them.
"I'm gonna make a few adjustments on mine" Vivian told them picking a long pinky nail between her teeth.
"What for?" Ron asked his wife. She hadn't told him anyone was bothering. Well, anyone besides Malfoy.
Vivian sighed; she didn't want to bother them with something so stupid.
"Pansy thinks I'm trying to steal the blonde ferret" she commented brushing it off. Ron gently but firmly took both of her arms into his grasp making her face him.
"Is she running you around?" he asked concerned.
"Tracey and Daphne have been very polite" was the none answer.
Ron put a freckled hand on her pale cheek. "You need to tell me these things. We're partners" he murmured feeling upset.
"I didn't think it was important" she replied quietly.
"It is" he put to rest.
"We will be discussing this more" Harry spoke up. Vivian bowed her head in submission. "However, I believe Hermione was right. We should go set up for tonight". Everyone nodded, "Meet back right after curfew" he ordered.
With that they broke up and walked off to their places. Ron walked Vivian to the dungeons as Neville took Luna to Ravenclaw tower.
Harry walked with Hermione. "Do you think we'll get them both?" Hermione asked biting her lip.
"I don't see why not" Harry mentioned moving so they were holding hands. He looked down at his brilliant other half. "What's troubling you" he asked seeing her furrowed brow. She was once more abusing her muted pink bottom lip.
That always drove him crazy because it meant she was stressing over a mental puzzle, but it was also so cute he couldn't handle it.
"What about Winky" Hermione revealed her cause of distress.
Harry was surprised. He couldn't remember the last time he had heard that name, let alone think about the poor drunk of an elf. True, her tale was a sad one. 'Should have known this was get to Hermione' he thought with a touch of fondness. 'You can take the girl out of SPEW' he mentally trailed off.
"If you want, you can go in before us" he told her.
"Before" she asked before her face lit up. "You'd let us take her in. Like Dobby and Kreacher" was the hopeful question.
"Kreacher's still a miserable bastard but Dobby says he's doing well in keeping the dungeons in order" Harry muttered. "But yes, we can take her in. Though don't be too broken if she's not right pleased" he cautioned.
Hermione's chin went up as a glaring sign of stubborn resolution. "I can bring her around" was promised.
Harry looked at her for a moment before nodding. They came up to an extra amused Fat Lady who was whispering with the smitten Sir Cadogan. For once he wasn't shouting at them about quests and other things. He was too busy with the large woman curling the feather of his helmet.
With a slight shiver, the two kids entered the common room and set to get ready.
It seemed like Hermione had used another time turner as before any of them knew it they were setting out for their mission. Harry had sent a message to Dobby, checking on Sirius and Remus. Apparently, besides smiling until they needed potions for muscle aches when he asked about 'his uncles', they were recovering well.
However, the little elf did recommend they skip any kind of work for at least another few days.
Advice Harry took to heart.
Sirius and Remus did expect news from the kids when they got back home. No doubt the men were going spare having to wait. The idea of the kids doing this on their own made Sirius' heart weak as Remus attempted to research in hopes of distracting himself.
This time Hermione didn't set up a barrier. Neville left a few presents with Harry if anyone went near their dummies or followed their paths.
Just a little something that should dissuade followers and amuse the boys.
They shadowed to the large Crouch estate. It looked like any of the other large manors that fell into the hands of those who didn't deserve it.
Harry's hands moved in a circular motion as he felt for any kind of ward. Of course, there was one. The man was hiding away his convicted Death Eater son. There was bound to be some protection.
They were a little surprised over how simple the single ward was though. "He's probably relying heavily on Winky" Vivian pointed out. "After that, he assumes he's either above attacks or under anyone's radar so no one would want to knock him off" she scoffed.
"Perhaps his brain has been rotted away by bungewig flies" Luna offered. "He was a politician" was her reasoning.
"It's down" Ron commented as Harry crossed his arms. "We'll follow at your command my lady" he addressed Hermione by her title.
"If you have any trouble, simply let us know" Neville offered getting nods from the others.
"I am capable of handling targets on my own" Hermione reminded.
"We know Love" Harry eased her. "But none of us like being separated" he reminded Hermione.
"Just for a minute" she smiled at him before pulling her disguising hood up. The others followed suit. "We'll deal with this. Tomorrow, you have to visit Gringotts" she informed Harry. That earned a throaty growl as he remembered once more the traitor goblin.
"Have fun" Luna told Hermione bringing everyone's mind back to the task.
"And save us some" Vivian added with excitement in her glowing green eyes. Ron nodded in agreement, hand going to Neville's shoulder.
Hermione smiled unseen before shadowing from her place between Harry and Neville.
She soon landed in the archway to what appeared to be a study. She was facing the floo which was now just working as a normal fireplace. Before looking around, Hermione sent out a paralyzing hex that trapped any occupant in the house.
Even the spiders were unable to move.
There was a grunt which Hermione quickly zeroed in on. "I hear a friend" Hermione sang out slowly moving towards the chair on her left side. It was behind a large dark stained oak desk.
There, in all of his tiny dark mustached glory was Barty Crouch Sr. He looked exactly how she remembered him. Though his human form, not the cane that Jr. had made him after killing his father.
His dark, small, rounded eyes were staring wide in fear. "I am the Mistress of Death Barty Crouch" she began seeing him shake. "Perhaps you've heard of my husband and loyal knights" she rhetorically put to him.
"What do you want" Barty demanded. "Do you know the power I hold in the ministry" he attempted to threaten. However, Hermione cut him off.
"I know exactly the power you have" was hissed. "I also know the sins you've committed against nature and the magical world" she mentioned.
Now he looked very panicked.
"Sins, what sins" he tried to deny.
The laugh that followed shook him to his very core. "The sins of the father. A father who took away justice for the people in order to free his only son" she said. "True justice you denied others. Letting Death Eaters walk as the innocent was imprisoned. Standing on your high horse while keeping your murderous son under your control" she finished.
"You have no proof" he cut in. "No one would believe you".
"I'm not here to blackmail you" she saw him relax a little at that. "I'm here to kill you" she corrected.
"No, you can't! Please" Barty jumped straight to pleading.
"I will cut a deal with you" she offered. Her next words were chosen very carefully. "If you were to hand over ownership of your elf Winky, then I shall not kill you" came the deal.
"Deal, take her" Barty readily handed over the little she-elf. He had no loyalty to the extremely loyal elf. As far as he was concerned, he'd just by another after reporting this to the aurors.
There was a cry of despair from further in the home.
"Well" Hermione ignored her instinct to comfort the little elf. The others were right. Winky wouldn't appreciate it. She had hated Hermione before, believing her evil for trying to free all elves.
'Not this time. I'll save you whether you like it or not' was Hermione's resolute belief.
"I, Barty Crouch Senior hand over ownership of Winky the elf to the Mistress of Death" he announced. The necessary blue ball left him and landed in Hermione's hand. She accepted it.
"Winky" she called out allowing the elf to come to her. Already, there were tears in those big, big eyes. She looked up at the intimidating figure.
"You shall watch over me and my family Winky" Hermione ordered. "Keeping our secrets and the like, loyal to only us" was stated as another tiny ball left the elf and landed in the girl.
"Yes Mistress" Winky miserably stated. She knew where to go as the bond completed. Sure, she was going to still help a family. That was better than being free. However, this meant she had to leave the boy she had raised.
It hurt.
"Go Winky. Report to the head elf in the place hidden" Hermione told her. Dobby would take good care of her.
With one last sob, the little she-elf was gone.
"Now you'll leave" Barty put on some bravado.
"Leave?" Hermione asked with shining brown eyes burning into Barty.
"You said you wouldn't kill me. We made a deal!" he reminded panicking again.
"I won't" Hermione held up her arms. Suddenly, the shadows themselves morphed into five other cloaked, ominous figures. "That's what I have knights for" Mistress gestured.
This earned laughter around the room.
She turned and nodded to Neville. He whipped his hand out to the hall. In the next instant, something came flying into the room landing with a heavy thud. It was Barty Jr. bound to a chair with an invisibility cloak now crumbled on the floor.
"We needed another one of these" Luna picked up the cloak and hid it in her robes.
"That is my property. You cannot do this. You won't get away with this" Crouch was spouting. The more he spoke the more conscious his son became.
This became evident as the telltale snake like flickering of his tongue began. He looked gaunt, not very dirty but unkept. His brown hair was longer and shaggy than they remembered.
His brown eyes were as insane as ever as it took them in and darted around the room.
Neville stared at him with utter loathing.
Jr. was pale, and unshaven looking like a slacker of a young man. Though they knew he was anything but. He was dangerously devoted and as evil as Bellatrix Lestrange.
The unstable explosion of devastation that was inside the man was almost impressive.
Almost.
"This one is yours Thunderbird" Hermione motioned to Neville using his old code name.
"You are a generous Mistress" he bowed, meaning it.
"And this one Love?" Master motioned his skeletal like hand to the father. "Who shall have him" he asked curiously.
"Why don't you, Cobra Lily and Acromantula work on him while Billywig and I help Thunderbird" she suggested.
Cobra Lily was of course Vivian. She picked it as Neville said it reminded him of her. Something beautiful and connected to nature. Then, when someone got too close, they saw the true danger they were in.
She liked it and it had stuck since then. Of course, it had been a long time since they needed code names.
It was kind of fun, nostalgic.
Luna's nickname of Billywig seemed more than obvious to the group. No one paid her attention until it was too late.
Of course, before becoming the Master and Mistress, Harry and Hermione had their own nicknames. Basilisk and Kelpie.
Ron's nickname used to humor them. He took the thing he was the most afraid of and made it his symbol.
Harry said it made him think of a muggle comic he ran across once. Something called Batman.
Neville nodded and reached for the now erratically laughing Jr. It was clear the imperious curse had totally been broken by now. Even so, Neville didn't allow him to stand.
The was going to be a slaughter, not a fight.
The young Longbottom had been robbed at a chance of bringing justice to one of the people responsible for his parents' predicament.
That wrong was to now be righted.
Vivian and Ron walked on either side of Harry as they stalked towards Crouch Sr., who was still shouting about repercussions.
They weren't listening.
Hermione and Luna watched as Neville swooped around Jr. "I am untouchable! My lord will have your heads for even daring to look at his most loyal" Jr. went on proudly.
Neville was determined that by the end of this mission that the man would be fully aware of what was happening to him. And Barty would break.
Neville Longbottom would absolutely destroy Barty Crouch Jr.
And he smiled. Neville smiled and it could be seen from the hood as he allowed his facial enchantments to melt away revealing his true identity.
It didn't take much for Barty to recognize the boy. He was an oh so perfect blend of his parents. He remembered those big golden tinted hazel eyes looking up at him in terror as the screams of the Longbottoms rang like sirens throughout their house.
He had bathed in that fear as Bellatrix's laughs mingled with the screams.
Barty laughed, seeing himself on the other end. He wasn't afraid though, how could he be? He was a loyal Death Eater. Nothing was more awe inspiring or fear inducing as his master.
He wasn't scared. Then…he really took in the smile.
Something about it began to unnerve the unhinged escapee.
Out of everything he had seen in his violent lifetime, nothing was quite like this smile.
It was so empty yet full of unbridled glee.
Barty's smile turned sour as he began shouting at Neville. Spit flew from his lips as he continued to habitually snake his tongue out. "Stop it!" he demanded. "Stop smiling! Stop looking at me like that!".
"How can I?" Neville asked tilting his head. He smacked Barty on the face. The chair toppled over taking the tied-up man with it. He crashed and flinched, head banging on the cold hard floor as his cheek showed an outstanding red handprint.
He looked up. He couldn't believe it! Someone had physically hit him! Not only was that so new to the pureblooded bigot, it was dumbfounding.
"Why don't you untie me" Barty spat with his hands still behind his back and arms restrained. "Then I can fight back. Isn't that what you want? A fight" he taunted.
"I don't want a fight" Neville confused him. "I want to tear you apart from limb to limb" he went on making Barty gulp before glaring daggers again. "My own predicament" Neville continued not caring about Barty's laughs or angry shouts.
Still that smile remained. Neville's cheeks hurt, but the pain was welcomed. It kept him aware that this was finally happening.
"Is whether I should cleanse this world of your filth at this time or use you as a pet before ending you" he offered before taunting the man. "I mean, you're good at being a pet I've heard".
Barty tried to bite him causing laugher from the two females.
"Though I shall be more attentive than your false Lord, the muggle bred one" he said making Barty go into a spastic attack of fury.
Again, more laughter came from the Knights.
"Didn't you know?" Neville asked already knowing the answer. "I mean, you should be happy to serve under an actual pureblood. Though, I'll have to rename you. A new pet deserves a new name" he went on.
"Don't ah!" Crouch Sr. shouted out as Vivian blasted one of his arms out of the joint. Ron yanked it the rest of the way off. Harry did the same with the other arm. Then they crudely reattached the limbs to the wrong side.
The three paused to laugh childishly. It was far too pure and genuine sounding, making it impossible to process given their actions. They sounded their actual age, which matched with their now exposed and un-glamoured faces. Crouch was sure this was hell. The underworld was much more frightful than he had expected.
Oddly, he couldn't remember dying to end up here.
"Now let's do his legs" Vivian suggested as once more they got to work.
"Maybe you'll think on letting out a convicted murderer while forcing others to watch" Harry tsked.
"Men like him don't learn" Ron put in. "They think they're the victim, no matter what. They never learn" he said as they watched Vivian once more painfully dislodge the joints.
"Though" Neville was still speaking to Barty. "I think I'll have to leave you. As a message. You understand" he told the man ripping the dull shirt open. "The masses need answers" he waved off.
The tip of his pointer finger went right by the shaking and shouting Barty's belly button. None of them cared about the yells that had now become unintelligible.
"I think we'll see if the insides are as bad as the out" he said lowly. Finally, the smile was gone as total concentration took over. Manipulating his magical core, he moved power down to his right hand. "Let's find out" with that the finger act like a blade as it began cutting a up to the bony collar bone.
"Ah, ha" Barty went between screaming and laughing. His mind warred between madness and consciousness of reality.
Neville pressed harder causing the blood to pool like flowing water down the sides of the man's body.
The cut would have been clean and straight had Barty not insisted on moving continuously.
"I'd warn that you're making this worse" Neville commented. Luna and Hermione moved to hold down the man's now untied arms. He tried to break free, but their magic was too strong. His legs were next. Soon, he was spread out in a star position as Neville sat on his knees by his hip working diligently.
The blonde boy began humming as he cut a Y section once hitting above. In his quest to cure his parents, which was now back on, Neville had become quite proficient in muggle and magical medicine.
Autopsy practices really came in handy. Funny enough, it was never on the dead.
"He will avenge me" Barty shouted.
An idea struck Luna, who moved to whisper in Neville's ear. His face lit up in understanding and once more glee.
"He's forgotten about you Barty" Neville said in a far too convincing voice.
Barty twitched. That hurt more than the hand now poking at his guts. That pain was something that Barty could actually block out, for the most part. There had been a lot of trials while working for Voldemort. He said they made one a better servant.
Physical pain he was not new too.
But these poisonous words…
Those hit Barty like nothing else before. There were two things Barty couldn't handle. Disappointing his Lord and being thrown away by his Lord.
"He doesn't care about you" Neville said pulling out a bit of the large intestine. "How's this?" he asked clinically as he pulled out the gallbladder. At Barty's glare he grinned again and handed it off to Luna. "I like that you're so resilient" Neville admitted. "It makes this more fun".
"You're wrong" Barty coughed up. "He-he will come for me. I am his most faithful" he told them, eyes looking around wildly before landing back on the one he heard was Thunderbird. Who he knew to be Neville Longbottom. "Better than your pathetic masters" he sneered.
Another, even harsher slap to the face.
"Unlike the scum of a coward you follow" Neville growled in the man's face. "My masters not only care about their Knights, but they are a real Lord and Lady".
"You don't know power!" Barty shouted.
Neville dug his hand in the man's gut and twisted. Barty groaned, sweating heavily as his eyes turned big even turning in a way that looked sorrowful.
"We are power. We are death" Hermione whispered next to him. He hadn't even seen her move. He looked at those glowing brown eyes and saw the sheer truth, the sheer power behind them.
He gasped, believing his breath was being stolen away by such an amazing sight.
Not paying any attention to the numbing pain in his gut followed by the now pain in his head. He reached for Hermione. He wanted to be needed!
He wanted to show he was worth something!
Barty Crouch Jr. was nothing without a master.
The young, deluded man felt like he was losing his mind as he looked at another source of power to lead him from the dark tunnel of his life like a shining beacon.
The truth was, Barty was losing his mind.
Neville had grown quite bored with the man's stomach and instead began to peel back the layers leading to his now exposed cranium.
Then the young Longbottom began picking at different memories. More accurately, he began pulling and moving different parts of the gooey, dull brain matter. "Opps" he dead toned as he took piece by piece out putting them in jars that Luna conjured for him.
"Damnit" they heard Vivian's sharp tone.
"What?" Hermione walked over. Barty reached for her beseechingly. A call that was not answered.
"He had a heart attack" Harry transformed the body. He'd make a fine coat hanger. It was dark and dull, rigid yet bent towards the top. The man inside reflected in his new purpose.
"Well, he was right old" Ron comforted his annoyed wife.
"You didn't even get to both legs" Hermione was surprised. She guessed the man couldn't take it anymore.
"Party Pooper" was Vivian's pout.
"There will be more" Hermione assured calming the girl. "Let's get back to Nev" she added.
"How's he doing" Harry asked after shrinking the Crouch Rack.
They walked over spreading out to see the other boy's meticulous work.
"Wonderfully" Hermione answered back quietly.
There, was Barty Crouch Jr. more open than ever before. He was laying down, no longer struggling. He was gasping for breath and staring at the ceiling with a certain amount of blankness.
It was obvious that while he was still aware, there was nothing else he could do.
For once in his life, Barty was peaceful.
He tried to swallow which was suddenly exceedingly taxing. Every breath took great effort. Every blink became longer and longer.
"I do want to thank you Barty" Neville said still dissecting and organizing the man's brains and organs. He even had another jar just for blood and teeth. "This will hopefully be just what I needed" he said not caring to explain it to the man.
"Long-" was all Barty was able to get out of his blood-filled throat. He coughed, a single tear moving from the corner of his eye to his ear. He looked at Neville, trying desperately to focus his gaze as the edges of sight became increasingly, alarmingly dark.
"Yes" Neville seemed to know what the man meant. "It is a bit poetic that while you used drastically violent means to trap my parents in their own bodies; I, the last Longbottom, have ejected you from yours with a cool calmness you could never achieve".
He then looked into Barty's eyes. The life already fading.
"Maybe that's why I'm more valuable to a master than you could ever hope to be" was his last jab.
Barty's face crumbled in pain and soul shattering sadness before suddenly, he was gone. Everything stilled.
"Good job" Harry told Neville. Not as the Master, but as his brother.
Neville gave him a small half grin. "One down, three to go".
A/N: What did you guys think? I hope you liked it. I'm trying different killing scenes obviously. More to come, much more. Both expected and not. Review, ask or suggest if you'd like. Once more thank you to everyone who commented and favorited the story. Until next time, have a great day.