Veritaserum
It wasn't long before everyone was back together and waiting to start the next chapter. Harry wasn't sure that he was ready for this. The last chapter had been awful and this one wasn't exactly great either. Honestly, he'd be grateful when this book was over. At least then he'd be able to request a break. He definitely didn't want to read book five.
Harry felt himself slam ... knocked out of him;
"He's most likely in shock," Claudius said. "Massive emotional trauma, not to mention the physical torture..."
Everyone was nodding in agreement. They couldn't believe what the prince had been through. How had he survived all this? He'd been just a child.
his head was swimming ... his scar burned dully on his forehead...
"A reminder you couldn't escape him," Sirius growled. He didn't like this at all.
A torrent of sound deafened ... screams...
"We thought you were dead," Ginny cried.
"Yeah, everyone thought..." Theo couldn't bring himself to say it. He'd sat there in the stands, terrified, feeling like the world was ending and somehow the impossible had happened. Harry Potter was dead.
He remained where he was, ... nightmare that would pass...
Hermione leaned into her father, crying loudly now.
Then a pair of hands seized him ... Dumbledore was crouched over him.
Several people let out sighs of relief. Everything would be okay now. He was back at Hogwarts. He was finally safe.
The aurors looked less convinced. There was a death eater masquerading as a teacher.
The dark shadows ... the stars above.
Draco was pale as he remembered just how scared he'd been. Even then. When he'd hated his cousin.
Harry let go of the cup, ... "He's back. Voldemort. "
A couple of the younger ones screamed at the use of that name. Most of the older ones were getting used to it. Especially those that had spent any time at all with Harry.
"What's going on? ... "Dumbledore - he's dead!"
Moody huffed. That man had no sense. He should have known better to say that before it was confirmed by a healer. And better yet, not in front of a crowd before his parents were informed.
The words were repeated, ... "Cedric Diggory! Dead!"
Amelia rolled her eyes. The minister was an idiot.
Mrs Diggory was holding her son tightly as she continued to sob.
"Harry, let go of him," ... It's over. Let go."
Almost everyone in the chamber had tears in there eyes. Even Dudley, who finally understood why his cousin had had such terrible nightmares that summer.
"He wanted me to bring him back," ... back to his parents..."
Amos nodded. The boy had done well. Even risking his own life to bring Cedric home to them.
"That's right. Harry ... "He's ill, he's injured - Dumbledore,
"First sensible thing the man ever said," Kingsley said. The minister was right, the Prince needed to visit the hospital wing. He should probably be transferred to St Mungos. Poisoned by an acromantula, used in a necromantic ritual, tortured with an unforgivable... That was likely more than Madam Pomfrey could handle.
Diggory's parents, ... "No, I would prefer-"
"I imagine my older self didn't want to let Harry out of my sight," Albus said. "I would have been suspicious."
"Dumbledore, Amos Diggory's running ... "Harry, stay here -"
Sirius growled. How could Dumbledore just leave Harry?
Girls were screaming, ... hospital wing..."
They all stared at the book in horror. Moody seemed to think his older self was an impostor. And that sounded a lot like Moody.
"Dumbledore said stay," ... Come on now..."
"Not good," Blaise muttered. "This is so not good."
Someone larger and stronger ... helping him walk.
Hermione and Ron grimaced. They should have been there with him. But they'd struggled to get through the crowd.
"What happened ... Mad-Eye Moody.
Several people gasped. Their fears confirmed. It was Moody and that meant that it might be the impostor.
"Cup was a Portkey," ... "The Dark Lord was there?
That seemed to be all the confirmation some in the chamber needed. It was usually the death eaters that called him the Dark Lord.
What happened then?" ... "And then?"
"He doesn't care about that," Neville growled. "All he cares about is his precious master."
Seamus jumped at the venom in Neville's tone. He was normally so calm and mild. He really hoped the other man never learned that he was related to the Lestranges. Finding out his mother was a Lestrange had really disturbed him. He loved his mother and he'd loved his grandparents when they were alive. And to think that his grandfather, the one that never spoke of his family... Was related to... Those monsters. It made him feel tainted. Dirty. Somehow and he really didn't like it.
Clunk. Clunk. ... He's returned?"
Moody was watching Barty closely. He had a feeling he knew who the impostor was and he was worried how it would affect the young man.
"And the Death Eaters ... they came out of his wand...."
Sirius was glaring at the book. He wanted nothing more than to rip that death eater apart.
"In here, Harry ... drink this..."
"Do not drink it!" Mrs Weasley cried.
Harry heard a key ... what happened..."
Remus was growling now.
Moody helped tip the stuff ... Harry's face.
"Pepper up," Severus said mindlessly.
"Voldemort's back, Harry? ... a long, low hiss.
Barty looked a little sick.
"Where is Dumbledore?" Sirius demanded. "The other teachers?"
"We were still at the pitch," Flitwick said. "Trying to get the students back to the castle."
"I was searching for Harry," Minerva said.
"And the Death Eaters? ... "Did he forgive them?"
Barty looked towards Harry. Was it really him? Had he put Harry's name in the cup? He could easily imagine himself doing it. But... Why would the prince allow him to stay here if that was the case?
But Harry had suddenly ... I got through to the end -"
Moody groaned. He'd just told the death eater that his cover was blown. Although in fairness, he doubted Fake Moody would let the kid live either way.
Harry tried to get up, ... Is he locked up?"
"Not Karkaroff," Harry muttered. It was so frustrating that he always suspected the wrong person... well, usually. First, Snape, then Draco, then Sirius, then Karkaroff... Fifth year had been different. Six year too for that matter. He'd been right about his cousin then.
"Karkaroff?" said Moody ... tracking his enemies."
Several people flinched.
"Karkaroff's gone? ... It was I who did that."
No one reacted. They weren't all that surprised. Moody and the other aurors certainly suspected him and that was good enough for most of the people in the chamber.
Harry heard, ... pointed it at Harry.
Arcturus gripped the arm of the sofa. He would keep his temper and not murder the person that put his grandson in danger, or at least that was what he was trying to tell himself.
"He forgave them, then?" ... This was a bad joke, it had to be.
Everyone eyed the book suspiciously.
"Who is it?" young Hermione asked.
"I don't know," Ron replied.
The others were nodding in agreement. None of them had any idea. Although they thought the adults knew.
"I asked you," ... I fired it into the sky."
That was the confirmation Moody needed. He reached out for Barty's hand, holding it reassuringly.
"You fired ... he wanted above all... you. "
Barty whimpered under his breath. He just knew everyone in the chamber was about to turn on him. And he actually thought he might deserve it. This was all so confusing. His lord was a half blood and apparently crazy. And he was surrounded by enemies and yet they were all treating him... well, nicely. Even the Longbottoms had been polite. It was strained but they hadn't been hateful. Not the way he would have expected them to be.
"You didn't ... beat the dragon? I did."
The kids were glaring at Moody now, ready to demand that he tell them who the impostor was.
Moody's magical eye ... open it underwater? I did.
Amos was shaking with rage. To think this death eater was responsible for his son's death. This one and that Wormtail guy. He was more than tempted to break Mother Magic's no violence edict and exact his revenge.
I trusted that he would pass ... and so he did.
Mrs Diggory cried louder than ever. It was horrible having someone twisting her son's best qualities like that.
But even then, Potter, ... might have ruined all.
"Pride and independence?" Severus smirked. He personally quite liked those personality traits. He didn't think Potter had too much pride, that was for sure.
"So what could I do? ... then hurried to find you..."
"Why haven't the teachers found them yet?" Draco demanded. "They are in his bloody office. It should be obvious where they are."
Theo nodded his head in agreement.
"If you will recall, Mr Malfoy, half the school refused to return to their dorms," Flitwick said sternly.
Moody's wand was still pointing ... I breathed again.
Sirius was shaking now and Severus did a few mental sums, trying to determine if it was safe to give him another dose of calming draught.
"You had an easier time ... Fleur Delacour as she passed.
Fleur shivered. She had been lucky.
I put the Imperius Curse ... path to the cup clear."
Harry grinned. He hadn't made that easy for him.
Harry stared at Moody ... no sense at all...
Moody wondered how long it would take the prince to piece it together. It was an incredibly stressful situation but the boy had good instincts. If anyone could work it out, he could.
The foggy shapes ... magical eye was upon Harry.
"Good," Bill said. "Keep him distracted. The longer he talks, the more chance someone comes to your rescue."
"The Dark Lord didn't manage ... closer than a son..."
Barty actually retched. His fears confirmed. That was him... Pretending to be Mad-Eye Moody of all people.
Moody's normal eye ... own wand in time...
"It's okay," Susan Bones said. "Help will come, right?"
"Yeah, just keep him talking," Justin said.
"What books have you been reading?" Ron complained. "Harry can't rely on people coming to his rescue. That rarely ever happens. He always has to fight his way out."
"The Dark Lord and I," ... rise of the Dark Order!"
"That's me, isn't it?" Barty asked quietly, his eyes focused on Harry.
Harry nodded, while grabbing his dad's wrist. This had the potential to be a blood bath.
"You're mad," ... the door of Moody's office was blasted apart -
Mrs Weasley had hidden her head in her hands. She couldn't bear to hear anymore. This was truly terrible. And to think, Harry had never told them... Sure, they'd heard bits from the headmaster... but never... No. This was too much.
Moody was thrown backward ... his wand outstretched.
"Took you long enough," Sirius grouched.
At that moment, ... giving off burning heat.
Albus wrinkled his nose. It was a compliment but with his own personal history with power and pride, he didn't want people seeing him like that. He wasn't worthy of such praise.
He stepped into the office, ... Professor McGonagall went straight to Harry.
Sirius nodded. At least one of the teachers was thinking about Harry.
"Come along, Potter," ... hospital wing..."
"Good idea!" Poppy said bitterly. She had not been happy with how long it had taken them to get the poor boy to her ward.
"No," ... through enough tonight -"
Sirius and Arcturus both glared at the headmaster. The old man sighed. He wasn't sure what he would have done... Would he have insisted Harry stay? He thought he probably would. But he should have checked him over first. Made sure he was well enough. He had the right to know the truth. The right to know who his attacker was but not at the expense of his own wellbeing.
"He will stay, Minerva, ... he has suffered tonight, and why."
The mind healers frowned. They strangely found themselves agreeing with the headmaster. Although, they wondered if this was really the time. The same thing could be achieved by letting Harry view memories of whatever was about to occur.
"Moody," ... and I followed."
"Not quick enough," Remus growled.
Dumbledore bent down ... Truth Potion you possess,
Severus nodded. They were going to question him then.
and then go down ... house-elf called Winky.
"You knew?" Barty asked in disbelief. "You knew who was in the castle? But you did nothing?"
Albus blinked in surprise. The young man was right. His older self must have known. Or at the very least suspected. But then why hadn't he acted... "I... I can only assume that I did not know who your older self was masquerading as."
Minerva, kindly go down ... then come back here."
Sirius's ears picked up. That must be him.
If either Snape or McGonagall found these instructions peculiar, they hid their confusion.
"Hazard of the job," Severus said.
"Albus likes to keep us guessing," Minerva agreed.
Both turned at once ... Harry let out a cry of amazement.
Everyone leaned forward in anticipation.
"Can I just point out that no one has yet to check that Potter is okay," Poppy huffed. "Not a single diagnostic spell."
He was looking down ... Moody lying on the floor of the office.
"Polyjuice, as we suspected," Amelia said quietly.
Dumbledore climbed into the trunk, ... keep him alive.
"Why?" Young Seamus asked.
"The polyjuice potion," Harry said, causing Severus to smile at him with what appeared to be pride.
Harry, throw down ... no immediate danger."
Moody nodded. At least his older self wasn't dead yet.
Harry did as he was told; ... "Polyjuice Potion, Harry," said Dumbledore.
Albus laughed lightly. His older self had no idea what the young Prince had gotten up to with Polyjuice in his second year.
"You see the simplicity of it, ... We shall see."
Everyone waited. Not quite patiently.
Dumbledore pulled out ... Minutes passed in silence...
"And still no diagnostic spells?" Poppy complained.
Then, before Harry's very eyes, ... looked much older...
Everyone seemed to move on mass, as they turned to look at Barty Crouch Junior. Some of the younger ones were gaping in surprise. Others less surprised and more angry. Still more seemed simply resigned.
There were hurried footsteps ... "Barty Crouch!"
Severus laughed at his older self. It wasn't every day he was caught surprised.
"Good heavens," ... what is you doing here?"
Hermione grimaced. Poor Winky.
She flung herself ... You is killed Master's son!"
"That poor elf," Lucius said sadly.
"He is simply Stunned ... "Ennervate."
Sirius was frowning again. "I don't really understand why Harry needs to be here for this. He knows who did it. He's already heard from Crouch what he did. He should be in the hospital wing."
Crouch's son opened his eyes ... How did you escape from Azkaban?"
The aurors sat forward. They would like to hear this story.
Crouch took a deep, ... We took on each other's appearance."
"And that right there is why we need human guards," Tonks said. "Well, that and dementors are inhumane."
Winky was shaking her head ... father into trouble!"
Barty laughed at that. He didn't give a flying cauldron about getting his father in trouble. The man could rot for all he cared.
But Crouch took another deep breath ... got you home?" said Dumbledore quietly.
Barty shivered. He didn't want everyone knowing about the years he had spent under the imperius curse.
"Staged my mother's death ... of returning to his service."
The parents in the chamber were appalled that anyone could treat their own child in such a way.
"How did your father subdue you?" ... Rewards for my good behavior."
"Your father will go to azkaban for that," Amelia said. "I'll make sure of it."
Barty looked at the head of the DMLE and he wanted to believe her. But he couldn't help but think that she had no reason to help him. She owed him nothing. And his father was an upstanding citizen. No one would believe it.
"Master Barty, Master Barty," ... Bertha Jorkins.
Kingsley nodded. So that was how you-know-who knew about him.
She came to the house ... her memory permanently."
Amelia was scribbling notes down. She would have Crouch for this. Finally she'd found something that had happened in their own time and could be dealt with. This wasn't some future crime that they hoped to prevent. This was something she could get her teeth into and ensure justice was served.
"Why is she coming to nose ... He agreed in the end.
The children in the chamber were horrified. They couldn't imagine their parents doing that to them.
"It was carefully planned ... Nobody would ever know.
Everyone was very tense. They couldn't help but feel sorry for Crouch. He had spent his entire adult life under the imperius curse. Even Augusta was eyeing him with pity.
"But Winky didn't know ... "and what did you do with it?"
No one spoke as they listened to Crouch's tale.
"We went back to the tent," ... their disloyalty to my master.
Lucius grimaced. His son had been in that wood. What might have happened if Crouch had come across him? The man in the chamber was broken, how much more so would his older self had been? Clearly, he was not mentally all there. He could have hurt Draco or anyone... The prince.
My father had left the tent; ... We were both Stunned.
"So he was there?" Ginny asked quietly. "Under an invisibility cloak?"
"There should have been a proper investigation," Amelia groaned.
Amos's eyes widened in horror. If he'd found the death eater in that wood, his son's life might have been spared.
"When Winky was discovered, ... Winky let out a wail of despair.
Quite a few people were crying. Imagining their own children in Barty's position. Imprisoned by his own father.
"Now it was just Father and I, ... "My master came for me.
Tom frowned. He felt bad. Guilt. He supposed. It wasn't a feeling he was accustomed to but it was becoming his constant companion in this chamber.
"He arrived at our house late ... Now my father was the one imprisoned, controlled.
Barty smirked at that idea.
"No less than he deserved," Augusta muttered harshly.
My master forced him to go ... his voice remained calm.
Moody leaned closer to Barty, trying to show his silent support. The young man really didn't stand a chance with a father like his.
"Wormtail and I did it ... I said I was under orders to search it."
"Sowing discord," Albus sighed. Would Severus have come to him and demanded to know the truth of that? He suspected he would not have. He didn't trust Albus to trust him.
"And what became of Wormtail ... "But your father escaped," said Dumbledore.
The children in the chamber were less interested in the details than the adults. They wanted to know if Harry was okay. They didn't care about Wormtail. Or what happened to Crouch Senior for that matter.
"Yes. After a while he began .... "What map is this?"
Fred sighed. It was crappy to hear that the headmaster had learned about the map. Even if his own headmaster already knew about the map. How would they ever get away with mischief again?
"Potter's map of Hogwarts ... Potter believed my father was after Snape.
Severus frowned. Reminded that if his older self had been a little kinder to Harry, this whole thing might have been avoided. If only Potter had been able to confide in him about the map.
"For a week I waited ... I killed my father."
Barty began to shake. He couldn't blame his older self for doing that. He wanted nothing more than to end that man. But still it hurt to know that his older self had done so.
"Noooo!" wailed Winky. ... Snape had told me where to come.
"So many loose ends," Tonks said. "If people had talked more, this plot would have been discovered sooner."
"With a proper investigation, we would have been able to get to the bottom of things," Kingsley agreed.
"Dumbledore told me to go ... front of Hagrid's cabin."
Hagrid looked a little sick at that. Even if the body was transfigured... The spell would have worn off when Crouch Junior died. There was a body buried in his pumpkin patch.
There was complete silence ... sobbed at his side.
"Well, that was disturbing," Blaise said, breaking the silence that had taken over with the end of the chapter. No one had moved to restart the spell so the next chapter could begin. No one had spoken. Instead, they had just sat there horrified. Barty was crying silently into Moody's shoulder and Mrs Weasley was turning purple with rage. Sirius was shaking violently and Severus was trying to force a calming draught down his throat. This was a right shit show of epic proportion. And if Harry was to believed, it would only get worse with the next book.
"That man is a disgrace," Mrs Weasley said eventually, surprising everyone when she didn't screech. "To use an unforgivable on his own son!"
The Dursleys were eyeing the wix with distaste. This sort of thing didn't happen in the normal world. These freaks were barbarians!