So Much for No Strings Attached

Chapter 17 Finding the Path

 

'No idea,' was all Harry said.

 

'Maybe we should get help,' Bagman said nervously.

 

Harry agreed that they needed help but not from the people Bagman was sure to suggest; either the Ministry, a Healer or Dumbledore. Harry needed either Snape or Lucius who would be the best to find out if Crouch knew anything. If not it didn't matter but if he did then he could be very useful.

 

'Dumbledore!' gasped Crouch suddenly.

 

That cemented the fact that Harry was going to get anyone but Dumbledore to help this madman but he knew from experience that it was unlikely that Bagman would agree with his sentiments. Already Bagman looked like he was going to run to Dumbledore for help.

 

Whatever was going on Harry did not want Albus Dumbledore involved. Harry was sure that it would just help the Light side which he did not want. Still Harry had to be careful or he would reveal his loyalties too soon.

 

'Stupefy,' Harry said.

 

Bagman lay stunned in the ground before anyone could say anything else. Harry then bent down to try and reason with Crouch. He had to at least pretend that he was on Crouch's side although he was not.

 

'I've … done … stupid … thing …' Crouch managed to get out.

 

'What stupid thing?' Harry asked gently.

 

'Must … tell … Dumbledore …' Crouch murmured.

 

'Is it to do with Voldemort?' asked Harry. 'This is important if you don't tell me people could die,' Harry said urgently.

 

'I'm a student at the school,' Harry added hoping that would help the man somehow. 'Dumbledore's school. Dumbledore trusts me. If you tell me what you know I'll be able to tell you no matter what. I promise.'

 

Of course this was a big fat whopping lie but Harry was running out of choices. Harry wished that he had begun learning Legimency but Snape refused to teach him that until he had fully mastered Occlumency and ordered his memories because otherwise his own memories could begin to slip through the cracks. Currently Harry was only up to when he was six years old which had meant he had to go through a lot of painful memories to get there and a lot more to get to when he was eleven years old which was when things began.