So Much for No Strings Attached

Chapter 17 Finding the Path

Snape scowled, 'we have to get to my chambers. Make sure you're not seen and summon Lucius.'

 

'I thought you were going to kill Crouch?' asked Harry with a slight waver to his voice.

 

'The Dark Lord is staying at Crouch manor with Crouch junior,' Snape explained.

 

'I thought he was dead,' frowned Harry.

 

Snape shook his head, 'it seems that Barty rescued his son on his wife's dying wish by switching the two of them?'

 

'And no one noticed?' Harry asked.

 

'Mrs Crouch died within an hour of stepping foot in Azkaban,' Snape said. 'The Polyjuice hadn't even worn off. She was already dying but Azkaban is harsh enough on perfectly healthy individuals. A terminally ill person would have had no defence to the harsh conditions of Azkaban.

 

'Then he fed his son Polyjuice and dragged him out. The house elf nursed him until he was well. Then Junior found himself under his father's Imperious curse until the Dark Lord showed up at his house and the prisoner became the jailer and the jailer became the prisoner.

 

'Barty has been fighting the Imperious Curse since then. He managed to escape from Wormtail about a month ago and made it here to tell Dumbledore what had happened. Until that is he ran in to yourself.'

 

'Where was his son?' frowned Harry.

 

'He's not at the Manor,' replied Snape.

 

'Where is he?' asked Harry.

 

'Here somewhere,' Snape replied. 'Barty doesn't know who so don't ask me. That's everything I could get from him. His mind has been shattered by overpowered Imperious Curses.'

 

'So we're keeping him alive?' asked Harry.

 

'With him the wards will accept us as guests of the Head of the Ancient House of Crouch,' Snape said. 'Come here.'

 

Harry moved towards Snape as Snape raised his wand to the boy. If it had been anyone else Harry would have been worried but Harry knew that Snape was far too scared of his father to do much more than verbally insult him and even that had dramatically decreased since the Revelation. Not that Harry missed it.

 

Harry felt the sensation of a cracked egg running down his body. He shivered it wasn't a particularly nice sensation but it travelled all the way down to the tips of his toes. Lifting his hand Harry could see it change to blend into the environment around it.

 

'What did you do?' demanded Harry.

 

'Disillusionment Charm,' Snape said.

 

Harry nodded understanding although he didn't know exactly what a Disillusionment Charm was he knew enough to make an educated guess that it was an Invisibility Spell. Harry's cloak was better but he didn't have it on him at the moment. Harry should really start to carry the thing around with him for times such as these.

 

Of course, Snape couldn't see his nod and had turned to Crouch anyway. Snape did exactly the same to Crouch. Then he levitated the politician and begun walking up to the castle with the lifeless form of Barty Crouch dragging along behind him that Harry could only see if he squinted slightly.

 

Back in Snape's chambers Harry messaged Lucius immediately. Harry understood that Snape wanted to go to the Dark Lord's – well Crouch's – manor tonight. Harry wanted to as well but why Snape wanted to was anyone's guess.

 

Ten minutes later Lucius turned up looking between Harry and Snape to the still floating form of Barty Crouch. Again Lucius didn't look too alarmed at the state of things. It seemed that Death Eaters were used to unconscious bodies well probably considering what his father had done after his dad had been kidnapped they were used to dead bodies but Harry didn't like to dwell on that.

 

'So am I to assume that Crouch has something to do with the location of the Dark Lord,' Lucius said silkily.

 

'Turns out Junior's not really dead,' Snape replied sibilantly.

 

'And is in Hogwarts serving my father,' Harry said.

 

'Ah so he is the reason for your status as Champion,' Lucius mused.

 

'Obviously,' Snape sneered. 'Now Potter has decided to invite you along on our little trip but are you sure you want to come?'

 

Harry knew what Snape was asking. Did Lucius want to come despite the fact he was buggering the Dark Lord's only son. From the bobbing of Lucius' Adam's apple Lucius understood it to. Harry wondered if perhaps Snape was right that it would be safer for Lucius to remain behind but as grey eyes met green Harry knew what is lover's choice would be.