The Time-Meddlers [Harmione]

10. Barty Crouch, Jr.

Tox

I hope this letter reaches you, since I doubt 'Tox' is your real name.

As requested, I made a few inquiries regarding Pettigrew and found out that he's been put in Azkaban, but they're still 'investigating' his case and identity. Barty Crouch originally threw Sirius Black into prison without a trial and it seems like he's using his influence to delay proving that he was wrong and literally stole ten years from an innocent man's life because he didn't follow proper procedure. I've been assured that they will eventually conduct a trial, but I had the distinct feeling that the person speaking was trying to pacify me.

I'll let you know any new developments.

Auror Shacklebolt

P.S. Write me back so that I at least know that this parchment addressed to 'Tox' reached you.

Harry frowned as he read most of the letter, but smiled at the end. He had performed a particular spell that caused owls to recognize him as both Harry Potter and Tox, the Marauder name he'd given to himself. He sighed as he thought about the rest of the letter. The more he thought about the evil actions of Barty Crouch, the better he felt about his and Hermione's plan.

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On Thursday morning, after breakfast, Harry and Hermione disguised and disillusioned themselves and made their way to the One-Eyed Witch passage. As before, once they were clear of Hogwarts' anti-apparition field, they popped away.

They popped in (while still invisible) outside of a house that they'd had to previously locate on a map. They were glad that Crouch Manor was plotable. The young couple gazed at the three-story mansion made of white brick. It was very elegant-looking to Harry. He pulled a previously written note out of his pocket and said, "It's time for phase one."

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On the pristine floor of the kitchen, a small figure was on her hands and knees scrubbing the floor until it practically glowed. The house-elf appeared to enjoy her work, and was hardly paying any attention to her environment because her master would punish her if everything wasn't exactly perfect. She didn't notice the great horned owl flying in through the window until it hooted at her.

The elf turned around and saw the beautiful bird with mostly brown and white feathers looking at her with its wide eyes. It had a small note tied to its leg. "Master isn't being here to get the note," said the elf, causing the owl to fly closer and move its leg so that the servant could read whom the note was addressed to.

The Crouch Family Elf

"That is being Winky," she said before untying the scroll. "Winky isn't ever receiving post before." She unrolled it and continued reading.

Mr. Crouch is feeling a bit under the weather, and has requested that his elf purchase some pepper-up potion at an apothecary and bring it to him at the Ministry.

Percival Weatherby

Winky looked terrified. "Master is ill! Master is ill! Winky must be helping him!" With that, she popped off. The owl flew to the window and hooted once.

One minute later, Harry and Hermione were standing in the bedroom where Death Eater Barty Crouch, Jr. was lying. Harry had pulled the invisibility cloak off of the fugitive and saw that he was lying perfectly still, under the effects of Crouch Sr.'s spells. He handed the cloak to Hermione. "Here. Hold onto this and go to the other room. There's no reason you need to see this."

She took his left hand with her right while stuffing the cloak into a pocket with her other hand. "We're in this together. If you're doing wrong, then we both are. We know what this Death Eater has done, and what he wants to do. The Ministry can't keep criminals in Azkaban, so this is the only way to make sure they can't hurt anyone else."

Taking a deep breath, he pointed his Yew wand at Barty Crouch, Junior's throat. "Sectumsempra." Harry had aimed so that death was instantaneous and painless. "Let's get..."

Pop!

Harry turned to see a house-elf with the most enraged expression he'd ever imagined. "You's killed Young Master!" she shouted at the two cloaked strangers before holding out her hand.

BOOM!!!! Both figures found themselves thrown into the wall, the wind knocked out of them. Harry knew he'd be bruised up and guessed the same was true of Hermione, who was holding her ribcage and appeared to be in tremendous pain. He pointed his wand at the mad elf. "Stupefy!"

She dodged it and sent another spell toward Hermione. He grabbed his girlfriend and pulled her out of the way, with her screaming obscenities at him the whole time. He wondered if her ribs were broken. Harry didn't want to hurt Winky seriously, but he had to defend himself (as well as his girlfriend), so he shouted, "Reducto!" while pointing his wand at the floor in front of the elf. The floor broke open, causing the elf to lose her footing. "Stupefy!" he shouted again. This time, he caught the house-elf in the chest, knocking her out. Harry picked up and carried Hermione quickly to the door and apparated as soon as they were clear of the house's defenses, glancing at his watch before disappearing with a small pop.

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They reappeared inside the poorly-lit tunnel beneath Honeydukes, and Harry could finally take the time to examine his love, who was crying in pain. During their months dodging Voldemort, he had learned a basic healing spell that would mend bones, but not heal the surrounding muscle and flesh. The result was that the person could move, but was in some pain. He performed the spell on Hermione.

"Thanks," she said. "I think my ribs are alright and nothing was permanently damaged." She got up and winced. "I'll be in a bit of pain for a few days, but I should be alright."

"Winky sure packed quite a wallop," he commented before putting his arm around her. "Let's get to class. Once we're at the passage, we'll see how much time we need to make."

Upon arriving at the exit of their passage, Harry glanced at his watch, lighting the display so he could read it. He said, "If we go back two hours, we'll have plenty of time," as he put the necklace around both of them.

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Hermione was walking a bit slower than usual, but otherwise seemed normal. Harry was walking slightly behind her, ready to catch her just in case she had a problem. They made their way into the Transfiguration classroom just in time and took their seats. The professor walked up to the front of the class and began to take role. When she got to Hermione, she paused and stared at her face for a few seconds before asking, "Miss Granger, how did you get that bruise on your cheek?"