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Post by Brandybuck on Jan 20, 2006 15:15:30 GMT -5
Cedric watched with relief as Junior did not seem bored at all..he was tired, that part was obvious.
He watched the obvious affection between Junior and his house elf. It made him happy to see that not all Wizards treated their house elves poorly. After all, they were still living beings, and were capable of being great companions.
Cedric sat up straight as he heard Junior ask him about talking openly. This is it.. he thought. I am finally going to find out who this man is. Knowing that he would tell no one what transpired here..he was a Hufflepuff after all, and would die defending his secrets if necessary..he nodded his head.
"Of course. Whatever you tell me, I can promise you, will not leave this room. You know that I already feel that you have been wronged in some way. I would feel honored, as well as relieved to hear your story."
He sat back and listened.
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Post by Laurasia on Jan 20, 2006 19:38:43 GMT -5
Barty Jr listened to Cedric making what seemed to be an oath towards him. He laughed. "My goodness, that's not necessary Cedric. I don't want you to swear fealty to me or anything like that." He took another drink of his Toxic Shock & cleared his throat.
"My story..." he paused for a moment & squashed his hesitation. "Well, let me start by saying that it is probably something that you are used to hearing. What with your parents working in the Ministry & your specific House. Again no insult intended, just they way that it is. Anyway, I suppose that I should start with my name...Barty Crouch Jr." He waited to see if recognition would come across Cedrics' face or not. He saw something, but wasn't quite sure what it was.
"That's right, my father is Barty Crouch. The big 'Ministry Man'. Anyway, let's just say that the Ministry itself is his only love in life. Not his wife, not his son...the Ministry. When I was young & attended Hogwarts I was...unlike him. I was sorted into Slytherin & that House fit me to no end. Soon I met others who shared my likes & dislikes; & when I was older those same friends also shared my thoughts, motives, etc. In short, I became one of the youngest branded Death Eaters ever." He deliberately stopped & drank some more in order to let this statement sink into Cedrics' brain...that he was a Death Eater. Smirking satisfactorily, he continued...
"Anyway there I was, a young Death Eater working for the one person who ever valued me as a human being. He accepted me, taught me, cared for me. Everything that Mr. Crouch was supposed to have done but was too busy for. Well, some time went on & the fateful night of the Dark Lords' initial meeting with Harry Potter came. I was devastated when I heard what had happened. What were we to do? Of course we knew that the Dark Lord would rise again...at least those of us that are loyal did." He took another drink & stared off momentarily before continuing. "Well, we'll just say that...it hit the fan & a lot of us ended up getting charged & sentenced. I was condemned by my father personally, along with the only real family that I had ever known. He disowned me in the court & had me thrown into Azkaban. Everyday since he has done his best to keep me out of his thoughts, except for when my mother wasn't reminded him of me. Anyway, she was dying & couldn't bear the thought of me spending the rest of my life in prison. She convinced my father to help me escape & he did. He & my mother visited, she & I took Polyjuice Potion. She died in my cell, which is why I am now 'dead'. Somewhat true to his word though, he kept me out of Azkaban. I wish that he would have spared me his 'charity' however. For the past 13 years he has kept me under an Invisibilty Cloak, with the help of the Imperius Curse."
He noticed the surprise in Cedrics' eyes & chuckled. "Yes, that's right...an Unforgiveable. It may interest you to know that he has also authorized the Aurors to use the Unforgiveables, including Avada Kedavra, upon suspected Death Eaters. So, perhaps you are right to mind your p's & q's within Hufflepuff House afterall. Anyway, as I was saying, 13 years of residing in limbo. I won't call it 'living' because that is not what it was. No one spoke to me, no one acknowledged me. I was invisible, unheard, unliving to all...except for my house elf Winky. She was the one in charge of taking care of me, of seeing to my daily needs in silence." He slammed his drink down on the arm of his chair, startling the poor little creature. Sighing, he patted the top of her head. "And it is because of her that I am free now. She kept my mind active while I stewed in that limbo. She spoke to me, touched me, cared for me. My father, through use of the Imperius, barely left me with a will to draw breath. But Winky here gave me life once again. It was she who convinced him to let me go to the Quidditch World Cup. For fresh air she said & how my mother wouldn't have wanted her son to leave one prison for another. He relented, though demanded that I remain under the Invisibility Cloak so others still could not see me. It didn't matter though. In the confusion that was brought about by my fellow Death Eaters Winky was able to get me free. Slowly, I worked my mind out of the Imperius Curse that it had been held under while she made sure that I was undetected. Now that I am lucid once more, I am trying to relocate my old friends." He finally stopped & actually looked at Cedric. He wasn't sure what to make of the young man's thoughts. "So, do you want me to leave now or later, Cedric?" he said before finishing his Toxic Shock.
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Post by Brandybuck on Jan 20, 2006 21:13:52 GMT -5
Cedric listened to the lengthy tale that the man told. He heard the ticking of the clock in the background as Junior spoke. At first, it took awhile to sink in. Many thoughts went through Cedric's head as he listened to the tale. At first, confusion..I know the name Barty Crouch. Before he had time to remember, however, Barty Crouch Jr. had pointed out that the big man at the Ministry and his father were one and the same.
Recognition lit up Cedric's eyes. Of course..Barty Crouch used to frequent our house for parties and such. Not too much anymore... he could not hold the stifled giggle that slipped out. It was no secret in his household that his father no longer craved the company of the once adored Barty Crouch. Just as he was about to tell Barty that he held nothing against him, just for being related to that egotistical man..Barty had dropped the biggest secret of them all. Suddenly Cedric understood why this man was so paranoid..why he insisted on inspecting every corner of the Diggory Estate. Why he looked to every soul with suspicion in the bar.
He was a Death Eater! He sat there and admitted..quite proudly it seemed..that he was a follower of the Dark Lord.
His jaw fell open as he heard of the sacrifice that his dying mother had made for him to get him out of Azkaban. Cedric actually felt a moment of tenderness when Barty mentioned how the house elf had taken care of him while he had been forgotten and cast away under the cloak. The IMPERIOUS CURSE? Crouch had been employing an Unforgivable against his own son for the past 13 years! Even if Barty Jr. was a Death Eater, that still gave Barty Sr. no right to employ an Unforgivable.
Before he knew it, Barty had addressed him. He was asking whether he ought to leave. There was silence in the vast room for what seemed like an eternity. Cedric opened his mouth several times, but stammered and could not make out any audible words. He poured himself a firewhiskey, knowing that he could drink it this time without weakness or prejiduce. Finally, he spoke.
"Barty, I respect what you have just confided in me. All I need now is for a few moments to collect my thoughts before I comment. The one thing that I can tell you now is that NO, I do not wish you to leave. You have shown no ill will toward me, so kicking you out of my house would be a very unnoble thing to do." Cedric brushed his hands through his hair.
His mind was reeling from all that he had just heard. He tried to will his mind to calm down, but thoughts were spinning in many different directions. Finally, he just closed his eyes and began to think... Cedric thought that he must be going insane...not because he was thinking of ways to politely get Barty Jr. out of here...
...because he was thinking of ways to help him.
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Post by Laurasia on Jan 21, 2006 17:35:43 GMT -5
Barty smirked slightly. "Perfectly understandable Cedric. Take all of the time you need, it's a lot to absorb," he said, as Winky handed him yet another Toxic Shock. Without either of them noticing she had left the room to retrieve another drink for her master.
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Post by Brandybuck on Jan 21, 2006 18:28:31 GMT -5
Cedric was happy for the moment of reprieve. He thought long and hard about what could be done about the situation. Why in Merlin's name do I have to be so nice all the time? he asked himself angrily at one point.
After about an hour, Cedric approached Barty. "Mr. Crouch, I have had time to go over all that you have just told me. While I will admit that I am still not comfortable with everything that you have said..I have come to a decision. I want to help you in any way that I can. Even though, you are a confessed.." Cedric closed his eyes as he said the words."Death Eater... He opened them again. "The truth remains that I like you Barty..for whatever reasons..I just do."
He began to pace. "The problem is I do not know how to help you. I am not exactly on the Malfoy party list. But I want to help."
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Post by Laurasia on Jan 22, 2006 16:36:15 GMT -5
Barty smiled slightly. "Thank you Cedric. There's no need for you to get yourself all riled up about it. I wouldn't expect that you would know any of the people that I'm looking for anyway." He rose & patted Cedric on the shoulder. "You've done more than you know already."
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Post by Brandybuck on Jan 22, 2006 19:13:14 GMT -5
Cedric visibly relaxed when he realized that Barty was not going to be angry at him for not knowing anyone with whom he could connect him.
Seeing Barty rise, he rose as well. "You are not leaving already are you?"
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Post by Laurasia on Jan 23, 2006 17:46:57 GMT -5
"No, no Cedric. I'm just stretching my legs is all." He walked over to a large window & peered outside. "You have quite a nice home Cedric. Thank you again for allowing me to stay, especially after everything that I've told you."
His brow creased in concentration slightly. "The fact remains that I do need to get in contact with the others though. Perhaps tomorrow we could go to Knockturn Alley & I could make some inquiries there?"
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Post by Brandybuck on Jan 23, 2006 19:24:25 GMT -5
Cedric smiled at the compliment given his home. "Thank you Barty. This home has been in the Diggory family for many years. I am glad that you are comfortable here. Everyone says that this house gives them a feeling of comfort." He blushed when he realized that he was rambling.
He heard Barty mention Knockturn Alley. "Sure I don't see why not. However, I will have to go somewhat undercover as far as my clothes are concerned. It is not everyday that a Hufflepuff walks into Knockturn Alley. I do not want to attract any unwanted attention."
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Post by Laurasia on Jan 24, 2006 16:49:39 GMT -5
Barty Jr laughed heartily when he heard Cedric mention that he would have to cover his Hufflepuff colors while in Knockturn Alley. "I suppose you're right. It's been quite some time since there's been a Hufflepuff Death Eater from my recollection."
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Post by Brandybuck on Jan 24, 2006 18:15:52 GMT -5
Cedric looked at Barty with astonishment. "There actually have been Death Eaters from Hufflepuff??" He laughed. "Well, let me go up to my closets, and see what I can dig out..the darker the better."
He motioned around the living room. "You are free to make yourself comfortable here if you like." Realizing that Barty may not take too lightly to having to stay downstairs, he extended the courtesies.
"Or, you are welcome to come to my suite while I look."
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Post by Laurasia on Jan 27, 2006 12:10:34 GMT -5
Barty was glad that Cedric had offered to let him come up to his suite with him. He didn't know this house & wasn't exactly comfortable being left sit by himself where he wasn't at an ease to wander freely. "I think that I'll come with you Cedric. I wouldn't want you thinking that I'm snooping around or anything." He winked & let out a short laugh.
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Post by Brandybuck on Jan 27, 2006 15:43:18 GMT -5
Cedric smiled. "Barty, for some reason I trust you. Follow me then."
They climbed the massive spiral staircase, and entered a long corridor at the top. Turning to the left Cedric entered his suite. "Come on in." He felt like laughing as he looked at his room. It was so..Hufflepuffish that he knew that Barty would notice. There were posters of Quidditch teams throughout the room. He crossed to his huge closets and began to rummage through them. He threw things out left and right to get them out of his way. "I hope I am not hitting you Barty." he said with a muffled voice from inside the closet.
Finally he found what he was looking for. A very casual pant set that was all black in color. He emerged from the closet and held it up for Barty's inspection. "What do you think Barty? Will I pass for a Slytherin?"
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Post by Laurasia on Jan 27, 2006 20:34:45 GMT -5
Barty looked around with amusement when they entered the siute. He had been in here earlier of course while looking for bugs, but he wasn't very interested in the decor at that time. Now he found himself standing in the room of an obvious jock. Admittedly not his crowd when he attended Hogwarts himself. It still struck him as odd that he had hit it off so well with someone like Cedric now.
He heard Cedric yell out an apology as he threw clothes from the closet & he laughed. "No, you're not hitting me. I'm keeping a safe distance." He was rather surprised to see that Cedric had an outfit that was completely black, but there it was. "So, is that what you wear to funerals or what, Ced?" He pondered whether the outfit alone would get Cedric through Knockturn Alley unnoticed & frowned. "I don't think that the outfit alone is going to do it actually. You just have a "Hufflepuff face", if you know what I mean. Do you have a cloak with a hood to go over it?"
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Post by Brandybuck on Jan 30, 2006 13:26:12 GMT -5
Cedric smiled as he heard Barty use the nickname that all of his friends called him. Now I know that he is truly relaxed..referring to me as Ced. He decided not to mention it lest the moment be spoiled. Barty may get angry for him noticing.
He listened as Barty said that he needed a cloak with a hood. "I have a Hufflepuff face?? Oh..I get what you are saying. Yes, I have a cloak with a hood..and yeas believe it or not..it is BLACK!" He said this playfully, glaring at Barty with mock anger.
"A funeral? Actually, you know I think I have worn this to a funeral."
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