Barty Crouch Jr. had smuggled himself into France. He didn't know exactly how to find Lord Voldemort, but the Dark Mark on his arm faintly tingled, pulling him eastward. Efficiency defined Barty; he didn't plan to search every inch of land. He would simply go as fast as possible in the direction his master had indicated.
Using Muggle trains and sneaking into the cargo compartments of trucks, he journeyed relentlessly. After half a month, he reached Croatia. Yet the Dark Mark still pointed further east. Barty paused for a moment, uncertainty flickering across his mind, but he chose to trust his master's magic without question.
At the border between Croatia and the Republic of Yugoslavia, the Dark Mark began to heat violently. A surge of joy coursed through Barty. His master was summoning him! Without hesitation, he Apparated toward the location indicated.
"Swoosh!"
Barty reappeared in front of a forest cabin. A wooden stake, half a man's height, lay less than half a meter from his crotch—one wrong step, and he might have been crippled. But fear did not linger; all his attention focused on the figure in front of the cabin.
A woman stood there, motionless, radiating a chilling aura so potent it seemed like death itself had manifested in human form. She wore a long black overdress and a veiled hat, concealing her face entirely.
"Ah, it's Barty, my good child," a rough, tyrannical voice spoke in a disturbingly gentle tone. "Come forward, let me see you."
Barty's eyes widened as he finally noticed the creature cradled in her arms. It was small, grotesque, and infant-like—but the voice he heard belonged to that infant.
"My Lord? Is it truly my Lord?" Barty stammered.
The infant-like creature responded: "It is I. I did not expect that among so many Death Eaters, only you would find me."
"My Lord!"
Barty's legs moved on instinct; he took two rapid steps forward and dropped to his knees. "My Lord, you have suffered!"
Indeed, it was Lord Voldemort—the same one who had fled Hogwarts three years prior.
"Alright," the woman said, her voice slicing through Barty like ice, "I've done everything I promised you."
"When will you fulfill your promise?" Barty could hardly hide his curiosity and anxiety.
Voldemort ignored her entirely, speaking instead to Barty: "Barty, my child, first take me."
Without hesitation, Barty complied. The woman handed Voldemort over, and Barty cradled him in his arms. His master's body was icy cold, like holding a block of ice, but Barty felt only reverence.
"Rest assured," Voldemort whispered, "according to my plan, I will return by April next year. By May, I will help you complete that sacrifice."
The woman merely nodded. "Go. And do not think of breaking our agreement—you understand me, I hope."
Voldemort did not respond. Instead, he raised a slender hand, pointing into the forest. "Child, let us go."
Barty, devoted beyond reason, followed without hesitation. Even the woman's oppressive aura failed to deter him. As they disappeared into the trees, the woman retracted her chilling energy, sneering to herself.
"Hmph. If not for fear of Avalon's backlash, I would preside over the sacrifice myself. Why rely on this… useless creature sustained by a Horcrux?"
Barty moved deeper into the pine forest, and as the distance from the cabin grew, warmth returned to his body. Finally, he crested a hill and stood in sunlight, taking a deep, steadying breath.
"Child, are you tired?" Voldemort asked quietly.
"Not at all, my Lord," Barty replied, tightening his hold on the monster in his arms.
"My Lord, who is that woman? How dare she be so disrespectful to you?"
Voldemort shrugged, an almost human gesture of detachment. "Do not mind her. She is an old, undying one who has lived for centuries and now seeks only to prolong her existence. I have a deal with her—but that is none of your concern."
"Then shall we return to Britain, my Lord?"
"No. There is still one more task."
"Your command," Barty said immediately.
"We need to find Durmstrang and have Igor Karkaroff restart the Triwizard Tournament," Voldemort declared.
"Why, my Lord?"
"I have obtained an ancient ritual that can fully resurrect me. It requires three things: my father's bone, a servant's willingly given flesh, and an enemy's forcibly donated blood. The first two are simple—your flesh and blood will serve willingly—but the third… the enemy is Harry Potter. He is well protected by Dumbledore. To obtain his blood, we must create an opportunity."
Barty's eyes widened, though he dared not question the logic.
Voldemort continued, "The plan is to restart the Triwizard Tournament, and somehow ensure Harry Potter becomes a Hogwarts champion. Then, we will have the chance to take his blood from him."
Though the process seemed convoluted, Barty nodded without hesitation. "I understand, my Lord. I will accomplish every command."
Voldemort's gaze darkened with consideration. "But how do we convince Karkaroff—the traitor—to restart the tournament?"
Voldemort chuckled, a hollow sound. "You underestimate him. Karkaroff is obsessed with fame. If he can elevate Durmstrang above Hogwarts, he will not hesitate. All we must do is make him believe that Viktor Krum is the most outstanding young wizard at his school."
Barty furrowed his brow. "But Hogwarts has Dana Emrys, a powerful young wizard. Would that not interfere?"
Voldemort sighed, a sound almost human in its weariness. "Emrys is strong, yes, but we can manipulate the rules—perhaps impose an age limit to exclude him. As for Harry, as long as you can enter Hogwarts, there is always a way."
Barty bowed, resolute. "I understand, my Lord. But who will watch over you while I am on this mission? I cannot bear to leave you unprotected."
Voldemort's eyes closed slowly, betraying his current weakness. "Find a large snake and a Muggle. That will suffice for my protection."
"As you command, my Lord," Barty said, his voice firm.
Voldemort fell silent and soon drifted into sleep. Barty gazed upon him with unwavering loyalty. There were no thoughts of desire or fear; only devotion.
"Rest assured, my Lord," Barty whispered to the sleeping monster, "I will help you reclaim your place at the pinnacle of the Wizarding World. No one and nothing will stop me."
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