Playing with Fire

Chapter 5 - Crouch Manor

The moment Hermione and Barty entered Barty's house, or rather, manor, they were welcomed by a house-elf.

"Master Barty! Winky is happy to see you again! Who is the lady with master Barty, Winky wonders?" the house-elf asked.

Hermione looked at the elf as if she was mad. How could she be so happy to see that insane Death Eater? He was probably one of the least likable persons on planet Earth.

"This is Hermione Granger. She is to stay here, in the house. She will not leave the house under any circumstances unless I say so. She will take the guest room," Barty said.

"Winky will make the room ready for mistress!" Winky said and after a bow, she disappeared.

Hermione stood there for a minute, completely still, waiting for Barty to say something. But he didn't seem to be really interested in her, because he walked through the corridor and opened a door leading to the living room. Hermione just decided to follow him, since she didn't know what to do else. She studied the hall around her, which was not as large as the hall in Malfoy Manor, but it was certainly not bad. She knew that the Crouch family was also one of the richer, pure-blood families, so it didn't really surprise her. This must have been the house where Barty Crouch Sr. had been living as well. The living room was just as prestigious, with a large fireplace with golden ornaments on it. She didn't really get the time to admire the decorations, though, because as soon as she entered the room, Barty slammed the door shut behind her.

"Next time I want you to follow me, you better do it a bit quicker than this," he snarled.

"You didn't even tell me to follow you," Hermione shot back, swallowing nervously.

Hermione quickly took a step back when Barty came slowly closer to her, his tongue darting out of his mouth occasionally. Which made him very scary.

"If you behave, I won't have to hurt you. Maybe that pathetic Malfoy was incapable of handling you, I certainly am not. Maybe he couldn't scare you, but I can. Let that be a warning," Barty said, but Hermione felt that he didn't even need to tell her that that was a warning.

"Then you don't know me," she bit, trying to hide her fear.

"But I do, Miss Granger... Remember that I have been your teacher in Defence Against the Dark Arts for a whole year... I know your weaknesses," Barty said with a low, threatening voice.

"You won't kill me."

"I don't have to kill you. We both know how Neville's parents have ended up by the time I was done with them."

"Well, you weren't the only one. You were with three. That is hardly fair, now is it?"

Barty now leaned in dangerously close. Hermione was clearly making him angry now.

"My Cruciatus Curse is equivalent to the Dark Lord's curse himself. If that doesn't scare you yet, then maybe you want me to demonstrate it on you first," he hissed, his tongue flicking out again.

Hermione just stared at him, knowing that if she opened her mouth she would only be able to produce very funny sounds.

"Or you could take my other option. Which is thanking me for my hospitality and going to your room, where I expect you to stay."

"I- I'll go to my room."

Hermione wanted to turn around and go looking for her room herself, but Barty stopped her.

"You forgot something..."

"What?" Hermione now snapped.

"Thank me."