Born From Madness (Harry Potter Fanfic)

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While they waited for their food to heat up, Mr. Weasley proceed to introduced them to the Ministry officials, who walked by them, and told them where they worked from the Committee on Experimental Charms to the Unspeakables or those from the Department of Mysteries. They soon were met up with Bill, Charlie and Percy just as Ludo Bagman, who was keeping an eye out for Mr. Crouch, came up to them and asked if they would want to place bets. Mr. Weasley put down one galleon for Ireland to win but Fred and George pooled that Ireland wins but Viktor Krum would get the Snitch. 

Then suddenly, after Bagman had written down the Twins' names, Mr. Crouch appeared out of thin air. 

"Mr. Crouch!" Percy called out breathlessly, "Would you like a cup of tea?" 

"Oh," Mr. Crouch said looking at Percy, "Yes-- thank you, Weatherby." 

Fred and George choked on their laughter as Mr. Crouch's eyes landed right on Hermione and proceeded to grow wide ten times their sizes. 

"Miss Granger I presume?" he asked her. Hermione nodded. "I am Mr. Barty Crouch, and I've heard of your terrible situation. I assure you, we're making it a top priority to ensure that the Death Eater in question is captured. It is why we told Professor Dumbledore in allowing us to offer you the best Auror in case he appears again."  

"Ah-- thanks," Hermione lied before Ron and Harry motioned towards the Salesmen that appeared here and there with tons of souvenirs. Harry and Ron were drooling over Omnioculars, which Harry bought three for all of them. Ron felt bad for it till suddenly it was time for the World Cup. 

They hurried up the endless stairs to find their seats towards the Top Box. Soon they reached the box where it was almost completely empty except for a tiny creature that was obviously a House-Elf...

"Winky?" Hermione blurted out. It had been a year since Hermione had seen Winky. The elf shot a look to the side and winced like she had witnessed a murder. 

"Miss Granger? Mr. Potter? Such a long time since Winky seen you," she squeaked as she grabbed the side of her head.  

"Hello Winky? Where's Barty Crouch Jr.?" she asked her. Winky shook her head. 

"No idea. Like I told other Mr. Crouch, his son, Mr. Crouch Jr.,  never tells Winky where he goes. Just appears and disappears again to give orders to her." Winky claimed to them. 

"Well-- then have you seen Dobby? I've been wondering how he is since he's earn his freedom?" Harry asked her. 

"Oh! Freedom is going to Dobby's head, sir. He's insisting to get paid for his work... which is something House-elves are not to be paid." Winky stated to them. 

"That's just wrong!" Hermione whined, "you should be treated decently to be given fair pay and a good amount of holidays." 

"Oh! But Mr. Crouch Jr. does treat Winky decently and talks to Winky in most gentle voice.... but other Mr. Crouch..." Winky started till she began to pull her ears. Hermione lightly grabbed Winky's hand to stop her from doing that. 

"Okay, we get it, you can't speak ill about your master... are you okay?" Hermione asked, noticing Winky was shaking to the point she was causing the chair she sat on to move as well.

"Winky is scared of heights, ma'am... but master sends me to the Top Box." Winky told her. Hermione pouted as she proceeded to sit down beside Winky and took hold of her to comfort her while they proceeded wait to watch the mascots preform their displays to the begin the match. Many other important people began to fill the Top Box... and soon the Minister of Magic  came up and began to talk with Harry while he introduced the Bulgarian wizard to Harry Potter and them. Then suddenly he called out the worst name imaginable.