The Family that Chooses You

Chapter 88: The Scream

"Mr. Crouch!"  Percy was surprised to see his superior in the office.  It had been months since he had seen him.  Though they exchanged owls daily, sometimes multiple times a day, it had been a long time since they met face to face.  Percy had asked the people to check on his boss and each time he was assured that all was well.

Crouch nodded at Percy but said nothing, and continued to rummage about in his desk.

Something about the situation felt off to Percy.  He had worked with Crouch for a few months before his illness kept him at home.  The wizard Percy knew was proper in every sense of the word.  He acted with perfect manners, did things by the book, followed procedure to the letter and intent.  He dressed immaculately.

The Crouch in front of him did not greet him properly, did not ask about the things Crouch used to ask at the beginning of the day.  This Crouch was dressed poorly.

Percy felt something was wrong.  "Is there something I can find for you Sir?"

"Yes, the ward pass for Hogwarts.  I thought I left it here."

Percy quirked an eyebrow.  "You left it to me to represent you, for the Ball and the Second Task, do you not remember?"

"Ah, slipped my mind.  Can I get it from you?  I need to go to Hogwarts to see him."

Percy felt something was very wrong.  "Of course, Sir."  Percy walked to his desk and removed the ward stone.  Hogwarts wards prevented apparition but the ward pass would allow a wizard or witch to get closer to the school via apparating at a specific location.  Normally one would have to apparate closer to Hogsmeade and take a short walk up to the school's gates.

Percy held the stone in his hand but the look in Crouch's eyes made him pause.  It was an expression the young man had never seen before in his superior.  It was hungry, naked.  Predatory.

"Sir, a quick question, about the upcoming meeting with the Japanese Delegation, did we want to schedule it here in London or the same place we hosted the Italian Delegation?"

"The same place we hosted the Italians will work just fine," Crouch said impatiently.  He walked up to Percy to grab the stone.

Percy gripped the stone tight.  "The Japanese envoys aren't coming to us nor did we ever host the Italians.  You're not Mr. Crouch.  Who are you?"

The look in Crouch's eyes turned feral.  They rolled madly.  "Oh you're a clever weasel aren't you?"  Gone was Crouch's cultured voice, carefully cultivated vocabulary.  Gone was his restraint.  His wand flicked up and Percy let go of the stone, diving out of the way of the spell shot his way.

Percy could not believe it.  His boss just tried to harm him.  He rolled behind the desk and the wood furniture shuddered while Crouch shot spell after spell at him.  The side of the desk exploded and Percy grunted as jagged splinters filled his arm.  He looked around for an escape.

He saw the fireplace.  He summoned the Floo powder with his wand.  A hasty spell shot over the desk made Crouch dive.  Taking his chance, Percy ran to the fire and threw a handful of powder. "AURORS!" he yelled and dove into the green fire.

Percy came flying out of the Floo at the Auror Department.  He cried out in pain as he landed on his arm, driving the splinters in deeper.  Shouts filled the air and when he rolled over, he saw at least five wands pointed at him.

He threw his hand up.  "Wait!  Wait!  I work for the Ministry!  I was just attacked!"

"Attacked?  By who?"  Amelia Bones walked to him.  "You're Percy Weasley, Arthur's son, right?"