Loyalties | Barty Crouch Jr

The Fox

July 19, 1978 - Wednesday

Her first month of the summer holiday, Leonora had a mission. One that she wanted to get started on as soon as possible, something that she planned on keeping a secret from everyone. Even Illyria and Barty.

Ever since that one night back in January, when she had witnessed James and his friends, minus Remus who was an actual werewolf, in their animagus forms, the fact had been hidden away in the back of her mind, as something she one day wanted to try and achieve for herself. She wanted to become an animagus.

It was a rather particularly advanced potion, though that wouldn't deter her. If her brother and his daft friends could make it, she figured she could too. Plus, her and Barty had been successful in brewing a polyjuice potion, which was also considered quite advanced, so she was confident in herself and her abilities.

Plus, becoming an animagus, turning into an animal at will, would be incredibly useful for many scenarios, whether it be to spy on something or escape from a situation.

Her preparation had started over Easter break, when late at night, when everyone had been asleep, Leonora had snuck down to the library in Malfoy Manor in order to find a book that included the process for the making the animgus potion. It had taken her a while to find a book that did, but once she had, she ripped the page away and stored it in her trunk, taking it back to Hogwarts as guide for which ingredients she would need to steal.

Thankfully, only two ingredients had to be stolen. A mandrake leaf, and a Death's-head Hawk Moth chrysalis. She had waited until the very day students left Hogwarts to steal the two ingredients, as to avoid Slughorn noticing them missing.

Telling Illyria and Thalia to run on ahead, she had waited until the corridor by the potions classroom was entirely empty, before sneaking into the room and heading towards the supply cabinet. Slughorn was a rather organized man, so each of the ingredients were in alphabetical order, making the job a hell of a lot easier for the girl. She was in and out in just under a minute, thankfully, too, as just as she left the classroom, Slughorn had turned the corner and wished her a 'happy summer,' before retreating into his room. 

Her little side mission had almost made her miss the last carriage away from the castle to Hogsmeade Station, but she had made it just before the door had shut, cramming herself in besides a few third years. It was well worth it though.

Now, as she sat in her bed, the crumpled-up instructions laid down in front of her, she carefully stuck the Mandrake leaf into her mouth, scowling as she did so. Tonight would be a full moon, and she would have to keep the leaf stuck in her mouth for an entire month, until the next full moon. This would be the worst part of the process.

How would she be able to talk with Illyria if she had this leaf crammed into her mouth? The girl would become suspicious if she couldn't talk properly, and she couldn't find out about this. No one could.

She could possibly try and avoid the girl completely, trying to do so without her thinking that she's avoiding her. It would be easy to do so, all she would have to do is spend her days tucked away in the library. If Illyria joined her, no doubt she would fall asleep rather quickly from boredom, leaving Leonora practically alone, no need to speak with anyone.

She hated the idea, but in order for this to work, she would have to do it. It was only for a month.

Quickly throwing her covers off and jumping out of bed, she headed over towards her bedroom door, opening it slowly to create the least amount of noise as possible. She cringed as it squeaked on the hinges, stopping for a moment to listen into the hallway for the girl. When she didn't hear anything, she continued to open the door further and step into the hallway, closing it silently behind her.