John materialized beside Heinrich, forcefully bringing him to the ground. "What's this?" Heinrich inquired, his gaze fixed on Barty Crouch Jr. John removed his mask, reverting to his usual attire, and instructed, "First, take him back to Silverhand Manor."
As a competent deputy, Heinrich wasted no time. He crouched, seized Barty Crouch Jr.'s hand, waved his wand, and vanished with a resounding pop.
On his way to the woods, John encountered Hagrid. "Thank goodness, John, you're unharmed," Hagrid exclaimed, a look of terror still evident in his eyes. John offered a comforting pat and apologized, "Sorry, Hagrid, I shouldn't have left without permission."
Under different circumstances, anyone else might have harbored resentment or even considered ending their friendship if left behind during perilous times. However, Hagrid was not one to hold grudges. He generously dismissed the concern, saying, "You must have had an urgent matter, right?"
This forgiving nature was precisely why John cherished his friendship with Hagrid; he always focused on the positives.
"Indeed, Hagrid, I have something I believe you'll appreciate," John said, a mysterious smile playing on his lips. To Hagrid's astonishment, John produced a slightly disoriented creature from his pocket.
"My God," Hagrid gasped, his eyes widening as he repeatedly wiped his hands on his clothes. "I've never encountered such a creature before."
The horned snoring beast, now realizing it had been brought out, shook its head. It had nestled into John's pocket and fallen asleep, undisturbed by their aerial journey.
"This is a horned snorkack, Hagrid. Could you look after it for a while? It should be fine by the time school starts," John explained.
"Of course!" Hagrid agreed eagerly, eager to reassure John of his willingness. As a magizoologist, he had a passion for rare and magical creatures. Although the Horned Snorkack was no dragon, Hagrid's excitement was palpable when the creature sneezed and promptly settled on his shoulder. Yet, he soon expressed concern, "John, I've never cared for a horned snoring beast before."
"Don't worry, I'm not familiar with it either. That's why it needs the expertise of a magical animal specialist like you," John reassured him with a smile. There was no one better suited than Hagrid, a true connoisseur of magical beasts, to care for this creature.
Feeling valued, Hagrid beamed with pride.
After bidding Hagrid farewell at dawn, John made his way directly to Silverhand Manor. The estate, formerly known as Shafik Manor, was now heavily guarded and fortified with numerous magical spells to deter intruders.
Upon John's arrival in a silver mask, the guards looked on with awe and reverence.
He proceeded to the dungeon, where Tang Mi awaited alongside Heinrich, who wore an expression of indifference, and Jin, who attempted to engage in conversation.
Leaning in, Tang Mi whispered, "Old Batty is in the study."
John glanced at the dungeon, observing the young man locked up behind a water mirror, his face twisted in madness. He instructed Tang Mi, "Bring Old Batty down."
After Tang Mi departed, John turned his attention to Kim Ledisley, offering a wry smile. "You must have figured it out, right?"
Jin Chu, maintaining his composure and sporting a broad smile, scratched his head and admitted, "I've been curious about your Excellency's true appearance from the start. I stumbled upon the ring yesterday."
John felt a momentary helplessness; his secret identity had been inadvertently revealed. However, he accepted the situation with grace, spreading his hands and asking, "So, what do you plan to do now? Revealing Johnny Silverhand's true identity could make you rich overnight."
"I'm not a fool," Jin responded respectfully, bowing. "Youth has always been a valuable asset. If Johnny Silverhand can instill fear in Knockturn Alley, then the young John Wick is capable of sending shivers down the wizarding world's spine."
John chuckled, impressed by Jin's insight. Indeed, youth was an advantage, and the strength of Johnny Silverhand was a testament to his own capabilities. The younger he was, the more formidable he became.
Just then, Old Batty arrived. Barty Crouch Sr. appeared significantly aged and weakened after just one night, a testament to the heavy burden he bore. His steps faltered as he entered, his eyes catching sight of his son, Barty Jr., confined within the dungeon. With a mixture of struggle and resignation in his gaze, he approached John, expressing his gratitude in a deep, weary voice. "Thank you, Your Excellency," he said, acknowledging John's efforts in apprehending the culprits and securing his son.
John, however, responded with a mixture of sympathy and reprimand. "Old Barty," he sighed, shaking his head, "Your negligence nearly undermined the lifetime of achievements you've worked so hard for. Men, unlike women and children, cannot afford such carelessness."
The words struck a chord in Crouch Sr., his face paling as he absorbed the harsh truth. With a heavy heart, he confessed, "I'm sorry, sir. Perhaps it was because he was my pride, the son my wife sacrificed her life for." His posture, once rigid with authority, now seemed to sag with the weight of his admission. "I resorted to using the Imperius Curse on him and assigned a house-elf to monitor him, but my resolve weakened over time."
It was evident that Crouch Sr. was torn between his duty and his love for his son. The man who had once been unyielding in his pursuit of justice against Death Eaters now appeared diminished, both in spirit and in strength.
John, sensing the depth of Crouch Sr.'s turmoil, offered his support. Placing a reassuring hand on the older man's shoulder, he said, "Leave the matter to me. I'll ensure he's properly watched over."
Crouch Sr. cast a final, conflicted glance at his son through a magical mirror, seeing only hatred reflected back at him. With a heavy heart, he departed, leaving behind a legacy of complicated emotions and unresolved issues.
John, now alone with Barty Jr., confronted the young man's deep-seated resentment. "Do you hate your father?" he inquired, to which Barty Jr. responded with vehement denial of any familial ties, fueled by years of imprisonment and manipulation.
As John revealed the Dark Mark on Barty Jr.'s arm, the young man's allegiance to Voldemort became unmistakably clear. Despite John's attempts to convey the truth about his father's love, Barty Jr.'s disdain remained unshaken.
In a decisive move, John used the Silver Wick sword to sever Barty Jr.'s hand, effectively isolating him from Voldemort's influence. The act was not only a physical blow but also a symbolic severance of the dark ties that bound him.
The room was filled with shock and horror at the severity of John's actions, especially from Tang Mi, who had not anticipated such a drastic measure. Yet, John's resolve remained firm as he proceeded to extract Barty Jr.'s soul, revealing the snake-like mark of Voldemort's magic.
This moment marked a turning point, not only for Barty Jr. but for all who witnessed the lengths to which John was willing to go to eradicate the influence of dark forces. The pain, both physical and emotional, that Barty Jr. experienced was a stark reminder of the consequences of allegiance to darkness. With a precise flick of his wand, John transferred the dark mark onto the severed hand. He then meticulously carved a spell into the soul tethered to it. Nodding with satisfaction, John declared, "You are now expelled from the Death Eaters." With a snap of his fingers, the severed hand levitated before him. Conjuring a box, he carefully placed the hand inside, murmuring, "This may lead us to Voldemort." Turning his gaze to the pale and shaken Barty Crouch Jr., John spoke in a light tone, "You're free to roam, but remember, escape is impossible."
With a casual wave of his hand, the chains binding Barty Jr. were released. As they left the dungeon, Tang Mi expressed her concern, "Sir, shouldn't we do something about him?"
"Do something?" John replied with a smirk. "Let's just ensure he's well taken care of. After all, he's the son of Barty Crouch Sr. We must show him proper hospitality."
Heinrich, visibly excited by the use of soul magic, couldn't hide his fascination. Tang Mi, on the other hand, was left speechless. Breaking a man's hand and then claiming to take good care of him seemed contradictory to her.
John had inscribed an indelible mark on Barty Jr., a strategic move that allowed him to release the young man. The severed hand was preserved with care, serving as a crucial piece in their plans. John then commissioned Rita Skeeter to write an article praising Barty Crouch Sr. for his heroic efforts in leading a team against a mob the previous day. He made sure to compensate her generously, ensuring the loyalty and morale of his team remained high.
_________
If you are tired of reading I also have this converted to an audio novel on my youtube
https://www.youtube.com/@NovelAudioForge/featured
Direct Link to playlist
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_Hg-qsW4rM&list=PLKskshYG-OcPTR4-Nw7IWFEBZm07D8pBV&ab_channel=NovelAudioForge