After Snape left his office, Dumbledore continued to stare into void as if wondering something.
"When did Hermione and Harry got so close?" Dumbledore mumbled to himself. "I don't think that they were so close last year… perhaps when they used the time turner, they might have experienced something."
"Even so, this is not a good thing," he muttered still lost in thought. "I cannot overly rely on Ron… he is a fool throughout."
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On the other hand, Snape who was returning to his quarters was also lost in his thought.
His mind was wondering two things. First was obviously the encounter he had had with Charlus Potter.
"From that day, I have become many times so powerful," Snape muttered. "Probably even half a dozen of current me would still fail to take him down."
The second thing Snape was wondering was the unusual closeness between Harry Potter and Hermione Granger. Although, neither he nor Dumbledore commented on this, Snape knew that the old man must have noticed this phenomenon. But Albus Dumbledore wanted in this regard, Snape had no idea. No matter, how much of a useful pawn Snape had become for Dumbledore, the old cunning headmaster would never place all his eggs in one basket and will neither show all his cards to someone.
While Snape was still lost in his thoughts, a certain professor was coming from the opposite direction. Since less than 2 weeks remained for opening of Hogwarts most of the professors had already arrived back to prepare for their classes.
She was a black haired witch- professor of ancient runes; Bathsheda Babbling.
She sneered seeing Snape, "Professor Snape."
"What thoughts are you lost in," she asked with a contempt. "Probably trying to find out new methods to torture Harry Potter?"
Her mockery for Snape was as clear as a bright day.
"Ah! Professor Babbling," Snape was no less contemptuous. "Frustrated, are we?"
"Well, I can understand it," he continued. "Your family is going downhill after all…"
"Without the support of the Potter family and their house magic, you are losing your powers," he smirked.
"You need not worry Snape," Babbling said arrogantly. "3 more years before Harry Potter take up the Potter lordship… at that time, I will love to see your bat like face."
Snape chuckled but did not respond and merely walked away. On the other hand, a frown had appeared on Babbling's face. Even though she had declared about Harry Potter taking up the lordship, she herself was not sure.
Harry Potter, it was a public knowledge, was in Dumbledore's pocket. James had not taken up the lordship after Charlus Potter had died due to Albus' advice. What guarantee is that Harry would not do the same? Even if he took up the lordship, what guarantee is that Harry would operate independently of Albus' influence.
At least, at that time, she would have some powers to do something about it. Not bound and helpless as she was now.
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Voldemort was sitting on his large chair was lost in thought. Less than two weeks, remained for Hogwarts to open and another 2 months for the official start of the Triwizard cup and he not been able to design his plans to resurrect himself.
He had an outline plan in place but he needed someone competent for the job; not like the useless Peter Pettigrew.
Every moment he was getting more irritated and angrier when a certain presence was felt outside his hiding.
It was the usual Peter Pettigrew back after collecting the supplies- mostly milk which he needed to remain alive, but he was not alone. He had someone else with him.
Voldemort's grip tightened on the wand and Peter strode in leaving the man outside the wards.
"My lord," Peter kneeled as soon as he entered the hall. "I have brought someone… someone whom you would love to see. One of your loyal servants."
Voldemort did not say anything and activated the dark mark on Peter's arms. A burning sensation spread across Peter's arms as he clutched it screamed in pain.
"My lord…" he cried.
The pain vanished in a moment. It was a failsafe; Voldemort had designed in his dark mark. It made sure that none of his servant were being controlled by someone else.
"Who is it, Peter?" He questioned hoarsely.
"My lord," Peter replied happily. "You would be please to see him… allow for the wards to allow him to enter him."
"My lord," Peter added hastily. "He also has the dark mark."
He did not want the dark lord misunderstand his intentions.
"Very well," said Voldemort. "Tell him to uncover his dark mark and enter the wards."
Peter ran in haste and told the man- Barty Crouch Jr. to uncover his dark mark. Doing as told, he entered the ward when the burning sensation spread across his arms.
But unlike Peter, he neither cried nor clutched his arms. Barty knew that this was merely his lord's way of testing his reality. And for his lord, he was willing to suffer many times more pain than this.
Soon, the pain subsided and with confident strikes, Barty Crouch Jr. entered the house.
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[Next Chapter: Barty Crouch meets Voldemort and then Harry will return to Hogwarts.]
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