Southwest England, Godric's Hollow.
This was a semi-wizarding settlement, the place where Harry Potter's parents had once lived, and the final location where Voldemort had disappeared.
After escaping from the Crouch Family's residence, Barty Jr. led the group following him in a series of Apparition jumps before finally arriving at a safe house they had prepared in advance.
There, they used a Portkey to completely shake off the Aurors pursuing them.
Now, they were gathered inside a secret cottage in Godric's Hollow.
These villains huddled together under the dim glow of lamplight, and one of them directed a question at Barty Jr., who had summoned them there.
"Crouch, when you wrote to us, you said you had leads on the Dark Lord!"
The one who spoke was Thorfinn Rowle, a blond-haired Death Eater known for his impatience and carelessness.
As his words faded, the others turned their gaze toward Barty Jr., who sat at the center, meticulously polishing his wand.
Apparently, Severus's words still had an impact on them.
Especially the line… 'I think you're trying to start your own faction!'
Even the dullest among them understood that the only hope for pure-blood supremacists to gain real power and seize control of the wizarding world lay with the missing Dark Lord!
No one else could lead them.
Certainly not someone like Barty Jr., who was barely in his twenties, had joined the Death Eaters late, and lacked both seniority and experience.
The only reasons these men were willing to follow him were, firstly, his claim of having information on the Dark Lord's whereabouts, and secondly, his reputation for ruthlessness… proven alongside the Lestranges!
His brutality had been demonstrated once again when facing his own father at the Crouch Family's residence.
After hearing what Rowle said, Barty Jr. did not immediately respond.
With his legs crossed, he sat calmly in his chair, carefully wiping every speck of dust from his wand before finally lifting his head to meet their eyes.
"Do you doubt my loyalty to Master as well?"
His gaze was not sharp, but it was bone-chilling. Every man who met his eyes instinctively looked away… until Barty Jr.'s stare finally settled on Rowle.
Rowle couldn't help but shudder. He didn't know why he felt fear… perhaps it was the sheer intensity of that gaze, or perhaps the memory of Barty Jr.'s deranged torture of his own father in the Crouch Family's residence was seared into his mind.
Either way, he averted his eyes and stammered an explanation.
"N-No, of course I don't doubt your loyalty to the Dark Lord! I-I'm just worried about him. It's been so long since he disappeared… Many in the Wizarding World are starting to forget his name. We need to find him as soon as possible, don't we?"
"But not now." Barty Jr. said coldly. "Right now, the Ministry's Aurors will hunt us like rabid dogs. None of them can afford the resurgence of the Death Eaters. If we lead them straight to the Dark Lord, we'd only be bringing wolves to his doorstep!"
"B-But if we find him, we wouldn't need to fear the Aurors anymore, right?" Bruno Selwyn couldn't help but say.
He was born into the Selwyn Family, one of the Sacred Twenty-Eight.
Barty Jr. replied smoothly, "Snape was right about one thing… now is not the time for the Dark Lord's return. He needs time to recover, and we must not bring trouble to him in the meantime."
"Then what do we do now? Just sit here and wait for the Aurors to kick down the door?!" Greyback growled impatiently.
"Our numbers alone aren't enough." Barty Jr. said calmly, "I'll reach out to our old… friends. Their loyalty to the Dark Lord may not be absolute, but neither is their devotion to the Ministry. They'll be glad to see me."
"And what about us?" Dino Perkins asked.
"Rest assured, all of you… I know what you're worried about!" Barty Jr. rose from his chair and declared loudly, "In these dark and difficult times, when our comrades have either betrayed us or been captured, it was you who first answered the call to prepare for the Dark Lord's return!"
"When Master finally rises again, I will ensure he knows of your sacrifices… so he may see who his true servants are!"
After he finished speaking, silence fell over the cottage.
Those who committed evil deeds might include fools, but rarely idiots. They knew full well that Barty Jr. was feeding them empty promises… who could say what he'd really tell the Dark Lord once he returned?
Barty Jr. also understood exactly what they were thinking.
To him, these men were no different from opportunists like Malfoy and Goyle… loyal only to their own interests, not the Dark Lord.
Only those like the Lestranges, rotting in Azkaban, were true followers of the Dark Lord… like himself.
But Barty Jr. also knew that, for now at least, he still needed these men to help him find the Dark Lord. So he had to offer them enough reassurance to keep them in line.
"I will make an Unbreakable Vow."
Barty Jr. dropped to one knee and extended his right hand, announcing solemnly, "Rowle shall swear with me, and Selwyn shall bear witness. We shall make this vow… when the Dark Lord returns, I will ensure he knows of your contributions and rewards your loyalty. I shall not break this oath!!"
His words made the breathing of everyone in the room grow heavier.
Empty promises were one thing, but a magical vow was entirely different!
Rowle didn't hesitate. He immediately knelt opposite Barty Jr., extending his right hand and gripping Barty Jr.'s wrist in return!
"Our loyalty to the Dark Lord is unwavering, but having your assurance is certainly welcome!"
His words sounded noble, and the others nodded in agreement. Selwyn raised his wand and stood beside their clasped hands.
"Begin." Barty Jr. said coolly.
Selwyn began the incantation, pressing the tip of his wand against their joined hands.
Rowle recited the terms of the vow.
Barty Jr. affirmed his agreement.
A thin, fiery thread shot from Selwyn's wand, like a glowing wire, wrapping around their hands before vanishing completely.
Once the vow was witnessed, the atmosphere in the cottage immediately relaxed.
Relieved smiles spread across every face.
"Don't worry, Crouch. You go contact the others… we'll keep the Aurors distracted!"
"I don't need your help to attract the Aurors. Just leave this matter to Fenrir."
Brushing dust from his knees with his wand, Barty Jr. turned his indifferent gaze toward Greyback.
Noticing the attention, Greyback pointed at himself in surprise.
"Me?"
"I told you to stir up trouble in the Wizarding World. Didn't you capture a bunch of children?"
Greyback's lips curled into a cruel grin, "You mean those brats? I've captured four young wizards and three Muggles. I was planning to transform them all during the full moon next month."
The other Death Eaters shifted uncomfortably at his words.
It wasn't that they found Greyback too vile… but his actions made them wonder if their own children might one day suffer the same fate.
After hearing what he said, Barty Jr. just said it lightly, "Keep four. Kill the rest, then reveal the Dark Mark."
Greyback's eyes gleamed with predatory excitement!
He had a twisted mind… he reveled in bloodshed, especially when it came from children!
"Then I'll pick three at random… better make sure one's a wizard, or the Aurors might not take it seriously!"
"Do as you like. Just make sure you flee afterward. The Ministry will hunt you like mad." Barty Jr. settled back into his chair, pouring himself a cup of tea.
"The rest of you, lay low and wait for my signal."
The vicious Death Eaters, the dregs of their kind, nodded in unison before bidding Barty Jr. farewell and Apparating away from the cottage.
Soon, only Barty Jr. remained.
Staring at the flickering lamplight in the center of the room, he revealed a silent, chilling smile.
…
Greyback returned to his camp on the Isle of Man, buzzing with excitement, his pack of werewolves trailing behind him.
Nothing had changed… the place was as quiet as when they'd left.
The three werewolves left behind had obeyed his orders, never letting their wands leave their sides, leaving Lupin no opening to act.
The moment he arrived, Greyback zeroed in on one of his underlings.
"Where's Remus and those brats?"
"The kids are asleep. Remus is sitting outside their tent."
Greyback stormed over to the tattered tent where Harry and the others were kept.
Lupin had been sitting there, lost in thought about how to leave clues for help… but when he saw Greyback striding toward him with a group of snarling werewolves, a terrible dread seized him!
"They're all sleeping. It's best not to-"
"Get lost!"
Greyback shoved Lupin to the ground. Two werewolves yanked open the tent flap, revealing the seven children inside, who are now wide awake!
Seeing the malicious gazes outside, the children were terrified.
Harry and Hermione clutched each other's hands, their faces ghostly pale!
"Alright, brats! Playtime's over!"
Greyback clapped his hands together, grinning savagely.
"Tonight, we're playing a game… one where only four of you get to live!"