milliways_bar | (no subject)

(no subject)

Barty's in the bar; he's walked down from his room, this time, instead of apparating. He orders a glass of water and a sandwich - nothing too expensive as he still hasn't managed to get any money - and sits down at a table to eat.

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Pity. I'd like to know what you think about Voldemort being a half-blood.

"Well."

A very long pause; he keeps eye contact, making sure to keep his Occlumency defences up.

"Half-bloods are interesting cases. Not their fault so much as the parent's. And by the time they're born, the damage has been done, the wizarding world and the Muggle world have coincided."

"I suppose the real question is, what does Voldemort think of Voldemort being a half-blood? I've never asked him, funnily enough."

Interesting cases. Funny, that's not what they call them in Slytherin House.

Muggle father, witch mother. You follow with every ounce of devotion someone whose blood is befouled by that which you hate most.

"Yes, well, I'm not a Slytherin. I'm a Ravenclaw. I had my own reasons for joining the Death Eaters, and they are probably different to what you think." He's annoyed now, and makes no effort to conceal it. "So, Slytherins might have had their pathetic ambition and hate, and I saw a lot of them, but some of us joined for better reasons."

"Besides, means to an end, Riddle. It might be hypocrisy, but if he's the man who can lead the wizarding world forward, then I'm not going to worry about moral self-indulgence to get there."

Interesting views. Most interesting.

I should have suspected you were a Ravenclaw. When they go bad, they do so with such logical intensity.

You've shared your fervor with me, Crouch, but what I want to know is this. What do you plan to do about your most interesting views here?

I have somthing of a vested interest, seeing as how you follow a version of me. I'd hate to be further bad-mouthed to those who don't know me well here.

"I plan to do nothing of interest. What with the physical manifestations of Merlin knows what wandering about, seems a bit dangerous to do anything at all."

He maintains his Occlumency defences.

"As far as I know, there are three rules in the bar. I plan on following all of them. And I don't think you have the right to ask any more."

*When fighting those who are evil, sometimes one must resort to practices that are not quite morally upright. In the game of power amongst evildoers, one also must show supremacy, or so Tom thinks.

He makes eye contact with Barty and says, very quietly:*

Legilimens.

*He punches through Berty's defenses, not quite as easily as he thought he would, and then withdraws his powers quickly. He didn't look for any specific memories or insights; he merely wanted to show the younger man he could do so, if he'd wanted.*

No, I haven't the right, but as you said - any means to an end. Milliways is a haven, and it is like a home to me.

I will fight to protect it, boy, and those I love. I promise you, if it comes to it, I will fight dirty, changed man or no.

He's surprised by the curse - no, stunned. He'd not considered how Tom would react to his taunting and arrogance.

He's humiliated, and scared.

He looks away.

After a long time, he says, "I'd do the same too."

He's got a new respect for Tom. Respect through power and fear; they both know the way raw power works.

He still doesn't look at him.

It's good to hear we can agree on something.

*He feels uneasy, to be honest, showing his power like that. It used to be he'd not have given it a second thought.

He doesn't regret doing it, though.*

"Mmmm."

The spell reached him in a way that Tom's anger alone never could - Barty respects power, he respects fear, he knows how important they are, and he knows how valuable they are.

It's not nice to be on the receiving end, but power isn't about being nice. It's about necessity.

"If you...don't mind...I think now's a good time to call it a night."

*He smirks just a bit. It's nice to win. He feels somewhat guilty about how sweet the victory still is. But not overly much.*

Another thing we can agree upon. Have a good evening.

*Tom dismisses him from his mind in all appearances as he goes to the bar for another scotch.

This night, however, will stay with him for some time to come.*

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