Barty Crouch Jr. is not having an easy time.

He knew he would not die anytime soon, and he did not want to die now. But day by day, his life was worse than death.

Every day when I woke up, I was fed liquid food while I was in a daze. After my stomach was full, I was then forced to drink a bottle of magic potion, an improved version of the water of life and death with added ingredients.

Twenty-three and a half hours a day are spent immersed in that illusory dream.

If... it was just a dream, maybe it wouldn't be so painful.

He dreamed that Voldemort was his father, not yet so crazy, and there was no Potter, and he realized his ambition of revenge, killed Dumbledore, and became the headmaster of Hogwarts.

He became the Minister of Magic and was busy serving his father.

Hogwarts was their home.

There are only three houses: Slytherin, Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff.

No Dumbledore, no Potter, and no Snape.

But when he was dreaming, Crouch was very lucid. He could realize that he was dreaming and everything was fake.

The most painful moment is when you realize that what you most desire is false.

Of course, this alone cannot have such a big impact on Crouch.

Reality cannot come true, so even if it is a dream, it’s good to enjoy it.

But when he made such a decision.

Some weird things happened in the dream.

He was washing in his dream, and when he looked up, he saw Harry's face reflected in the mirror.

Sometimes when he went to the office to see his father, a letter would arrive. He would look at the name on it and see that it was addressed to "Dear Albus Dumbledore." But when he blinked, the name would change back to "The Great Dark Lord."

He would also see Nagini transformed into Fawkes.

Every moment, this dream reminded him that this was a dream and he could not escape the control of Dumbledore and Potter.

Crouch opened his eyes in pain.

Sleepy eyes.

Is that time again?

It is one of the few “fresh air time” I have every day.

He glanced at the window. It was a gift left to him by Harry and Dumbledore. The window was protected by magic, but it did not block the view outside. He could still see the sky.

A dark, mostly full moon hung in the center of the sky.

This is not the time to relax.

Crouch realized something and lowered his head to look at his body. Black sticky liquid flowed out from under his robe and simply condensed into a human shape.

"Bati, I delivered the things." The humanoid spoke, uttering Snape's cold voice.

"Did you see them?" Crouch breathed heavily and laughed uncontrollably.

I won't have to suffer from that kind of dream tonight.

Snape said in a dissatisfied tone: "You should have told me in advance that it was them, not them."

Crouch whispered: "They?"

"A group of snakes, led by a black snake." Snape responded impatiently, "Crouch, are you doubting that I didn't deliver the letter?"

Crouch grinned. "What about the others? For example..."

He paused for a moment, struggled internally, and spoke carefully: "Have you seen your father?"

"Crouch!" Snape's voice turned dangerous. "You'd better realize what you're talking about. I wouldn't mind having something else in your next potion."

"You should know very well!"

"The black snake didn't give me a chance to see other people. It took the letter away and let other snakes stop me. After it gave the letter to its owner or someone else, it came back and drove me away."

Crouch nodded with satisfaction.

Regardless of Snape's answer or Snape's attitude.

"Is Dumbledore or Potter following you?" he asked softly.

Snape sneered: "Have you really been confused by all the sleep you've been doing?"

"Do you think that if Dumbledore or Potter wanted to follow me, I would have the ability to detect it?"

Crouch said nothing.

Snape responded quietly: "I have asked the Slytherin students to pay attention. Potter has been in the castle all this time."

"They didn't see Dumbledore though."

"You know, it's not easy for students to see the principal."

"It's not easy for me to leave Hogwarts now. I can't guarantee that I won't be followed."

Crouch nodded: "Thank you for your hard work, Severus."

"What should I do next?" Snape's tone became even more impatient. "Just wait for them to take action?"

Crouch did not answer him, but asked: "When is Potter going to kill me?"

Snape shook his head: "Potter never mentioned it."

"But... during this time, he has been training the Longbottom kid."

Crouch laughed. "Like with Bella?"

"Bella and I are different."

"Crouch." Snape emphasized, "You still don't trust me."

"Severus, I have never trusted you as much as I do now." Crouch shook his head, "But everything that needs to be done has been done. If possible, find a way to kill Dumbledore or Potter."

"What a ridiculous suggestion." Snape sneered, "Now Dumbledore has already stopped me from brewing potions for him, either Potter or Slughorn."

"Crouch, I really hope to hear some truth from you."

"I'm telling the truth," Crouch said softly. "I can even tell you."

"The location of the last two Horcruxes left by the master."

The small black figure's expression did not change at all.

In the principal's office.

Snape's face suddenly became serious.

"The master has two Horcruxes left." Crouch smiled brightly, "One of them is a snake. It's in that forest. It's a very smart snake named Nagini. It was because of her that the master was able to find Quirrell and me in Algeria."

Snape nodded.

"The second Horcrux is the Ravenclaw Diadem." Crouch continued in a brisk tone, "It is the crown that, according to legend, can grant the user infinite wisdom when worn. It is now located in..."

"In the hands of the Wild Hunt."

Snape repeated the last word: "Wild Hunt?"

Crouch nodded, his tone serious: "Yes, Wild Hunt."

"They need sincerity to cooperate with us. It is not enough to just know the news of the Ancient Blood. My father is great. He is willing to let himself become a hostage of the Wild Hunt and become part of the bargaining chip for cooperation."

At this, he laughed.

"Severus, you know what?"

"Before my father went to the Wild Hunt, he was actually hiding in Hogwarts."

"Aren't Potter and Dumbledore very smart? They even have a map that shows Hogwarts, but they have never been able to find my father."

"Do you want to know where it is?"