When Barty Crouch Jr. thought his cover had been blown, he couldn't stop himself from reaching for his wand.
But Dumbledore shoved him aside and pointed his wand behind him.
As he stumbled, Barty turned to look and saw someone who both surprised him and didn't: Gilderoy Lockhart.
It didn't surprise him because Voldemort had told him he would take the opportunity to curse Lockhart, making him do something deranged.
Voldemort couldn't say exactly what, but it would probably cause a stir.
If anything went wrong for Barty, he could use the commotion to escape.
If everything went smoothly, Voldemort wanted Barty to take Lockhart away.
Voldemort needed him, though Barty didn't know why.
But what did surprise Barty was...
You old fool, you actually dared to charge in and attack Dumbledore?
Barty, who considered himself plenty mad already, felt as if the heavens had opened his eyes.
If Lockhart claimed he'd done this because he was cursed, Barty wouldn't believe him even if he were beaten to death.
You could say he'd been hit with the Imperius Curse, but a curse?
That could kill you, maim you, or affect your judgment, but it couldn't make you stupid.
Thud.
Dumbledore's spell met Lockhart's perfectly.
The two spells collided, then vanished with a dull thump.
"You really are old."
Lockhart spoke with a wild grin, then swung his wand again.
Barty took out his own wand, but didn't rush to attack. He was disguised as Lupin, who wasn't the impulsive sort.
He looked at Dumbledore and saw that although the Headmaster had his wand out, he had no intention of launching a counterattack.
In fact, Barty even saw a trace of disbelief on Dumbledore's face.
Barty almost laughed, but held it in. Lupin would never do that.
Thud.
Lockhart's spell struck