Barty Crouch Sr.'s Notebook

The window was open only a crack. A light breeze struggled into the study, stirring the pages with a rustling sound.

Accompanying the turning pages was the sound of the grandfather clock on the wall. Its pendulum swung back and forth rhythmically, the ticking and page-turning like an ensemble echoing through the silent air.

As the hour and minute hands were about to overlap, the grandfather clock began to chime...

Eleven clear, resounding chimes echoed throughout the entire house.

The House-elf Winky's large ears twitched. She blinked her lively eyes and quickened her work.

With a wave of her slender fingers, the tea set on the desk moved by itself. The teapot poured black tea into a cup, a cube of sugar dropped into it, and a small spoon began stirring rhythmically.

"Master Barty, Winky has prepared your black tea, with only one sugar cube. Winky must prepare lunch for Master Barty and Master..."

"Master Barty, today's lunch is shepherd's pie and salad with vinaigrette. What juice would you like to drink? Or perhaps lemonade?"

Winky was speaking to Barty Crouch Jr. Due to his years without exposure to sunlight, the skin on his face had an unhealthy pallor.

His face was freckled, and his lifeless eyes stared at the book before him.

He was also draped in a Cloak of Invisibility, with only his face exposed. Even his hair was covered, so that if anything unexpected happened, he could pull off the cloak at once and hide his face as well.

Hearing Winky's voice, Barty Crouch Jr. raised his head slightly, though little life returned to his eyes.

He nodded somewhat dully and said in a calm voice, "Lemonade... Winky..."

"Winky understands! Winky will prepare it at once! Master Barty, if you need anything, call for Winky..." With those