Winky energetically promoted the skills she was best at.
She had nearly forgotten how many years it had been since she had last seen days like these.
Once, she had been a house-elf praised by every guest. Countless people had been captivated by her exquisite cooking, and the Crouch Family's social gatherings had shone because of her, becoming the talk of wizarding gentlemen.
But those glorious days had been gone from this home for more than a decade, along with the young master...
Winky drifted off for a moment, then quickly snapped back to attention. She tried her best not to show her sorrow. Her master had specifically instructed her today not to reveal anything unusual in front of the guests.
Of course, no one cared about a house-elf's expression anyway.
In the sitting room bathed in orange light, Amelia looked around at the furnishings and casually said, "A cup of Duke's black tea, with some scones. No blueberry jam... What about the rest of you?"
Several hooded figures in black robes sat scattered around her.
When Amelia asked, they each gave their orders, though their attention was clearly not on the tea.
Once Winky Apparated away, one of them impatiently asked Crouch, who sat by the fireplace with a sullen face, "Why isn't he here yet?"
Crouch glanced at him and did not want to speak.
That arrogant attitude seemed to irritate the man. He sneered. "Ha, dear old Barty Crouch has straightened his back again, as though he were still the untouchable Director of the Auror Office from ten years ago. Oh—I almost forgot. Lord Crouch latched onto that person's thigh nice and early. No wonder you're no longer curled up in a corner like last year, wishing everyone would pretend you didn't exist."
Old Barty Crouch lifted