At dawn, Vaughn woke from his sleep.
Clattering sounds were already coming from the kitchen downstairs. Winky was busy with the housework. Since the day before yesterday, the little elf had displayed a startling burst of enthusiasm.
"Mr. Weasley cured the young master. Madam can finally rest in peace. Winky must repay Mr. Weasley properly on Madam's behalf!"
That was what she had repeated most often these past two days.
After washing up in the bathroom on the second floor, daylight had only just fully broken.
Vaughn stepped out of the small house and breathed in the morning air, rich with the scent of dew and earth, then took a walk around this Muggle neighborhood.
To conceal his son's existence, Crouch had naturally chosen a residence primarily for its sparse population and seclusion.
There was a park beside the neighborhood. Vaughn followed a path over the park's rolling hills and even spotted a fairly private golf course on the other side.
Places like these, which catered to the wealthy, were always built with such a touch of humanistic splendor. Beyond the wall lay a broad lawn, glistening in the morning light rising from the east, and lush green hedges that blocked the outside view.
Vaughn nodded.
What a nice place!
Having finished scouting the area, Vaughn returned to the Crouch house. Winky had already prepared breakfast and warmly greeted him when she saw him. "Honored Mr. Weasley, Winky made your favorite pie—beef gravy filling with peas."
"There aren't any potatoes, are there?"
Vaughn loathed the potatoes so beloved by the English!
Winky had clearly made a point of remembering his preferences and said enthusiastically, "Of course not. Winky gave all the potatoes to Master!"
At the dining table, Crouch, who was tucking in his napkin, stared at the small serving