Mountainous Estate

'I cant....I cant do that again...'

"Then stay out of the way while I handle the rest. Don't need you flipping sides again because you feel bad." He clearly still held a grudge from when she endangered Artemis to save Crouch once.

'Have I not done enoght to prove to you where I stand? I made mistakes. We all do. Treat me like a human being for once in yourr life and realise I regret hurting your family! I regret everything, ok?' I was almost shouting.

This made the gargoyle-esque man stand silently. Her regret seemed sincere...

But it did also those other times too. 

Crest had enough issues with trust without needing evidence, but this would take him a long time to get over.

"Help me catch Raven I may do just that."

I laigh humourlessly 'even after that you would never believe me. I give up.' I pull the bag containing the stone from my shoulder and throw it at him. 'Deal with it all yoursrlf. I cant cope with this anymore. ' I start walking towards the door

Crest wanted to say the right words here, but he couldn't find any. What if he was never given a second chance? What if he was judged solely by who his old mentor was? 

"River, stop." He told her abruptly.

'Why?' I turn ti face him. 'So you can tell me again that im evil that I do everythig wrong? That im untrustworthy abd useless? Why, crest?'

"... maybe I am being a bit harsh. Let's leave it at I've been betrayed plenty of times. Plenty." Although his face didn't budge, the pain of his past could be felt radiating off him.

'Betrayal is the only think mankund can do well.' I shake my head 'everyone has been betrayed at one point in their lives. But what defines you is how you deal with it...and should mean nit treating everyone likee the first person. But thats what you do.'

"These things shouldn't affect me. It's irrational thinking which I cannot afford right now."

'Even you, with your stoney face, is human. Abd that means youve been hurt.of course its going yo affect you. Like it affects eveyone. '

"Human... is the last thing I can be right now..." He starts walking toward the door.

'Please.' I say suddenly before he can leave. 'Dont leave me on my own...'

Crest looked at her, over his shoulder, "You must be really hurting for company if you want me to stay."

'Ive lost everyone, crest. ...'

"... Come with me, I have work to do but you're welcome to tag along."

'Are...you sure?'

"No, but I have to become more trusting..."

'Im not going to hurt or betray you, crest. I promise'

"Correct." He took her hand, and apparated them back to Honora Castellum so he could continue his work.

Crouch returned to his home, furious and also thoughtful...

His attempts to locate Raven through the usual means were completely fruitless. That accursed new Minister Shacklebolt had essentially ruined Crouch's network inside the Ministry itself.

Rooting out corruption, he called it. Rather like a doctor hiding a fatal diagnosis from a patient by saying he had a minor ailment.

With so few Death Eater's free, the lose of any one of them was a crippling blow to the cause. That was just the sheer fragile state they were left in with his master's death. 

Crouch knew the only way to free Raven would involve a lot of public attacks and threats being issued. He also knew that doing so would essentially compromise them, put an even larger target on their back and turn the public completely against them.

The Death Eaters couldn't stand on even footing against the Ministry, Order of the Phoenix, or any of their other enemies currently. Their next takeover couldn't be one of outright might vs. might. They needed to find a way to exist in just a way as a parasite did. Deadly to remove, but even worse to remain unchecked. A necessary evil.

Crouch had faith that his Muggle War could accomplish this end, however it still needed a lot of groundwork to be properly executed. For example, the Death Eaters needed to fade into obscurity, become legends that are passed off as boogeymen and phantoms. The new threat needed to trump them in terms of priority and as such the strong arm tactics couldn't be utilized to free Raven. Too much attention would be turned to them.

Crouch's thoughts turned inward, considering his own priorities as well. His 'borrowed' magic was still not up to Crouch's normal destructive abilities. While it did keep him alive, it also needed to be broken to his will like a wild stallion. It was though his body was purposefully holding back it's true potency, even more reasoning why forceful tactics wouldn't be advantageous to freeing his apprentice. 

All of this only added to Crouch's frustrations. Charging forth wand's blazing, blood spilling, and cries of despair were of much better taste than sneaking around like a rat in a minefield...

However this was the very thing that Crouch needed them to be...

A necessary evil.

The room was cold and dark, damp as well. The chamber was made entire of cold, heartless stone and rows of large torches led all the way to massive stone. He rested Raven before the large rock that was starting to take the appearance of his late master. Voldemort's head was started to emerge from the stone as if it was rising above the rock to gain air.

"Welcome to my catacombs, Raven..."

"It's a pleasure... Does there happen to be food down here?"  Raven asks as her stomach growls viciously.

"Indeed, would you mind waiting down here? Feel free to admire my hobby while you wait..." He started to walk toward a large, decorative pool with black fish swimming around it.

Raven nods, "Alright!"