standsonhigh | There's nothing here but what here's mine.

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psl: barty

There's nothing here but what here's mine.

This wasn't, exactly, how he had planned his return. He had expected to be on home turf, a place he understood and wanted to be. Surrounded by worshippers and already plotting. Not here with some strange man using the power he gave specifically to his followers to bring him back. The books of Saxon weren't meant to be public knowledge, they were his private notes, and yet this man decided to drag him into a world he didn't want to be in.

The Master always had a funny feeling that magic wasn't something he should of ever tried to toy with because as it stood, he didn't like where this was going. It defied the logic he knew.

Voldemort was a strange creature, a very unpleasant one at that. He looked sickly and his eyes were red like an albino. Still, he didn't say much on it, he'd looked worse himself and damages were just a sign of ambition and desire. It always took everything out of you, especially with humans.

The drums were raging in his head as he followed Voldemort into this meeting he'd decided to attend. He'd only been back a few days and already he seemed to of captured the imagination of this tiny little creature who was all but eager to introduce him.

An ancient ruler from another reality must of been interesting.

He didn't walk behind Voldemort, he kept in step, not willing to seem a lesser. Hey, the dark lord brought him here. If he was going to play with this merry band of psychopaths, he wanted to seem equal.

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"The grand finale," the Master said simply, a cunning smile on his face. He had waited this long to free Barty for a reason and that reason was that he wanted a better excuse than the one he knew he had deep down. And he thought the timing was right, Voldemort was about to come into some very new and very important 'power'. "No spoilers but I do think I have the perfect way to make your master invincible and immortal."

And surely Barty would want a front row seat for that one. To happily watch when the Master finally does his stuff. But, of course, he wasn't even going to hint at his plans. Because Barty would tell, he'd always tell. So he decided not to so much as look amused but more vaguely annoyed and disinterested.

"How far is it? Your house, I mean. Could we walk?"

The grand finale. Now, that was something he did want to witness.

"Yes, precisely. My father, who you must know by now, decided to choose residence near Azkaban, probably to enjoy the screams of the people he put there." Barty sneered and shook his head, unable to see much humour in most things surrounding his father. "London, of course. Close to the Ministry. Like your residence, I'd suspect."

He took a step closer, vaguely recalling what his Lord had said about the Master before. A different world, different power, complex... "We could apparate." He smiled, while he felt how his body was starting to change again. "I'll even take you by the hand."

"Crouch Sr? We've gotten to know each other fairly well. Isn't he just a very pompous bastard? Can't say I'm fond," the Master remarked playfully as he came to a halt, raising an eyebrow at Barty. He didn't actually know how to apparate himself but he knew what it was and the side effects. They didn't sound fun but he once travelled through a black hole into oblivion so complaining about travel sickness seemed so pointless.

With a nod, he turned to Barty, watching in amusement as his face started to change, his body slowly sinking in and his skin almost buzzing and morphing. It was entirely fascinating. The things humans do to themselves.

"Well, don't leave a man waiting," the Master teased, holding out his hand and wriggling his fingers. "The quicker the better."

"Mostly, yes." But of course, unfortunately, his father was far more to him. So much more. He shook his head of the idea and reached for the Master's hand, looking down at it as he threaded their fingers together. It had been a while since he'd touched someone, quite a while. It felt longer still.

He shook his head of that notion and without another word, they apparated, the world vanishing around them and the familiar feeling still enough to make him feel sick, empty stomach and all that. It was his room they appeared in and it had obviously been searched, which wasn't surprising. It still made his skin crawl to see the open drawers, the books pulled from the shelves and ripped. Invasive, that's how it felt, which didn't help with the sickness.

He withdrew his hand from the Master and pressed his lips together, stepping closer to his wardrobe. At least his clothes were still there.

"What do you expect me to do? Hide until it's time?"

Now that was unpleasant. With a groan, the Master pulled a face and shook his head, travelling by magic was much worse than a vortex manipulator. Taking his mind off the unpleasant feeling rolling around in his gut, he decided to look around and pry himself. It was most all the same old crap people had in their bedrooms, besides the books. They were different. He picked up one of the fallen books off the floor and dropped onto his bed, flipping through it in interest. A spell book, from the looks. Wizards seemed to only read about this sort of thing, didn't they have other interests?

Looking up from a passage he was reading to give Barty his attention, he shrugged his shoulders with a distinct lack of interest. Seemed as good a place as any.

"Why not? You've lived here before, haven't you? Just take care of daddy and hang about till it's all set, it won't be long now," the Master said in such a casual tone, assuming the plan was always going to be that he'd kill his dad. That's what he'd do if he was in Barty's shoes. It didn't even seem like a difficult or morally challenging idea to him, the Master crushed anyone who got in his way. Family or otherwise. "I can give you a hand, if you need it."

He wasn't sure if he wanted Barty in his home after all, he didn't want to risk being caught with him in public. Might ruin all he was building up and he couldn't afford that.

"My father vanishing might be noticed by people. Everyone, mostly." But even as he spoke, Barty was already taking the clothes off he hadn't really wanted to wear in the first place, searching for something more fitting. Fitting for killing his father. The thought alone was exhilarating, but also made his heart beat up to his throat. Barty wasn't used to fear, but he was no stranger to it, either. Kill his father? Just like that?

He turned around to look at the Master, half-dressed but all focused, eyes searching his face, mind trying to reach his. "What do you need me for?"

"You'd think, wouldn't you? The man never misses a day, not once. But he's supposed to go off for an inspection shortly and he isn't expected in till after the weekend. People won't even think to check for a few days at least. That's enough time, isn't it? To think of our next move," the Master said simply, grinning at Barty. Oh yes, he already planned for this. He'd made sure that this little stunt of theirs merged well with Crouch Sr's scheduling. He too knew what a pitfall it was to take this sort of risk but he had plans and back up plans for their next act. "By the time they notice he didn't turn up for his destination, we'll of done the deed and moved on."

The Master pulled at his tie, loosening it slightly so he was more at ease and ready for what was going to happen. He could see the determination in Barty's eyes, the temptation. He loved it. "Company. I'm bored and this seems fun. But, of course, if there's anything else you want to offer, I'm all ears."

For a moment, Barty just raised his eyebrows. Then he let out a quiet chuckle, still looking at the Master, suddenly quite struck by the hilarity of it. There he was, that strange man that he hardly knew and understood even less, lying on his bed, in his room, offering an opportunity to kill the man he despised more than anything, the man who had thrown him into prison although he was his only son, who had nothing but contempt for him and... Yes, he wanted to kill him.

He wasn't stupid, nor naive. He could fill in the blanks well enough. But even so, he just finished getting dressed, calmly, then ran his fingers through his hair before approaching the bed. There wasn't really any warning before he bent down and wrapped the Master's tie around his hand twice, using it to pull him up so he was still hovering above him, inches from touching and staring straight into his eyes.

None of it made sense and it felt wrong, but yet he was so excited he was almost giddy. He kissed him, finally, not caring that his lips were torn and dry, he had too many emotions warring inside him not to find an outlet. His voice was breathless as he pulled back, forehead pressed against the Masters. "Onetwothreefour, onetwothreefour,... Your mind, Master." He could hear it, now, and suddenly it was hard to hear anything but. "It doesn't stop."

The book was set aside when Barty approached, interest in his eyes to see what the man did. When he reached for the tie, the Master's first assumption was that he was going to try and choke him to death. A dumb thing to do as he could hold his breath for nearly an hour, it's just give him a sore neck at best. But the closer he got, the more the signals became obvious.

And the kiss? Well, that was expected but a nice little add on. He kissed differently from Lucy, his lips were rougher and harsher. It was refreshing, something new and not at all like he would of thought the Doctor would kiss. With a smirk, he licked the corner of his lips.

"Well now," he drawled slowly, elbows supporting him now so his head was tilted up, a smile on his face. It was a good moment, at first, then Barty brought up a topic he didn't want to discuss. There's a faint twitch as the human mentioned his drums and the Master's face changed to something very serious, a hand reaching out to grip Barty's shirt and hold onto it, fingers twisting into the fabric. He didn't know how to take this moment, so he simply when on the offence. "No, they don't. They never ever stop."

Then he pushed himself up, shoving Barty back as he did so. "Don't ever go into my head again, you dull ape. What's in there is not for you."

Oh, interesting. There was a definite change in Barty, too, at the strong reaction. He didn't quite let it show, didn't quite smile, but he did keep his eyes on the Master, even as he let himself fall back on the bed. "I'll try."

He kept watching him, now the one on his back, now the one leaning on his elbows, consciously or unconsciously mimicking the Master's position from before. He spread his legs, but it was a subtle enough thing, mostly just getting more comfortable. It was his bed, after all.

"And you won't tell me who I look like, either." A statement, not a question. "But you gave me a chance to get rid of my father. I won't forget that." His lips twitched in a smile. "Master."

The Master sat upright on the bed, back against the headboard as he watched the other man sprawl in front of him. It was like an invitation and if he wasn't so determined to keep his head on his shoulders, he might of tried to take some advantage of the situation. He used to do that with Lucy, whenever she gave so much as a slight hint, he took it. Time Lords were always so funny about such things, it always felt so delightfully rebellious.

With a sigh, he shook his head in disbelief. He could throw the guy a bone, he supposed. "You look like an old friend and a great enemy. "

With a smirk, he tilted his head back, willing to pass over the mental intrusion this time. But he may not be so happy in the future. Letting out a bark of laughter, he looked Barty directly in the eyes, unable to help himself. Oh he did love that title. "Just remember that it's your show, Barty. You do the deed, I just watch. And help, if you feel like sharing."

"ah," he only made, but perhaps he understood better than the master would think. He didn't comment beyond that though, figuring that perhaps with time he'd know. He imagined he could still hear the drum's beat, so who knew. One day he could look into that mind again.

"Share?" Barty shook his head, simply because he couldn't remember wanting any help with this. He wanted to end it. He would end it. He should probably get rid of Winky before then, but he supposed he could just order her out of the room. Should be easy enough. She'd always liked him. He reckoned that after his mother had died from a broken heart, that attachment would only have deepened. "I'm an only child."

"I was a child of thirteen or more. Though I don't think I saw them much and I hardly know their names," they were less brothers and sisters though, more cousins. People in a house that studied nearby. He didn't really tolerate any of them and barely saw them so he was happy enough to pretend he didn't know them. Fortunately, it wasn't an issue now, the Doctor had fixed his family issues for him. "They're all dead now, it's refreshing."

Pulling the spell book back into his lap, he continued to leaf through it in interest. He was still learning magic and it was a shaky road. He was good at potions because he wasn't a stranger to them but wands and magic? Nonsense.

"You certainly love your mother, don't you? Or loved, anyway," the Master remarked, looking at Barty with a bright smile. "I heard you cry out for her while I was stalling outside."

"I didn't know that happened outside bunnies." It was a harmless dig, more of a pureblood sentiment since it was typically lower families that had more children in wizarding circles, but it wasn't as if he cared a lot. Dead. Refreshing. Yes, he could imagine that.

He watched the Master silently, worrying his lower lip because his thoughts were, already, on his father's death. On his father's screams. The mention of his mother however made him frown and he considered for a moment before replying. "She loved me." And it felt strange to talk of her in the past tense, it did. He wasn't sure what he still felt for her, what he had felt for her before, but he didn't yet quite think of her as 'gone'. "She'd have kept me out of there if she could. But she was weak."

"Maybe that's what I am, part bunny? Bet you didn't consider that," the Master teased playfully, unable to help himself. Where he came from, it was mostly standard. Every house had thirteen children loomed and they all went out into the world to live their lives without family nonsense. Unless they wanted to play that game, then they could.

"I believe most human men cry for their mothers when in pain. It's funny, that's all I could here in Azkaban. Desires for their mommy to come and save them," the Master mused without much thought. He did, however, halt for a moment, looking at Barty with a curious expression. Then held up the book to display it to his new best friend. "I'm having this, by the way. Take it as a fee for saving your arse. I really should learn more about this stuff."

So far he knew a few spells, those which most first years would of mastered in their first weeks.

"That must be why you're so adorable." The wry tone was obvious, but the smile was quite amused. Perhaps in some way or other, there was an adorable streak to the master. Right next to the unsettling one and the obvious cruelty. He could deal with that.

"Instincts, I suppose." Barty shrugged. He'd rather not have the Master have seen him brought down so low, but... Alright. It was over. He could deal. At the declaration of ownership of the book he just snorted, taking a look at it and arching his eyebrows.

"This one? Sure. Though if you told me what it is you want to learn, I could probably point you to better ones."

"Darn, you read me so well," the Master shot back, flicking towards the index of the books to look over the duelling spells. He could use being able to fight with magic, that was the one thing he had to worry over. He had a plan to stop Voldemort but science could only lead him so far. Magic was beyond the laws he knew and understood, he didn't have a firm grasp on it.

He needed to know everything he could but he only had so long to prepare a defence. And he was about to piss off legions of Death Eaters.

"Defence. Attacks. Just general counter spells would be useful, I suppose. I have a feeling that people won't tolerate me very long should I make the wrong move and I have a disadvantage," Though he doesn't seem that bothered over it. Instead, he smirked, and gave Barty a challenging look. "Fortunately, there are much stronger and worse means than magic."

"It's easier taught in person than read in books, but I have books on that, of course." Barty met the challenging look and, after a tense moment, he just smiled and inclined his head in that vaguely polite way that could mean anything, from denial to agreement. "Whatever you say. But magic is what I know."

He smiled and pushed himself up so he sat across from the Master, holding his gaze still. "So I can teach you. You're in this world now."

See, now, this is why he liked Barty. So eager to help, so oddly endearing. The Master set the book aside and sat up straight, motivated and interested. He was all up for learning and he was very interested in the idea of having this sort of power. So far he could make things float and explode. Minor explosions too, like water splurting out. Nothing really that good. And all with a borrowed wand that didn't overly work, he needed to improve his skills.

"I need a wand. And some lessons. After we dispose of daddy, you can show me," the Master insisted, wanting something out of this. He didn't save the man out of goodness, he wanted to profit. Barty had experience, he needed a little of it. "I'm sure you can share?"

"We can buy a wand. Well. I can tell you where you should buy it, anyway." Barty frowned for a moment. "Although I really should get a new one, too. I doubt the one I took will do much good." He bit his lower lip, once more made aware of how much his father had screwed up his life. Taken his freedom. He smiled though and gave a nod.

"I can show you. I may not be my Lord's equal in magic..." Somehow he managed to have a 'yet' be implied. "...but I know enough to make sharing worthwhile. Now you know what you need me for. Aside from company."

"Write me down an address and directions, tomorrow is my day off and I have to get one before this weekend," the Master insisted, he needed to get a hold of one for his grand plan. The finale wasn't far away and if his science failed him, he was going to need a wand. Not that it would do him much good against someone like Voldemort, he seemed to be very good at the magic side of things.

Hopefully, because the Master was being very secretive over it, he wouldn't grasp that the Master planned to use science against him. "If you have skills, do share them. Like you say, that might be your great use to me after all."

"You've not been to Diagon Alley yet? There's really no better wandmaker in Great Britain than Ollivander. Probably not even in the world." He hadn't studied wand lore all that extensively yet, but since he knew that his Lord was interested in it, he had implored it further himself.

"You may watch and learn," Barty permitted graciously, a secretive smile on his lips. "My father should be home soon." He took out the wand he had stolen before and experimentally cast a few sparks. Good enough, he supposed, but if he ever could, he'd definitely get a wand that belonged to him again. One that wanted him.

"I brief visited but I had to leave," the place was giving him a headache, he understood none of it. Hopefully he could get someone to explain this stuff to him so he'd know what to do. After all, he had to get a wand and he seriously didn't like the idea of going in and getting conned. He wanted the best he could physically get. He had to be ready.

"Magic to torture? Now I know all about that one," the Master remarked, a gleeful smile on his face. He'd learned all about it when a crowd of death eaters filled him in on why the Doctor lookalike was no longer about. Seemed there were strict laws on it. "Naughty Barty played with darker forces than he should of."

Barty let out a surprised laugh at that, shaking his head with a smile and a shrug. "I always do." That much was true, at least. Dark magic had always been the one that fascinated him. The one that touched on the very essence of the user, that needed willpower and strength and that left its mark. Of course, it helped that his father wanted to outlaw it and end any and all affiliation.

"You don't sound as if you mind. Good. I like that in a man." He laughed again, tongue flicking out to lick his lips. "It's the true strength of magic."

"I've been torturing since before you great great great great granddaddy was born. And then some. It's hardly even an issue for me these days, as normal as making yourself some toast in the morning," the Master pointed out as he lay back on the bed once more, eagerly listening out for any signs of Crouch Sr. He couldn't wait to lay waste to that moron.

"Perhaps you could teach me a few of these banned spells of yours."

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