Disclaimer: Harry Potter is the creation of J.K. Rowling, not mine.
Summary: Barty is an inquisitive young man.
Warning: Torture, but not really graphic.
Author's notes: Written for Livejournal community Spring Kinkfest, prompt: October 7 - Harry Potter, Regulus Black/Barty Crouch Jr: Consensual Crucio Cursing - "It's never the pain that drives you mad." Set before the first fall of Voldemort.

Learning by Experience

by monitor screen

-o-

Show me.

The pain courses through him like lightning, like water in a flood, like his very own blood. It washes out everything else - senses, thoughts, even feeling itself.

He has asked for this. Show me.

When everything becomes white and bright around him, when the world is but a void, somehow he opens his eyes - and looks into those of his tormentor. Well, not really tormentor, because he has asked for this. Show me.

Numbly, he sees those blue eyes narrow in harsh determination. Through tears uncalled for, he notes the grimace, and wonders, What are you feeling sorry about, Black? Because he has asked for this. Show me.

A flourish of the wand, and it is over. Reality comes crashing back, and he hurts. It is a despairing sort of anguish, endless and all-surrounding. It makes him want to howl. To scream and to claw himself inside out, just to escape it.

Out of the madness a hand touches his face, sparking another sear of pain. But it wakes him. The agony fades, leaving him weak and trembling. Nonetheless he smiles, because he understands now.

A disgusted sigh, "You're an idiot, Crouch." And then he is helped up.

-o-