Hermione woke up later, to the sound of dripping water outside, which meant rain. That made Hermione feel slightly better, as she loved the rain, but she was still angry and upset about everything. She got up, not remembering moving in, or unpacking a lot of her things until her foot stepped onto the hard floor. Then she remembered that she was in Crouch's house, and her feelings just got worse.

Looking around at the lumps on the floor, Hermione sighed, getting to work, moving her dresser to be on the wall right next to where her bed was. She then moved her desk and desk chair to be in the southwest corner of her bedroom. Her lamp was placed next to the desk. She then went through her belongings and put them in either her dresser, or her closet. She then put her books on her shelves, hoping to have some organization there.

When she finished, her stomach was growling, so she walked down the hallway, and down the stairs to the kitchen. Her plan was to try and grab something small to eat, get it down her throat before getting up and heading upstairs and back to bed, but the moment she entered the kitchen, there was a pop. Winky stood there, smiling.

"Hello, Miss Hermione."

"Oh, hi, Winky."

"Master Barty is knowing that Miss Hermione is wanting some food to eat. Master Barty is telling Winky to prepare some food for Miss Hermione when she is being ready."

"Oh, you didn't need to do that."

"Winky is happy to be helping Miss Hermione. What can Winky be getting, so Miss Hermione can eat?"

"Can I just get a turkey sandwich, and maybe some water?" Hermione knew it would be pointless to argue with Winky. It had been in fourth year, and since Crouch was now her master, and he was stubborn as hell, Winky would be even more difficult to argue with.

Winky clapped her hands and jumped, happy that Hermione had finally accepted help from her and someone of her kind. "Winky is starting right now."

With her elf magic, Winky had everything made in no time. It wasn't summoned out of nowhere, but Hermione could finally tell why people loved food made by a house elf. It was the best food she had ever tasted, and Hermione was actually prepared to think that it was better, if not at the same level, than Mrs. Weasley's.

"Oh my God, Winky, this is so good."

"Winky is glad that Miss Hermione is liking it."

Hermione ate her sandwich slowly, so as to allow herself to savor the taste of it. She also wanted to talk to Winky about Crouch. She was worried that something bad might happen, and since she trusted Winky, she might be able to trust her husband-to-be soon.

"Winky, can I ask you something about your Master?"

"Of course. Miss Hermione can ask Winky anything.

"He is a good master, yes?"

"Master Barty is being the best master to Winky. Master Barty is even being better than Professor Dumbledore." That shocked Hermione: that someone might be a better master than the beloved, yet rather insane, headmaster.

"Is he a good man in general? I mean to say, I won't get hurt living here, will I?" Hermione wanted to make sure that she would be safe, well, as safe as possible, while living at the Crouch residence.

"Winky will not be letting Master Barty hurt Miss Hermione."

Hermione smiled at the elf. She had been helpful. She didn't ask Winky if he was innocent, because Hermione knew that whatever the elf said, it couldn't be bad, so of course she would say that he was innocent, even if it wasn't true. Besides, no matter what Winky said, Hermione wouldn't believe it. But she was glad that she had an ally in this house, even if the ally was on the other side as well.

Winky took Hermione's dishes, and Hermione wished her a good night, before walking up the stairs to look around. She didn't want to wander too far, as she wanted to be able to find her way back to her bedroom, so she decided to only explore in her hallway, and around the rooms in that area. She saw Crouch's room there, and it was empty, which meant he was God knows where.

Next to his bedroom was his office, the room she knew that she couldn't enter, ever. She was about to continue walking, when she heard crying over something, and she listened in, seeing if she could understand why. But then she heard him moving and her eyes widened. She couldn't be caught eavesdropping, that would only make their situation more unbearable.

Hermione felt her way around, before she felt a corner, and staying close to the wall, she turned, hidden, just as his office door opened and he stepped out. He walked into his room, closed the door, and Hermione sighed.

But why was he crying? Was he also miserable with this arrangement? Or was there something more to him? She knew that he would never tell him, so she would have to investigate. It was time for her to find out what was being hidden by that beast of a man.