For the Ultimate Patronus Quest (alligator: Write about someone facing other people's prejudices)

"Who brought the Ministry brat?" Regulus sneers.

Barty winces. He wishes the words wouldn't hurt so much, but they do. He can't help who his father is, what he's done. It doesn't define Barty, and yet no one wants to let it go.

"Sure you aren't going to run to Daddy and tell him what's going on?" Bellatrix asks with a smirk. "What a way to be Daddy's golden boy again."

Barty scowls. He lifts his sleeve, revealing the Dark Mark, the proof that he's dedicated himself to their shared cause. It should be enough to show them that he's more than just Crouch's son, more than just a Ministry brat. "I wear the same mark as you," he says coldly.

Nott laughs. "A zebra doesn't change its stripes, mate," he says. "You can claim whatever you like. But you've done nothing to prove yourself to us. You're still just a Ministry brat. Still you're father's son."

Barty draws his wand and aims it at Nott. In an instant, several wands are drawn, each of them pointing at Barty. Barty bites the inside of his cheek. He doesn't like his odds. He could take on two of them, maybe three, but he's drastically outnumbered.

"Baby Crouch wants to play," Bellatrix purrs, a wickedglint in her eyes. "Are you sure this is the right game for you, Crouch? Perhaps you'd be better suited for Gobstones."

"I can handle my own in battle, Bellatrix," Barty answers. "Do you really want to try me? I would hate to embarrass you in front of your friends."

He says the hesitation around the room and tries not to smile.

"You're bluffing," she says. "We'd have you under the ground before you could even utter a curse."

All eyes are on Barty. He's always hated being the center of attention, but he doesn't mind now. If he can show them that he's a force to be reckoned with, maybe they'll lay down their prejudices. Bellatrix is the strongest link. Take her out, and he's in.

"You're just like your father," she laughs. "Oh, you can talk a big game, can't you baby Crouch? But you can't deliver."

"Are you sure about that?" he asks with a grin. "You and me, Bellatrix. No rules, no etiquette. Last man standing wins."

The others murmur amongst themselves. Bellatrix blushes an angry scarlet. "Wands down," she orders. "You want to play, Crouch? Let's pl-"

"Crucio!"

The curse knocks her to her back. She cries out, her limbs contorting.

"I thought you were going to give me a challenge," Barty laughs, a proud smirk tugging at his lips.

Bellatrix is shaky when she climbs to her feet again. "You little- Avada-"

"Expelliarmus!" he calls, catching her wand easily before casting a Jelly Legs Jinx. She falls again. "Stay down, dear. You've lost."

Bellatrix glares up at him. With a laugh, he performs the countercurse. She climbs to her feet, murder in her eyes. Barty braces himself. He's certain she can fight just as well with her hands as she can with her fists.

But she doesn't act. With a laugh, she approaches him, dragging her nails gently across his cheek. "You've got guts, Crouch," she says, snatching her wand back from him.

"No one's ever gotten the best of her," Regulus murmurs, clearly impressed.

"And he still hasn't!" Bellatrix snaps. "You've got out trust. For now. But I'll be watching you, Crouch. Make no mistake about that."

Barty nods. He can barely believe his luck. He lets out a relieved sigh, smiling to himself.

They may not trust him completely. He'll have to work on that. But they respect him, and, for now, that's the best he can do.