I was thinking about different AU's - like some of the significant roles played and losses from the first wizarding war and stuff - and I thought to myself, "What if instead of Fudge becoming Minister, Barty Crouch just became the Minister of Magic?" Like what if he managed to cover up his sons fuck ups and saw his pompous way through the rest of the war? We all know he was a hardass and stuff, so how would everything change before Harry even learns what magic is - or, would Barty try and use Harry to some extent, maybe even try and turn him from regular!Harry into Auror!Harry? Barty was a cunt, but apparently he was one of the good guys...who liked to torture information out of the bad guys.

I've never seen a story like this and I've poked at the idea of trying it, but I just didn't really feel like it so I thought I'd at least put the idea out there for anyone to give it a go.

 

Alternatively, and to spice things up even more, Junior is still a Death Eater and didn't get discovered - so he got a high position while waiting for Voldemort's return.