Chapter Text
October 31st 1975 Friday
“I absolutely hate Slughorn like I know I always say that but genuinely slug man can go rot in hell not even, even that's too nice for him” Barty complains when he sits down beside Evan.
“Hello to you too Bee” Evan replies, taking a bite out of his sandwich before turning to look back at Pandora who he was talking to before Barty stormed in.
Barty leans against Evan, sighing dramatically waiting for him to finish talking to Pandora. The great hall was busy with people talking about what they were doing tonight since it was Halloween. Barty had heard a few first years talking about some party going on in the Gryffindor common room tonight on his way down and figured he’d see if any of the others wanted to go down as well.
He looks over at Regulus who was staring at him as well as Dorcas. He stared back at them slightly confused and the three of them stayed like that for a few minutes before Regulus finally spoke.
“Uh Barty, since when did you have a septum piercing that wasn't there yesterday” Regulus says, looking slightly confused.
“Oh yeah no it wasn’t I did it last night” Barty responded.
“Where the fuck did you get the ring from” Dorcas asked looking more confused on where he got the piercing for it and not the fact he actually pierced his nose.
“Magic obviously transfigured an old ring that broke took bloody ages”
“That explains why it looks like a snake,” Dorcas muttered, leaning against the table to get a better look at the piercing.
Barty let out a small laugh, trying his best to not move so Dorcas could study the piercing. Eventually when Dorcas moves back taking a bite from whatever she was eating Barty turns to see Regulus staring at him.
“It suits you but what’s your father going to say when he finds out?” Regulus asks, still watching Barty closely.
“Pretty sure I can just flip it so it so you won’t be able to see it you know since it doesn’t connect at the front bit here” Barty responds, turning the piercing so you wouldn’t be able to see it before putting it back.
Regulus nods in response before him and Dorcas go back to talking. Barty puts his head back on Evan’s shoulder and watches as the two twins whisper between one another.
Barty feels a sharp poke in his side and when he sits up he sees Evan staring at him.
“So Slughorn, what did he do to provoke you being pissy?” Evan asks after a few seconds, looking as if he was internally battling asking the question.
“Ok so basically when I was walking down here Slughorn had stopped me asking about some homework assignment and how it was going so naturally I lied because personally I do not do his homework because I already understand everything and it’s a waste too right it down if I can remember it in my head but anyways not the point so he asked me about it and asked me to show it to him because he’s a prick who doesn’t believe me so I told him it’s in my dorm so now I have to show it to him after lunch and I haven’t anything done” Barty replies, before adding “He also told me to take my hoodie off for some reason even though we don’t have fucking classes today”
“Okay and I’m assuming you’re not going to show him the work, correct” Evan questioned, glancing at Barty’s piercing.
“Exactly Rosie also did you know about the party going on in Gryffindor later? If yes, are you planning on going?”
“Doubt I’d even be able to go since you know they aren’t a big fan of Slytherins in their common room”
“Yeah but you could go with me that way you won’t be told to leave” Barty suggests.
“I also don’t think you’d be allowed to go we’ll probably have to ask one of them”
“Fair enough” Barty responds, shrugging his shoulders.
“Crouch, would you be able to pick up another book for me in the library later? I have to do something and won’t have time to pick it up” Regulus asks, tapping Barty on the shoulder.
“Why can’t you get it exactly?”
“I’m busy I have stuff to do”
“Like what, writing you sad poetry?” Barty retorts looking over Regulus closely.
“Ha very funny, but actually I need to talk to professor McGonagall about something” Regulus responded “So could you please get the book for me?”
“Yeah sure,whatever, which one is it?” Barty asked, watching Regulus closely he swore he could see a hint of hesitation in the other boy's face.
“Uhh…it’s a book on herbology I think it’s called The simple guide to plants”
“Okay I’ll get it for you after lunch”
“Thanks Barty” Regulus replied, giving Barty a small smile before turning back to Dorcas who was now quietly talking to Pandora.
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The corridors were quiet since most people were in their dorms or common rooms. The weather, too cold for people to be outside now. Barty and Evan were walking along the corridors somewhere on the fifth floor.
This became a regular thing for them to do when Evan once found Barty exploring the school when the toy boys became friends. Back then they didn’t anywhere they knew they weren’t allowed but last year once they explored all the corridors they were allowed in they decided to move to the ones they aren’t allowed in.
“So witch trials thoughts and opinions” Evan asked as the two turned a corner somewhere up on the fifth floor of the castle.
“Intersting to know how stupid the muggles used to be if I’m honest” Barty replied before adding. “Why do you ask?”
“I was in the library and found a book about them specifically the ones in Salem and it was really interesting”
“Oh yeah how so?” Barty asked as the two now make their way down another flight of stairs.
“Okay so basically they took place during 1692 until sometime in 1693 and they accused like 200 people well that’s all that’s on record anyways who knows maybe there's more. Out of the 200 people though only about twenty were actually killed. Most of them were hanged in Proctor's ledge, however some of them were tortured to death since I think they denied a plea or something” Evan explained when Barty let him go on.
“Okay yeah I can see how that's interesting” Barty responded as the two walked along an abandoned corridor on the fourth floor somewhere.
The place was eerily quiet the only sounds being their footsteps echoing along the hallway. Barty heard something that almost sounded like a laugh behind them and instantly turned around but no one was there.
“Yeah and when I was reading the book I saw there was a kid called Dorothy Good but she wasn’t really mentioned in the book so I went to go and see if the library had a book that would have more on her and they did. Turns out she was the youngest person tried; she was only four years old. Her mother I can’t remember her name but anyways her mother was also tried and was hanged in June I think. So you know they were together for a while but Dorothy wasn’t let out until December of that year” Evan goes on not having seen Barty’s uneasiness.
“Holy fuck no way she was only four years old when she was tried as a witch she could probably only just about get dressed by herself and you’re telling me they thought she was practicing whole ass witchcraft fucking ludacrise so it is” Barty reponded.
The two were near the stairs down to the third floor now which Barty was grateful for especially after the laughing he heard. However he really didn’t want Evan to stop talking. He was incredibly enwrapped in what the other boy was talking about. He honestly thought he could listen to Evan for hours on end and he wouldn’t get bored of him if he was being honest with himself.
“I know right? I mean mind you she was taking in for questioning near the end of March not long after her mother and because she said her mother had given her a snake they automatically assumed that she was a witch” Evan continued as the two were now down to the third floor.
It was louder down here with a few people walking around the corridors most likely enjoying the day off or on their way to the library to get some work done. The two were now closer to the library.
“Do you know where we could find the book Reggie is looking for?” Barty asks, looking over at Evan.
“If I were to guess I’d say our best bet is the library if we’re looking for a book if I’m being honest with you” Evan responds, looking back at him.
“Wow no shit really, you think we’ll find books in the library”
“I don’t know I mean we probably quill it is a library after all” Evan shrugs moving out of the way of a teacher storming down the hall.
The two turn a corner now walking in silence. They weren’t far from the library now Barty could see the door with the small sign above it. Barty has probably only ever been in here a handful of times in his four years of being in the school but even he thought that it was too many times. Regulus would disagree but he was in the library at least once a week doing homework or even just doing some research for whatever reason Barty didn’t know.
Evan opened the door letting Barty go into the library first before following after him. The door slammed shut behind them, echoing in the quiet room. The two started walking along the bookshelves filled with books, some old with well worn spines, while others looked relatively new; the covers were much more vibrant and the spines still intact.
Evan was looking at the sides of the shelves to see what was written on them. Eventually near the back of the library they found the section labelled herbology and the two turned down the small space between the bookshelves to have a look at the books on the shelves.
Barty started looking at the books on one side of the row while Evan looked on the other side. The two continued searching the shelves for the book. Eventually Barty found a small book on the bottom shelf with a worn down cover, he took it off the shelf turning it around in his hand. It had a simple green cover worn down from years of sitting on a shelf and being read there wasn’t a title on the cover but when he opened the cover on the front page sure enough it read: “Simple Guide to Plants”
“Found it Rosie, come on lets get going” Barty says, standing up and looking at Evan.
Evan follows suit standing up as Barty starts to walk towards the librarian Madam Prince’s desk to check out the book. They walk through the library and the room is still as quiet as ever but now the two can hear the sound of quills scratching on parchment not that far away.
“Anything else you two need today?” Madam Prince asked not bothering to look up from her book.
“Uh no we’re fine” Barty responded putting the book on the desk for her to stamp.
“And who is the book getting checked out for exactly?” She asked, looking between the two boys.
“Our friend Regulus Black asked us to get the book for him” Barty says, shifting slightly under Madam Prince’s gaze.
“Regulus Black of course” Madam Prince mutters under her breath, stamping the front cover of the book before handing it back to Barty. “There you go”
“Thanks” Barty says, taking the book off her, before the two make their way to the door and leaving the library.
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The two were walking back to the Slytherin common room, well they were supposed to anyway but the two had decided to instead walk around the corridors on the first floor having not explored them since their first year at the school.
As they were walking down a very dimly lit corridor the two could hear the sounds of someone else's footsteps walking down the hall in their direction.
“Wanna take bets on it being some mass murderer or something walking our way?” Barty asks, leaning into Evan to whisper into his ear.
“Merlin I hope so” was Evan’s only response before the figure rounded the corner to reveal it was only Marlene.
“Hi Marlene, you guys are having a party in your common room tonight for halloween right?” He asked, stopping right in front of her.
“Yeah we are, why do you ask? I’m pretty sure no one will care that much if you’re there since you’re a Ravenclaw” Marlene said looking at him, slightly confused.
“Okay but what about Evan, Regulus and Dorcas would there be problems with that?” He asked, still watching her carefully.
“I mean everyone will just think Sirius invited Regulus, I’d imagine Evan would be with you the whole time and I mean if Dorcas stays around that other girl you lot are usually with I don’t think there would be much trouble” Marlene exclaims trying to look anywhere but at Barty.
“Pandora, her name is Pandora,” Evan says, going over to stand beside Barty, getting slightly defensive over his sister.
“Right yeah sorry Pandora I forgot her name” Marlene apologises.
“So you’re saying we can go if we wanted?” Barty asks like he’s quizzing her.
“Yes Crouch, no one will care just don’t start tormenting people just because you think you can and if you do this conversation did not happen since I do not want to take any blame for this understand”
“Alright McKinnon, calm down, Merlin, we’ll be on our best behaviour won’t we Rosie?” Barty says, putting his arm around Evan and looking at him smiling.
“You’re one to talk Bat, you wouldn’t know good behavior if it hit you in the face at full speed” Evan says looking at Barty unamused but you could see a slight smirk on his face.
“Right I’m going to leave you two to do whatever it is you were doing before I walked down here even if it isn’t legal since I need to help Sirius and Remus finish setting up for later” Marlene says before turning around and walking back to the Gryffindor common room.
“Bye McKinnon, see you tonight” Barty says before bursting into laughter beside Evan.
“Ha, Regulus, going to a party because his brother invited him, Merlin I think he’d rather get the plague then go somewhere because Sirius asked him too” Barty says when Marlene had walked away and he was certain she was out of earshot.
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“Regulus, come on you have to get ready, we have to leave in like ten minutes or something” Barty says from his place on Evan’s bed, his head hanging off the edge of it.
“This is stupid why do I even have to go to this stupid party anyways? I’m perfectly fine here” Regulus replies looking up from his book.
Barty takes a glance at the bathroom door, checking to make sure the shower was still on before turning back to Regulus “Because Reggie, James will be there and who knows maybe you’ll be able to woo him with all your angst and what not” He responds, gesturing his hands around for emphasis.
“Ugh fine I’ll get ready once Evan gets out of the shower” Regulus replies before going back to his book.
“What are you reading?” Barty asked, looking for something to throw at Regulus.
“If you throw something at me Crouch I swear to Merlin you will regret it” Regulus says without bothering to look up from his book before adding “History of magic I need to finish writing a paper for Binns”
“You’re no fun Reggie” Barty grumbles, turning his attention to the bathroom door now waiting for Evan to come out so he could annoy him.
Eventually Evan finally left the bathroom drying his hair with a towel having already gotten dressed. Regulus looked up and when he saw Evan leaving the bathroom he stood up and grabbed a change of clothes before going into the bathroom and locking the door behind him.
“Damn someone seems to be in a mood” Evan mutters when Regulus walks past him, before he goes over to sit on the bed beside Barty. “What did you do?”
“Why do I have to have done something for him to be all pissy?” Barty asks, lifting his head up slightly to look up at Evan.
Evan stares back down at him running his hands through Barty's hair before saying: “Do I really need to elaborate?”
“Fine I might’ve teased him a little bit about Potter” Barty grumbled, still staring at Evan, feeling a warm tug in his heart when the other boy ran his hands through Barty’s hair.
“Course you were,” Evan muttered, chuckling softly to himself, before standing up and going over to the door to grab his shoes.
Barty watched Evan as he walked over to the door to grab his shoes. He just stares at him not even realising Evan had asked him something until Evan was waving his hands in front of Barty’s face from where he was sitting on the floor.
“Huh what?” Barty asked, finally sitting up on the bed.
“I was asking if you have everything before we go, Merlin Barty, where have you gone?” Evan replied, tilting his head to the side.
“Uh right yeah I thinkI have everything, wait no I don’t, did I leave the bracelet Panda gave me in here the last day since I couldn’t find it earlier” Barty answered, avoiding the second part of the question completely, not wanting to answer it.
“Yeah I think so, check in the drawer there beside my bed. I think I threw it in there yesterday when I saw it on the floor” Evan said, not looking up from tying his shoes.
Barty moved to check in the drawer Evan was referring to and sure enough the bracelet was there sitting in the middle of the drawer on top of a picture of Barty and Evan from last year that Pandora or Dorcas took of the two of them fast asleep on the train on top of one another. Barty stares at the picture for a few more seconds before picking up the bracelet and closing the drawer.
“Oi me and Barty are heading now do you want us to wait” Evan says going over to the bathroom door.
“No it’s fine I’ll meet you two there” Regulus responds his voice slightly muffled.
“Right so bye Reg see you there alright?” Evan says before turning to Barty. “Come on so we’re already late”
“Bye” Regulus shouts out to them before Barty closes the door.
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As Barty and Evan made their way to the Gryffindor common room Pandora and Dorcas were walking slightly ahead, arms intertwined. They could hear the low thrum of people talking and the sound of the music that someone must have put a charm on so it was louder then it would’ve been if it were just playing on the turn table.
Eventually they got to the common room. The sound was much louder now and as Dorcas said the password that she must’ve got off someone in Gryffindor they all stepped inside. The common room was lively with everyone dancing or drinking, most of the chairs and couches had been pushed away to the side so they wouldn’t be in the way.
The four were immediately squished closer together when they walked further into the common room. They walk around for a small bit trying to find a way out of the crowd of people. Eventually after what feels like ages they manage to get to the edge of the crowd where there was way more space.
The four look around not really sure what to do. The music was way louder now with what sounded like “Jean Genie” by David Bowie which Barty vaguely recognised from when Dorcas put on the record in his and Regulus’ dorm when she got the record off one of her muggles friends.
“I’m going to go get a drink do any of you want one” Dorcas asks leaning in closer so they’d be able to hear her.
The three shake their heads simultaneously not bothering with talking knowing it would just be easier to shake their heads.
“Okay if I don’t come back I found some of my other friends” Dorcas explains before turning around and walking back into the crowd of people and disappearing.
Barty looked over at Evan who was watching the crowd closely and almost seemed like he was looking for a way out if needed. Barty watched him closely for a while, everything else seemed to fade away into nothing more than dull noise.
Barty felt someone tugging on his jumper and turned to see Pandora was staring at him. Behind her he could see Lily Evans smiling lightly at him.
“I’m going off with Lily to dance, I’ll see you later alright?” Pandora says, looking at him closely, before asking: “Are you okay, you look kind of pale?”
“Hm yeah that's alright have fun and I’m always pale Pandora don’t worry about me go have fun” Barty reassures, smiling.
“Okay if you say so bye Bee” Pandora says before grabbing Lily’s hand and dragging her away to go dance.
“Bye Panda” Barty shouts after her as the two girls go into the crowd of people.
“And then there were two,” Evan says, leaning down slightly to whisper into Barty's ear.
“Wow good to know you can count Rosie” Barty replies, rolling his eyes but feeling his cheeks turning red when Evan whispered in his ear. Thank Merlin it’s dark in here was all Barty could think of at that very moment.
Before Barty can stop himself he instinctively leans against Evan, the two now standing against the wall. Watching the party with everyone laughing and having fun. Barty feels Evan’s hand move to snake around his waist, resting just on his hip bone.
Barty looks around, trying to distract himself from Evan which was proving to be more and more difficult. While looking around Barty swore he saw Regulus with none other than James Potter and he couldn’t help but smile softly to himself feeling happy for Regulus that he finally got the courage to talk to James.
“Wanna go get a drink?” Barty asked, finally turning to look at Evan.
“Yeah sure might as well” Evan responded.
The two started to make their way across the room to where they assumed the drinks would be. This however proved to be more difficult than they originally planned. The common room was much more crowded than when they had originally arrived. Barty could still feel Evan’s hand on his waist as the two weaved through the crowd. Eventually after what felt like ages the two finally managed to get to the other side of the room where sure enough there was a table with drinks on it with none other than Mary McDonald watching over the table.
“Oh Crouch, Marlene told me you would be here and Evan right?” Mary said when she saw the two at the table.
“Yeah that’s Evan” Barty responded, grabbing a bottle of fire whiskey and pouring some into two cups.
“So what’s your two’s deal?” Mary asked, looking between the two.
“Huh? What do you mean?” Barty replied, taking a sip from his drink.
“You know, are you two a thing or something?” Mary questioned, trying her best to not be offensive.
“We’re friends” Evan cut in, tightening his grip on Barty’s waist.
Barty felt his heart speed up when Evan tightened his grip on him. He looked up at Evan who was glaring at Mary and all of sudden Barty started to think about spending the rest of his life with Evan. Strangely Barty thought he wouldn’t mind spending the rest of his life with Evan hell he would probably marry him if he could he thought.
All of sudden Barty pulled away from Evan and started to head towards the portrait hole, not bothering to look behind him to just see Evan staring back at him confused.
Barty was confused why he was thinking this way about Evan he knew he shouldn’t feel this way he knew what his dad would do. He’d be kicked out in an instant, that was if his dad didn't kill him. He knew his mother would be disappointed she was always going on about how Barty would find a lovely wife someday.
Still though he was thinking about Evan about what it would be like to kiss him. He eventually gets out of the common room and starts to walk back to the Ravenclaw common room. His mind stuck on Evan with his lopsided grin and his strange interests of the dead and how Evan was always thinking about how things worked even if his ideas made no sense. All Barty could think about on the way back to the common room was Evan, the one person who never shouted at him or tried to make him feel guilty about his feelings.