#knight barty crouch

[elysian-writing]

bartylus; prompt - fairytale Barty gently carried his lover's body, setting it into the crystal coffin with such care, that one would worry that whomever he was carrying, was made of glass. In a way, Barty thought, Regulus was. 

"You may rest now, my prince. I shall guard over you until I too find my peace. Perhaps then, we will be reunited once more." 

He sighed, running a hand through his lover's curls with that same gentleness. "I'll always love you," He paused, before finishing, "Regulus." The name tasted sweet in his mouth, the way Regulus always had. 

Barty could still remember the first time he met Regulus. 

"Am I drowning? Perhaps I am." A young man moved around the courtyard, movements graceful as he spoke to himself, "Perhaps then, I could be free. Or perhaps," He pondered, "I should save myself, for I need no one to help."

Barty stepped out of the shadows, then. "No need to, fair one. I shall save you." 

Regulus didn't flinch, only remained still, as if he had always known who awaited him in the darkness. "Have you not already heard me? Have I not just decided to save myself?" Regulus scoffed at his words, at what Barty thought were knightly actions. 

"If you insist. Yet I must ask, would you permit me to accompany you, at least?" Barty replied meekly, though his lips tilted up in a smirk, a challenging look in his eyes. Only then, did Regulus truly look at him. Barty went breathless as their eyes met. As he found himself entrapped in pools of silver. 

Regulus replied, raising an eyebrow in question. "I may be a prince, but I do not need a knight's company. I fear that being with me would ruin your reputation, Sir Crouch." 

"Ah, but alas, my reputation is nothing but smithereens. And please, do not call me that, Sir Crouch was my father. Barty will do, Prince." He sketched a bow, easing a smile from Regulus's lips. Barty let himself admire Regulus for a moment. Porcelain skin, and black hair that stood out sharply. Pale pink lips parted slightly as Regulus smiled. He was slender, and of average height, and yet he held himself as if he knew he was better than anyone else. 

Barty agreed. If not better, but also the most beautiful person Barty had ever laid eyes on. 

Regulus finally replied, moving closer, "If you insist, Barty. After all, there is little I could do it stop you. A gallant knight, against a poor prince, entrapped by his own mother? There is no wondering who would come out victorious."

"Don't underestimate yourself," Barty smiled, "Shall we make our escape then, my prince?" 

Regulus smiled as well, taking Barty's offered hand. "We shall, my knight." He answered as the two fled into the darkness, away from the prison that had entrapped both of them. 

"Until we meet again," Barty whispered, leaning over to press one last kiss to Regulus's forehead before shutting the coffin. 

No goodbyes. Never goodbyes. 

For Barty knew, they would meet again. 

[foursaints]

this is what barty crouch jr feels like. if anyone cares.

[lumillsie]

ˏˋ°•*⁀➷ harry potter masterlist. ੈ✩‧₊˚

╰┈➤ godric gryffindor, salazar slytherin, rowena ravenclaw, helga hufflepuff, newt scamander, theseus scamander, tom marvolo riddle, abraxas malfoy, barty crouch jr, regulus black, severus snape, evan rosier, james potter, sirius black, remus lupin, peter pettigrew, lily evans, marlene mcckinnon, pandora lovegood, xenophilius lovegood, bill weasley, charlie weasley, fred weasley, george weasley, ron weasley, draco malfoy, theodore nott, blaise zabini, hermione granger, harry potter, oliver wood, cedric diggory

˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥ godric gryffindor. ੈ✩‧₊˚

tba.

˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥ salazar slytherin. ੈ✩‧₊˚

tba.

˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥ rowena ravenclaw. ੈ✩‧₊˚

tba.

˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥ helga hufflepuff. ੈ✩‧₊˚

tba.

˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥ newt scamander. ੈ✩‧₊˚

tba.

˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥ theseus scamander. ੈ✩‧₊˚

tba.

˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥ tom marvolo riddle. ੈ✩‧₊˚

tba.

˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥ abraxas malfoy. ੈ✩‧₊˚

tba.

˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥ barty crouch jr. ੈ✩‧₊˚

tba.

˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥ regulus black. ੈ✩‧₊˚

tba.

˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥ severus snape. ੈ✩‧₊˚

tba.

˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥ evan rosier. ੈ✩‧₊˚

tba.

˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥ james potter. ੈ✩‧₊˚

tba.

˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥ sirius black. ੈ✩‧₊˚

tba.

˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥ remus lupin. ੈ✩‧₊˚

tba.

˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥ peter pettigrew. ੈ✩‧₊˚

tba.

˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥ lily evans. ੈ✩‧₊˚

tba.

˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥ marlene mckinnon. ੈ✩‧₊˚

tba.

˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥ pandora lovegood. ੈ✩‧₊˚

tba.

˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥ xenophilius lovegood. ੈ✩‧₊˚

tba.

˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥ bill weasley. ੈ✩‧₊˚

tba.

˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥ charlie weasley. ੈ✩‧₊˚

tba.

˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥ fred weasley. ੈ✩‧₊˚

tba.

˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥ george weasley. ੈ✩‧₊˚

tba.

˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥ ron weasley. ੈ✩‧₊˚

tba.

˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥ draco malfoy. ੈ✩‧₊˚

tba.

˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥ theodore nott. ੈ✩‧₊˚

tba.

˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥ blaise zabini. ੈ✩‧₊˚

tba.

˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥ hermione granger. ੈ✩‧₊˚

tba.

˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥ harry potter. ੈ✩‧₊˚

tba.

˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥ oliver wood. ੈ✩‧₊˚

tba.

˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥ cedric diggory. ੈ✩‧₊˚

tba.

[dream-moonlight]

Hello there, lovely people.＼(^-^)／

Here is your lady Moonlight, or simply called Dream. I got inspired by other authors who write on this app to create my own place to share stories, specifically the ones concerning the world of Hogwarts. I do enjoy the era where Harry, Ron, and Hermione are present, but here it will be decidecated to Marauders and their era, and maybe even the Knights of Walpurgis!

If you have things to ask, talk about, request, or simply just want to tell me something, please do, I would be glad to listen, or in this case, read. (*ﾟ∀ﾟ人ﾟ∀ﾟ*)♪

People you can ask me to write for:

~Marauders era~

James Potter

Sirius Black

Remus Lupin

Severus Snape

Rodolphus Lestrange

Rabastan Lestrange

Evan Rosier

Barty Crouch Jr

Bruce Mulciber

Lucius Malfoy

Regulus Black

~Knights of Walpurgis~

Tom Ridde

Abraxas Malfoy

Orion Black

Marcus Mulciber

Raymond Lestrange

Antonin Dolohov

Thomas Avery

William Rosier

(Don't be scared to ask for stories of all types, and although I'm new at this, I'll try my best💛 if you want some information about some characters, especially not the popular ones, just ask me and ill give you as much as i can to satisfy your curiosity.)

[moonytoasted]

pandora watching as her whole friend-group fell apart.

pandora and evan had grown up hearing of voldemort and the knights of walpurgis, but she never thought he'd be one to fall. she thought she'd keep him safe.

the second evan was sorted to slytherin and her to ravenclaw, any idea of his "safety" crumbled.

xenophilius, sybill, and barty fought often, but she never imagined they'd fall out so badly he stopped hanging out with them. at least he was friends with her brother now (right?)

she was nervous around regulus at first. those feelings lay dormant, rising only when he spews pureblood rhetoric around narcissa, bella, and lucius.

barty was rarely in the ravenclaw common room anymore. he'd taken to sleeping in evan's dorm. she was happy for him, but...

reg's started hanging out with snape. she doesn't normally dislike snape, but she does dislike how he acts around reg.

dorcas is dating that gryffindor girl. not a big change, she's dated girls before, but this is different. she notices how regulus and evan don't directly address her. how she's always at the edge of their group now.

the day regulus gets inaugurated into the death eaters, she flees the rosier's.

the day evan and barty unveiled their tattoos, she wasn't around to see it. oh, but she knew.

when she begged dorcas not to join the order, she knew she was being selfish. she just didn't want to lose anyone else.

sometimes she thought she always knew, deep-down. other times, she thought she could've never known.

[milfsenthusiast2]

Castles crumbling

Marauders fic - Royal setting AU

Pandora is a rebel princess and Lily is her Knight/Guard

A court of lies and betrayals, uncommon romances and dangerous trials.

[mrsfrecklesmarauders]

"Hey, Regulus... That was fun, right?"

It had indeed been fun. It'd been long since Regulus just enjoyed an evening laughing, drinking and listening to stupid pop music. Actually he had never done that. He used to think those kind of plans were hideous. Regulus and Barty used to criticize people who did that.

But it wasn't actually that bad. When he was drunk and laughing he could ignore the horrible music.

"Yeah... I guess..."

Amycus smiled as he opened their dorm door. As expected, their roommates were already asleep. Alan and... Barty....

Barty had his curtains shut. He had been a bit upset when he wasn't invited to The Knights party. Or so Regulus thought. But he understood this was part of his plan, right?

Regulus was so close to fully win his father's trust. And Orion had been too occupied giving Regulus attention that he finally left Sirius alone. He wasn't sure about doing everything to get his precious Heir back. He could replace him with another: Regulus. Sirius could live his life in peace. And when Orion was in jail, Walburga could be in peace too. Perhaps they all would.

Amycus giggled in a whisper.

"I think I am a bit drunk still"

Regulus looked at him and faked a smile.

"Yeah, me too"

Regulus was ready to go to bed when Amycus called.

"Hey, Regulus..."

Regulus turned. Amycus was smiling. Regulus didn't know if it was the alcohol.

"You are actually pretty cool..." he said "I am glad you are part of The Knights"

For a second, Regulus felt bad. But he didn't like Amycus. Or Nick. Or Samuel. Or the rest of the Knights. They were superficial, and they only talked about girls, which was annoying. They  thought themselves better than the whole school just because they were rich and popular. The worst kind, as Regulus and Barty used to say.

But maybe Regulus had been spending a lot of time with them. And maybe he had been learning, they were more than stupid blokes. They had their own issues as well. But still, Regulus couldn't like them. They were very different. This was all part of his plan.

Orion had been a Knight and he said his time as one was the best experience of his life. So Regulus was doing the same to please him.

Regulus gave a small smile to Amycus and walked to his bed.

The next morning, Barty was distant with Regulus. He made sarcastic jokes and gagging noises when one of The Knights said hello to him. And Amycus didn't leave his side.

"Can I sit with you in Biology?" Amycus asked, as he placed himself next to Regulus, practically pushing Barty away. Of course Regulus didn't notice that "I don't want Professor Sprout to pick me up as a volunteer again"

Regulus turned to Barty.

"Ehm..." Regulus said "Barty always sits with me"

"Barty won't mind, would he?" Amycus asked, giving Barty a soft punch of the shoulder. He didn't look happy.

"I actually mind, Carrow..." Barty was probably going to insult him but he stopped when Regulus told him to shut up with his eyes "But... I guess I would like to be close to Professor Sprout to see how she dissects the frog..." he smirked "I want to see clearly how the blood and organs come out of its body"

Barty left with an evil smirk, pushing both of them as he passed. Regulus almost smiled. He loved Barty's eccentricities. But he looked rather angry. Was it against Amycus or himself?

Amycus giggled nervously "He is joking, right?"

"Oh no... Barty loves to see how the blood pops out"

Amycus must've taken it as a joke because he laughed. Regulus smiled.

******

Regulus discovered that in fact, Barty was angry with him. He had to spend the rest of the afternoon with The Knights and it was no fun this time.

"Barty... Why have you been ignoring me all day?" Regulus asked when he found Barty alone in their dorm.

"Busy editing my film..." Barty shrugged.

"I've been looking for you"

"Annoyed with your new friends already?" Barty asked sarcastically.

"They are not my friends. You are" Regulus swallowed.

Barty didn't answer.

"I am just pretending because of my plan"

Barty finally looked up at him. His green eyes seemed bigger in the dark.

"You know what I think?" Barty asked. Regulus didn't answer "I think you are enjoying this assignment a bit too much"

"What do you mean?" Regulus spat "You know why I am doing this..."

"What is the reason?" Barty asked, now leaving his computer aside and standing up in a challenging way "Because I think you've forgotten about it..."

Regulus raised an eyebrow.

"Do you have something to say?"

Barty laughed "You are enjoying being the new center of attention, don't you?"

Regulus was speechless. Especially because he hated being seen, worst being the center of attention. Regulus loved being invisible.

"What?"

"You've always been the shadow of your brother... And now that he is gay and tossed aside, you are loving taking his place, don't you?"

Barty meant all of this. And Regulus was furious. He pushed Barty back.

"That's not true!" Regulus screamed "I am doing this to help him, and to destroy the asshole of my father!"

"That was before tasting what is like to be a Knight... To be the king of the school..." Barty laughed "You are enjoying yourself so much...that I bet you wank every night thinking about it"

Regulus punched Barty in the face. He had never punched anyone before so his knuckles hurt and bleed.

Barty wasn't surprised. He touched his bleeding nose and smiled. Then he continued.

"I heard you talking with Amycus last night... Your new best friend" he added in a mocking voice "You don't know what you are becoming... You might be the Black Heir..." he smiled sadly "But not my Regulus anymore. Not my best friend"

"Is this what this is about?" Regulus asked "You are jealous of Amycus?" he snorted not quite believing it.

Barty looked furious now.

"Admit that you are enjoying being the center of attention! You love being the freaking king that everyone wants to be and every girl wants to shag!" Barty was yelling now.

Okay... Perhaps sometimes Regulus enjoyed being a normal teenager. Forgetting about his fucked up life and his fucked up family, the nightmares he had, or the sleepless nights. He had been constantly sad and numb for a long time and it felt great to just hear the others talk bullshit and get drunk in a party. Normal stuff.

But God, Regulus hated the attention. He hated that Orion and Walburga were becoming more and more proud of him, ignoring Sirius. He hated that Sirius detested what he thought he was becoming. That they fought each time they saw each other. Or that he had to pretend to fancy Pandora and girls in general, because Sirius was gay now and Regulus couldn't afford to be the same. Regulus didn't fancy anyone. He wanted to be left alone.

And he was bloody furious that Barty thought he had been enjoying himself all this bloody time. He had been living a nightmare.

"No!" Regulus yelled back "I am doing something to change my life... Unlike you, Barty"

Barty snorted amused "What do you mean, Black?"

"You are always complaining and complaining about your stupid life, and your twat father but you don't do anything about it!"

Barty looked hurt. He tensed everytime someone mentioned his father. He hated that old man. That's why he didn't scandalise when Regulus told him his plan. They both shared their hatred for their fathers.

"And what I am I supposed to do?" Barty spat "Put him to jail like you are going to do with yours?"

"At least I am not a coward like you"

Barty approached so quickly that Regulus thought he was going to punch him. But Barty just grabbed his shirt.

"THAT'S NOT TRUE AND YOU FUCKING KNOW IT! I AM NOT AFRAID OF MY FATHER!" Barty screamed on Regulus' face "I MISS YOU!!" he added with tears in his eyes.

Regulus was too shocked to respond.

"I miss when when it was only the two of us..." Barty carried on trying not to cry. He still was grabbing Regulus' shirt "Before freaking Pandora and Emmeline... And the fucking Knights... Just you and me against the world, remember?"

Regulus sighed "Barty..."

"We were two kids angry with the world and it was fine....I... I miss that... "

Regulus opened his mouth to say something, he didn't know what exactly. But Barty interrupted him with a kiss.

At first, Regulus was surprised and didn't move. But then Barty opened his lips and Regulus had the same uncomfortable sensation he had when Alice kissed him. So he pushed Barty away.

Regulus didn't move. He just stared at Barty.

Barty was all flushed and embarrassed, panting to the floor.

But then his eyes locked with Regulus'

"I love you, Regulus"

"No..." Regulus shook his head.

"I've been in love with you for a long time..."

"No... No..."

Regulus didn't want to lose Barty. Barty was very important for Regulus. His best friend in the whole world. The only one that actually got him, that actually cared, that didn't treat him as a baby. Well, perhaps Pandora as well... But Barty was way more important. He had been there for a long time. Regulus loved him too. But not in the way he wanted. He couldn't love anyone that way. Perhaps Professor Frumentar was right about him. He was one of those.

Regulus had tears in his eyes. He wanted to cry. He didn't want Barty to hate him because he couldn't love him back.

"Reg..."

"You just ruined everything..."

Regulus regretted the minute it came out of his mouth but it was too late.

Barty nodded.

"I get it..." he said "I am not good enough for your precious magesty..." he bowed. Regulus was about to cry "The Black Magesty cannot be gay and worst be seen with a guy like me..."

"No, Barty..."

"It's over..." Barty interrupted "I'm done"

Barty walked out of the room before Regulus could stop him.

Regulus silently cried because he had lost his best friend.

[hasturlover]

Royalty!AU but with Jester!Barty and Minister!Evan So barty and regulus are friends in their region, but sirius ran off one day and walburga decided to send regulus to the capital, replacing his brother as a member of court there. Barty ofc worried so he sneakily followed regulus to the capital. But he needs a job in castle to keep watch on regulus! And then he found out the only slot available the jester position.

Well okay, he would do anything for reg including wearing ridiculous outfit. But somehow the jester involved with politic intrigues (which didnt listed on the job description) and regulus got blamed on assasination attempt for Queen!Dorcas. Barty know his friend didnt do anything and with strange but hot Minister!Evan, Barty would solve this case!

Hopefully he get laid before his head rolled.

[constellights]

This is amazing

Second drawing for the @marauderswithpalestineproject

Prompt 334: "Royal AU, Evan as the prince and Barty as either knight or castle-worker" From anonymous <3

[empress-simps]

A Gryffindor's Grief

Pairing: James Potter x Fem! Slytherin! Reader

CW: Reader's family and language

Genre: Angst

Masterlist

Note: My first ever marauders fic! Kinda nervous to post this ngl… I'm still thinking if I should make a second part. I want to hear what you guys think about this! Requests are open! Photos used are from Pinterest! Credits to the owner!

It was forbidden love, really.

Those little moments of not-so-accidental touches, stealing glances, and discreet smiles sent each other's way were your means of communicating with each other.

James Fleamont Potter, a Gryffindor boy that was absolutely smitten with You; Slytherin's Princess.

An odd combination that would only lead to chaos.

Being one of the sacred twenty-eight wizarding families meant that you command power and respect from everyone you meet— intentionally or unintentionally. The idea about blood purity, power, and influence was already in your mind as soon as you were able to grasp things your toddler brain could handle.

You were taught to only mingle with pure-blood families, people who could be useful and loyal to you, and those with power, influence, and wealth. Your family’s distaste for muggles and muggleborns were also ingrained into your mind, as if they programmed you to believe what they believed in. It wasn’t that hard, after all you were surrounded by rich witches and wizards who are blood supremacists.

For someone who grew up with those ideals and values, you thought it was right. Although, your belief came tumbling down the longer you spend time at Hogwarts and got to know James Potter and the rest of the Marauders.

James, he made you feel alive.

It felt as if he was the breath of fresh air that you never knew you needed. Away from that suffocating Malfoy Manor, the scrutinizing gazes of your family, and away from rich pure blood problems. Being with him felt exhilarating, he was the buzz in your life. James brought so much joy into your dark, lavish, and empty lifestyle.

It was quite funny, picturing him as your knight in shining armor, whisking you away from your pretty, gold cage.

"Malfoy!" Evan Rosier, a pure-blooded Slytherin raised his hand in your direction, motioning you to come over and sit beside him during breakfast in the great hall. Cold eyes like Lucius Malfoy's travelled in his direction, a questioning brow raised.

"Rosier, you are being too loud." She commented, walking, and sitting next to him before greeting the person beside him, Regulus Black.

"Good morning, Regulus."

"Good morning, Y/n."

Barty Crouch Jr. looked up from his meal and snickered at the both of you. "Good morning, Mum and Dad." He teased, greeting you both as Evan laughed along with the other Slytherins near them. Heck even Severus has a small smirk planted on his face. "If you wish to make your family line extinct, then please feel free to continue with your remarks, Crouch."

He smirked, putting his hands up in mock surrender "Just kidding, Y/n. Geez. Rough summer, I suppose?"

You felt your lips press into a thin line, an obvious answer to the question; It was horrendous.

Evan’s laughter slowly dies, he shakes his head, “Give her a break mate, she just got the biggest news of her life during summer. Isn’t that right Y/n-“

“Shut your mouth Rosier if you do not want to be hexed into next month.” Her empty threat really doesn’t do damage to Evan, he just shrugged, taking it as a warning that you’re not in the mood for jokes.

Your father, Abraxas Malfoy and older brother, Lucius Malfoy made a huge decision for your future. Hearing rumors here and there about their Slytherin Princess being romantically involved with a blood traitor in Gryffindor enraged your father, Abraxas. That will certainly not do, they will not sit idly and watch as the Malfoy name be... tainted with those rumors.

You remember how you felt dread entering your system, fighting the urge to run and throw up as you mustered up a façade, “Those are just baseless rumors, a plot to ruin my image in school." You held your head high, praying they do not see the truth.

Abraxas stared at you, his daughter, with a monotone expression. "Your brother and I do not care whether those ridiculous rumors are true or not." Lucius nods, agreeing. What a lie. You know your family well enough to not believe what comes out of their mouths in situations like this.

"We do not care if you had relations with the boy, even though it is rumored that he is a blood traitor, you knew well enough not to fool around with mudbloods. Well done, Y/n. Perhaps you could change his views, get him to join our cause.” Lucius looked at you. You could press your lips into a thin line, trying to find an answer.

 “That tactless boy's role is to only be a bed warmer for you, remember that Y/n." Your father stood from the chair he sat in the drawing room. Slowly walking towards you. “Although, I suppose it ends now. I heard Lady Walburga Black is looking for a potential bride to their heir, Regulus Black.”

After a week, it was official; You are to be wedded to Regulus Black, your friend, Sirius’ brother.

You could not do anything about the arrangement, what fight would you have put up? A young girl like you, who does not have any power, influence, and wealth could only suck it up and accept.

How you wish it was James you were betrothed to.

“James, you came.” You breathed out, seeing him take off the invisibility cloak. The moonlight in the astronomy tower complimented his features, he offered a small smile sitting beside you.

The stakes were high, you were sure underlings of your brother (and possibly father) in the school have their eyes trained to you as you enter another year in Hogwarts. You would need to find new ways to meet up with your lover. Regulus’ eyes discreetly looked towards James, who is undeniably looking at you.

“Wouldn’t want for my girl to be alone, you know?”

He joked, intertwining his finger with you, a second nature to the both of you. Squeezing his hand, you softly looked at him. “I missed you, pothead.” He leaned towards your face, kissing you on the forehead. One of the things he does that never fails to make you feel flustered. “I missed you too, love.” You rolled her eyes, slightly shoving him playfully, “Stop being sappy, Pothead.”

“You secretly like it, love. You can’t lie to me.” He grinned, although the last sentence made you tense up. James shot you a concerned look, noticing your body language. “Something wrong, love?” You were torn, deciding on whether you tell him about the engagement rather than keeping quiet and leaving him in the dark about your current situation.

“I got engaged.” Before you could even stop yourself, the words flew out of your mouth. Shit. It wasn’t how she planned to tell him. The light atmosphere suddenly became dark and heavy. You can feel James turn rigid, freezing up as he muttered. “So, it was true, huh?” He scoffed bitterly, hurt overtaking his features. “James…” You gently called, carefully placing a hand on his shoulder. He flinched, turning his body away from you.

She tried to ignore the hurt she felt, pushing it down as she understood why James was acting this way.  “Sirius told me.” He choked out, still not looking at you. James really does know you well, answering the question you haven’t even voiced out yet. The slight tremble in his voice made your heart crack. You bit your lip, of course Sirius found out; he was still a Black after all.

“I love you, James. I really do.”

You spoke to him, you raised your hand, about to put a hand on his back that was still facing you but deciding against it before it touched him. Your hands faltering before dropping down to your sides. He shakes his head violently, his curly locks getting messier than they already were.

“Don’t… Don’t say it like that, love.” He pleaded, slowly turning to face you again, eyes glistening with unshed tears. “Don’t say it like you’re about to leave me. This. Us.” He croaked; you felt his large hands placed on top of yours. He brought it up to his lips, kissing the knuckles.

“James…” You managed to utter out, voice getting caught at the throat.

James knew he was acting like a child, but damn- he never thought it could hurt this much. He pictured both of you marrying each other, living in a large house with a big backyard because he insisted it will be great for when you have kids. Merlin, he even imagined about 3 or 4 kids looking like the perfect mix of you both, running out and about with their names already carefully thought out.

out. He daydreamed that the both of you grow old, watching you tell stories to your grandkids about their grandfather’s mischief during your years at Hogwarts.

“I have to, James.” She chokes out, tears spilling onto her cheeks. Those four little words made James’ little bubble of happiness burst with just a bat of an eye.

“Don’t… don’t do this to me, love.” He pleaded; he even went down onto his knees as he saw you standing up from your place beside him. Poor James, luckily it was only you, the moon, and the walls of the Astronomy Tower watched him become a wreck.

“I love you, please remember that you will always have my heart, James. I wish you find happiness.” The part ‘without me’ was unsaid but was heard. It took a lot of courage, strength, and self-control not to fall apart. Deep down, you wanted James to say the same to you, proclaiming his love again for the last time you’ll be together.

“I love you Y/n, so much. No one will ever make me feel the way you did. I’ll find a way; a way for us to be happy together. I swear on my life.” He promised, looking at you straight in the eye. You could only close your eyes before smiling at him, trying to blink the tears away. Stars, you hoped James really does find a way.

“Goodbye, Potter.” She turns, walking away.

Maybe Slytherins and Gryffindors really aren’t meant to be together.

[alwaysanundertone]

What could possibly go wrong?

Barty Crouch Jr x fem! reader

word count: 1k

part 1 , part 2

You loved the library.

Being addicted to reading and learning, and also not having many friends, made that place your personal heaven.

So today, as any other day really, you were seated on an armchair in the very back of the library, a Dostoevskij novel on your knees. Being a Saturday night, it was so quiet, the only sounds being the rain hitting the windows.

However, your peace was interrupted by a certain Slytherin that seemed to be getting a tad too comfortable around you, in your opinion.

“Hey love, what are you reading? But most importantly, why are you reading on a Saturday night?”

You rolled your eyes.

“Crouch”

“Oh come on Y/N, you don’t have to pretend you hate me. I know you find me, in fact, really sexy”

You widened your eyes, a pink hue suddenly coloring your cheeks.

Even though you found Barty Crouch Jr unnerving, you couldn’t deny how hot he was, or how he, unfortunately for you, had a way with words.

You didn’t know why, but he always seemed to get you flustered. Maybe it was his confidence, or maybe his fluffy hair that you just wanted to touch, or maybe just the fact that he seemed to be the only one that actually wanted to get to know you.

“… I think you’re not listening to me. Got lost dreaming about me, baby? Why settling for daydreaming when you have the real thing in front of your eyes?”

Now you felt your ears starting to burn. “Yeah Crouch, keep believing that, I won’t stop you”

“Yes, I think I will keep believing that. If the colour of your cheeks is of any indication, I think that you must really like me”

You rolled your eyes, fighting the grin that was desperately trying to grow in your lips.

“Anyways, you must know that I’m hosting a party in the Slytherin dungeons, and I find it really rude of me to not be present”

“Then why are you here?”

“Because, being your knight in a shining armour, I’m here to rescue you from boredom! Come with me, be my guest at my party”

You widened your eyes. “You are really going insane if you think that I’ll be attending a Slytherin party”

“Why?” He gave you what you assumed was meant to be his take on puppy eyes, when really it looked like he was about to have one of his eyes pop out of their socket.

“Why? Well, for instance, look at what I’m wearing”

He looked at your joggers and your hoodie. “Well, princess, even though you’re still beautiful, I will come with you to your dorm, where you’ll be able to change, and then you’ll be coming to my party”

“Well, I don’t know anyone from your House?”

“Exactly! Perfect way to introduce my future girl to my friends!” You stared at him, mouth agape.

“But… But-“ You really had to get ahold of yourself. “But I’m socially awkward! And I’m having a really great time here with my book” He looked over at your 800+ pages novel, a brow quirked. “And I don’t smoke, nor I ever have drank any type of alcohol! I don’t even know how to dance! And parties aren’t really for-“

You stopped mid sentence, while you were giving him a piece of your mind he just took your hand in his and tugged it, now you were in his arms.

“Ok Y/N, listen to me. You don’t have to drink, you don’t have to smoke, you don’t even have to dance in order to have fun at a party; if you want to do those things and are a bit shy to do them alone, don’t worry, you can do those things with me. You won’t be alone, I will be sticking to your side for the whole night.” You tried to protest, but he put a finger on your lips. “I noticed you don’t have many friends in your House, which proves that Ravenclaw aren’t really as smart as they pretend to be.” You tried, again, to say something, but the shushed you out, again. “I know you have this whole “do not speak to me or I’ll bite” vibe going on, which is really sexy, but even Reg has us! So give us a chance, and you’ll might end up with a new group of friends!”

You stared at him blankly. What hurt the most is that he was right. You didn’t have many friends, and during the first year you were really sad about it, not knowing what you were doing wrong. So you built an armour, you pretended that you didn’t want any friends, because pretending hurt less than accepting the fact that you were, in fact, alone.

So now, having Barty read you out like that, and caring enough to try to convince you to come to a party, made your heart melt a little.

“Okay”

The smile that grew instantly on his face was something so beautiful, that you had to stop your own smile from forming.

“Okay! Fantastic, we have to hurry! The party already started!”

In a blink of an eye you were on his back, him speeding outside the library, and you trying your best not to make a sound, in order to not be caught by Gazza.

While he waited patiently outside the Ravenclaw common room, you were frantically putting together an outfit. You didn’t want to stand out to much, but you didn’t want to look underdressed. You opted for a pair of low rise jeans, a black corset and put your hair in a slick back; with lots of jewellery, you thought you looked okay.

When you finally joined Barty, he stared at you in awe.

“What? Not enough? Too much?”

He shushed you, again. You were getting kinda annoyed with all of this shushing.

“You look amazing, I swear you have to teach me how to put on eyeliner”

You rolled your eyes playfully, as you started to speed walk to the Slytherin dungeons.

New year new you, right? What could have possibly gone wrong?

[barty-crouch-jrs-bitemark]

It’ll be alright

Rosekiller Microfic

1.5k words

"Dora, get the door," Evan moaned, sprawled over the couch in his living room.

"Evan, I just got home. You get it, you twat," she retorted. He groaned and reluctantly made his way to the door, opening it.

"Hello—" Evan gasped. Standing in front of him was Barty Crouch Jr. His right eye was bruised, and his black hair dripping, despite there only being a drizzle outside. He had scorch marks on his clothes, and tears were streaming down his face, which broke Evan's heart.

"Barty?!" Evan yelled, pulling him out of the rain and into the house.

Barty hugged Evan tightly and collapsed. Evan caught him, lowering them both to the entryway floor. He clung to him, sobbing into his shoulder. Evan cupped Barty's head with one hand, his fingers digging into his wet hair, and squeezed the boy's thin waist with his other arm.

"Hey, it'll be alright. You're gonna be okay. I'm here, Barty. I'm here." Under any other circumstance, holding Barty this close, having the boy's face in his neck, would have made Evan start thinking very unholy thoughts. But all Evan could feel while holding Barty as tightly as he could while he cried was rage. rage at whoever had done this to his best friend.

Eventually, Pandora stood over them, holding a cup of tea. "Hi, Barty," she said, calmly and joined them on the floor.

Barty disentangled himself from Evan's embrace, though Evan kept his arm firmly wrapped around his shoulder. He knew maybe it was weird and he felt a little guilt for using a tragedy as an excuse to touch him, but it’s not like Barry was fighting his arm off.

"Hi," Barty sniffed, taking the tea from Pandora. "Thanks," he managed to say, and she nodded in acknowledgment.

"Barty, what happened?" Evan asked after Barty had taken a few sips of his tea. Barty kept staring into his cup.

"My dad," he muttered. "We got into a fight. My mum's sick again, and can't leave her bed. Usually, she would stop it, but—" His voice choked. "He was so angry. All I did was accidentally knock over one of her healing potion bottles. It was an accident, I swear. She said it was fine. She cleaned it up with magic, but then my dad hit me and started casting spells, and they burned, and—" His voice caught, unable to continue.

Evan wrapped him in a comforting hug again, kissing the top of his head lightly enough he hoped he couldn’t feel it. Evan was gonna kill Barty’s dad. He truly was. He heard that the only way to use unforgivable curses was to use raw emotion and truly mean it. Right now Evan was sure he could Avada Kadabra Mr. Crouch in a heartbeat. How could anyone ever hurt Barty, his Barty like this?

He looked up at Pandora, but she had already gone to fetch a potion upon seeing Barty's burns.

"Barty," Evan began in a whisper.

"He told me to leave. I couldn’t have grabbed Shrue from her cage before, or I would've sent you a letter."

"It's okay. Stay here. You're safe here." Evan just kept running his fingers through Barty’s rain-soaked hair, allowing Barty to cling to him like his life depended on it.

"I honestly wasn't even sure I could make it. I walked around my town in circles for a few hours until I remembered the Knight Bus. All I said was your name, and they knew where to go." He sniffed into Evan's chest.

"I'm glad you did. You'll be alright," Evan reassured him. He was trying to be calm and just hold barty, instead of thinking of how he would hide mr. Crouch’s body. Maybe he’s transfigure it into a bone and bury it.

Pandora returned and handed Evan the bottle. She stood over them for while. Until Evan nodded that she should go.

"Barty, come to my room. We'll clean you up, okay?" Evan helped him stand, but after just a few steps toward the stairs, he handed him the bottle and scooped him up. Barty was only a few inches shorter than him, but had a far thinner build and was easy to pick up. He let out a small laugh.

"God Rosie, would you stop flirting? I’m injured here." He choked out.

"Shut up," Evan smirked, he knew Barty was joking but it still stung just a little. Hearing him fake flirt when Evan would kill hundreds of people for this boy at one word. He carefully took him to his room and gently set him on the bed.

"This might sting a little," Evan warned, sitting next to Barty and taking the potion from his hands. Barty had burned slashes on his trousers and a large gash on his hip. Evan winced as he got a closer look.

"This might be easier if you, um, took them off," Evan said delicately. Yes, he did want Barty’s pants off on his bed, but he swore it was purely for medical reasons this time.

"Wow," Barty smirked, propping himself up with his arms. "I come to you injured, and all you can think about is getting my pants off? You horny bastard."

"Shut up, you git," Evan muttered, lightly pushing Barty. Barty started unbuttoning his pants and slowly peeled them off. They clung to his legs due to the dry blood from his burns. Evan helped, and by the time they were off, Barty was out of breath and Evan was really hoping he wouldn’t notice how red he’d gotten, or the fact that Evan’s own pants were getting very tight in a particular place.

God, he wanted to collect all of Barty’s blood and use it to somehow make a potion to kill Mr. Crouch. He might even keep some blood for himself. just as a keepsake. Maybe if he could wash Barty’s trousers himself, or even ask Pandora. he knew his sick sister would know how to collect blood from clothes.

Evan started delicately putting drops of potion on his burns. this is not how he’d imagined Barty being pants-less on his bed for the first time, but he hardly cared. His heart was beating out of his chest and he didn’t know if it was because of how mad he was at Barty’s father for doing this to him, or because a flushed, soaked, blood covered Barty Crouch Jr. was laying on his bed in boxer shorts panting at what Evan was doing. Evan felt himself twitch in his jeans.

"Thanks for—ouch—healing me." He choked out. he knew he was just putting on potion but the thought that Barty was making those whimpering and little moaning noises because of HIM was one that would keep Evan going for months to come.

"Last one, okay?" He told Barty. He nodded. Evan carefully pulled down Barty's boxers, just below his tattooed hip bone, and dropped the potion onto the wound. He felt his dark gaze on him as he applied the last drop.

"Thank God I'm in pain; otherwise, I might be getting hard," Barty said with a pained grin. Evan shook his head. He’s just joking. he did know Barty wasn’t exactly not hard though. The boxers left little to the imagination. But Evan WAS getting hard. he already was hard. he was already thinking that if he couldn’t kill Mr. Crouch maybe fucking his son senseless on his bed would do the trick. Piss him off. Making his only son and carrier of his legacy turn into a mess of moans and whimpers under another man.

"Do you want anything? I can get you some dinner or..."

"No, I should get going. Your dad wouldn't want me being here," Barty tried to sit up, but Evan gently pushed him back down.

"You're not leaving. Stay. My dad won't care, and he won't even be back from work until much later."

"Rosie, I don't want to get you in trouble..." Rosie. he loved when he called him that, even if he rolled his eyes and pretended he didn’t.

"You're staying here. You can hardly stand. Come on." Evan lay next to the smaller boy. He kept about 3 feet between them, laying on the very edge of the bed about to fall to the floor.

Barty started to cry. Evan hesitated for only a second before pulling him into his arms. It may mean something more to Evan than it did Barty, but Barty fell into his embrace, instinctively rested his head on Evan's chest.

"I don't want you to..."

"Shhhhh. B, you're exhausted. Just stay here tonight. We'll figure it out in the morning." Barty nuzzled his head into Evan's neck in response, before letting out a choked sob. Evan calmly stroked his black hair. he was memorizing this moment. how Barty felt resting on his chest, how his hair felt in evan’s hands. his he smelt like rain and blood. he wished the circumstances were happier. That the breath on his neck wasn’t shaky and that Barty wasn’t in pain as his burns healed.

He started reaching for his wand to turn off the lights but reconsidered.

"Um, do you want me to sleep on the couch and give you the bed, or..."

"Don't you dare leave my side, Rosier," Barty mumbled. Evan grinned.

He turned out the lights and threw a blanket over them, and could hear the boy snoring within minutes. He must've been exhausted.

A while later, Pandora knocked and entered the room. She looked at how the boys were tangled up together and raised an eyebrow at Evan. He fanned her away and she left closing the door behind her.

[foursaints]

talking about the emptiness of barty’s character in canon is making me sad so

Just Barty Crouch Jr Things™️

valedictorian but once fell asleep while dumpster diving for a single unopened blister pack of xanax

very… dexterous? good with anything precise that involves his hands. this means classical piano but also rolling freakishly perfect joints

major bad influence older cousin energy

like he’s driving you to soccer practice with one tattooed arm slung over the passenger seat, ray-bans dangling. he’s bitching about what’s on the radio. his random tinder date is on her phone in the backseat

singlehandedly keeping Liquid Death in business

that fall out boy katy perry cover where it’s like “i kissed a boy (to start a fight) and i liked it (he punched me 😈)”

pierced his dick. sorry

if james is a sports bro with a heart of gold then barty is the polar opposite of this. he looks like the sensitive alternative loner boy and has the soul of a douchey early 2000s dj who will steal money out of your purse after a one-night stand

but he’s also secretly sensitive. okay

””u up””

has exactly two modes: 1) listening to the cure 2) No Hands (feat Roscoe Dash) - Waka Flocka Flame

neither goth nor emo sorry that would be too much work. his edginess is both unintentional and completely effortless

INSANELY observant

has a knight complex but slightly to the left. had to be reasoned out of killing evan’s situationships with a hammer (chivalrously!)

barty has really loud ENERGY but his actual personality is pretty quiet and calculating. however he WILL nonchalantly pick regulus up at the most inconvenient times, everyone is screaming, reg is screaming… he thinks it’s soooo funny

he always smells the way that sparkling water tastes. like….. inexplicably clean

your bartender coworker who is always in the stockroom coaching his adorable tiny mom through her divorce over facetime while exasperatedly hitting a juul

could potentially have a heart under all that grime (maybe put him through a car wash?)

[saintsenara]

I actually hear "the order of the phoenix is not a gang of child soldiers" a lot, and I agree to some level - especially because I like to use Dorcas and Marlene to explore corners of the wizard world and its timeline that the marauders scooby gang doesn't reach.

But isn't it also true that a lot of resistances and guerrillas through history have been manned mostly by young idealists, often university students and recent graduates?

Young, agile, energetic people to do the work older people don't have the disposition for, and that important people can't do because that would compromise their important positions?

i think there's an interesting quirk when it comes to the order and its demographic make-up which stems from jkr's own politics.

because the order is a resistance organisation, sure... but what it's resisting is revolution. its aims, across canon, are the maintenance of the status quo, with the state and its institutions [including the class system] left broadly untouched, except for the fact of a minor expansion of wizarding society's parameters to accommodate muggleborns [or, at least, muggleborns who also bear the markers of class-based acceptability]. its politics, across canon, are gradualist, liberal, pro-state, and demonstrably unradical.

that is to say, it represents the "adults in the room" - the sensible, rational, intelligent, considerate people who disapprove both of the reactionary, emotionally-led conservatism of fudge et al. and the radicalism of voldemort.

[he literally wants to rip up the principles by which the wizarding world is governed! he wants to tear everything about its social fabric apart!]

and so it makes perfect sense that its members would predominantly be adults - and adults directly involved in the maintenance of the state and its institutions.

whereas the death eaters do conform to the more typical make-up of revolutionary [and/or terrorist] organisations. huge numbers of the death eaters we meet in canon are people who are decades younger than voldemort and who, during the first war, were canonically in their teens or twenties - snape, mulciber, avery, wilkes, evan rosier, bellatrix, lucius malfoy, rodolphus [and presumably rabastan] lestrange, barty crouch jr., regulus black, peter pettigrew, and so on.

many of these death eaters are either stated or implied to be the children of voldemort's school friends and/or the knights of walpurgis, which invites the suggestion that they supersede their fathers in importance once voldemort returns to britain in the later 1960s because their attitudes are much more radical, zealous, and revolutionary, while their fathers want voldemort to take a more traditional political route to achieving his aims.

[which helps explain why voldemort is so furious about half of them claiming to be under the imperius curse in order not to face punishment, allowing them to live according to the social convention they once claimed to want to destroy...]

and voldemort's ability to recruit young, eager men continues during the second war - crabbe, goyle, draco malfoy, stan shunpike, the snatchers, and so on. the order, in contrast, only takes on young members due to the accident of proximity - the weasley children, who become part of it entirely because their parents are involved; fleur, who becomes part of it entirely because of her marriage.

the anti-voldemort resistance organisation which actually attracts young recruits is - despite the fact that harry spends half-blood prince and most of deathly hallows thinking of it as completely irrelevant to voldemort's defeat - dumbledore's army.

[lupiinist]

i've been on a bit of a dc brainrot for a while, but i also have the non-binary urge to make everything about the marauders, so here i'll be leaving my marauders x dc headcanons

regulus is batman. no, i won't hear anything about it. he didn't lose his parents tho, he lost his brother (sirius' alive, he just doesn't know it yet, lazarus pit, yada yada yada), he grew up with his buttler (not sure if it would be kreacher?) and ends up becoming the dark knight (rich, moved by vengeance, out for blood, but no killing)

james is superman, and i doubt anyone can argue with this one. (look at that man's big brown doe eyes and tell he wouldn't be the biggest superman fan). he was raised by effie and monty, but is the same old kryptonian we know. he rescues kittens on threes, shoots lasers from his eyes and is a big old softie

lily is lois lane. this woman has pulitzers and can change an entire country's point of view about something with 1 (one) column on the planet. she could be the president. she's beautiful. she's smart.

(also, this could be both a clois or superbat situation, doesn't really matter)

remus is jimmy olsen! tired alien bestie, likes to take pictures, wonders how no one else caught on that james is superman because that man can't lie to save his life??? he doesn't even look that different without his glasses??????

back to gotham, narcissa would be batwoman (reg's cousin, full of rage, wearing a bat mask to punch people on the streets? besides, BUFF NARCISSA? yes, please), dating her lovely future wife detective fortescue (alice is montoya, yes), i think she would still be married as narcissa for a while (she Will dump lucius' ass) and go out with alice as batwoman

on the other hand, bellatrix is absolutely harley, i don't think there's even another option? and yes, tom riddle is the joker (ironic for someone called riddle, i know), but who cares about him, honestly?

anyway, rita skeeter is poison ivy!

barty is catwoman, this man steals from the rich people, pisses off his father (crouch sr. would be gordon in this), and gets to flirt with big scary batman (he finds regulus so hot it's a bit pathetic)

pandora is babs, batgirl and future oracle, and i don't know if evan would be the first robin? the timeline in my head couldn't find a kid to be the first robin besides like, nymphadora, but i think circus evan and pandora who lost their parents, and one joined batman while the other became a cop is sort of nice?

on the robin situation, draco is jason todd (it gets progressively more angst the more you think about it), future red hood, and harry would be conner (yes, i know, 'why isn't harry jon?' because i don't want him to be :])

luna would be tim drake. she would one hundred percent manipulate regulus into letting her become robin after the previous robin's death, and she has what it takes to be both a genius and the next ceo of reggie's company. she's just that good.

and last but not least, my favorite ladies:

marlene mckinnon as supergirl, and dorcas meadowes as lena luthor. they hate each other. they find each other hot af. they pin after each other. why aren't they together yet???????

[trohpi]

killerqueen microfic [cross-posted on ao3]

@marauders-rarepair-fics • september 18: dragon • 996 words • CW: age gap (barty is 18, sirius is 22)

“Why, Sir Black,” Barty drawls, sleazy grin just as crooked and bloodied as his freshly broken nose. His eyes slowly trail down the length of Sirius’ armour before darting back up, uncanny green meeting steely grey. “Fancy seeing you here.”

Sirius ignores the flutter in his chest and takes his helmet off, tucking it under his arm as he shakes his hair out. He levels an unimpressed look at the boy on the floor. “I would ask if there’s something wrong with you, Lord Crouch, but I already know the answer to that particular question.”

“And I would say ‘Lord Crouch’ is my father, but I’m afraid ‘Barty’ is also my father so it appears I’m rather short on options.” The younger pointedly tugs at the binds around his wrists. “Now, if you would be so kind as to untie me, darling.”

“Yes, please do,” Rosmerta, the old barmaid who is the reason why Sirius came all the way here with Padfoot in the first place, says with a huff. She shoots a look at the knight that would put the fear of death in Magic herself. “Escort that scoundrel the Viscount calls a son out of my tavern. Now, please.”

“Of course, Madam,” Sirius says with his signature polished high-born smile while he grips Barty by the upper arm and yanks him to his feet. The abrupt movement pulls at his bound wrists and he grimaces, recoiling with protests on his lips. A warning kick to the back of his leg cuts him off.

“I apologise for him,” Sirius continues smoothly, ignoring the slight indignant squawk from Barty. Rosmerta watches on with a raised brow, expression somehow both amused and exasperated. “He lacks good form, despite his noble upbringing.”

“As if you were any better at his age,” she says dryly. “Don’t think I’ve forgotten the mischief you and Potter got up to. Would still be getting up to if his father wasn’t passing on the crown soon.”

“Oh, you know you miss us, Roz,” Sirius says, voice slipping from the courtly tone he’d put on to something more roguish and playful. The older woman rolls her eyes.

“I can assure you I do not, Mister Black. My tavern is far better off without spoiled youths starting fights within its walls.” She shoots a pointed look at Barty, who flashes her a shameless grin in lieu of a reply. Sirius has to bite the inside of his cheek to hold back an inappropriate snort. Shockingly, his little brother’s annoying best friend can occasionally be funny.

Only occasionally, though. He still gets under Sirius’ skin like no other, and most of the time their interactions are thick with tension. James says it’s because they’re so similar, and that they would most certainly get along if they spent more than five minutes together without picking a fight. Sirius dutifully ignores him.

He clears his throat and puts his helmet back on. “Right, well, apologies again. We’ll be on our way.”

“You’d best be,” Rosmerta warns before leaving the corner of the tavern she’d banished Barty to, tied like a prisoner while she waited for someone to collect him.

She’d contacted the palace looking for Regulus, but James— the traitor— had taken his brother out for the day and refused to allow Sirius to come with. Teasingly said he could manage without his knight for a few hours, and if anything were to genuinely happen, well. Regulus could handle it with his magic.

Perks of being Blessed, Sirius had thought sardonically. You can publicly court your brother’s princely best friend without needing said brother’s protection.

Sirius makes quick work of the ropes on the young Lord’s wrists and drags him outside, into the bustling streets of Hogsmeade, the outermost village in the kingdom.

“What is the matter with you?” he hisses as they make their way through the crowd, periodically shooting a charming smile at the townsfolk who stop and stare. “Starting tavern brawls? Seriously?”

Barty rolls his eyes. “Don’t pretend you care, darling. We’re not friends. Don’t you have your precious Prince Potter to be guarding, or whatever it is you two do?”

“Stop calling me darling,” Sirius shoots back, ignoring the warmth in his cheeks. “And James is with Reggie, so it seems you’re stuck with me. You’re lucky I didn’t just leave you there when Rosmerta called.”

“Oh, lucky me. The handsome Sir Black came to save the damsel in distress. However may I repay him?” Barty faux-swoons into his side. Sirius bites his tongue.

“Padfoot’s just over here,” he says instead of the acerbic reply he’d wanted to, tugging Barty through an alley away from the throng.

“And you left your dragon here, why?

“Well, it’s not like she can fit in the streets,” he huffs as they round the corner and catch sight of her.

Padfoot’s magnificent, her iridescent black scales shimmering softly where the sun hits her. She’s curled up like a cat in the empty backstreet, massive head resting on a pile of old crates like a pillow. Big yellow eyes blink sleepily at their approach, only to widen when she sees who they are. Padfoot chirps happily and clambors upright, exhaling a soft puff of smoke.

“Hello, love,” Sirius croons, letting Barty go in favour of running his hand along her side. Her dense body begins to rumble with crackling purrs.

With a heavy clang, Sirius carefully undoes the chain around her back leg and double checks the fastens on the saddle.

“Alright,” he says after a moment. “Hop on. Do be careful, though. Padfoot is known to have an appetite for insufferably gauche bastards.”

“Why, I wonder how you’ve evaded being eaten this long, then,” Barty comments lightly.

Sirius rolls his eyes. “Shut up, Crouch.”

“Make me, Black,” Barty grins, a mixture of mirth, enmity, and some third thing Sirius can’t quite name swimming in those striking green eyes. Sirius swallows, throat dry.

“Just get on the damned dragon.”