Chapter 1
He was bleeding.
Fuck his nose was probably broken. In the grand scheme of things, it didn't really matter. After all, there was nothing Barty liked more than a fight. Honestly, he couldn’t tell you who or why he was fighting, aside from the fact that he was at the Hogwarts train station, and his father was definitely watching. Barty knew his father would hate it. That’s why he did most things, and Barty was nothing if not consistent. Because for him it wasn't enough to just disappoint his father, he needed him to witness his failings, Barty’s issues, and the downfall of any semblance of a good reputation.
Ever since Barty was five he knew no matter what he did his father wouldn’t be proud of him. Knew he would never view him as more than a burden. Barty’s father was cruel, and had been for as long as Barty could remember but god knows Barty got used to it. His mother tried to help, but she really could only do so much. In his mother's eyes she didn't need to do much though. Barty’s mother never got the same treatment, she was gold in the eyes of Barty’s father after all.
When Barty was eleven he stopped trying. He stopped trying to make his father proud, and instead took pride in his fathers disapproval. He would relish in destroying his father’s dignity, brick by brick. Barty Crouch Sr made it incredibly obvious that he didn't appreciate anything his son loved. Barty would sooner die than give up what he loved, and what he loved his father hated; which just made it all the better.
So Barty fought. He fought his father, his peers, occasionally his friends, but most commonly strangers. Luckily for him strangers were such easy targets and starting a fight was just really convenient. All it took was a crude gesture and some worse words and he was fighting some loud seventh years.
Barty swung. He wasn’t paying much attention to whom he was actually hitting; there were maybe four different guys in the seventh years group and he was always a hit first look after kinda guy, so he only realised a few seconds after his hand collided with skin that he had made contact with a familiar blond. Evan staggered back, making contact with the train station wall. Barty’s eyes darted towards him, realising who he’d hit although it wasn't the first time he’d hit Evan. Sometimes they both just needed to let off some steam and just throw a few punches. It became a bit of a coping skill for the two of them, and they never had gotten upset with each other over it. They had an understanding and it was nice. Regretfully, train security came on over and broke up the remainder of the fight.
It was fun while it lasted. Barty thought, straightening up his clothes and attempting to look at his dad before realising he must've left. Typical. Barty turned to Evan.
“Christ Barty, what are you doing?” Evan said, rubbing his face where Barty hit him. It wasn't abnormal to be fighting, but even for Barty this was a bit random. “Fuck off, you should know better than to break up a fight mate,” Barty replied coldly, apparently upset. Evan figured he was in some form of mood, likely because of his father. Evan punched Barty’s shoulder in an attempt to raise the mood and moved to grab his luggage. The two boys walk onto the train, glancing for empty compartments, when a compartment door slides open, and out walks Sirius Black.
“Oh look Evan,” Barty drawled glaring at Sirius. “Its a fucking blood traitor. Thought he died, honestly,”.
“We can always fix that, can't we Barty?” Replied Evan, drawing out his wand. Barty, Evan and Regulus had been best friends since they were eleven. They met on the first day of school in first year and they just fit together. Throughout the passing of the years, they all became fiercely protective of eachother, and when Evan and Barty found out that Regulus’ brother had been disowned, they made it their mission to fuck Sirius up at any given opportunity. Honestly they were just glad for an excuse to fight him because they never had even a semblance of positive emotions for him, but out of respect for their friendship with Regulus they didn't act on those feelings. Until now.
Sirius pulled out his wand just as quickly and Barty got excited. Another excuse to fight. Convenient. Unfortunately that feeling of euphoria didn't last long because a patrolling Ravenclaw prefect started walking towards them. The boys put away their wands and picked back up their bags. “I’m going to fucking kill him,” Said Barty.
Evan rolled his eyes and continued walking down the train, searching for an empty compartment. Soon enough, they stumbled upon one near the back and stepped in. The two boys put their luggage away, and lightly conversated until Regulus walked in with an exasperated look on his face. His hair was cropped short, with small curls decorating his head. Regulus had a small cut above his upper lip, not more than a few days old. There was also some light bruising on his collarbone, and Regulus pulled his collar up, as if he felt Barty’s eyes on him. Barty and Evan exchange a quick look and Regulus sits down.
“Why on earth did the two have the urge to sit in the very back of the train?” Regulus’ posh accent shone through with each word. “The front was full and the middle is all year ones through three, basically the most obnoxious people alive,” Replied Barty, absentmindedly messing with his collar. “Well I’m sure you recognize obnoxious when you see it, don't you Barty? You’re well versed in it anyways,” Evan said, smirking. Barty chokes a laugh and lightly punches Evan’s shoulder while Regulus watches with an amused glance.
“How were your summers? Anything interesting happen?” Asked Evan, raising his eyebrows. “Ugh my dad’s started to bug me about getting an internship in the ministry, as if that's gonna happen. When the fuck is he going to take the hint?” “You just might have to do more, mate. Vandalise the Great Hall or something, hex a teacher,” Evan suggested, smiling conspiratorially. “Christ use your heads, all that's going to do is give you five million detentions, if you wanna be effective do shit to embarrass your father.” Said Regulus, rolling his eyes. “Pretty sure I do that by breathing,” Barty laughs, smiling. “How was your summer Reg?” Barty questioned, noticing how Regulus briefly tenses up. “It was…fine. I went to France for two weeks and saw my cousins. Nothing special. It was just summer.” Regulus said carefully, being meticulous with his words, thinking of each one considerably. “How was yours Evan?” Asked Regulus, quickly directing the subject away from him with precision. “It wasn't remarkable, but it was nice. My mother had me volunteer at our church so that kept me mostly busy.” Barty considered that. Volunteering casually, having a normal summer. It sounded nice.
“Who do you think the new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher will be?” Questioned Evan, glancing at his friends. As long as they’d all been at Hogwarts, they never had the same teacher for more than one year, sometimes shorter. “Does it matter? They’ll be gone by next year anyways. They never stay long.” Answered Barty. “Fuck Sluhorn is going to bug me about Slug Club all year again. Does he not have any hobbies?” Said Regulus, rolling his eyes. “Reg have you even met him? You’re never escaping that man," "Barty if you’re still dead set on disappointing your father, you could always murder Slughorn for me,” Reg suggests, snorting. “Oh anything for you Reggie,” Said Barty sarcastically. “Do not call me that,” Regulus answered with a scandalised look on his face as Evan cackles next to them. Regulus tosses his book at Evan’s head.
Time passes, the train ride comes and goes quickly and the three Slytherins find themselves walking through the gigantic Hogwarts doors. Honestly, Barty has mixed emotions about the castle. His dad likes that he goes there way too much, which is off putting, but Barty enjoys being there. When he's at Hogwarts, his dad can't see him and he can do as he pleases. Barty was also frustratingly good at school, something his father uses as a bragging point whenever he can which is also so annoying. But when Barty, Evan, and Regulus walk into Hogwarts together, that's the most at home he's ever felt.