love you.
(Barty)
Christmas break was approaching and Barty was not looking forward to it. His dad demanded that he come home this year for Christmas, so he wasn’t exactly happy.
It was the last day before break and everyone was eating breakfast. They, luckily, didn’t have classes that day since it was the last day before break. Regulus was talking to Sirius across the great hall about them going to the Potters (Regulus and Sirius ran away over the summer to James’s house). Dorcas was staying at Hogwarts along with Pandora and Marlene. Evan was going home like he did every year.
Barty was watching everyone enjoying their last day, he smiled a bit thinking about how happy his friends are. Then he started thinking about how he would have to go back to his house, with his father and his anger issues, the only thing he was looking forward to was his family’s house elf, Winky, who was always nice to Barty as she saw his hurt and what his father did. Barty snapped back to reality when he saw Evan staring at him intently, looking sad and empathetic.
“Hey Barty can we talk outside?” He whispered.
“Yeah sure.” Barty said before getting up and waking to the hall.
“Are you ok?” Evan asked him as soon as they were out of earshot,
“No not really. I was just thinking about how I have to go back there and deal with him.” Evan nodded along to what he said and hugged him when he finished.
“Don’t worry. If he does anything write me immediately. Ok?”
“Ok.” Barty agreed. He knew that he needed to be careful but there was no telling what would happen, but as he promised, if anything happened he would write Evan.
It was the day they were leaving and Barty was panicking. He, Evan and Reg had all decided they were going to ride on the train together and James, Sirius and Remus (Sirius’s boyfriend now) we’re going to sit with them. They found an empty compartment to sit in and all relaxed into their last few hours before home. Eventually the trolly witch came around and they got as much sweets and snacks as they could. They sat down and ate their sweets, talking about everything and anything.
The train eventually came to a stop and they all got their stuff, got off the train and found their families. As soon as Barty stepped off the train he spotted his father, he hugged his friends goodbye as quickly as possible, then they apparated to the Crouch home.
“Go get unpacked, Barty. Come back down when you’re done. I’m having company over for a Christmas dinner.” Barty nodded and headed up to his room. He got upstairs and opened his bedroom door. It creaked open and he walked into the dark empty room. It was bare except for his bed with curtains hanging from it, a dresser, a desk and a rug on the floor. It was very clean (he suspected Winky had kept in tidy). He flopped down on the bed and tried to clear his mind, eventually the thought came into mind that he should write to Evan and tell him he got home safe.
Dear Evan,
Just wanted you to know that I got home safe. I’m stuck with my father’s Christmas dinner with his work friends. I’ll write you if he does anything but I don’t think he will.
Either way I have to go.
Love you,
Barty
Barty sent the letter off with his owl and just after the owl left he realized he wrote “Love you”. Barty started panicking, he didn’t mean say that. What would Evan think?! That really got his mind going, but he subsided that and got ready for his fathers Christmas dinner. He put on a dark green shirt that Pandora bought him his last birthday and a pair of nice black pants. He fixed his hair the best he could and headed downstairs. His father and three other people were in the kitchen. One of the men, Flint, was the first to see Barty inter the room,
“Good Evening Barty.” His father then noticed him “Well since we have everyone now should we go ahead and eat.” Barty Sr suggested as he lead everything to the kitchen which was already set with stuff Winky probably set out.
“So Junior, how has school been going? What house are you in an again?”
“I’m a Slytherin, sir. And I’ve been enjoying it, of course O.W.L.s are coming up and I’m confident I’ll do well.” Barty answered his father’s friend, trying his best not to talk too much, his father had always said that was a not likable trait. His father and his friends talked for quite a while, Barty kept silent most of the time, only talking when he was addressed. Eventually dinner was over and Barty Sr and the other men went to the living room while Barty went upstairs. Once he got upstairs he saw a letter on his bed from Evan.