“So who do you fancy?” Evan almost spit out his pumpkin juice from the sudden turn in conversation.
“Who I fancy?” He asked trying to avoid the question, not meeting anyone’s eyes. James Potter sat opposite him at the table, holding hands with Regulus, who was arguing with Sirius about which hair products are the most efficient. Next to Sirius sat Remus reading, as always but he looked up from his book when he heard the question.
Evan twisted his hand around his cup. He could feel Pandora’s eyes on him from his left side, as well as Barty’s from his right.
“I’d rather not tell.” He dipped his head, trying to hide his blush.
“Oooooo he’s embarrassed.” Marlene piped up from the floor where she was teamed up with Dorcas, playing exploding snap trying to beat Peter without much luck.
“So embarrassed” Dorcas nodded without looking up at him.
“I’m not embarrassed, I just don’t want everybody to know.” He said glaring at the back of Marlene and Dorcas’s heads.
“Come on Evan tell us! We won’t judge.” Barty said, trying to catch Evan’s eye.
Evan glanced at him, taking in his beauty. Yeah no. He knew they weren’t going to judge him for being gay, they were all gay after all. So what was holding him back? They were all friends. Evan even saw the marauders as friends since Regulus started dating James. But Barty… They had been friends best friends as long as he could remember. He didn’t want that to end. What if Barty thought he was weird and wouldn’t want to be close friends anymore? He felt bad just thinking of it.
Evan finally tore his gaze away from this infuriatingly handsome boy and chose to focus on Pandora instead. Her blonde curls were put up in a bun with a few loose strands hanging out.
“Evan you don’t have to tell us but we’d love to know. Maybe we even can help! What if this mystery person you fancy likes you back?”
“He doesn’t.” Evan shut his mouth way too quick. He felt his teeth clatter and winced slightly.
“Oooo it’s a he!” James said grinning brightly.
Evan flipped him off which just made James grin wider.
Evan looked at Regulus. Regulus’s and Sirius’s shampoo argument had become heated. They were cursing at each other in French and he breathed out realising most of the attention had turned to them and away from him.
“Tudom kit szerets.” Evan almost jumped out of his skin.
“Pandora! Ne csináld már, majdnem szívinfarktust kaptam. És kire gondolsz egyáltalán?”
“Jól tudod kire gondolok.Jobboldalodon ül, egyfolytában rá nézel, barna a haja, sokszor túl hangosan beszél, ja meg hallottam egy kismadártol hogy elaludt az öledben nem egyszer.” Pandora gave him a pointed look. Evan blushed.
“Come on! We also want to know what you said Pandora.” Barty said looking a bit disappointed by not understanding what they’d said.
Evan hated the look of disappointment on his face and tried to think of something to say but Lily was faster.
“I think Pandora figured out who Evan fancies but she’s too kind to tell everybody in English so she asked Evan in Hungarian if she’s right. Am I right darling?” She asked Pandora.
“Almost” Pandora answered, pressing a kiss to her nose.
“And are the rest of us going to get to know who is in your dreams Evan?” Barty asked curiously, leaning a bit closer.
“I don’t dream of him! And you know what? I’m tired of this conversation. Look how nice the weather is!” Barty and Regulus shared an amused look.
“It’s raining.” Regulus pointed out raising one elegant eyebrow.
“Exactly. ”
Out of the corner of his eye Evan caught James and Remus share a look but decided to ignore it. On the floor the game of exploding snap had turned violent, Marlene and Dorcas playing their absolute dirtiest trying to win against Peter. Remus and Sirius were snogging, quickly excusing themselves and disappearing out into the corridor.
The empty classroom they were in had become their regular hanging out space, decorated with colours of green and crimson. Evan liked it quite a lot. Here he knew he was safe, and he could trust his friends.
Lily had her face buried in Pandora’s shoulder, snoring. Regulus and James had their arms around each other watching the game on the floor with interest.
Barty was changing their cards when they weren’t looking, thus making it almost impossible for them to play.
Evan watched Barty curiously. In his eyes Barty was perfect. The slight curl of his dark locks, his dark eyes one seemed to drown in, his high cheekbones and sharp jawline that could cut stone, his face was as if carved from marble. A statue from Ancient Greece. But that was not all. The way Barty could be joking one second and then extremely voulnerable the second was something Evan loved about him. Barty didn’t take schoolwork too seriously, always leaving homework and essays to the last minute or copying of Regulus. Barty hid behind stupid jokes and immaturity in public but when they were alone, Barty was really just a teenage boy with his own insecurities. He often talked to Evan about his problems at home, how his father was treating him. Every time Evan heard about something Barty Crouch Sr. had done he had a desperate need to protect Barty from any harm his father caused him. And he would also desperately like to punch Crouch sr. in the face. Barty was often hooking up with different girls, but had never had a relationship last longer than a week. Evan tried not to think of all of the girls he’d seen leave their dorm. He was quite sure Barty was straight. Why would he fancy Evan? He was nothing special. Just a lanky boy with blonde curls and a far too short attention span. The only vaguely interesting thing about him was his Hungarian ethnicity.
Turning his focus back to the present Evan saw that James and Regulus had left. The game on the floor had ended and Barty was looking at him funny. Barty was looking at him funny. Evan tried hiding his blush by dragging a hand over his face, acting tired. He looked over at Pandora instead. She was watching him curiously and he felt a surge of affection toward her. She was his sister and one of his best friends and had always supported him. Would it be so bad if he talked to her about his feelings for Barty?
Pandora seemed to catch the question in his gaze and nodded her head to the side, indicating he follow her. She apologised to Lily, saying she’ll be back soon before heading off towards the far end of the classroom. Evan was about to follow when Barty put his hand on Evan’s wrist.
“I’ll follow the gryffindors to their dorm. Meet me there when you head back?”
“Yeah” Evan smiled and Barty returned it.
He watched as Barty and the others left, now only he and Pandora left in the room.
“Evan Rosier talk to him!” Was the first thing Pandora said the second the door closed behind Barty.
“Whoa whoa whoa take it easy sis.”
”Not until you talk to him! He’s obviously in love with you too you’re just too oblivious!”
“No he’s not. Tell me ONE time he suggested he likes me more than a friend.” Evan stared at Pandora, daring her.
“The gryffindor party last week! He wouldn’t leave your side the entire night and may I add looked at you with such longing eyes I almost thought he’d kiss you then and there. Let’s also not forget how he cuddled up to you in the sofa in the commonroom on Wednesday.” Pandora had her hands on her hips looking very much like a mother scolding her child.
“He was drunk at the party and so was I so that doesn’t count. And on the sofa, well James and Sirius are also cuddling and they are just best friends.” Evan tried to explain.
“Oh really? Well it looked very much like Barty enjoyed having your hands in his hair.”
“My what where?! I didn’t have my hands in his hair!” Evan almost shouted. He had no such memory of when they sat in the sofa. Yes maybe they were cuddling, but Evan had not had his hands in anybody’s hair. He would’ve remembered!
Pandora smirked and reached into one of her pockets, pulling out a folded piece of paper. Paper not parchment Evan noted. She gave it to Evan, who unfolded it and stared at the image.
“How?..”
“Muggle camera but it doesn’t matter.”
Evan almost didn’t hear Pandoras response too caught up watching the photo of him and Barty on the sofa, cuddled up under a blanket. He was horrified to realise Barty’s head in his lap with his fingers entangled in the messy brown curls. He hadn’t even realised Pandora taking the photo!
“I..I don’t know what to say.” Evan didn’t know what to feel. Barty did seem quite relaxed in the photo, but he always was in the presence of Evan.
In the presence of Evan. Oh.
He must’ve shown his emotions in his face because he heard Pandora’s excited giggle.
“No this doesn’t mean anything. Barty was tired, that’s all” Evan said trying to convince not only Pandora but himself too that there was no way Barty liked him like that.
“Evan let me ask you a question.”
Evan looked up at her.
“When was the last time you saw Barty hooking up with someone?”
Evan was not expecting that question.
“Uhh I don’t know? A week maybe?”
Pandora raised her eyebrows. “Nuh uh öcsi, two months”
“First of all I’m not younger brother we’re twins. Second of all that’s impossible! Barty’s always hooking up with someone!” Had it really been two months since Barty’s last hookup? No there was no way.
“Well Evan I think I’ve got you thinking haven’t I? Oh yes and if this wasn’t enough proof that he likes you back then I have one more thing. A little bird came and whispered to me; you and Barty sleeping in the same bed! Shush shush shut up I’m not done” Pandora gave him a pointed look. Evan who was about to argue shut up. “The little bird told me Barty asked you to sleep with him. And I mean actually sleep not yk sleep. The little bird even deceived the scene listen. You and Barty having talked about something emotional, Barty in tears. You were about to leave for the night but Barty asked you to stay with him. You said alright crawling back on the bed but over the covers. The little bird tells me Barty falls asleep to your hands in his hair. You feel sleepy too but don’t want to go back to your own bed so you fall asleep next to Barty. The next morning you wake up as if nothing happened and the bird tells me Barty looks a lot better than any other mornings, as if he hasn’t had nightmares.” Pandora finished taking a deep breath from all the talking.
Evan stands still. Very still. He remembers this night very vividly but has tried not to think about it too much. Barty was in distress that was the only reason he wanted Evan there. But how did Pandora know about all this? Regulus was out with James and there was no one else in their dorm. Regulus. Of course. Regulus the fucker had turned into his cat animagus and sneaked back, not wanting to wake Barty and Evan in case they were asleep. Regulus had witnessed the entire thing and told Pandora.
“Oh I’m so going to kill your Regulus.” Evan started for the door, still holding the picture of him and Barty tightly in his hand. He was about to reach for the door handle when Pandora stood between him and the exit.
“I told you he likes you. And I promise I’m not going to tell anyone. You can trust me you know that.”
Evan checked her expression carefully. There was no hint of annoyance, or anything really that pointed she was lying. Evan stepped back and sat down on one of the chairs.
“Panda what do I do? I can barely talk to him without blushing. I’ve been in love for years but it’s never been this bad!” Evan sighed taking his head in his hands. He could hear Pandora getting closer and sitting down in front of him on the ground. She put one of her hands on his knee making him look at her.
“You could tell him.” She said quietly looking Evan in the eyes. “Or you could drop hints. Touch him a bit more than necessary, smile, spend as much time with him as you can. Flirt.”
“You know I’m horrible at speaking of emotions and flirting.” Pandora chuckled and stood up. “It’s getting late and I need to be up early tomorrow. I think somebody’s waiting for you at the gryffindor commonroom. I’ll head back to Ravenclaw tower. See you tomorrow.” Pandora made her way towards the door but before she had time to leave, Evan gave her a quick hug.
“Thank you for being the best sister ever.”
“You’re welcome.”
They said goodbye and headed off in opposite directions. Evan thought about what Pandora has said. It did make sense in a way that Barty liked him back but Evan still didn’t quite believe it.
When he reached Gryffindor tower Barty was saying Goodnight to Peter and Marlene. It was almost curfew so they would have to hurry back to their own dorm if they didn’t want to get detention. Marlene closed the tapestry and the crimson commonroom disappeared. Barty caught sight of Evan at the top of the stairs, slightly out of breath.
“Fucking finally I thought you died on the way up.”
“Hello to you too Barty.” Evan liked this about Barty. Always so unpredictable.
“What’d you and Panda talk about?” Barty asked curiously.
“Stuff.” Evan was not about to repeat what he and Pandora had said.
“Stuff.” Barty huffed a slightly annoyed breath starting to descend the stairs. “Couldn’t be more specific.”
“Sorry.” Evan blushed. He didn’t know why. He followed Barty and quickly caught up with him. “What did you do with the gryffindors?”
“Cursed one of their teapots to wake everyone up at 5 am.”
“Classy.”
They continued in silence for a while. Evan was quite hot in his thick jumper, the air felt humid and he needed some air. Maybe it was just because his arm was brushing with Barty’s or because he had ran up and down the stairs, but either way he decided to take a breather outside quickly.
“Barty?”
“Yeah?” Barty stopped, turning to look at Evan.
“I need some fresh air, wanna come?”
“It’s raining.” Barty pointed at one of the windows next to them.
“That’s even better.” Evan replied grinning. He felt happy now. He didn’t know why. He was filled with energy for seemingly nowhere but he wasn’t about to complain. Barty shrugged and bowed slightly, not hiding his mischievous grin.
“Lead the way, your majesty.”
Evan grinned and smacked the top of Barty’s head lightly as he passed him.
“Hey!” Barty tried smacking him back but Evan jumped away. “Catch me if you can, Crouch!” He started running. Evan knew exactly which way was the fastest out onto the grounds so he took a turn to the right and sprinted down the corridor. Barty was not far behind, cursing lightly as he tried keeping up with Evan. Evan turned another corner and stopped in his tracks. Barty didn’t have time to stop, he ran straight into Evan’s back pushing them both over and falling to the ground.
“Why’d you stop?” He asked but before Evan could answer they both heard mrs Norris meow and not a second later Filch’s voice came booming through the silence not far away.
“Is it students I hear?”
Evan and Barty stood up so quickly as they could, locking eyes. Barty seemed to know exactly what to do as he took Evan’s hand and sprinted the way they’d come from. He didn’t run too fast, and soon found what he was looking for.
“In here.” He whispered, pushing Evan into a broom cupboard and following soon after closing the door. They were close. Way too close for Evan’s liking. He could feel Barty’s warm breath on his face and tried taking a step back, realising this was probably one of the smallest cupboards in all of hogwarts.
“You alright?” Barty asked, so quietly Evan almost missed it.
“Yeah.”
They were pressed chest to chest, and Evan could only hope Barty didn’t hear how fast his heart was beating. Luckily Filch passed their cupboard and continued down the hallway, his footsteps disappearing.
“Um” Evan swallowed. “You can let us out now Barty.”
“Uh yeah of course.” Barty didn’t move though.
“Barty?” Evan was a bit worried now. Not only was he claustrophobic but why didn’t Barty move? He wasn’t complaining about standing so close to Barty but he really needed some fresh air. In the dark Evan could only make out some of Barty’s features and he looked as if he was about to say something. Instead he shook his head and opened the cupboard door.
Evan stepped out and took a deep breath before turning to face Barty. “Come on.” Barty nodded and they hurried down the remaining steps and out onto the grounds.
When the fresh air hit Evan he took a deep breath, filling his lungs and appreciating the crisp coldness of the October night. Rain poured down and into his hair and clothes but he didn’t care. He glanced sideways at Barty who was standing next to him with his eyes closed. He was about to run a hand through his hair when he realised his hand was still occupied. He hadn’t let go of Barty’s hand since he had dragged him into the broom cupboard. Evan blushed, glad that Barty wasn’t watching, and tried letting go of Barty’s hand.
“Evan no” Barty said, opening his eyes and looking straight at Evan. He held Evan’s hand tighter, not allowing him to let go. Barty was gorgeous like this. His wet hair was glistening in the moonlight and his sharp features were illuminated.
“Gorgeous.” Evan whispered to himself.
“Sorry?”
“You’re gorgeous” Evan said a bit louder. He could hear Barty take a deep breath and let it out slowly.
“Evan..I” Barty stopped, looking down at his feet.”I think” he stopped again. “I think I” again he stopped.
“You?” Evan prompted. He was a bit nervous what Barty wanted to say. This moment was special. Just the two of them.
“I..Fuck this” Barty locked eyes with Evan for half a second before leaning in and catching his lips in a kiss. Evan froze. Barty was kissing him. Barty was kissing him! His lips were soft and Evan felt amazing. He was so overwhelmed he didn’t realise he wasn’t kissing Barty back until he started pulling away.
“Sorry, I’m so sorry I don’t know what I was thinking.”
Evan cut off Barty by bringing his free hand up to cup his cheek and pulling him back into a kiss. It was soft, their lips moving against each other like they were made for each other. The rain was pouring down around them but Evan didn’t care. He didn’t have a care i the world because he was kissing Barty and Barty was kissing him. After what felt like way too short time they pulled away, foreheads still touching.
“Barty I love you” Evan heard Barty’s breath hitch as he moved closer. “I love you too Evan” And they were kissing again. Barty’s free hand was snaking its way to Evan’s waist and pulled him closer. They were kissing with more passion now, wanting to feel each other as much as possible. Evan felt Barty’s tounge on his lower lip, asking for entrance. Evan opened his mouth slightly letting Barty in. He let out a sound of affirmation and let go of Barty’s hand to pull him impossibly closer. Barty let out a small moan as they pressed closer and tried to not get too carried away.
After a good five minutes they pulled away, both panting slightly.
“I liked that.” Barty said finally taking Evan’s hand in his own again.
“Me too.” Evan pressed a quick kiss to Barty’s temple, smiling. He could feel his clothes getting heavier by the minute and knew they should head to bed soon.
“Are you my boyfriend now?” Barty asked quietly.
“If you want me to be.” Evan answered. “Because I really want to be your boyfriend.”
Barty leaned in to press a quick kiss to Evan’s soft lips and pushed back a loose lock of blond hair. “Of course I want you to. We should probably head in, I’m freezing.”
Evan smiled and led the way back into the castle.