Into the Forbidden Forest

A couple years later…

Summer has begun with the warmth rising over the 8 kingdoms and we move from the dark yet enchanting Forbidden Forest to a green carriage encrusted with gold and silver roses and leaves rolling in the countryside. Inside the carriage was a man with almost silver, blonde hair and his two children a boy who looked as though he wanted to be anywhere else but within the carriage and a girl who looked to be in her own little world.

“You keep pouting my boy, what’s got your mind?” the man asks looking up at his son before looking down at some documents he brought for review.

“Nothing,” the boy mumbles as he goes back to pouting and looking at the rolling fields.

“It doesn’t sound like nothing,” his sister retorted seemingly fascinated by the small details of the interior of the carriage.

“Father why do I have to do this?” the boy starts, “I don’t want to spend my summers in a castle with some arrogant bloke I’ve never even met.”

“And pray tell what makes him arrogant?” his father asks, not looking up from his documents.

“I don’t know that’s just what everyone says about him, that he’s arrogant, crude, and has no regard for authority or people whatsoever no matter their status,” the boy huffs. “Plus, Pans doesn’t have to stay, she gets to go back with you, why do I have to be the one to stay here all summer?”

“Son, we have talked about this, we have an allyship with the King Bartimus and I intend to keep it that way, so your friendship with their son is important,” his father starts. “Besides, I need to keep a close eye on your sister here, with her disappearing every single night yet never leaving her room.” Which his father was right about, every night for the past few months his twin sister has been sneaking off somewhere to go dancing, but no matter what anyone does they can never figure out where, not even him. His sister tells them that she doesn’t leave the castle, but the brand-new dance shoes that somehow get ruined within an evening suggest otherwise.

“I’m not going to like being there, I’m just going to be miserable the whole time,” the boy exclaims dramatically.

“Son, I’m not asking you to like this, I am only asking you to do your duty, you are heir to the Rosier throne, it’s important to have allies and I intend to ensure that when the kingdom falls into your hands it is done so perfectly,” his father explained to his son and heir, Prince Evan Rosier. Evan didn’t understand the whole point of this truly, his father always says the same thing, ‘it’s his duty’ or ‘he needs allies,’ but what good is an ally if they want nothing to do with you just as you want nothing to do with them.

“My boy, take that scowl off your face, we will be arriving shortly,” Evan didn’t even realize he was scowling. His sister Pandora gives him a sad smile before returning to her own little world, he decides to distract himself again by looking out the carriage window at the countryside watching the crops and fields pass by following the pasture as it meets the edge of the Forbidden Forest. The Rosier kingdom is further from the forest then some of the other kingdoms, so he doesn’t get to see the forest often. As the carriage continues on the path a castle comes into view, the castle he’s to spend his summers from now until his coronation with a kid he’s never met but has heard nothing but bad things about. The carriage slowly pulls up to the castle’s main gate advisors and guards waiting to escort them inside.

An arrow flies through the air and hits the target dead center.

“Well done Prince Bartimus, excellent shot as always!” a man says, he claps the brunette archer on the back. Prince Bartimus Crouch Jr. smiles at him, nocking another arrow into his bow.

“Kingsley how many times have I told you, it’s just Barty, my father is Bartimus,” Barty says in a snarky tone. “And that arrow was just a lucky shot, I need to continue practicing if I want to impress my father, I need to be ready for the upcoming hunt.”

“I don’t understand why you feel you need his approval your highness, he is proud of you and we both know that it wasn’t just a lucky shot,” Kingsley said in a matter-of-fact way. “Also, you know you are way too young to go on a hunt, you could get hurt.”

Barty scowls at Kingsley, “But Fabian and Gideon get to go, why can’t I go?” the 8-year-old demanded. Kingsley has taught him how to shoot a bow, he knows what to do, if he goes, he can show his father that he’s worth his attention.

Ever since Barty’s mother died his father has never given him the time of day, instead pushing him to Kingsley for armory lessons and his advisor Cornelius Fudge for his academics. If he isn’t with one of them, he is left by his lone self while his father wholes himself in his study or the war room. The only time Barty ever sees his father is during mealtimes and it’s only about Barty’s progress, at breakfast his father tells him his schedule and then they eat in silence and at dinner his father only wants to know how far he is in his studies.

Kingsley looked down at his small student with an amusing look on his face, for an 8-year-old he was incredibly stubborn, “The Lords Prewett are far older than you, your highness by 6 years if I’m correct. You will have your turn when you turn 14, you just have to wait,” he explained to the brunette prince who just pouted.

“I hate waiting, it’s pointless and meaningless,” Kingsley couldn’t help but laugh at the little prince’s conviction, the boy was just like his father, too stubborn for his own good.

“Waiting teaches us the value of something, if going on this hunt is truly what you want, then by being patient you can learn the value of it,” Barty looked down to the ground and kicked away at the rocks. “Come now, our lesson is over for today, you need to get ready for our guests the Rosier’s. Remember the young Prince Evan, who is your age, is going to stay with us for the summer,” Kingsley took the bow and arrow out of Barty’s hands and stored them in the armory.

“Why is he even staying with us, I don’t even know who he is?” Barty asked angrily, he doesn’t know why his father arranged this, he doesn’t need someone his age to play with, he needs his father to see him, to understand him.

“The Kingdom of Crouch is heavily allied with the Kingdoms of Rosier and Black, and it is important to maintain those alliances, you remember when Prince Sirius and Prince Regulus stayed with us for a few weeks last summer?” Kingsley responded.

Of course, Barty remembers them, he had fun playing with Sirius despite him being slightly older. The only problem Barty had with him was that Sirius tended to do everything but what his parents wanted, which resulted in Barty getting dragged into it from time to time. He received a lot of lectures from his father. Barty much preferred the company of Sirius’ younger brother, Regulus – he was quiet and more reserved and seemed to understand Barty and his need to make his father proud. Regulus would usually sit in silence while Barty talked, never speaking a word only listening, which was a fresh change of pace from Sirius. However, he didn’t know Evan, sure the staff spoke about him, but he would often hear them call him a spoiled brat with a loony twin sister, he didn’t want to spend his summer with a bloke that he’s been told is nothing but a total prat.

Kingsley walked Barty back inside to his room and the servants dressed him in a more presentable fashion. Once finished, the servants escorted him to the throne room where Kingsley, Fudge, his father, and other advisors sat waiting.

“Finally, I don’t understand why you took so long,” his father said not once looking at his son.

Barty looked at the stone ground trying to shrink down as much as possible, “I’m sorry father I was…”

“A future king, let alone a prince doesn’t doddle, nor does he make excuses for it, you are to be on time for everything, do I make myself clear?” King Bartimus interrupted.

“Yes father,” Barty replied tears threatening to poke out. He held back his tears knowing he would receive another lecture should he actually cry. He took his place at his father’s side while they waited for the Rosier’s to enter.

Evan, Pandora, and their father exited the carriage and were greeted by a woman who looked to be in her mid-30s, she greeted them warmly welcoming them to the Kingdom of Crouch

“Madam Amelia Bones, it has been too long!” his father embraced the woman as she ushered the three inside and walked them to the throne room. The throne room was decorated in the Crouch family’s colors of blue and bronze, a striking difference from the Rosier’s of green and silver. At the end of the room sat King Bartimus Crouch Sr., numerous advisors, and a small brunette boy around his and Pandora’s age, he must Prince Bartimus Crouch Jr.

“Rosier, my dear friend how are you!” King Bartimus greeted his father, “You remember my son?” gesturing to the brunette boy.

“Of course I remember him, it has been too long, the last I saw him he was but a wee lad and of course you remember my boy Evan?” his father exclaimed, “Evan my boy go say hello,” his father pushed him towards Barty.

“My has the little prince grown, I remember when he and your daughter were but tiny infants,” King Bartimus chuckled, “Come now son be polite,” Crouch Sr. pushed Barty towards Evan.

The two boys stared at each other for a second before awkwardly shaking hands, both muttering small hellos to each other. To Barty, Evan just looked like another pompous kid, Pandora at least looked interesting, she seemed more interested in the patterns on the ground then meeting people, but Evan, he can’t really grasp, almost as if he only showed his true intentions when he really needed to. To Evan, Barty looked scruffy and too energetic for him, and he seemed to have a look of mischief on his face.

“Our young prince’s teacher Cornelius Fudge will continue Prince Evan’s education and Kingsley will assist in armory classes,” one of the advisors, Alastor Moody, spoke up as the servants began taking Evan’s belongings. “His highness will be housed in the room adjacent to Prince Bartimus and he will have access to almost anywhere in the castle with supervision.” They continue to exchange pleasantries, talking about old memories from times long before. Evan’s father wished him goodbye and bid farewell to King Bartimus, thanking him for allowing his son to stay. Before they leave Pandora approaches her brother giving him something.

“I made it on the way here, I know you won’t be able to see the summer roses bloom, so I made you one that won’t die,” his favorite past time with his sister had always been watching the summer roses bloom in the garden, they did it with their mother and Aunt Druella before they both passed. They would sit on the benches every day at sunrise, watching each rose bud bloom. They still continue the tradition, it’s what their mother would have wanted. Evan bid goodbye to his sister before he and Barty were whisked away from the throne room.

The two boys were taken to Barty’s room and were told if they wished to leave the room to ring the bell and a servant would come fetch them, leaving the boys alone with each other. They sat in uncomfortable silence before Barty finally spoke up.

“I don’t know nor care what you like, and I don’t care what you do, just don’t break my stuff.”

“I don’t even know if I want to touch your things,” Evan said with a hint of attitude before taking a seat by the window watching his family ride off in the carriage, holding the makeshift rose his sister gifted him.

Barty was playing with his toy soldiers and his eyes drift over to Evan who continues to look at the window of his room. “Are you just going to keep staring out the window the whole time you’re here?” Barty asked, annoyed.

“Are you going to be noisy and rude the whole time I’m here?” Evan retorted back making Barty flush with anger.

“You don’t get to speak to me like that!” he exclaimed.

“If you don’t recall, you instigated this,” Evan said mockingly. “If you can’t take it don’t dish it.”

“You’re a bloody prick you know that” Barty insulted him.

“Well, you’re a spoiled prat so I guess we’re even,” Evan insulted back. They two continue to bicker and argue all the way till dinner time insults being thrown at each other left and right, before finally separating for evening and going to their respective rooms… This was going to be a long summer.

Age 11

Since that summer when they were 8, Evan and Barty have spent their summers together alternating between castles, and their attitudes towards each other haven’t really changed much. Sure, they tolerate each other more, but that doesn’t stop them from throwing insults at each other or starting arguments over the smallest things.

This year Barty will stay with the Rosier’s for the summer. Even though he had huge dislike for Evan, he liked that he got to spend time away from his father, not to mention the Rosier Castle was closer to the Kingdom of Black, so he got to see them more when he was here. Sirius and Regulus had visited them a few times while they were staying at each other’s respective castles. Evan found Sirius fun, sure he was a little loud and could be obnoxious like Barty, but he was a nice bloke, unlike Barty, who found fun in constantly insulting him. The only problem Evan had with him was that Sirius generally didn’t do what he was told. He would often spend time with people his parents didn’t approve of, or wear clothes that were often worn by peasants instead of his official royal garments. He was also quite the troublemaker and would often prank servants, advisors, diplomats, and even other royals. Barty would often help Sirius with the pranks, and Evan would assist every so often, but he generally watched the madness unfold from a safe distance.

He gets along fine with Regulus, he’s quiet and they two will often times share books with each other. Regulus was the exact opposite of his brother, he was polite, never spoke out against his parents, and always did what he was told. It was hard to believe that the two were actually related. Regulus and Evan would often confide with each other, they seemed to understand each other better than the other 2 could. Despite the fact that Regulus would never inherit the throne as Sirius is older by 2 years, everyone seems to turn to him when it comes to royal affairs. Many believe that Regulus should inherit the throne instead of Sirius, and some believe that Regulus acts the perfect child to hopefully take the throne from him. But Evan knows, he knows the abuse that goes on in the castle, he's seen the cuts and bruises on the two boys, Sirius more so than Regulus. Sirius makes it clear to his parents he wants nothing to do with the royal life and Regulus just does what he needs to, to get by and survive. He wishes he could do something to help the boys, and that isn’t to say he hasn’t, but he’s an 11-year-old boy, who’s going to listen to him.

Evan reads a book in a corner in the library tucked away, Barty would be here any minute and he would have to deal with that insufferable idiot for a whole 3 months. Barty really seems to know what buttons to push that just tick Evan off and vice versa, but Evan was not in the particular mood for Barty’s antics. He’s already had enough to deal with that day. His father told him that morning that he has begun looking for Evan’s potential wife even though he’s only 11. His father tells him the faster he finds a potential bride the faster they can proceed with the courting process. It’s too much on his plate at once, he just wants some peace and quiet, so hiding away seemed like the best option. On top of everything they still have yet to figure out where Pandora has been running off to in the night for the past 3 years. He tries to get her to tell them, the two haven’t kept secrets from each other since their mother died. Every time he tries to have a conversation about her nighttime whereabouts it always ends the same.

“Dora tell me, where do you go at night, I’m your brother you should be able to tell me these things,” Evan begs his twin sister who is making flower crowns for the fairies of the forest.

“Not going to happen Ev’s, you have your secrets and I have mine,” Pandora replies not looking up to meet her brother’s exasperated face.

“I have not kept any secrets from you Dora, we made that promise after mother died remember!” Evan accuses her, getting extremely angry at his sister. Their father never liked to listen to their real problems, only their mother did. They would tell their mother all of their secrets and feelings and she would listen with an open mind and heart. After she died Pandora and Evan promised to never keep secrets from each other, no matter what.

“So, you’re not going to tell me about your secret feelings for Barty?” Pandora said mockingly looking up at her brother with amusement in her eyes.

“It’s no secret at all, I hate the bloke, he’s an annoying prat that finds fun in insulting me,” Evan spat, what was Dora going on about, her and her crazy thoughts.

“Oh, sure you do,” Pandora snickered sarcastically.

“Pray tell what secret feelings do you claim I have for that bloody oaf?” Evan asked.

“If you aren’t willing to accept them, then I can’t tell you,” this leaves Evan confused but before he could continue to the conversation, Pandora starts talking about making dress shirts for something called Nargles.

Evan shakes his head at the memories of his conversations with Pandora, continuing to read his book dreading Barty’s arrival.

Barty was not looking forward to this, he doesn’t understand why Evan makes him so angry, always insulting him, granted he does a lot of insulting himself. At least with Pandora there it’ll be a little interesting. The carriage finally arrives at Castle Rosier, and he enters the castle walls walking to his designated room. Normally Evan was supposed to meet him at the entrance, but he was nowhere to be found, the servants themselves not knowing where he is. Servants and guards run through the castle searching for Evan. He began wandering the halls searching for either of the twins only to find Pandora sitting on a bench in the garden weaving flowers together.

“There’s my favorite twin!” Barty yells excitedly, spooking Pandora. She gives him a loving smile and invites him to join her on the bench.

“Hello darling, I told father you would be here early, but he didn’t believe me, how was the ride?” she greets him warmly. Barty loved Pandora, she was the little sister he never had, despite them being the same age. They always had pet names for each other, they usually started out with the normal ones, but eventually they would be weird, such as “Mousebear” or “My Little Cabbage.”

“Not too bad I suppose, where’s your annoying prat of a brother?” Barty questions the blonde girl.

“And why would you be concerned about my brother’s whereabouts?” Pandora questioned amusement lacing her voice. “I thought you didn’t like my brother.”

“I don’t I think he’s a bloody idiot, but everyone is freaking out and I know I’ll get an earful from my father whether it’s in person or via howler,” Barty huffs, a little bit of worry does fill his thoughts. He can’t quite figure out why he’s worried though, he and Evan are not friends in the slightest but not knowing where the boy is makes his heartbeat fast and his palms get sweaty.

“Of course, sweetheart,” Pandora said sarcastically. “Now here sit still,” Pandora fastens the flowers she was weaving and puts it on Barty’s head, her face filling with glee seeing him in the item she made. Barty walked over to the fountain and looked into the water and on his head sat a flower crown made of roses, lavender sprigs, and twigs.

“Oh, Dora I look absolutely beautiful, nobody will be able to resist me now,” Barty dramatically flaunted and frilled over himself causing Pandora to laugh.

“He’s in the library, check the very back near the fireplace, behind the grandfather clock,” Pandora tells him.

“You are a gem my dearest,” Barty says kissing Pandora on the cheek making his way out of the garden.

“I thought you didn’t like my brother?” Pandora teased, causing Barty to tense up.

“I don’t, I just want to annoy him and show him that I’m prettier than him because I have one of Pandora’s beautiful flower crowns,” Barty laughed running out of the garden to the library bringing a smile to Pandoras lips. She turns her head and looks at the fig trees.

“I know, they’re going to get married someday,” no one knows who or what she was talking to, but no one dared question the princess.

Barty ran into the library and made a beeline to the back, looks behind the grandfather clock and there sits Evan reading, he clearly didn’t hear Barty walking around.

“There you are Rose Bud,” Barty says catching Evan’s attention, the 11-year-old blonde smirks up at the brunette. Barty started calling Evan that their second summer spent together when Barty stayed with the Rosier’s. Pandora and Evan invited Barty to join them for the blooming of the summer roses and Barty picked a rose bud and gave it to Pandora, who proceeded to put in in Evan’s hair and the name just stuck.

“Hello Bartimus,” Evan replies causing Barty to grimace at the use of his first name.

“You know I hate it when you call me that,” Barty grits through his teeth causing Evan’s smirk to grow.

“Call me by my real name and maybe I’ll call you by yours,” Evan retorted looking back at his book. Barty rolls his eyes and wedges himself behind the clock taking a seat next to Evan.

“You know I can’t do that Rose Bud, but I’m sure you can come up with a better nickname then my full name,” Barty huffed.

“Nah, Bartimus suits you more,” Evan looks up at Barty sticking his tongue out at him, smiling at Barty’s annoyed face. Barty really hated his name, it made him feel like he was an extension of his father – everyone expected him to be just like daddy dearest, only to be disappointed when they find out they’re polar opposites. Barty wanted to be his own person, not the one everyone expects him to be, and he wishes people would see that, especially his father.

“What are you reading?” Barty asks, trying to change the subject, pushing the sad thoughts back.

“A collection of sonnets and poems,” Evan answers.

“That sounds boring as hell,” Barty snorts causing Evan to glare at him. For an 11-year-old he had quite the fowl mouth, something he learned from being around his father’s most trusted advisor, Alastor Moody.

“I’ll let you know that poetry is not boring, it’s about feeling and emotions, they allow you to connect with yourself and others in a deeper way,” Evan argued smacking Barty in the arm.

“Ok, ok lover boy, if poems are so great why don’t you go write your own and sing them to a beautiful girl as you fall in love in the sunset,” Barty taunts and teases Evan dramatically. “Oh wait, you’re too emotionally stunted to find a beautiful girl to love.”

“You make fun of me for reading poetry, yet you’re wearing a flower crown,” Evan snaps at Barty, rolling his eyes, he really knew how to get under Evan’s skin and drive him crazy.

“Hey Pandora made this for me, I don’t see her giving you one, she clearly loves me more than she loves you,” Barty poked hoping to get an even bigger rise out of Evan.

“Pandora loves everyone and everything, but because you said that I’m going to find the cheesiest poem here and you’ll have no choice but to hear me read it,” Evan threatens causing Barty to cover his ears.

“No that will surely kill me listening to all that boring romance junk, do you really want to be responsible for killing me,” Barty said dramatically causing Evan to laugh. Barty snapped his head towards Evan, who slapped his hand over his mouth after realizing what he just did.

“Evan Rosier, did I just make you laugh?” Barty said with amazement in his voice.

“No of course not, you are deluding yourself,” Evan glared at him. “I swear your ego is bigger than the trench in the Forbidden Forest,” Evan turns his head back to his book reading his poems annoyed and miffed by Barty’s self-gratification.

“I totally made you laugh; I made the cold-hearted Prince Evan Rosier laugh!” Barty exclaimed at the top of his lungs.

“Shhhhh, someone will hear you,” Evan shushed him smacking him with the book, “You’re such a bloody prat you know that?”

“A bloody prat that made you laugh,” Barty poked fun. Evan rolled his eyes and went back to reading his poems. Barty, having had his fun, started looking over his shoulder reading the poems with Evan. The two eventually fall asleep on top of each other only to be found hours later by Pandora, who teases about them cuddling in a corner together, never letting the two boys live it down. They got a hefty talking to from Evan’s father later that evening about sneaking off on their own after they woke up.

Age 12

The flash of lightning followed by the harsh rolling of thunder woke Evan from his sleep. He never was a fan of thunderstorms. They were loud, abrupt, and uncalculated; you never knew when and where the lightning was going to strike or when the thunder would howl, and the idea of not knowing terrified Evan. When he was younger his mom would hold him close and sing lullabies to him and tell him stories about the Forbidden Forest till, he fell asleep. After she died, he would go to Pandora’s room, that was until she started disappearing at night. He remembers the first time it happened.

Months before Evan’s first summer at the Crouch Castle, a bad thunderstorm had hit the kingdom. Evan couldn’t get a wink of sleep that night. Even though he hid under the blankets that didn’t stop the harsh flashes of light coming in from the window or block the loud sounds of the cracking thunder. He called for his mother like he normally would, but she never came, not anymore at least.

Through teary eyes he quickly ran from his room to his father’s room, banging on the door begging for help, but all he could hear was his father snoring away. A flash of lightning spooked him into running to his sister’s room. Banging on her door asking her to let him in but there was no answer. He twisted the knob on her door, and it surprisingly opened. The room was unlocked. Evan carefully stepped inside hoping there isn’t an intruder only to find his sister’s room empty, she had gone out again.

Just then some guards found him after hearing the commotion and they gather a search party to hunt for the princess, while they sent Evan back to bed. Hiding underneath his blanket praying the storm to go away.

The next morning, he goes back to Pandora’s room only to find her curled up in bed, her dancing shoes, ruined. He shakes her awake, his eyes red and puffy.

“Ev, what’s got you all upset?” She asked yawning, rubbing her tired eyes that have small bags underneath them, indicating she hasn’t been sleeping.

“You weren’t here,” he muttered making Pandora cock her head in confusion. “It was a bad one, and you weren’t here.” Pandora’s eyes widen as she looked out the window, realizing that it was a bad storm. She pulled her brother close to her apologizing profusely.

“I’m so sorry Ev, I didn’t think,” she started, “What can I do to make it up to you?”

“I don’t know where you go at night and you won’t tell me, but if there’s a storm, don’t go,” he asks her softly.

“Ok, I won’t,” she promises, “I’ll stay here waiting for you.”

From that day forward anytime, there was a storm at night and the twins would stay together in one or the others room finding ways to keep the storm away.

But now, Pandora isn’t here; he isn’t at home, or in his room, he’s in another castle days from his own kingdom. Evan gets up and walks around the castle hoping to find someone who can help. Every twist and turn just makes him more lost, till he’s right back where he started, then he looks to the room right across from his own. Barty’s room. He could go in there and ask Barty for help, but Evan knows that he would make fun of him for being afraid of storms. Another crack of thunder causes Evan to let out a small scream as his back collided with Barty’s door. Evan stood there for a second, hoping he didn’t just wake Barty up. He shook his head and pushed himself off Barty’s door making his way back to his room, knowing he wouldn’t sleep tonight, when suddenly the door opened, and Barty stood there rubbing the sleep from his eyes.

“Evan, it’s the middle of the night,” he said before asking, “What are you doing up?”

“I was just…” Evan started before the flash a lighting was seen followed by the loud crack of thunder causing Evan to let out a small quiet scream before flinging himself at Barty. The brunette stood there confused when it suddenly hit him. Evan’s afraid of the storm. He puts a small arm around him and awkwardly pats his back. Evan realizes what he was doing and pushed Barty away from him.

“Sorry I didn’t mean to wake you, I’ll be heading back to my room now, good night,” Evan straightened back up and turned around to go back to his room, but before he could take a step, Barty grabbed his hand.

“You’re afraid of the storm, aren’t you?” Barty asked quietly, he sounded genuine there wasn’t a hint of mockery in his voice.

Why isn’t he making fun of me? Evan thought. Barty made fun of everything he did why now was he being nice. Evan opened his mouth to tell Barty off, but he couldn’t find the words a small flash of lightning causing him to flinch, some small thunder rolling in the background.

“C’mon, you can stay in my room tonight,” Barty said dragging Evan into his room. Evan started to protest but Barty cut him off, “Look it’s late and I’m tired, it’s clear that you need someone to help you through this or else you won’t sleep,” Evan looked down at the ground letting Barty drag him. The two climbed into the oversized bed, which was obviously way too big for the 2 pre-teens, and they covered themselves up with the blanket. Another crash of thunder was heard, and Barty covered Evan’s ears.

“You’re such a scaredy cat, aren’t you Rose Bud?” Barty teased him and Evan stuck his tongue out.

“You’re supposed to be making me feel better not make fun of me,” Evan said with a matter-of-fact tone.

“Sorry, I figured we could have some lighthearted banter to distract you,” Barty replied with a shrug. This confused Evan further, why was Barty helping him, Barty hates him, and he hates Barty, they made it clear when they were 8 years old that they would never be friends.

“Why are you helping me?” Evan asked quietly, Barty’s eyes widened. Why did he help Evan? Barty didn’t know the answer. The two had completely different personalities, Barty though brash, was outgoing and fun. Evan on the other hand was posh and arrogant. They cannot and will not ever get along, right?

“I don’t know,” Barty said looking anywhere but at Evan, “You looked scared, and I felt bad. I didn’t want my father getting upset for not helping you,” Barty mutters, deep down he knows his father wouldn’t care, he never gave his own son the time of day, he sure as hell wouldn’t give his time or energy to Evan. The only reason his father even let Evan and Barty stay with each other during the summers were to keep the bonds of their allyship, at the end of the day the two 12-year-olds were just a means to an end.

Evan looked at the frown that formed on the other boy’s face, “You know Barty, you’re not so bad,” Evan gave Barty a small smile. Barty looked at Evan with wide eyes in shock.

“You said my name,” Barty replied, someone finally said his name. For the past 12 years people have called him by the name his father egotistically gave him. But, Evan Rosier, the boy that hated him, who he himself hated, said his name. Evan and Barty put up walls to keep everyone from seeing themselves and their vulnerabilities. But for the first time, they’re actually seeing each other not just looking.

“Of course I did,” Evan rolled his eyes, “You don’t like people calling you Bartimus cause of your father, and even though you calling me Rose Bud is annoying, but I shouldn’t have been calling you that name. I know that name reminds you of your father and everyone expects you to be him, but the truth is you aren’t, you’re just Barty,” Evan said with a gentle yet tired look on his face. The storm had gone down ages ago, but Barty still had his hands on Evan’s ears.

“Um Barty, you can take your hands off my ears,” Evan retorted. Barty quickly moved his hands from Evan’s ears. The two sit up, there’s no lightning or thunder going on outside, just rain.

“Oh yeah, sorry,” Barty started, “I guess uh you’re not too bad yourself,” he finished sheepishly. The two boys laughed. Why did they even hate each other to begin with, they went 4 years just being downright hateful towards each other because of the words of some servants who don’t even know the first thing about them or about what they’ve gone through. Yes, they were of royal blood and have lived wealthy, comfortable lives, but with those lives come expectations. If you cannot meet those expectations, then you are not worthy of that wealthy comfortable life, you are not worthy to be the heir to a mighty kingdom, they’ve all learned that lesson the hard way.

Their laughter dies down as Evan spoke, “I honestly don’t know, every time someone said your name, they’d call you arrogant and crude,” he explained, “Granted you are arrogant, crude, obnoxious…”

“I thought we were supposed to be saying nice things to each other?” Barty mocked.

“You didn’t let me finish,” Evan gave a light glare, “You are all those things, but they make you, well you,” Evan stated with a small smile. “You show people that you care about their time and you put 100% effort in everything you do.”

“Yeah, some people would call you posh and spoiled, and you are I’ll give them take, but you also are incredibly smart, not as smart as me, but you know smart,” Barty exclaimed causing Evan to snort out a laugh. “Let’s start over yeah, I’m Barty,” he said reaching his hand to Evan. Evan looked at the hand laughed once more rolling his eyes.

“I’m Evan,” he replied to shaking Barty’s hand.

“Great, now we’re best friends,” Barty exclaimed.

“Best friends is a bit of an overstep, but yes, we’re friends,” the two boys smiled and kept talking till they fell asleep next to each other.

Alastor Moody walked around the castle grumbling. He had been up all night trying to determine the screaming that was heard throughout the castle, and no one had figured it out. He approached the two princes’ rooms and decided to wake them and ask them if they heard the screams. He opened the door to Evan’s room and found his bed disheveled and the prince not inside. Fear creeping in, he turns to Barty’s room and opens the door fearing the worst, but what he sees shocks him.

He sees the two princes curled up together in Barty’s bed, the two boys have smiles on their faces as they lay fast asleep. Moody alerts the servants to wake the princes up and prepare them for the day as he walks back to his study. He doesn’t know what could have happened to cause the two princes who seemingly hated each other to suddenly want to fall asleep in the same bed together. He didn’t like this feeling he was feeling, something wasn’t right, and he was going to get to the bottom of it.