Dear Diary
“What the fuck is that supposed to mean Evan!?” Barty screamed.
“It means that tonight is going to be hell but my parents will likely disown me before the wedding and if they don’t then I’ll just leave her at the fucking alter! Barty hey,” Evan took a breath and held his boyfriend’s cheek gently. “I know it’s not ideal, but I promise you that whatever happens tonight means absolutely nothing to me. You are my world, Barty, my whole sky, and I will never ever let anyone come between us.”
“I just-” Barty let out a defeated sigh, melting into Evan’s hand slightly. “I don’t want things to change any more than they have in the last two months. We almost lost Regulus, and now this… I just can’t lose you too.”
Barty’s eyes were glossed over, and Evan felt his heart tug in his chest. He wanted to just envelope Barty’s body in his - despite the fact Evan was much smaller - but he did his best, wrapping his arms under Barty’s shoulders and burying his face in the crook of Barty’s neck. “You won’t lose me, Barty, we're tethered, no matter what happens I will always make sure you are by my side.”
“Thank you,” Barty whispered, kissing the top of Evan’s head. “We probably do have to go though, it's rude to be late to your marriage proposal.”
“Oh shut it, Crouch, the only one I’ll ever marry is you.”
The pair froze as soon as the words had left Evan’s mouth. The future was always a very touchy subject, mostly because if this all didn’t pan out then they likely didn’t have a future…
“Let's go then,” Barty said quietly, not meeting Evan’s eyes before taking his hand and apperating.
✮✮✮
The Malfoy manor was bustling with activity, Barty and Evan tried to slip inside without drawing attention from Evan’s parents - who were likely already angry with Evan for not getting ready at the Rosier Estate. But of course, luck wasn’t on their side, and Evan had to suppress a flinch when he heard his father’s voice behind him. They’d cleared up the memory issues Regulus had caused before that day in the cave… Evan’s parents didn’t remember the night at all and with a bit of convincing had become slightly more accepting of Evan keeping Barty’s company. But they were still very adamant that it was time for Evan to get married, which didn’t suit him whatsoever.
“Evan you’re late.”
“I’m sorry vater,” Evan looked up cautiously, feeling Barty move a step closer to him.
“I don’t care, come now we have much to discuss,” Evan did his best not to pull his arm away when his father took hold of his wrist and glanced back at Barty to give him a warning glance. Don’t follow.
“Now I want you on your best behavior tonight Evan, I will not tolerate anything rude or disrespectful. Understand?” Evan nodded. “The dark lord himself has come to this event, and I will not have you embarrass this family.”
“Understood,” Evan lengthened his stride to keep up with his father, who was walking quickly through the gathering people and toward the Malfoy’s library.
“Your mother and I have worked very hard to get you this marriage,” he went on, and Evan wanted to bang his head into a wall. He had no interest in some girl, not when the love of his life was out on that dance floor - likely bothering Bellatrix or Lucius.
“May I ask whom I’m to be married to?” Evan risked.
“Well you’re about to meet her so I suggest you make your own introductions,” his father swung open the doors to the library and held them for Evan.
In the center of the room at a large cedar table stood a family, two men, and two women, one who was likely his mother’s age, and another who couldn’t be more than sixteen. Evan was confused, and it must have shown because the younger of the two men cleared his throat and stepped forward.
“Master Rosier I am happy to present to you and your son my sister,” the younger girl curtseyed unenthusiastically and sent a sharp glance in Evan’s direction. “Miss Beatrice Montagne.”
“It’s a pleasure,” Evan smiled courteously and stepped up to the table to shake the brother’s hand.
“The pleasure is mine,” Beatrice glared at Evan, extending her hand for Evan to take.
It took a kick to his shin from his father to actually take the girl’s hand and kiss it gently. The family had thick French accents and were dressed very formally. Both men wore expensive dress robes with gold lining and their family crest adorning the chest. The older woman wore a black floor-length gown and Beatrice had on a long dress with a pastel blue corset and pearls. She had long flowy blonde hair that was pinned up with a small headdress.
“You two acquaint yourselves as we attend to business yes?” Evan’s father nodded to the men, who nodded curtly. “Evan, Bellatrix will come and retrieve you in just a moment so that you can be presented to the Dark Lord.”
Evan simply nodded and stood deathly still as the adults left the room into an adjoining office.
“They are off to settle my dowry,” the girl remarked, slumping down into one of the padded armchairs.
“Oh,” Evan said dumbly.
“You are not very good at pretending you do not want to be here Rosier,” she said bluntly.
“Neither are you,” he scoffed, realizing that this was not one of the people he needed to fake enthusiasm around.
“I have no clue what it is you are speaking of,” she denied, turning her nose up.
“What you’re talking about,” Evan corrected, leaning up against the table. “You sound like you’re straight out of the 1600s.”
“My English is not polished,” the girl said after a moment. “I was never meant to leave France until this arrangement.”
“Yeah sorry about that I suppose,” Evan flipped through a blank leather book on the table.
Beatrice shrugged and began fiddling with her pearls. “You have a pretty name,” she mused after a moment. “Rose. Like the flower.”
“Oh uh thanks,” Evan stumbled. “That’s not my actual name y’know?”
“Oh,” she blushed embarrassed.
“I’m Evan,” he reached a hand out for her to take.
“That is also pretty,” she swatted it away. “But I like Rose better.”
“Then call me Rose,” he shrugged, it was a smile thing to make him feel so warm inside. But that little reminder of Regulus’ old nickname for Evan was comforting.
“I shall if you call me Bea,” she replied almost immediately. “That is my true name.”
“Deal,” Evan smiled slightly, “Bea.”
She smiled and laughed under her breath when the large doors at the front of the library were thrown open. Evan groaned under his breath and stood up straight.
“At least try and look happy Rosier,” Bella teased, waltzing up to him. “You are getting married after all.”
“As if you wanted to get married Bella,” he snarked, motioning at Bea to come and take his hand.
Bellatrix simply rolled her eyes and led the way as Evan held Bea’s arm softly, walking out into the packed space. It took all of his willpower not to begin picking at his cuticles, he searched the room desperately for Barty and found him leaning up against a pillar smirking.
Oh that twat, Evan glared back at him. Which of course just caused Barty to bite his lip and look Evan up and down.
‘That's not fair,’ Evan mouthed discreetly in his direction.
‘Just you wait until later,’ he smirked again, casting his eyes away before Evan could react.
His mind was pulled away from the interaction quickly as Bellatrix suddenly stopped in front of a long table that Evan presumed Voldemort was sitting at along with his father and Beatrice’s brother.
“My Lord may I present Evan Rosier and his bride,” Bellatrix moved out of the way and Evan moved up a few steps. The word bride made him want to vomit, especially when Barty was watching from the corner.
“You both look very nice,” the man grinned at the pair, which caused Evan’s sin to crawl, and Beatrice gripped his arm tighter. “She is pureblood yes? Able to produce an heir for the Rosiers?” questions directed to her brother on Voldemort’s left.
“Yes, my sister has been saved for such an opportunity as this,” Beatrice was chewing her lip next to Evan, he assumed in annoyance by the way she was eyeing her bother at that moment. “She is more than capable.”
“And she is of marrying age? We wouldn’t want our golden age to be started on something unfair.”
“She has just turned sixteen last month my lord, we were told this is suitable?”
“Yes yes that will work beautifully,” he cast his gaze back to Evan and Beatrice. Evan was silently praying to Merlin and Morgana that he wouldn’t get up, he couldn’t deal with that, he’d just have a breakdown right there in front of everyone who needed to think he was indestructible.
“Take a step forward by boy,” he demanded and Evan’s feet moved without a thought, taking him straight up close to the table Voldemort was sat at. “She is very beautiful,” He examined Beatrice’s face, turning it with a pale hand. “Evan, do you intend to take advantage of her beauty and make sure produces a suitable heir for your family?”
Evan’s eyes widened, absolutely disgusted by the question, but nodded nonetheless, “Of course.”
“Good,” he released the girl’s face and she took a shuttering breath. “Shall we have music again then? Allow our beautiful couple their first dance.”
On cue, music began again, and Evan took Beatrice's hand gently pulling her into the center of the room.
“You know how to dance yes?” he asked in a whisper, waiting for his own cue.
“Of course I know how to dance you nitwit,” she took his waist and began leading him - which was very helpful because, in all honesty, Evan hadn’t properly danced since his fifth year.
They swayed and twirled one another in a very traditional dance until more couples began to fill the dance floor and it became less tense.
“May I ask you something Rose?” Beatrice said quietly.
“Mhm,” he hummed.
“Do you have any intention of going through with this arraignment?”
Evan was caught a bit off guard and glanced once in each direction before answering. “Not really,” he shook his head. “I have someone else, no offense.”
“Good,” she smiled genuinely for the first time that night. “Because I have absolutely no intention of marrying you, Evan Rosier.”
“You don’t?”
She almost laughed, “No of course not. I do not wish to be bred like some canine. I am in love myself, and I will not allow my brother to spoil such a feeling. I intend to run away to Sweden with my love in two months' time.”
“I believe I’ll likely be disowned in two months’ time,” he chuckled quietly. “What is your love’s name?”
“What is yours?” She raised a brow. “I saw you stealing glances at that boy earlier.”
“Oh,” Evan felt his cheeks grow warm. “Barty… his name’s Barty.”
“Noah.”
“And he’s nice? Someone who will keep you safe and love you?”
She nodded, a pale rose color blooming on her cheekbones. “He is very ah… what is the word? Noah is like Nuit étoilée after clouds.”
“He’s the stars?” Evan almost teared up, it was one of his favorite French words.
Beatrice cocked his head slightly, “yes? He is like a million balls of light, so beautiful you lose your breath, and so fiery they burn. That is my Noah.”
“I have someone like that…” Evan mused, trying to Remember Regulus’ smile, his laugh, his voice…
“Barty?”
Evan shook his head, holding back his shaking breaths. “He is my star, my fire… my Regulus.”
“Where is your Regulus?”
“I don’t know really… well I mean I do but he’s hurt, badly,” Evan stopped himself from saying more, realizing the company he was around. “I can’t…” he tilted his head around the room hoping she got the idea.
“Oh yes I understand,” she nodded solemnly. “What is Barty then?”
“The moon, or a comet,” Evan said at once. “He lights everything in the dark for me, and for Regulus… Merlin, I just need them to survive this all…”
“They will be in my thoughts Evan, and as will you.”
She got on her toes and planted a very soft kiss on his cheek, which may have been the most innocent thing he’d ever experienced.
“Your love is looking for you,” she whispered quickly before lowering herself to her feet again. Evan glanced over to the doors by the library and found that yes indeed Barty was watching them, a glass of champagne in his hand and a dead look in his eyes.
“Never change Beatrice,” he kissed the top of her head quickly before leaving her as naturally as possible and making a break for Barty.
He’d seemingly already retreated into the library by the time Evan got to that side of the room, so he opened the door and slipped inside - placing a few privacy spells on the door before proceeding to the desk Barty was sitting on.
“She’s pretty,” Barty rolled his eyes, and Evan scoffed because, of course, Barty knew Evan had zero interest. “No really Evan I’m happy for you.”
“You didn’t look too happy back there,” Evan smirked.
“You know I was trying to get you in here for a nice little library sex,” this got Evan’s attention. “But alas I think I may have found something better.”
Evan snorted, “That's a very difficult task.”
Barty slid a black book out from behind him. It had been the one Evan was flipping through earlier, “Barty a stupid book is not better than sex,” Evan humphed.
“It is though my dear Rosier,” he opened one of the empty pages near the middle of the book, dipping one of Lucius’ quills in a nearby inkpot before screeching out ‘hello’ on the paper.
“Look Barty what is this?”
“Just wait.”
Hello…
Who are you?
Tom Riddle…… And you?
Barty Crouch…….. Do you know anything about the dark lord?
Very much yes.
Why is that Tom?
T O M M A R VO L O R I D D L E
LORD VOLDEMORT
“I still don’t…” then it clicked and it was like the puzzle pieces in his brain. “It’s a part of him…”
Barty nodded, closing the book gently. “Now the tricky part.”
“What’s tricky? We just take the book and destroy it with the other one.”
“Well the thing is if this piece of him can communicate with him… then I figure I’ve just sold myself out to the Dark Lord…”
“Shit.”
They both looked at the door as if it were going to burst open at any second. As if on cue, and almost like the heavens were mocking them there was a shout and a massive bang on the door.
Shit.
Shit shit shit.
The pair was frozen, they had nowhere to go and Barty was holding a piece of Voldemort’s soul in his hands.
“Go,” Barty said quietly as they watched the door creak and falter under the pressure. “We're tethered Barty, no matter what it's you and me against the world.”
“They’ll kill us,” Barty whispered, his face stone cold.
“I have any idea…”
Evan immediately started opening drawers in Lucius’ desk searching for the black coal they used on missions occasionally. And there in the back corner of the bottom drawer were two small chunks. He grabbed them and held one out to Barty.
“As soon as the door opens drop it, the smoke will shield us enough to get out of the manor, then we apperate home.”
Barty nodded, not allowing his face to falter, still clutching the diary.
It was only seconded until the door splintered, Evan gripped Barty’s hand and took one more glance at his lover before he threw the coal to the floor.
Immediately it sent clouds of black smoke billowing into the air and taking up the room. Spells were being fired in all directions and Barty and Evan ran, they flew through the crowd of deatheaters and through the ballroom. It was only when they made it out to the hall that Evan noticed something was wrong, he glanced over his shoulder at Barty…
Oh, Barty…
He was bloody, dark red steadily flowing from his nose and into the corner of his mouth. He was stumbling behind Evan and didn’t seem well. There was a shout from down the hall and Evan weighed his options, quickly throwing out any plan to leave with the Horcrux himself. He hauled Barty into his arms and began moving again, door by door toward the front of the house.
A sharp whistle made Evan’s heart jump until he turned and saw where it came from. Beatrice was peeking out of the door to the kitchen, waving for Evan to follow her. Despite just meeting the girl Evan didn’t think he had a better chance than to put his faith in her for the moment. He slipped into the room, still holding Barty’s almost limp body.
“Here Rose take this,” she opened his palm and shoved a handful of green powder in it. “Get him back to safety, I’ll make sure they never know you were here.”
“Bea what-” Evan shook his head, there was no time to question how she’d gotten her hands on Floo Powder. “Never mind, just- thank you,” he stumbled over his words, feeling the panic in the pit of his stomach grow stronger and stronger with each breath.
“Go on and save the world yeah? Noah and I will be rooting for you,” she smiled kindly, patting him on the shoulder gently.
“Thank you thank you thank you,” he rambled, shuffling into the empty fireplace. “I will see you again right?”
“I do hope so,” she said quietly, “now go Rose, go and be with your moon and star.”
Evan nodded, shaking now, throwing the floo at his feet and thinking of James’ flat.
And my sun… I get to go home to my whole galaxy.