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It was too cold outside for Evan as a chill breeze blew past him. He stood by the Black Lake, staring out to the dangerous waters as they rippled, making an almost pleasant sound. His left arm burned, the reminder of what he was forced into. He never wanted to join the deatheaters, maybe secretly inside he did, but now he doesn't. He was forced into it by his parents. It was either him or his sister, Pandora, and he refused to make her go through it.
The dark mark hasn't stopped burning since he got it two weeks ago. He wished he could cut it out, make it go away. But he can't, he's stuck now.
The sound of leaves being crunched caught his attention, his head whipping around to see a certain dark hair brunet with green streaks.
"Thought I lost you." Barty said with his usual wicked smirk, his hands hidden in his pockets.
Evan couldn't help but give a thin line smile, "Just needed some air." He said plainly, his eyes adverting back to the water.
The sun beamed down, but it wasn't making anything warmer.
"Why? Dick got too hard or something-"
Evan smacked the boys arm, Barty only giggled as he stood next to him. "Don't be gross, Crouch." He spoke, no bite behind his words.
Barty watched Evan for a moment longer, "Your acting all sad. Do I need to get regulus?"
"Why would you get Regulus?"
Barty shrugged, "He's the honorary therapist friend."
Evan shook his head, "No, he's not needed. It's just-" he lifted his arm, gesturing to the mark.
Barty made an 'o' with his lips. "Is it burning?" He asked casually.
Evan raised a brow, confused in how Barty would know it was burning, "Uh- yeah it is... How do you know?"
He only shrugs, grabbing a cig from his warn out jacket with a lighter, "Lucky guess."
Evan didn't think much of it as they went into a calm silence.
The relationship between them was... Complicated. Evan was, unfortunately, in love with Barty. He loved everything about him, to his personality, the jokes he makes, how his face lights up when he smiles, to the simple things like how he blew out a puff of smoke, how his lip ring shimmers under the light, his green streaks in his hair looking just right on him. But Evan knew Barty didn't feel the same way, not exactly. Barty realized later that he was in fact gay, pan to be exact. When he told Evan it was like a beam of hope to the blond. That was soon disintegrated as he realized Barty's feelings wasn't towards Evan, but towards Regulus instead.
But now Regulus was with James Potter, the annoying Gryffindor and the best friend of his older brother Sirius. Evan didn't understand and didn't care to understand. Evan and Barty hooked up yes, secret kisses in the hallway, but it was nothing more than that. A secret. Barty still felt something for Regulus, that was obvious, but Evan chose to ignore it. At least he's paying attention to me.
Barty handed Evan his cig so they could share.
"You know," Barty started, breaking the silence, "being a deatheater wouldn't be that bad."
Evan gave him a strange look as he took in a breath of smoke before letting it trickle out of his lips, "Saying the guy who isn't forced to join." He said with false humor in his voice, "Me and Reggie have to do it for our families name, you can just stay here and not have to worry about it."
Barty nod stiffly as he was given back the cigarette, "Yeah, right." He said plainly, sounding out of character for the Ravenclaw.
More silence spread between them, but not the same comforting one from earlier.
A week has passed and it was Evans first meeting as being a proper deatheater. Evan would be lying if he wasn't scared shitless, because he was. He walked in with his father beside him, careful steps in with everyone else.
Evans eyes scanned the area, then falling on Regulus who stood on the far side next to his parents. He continued looking around for any familiar faces, seeing one of James Potters friends here. Strange. Evan breezed past, about to look for his seat when a familiar figure caught his eye.
Brunet with green streaks.
Evan focused his eyes and... Oh. He felt his throat closed. Barty Crouch Jr is here? He can't be... Evan watched the boy for a second longer.
Yes, that was 100% Barty Crouch. Why would he join? Was he forced to by someone? Was he in danger?
Well, now he definitely was in danger. Evan was pulled by his arm, his father grabbing his attention and dragging him to where they were assigned.
Evan sat at the chair, Rosier being written on a piece of paper in front of them.
He couldn't focus on the meeting, not a single bit.
Barty was here. Hes here and he's not safe. He's in danger.
Evan kept repeating the same thing over and over again. His eyes met with Regulus, who only raised a brow. Evan moved his eyes to see where Barty was sitting, near the edge corner of the table. Regulus, who grew curious, sneakily followed Evans eyes to see Barty as well.
Neither of them knew Barty was supposed to be here, that was obvious to Evan as he saw Regulus physically stiffen.
It was at that moment Evan and Barty made eye contact and oh. It was unfair how even in situations like this Barty was beautiful. But Evan was mad, pissed, and felt pure anger course through his veins.
It was rare to see Barty falter, to see that usual cocky smirk wipe from his lips. Even though he wasn't smirking now, his eyes physically changed. Evan forced himself to look away. He wanted to choke the boy then kiss him senseless.
That's why Barty made that comment about being a deatheater a week prior, it connecting together.
The meeting took too long in Evans opinion. As soon as it ended he pushed to his feet along with everyone else.
Father, can I talk with Regulus?" Evan asked, making sure his voice is leveled.
Mr. Rosier only stared at Evan before sighing, "Fine."
Evan didn't waste time before making his way around the table, Regulus already heading his direction.
"did you-" they both said in unison.
"did you know about Barty?" Regulus finished, raising a brow.
Evan shook his head frantically, "No, did you?"
"No."
They couldn't confront him here. Not now.
So they waited until they were back in Hogwarts on Sunday.
For the whole train ride back he avoided them. Evans and Regulus didn't even know if Barty got on the train.
When they arrived they couldn't find him either, and it didn't help that Barty was a Ravenclaw unlike themselves.
It was late at night in the Slytherin dormitory. Evan couldn't sleep, not a peep. He needed answers and now. Why was Barty there? Was he forced to join or there by choice? When did he get it? Why didn't he tell Evan and Regulus?
Evan couldn't wait any longer as he pushed off the bed. He went to his desk to find a piece of paper and quill. He decided to write a letter to Barty, saying he wants to meet up with the place and time. Regulus woke up in the process, sitting up with a grumble. Evan believes regulus actually wasn't sleeping, just like himself, Regulus hasn't had a proper sleep for a long time.
Regulus raised a brow in confusion as he also pushed off the bed.
"We're going to face Barty. I can't sleep without knowing why." Evan whispered so no one else woke up.
Regulus gave a nod in agreement. Evan sent the letter away with an owl. They were meant to meet Barty in an hour, if he actually shows up anyways.
The two boys quickly got ready, changing out of their pajamas to less pj like clothes. Even decided on joggers, a hoodie with a shirt on top instead of boxers and a shirt that says "love hot dads" which he was wearing to bed. Regulus wore dark pants and a long black shirt.
Slipping their shoes on, they snuck out the dorm and down the stairs. They snuck out thousands of times to the point it became almost like breathing as they found themselves in the hallway. They told Barty they would meet him in the Astronomy tower, a popular spot the three would hang out at when they want to get high.
They began walking up the swirly stairs of the tower, steps so quiet it barely made noise. Evan was the first to enter, seeing the silhouette of the man he was dying to see.
"Barty." Evan said, clear anger in his voice.
Barty hesitated but ended up turning around, a cigarette propped between his lips. He looked between Evan and Regulus as the door softly closed, giving them a bit more privacy.
"Guys-" Barty tried saying but was interrupted.
"No, don't guys us." Evan said, taking a confident step forward, "Explain yourself, why were you there?"
Barty just stood quiet, staring blankly at the dark tan blond.
"Crouch." Evan spoke with intertwined poison, not wanting to deal with whatever manipulate tactic Barty will try and pull out of his sleeve. "Why were you there?"
"I can explain."
"Can you?" Regulus joined in, his arms crossing.
Barty groaned, throwing his hands in the air, "What would you like me to say?!"
Evan felt his chest heavy with a question that felt too tight, "Did they force you?"
He only stared at Evan before slowly shaking his head.
"Why? Why would you join willingly?!" Regulus asked when Evan wasn't speaking. Evan felt his world collide within itself, which seems like such a hypocrite feeling since he himself was a deatheater. But this felt different. Barty was meant to be safe.
"Many reasons." Barty argued, "To get back at my fucking dad, firstly."
Your father?" Evan finally said, coming back to reality, "Your risking your entire life because of your growing pettiness with your fucking dad?!"
Barty's jaw clenched, his thumb touching the burning part of his cigarette, "Theres more to it then just that, Evan!"
"Oh, is there? Please enlighten us!" Evans voice started to rise, the feeling of betrayal showing.
"I did it- I did it for you guys."
Evan scoffed, turning away or else he might punch Barty in the face.
Regulus on the other hand stared at Barty like he's the dumbest person in the world, "You joined them for us? That's the dumbest shit I ever heard." Regulus said, "How long?"
"how long?" Barty repeated.
Evan turned to the two as Regulus repeated his question again, "How long have you had that mark?"
Barty was quiet as he looked to the floor, "a little less then three weeks."
"So at around the same time we got ours?!?" Evan bursted out, making the other two flinch. It was rare to see Evan this upset. Evan never yelled, not like this.
"I did it for you, Evan!! I did it for you... And Regulus!"
Evan let out a humorless laugh, "For Regulus?" He shakes his head, "It's always for him!"
"And for you!"
"How is that for me?! For him?! How Barty?!" Evan yelled, forgetting Regulus is in the room.
To protect you! Both of you!"
"Oh don't bullshit me, Crouch." Evan sneered, "It's always for him. I get it your fucking in love with him! I understand I will be second best! This isn't how you deal with that!"
The tension of the room grew at that confession. Regulus suddenly felt awkward, seeing that this conversation was more than just Barty keeping a secret about the dark mark.
"Do you understand what you signed up for?!" Evan said, "You signed up to die! To your death! Do you get that! You did it for us my ass. Why were you keeping it a secret if it was meant to help us, Crouch?!"
Barty was lost for words, his throat closing so nothing can escape.
Evan kept going though, "You were meant to be safe. That was the only thing keeping he stable and now that's in the fucking fire! You were meant to stay as it is now, but no. You fucking fucked that up."
Barty reached for the blond, "Evan- Evan please."
"No!" Even pulled away, "There's nothing you can do. I don't want to hear from you." He began walking to the exit. He had enough Barty for today and just wants to be alone.
Barty was clearly starting to panic as he shouted, "What about Regulus?"
"What about me?" Regulus questioned, his tone heavy. He didn't understand why he kept being brought up.
"You're doing the same to that Gryffibitch!"
Regulus breath hitched as his own jaw tightened, my relationship with my boyfriend doesn't concern you-"
"But it's the same! How can you get mad at me when he's doing the same?" Barty argued, thinking he made a good point.
Evan turned around, his eyes meeting Barty's, "You are such a fucking idiot." Was what he said before leaving the tower, Barty and Regulus now being alone.
Evan ignored the jealousy feeling at the thought of those two being alone. He didn't care. Evan didn't stop the tears this time as it streamed down his face, feeling everything all at once.