Work Text:
The Hogwarts year has officially started, and Barty couldn't be more relieved. He hated being home for the summer, or any breaks really. Scratch that, he hated being with his father.
This summer has been particularly rough, Barty's mother had gotten sick for most of it, which left Barty not only worried about his mum, but stuck with the parent that cared more about appearances than his own child.
In truth, Barty couldn't even remember most of it, days blurred under his father's imperio. But now he was away from the old bastard and in control of his body.
And the best part, he was back with the most important people in his life, his friends. He had practically tackled them at the train station, much to their, mostly Regulus', dismay. He couldn't help it.
During the train ride, they, mostly Dorcas, traded stories about their summers. Evan, Pandora, and Regulus had spent the summer in France with family, rich prats, and Dorcas went to some, Barty thinks they're called concerts, with her girlfriend, Marlene.
They went through the sorting ceremony and we're now setting up their dorms.
Barty slung himself across his bed, not feeling like unpacking yet, Evan doing the same. Regulus wasn't here yet, having been promoted to head boy he had to tour the 1st years, Barty internally chuckled at the thought.
⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘
Barty had been acting strange since they've gotten back.
Now, one could say Evan was over reacting, given that it hasn't even been a full day yet, but Evan knew his friends, and he knew Barty was acting off.
The hug he gave them at the train station wasn't his usual hug of half affection, half to piss them off, no it was more desperate and clingy.
And on the train he hadn't said a words about his summer. Of course, Evan did expect him to say much, he knew Barty has issues with his parents, hell, all of them did, but not even a mention of cooking something with his mum? It had alarm bells ringing in Evan's head.
Even now, as they sat on their beds, procrastinating unpacking Barty was quiet, and a quiet Barty usually meant an upset Barty.
Just then Regulus came back in and made a face at the two of them. "You know classes start tomorrow so you won't be able to unpack then, right?" He asked, unamused.
Evan just gave him a faux innocent smile to which Regulus glared.
Barty jumped off his bed and swung and arm around Regulus, pulling him close, much to the other boy's protest. "Lighten up a bit, would ya?"
Again, alarm bells went off in Evan's head. It was one of Barty's usual getting under Regulus' skin gestures. It was clingy, like he wanted the other boy close.
"Bloody get off me! Go get unpacked." Regulus scolded to which Barty smiled before giving him a peck on the cheek and unpacking his stuff.
"You see it too, right? He's acting weird." Evan asked Regulus in French.
"Yeah I do, I thought I might've been over thinking it." Regulus responded.
"Oi! No fancy people language, let us common folk join too.' Barty demanded.
Regulus raised an unimpressed eyebrow, "You'd understand French if you actually practiced it."
"Whatever, I don't see you guys speaking Italian."
"Says who?" Regulus mocked in Italian and Barty flipped him off.
Evan chuckled at the two's antics. He knew they're bickering was all in good fun.
But as the moment died Evan felt his concern for the brunette creeping back up. He and Regulus shared a look, it was now or never.
Evan got up and sat on Barty's bed, Regulus walked over too, earning them a confused look from Barty.
"Bats…" Evan started, "Did something happen over the summer?"
Barty tensed slightly, bingo.
"Why?" He asked suspiciously.
"You haven't said a word about it." Regulus answered, "and you've been acting off."
"I haven't been-" Barty started, indigent.
Evan cut him off with a look. "Barty."
Said man sighed. "It's nothing. Mum was sick during most if it is all."
Evan's gaze softened, he knew Regulus' did too, but he also knew that their was more to it than that. "I'm sorry, Bat." He murmured.
Regulus apparently did too, "Yeah? And what did your dad do during it?"
Barty went ridged and Evan knew Regulus hit the mark.
"Can we not." Barty all but snapped, back facing them.
"Barty, if something happened you should tell us." Evan said sternly. "Especially if your dad did something."
"And if I don't want to?"
"Fucking sucks then." Regulus said bluntly.
Barty let out a frustrated sigh, it was two again one, and he knew he wasn't getting out of this. Barty flopped down onto the bed next Evan. "Fine, but I'm not going to be happy about it."
"What did your dad do, Bat?" Asked Regulus.
"He had me under the imperio curse…" Barty mumbled.
It went silent for a second, then two, the
"He fucking what!!?" Exclaimed Regulus and Evan at the same time.
"Keep it down, would ya?" Barty snapped.
"Keep it down- you're father used an unforgivable on you!" Regulus hissed.
"You say that like you're parents don't do the same thing." Barty scoffed
"That's- this isn't about me damnit-!"
"Guys!" Evan interrupted, "Regulus is right, no parent should be using an unforgivable on their child, especially not all summer."
"Yeah, well, not much we can do about it now, unless we want to kill the bastard." Barty said
"We could. Between me and Evan we could pay off the ministry to not look into it." Regulus said seriously.
Barty barked out a laugh, "Don't tempt me with a good time."
"Well then, we can plot out a way to kill Bartemius Crouch Sr. tomorrow, but for now…" Evan wrapped his arms around the other two boys, pulling them down into the bed. "I think it's time we call it a night."
Regulus was about to protest, probably about unpacking, but Evan and Barty shushed him.
"Seriously though, Barty, are you okay?" Evan asked, concerned, tugging the boy closer.
"Yeah, I think so." Barty replied, nuzzling into Evan, "haven't noticed anything long term side affects."
Evan hummed in acknowledgment. "Only time will tell." Regulus said, "but you better tell us if you notice anything off."
"Yeah, yeah, I will."
"You better." Regulus paused for a moment. "And for what it's worth, I'm glad you're here, with us now."
Barty smiled, "Yeah, me too."
"You're safe with us." Evan murmured into Barty's hair.
Things weren't great, they never have been, and Evan doubted they would be for a long time. But being together was enough for now.