Money's not a problem (Rosekiller Fic)

⟦2⟧

When Barty stormed back into the common room, the fury on his face was impossible to miss. A dark bruise had already bloomed under his left eye, and his jaw was clenched so tight I thought it might snap. He flung himself into a chair with all the grace of a Bludger crashing through a window.

"Two months of detention!" he snarled, glaring at the fire crackling in the hearth as if it were personally responsible. "And precious little Malfoy only got two bloody weeks. It's absurd."

Dorcas leaned back on the couch, one eyebrow quirked, her lips twitching with amusement. "How'd you manage that?"

Barty scowled, his frustration spilling out. "I *may* have cursed at Dumbledore. But come on, Lucius hit me first!"

That did it. Dorcas burst into uncontrollable laughter, clutching her sides.

As if on cue, Pandora and Regulus strolled in. Pandora looked between us, her curiosity piqued. "What's so funny?"

"Barty cursed at Dumbledore," Dorcas wheezed, barely able to get the words out.

Pandora's eyes widened in shock. "Oh, you absolute idiot."

Regulus simply sighed, his expression a mixture of disappointment and resignation. "Really, Barty? Do you ever stop to think?"

"Shut it, Mr. Sad boy Poetry." Barty snapped, his tone cutting. Regulus immediately went quiet, not wanting to stoke the flames of his best friend's foul mood. Even so, Pandora couldn't help but giggle under her breath.

---

That night, I tossed and turned in bed, unable to keep the memories at bay. Nightmares always had a way of creeping in when I was most vulnerable.

I was back in my father's study, his voice ringing in my ears.

"Evan, who cares that he almost killed you? He was only seven!"

That cold dismissal had seared itself into my mind, his words as sharp as any curse. The boy had been forced to use the Cruciatus curse on me. I'd been ten. "You're a strong boy, Evan, just like a proper heir should be," my father had said, his expression twisted with disapproval. "A bit too soft, maybe, but you'll do."

The memory ended as abruptly as it began, ripped away by the sound of Barty's voice.

"Evan, wake up! We're late!"

I opened my eyes to see him standing over me, his tie hanging loose and his robes wrinkled. His hair was as messy as ever.

"Late?" I croaked, still groggy.

He nodded, looking more panicked than I'd ever seen him. "First class started half an hour ago. Get moving!"

---

By the time we arrived outside McGonagall's classroom, we were both a mess. I noticed Barty fidgeting with his untied tie, looking more flustered than usual.

"Hold still," I said, stepping closer. I reached up to tie it for him, my fingers brushing against his shirt collar. His eyes stayed on me, and I tried to ignore the heat rising to my face. When I finished, I took a step back, avoiding his gaze. "There. Now let's go."

McGonagall's disapproving stare was waiting for us the moment we entered.

"Mr. Crouch, you'll sit next to Remus. Mr. Rosier, take the seat next to Ms. McDonald," she said sharply.

We complied without protest. Barty gave an exaggerated sigh as he dropped into the seat beside Remus. "What's he even doing here? Isn't he a sixth-year?"

McGonagall didn't miss a beat. "Mr. Lupin and Ms. McDonald are assisting for the next few weeks. Now, focus. O.W.L.s are fast approaching, and I expect excellence."

Halfway through the lecture, a crumpled piece of parchment hit the back of my head. I unfolded it to see Barty's scrawled handwriting.

Ev, any idea where Reg is? He's later than us.

I glanced around the room. Sure enough, there was no sign of Regulus. I scribbled back: *No clue. Focus, Barty. O.W.L.s.*

---

At lunch, Barty disappeared to track down Regulus, leaving me with Dorcas and Pandora.

"So, Evan," Dorcas began with a sly grin, "do you have a crush on anyone?"

I immediately shook my head. "No."

She wasn't convinced. "Pandora does," she teased, nudging her friend.

"Cas!" Pandora groaned, burying her face in her hands.

Dorcas grinned wickedly. "It's Xenophilius."

"Lovegood?" I raised an eyebrow. The boy had an odd reputation, and I vividly remembered Barty's drunken row with him last year.

"He's nice," Pandora insisted, her cheeks pink. "And Barty was *drunk* when that happened."

Before I could comment, Barty returned, Regulus trailing behind him. Barty's smirk told me he had a story.

"You won't believe this," he said, practically gleeful. "Regulus locked himself in the prefect's bathroom."

Pandora stifled a laugh. "Seriously? How?"

Regulus flushed, looking at the floor. "Someone locked me in."

Barty grinned. "Whoever it was, they've got my thanks. Gave me the best laugh I've had all day."