my almost lover

Barty, Evan and Emmeline

3 – Barty, Evan and Emmeline

The first Quidditch match that comes about when they return to Hogwarts is Slytherin vs Ravenclaw which suits James just fine. It gives James a chance to see both teams in action, get an idea of their movements and strategies; plan ahead for their future matches against them. It also has the added bonus of watching Regulus in his element as a seeker, gliding effortlessly up and down the pitch and looking fucking elegant doing it.

It's honestly difficult to keep his eyes off him, he's not sure how anyone else is managing it.

Well, he knows how Barty Crouch Jr is managing it from his seat next to him, staring up at the sky with rapt attention. He knows the other boy hates Quidditch, but with Evan Rosier as Beater, it's almost impossible to keep the kid off the pitch when Slytherin is playing. He's awfully loud about his obsession over Rosier, making continuous remarks and poking James in the side to say things like,

'See, Potter. Look at his arms. His arms, Potter! He's a God.'

They're decent enough arms, James supposes. But Barty's interruptions are stopping him from looking at the real show stealer here.

See, James is proud of Gryffindor team; he's impressed endlessly by his Seeker too but... well, Regulus is going to be a real problem for them. He doesn't even look like he's trying as he manoeuvres around the pitch, ducking around Bludgers and smirking at the Ravenclaw Chasers as they try to block his path unsuccessfully when he fakes a dive for the Snitch. He's unfairly talented.

Ravenclaw didn't stand a chance. The game is won in under 45 minutes with Slytherin winning 240 to 100.

Evan flies up to meet Regulus and high-fives him with his free hand and James hears Barty let out a dreamy sigh next to him.

"He's so beautiful," Barty coos.

"Yeah, he is," James murmurs back.

He knows they're not talking about the same person. The tiny grin he gets from Barty shows that he's aware of it too.

It seems like the younger boy is going to say something – probably about Evan and his 'fantastic thighs, Potter. What I wouldn't give to be that broomstick!' - when he's interrupted by a cough. Both of them look up to see Gilderoy Lockhart, a Ravenclaw in James' year approaching them.

James doesn't think much of Lockhart. He's arrogant, which James can forgive seeing as he'd be a hypocrite not to, but he's lazy too. He does absolutely nothing to try and gain the reputation and popularity he thinks he deserves.

They both ignore him. Lockhart coughs again.

"Gentlemen?"

Barty rolls his eyes and shoots James an exasperated look before replying, "What do you want?"

Gilderoy looks a little affronted, "Come now, Bartemius. Don't be like that. I thought we were friends."

A blink, "Why the fuck would you think that?"

"Herbology? Last year?"

"The one where you let our mandrake die because you were too busy panicking about your manicure and made my mark a T?"

Gilderoy falls quiet and he looks a little sheepish. Barty scoffs at him.

"So? What is it? I need to get down there and shower my boyfriend in celebratory affection."

James smiles at that. He can't wait to see Regulus either. Not... in the same capacity, but he still wants to congratulate him on the win.

Shaking off the rude greeting, Gilderoy gestures to where the players are departing from the stadium, "Your boyfriend wouldn't happen to be Regulus Black, would it?"