Loyalties | Barty Crouch Jr

The Sick Boy

September 27, 1977 - Tuesday

"It's a full moon tonight," Barty whispered to Leonora as he sat down beside her for dinner. "I'll sneak out after curfew and try to find some fluxweed."

Leonora's eyes left her plate as she turned her attention to the boy. "Alright, but I'm on patrol tonight. Don't let me catch you out of bed," she joked, pointing a finger towards him as if she were a professor.

"Ha ha," he responded dryly before taking a sip of pumpkin juice and glancing around the great hall. "Your brother and his gang of goons aren't here," he declared, noticing the empty spots at the usually boisterous Gryffindor table.

"So?" Leonora questioned, stuffing a piece of lamb into her mouth and glancing over to the table. "They're probably off doing something stupid."

Barty shrugged. "I wouldn't doubt that. It's nice having a quiet meal."

"That it is," she responded as a figure sat down in front of the two.

"Hello Barty," said Snape as he started to fill his plate.

Leonora rolled her eyes as Barty said hello.

"Hello to you too, Snape," she said to the boy, who barely acknowledged her presence.

The boy only grunted. "I overheard you talking about sneaking out tonight", he addressed Barty.

Barty groaned. "Merlin, Snape. You aren't going to snitch on me, are you? Some friend that would make you."

"No idiot," he responded exasperatedly as Barty opened his mouth is offense. "I was just going to warn you. I wouldn't leave the castle tonight if I were you."

Leonora and Barty both eyed the boy. "And why is that?" Barty questioned confusedly. "Is something happening tonight?"

"I can't say anymore, just, if you know what's good for you, you won't leave the castle," he answered, standing up with his plate to leave. The two friends watched as he sat down at the other end of the table by Evan Rosier and Regulus.

"What an odd boy he is," Barty finally broke the silence.

Leonora was now worried. "I don't know Barty, he sounded serious. Maybe you shouldn't sneak out tonight. What if something bad happens to you?" she asked, concern lacing her voice as she stared into his eyes.

Barty smiled. Leonora was worried about him. "We need that fluxweed, Nora. Besides, I wouldn't listen to half of what Snape says. He's probably just doing something weird and doesn't want to get caught."

"But Barty-"

"I promise, Nora," Barty interrupted, lifting his pinky finger to the girl. "I won't get hurt tonight, alright." He stared at the girl, waiting for a reaction.

Leonora sighed, still unsure, but nonetheless, she raised her pinky to Barty, interlinking them and sealing the promise.

.........................................................

Leonora sat alone at the top of the astronomy tower, waiting anxiously for Lupin to show up. She wanted to get their patrol done so that she could make sure that Barty was alright.

Sighing, she glanced up at the large clock that hung on the wall once again. It was five past nine; Lupin was late. She decided that she would give him five more minutes, and if he didn't show up, she would patrol alone.

The five minutes slowly passed by, and just as Leonora stood up to start the patrols on her own, she heard heavy footsteps rushing up the stairs.