Loyalties | Barty Crouch Jr

The Jealous Boy

November 19, 1977 - Saturday

Exactly one week after Slytherin's loss to Gryffindor, the first Hogsmeade visit had finally arrived. Leonora had thankfully gotten her permission slip signed by the Malfoys, allowing her to visit the neighboring town along with her friends.

She planned to go with both Illyria and Barty, as the three would usually accompany each other on the visits.

Illyria had tried inviting Thalia along, but she had refused to come, stating that she had "better things to do than waltz around that tiny, dirty town." Leonora had let out a breath that she didn't even know she was holding. She did not want Thalia to tag along.

"Where shall we head first?" Leonora asked as soon as they finally left the castle. Snowflakes had begun lightly fluttering to the ground, leaving a thin coating of white.

"I've been craving a warm butterbeer all week long," Illyria answered longingly. "I vote we head to the Three Broomsticks first."

"No way," Barty disagreed. "That always has to be saved for last."

"I agree with Barty," Leonora piped up. "How about Honeydukes? I've been meaning to stock up on a few different sweets."

"Honeydukes it is then."

Honeydukes was packed by the time the three friends had arrived, mainly by a bunch of third years visiting for the first time. Leonora could tell by their eyes.

Squeezing through the dense crowd of students, they had found themselves along the edge of the small room, observing the shelves, trying to make the impossible decision of what to buy. Different candies lined the walls from floor to ceiling, and the small tables that were scattered around held large glass jars, filled to the brim with even more candy.

"Look, Nora," Barty laughed, holding up a small box of Bertie Botts Every Flavor Beans to show the girl. He knew she absolutely hated them. "You should buy these."

She turned her nose up. "I am never buying those disgusting things ever again. I don't think I've ever gotten a good one."

The boy laughed. "I'll bet this one is only filled with the good flavors. Don't you believe me?"

Leonora glared at the amused boy before deciding to just grab her usuals. Chocolate frogs and fizzing whizzbees. Scooping up a few of each in her hands, she carefully maneuvered her way over to the checkout line. Illyria joined her shortly after, a box of the dreaded Bertie Botts in her hands.

Leonora eyed them. "You're seriously going to buy those?" she questioned her friend.

"Yeah. I actually quite enjoy them, at least the good ones. I think they're fun."

"They're like the worst thing that's ever been made," Leonora disagreed with the girl, scrunching her nose.

Illyria shrugged. "Agree to disagree."

Leonora only hummed in response, as she had been called up to check out. She handed the older witch who was working her money, before pushing through the crowd once more with Barty to exit the shop and wait outside as Illyria finished up.

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

"I think we should go into Zonko's," Illyria suggested as their group walked past the busy shop.

"You know I refuse to even step foot into that shop," Leonora reminded the girl.

And so far, she had stuck by her word. She had never once been inside Zonko's. The main reason being that that was where James and his friends would usually hang around each visit. She didn't want to risk being stuck inside a tight room with the four of them.