Loyalties | Barty Crouch Jr

The Unforgivable Curses

January 7, 1978 - Saturday

The first week back from winter break was exceptionally boring. It seemed as if the professors had been giving out loads more homework to the fifth years, the reasoning being that the O.W.L's were quickly approaching, and they wanted all students to be prepared. 

The bitter cold winds outside meant that most students spent their Saturday inside the castle, and most fifth years, instead of playing wizards chess or exploring the castle, were found either in the library or their own common rooms studying. A majority of students had fallen behind on the long essays that were required, including Leonora and Barty. It was strange for them, as they were usually on top of their game when it came to homework.

Leonora, Barty, Illyria, and Thalia had all gathered together in the library, where they had spent the entire morning working on their essays. Barty had, of course, gotten the most work done so far. He had completed all of his research and had finished a total of four essays in that time and was currently halfway done with his fifth and final one. Even though he was in more classes than everyone else, therefore had more homework to complete, he somehow always worked faster. 

Illyria, on the other hand, had been struggling tremendously. She had barely written enough lines in to finish her first essay and was having trouble starting on her second. She had always been embarrassed when it came to schoolwork and comparing herself with her friends, because she had always felt stupid compared to them.

"I need a break," Illyria complained, dropping her quill and huffing as she rested her chin on her palm.

Everyone turned their attention to the girl, Thalia letting out a small, unimpressed laugh at how little work the girl had completed. "A break from what?" she mused. "It looks like you've only been sitting there for the past few hours doing nothing, seeing as the little amount of work you've gotten done."

"Don't be mean Thalia," Leonora glared at the girl as Illyria frowned.

"How am I being mean?" the girl questioned, setting her own quill down. "I've only stated the obvious. I think you need a tutor, Illyria, otherwise you definitely won't pass your O.W.L's."

Illyria plucked her quill up and glanced back down to the parchment, rolling her eyes. "Francis has been helping me, it just doesn't seem to stick." 

Leonora whipped her head over to the girl, whose eyes were now wide at her revelation. Illyria was frozen in her spot. Leonora's stomach dropped as she glanced over to Thalia, dreading what her reaction would be.

"Francis Williams?" Barty asked innocently, unaware as to why Illyria looked like she had seen a ghost. 

"Why are you spending time with Francis Williams, Illyria?" Thalia probed, her facial expression quickly becoming sour. "Do you mean to tell me that you spend your time with mudbloods when you aren't around us?" Leonora swore she could see steam shooting from the girl's ears.

Illyria cowered under Thalia's brutal glare. "No... he, um..." the girl stumbled over words, before Leonora came to her rescue.

"Professor McGonagall assigned her a tutor a few weeks back since she was failing Transfiguration. She had no say in the matter, Thalia."

"She should've come to one of us for help then, before going and associating herself with mudbloods," she spat loudly, causing a few angry heads to turn in their direction and the librarian to shush them. "Do your parents know about this, Illyria? Imagine what they'd think of their precious daughter mingling with their kind."

Illyria sat quietly, still frozen in front of her friend, eyes trained on her parchment. She realized how suspicious her lack of an answer and stumbling over words could look to Thalia, but she didn't want to risk looking up into the girl's eyes, only to tear up and show weakness.