Loyalties | Barty Crouch Jr

Easter Break - Pt. 1

March 18, 1978 - Saturday

Winter term coming to an end at last, left many students feeling relieved, especially the fifth and the seventh years. A two-week break was very much needed from all of the schoolwork they were burdened with in preparation for their major exams. Even Leonora and Barty, who both always seemed to be obsessively studying, were excited for another break away from their work.

A lot of students didn't typically leave the castle during Easter Break as they did for Christmas, including Leonora, who, in past years, always stayed at the castle. However, this year, as she had been staying with the Malfoy's, she had decided to leave with Illyria. At least, that's what she had thought.

"I have some news that I don't think you're going to like, Nora," Illyria told the girl that morning as they sat together at breakfast, far away from the rest of their house at the end of the table. 

"Is something wrong?" the girl asked, wondering if the news had something to do with the Malfoys. Did they suddenly not want her coming around for the break? 

"No, it's just that... Francis has invited me to stay at his house over the break. He said his parents want to meet the girl who occupies so much of his time." She smiled, a faint blush painting her cheeks. "I've said yes, of course."

"So... what does that mean for me?" Leonora asked, dreading the answer she already knew was coming.

"Well, it means that you'll have to go to Malfoy Manor... alone," she spoke, her apologetic eyes meeting Leonora's gaze.

"Oh no," Leonora groaned, placing her elbows onto the table and dropping her head into her hands. "I can't possibly stay there without you," she paused, lifting her head back up and wiping the loose strands of hair out of her face. "What have you told your parents?"

"I've just told them that I would be spending the break at Thalia's. They wouldn't be suspicious of that."

"Probably not if it was any other year. But now that I'm there, don't you think your parents might find it a bit weird that you're the only one invited over to Thalia's and not me too?"

The girl hummed. "I hadn't thought about that. If they don't ask, don't say anything."

"Why are you guys sitting so far away?" Barty asked, interrupting their conversation as he sat down across from Leonora and began to stack pancakes onto his plate. The girls both watched him in silence until he felt their eyes on him. He glanced back up, reaching for a bottle of syrup at the same time. "Don't stop now that I'm here," he joked. "What are we talking about?"

"Well," Leonora sighed, looking towards Illyria. "It seems that Illyria is staying with Thalia for the entire break, leaving me to stay at Malfoy Manor alone." She looked back to the boy, who's mouth was now stuffed full of a bite of pancake. "You don't reckon it's too late to sign up to stay at the castle, do you?"

"You could always come stay at my house," he offered a moment later, after he had swallowed. "My mum wouldn't mind, and my father wouldn't be there enough to care."

"Thanks for the offer, Barty, but I wouldn't want to intrude. I'll just talk to Slughorn after breakfast is finished, see if I can stay here. It'll be fine."

"No, Nora," Illyria spoke up. "Lucius and Narcissa always visit the first week of break, so you wouldn't be totally alone. Besides, Lucius is always busy working with our parents during that week, which always leaves Narcissa all alone." She paused for a moment to take a breath. "I always hang around her during that time, but since I won't be there to keep her company, you can."