╔═══*.·:·.☽✧ ✦ ✧☾.·:·.*═══╗
❝ he'll always put me first ❞
╚═══*.·:·.☽✧ ✦ ✧☾.·:·.*═══╝

𝓔𝓿𝓪𝓷𝓰𝓮𝓵𝓲𝓷𝓮'𝓼 𝓟𝓞𝓥
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 17th 1977

Evan and I exit Honeydukes with a bag each filled with our favourite kinds of sweets, big childish grins on our faces and a skip in our step. I spot Regulus, Pandora and Mallory walking out of Spintwitches Sporting Needs where Regulus was buying a new pair of gloves and Mallory was buying new shin guards while the Pandora was just accompanying them. I grab Evan's arm and tug him forward, the both of us chasing behind our friends and weaving between passersby.

Without any warning, I throw myself onto Regulus' back and he grabs my legs, turning his head to look at me with a wide smile. Evan throws his arms around Mallory, but her reaction is a little different as she screams in fright and turns around, whacking him with her bag.

"For Merlin's sake, Mal" Evan whines, rubbing his arm.

"You are a fumbling idiot!" Mallory spits in annoyance.

"Liquorice wand?" I offer Regulus with a grin, holding the black wand to his lips.

He takes a bite of the sweet and continues walking, letting Pandora sort out the bickering duo behind us. I take a bite out of the sweet myself, letting my chin rest on the boy's shoulder and my eyes wander around the village. A pair of honey brown eyes lock onto my own hazel pair and I smile at the boy as he waves at me. Sirius elbows Remus with a huffy glare and the latter boy scolds his friend, pushing him into James who looks at the pair in disbelief while Peter laughs loudly.

"Can I tell you a secret?" I whisper to my best friend and his bluish grey eyes turn to me.

"Always" He hums.

"I kissed Remus" I admit.

"You didn't" Regulus gasps.

"I did" I grin giddily.

"What did he do?" He pries with an excited smile.

"He kissed me back, and he told me that he likes me" I explain.

"I knew it" He chuckles.

"I got butterflies, Reggie. That never happens to me" I tell the boy carrying me.

"It's because you like this guy. He makes you feel things that no one else can" Regulus informs me.

"Is that how Barty makes you feel?" I ask curiously.

"I believe so" He nods with a small smile.

"If he ever hurts you, I will destroy him. I hope he knows that" I declare bravely and Regulus laughs in amusement.

"Trust me, princess. He knows" The younger boy assures me "But I hope Remus knows that the same goes for him"

"I'm sure he knows already" I giggle.

"Hey, will you two slow down?!" Evan hollers, jogging towards us with the girls.

"Where we headed?" Pandora asks curiously as the trio fall in step with us.

"The three broomsticks" I chirp, sliding off Regulus' back as we arrive at the pub.

The five of us enter the cosy little inn and my friends grab a table while I head to the bar, smiling warmly at Madam Rosmerta.

"Three butterbeers and two sodas with cherry syrup, please" I order politely.

"Sure thing, pet" The woman chimes before moving across the bar to make the drinks.

"Having a nice day, Malfoy?" A voice asks me and I turn my head to see Barty leaning on the bar next to me.

"I was up until now" I answer, crossing my green sweater clad arms over my chest with a sarcastic smile "You?"

"Wonderful, thanks" He grins smugly.

"How was your conversation with my parents?" I ask him curiously.

"Pardon?" He acts dumb.

"You know what I'm talking about, Crouch" I laugh, playfully slapping his shoulder a little harsher than I usually would "The conversation where you ratted me out for talking to Sirius and his friends. For keeping in contact with Andromeda"

His face slightly pales, but he pastes a smug smile onto his face and shrugs nonchalantly.

"They were very welcoming, actually. Your father more so. He seemed almost glad that he had a reason to punish you" Barty explains to me and I clench my jaw in anger, not dropping my smile "Said something about you being an ungrateful little witch"

"Well, I'm glad you had such a lovely time" I coo, patting his chest before pretending to dramatically remember something "Your parents actually invited me to dinner soon. Something about a birthday present, which is so nice of you guys by the way"

"I wonder how Fae Crouch would feel about her only son sneaking around in the dark with Walburga Black's heir" I add maliciously, my smirk wide.

His smile disappears and he stands up straight, all his smugness draining from his body.

"You wouldn't" He argues, sounding confident but his expression looks unsure.

"No, I wouldn't" I agree, sweeping a stray hair off his forehead and back into place "But that's not all I have on you"

"Evangeline, you can't tell my parents anything that I've done. Please" He pleads.

"Would you have backed off if I pleaded to you not to tell my parents about what I've done?" I counter and he hesitantly nods "Don't fucking lie to me, Barty. You would have went behind my back and told them anyways. Wanna know how I know that?"

"How?" He mutters.

"Because your jealous" I declare.

"Jealous?" He scoffs in disbelief.

"Yes" I stress in frustration "You are jealous of my friendship with Regulus and it rages you that no matter how hard you try, he'll always put me first"

"Shut up" Barty growls in anger.

"Then stop making this a competition. I won't compete with you for my best friend's attention" I warn him.

"Because you're scared I'll win?" He challenges me.

"No" I laugh in amusement "Because I know I'll win and I don't want to have to pity you, Crouch"

"If you tell my parents a bloody thing, I'll make sure you regret it" He threatens me lowly as Madam Rosmerta places a tray in front of me.

"I'm sorry that you feel the need to cut me down just to make yourself feel better, I really am" I tell him before picking up the tray and walking away from the fuming boy.

I place the tray down on the table my friends are sat at and they all look at me expectantly.

"So, what did Barty want?" Regulus questions worriedly.

"Don't you worry your pretty little head about it" I hum, patting the raven curls atop his head.

"Evangeline" Mallory presses.

"I have this under control" I assure her.