Chapter Text
The common room upstairs hummed with the quiet murmur of a dozen conversations. A group of students gathered around the fireplace right above his head, its flickering light making the intricate crest on the rug glow. Evan Rosier sat away from everyone in his own dormitory, book in hand, pretending to read. He wasn’t one for crowds, especially tonight when new arrivals were expected. Change unsettled him. It always had.
He turned the page of his textbook without taking in a single word. From his seat by the window, he could see the front courtyard. The crunch of gravel announced an approaching car, sleek and black, rolling to a halt in the first glow of the campus lamps. A tall man stepped out first, sharp lines matching the severity of the car’s design. Mr Crouch, Evan recognised him from his father’s work photos, before his gaze shifted to the boy emerging from the backseat.
Barty Crouch Jr. had an easy confidence, the sort that annoyed Evan on instinct. With hands shoved into the pockets of a rumpled school blazer and a lopsided smirk slapped onto his face, he looked completely unbothered but he imposing figure striding ahead of him. Even from a distance, Evan thought, he looked the type to treat rules and schedules as optional, a sentiment confirmed mere seconds later as the lanky boy topped, glanced up at the towering school facade, and muttered something that earned him a sharp glare and a stern word from his father.
Evan exhaled slowly and forced his eyes back to his book. Whoever this Crouch boy was, he had a sneaking suspicious he was now Evan’s roommate. He could already tell this was going to be difficult.
Fifteen minutes later, his prediction was proved correct.
The dormitory door swung open, and Mr Crouch entered first, his presence dominating the small space. Barty trailed behind, dragging a bag lazily with one hand, his tie slung even looser than it had been earlier around his neck.
“Your uniform needs adjusting,” Mr Crouch snapped, his gaze sweeping the disheveled figure before landing on Evan. “This will be your roommate, Evander Rosier - the son of a friend of mine in parliament. I expect you’ll both conduct yourselves to the school’s standards.”
“Of course, Father,” Barty replied flatly, almost as though on instinct rather than sincerity. The mocking undertone earned him a thin-lipped glare accompanied with a tight sigh. Evan, unprepared to mediate whatever tension this was, sat stiffly and offered a polite nod before turning his face back down to the textbook.
“I hope sharing a This room will… encourage discipline,” Mr Crouch added, although it was unclear who the remark was directed at. Without waiting for a response, he turned and exited, leaving the air heavy in his wake.
The door had nearly clicked itself shut before Barty tossed his bag onto the bed nearest the window and muttered,
“Don’t let him fool you - he’s less fun at dinner.”
Evan blinked, once again caught off guard. “Um… great, well… welcome, I guess.”
“Cheers,” Barty said casually, sitting on the edge of his bed and unzipping his bag. He pulled our a shirt, wrinkled beyond saving, and grinned as if pleased with the discovery. “This school’s as study as it looks, huh?”
Evan straightened up. “Some of us appreciate the standards here y’know.”
“Oh, right. You’re one of those.”
“One of those?”
“Perfect grades, perfect tie, doesn’t step out of line - head boy material.” Barty smirked an evil grin, leaning back on his elbows. “I can already tell you’re going to hate me. I’m like marmite. Love me or hate me.”
Evan opened his mouth to protest, then closed it.
He had the sinking feeling Barty was right.