The rattling of the train blended with the chatter of the Slytherins packed into the cart. The Trolley Witch pushed open the door with her usual singsong tone. “Anything from the trolley, dears?”
You perked up immediately, practically bouncing in your seat. “Finally, I’m starving. I’ll have Drooble’s, a chocolate frog, pumpkin pasties, a licorice wand and—”
Delphi’s voice cut through sharply. “Are you buying sweets for the whole cart?”
You shot her a glare. “She’s still here? Get your own. What? You know I have a sweet tooth.”
Millie leaned against the window with her arms crossed, rolling her eyes. “I still can’t believe you made Theo run here. That was a shitty thing to do.”
“Do I look like your boyfriend’s babysitter?” you fired back, taking your sweets from the trolley and tossing a few onto the seat beside you.
Millie stood abruptly. “I think I’ll go sit with the Carrow twins.”
“Good,” you said sweetly, leaning back. “No one wants to listen to your whining anyway.”
The cart grew tense for a moment, until Pansy turned with wide eyes. “What’s happening with you two?”
You picked at the wrapper of your chocolate frog, muttering, “She’s pissed I’m with Barty.”
Daphne frowned. “I thought she was with Theo?”
“Apparently she had a crush on Barty first,” you said dryly, “and settled with Theo.”
Pansy’s lips curved into a knowing smile. “Well, forget Millie. How was your summer with Barty, anyways?”
Before you could answer, Delphi let out a sharp laugh. “That’s a touchy subject.”
You slammed the chocolate frog box shut. “I don’t even want to hear his name right now.”
The girls exchanged curious glances, the air thick with unsaid questions.
–– Boys’ Cart ––
Meanwhile, in the next cart over, the tension was just as thick.
Mattheo leaned back in his seat, arms crossed, his dark eyes locked on Barty Crouch Jr. “You have the audacity to ask about my sister? You saw her what—once this summer?” His tone was sharp, each word cutting like glass.
Evan, trying to diffuse the heat, lifted a hand lazily. “He was on holiday with me. It wasn’t like he could just owl her every day.”
Barty’s jaw tightened. “You know I wouldn’t intentionally hurt her.”
Mattheo’s smirk was humorless. He leaned forward, elbows on his knees, voice dropping dangerously low. “Hurt her again, and I’ll remind you who our father is.”
The cart went still. Even Theo, who usually had something snide to say, sat straighter. Then, with a scoff, Theo muttered, “We’re not her keeper. If you’re so desperate, Crouch, go find her yourself.”
Evan shifted uncomfortably, nudging Barty’s shoulder.
Barty’s expression hardened, his pride and worry tangled together. “Fine,” he said at last, pushing to his feet. “Let’s go, Evan.”
As the two of them slipped out, Mattheo’s gaze lingered on the door, jaw clenched. Whatever had happened between you and Barty, he wasn’t about to let it slide.