The fire crackled softly in the dimly lit room, its warmth wrapping around the small family like a protective embrace. Barty Crouch Jr., who had once been the picture of arrogance and cunning, now looked impossibly tender as he pressed a gentle kiss to the crown of his baby daughter's head. Julia, barely a year old, clutched at his finger with her tiny hand, her big eyes fluttering closed as she drifted into a peaceful sleep.

Evan Rosier, seated beside him, couldn’t help but marvel at the sight. His partner, the same boy who once plotted rebellions in the dark corners of Hogwarts, now cradled their child as if she were the most precious thing in the world.

Evan reached out, his fingers brushing against Julia's soft curls before trailing up to Barty's arm. His touch was featherlight, but it was enough to make Barty glance up, a rare softness in his usually sharp eyes. "You’re a natural," Evan murmured, his voice thick with affection. Barty chuckled quietly, his free hand covering Evan's as their gazes locked. "You say that as if you weren’t the one who insisted we adopt her the moment we left Hogwarts." Evan shrugged, though his lips curved into a smile. For once, the chaos of their lives felt far away. Here, on this worn couch with Julia nestled between them, they had found something neither of them thought possible—peace.