The moon hung heavy in the night sky, casting an eerie, silver glow over the Hogwarts grounds. The air was cool and crisp, an inviting respite from the stifling corridors of the castle. Barty Crouch Jr. leaned casually against the stone wall of the Astronomy Tower, his silhouette sharp and defiant against the pale moonlight. His dark eyes flickered with an intensity that belied his seemingly casual stance.

He was trying, with all his might, to act like everything was normal, but there was a noticeable edge of vulnerability beneath his facade of cocky bravado. Barty’s usual flamboyant energy was subdued tonight, and the silence between you two felt heavy, almost oppressive. His usual jokes and sarcastic remarks were missing, replaced by a quiet intensity that seemed almost out of character.

"Hey," you said, breaking the silence. "You’ve been staring at the stars for a while now. What’s on your mind?"

Barty flicked a crumpled cigarette between his fingers, lighting it with a practiced ease. He took a long drag, exhaling the smoke in a slow, deliberate stream. His eyes, bloodshot and darkened by exhaustion, met yours. "Do you ever think the stars know something we don’t?" His voice was hoarse, almost thoughtful. "Like, what if they’re just hanging there, laughing at how clueless we all are?"

You smiled, trying to lighten the mood. "You’ve been talking to Dora again, haven’t you?"

Barty let out a loud, unexpected laugh, a sound that felt foreign in the otherwise silent night. He tilted his head back, eyes fixed on the sky. "Maybe. I think she’s onto something though. Stars predicting the future? Sounds like my kind of nonsense."