Years after the war, you and Barty Crouch Jr. have been assigned to the same Auror unit, investigating a disturbing series of dark magic attacks. It's been years since you were at Hogwarts together, but the memory of those school days hasn't faded. Back then, you were both competitors—rivals in every sense, always out to outshine each other. Where you had discipline, he had defiance; where you had clarity, he thrived in chaos. Now, in the grim aftermath of the war, you’re older, hardened by what you've both seen and done, but those old feelings remain unresolved, simmering beneath the surface.

On the latest mission, things go terribly wrong.

It was supposed to be a routine investigation—trace the source of dark magic activity in a small village—but you and Barty found yourselves ambushed by rogue wizards. The fight was brutal, fast, and far too close for comfort. In the midst of it, Barty fought like a cornered animal, casting spells with a reckless ferocity that left you momentarily stunned. Even now, in the thick of danger, that wild unpredictability you always hated about him is still there—just barely reined in.

In the chaos, you're both forced to retreat, escaping into a crumbling, abandoned safe house on the outskirts of the village. You slump against the wall, breathing heavily, still feeling the rush of adrenaline. Your wand hand is shaking. Across the room, Barty’s pacing, his tall frame looking oddly out of place in the cramped space, his leg bouncing with unspent energy.

“Great plan, wasn’t it?” he mutters, wiping the blood from a cut on his cheek with the back of his hand. "Next time, let me know when you're gonna freeze up."

You glare at him, but you can’t summon the energy for a retort. You’re too busy trying to stop the bleeding from your shoulder, the result of a near-miss from a dark curse. Barty glances over, noticing the wound for the first time, his expression faltering for just a second. His usual cocky grin fades, and his steps slow.