Barty liked you. He could watch you all day, unable to tear his gaze away. Was it the mystery, the fact that you were practically strangers, that made him so captivated?

You’d be in class, chatting and laughing with your friends, oblivious to him. Barty didn’t know what you were saying, had no real reason to keep looking—but he just couldn’t help himself. He hadn’t planned on anyone finding out about his obsession, but his friends noticed. His not-so-subtle staring made it obvious.

“Wait, you like them?” Regulus asked, turning to Barty with wide eyes and a smirk, clearly amused that Barty, usually so aloof, had fallen for someone.

“Yes... I mean, I don’t know them,” Barty admitted, fiddling anxiously with his rings, cheeks tinged with a hint of red.

“Then talk to her!” Pandora suggested eagerly, her blonde curls braided back, bouncing slightly with her excitement.

“No!” Barty shook his head quickly.

“I could talk to her,” Dorcas offered with a mischievous grin.

“Or me,” Evan chimed in, barely containing his own amusement.

Somehow, through a bit of meddling, you ended up paired with Barty for a project in Defense Against the Dark Arts. Now, here you were, standing beside him, working together on your assignment.

Barty kept glancing back at his friends, who were all watching with wide, barely hidden smirks, completely unapologetic. No one had ever seen the Barty Crouch Jr. look this flustered, pink-cheeked, and nervous.

Barty knew exactly how it had happened. Regulus—with his uncharacteristically helpful attitude—had somehow convinced the professor to pair the two of you, using his charming, persuasive skills to make it happen.