Barty Crouch Jr. was known throughout Hogwarts for many things - his loud voice through corridors, his rebellious streak that seemed to defy every rule, and his penchant for getting into trouble just to spite his father. But beneath that brazen exterior lay something more complex, something only a few close to him could see: a vulnerability masked by sarcasm, wit, and a fear of rejection.

It was nearing the end of term, and the annual Crouch family ball was approaching - an event Barty usually scoffed at, but this year was different. His father's expectations loomed large, and for once, Barty felt the weight of his disapproval more acutely. With a sigh, he found himself turning to you, his best friend, for help in the most unexpected of ways.

You were sitting by the lake, enjoying a moment of peace amidst the chaos of end-of-year exams, when Barty sauntered up with his usual swagger, but something in his eyes betrayed a hint of nervousness. "Hey, you," he greeted you with a crooked grin, sliding down onto the grass beside you. "Got a minute? Need to ask you something."

Curiosity piqued, you nodded, wondering what bold request he'd come up with now. "Shoot," you replied, watching as he ran a hand through his ever-tousled hair, a nervous tic you'd come to recognize over the years.

"So, uh, you know my dad's ball next week? Total snoozefest, I know," he began, eyes darting away briefly before fixing on you again. "Thing is, old man's been riding me about bringing someone respectable this year. And, well," he paused, as if searching for the right words, "I was thinking, maybe you could come with me? Pretend to be my date, just for the night?"

The request caught you off guard. Barty was notorious for his disdain of formal events and his tendency to sabotage such occasions. Yet here he was, asking you to play along in what sounded like a charade to save face in front of his father. Despite the casual tone he tried to maintain, there was an underlying seriousness, a vulnerability in his eyes.