Chapter Text
The look in his eyes was fierce and passionate- something that when coming from Evans face was terrifying to Regulus. His eyes shifted between Regulus and Barty as he leaned forwards over the table eagerly. His grin was wide and a little too evil for anyone’s liking. "I really think it could work!" He proclaimed, leaning back in his chair with an echoing creek. "And we'll need all the help we can get this season, what with Barty being off for his bloody leg." He rolled his eyes, staring Barty down at Barty’s leg with a pitiful expression. Pomfrey had tried everything and yet he was still stuck repairing his bones the muggle way.
"So that's your plan? Give someone a love potion and distract them on the field so we can win?" Regulus questioned, narrowing his eyes down at him, pinching the bridge of his nose in utter disbelief. "For some reason I have a sneaking suspicion that's against the rules. Have you any idea how utterly ridiculous you sound?" He folded my arms placing his elbows on the worn spruce table.
Evan sighed and looked off to the side, "Well... I think the Gryffindor chaser shouldn't be aloud to bash their stupid fucking brooms into Barty's leg but, hmm," he shrugged, "whatever you say."
At the last quidditch match between Gryffindor and Slytherin James Potter 'lost' all control of his broom and bashed into Barty's side, completely knocking him down. Gryffindor's had cheered, Slytherins erupted into enormous masses of angry noise. Everyone else sat and watched tensely. Not even a detention for James Potter nor points deducted from Gryffindor, Slytherin were left to play with a wounded player and a hatred towards the chaser in the red top.
"Fine, I'll help you make the potion." Regulus sighed, "Who's it for and who are we going to torture on our team?" He said, the corners of his mouth lifting into a very small smile. Secretly he had hoped it was the fourth year beater who had given him the wrong kind of the look a few days prior.
Barty and Evan both tensed, awkward smiles displaying on their faces. Evan twiddled with his hair and Barty looked down to the ground. Their guilty faces spoke loud and clear and he already knew. "Who. Is. It. For." He spoke firmly.
Evan gritted his teeth and closed his eyes, "We were thinking... you?" A small tremble could be heard in his voice as he was also aware of just how ridiculous he sounded too. He comically opened one eyes, surveying Regulus for a reaction.
His left eye twitched, "... what?" Regulus took a moment to process the absurdity in disbelief. "No! Are you insane?"
"Please." Barty pleaded, "Out of all of us, you're the one who makes the most sense." He had tried to reason (though the word bargain feels more fitting) with Regulus. Regulus raised an eyebrow as to why that might be and he came with a response quickly, "Your the fittest out of us all, like I mean look at you. Screw being a quidditch player, we should get you on the cover of that muggle magazine Vouge."
He leaned forward and whispered bitterly, "Don't think sweet talk and showering me with compliments will get you anywhere Crouch." His face went sour.
Evan raised his hands in a plea, "Reg, please, I'll do anything."
He considered it for a moment, with the rise in exams and matches he would be all over the place, having a servant to follow him around and clean up after him wouldn’t be a disservice to him. Was it worth sacrificing all his dignity though? "Fine, you can clean my part of the dorm until the end of the season."
Evan opened his mouth in protest and disbelief but knew not to argue and just succumbed to it. "Fine." He bit his tongue.
"So who are you supposing to fall in love with me?" Regulus almost jested until he saw the looks on their face once more.
"Well... we were thinking..." Evan scooted around the question with hesitation.
"James Potter." Barty went straight to the point.
"What?!" He stood up out my chair and exclaimed, quickly remembering we were in a library and sat back down. In a low whisper he said, "Are you insane?!"
"I know I know, but he's the only one dumb enough to fall for it. Besides," Evan raised his eyebrows, "Wouldn't it be nice to get on your brother's last nerve, James will be obsessed with you... Sirius won't like that." His tone was cheeky, naive and blissfully unaware.
"You don't know what you're talking about." Regulus spoke as if venom came out of his mouth. "Sirius hates me enough, more fuel to the fire is pointless."
"Exactly!" Barty exclaimed, "More fuel to the fire that no one will notice besides him. Sounds like a pretty good deal right?"
"Are you sure we can't win with our sub?" Regulus bargained.
"No fucking chance." Evan sighed.
"Yeah, we're absolutely screwed." Barty chimed in.
They both looked up at him, eyes begging, "Please Reg, I'll clean your part of the form for the next two seasons." Evan begged.
He looked between them, their faces wide and eager. He sighed and slumped back into his chair, "Fine."
Their faces lit up with smiled, "Thank you Reg, you're the best!" Evan scrunched up his face in life glee.
"If we don't win though," He threatened, "I'm never speaking to you again."
They both nodded, "Seems fair." they hummed in agreement.
Regulus paused momentarily, "And I'm holding you to the two seasons, my corner better be spotless, I should be able to see my reflection in the floor."
And so the plan was made, a slightly rule breaking plan was formed in that library. Now with the quidditch match tomorrow all they had to do was make the potion and hope Potter was dumb enough to take the bait. Securing Slytherin a victory.