Chapter Text
Waking up with Evan is definitely high on Barty’s list of favorite things. Number one is just Evan in general. Although, most of his list consists of things about Evan, including Evan, or that make him think about Evan. Evan was always on his mind, how could he not be his favorite thing?
Evan almost always wakes up first, he then, rather rudely, flicks Barty’s forehead with more force than is probably necessary. “Well good morning.” Barty groans into his pillow. He usually sleeps on his stomach despite all of his friends telling him not to, mostly Regulus. Something about it's unhealthy or causes some weird problem with breathing.
“Morning.” Evan replies, pushing up and off the bed. Barty feels cold. The other boy keeps talking while he moves around the room, “Regulus already went down to breakfast and just told me to meet him down there. With luck, and speed I know you don’t have,” Evan looks at Barty through his long lashes, while Barty stares at him with his mouth wide in fake shock, “we might be able to meet Dorcas in the common room and walk with her.” Evan finishes, peeking his head around the bathroom doorway to smile at Barty.
Barty nods, Evans's smile grows as he goes the rest of the way into the bathroom and closes the door lightly. Barty rolls onto his side and closes his eyes again, the image of Evan’s smile behind his eyelids.
What feels like two seconds later, his forehead is being flicked again, with more force than the first time.
“Hey, what the hell.” Barty sits up the whole way this time before actually looking at Evan. His hair is wet and going everywhere at different angles from him aggressively rubbing it with the towel in his hand. There are tiny droplets of water dripping down the side of his face. Barty always loved the way Evan looked after a shower. Although, Barty loves the way Evan looks all the time.
“Stop staring, pretty boy, and get dressed or I’m leaving you up here.” Evan says turning and walking over to his nightstand to get something out of the drawer.
Barty slowly gets up and grabs robes from his trunk and goes to the bathroom to change. After changing and brushing his teeth he walks back out and finds Evan hanging off his bed, his arms dangling down and brushing the ground.
“Ready?” Barty asks, walking over to put on his shoes. Evan pulls himself up and off the bed before walking over to the door and standing impatiently.
“Yeah, lets go,” Evan declares before pivoting out the door.
They walk down to the common room and find it to be empty. They share a look and shrug before leaving the open area and heading to the Great Hall.
“Look who it is.” Regulus says, not looking up from the book he's reading, as Barty flops into his seat, Evan taking the spot next to him as per usual, “Thought you died.”
“Yeah, I was gonna wait for you but I’ve been craving bacon since the train yesterday.” Dorcas says with no regrets whatsoever.
“Sorry. I was tired ok?” Barty tries to defend himself, but the look Dorcas gives him tells him he failed.
“I thought you sleep better when Evan is with you.” Regulus says while he takes the last piece of bacon before the plate refills.
“I’m sorry, you sleep together?” Dorcas asks, after looking mildly shocked. After a second of thought, the shock leaves her face and she nods to herself as if it makes total sense in her brain.
“Yes, girls aren’t the only ones who have sleepovers.” Evan pipes up, mouth full of bacon. What is it with my friends and bacon?
“Hey, calm down, Rosy. I never said boys can’t have sleepovers, I just didn’t think you two would.” Dorcas looks over at Regulus, “I expect it from Regulus. He did grow up with Sirius after all.” Regulus seems to ignore this jab at his brother, much like he ignored his brother in general, but the chance that he isn’t listening is pretty low.
“Hello!” Pandora’s light and airy voice carries to the side where Regulus is sitting. “What are we talking about?”
Regulus puts his book down, “Apparently the sleeping habits of those two.” He says pointing two fingers at Evan and Barty.
“Sleeping habits? Oh, did you have a sleepover?” Pandora asks before sitting down next to Regulus.
“Sleepovers.” Dorcas corrects, emphasizing the “s”.
“Oh, you should let me join in sometime.” Pandora says, basically bouncing in her seat.
“I have a feeling you don’t want in on,” Regulus gestures to the other two boys, “that.”
“Oh,” Pandora starts, eyes wide, Barty thinks they might pop out of her head, “is it that kind of sleepover? Honestly never thought you two would-” she’s cut off by Regulus’ hand covering her mouth.
“That’s enough from you. And no, it is not that kind of sleepover.” Regulus lets go of her and she looks completely unfazed. “Unless you two know something I don’t?” Regulus is looking between Barty and Evan now. Barty feels his face heat up.
“Um. No. You’re not missing anything.” Barty answers before looking down and picking at his fingers.
“Yeah. I’m- yeah no.” Evan adds, Barty sees him look down at his hands which are laced together in his lap. Barty feels apart of him break. Why are you upset? He’s not actually yours.
“Anyway,” Dorcas starts, clearly trying to break the tension, “I was gonna hang out by the lake after breakfast, if you guys wanted to come with.”
“Can’t.” Regulus says, “Prefect shit. We have to get our stupid partner assignments.”
“Ok, see you at lunch then?” Dorcas asks as she goes to stand, everyone else follows suit.
“Yeah, see you at lunch.” Regulus says as they part at the door.
They make their way to the lake and sit down at the edge. Evan lays on the grass next to Barty. Barty takes Evan’s hand and starts sliding his rings on and off his fingers. Pandora sits in between Dorcas’ legs while Dorcas braids the blonde’s hair.
“Ugh.” Dorcas says looking towards the path down from the castle, “I think we might have to leave. I do not have the energy to deal with them today.”
Barty turns to see who Dorcas wants to avoid. Marlene McKinnon and Mary Macdonald are walking towards them.
“We were here first,” Evan says, staying right where he was, “I’m not going anywhere.”
“Meadowes,” Marlene nods toward Dorcas before turning to Barty, Evan, and Pandora, “and co.”
“McKinnon,” Dorcas nods back, “Macdonald. Can we help you?”
“No. We were hoping baby Black would be with you but obviously he is elsewhere.” Marlene says.
“Lovely observation,” Dorcas turns back to Pandora and continues braiding.
“Thank you.” Marlene says.
They sit for a few moments in an awkward silence.
“Well, don’t you have a party to help plan?” Dorcas asks in an attempt to make them leave.
“Nah,” Mary starts, “The boys take care of all that.”
“That was less a question more a way for Dorcas to tell you to fuck off.” Pandora says, grinning innocently at the Gryffindors, while the Slytherins try to stifle laughs.
“Oh, uh,” Mary’s face turns red, “Yeah, um, let's go then Marls.”
“Ok,” Marlene starts turning away, “Always a pleasure Meadowes.”
“Yeah yeah.” Dorcas rolls her eyes and waves them off. “Thank you, Pan. Can always count on you to be honest.” Dorcas says running her hand through Pandora’s hair once the two other girls are out of earshot.
“Why do you hate them so much anyway?” Pandora shifts forward and lays down between Dorcas’ legs.
“You haven’t had 5 years of classes with them.” Dorcas argues looking down at the girl.
“That’s not an answer.” Pandora says tilting her head slightly.
“I don’t know, ok. I just don’t like them.” Dorcas says shortly.
“Cas,” Pandora groans, “You know the saying, can’t judge a person by their house.”
“That’s not-” Evan gets cut off by Pandora.
“Shut up,” Pandora says, pointing at Evan, but still looking at Dorcas. “You should really give them a chance.”
“Fine, but only because I value your opinion.” Dorcas leans down and kisses Pandora’s forehead.
“Thank you.” Pandora smiles and closes her eyes.
“Alright I’m out,” Barty stands up, “I wanna take a nap.”
“You woke up an hour ago.” Evan says flatly, propping himself up on his elbows.
“Yeah and now I’m tired.” Barty bends down and ruffles Evan’s hair. “I’ll see you later.”
“Ok, don’t miss dinner.” Evan calls after Barty.
“I won’t, bye.” Barty waves and turns back to the castle.
Once he’s back in the dorm he lays down on top of the covers and is out in a few minutes.
<>
Barty wakes up to the dorm door opening. He opens his eyes and sees Evan walking towards the bathroom. When he comes back out he heads back to the door.
“Are you looking for something?” Barty asks before yawning and sitting up.
“Sorry, I didn't mean to wake you,” Evan says walking over and sitting at the foot of Barty’s bed, “I haven’t seen Regulus since breakfast and wanted to check if he was here.”
“Oh, I haven’t seen him either. I wouldn’t know if he’s been in here though. What time is it?”
“Lunch just ended.” Evan stands and looks at Barty, “If you’re hungry I can go get you something from the kitchens.”
“I am but you don’t-”
“Nope,” Evan cuts Barty off, “I’ll be back.” Before Barty can stop him, he’s out the door. Barty flops back onto the bed and waits impatiently. He debates showering but decides to just wait for Evan to get back.
About ten minutes later the door reopens and Evan slides in with a plate of mini sandwiches. He sets the plate on the bed as Barty sits up and brings his legs in to sit crossed legged. Evan mirrors his position and takes a sandwich.
“Thanks,” Barty says, also taking a sandwich.
“Of course,” Evan smiles at him. Merlin, that smile. “Can’t have you starving to death.”
“No ‘course not,” Barty smiles back as he takes another sandwich.
“Any ideas for where Reg might be?” Evan asks, dropping his smile and replacing it with a frown. This causing Barty to frown.
“You know him. If he doesn’t want found, we won’t find him.” And it’s true. When Regulus gets upset, no one can find him, unless he wants to be found. He has some weird ability to disapear when he wants to. He did it a lot more at first, but like Barty, he got more comfortable over time. Which makes it worrying when he does disappear like this.
“I know,” Evan looks down and starts picking at the edges of his fingernails. Barty covers Evan’s hands with his own and Evan looks up.
“I’m sure he’s fine. What’s the worst that could have happened to him?” Evan opens his mouth to speak but Barty cuts him off. “Actually don’t answer that.”
“He did say he had a prefect meeting. Maybe he’s upset about his shift partner?” Evan suggests.
“Maybe, but I can’t think of anyone who he could get paired with that would upset him enough to hide from us.”
“Yeah,” He looks back down to their hands then back up. “Maybe we should go back to looking for him?”
“Will it make you feel better?” Barty asks, tilting his head.
“Probably not, if I’m being honest.” Evan takes his hands out from under Barty’s and rubs them over his face. Barty retracts his own hands and folds them in his lap.
“We can just stay here.” Barty suggests.
“Ok.” Evan brings his hands down and stares at them in his lap. “I just want to make sure he’s okay.”
“I know me too,” Barty moves the plate away and opens his arms, inviting Evan into a hug, “Come here.” Evan does, he wraps his arms around Barty’s middle and tucks his head into his neck. Barty wraps his arms around Evan’s shoulders and hooks his chin on his shoulder, while rubbing the other boys back. Evan hugs like no one Barty has ever met, not that he gets alot of hugs. Most of them are from Pandora, the occasional from Dorcas, and very, very rarely from Regulus. But Evan’s happen most often and Barty never complains.
“Ok, um,” Evan lifts his head and wipes his eyes with the back of his wrist. “Did you ever finish your summer work?”
“Shit,” Barty jumps up and goes to his trunk to get out his work.
“How much do you have left?” Evan asks, moving so his back is against Barty’s headboard.
“Um,” Barty hesitates. He pulls out his transfiguration book which has a piece of blank parchment in the cover, parchment that is supposed to have an essay on the book. “All of it.” He grabs his potions book too.
“Barty,” Evan groans, banging his head on the headboard. “What the fuck.”
“Sorry, I forgot about it.” Barty sits down opposite Evan and puts the books down in between them.
“I’m doing potions.” Evan says taking the potions book.
“You don’t have to help, I can do it myself.” Barty hates asking for help, he never has liked it. It makes him feel like a burden. He’s sure this is a trauma response to his dad.
“Oh shut up.” Evan says as he opens the potions book and starts writing on a piece of parchment that must have been in the book somewhere, not that Barty would remember putting it there.
“Ok,” Barty chuckles.
They sit in a comfortable silence while they both take notes and start on each of their assignments. Occasionally one pipes up about something unrelated to the work. Once they finish the two classes they move on to Care of Magical Creatures and Charms.
“Ok I need a break,” Evan says, closing the Charms textbook, “It’s almost time for dinner, come on.” He gets up from the bed and offers his hand out for Barty, who takes it after closing his own book.
“Ok,” Barty stretches and picks up the books and puts them on top of his trunk. “Let’s go.”
They walk down into the common room to find Dorcas sitting on one of the couches. “Hey losers.” She smiles at them. “You going down to dinner?”
“Yeah, coming?” Barty asks, stopping at the door out to the castle.
“Of course,” She stands up and walks over as Barty and Evan walk out the door, Dorcas following behind.
When they walk into the Great Hall they see Regulus sitting in his usual spot with a book, as always. They walk over and sit down.
“Where have you been, Reg?” Evan asks, “I couldn’t find you.” Regulus ignores him. Evan looks at Barty with concern in his eyes before looking back at the pale boy. Barty looks back to and notices how curled in on himself he is. “Reg?” Evan’s voice has changed from being slightly angry to being completely concerned.
Regulus finally looks up with pure anger in his eyes, the rest of his face is stone. “I’m fine. Now shut up I’m busy.” He snaps. Barty notices his eyes move in between Barty and Evan. Barty waits until he looks back to his book to turn and follow the path Regulus’ eyes previously took. He’s met with the sight of Sirius, James, Peter, and Remus laughing at something one of them said. Why was Regulus looking at his brother and his friends? He’s been ignoring Sirius entirely since he ran away to the Potter’s two Christmases ago. What changed? Barty wonders if James or Remus said something during the meeting.
“Ok,” Evan says, looking back at Barty. Barty looks at the Gryffindors and then back to Evan, hoping this conveys his worries. Evan follows the look and something close to realization falls on his face. “Deal with it later?” He whispers to Barty. Barty nods in response.
The rest of dinner is awkward. No one had much to say about their days, considering lessons haven’t started yet. They mostly sit in silence, not knowing what to talk about if Regulus can’t offer his occasional smart remark.
“You going back to the dorm?” Evan asks when Regulus stands up, book still open in his hand.
“No.” He says before walking away.
“The hell was that about?” Dorcas asks, turning away from the conversation she was having with some other seventh years.
“I don’t know, but I think it has something to do with his brother.” Barty says before standing up, “I’m going back to the dorm. You can come if you want.” He tells Dorcas.
“Sure, wanna ask Pandora?” Dorcas says, standing up, Evan copies her movements.
“Yeah,” He walks down the table sitting behind him and finds Pandora sitting with a Ravenclaw boy, Xenophilus, Barty thinks, Pandora basically never shuts up about him. “Hey Pan.”
“Oh, Barty,” She smiles wider, which for Pandora, isn’t a surprise. “What’s up?”
“We’re all going back to our dorm,” Barty says, smiling back despite still worrying about Regulus. “Wanted to see if you wanted to come with.”
“Oh sure,” She turns to Xenophilius, “I’ll see you in the common room later, ok?”
“Mhm,” Xenophilius hums, “See you.” He gives a small wave before continuing the conversation he was having.
Pandora turns back to Barty, “Ok, let’s go.” The two walk over to Evan and Dorcas.
“Ready?” Dorcas asks, nodding to the entrance.
“Yep,” Pandora nods and bounces a little before moving forward and grabbing Dorcas’ hand. The two start walking, swinging their hands. Barty and Evan follow, sadly, their hands are not joined.
When they get back to the dungeons the four make their way up the stairs to the boys’ dorm.
Evan throws himself onto Barty’s bed, Dorcas and Pandora sit down on Regulus’, and Barty chooses to sit on the floor next to his bed. Evan sits up behind Barty and folds his legs in front of him. He starts playing with Barty’s hair.
“Ok,” Barty says, trying to avoid thinking about Evan doing his nervous fidgeting. He’s probably nervous about Regulus, but so is Barty. “So how are we going to deal with Reg?”
“What’s happened with Reggie?” Pandora asks, frown forming on her face.
“He’s been avoiding us. He was glaring at Sirius during dinner, so I think he did something.” Barty clarifies.
“Oh,” Pandora sighs and looks at her lap.
“I’m sure he’s fine,” Dorcas says reassuringly, wrapping her arm around Pandora’s shoulders. “Even if it is Sirius, he’ll probably tell us when he feels comfortable enough to do so. We can’t push him.”
“I know that,” Barty says, dropping his head back onto the mattress. He stares up and Evan’s bright blue eyes stare back. Barty never wants to look away from them. He smiles before continuing, “I just wanna make sure he’s ok and I can’t do that when he’s not even looking at me.” Barty notices the bitterness in his voice too late. But Evan notices too and drops a chunk of Barty’s hair in his eyes, making Barty smile again and shake his head.
“Like Cas said, he’ll come to us when he’s ready,” Evan says, eyes not leaving Barty’s.
“He has to come back here at some point, right?” Pandora says, Evan and Barty finally lift their eyes to look at her. “Yep, still here.” She smiles. “We can just wait for him to come back for bed.”
Dorcas ducks her head and shakes it while smiling. “Pan’s right.”
“Well you two can’t sit here for hours and honestly I’m tired.” Barty says, dropping his head back again and closing his eyes this time.
“I let you sleep in this morning and you napped for 4 hours,” Evan says, “How the hell are you tired?”
“He’s always tired.” Pandora says, Barty nods in agreement.
“I don’t understand you,” Evan says.
“None of us do. If you don’t, no one ever will.” Pandora says in her usual light tone.
Barty doesn’t remember when he falls asleep but at one moment he’s sitting with his back to his bed and feeling Evan’s hand through his hair, and the next he’s opening his eyes laying in his bed. He thinks he hears whispers but his curtains are drawn and he can’t figure out who is talking.
He sits up and opens the curtains to see Regulus and Evan sitting on the floor. “Hey, Reg.” Barty says, moving to sit next to Evan.
“Hey,” Regulus replies, looking down at his lap and picking at his fingers.
“Can I tell him?” Evan asks Regulus. Regulus nods. “Sirius asked Reg to move in with the Potters.”
“Really?” Barty is honestly shocked, he knew Sirius ran away to the Potters but he didn’t expect him to ask Regulus to come with. Plus its been a while since he ran away, why would he ask now? “Why ask now?”
“That’s what I’m trying to figure out.” Regulus says, still looking down.
“Well,” Evan starts, “We all know how shit your family is, Reg. Maybe getting out of there would be beneficial.”
“Sirius told me I can come for Christmas and decide if I wanna come back for Summer, but I don’t know. I can’t exactly ignore him until Christmas either, I got partnered with Remus for rounds. I can’t just not go home. I can’t just abandon my parents.”
“Of course you can,” Barty says, Regulus just looks at him. “You can leave them. With the shit they’ve put you through, you have every reason to leave. Plus, you’ll be seventeen soon. You can leave and not go back. Ever.”
“I don’t think it’s that easy.” Tears are starting to form in Regulus’ eyes.
“It is though.” Evan says, “Leave. Hell come to my house. It’s not great there, but it’s better than your place.”
“You can leave, Reg. You don’t have to make the decision now. You have til Christmas.” Barty says.
“I just don’t know if it's worth thinking about.” Regulus sighs, his shoulders falling forward before he fixes his posture. “He also wants me to go to the stupid party tomorrow.”
“Oh yeah don’t ask me to go with you. I’m not doing that to myself.” Evan says, putting his hands up and dropping them down a moment later. He lays down and puts his arms under his head.
“Don’t make me go alone,” Regulus groans. “Barty, don’t do this to me.”
“Uh-uh, I don’t do Gryffindor parties.” Barty looks over at Evan just as he yawns. “Tired?”
“Little.” Evan yawns again. “Ok a lot.” Barty stands and offers Evan a hand which he accepts, “We can finish this conversation tomorrow. You good now, Reg?” Regulus stands too.
“Um, yeah.” Reg shifts his weight awkwardly, he never did like asking for help, “Thanks I guess.”
“Of course,” Evan says, then he turns to Barty. “Mine or yours?”
“Yours. More comfortable.” Barty says before walking over to change, he was still in his clothes from the day.
“I beg to differ.” Evan was walking to his bed while Barty walked into the bathroom to change.
He put on a pair of green shorts and left the bathroom without a shirt, he did this sometimes when the castle was warmer.
He walked back out and straight to flop next to Evan. Evan tucked himself in Barty’s side and they drifted off.