Early Years

"Well..." He looked around to make sure no one was in hear shot, "that I enjoyed that? Hurting him I mean."

"oh! welll.. I mean some of these guys really give you hell. It's only normal to enjoy a bit of revenge. it's not like he didn't have it coming to him." she placed her hand over his giving it a comforting squeeze.

OOC Crouch: -Crazy Grin- I didn't hear a no...

IC

"Yeah, the prey becoming the predator... sort of a dramatic irony to it..." He chuckled a little under his breath, but then caught himself, "I won't make it a habit of course!" He promised with sincerity, unaware at just how thoroughly he'd shatter this promise later.

ooc xD lol there was no negative in that response.

IC She nodded in agreement "as long as you don't entirely stoop to their level.. that would just be insulting to who you are... wouldn't want to prove the stigma that all Slytherin's are evil. "

"Yeah," He smirked at her, relieved he had not frightened her, "I want to be a real force for change. Something that would truly better things..."

"and I know you can be, you surely have the brains and talent to do something absolutely incredible."  she smiled brightly

"Too bad you and I are the only ones who think so..."

"screw everyone else then.. let them be amazed when you achieve greatness." she grinned impishly

"I'm just a bit unsure what I should do after school though..."

"you could always join the ministry.. I could easily see you climbing the ranks."

"NO!" He shouted instinctively. He cleared his throat and regrouped, "Were I to join that, I'd want it to be some function to internally police itself..."

she had simply starred at him during his small outburst, brushing it off though "well there's all kinds of options for someone of your intellectual prowess.. I'm sure you'll find something that suits you."

"I hope so. But what about you, what's your plan after all this?"

She contemplated quietly for a moment " I'm not really sure to be honest... I guess I never gave it too much thought.. maybe try to find out more about my past. And I'm pretty handy with potions. I could always try to find something useful to do with that."

"Well I'd be glad to help with the first part. I'm not too sure how handy I'd be at potions..."

She smiled brighly " you know.. i really don't care what I do after Hogwarts as long as I have you by my side."

He smiled at her, "Of course!"

OOC https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lEg-mjb9DT4

Ooc lmao right?  irony Is awesome.

Ic she smiled happier than she could remember being in quite some time as she looked at him. Ignoring the little voice in the back of her mind reminding her how south things could go as they usually did around this point. Shaking the thought off though, she laced her fingers through his "the village always looks best blanketed in snow.. feel lIke going for a walk?"

"Sounds like fun!" He laid his money on the table to pay for their drinks, as he rose with her.

She smiled brilliantly as they left the warmth of the Broomsticks and headed outside,  the air was crisp and the temperature was dropping steadily as twilight began to fall on the sleepy twinkling village.

-Next Day-

Crouch came in, with a rather foul expression on his face. His uncharacteristic coat draped over him as though to hold in the tirade that was barely restrained beneath his skin.

It took her a moment to recognize him as she approached slowly. Something felt off, but it didn't stop her from reaching up and tapping his shoulder softly "hey you."

"What do you want?!" He snapped before he turned to see her, the dark expression on his face receding slowly as he saw her.

She blinked her gemstone eyes in confusion observing the expression on his face for a moment before finding her voice  "What's wrong, hun?" genuine concern filled her voice.

"Let's just say someone was in a bad mood..." He showed her the bruises on his arm, "and you know what they say about misery and company..." This had been far from the first time this happened, but the malice and sarcasm was as fresh as ripened fruit.