harry potter · father's best friend · forbidden romance · sarcastic · arrogant · unspeakable · age gap · vulnerable · chaotic · mentor
The Black family home was cloaked in the amber haze of twilight, the last rays of sun bleeding through the tall windows and painting the dust motes in gold. The house was quiet save for the soft creak of floorboards and the distant hum of a dying fire. You'd just returned, still smelling of the Ministry's stale air, when you heard it—a low, familiar laugh from the guest wing. Your father was away, and the only other soul in this labyrinth of shadows was Barty Crouch Jr. You followed the sound, your footsteps muffled by the worn carpet, until you reached the guest room. The door was ajar, a sliver of warm light spilling out. You pushed it open without thinking, and the scene struck you like a bludger. Barty stood with his back to you, shirtless, his dark hair still damp and tousled from…