I watched Barty with wide eyes. That was all he wanted? All three of his conditions were a given.
"Well?" He nsapped, breaking me out of my silent thoughts.
"Is that all?" I asked softly. He nodded cautiously. I grinned brightly and kissed him passionately, wrapping my arms around his neck.
"When I say that I love you, I mean it. Your three conditions are already given when I tell you that, Bartemius Crouch Junior." I said. He blinked, and grinned widely. I laughed at the look of pure happiness on his face. He laughed softly, as if discovering it for the first time in his life.
"Amazing." He whispered, breathless. I cupped his cheek, smiling happily. He frowned once more, pulling back slightly. I was confused.
"What is it?"
"If all of my conditions are given when you say that you love me, why is my family so cold? Why does it not feel warm, like now?" His eyes were wide like that of a small child.
"I'm beginning to think that your Father does not know you at all. I don't think that he understands, Barty."
"Understands what?" He asked softly.
"That the Father-Son relationship is important. It is one of the most important relationships there can be. You never got the attention that you needed as a small child. Instead, you were being paid off with the gifts, thinking that it would make due. But it's not enough, Barty. Everyone seeks the approval of their parents. They turned you away. It was wrong. It's not your fault, Barty. It's theirs." I whispered softly. I kissed his forehead softly, letting him seek comfort from me. He glanced up at me, kissing me. I stroked his cheeks with the pads of my thumbs, letting his wide eyes take in the love that I held for him.
"I'm not going to turn you away, Barty. I agreed to marry you, did I not? Not because of our link, not because I was pressured into it. I'm marrying you because I want to. Do you understand me?" I asked, searching his face. He nodded softly. I smiled kindly once more, sighing softly. I kicked my shoes off and Barty followed suit. I sat up, unbuttoning his dress shirt. He watched me with hungry eyes. I blushed underneath his scrutiny, biting my lip softly. I watched him as he ran his hand through my curls, leaning in to smell my hair.
"Beautiful." He murmured softly.
"Thanks." I whispered back in return. He gripped my chin and forced me to look him in the eye. I watched him as he undid my dress slowly. The lust in his eyes was undeniable.
"I do believe that I said that you were mine when we came back, did I not?" He growled, sucking at my throat. I whimpered softly as he pushed me onto my back, exploring my body eagerly. Taking his time for the first time since we first slept together.
"Hm?" He enquired as I fumbled with the belt of his slacks. He chuckled darkly, licking his lips eagerly as I arched up underneath him.
"Yes!" I moaned wantonly as he got rid of his dress robes and thrusted hard, impaling me. He growled in my ear and wrapped my legs around his waist, pinning me to the bed.
"Mine,mine,mine…" He chanted, his dark eyes black with lust.
I was curious. Why had Dumbledore called me to his office alone? I was wary of what the manipulative Headmaster wanted, and why he had also asked that I be alone when talked to me.
"Sit down, Miss Granger. Lemon drop?" I eyed them and him distastefully, before shaking my head.
"No thank you, sir. If I may, what is this about? I haven't done anything wrong."
"I believe that Mr Crouch wishes for you to join him for the Christmas Break?" I stiffened slightly in my seat. How did he know that? Nobody else had been in the Library when Barty had asked me that.
"How did you-
"I have my ways, Miss Granger. Now please, did he intend on taking you with him for Christmas Break?" I was getting annoyed.
"How is it any of your business,sir?"
"I allowed you to stay here, Miss Granger. I can take that privelge away just as easily."
"You're threatening me?" My voice was low.
"No, just warning you, Miss Granger." I stood up in anger, my hands on my hips.
"This is unethical! I can't believe you! Why is it so important for you to know whether I'm staying at my boyfriend's or not?"
"Fiance, is it not? Do not believe that I am unaware of any movements inside my castle, Miss Granger."
"It's not your castle,Professor, it's the Ministry of Magic's! You are simply borrowing it!"
"I can and will kick you out if I must, Miss Granger."
"You can't!"
"I can, and I will if you refuse to answer my question."
"I am disinclined to provide you with an answer, Headmaster."
"Very well, Miss Granger. I am disinclined to allow you exit of the castle grounds!"
"I refuse to answer any of your questions without Barty!"
"Surely you don't need him all the time, Miss Granger."
"I refuse to answer anything without him!" I was adamant in my decision.
"If I must. Phineas, go fetch Mr Crouch, would you?" I sat back down and waited. Dumbledore repeatedly tried to catch my gaze, but I kept it on the floor.
"Hermione! What did I tell you?" Barty hissed.
"I haven't done anything! He had no grounds for having me here, or threatening me!" Barty's gaze went stone cold.
"You threatened my fiance, Professor?" I shivered at the harsh tone that he used.
"I am well within my rights, Mr Crouch. The students answer to me, not the other way around!"
"You are stretching it by threatening a student, Head Girl no less!"
"Is Miss Granger returning to your home during the holidays?"
"Why do you wish to know?"
"Answer the question please, Mr Crouch."
"Yes. Now tell me why you want to know!"
"It's not important, Mr Crouch." Dumbledore announced, satisfied with the answer. I watched Barty grit his teeth.
"Clearly it is if you want to know so badly." He snarked.
"You may go now." Barty huffed and grabbed my wrist, pulling me out of the Headmaster's Office, clearly fuming with anger. He pulled me into the shadows, his muscles tensed.
"Why didn't you come get me beforehand?" He snapped angrily. I glared at him, trying not to snap back.
"I had no chance to! I was in the Library when Madame Pince was told to come and grab me!" I hissed through gritted teeth. He ran a hand through his brown tresses and sighed. I gasped as Barty kissed me forcefully, his mouth ravishing my own.
"I know that you are indeed betrothed, Mr Crouch and Miss Granger, but that does not give you allowance to kiss in the hallways." I flushed and Barty smirked, pulling back.
"Yes sir. It won't happen again."
"It's fine, m'boy, just use some decorum next time, eh?" Barty nodded sharply and pulled me along once more, taking us up to our dorms.
"What the bloody hell was that for?" He shrugged nonchalantly and slammed the door behind us.
"it would have been more suspicious if we were in the shadows, not kissing. Plus, you look delicious when you're angry." He purred huskily. I huffed and crossed my arms in anger. He grinned wickedly and I rolled my eyes haughtily and sat down on the couch.
"Did he give away any hints towards how he knew that I had asked you to come with me at Christmas Break?"
"None at all! I can't believe that he threatened to kick me out of Hogwarts for not telling him whether or not I'll be coming with you at Christmas Break!" He surprised me by laying his head in my lap as he pulled a letter out of his pocket, handing it to me."
"It's Mother's reply. She sent a letter to you within it." He murmured, closing his eyes softly. It was nice to see that he was finally letting me in. I ran my fingers through his hair and smiled as he keened in approval. I did it again, laughing softly as he relaxed in my lap.
"Read it aloud." He whispered, yawning. He looked quite cute, his head in my lap as I read his Mother's letter.
To my son's fiance, I would like to address the fact that if Barty sees you as worthy enough to love and give my necklace, as do I.
He has described you as intelligent and kind, unlike any other witch.I am looking forward to meeting you, Carolin Isabella Crouch.
I gulped and stared down at Barty, a deep frown etched into my features. He was sweating and shaking profusely.
"Barty, what's wrong?" He wrapped his arms around me tight, his eyes crazed.
"My Master…he calls!" He rasped, crying out in pain.