Part Two, Chapter Nineteen

John had decided to take a late lunch and call in on Crouch in the early afternoon. Following the meeting at Gringotts earlier in the morning Crouch was now co-ordinating the various units searching for Black from the Ministry, and John hoped he'd be able to get chance to talk to him. He hoped he'd be able to briefly call in on Christine too, but it was simply a matter of whichever of them he came across first. It turned out to be Crouch, who was in his office when John arrived and seemed to have just finished a discussion with a large group of aurors and investigators who were filing out into the corridor. When he noticed John he sighed and a weary expression came over his face. "Didn't forget something this morning, did we, John?"

"No," John replied, "Although I would like a word, if you don't mind. There's something I wanted to discuss with you earlier but didn't get chance."

"What's it about?"

"Well, just a couple of personal issues that I think need clearing up. I'll try and be brief."

Crouch looked indecisive for a moment, but then sighed and decided to agree to it. "Oh, alright. I've still got fifteen minutes before the next unit's due to report back."

He held the door open for John as they entered his office, and they each took seats on opposite sides of Crouch's desk. Although the two weren't exactly friends, they had gotten to know each other quite well since they were introduced a few months ago, and they considered each other to be a bit more than just acquaintances.

"So what can I help you with John?" Crouch asked. John thought he seemed immensely tired.

"Well, Barty, it's about your son and my daughter," John said slowly, thinking how to phrase this as tactfully as possible. Even so, he saw the way Crouch stiffened as he said 'your son'. "I know his behaviour when it comes to being at work hasn't exactly been commendable, but it isn't Gwen's fault. She's specifically told him to stop seeing her during the day and she isn't very happy about it."

Crouch didn't say anything for a moment, and then let out the breath he'd been holding. "John, I never thought it was her fault."

John was pleased to hear that, but now he was slightly puzzled about what it was that was clearly bothering Crouch so much. The man wasn't himself. "No?"

"No. it's just…" Crouch trailed off, seemingly at a loss for words.

"Barty?" John was surprised to find he was concerned about Crouch, almost like he would be for a friend.

Crouch looked like he was trying to find the right words to explain the situation without having to go into too much detail. "Things are a little difficult between my son and I at the moment, and not that I'm blaming Gwen for anything, John, please understand that, but I think his relationship with her...well, it may have affected things."

John didn't much like the vague explanation he was being given. It sounded like both Crouch Sr. and Jr. were in an ongoing, seemingly unresolvable conflict, which was something John had suspected for quite some time. But now they were dragging Gwen into it, and they had no right to do that. John wanted to know exactly what was going on. Part of him felt bad about trying to intrude on Crouch's private life, but when it concerned his own daughter John thought he had a right to know. "What exactly's happened between you and him, Barty?"

Crouch closed his eyes slowly and then opened them again, and took a deep breath before answering. "My son, he's…well, he's left home, John."

There was silence for a few moments before John managed to respond with a rather astounded "Oh." He hadn't been expecting that. He knew Crouch had never got on well with his son, but he was beginning to think it went deeper than simply just that they annoyed each other. "Why? What went off?"

Crouch sighed. He looked like he was about to confess something to John, and it was taking him a lot of effort. "We had an argument about him leaving work to see Gwen, and I think he took it the wrong way."

"Oh," was all John said again. Crouch looked like he wanted to talk, as if he was glad to finally discuss this with somebody, and John wasn't going to interrupt him.

"He thinks I don't like her, and that I don't approve of anything he ever does, but it's not like that. I just…I want him to have bit of respect for me, that's all. So I told him that unless he stopped treating my house like a hotel he could leave home, and he did. I wish I'd never said it. I didn't actually want him to go, I just wanted to make him stop swanning around, doing as he pleases, not giving any thought to anybody else. I never actually thought he'd go through with it and leave."

John wasn't sure what he ought to say, but now it made more sense why Crouch had seemed so distracted at the meeting this morning. Clearly things were bad between them. It wasn't a situation John could relate to at all, but he wanted to be able to say something helpful. He could imagine it would be horrible to have that kind of relationship with your child. "Have you tried talking to him?"

Crouch shook his head. "He doesn't want to talk. He can barely stand to be in the same room as me."

"Well, in that case maybe this was for the best," John said thoughtfully. "If he's made the decision to move out then he must feel that's what's right for him, and maybe it'll turn out to be what's best for you both. Kids grow up, Barty. He was never going to stay at home forever. I know it's not wonderful that he's left when the pair of you are on such bad terms, but perhaps now if he finds he's happier with a bit more independence you'll be able to get along better."

Crouch considered that for a moment, and while John thought he seemed to be trying to find a more positive outlook there was still a degree of scepticism in his expression. Crouch let out a sigh and gave a small shake of his head, before meeting John's gaze to speak in a tired and forlorn tone. "I hope so, John. I don't like arguing with him and I don't want him to resent me, but he does anyway and I don't know why. I don't know what I could have got so wrong: he seems to think I hate him, and I honestly don't. I wish I'd never given him the opportunity to walk out like this. Elizabeth's in hysterics about it; she wants him to come home." He paused for a moment, taking a deep breath before saying the next part. "If I'm honest, so do I. I want the son I used to have back, before all of this anger seemed to take over. That's all I see in him now, every time I look at him: so much anger and contempt and hate. I don't know why he's like this. Maybe I've not been there for him at home as much as I should have, but it's not like I've had much choice. I know it can't have been easy on him, what with Elizabeth and all, but I don't understand why things have turned out this badly. What did I get wrong, John?"

John really didn't know how to respond. He found it both odd and strangely flattering that a man like Crouch had opened up to him like that, when he didn't even consider John a friend. Although, John thought, perhaps maybe he did. John certainly liked Crouch as somebody he frequently had to work with, and Crouch seemed to return the sentiment. The thought that they could be friends didn't feel at all odd, especially considering that they'd known each other long enough through work, and now they had a common interest when it came to their children. Perhaps that was why Crouch had felt able to talk to John like this, but although John wanted to be able to help he wasn't sure what advice he could give. Despite not being able to relate to the situation at all John tried to say something that he hoped would make Crouch feel better, even though he couldn't be sure whether or not it was true. "I'm sure you did nothing wrong, Barty. It's probably just to do with him growing up, trying to assert his independence. Maybe now that you're not living in the same house as each other you'll find it easier to get on."

Crouch sighed and leaned back in his chair, "Maybe…" There were a few moments silence in during which Crouch seemed to be contemplating something, and then he spoke again. "You've never had any problems like this with Gwen, have you?"

John thought it might be more comforting to Crouch if he replied that he had and it was something normal every parent had to go through, but that wasn't true. "No. I think she's the least argumentative child I've ever come across, actually."

Crouch shook his head. "Well, I hope she rubs off on him."

At that point there was a knock on the door, and Crouch quickly got up to answer it. The tired, distressed man he'd been a moment ago had been replaced with the professional, efficient dark wizard hunter most people knew him as. John was relieved he was still at least able to pretend to be his normal self, although he knew that underneath it all things were getting to Crouch more than he showed. "That'll be the next unit reporting," Crouch said, about to open the door. "Sorry to kick you out, John, but I really have got to get on with this. And thank you for listening to me. I'm sure you didn't need to hear all about my troubles when you've probably got your own to be dealing with."

John shook his head to dismiss him. "No really, Bartemius, it's no problem. My main concern is for my daughter, which I suppose means by extension concern for your son as well. And for you, as a friend."

Crouch considered that for a moment. "Friend? Yes, I think so. I don't suppose friends would normally fob you off like this, but…"

"It's fine, I understand. Although I'm just going to say hi to Christine, if you don't mind," John said as he approached the door.

"Sure, tell her from me she's doing a great job with the investigation. I could do with a few more like her. See you later, John," Crouch said, opening the door to allow John to leave as a group of aurors filed in. John noticed the head of the column was a petite platinum blonde, and she was followed by a tall, copper haired man with sideburns and two Latino looking men. Once out in the corridor John watched the door close behind him before heading off to find Christine. Yes, he thought that perhaps now he and Bartemius could consider themselves friends, and it wasn't a bad feeling at all.

A/N: I just wanted to write that to show Crouch Sr isn't as much of an uptight git as I've perhaps been portraying him as. I think him and Barty are probably just as bad as each other, in a way (overlooking the Death Eater thing, because that skews things somewhat). I hoped you liked that little bit of insight into what he's really feeling. There'll be a bit more insight into a couple of other non-main characters too next time, so I hope you enjoy that.