.

.

Diagon Alley was much busier than Barty would have preferred. There were too many people and too many unworthy eyes on his Lord's dainty little husband. He glared sharply at anyone who dared to linger their gaze at the gorgeous lurne. Harry didn't really seem to notice how he was turning heads, how all of these lowlifes were eying him with lust and desire, ogling his pretty, delicate body. Barty was getting pissed.

How dare they! Harry belonged to Tom. Barty gave death stares to the onlookers, and some of them, recognizing him, backed off in fear. He moved his hand toward his wand holster and drew the wand. These assholes better knew what would happen to them if they continued trying his patience.

Barty's eyes were trained on Harry. He couldn't afford to let any harm touch the pretty thing. Harry seemed so innocent and oblivious. It was beyond Barty how the vicious rumours had portrayed him as a spoiled socialite when Harry was anything but a beautiful angel.

Harry suddenly stopped, making Barty come to an abrupt halt as well, looking around to see what caught his attention.

"Piss of little mudblood," someone was sneering at a little boy, hand waving dismissively and trying to push him out of what looked like a bookstore.

The aggressive loud noise must have annoyed Harry and distracted him, so Barty was about to interfere and tell the bloke to cut it off. But before he could step in, the bulky man actually pushed the little boy, and the boy almost fell.

Almost...

The little boy fell backwards, stumbled and fell into Harry's arms before he could hit the patchy ground. Barty stared in awe and it seemed like everyone gasped for air for a moment as if the air suddenly had thickened so dramatically that breathing had become impossible. How could this little mudblood just slam into Minister's pretty little husband?

Barty came forward to pull off the little vermin away, but he paused confused, staring at the scene unfolding in front of him.

"Are you okay?" Harry steadied the boy, holding him tightly and checking to make sure he had no scraps on his knees. Barty stared, still not comprehending what was happening, and his mouth gaping in shock. "Are you hurt?"

The boy shook his head and wiped the tears escaping his eyes with the sleeve of his dirty jumper.

"Just what is wrong with you?" Harry stood up and glared at the stocky man. "Why would you push a child like this?"

"I am not about to let some dirty mudblood into my store, princess," he mocked. "You look like a pretty pureblood thing, why are you sullying yourself with this filth?"

Who the fuck did this asshole think he was? Barty brought his wand out and immediately aimed it at the guy, standing in front of Harry, shielding him from the gaze of this moron.

"I would choose my words carefully if I were you," Barty warned.

"That's senior undersecretary to the Minister of Magic," people started murmuring.

"Circe, isn't that Lord Potter's son with him?" someone said horrified.

"Yes, that's the Minister's husband..."

The shopkeeper looked at Barty with concern and raised his hands. "I didn't mean to..."

"Just what did you mean?" Harry spoke, stepping forward and surprising Barty. "Pushing a child and calling him that disgusting word must make you feel so much more superior."

"I...um... eh," the man stammered clearly, realizing that insulting Potter's son was going to get him in even more trouble than an issue with a Ministry official could get him into. "Sorry about that. Hey brat, you can come and shop in my store."

There was a rage in Harry's gaze that Barty felt could burn him alive. "Unbelievable," Harry sighed, taking hold of the little boy's hand. "Don't mind him. Where are your parents, sweetheart? You shouldn't be here all alone."

"I don't have parents," the little boy said, staring at Harry. Barty realized that the little mudblood had been staring at Harry ever since he fell into Harry's arms. It was as if he was hypnotized and couldn't turn his gaze away. "Are you a human?"

Harry seemed a little taken aback by the question, but he smiled and nodded. "So this is your first time here?" he asked, taking note of the Hogwarts letter firmly clutched in the boy's hands. "They should have had a guardian or a teacher from Hogwarts come with you. It can't be easy alone in this place. I still remember my first time."

The boy was still starstruck. "Well," Harry said gently. "Have you gotten your wand already?"

"No," the boy shook his head, holding up crumpled-up bills. "They won't take my money."

"That's muggle money," Harry said with a smile. "You need to exchange it. Here, have this for now. This should be enough to buy the supplies you need. But you can exchange the muggle money and buy everything you need over there. Do you see that building?"

Barty had no idea Harry knew all of this, but above everything this was yet another confirmation of how kind and sweet he was, helping a poor mudblood orphan, defending him so fiercely. These nasty gossipers had even Tom convinced that Harry was a spoiled, petty brat. Barty was infuriated. As an undersecretary, he would make sure to put all of this disgusting slander to rest. These vermin didn't have any right to tarnish Harry's reputation.

"You are so pretty," the little boy said in awe, making Harry laugh.

Of course, even this mudblood couldn't ignore the ethereal beauty in front of him. Harry helped the boy to get his books and school supplies while talking about Hogwarts excitedly, answering all the stupid questions the brat asked him without a hint of annoyance or irritation. So incredibly patient and brilliant!

Tom needed to know about this. In rare moments of genuine frustration, he had confessed to Barty about his fears of having children with Harry. Barty knew that Lord Potter expected them to have an heir soon, but Tom expressed reluctance, mentioning how cruel and petty the lurne was and what neglect and lack of love any children they had would face. There was no cruel bone in the body of this exquisite creature.

Harry spend that afternoon, going from shop to shop and helping the boy get his wand and robes and explained so many things about magic and the school and shared his own experience of attending the school for the first time.

When they parted ways and Harry wished him good luck with the school, it was already afternoon.

Harry felt tired. He was still trying to acclimate to his new life. He knew that no matter how much he wanted to go back to his friends, to his world, there was no go-back ticket for him. He knew very little about his new life, and also the fact that the other version of himself had been probably murdered troubled him greatly. He needed to get himself a wand, but having Crouch breath down his neck didn't really give him the opportunity to do some needed shopping.

Barty Crouch Jr was staring at him like a total creep. Harry had zero idea of what was going on in the man's head, but he could tell that this version of Crouch was sickeningly devoted to Voldemort as well.

He had spent most of his money on hand, getting supplies for the little boy. He still had money to buy a wand, but he couldn't do it unless he found a way to get rid of Barty. He looked at the twitchy man and smiled stiffly. Well, Harry could always get a wand later.

"I guess we can return home," he told Barty. "I can go shopping another time. Maybe with my mother."

Barty nodded and moved to offer his arm for apparation, but a loud screechy voice interrupted him.

"Harry?"

"Is that you, Harry? That's him right?"

They both turned around and Harry was greeted by the disturbing sight of Pansy Parkinson, Lavender Brown and... and Ginny Weasley. That was Ginny with them. His heart leaped out of his chest as he felt his throat tighten. He was sure he had caught the sight of her dead body in the ruins of Hogwarts just yesterday before waking up here.

"Morgana's tits! That's actually you out and about, you sly bitch," Parkinson said, walking up to him, and to Harry's never-ending horror, gave him a hug. "Didn't I tell you girls?"

"Harry," Ginny smiled at him shyly. "So glad to see you."

"Wow Potter," Lavender said coyly, raising an eyebrow. "We thought your hubby would have locked you up after that stint with Theo. And my goodness, is that Undersecretary Crouch with you?"

Harry blinked, trying to understand how to respond and noticed how uncomfortable Crouch looked. That made two of them.

"Yes, Barty here is accompanying me," Harry said politely, letting the situation unfold before he could make faulty assumptions and do something that could complicate things for him.

"More like guarding him like a dog," Lavender whispered under her nose with an ill-concealed giggle.

Pansy elbowed her. "Don't be rude," she rolled her eyes and turned to Harry. "We are going to have coffee, will you join us?"

"Umm..." Harry looked at Crouch. "I was about to go home."

"They serve your favorite apple tarts there, Harry," Ginny said earnestly. "Please come with us."

"Yeah, you should come to catch up and all. We are friends after all," Lavender said, pulling her hair back.

"You can join too, Mr. Undersecretary," Pansy whispered under her lashes, staring at Barty with a look that almost said she was going to eat him alive if he refused.

"I... well," Barty stuttered.

"I guess a tart and a cup of coffee won't hurt," Harry smiled. "Let's go Barty."

Harry couldn't believe he would be friends with Pansy Parkinson and Lavender Brown. Ginny he understood, but the other two? He felt awkward and strange walking with them. He smiled at Ginny, his heart swelling at the realization that she was fine at least in this world. There was a sense of loss gnawing at Harry's heart. He knew that even though this was Ginny, this was not his Ginny. He was still grieving the loss of his life, but he had no opportunity to properly reflect on his feelings.

The place was quiet and nice. The tart was amazing. Barty sat next to him and was staring at him like the creep he was, making Harry lose concentration.

"By the day, Daphne is still seething," Pansy chuckled. "She is really upset about being kicked out of our group."

"Her sister is spreading rumours about Harry. I say that bitch needs to be dealt with before things get out of control," Lavender chimed in, sipping from her coffee.

"Astoria?" Pansy scowled. "She has a thing for Draco. We should cut Daphne off. Serves her right after she bitched about Harry bringing Ginny in with that house rivalry nonsense."

So Daphne Greengrass was part of the group, but Harry wanted to be friends with Ginny too and that caused a rift? Harry was getting a headache trying to figure out what was going on. He silently ate his tart, hoping they will stop gossiping. He still couldn't believe he was friends with Pansy. Harry noticed that Crouch was feeling extra nervous and using the serving spoon, he put a piece of pastry with chocolate glaze and raspberry filling on Barty's plate.

At least Crouch was suffering along with him.

"Yeah," Lavender nodded snottily, "boys can care about that stupid house rivalry, we pureblood girls should stick together."

She waved her hand around them. Harry breathed in sharply and stared inquisitively at Lavender. Why was she lumping Harry with them anyway? For one he was a guy, and for two, he didn't give two shits about this bullshit.

"No one should care about house rivalries," he said instead. "Besides we are adults and not students at Hogwarts, getting points to care."

"Seems like your Slytherin husband is rubbing off on you," Pansy said with a smirk.

"Of course, his husband is rubbing off on him," Lavender licked her lips suggestively.

Barty choked on the drink he was having, and Harry stared at the girls horrified. He turned his attention to Crouch and patted him on the back.

"So crude, Lavender," Pansy grinned. "Are you ok, Mr. Undersecretary?"

"Ye..s ..ss," Barty barely replied.

How could these be Harry's friends? He looked at Ginny again, and she looked at him shyly.

"Here Barty, have some water," Harry poured water for the man and glared at the girls.

"We missed having you with us for shopping," Pansy suddenly complained, playing with a strand of her hair. "I have heard there is some kind of Ministry ball. My father says it's for an important charity event. Need to buy something nice."

Harry nodded.

"Your cousin," Pansy continued. "Is he going to be there?"

"My cousin?" Harry looked at the girls, trying to scrap his brain to remember who she was talking about.

"Draco," Pansy sighed. "Can you put a word in for me?"

"No way he will date you Pansy," Lavender laughed. "Even if Harry asks him, and we both know how much Malfoy likes Harry."

"If Harry puts in the word," Pansy countered. "I will get a date with him. I never said I wanted to date him. Just have a date with him. Circe! Hold your horses! Draco listens to Harry. His precious cousin. Wouldn't let anyone date him at Hogwarts."

"Yeah," Lavender agreed. "He is awfully protective of you. And yeah was meaning to ask, what the hell were you doing with Theo?"

Harry cleared his throat. "Nothing," he said politely. "I was a little drunk. I probably was throwing up on him or something."

Barty seemed interested. He looked at Harry with fascination.

"Theo's such a slimy bastard," Pansy and Lavender looked at each other.

Ginny hadn't said a word. "How are you doing, Ginny?" Harry asked, smiling at her, hoping to change the subject

"I am good," she said with a smile back. "Thank you for inviting me. I always admired you."

Harry nodded awkwardly. This wasn't right. His life was not right. He didn't want to stay here any longer and be reminded of how screwed up things were. He wanted to go away. He got up.

"This was nice girls," he said softly, "I need to be home though."

"Yeah, wouldn't want you to get in trouble with the Minister," the girls laughed.

Harry's smiled strained. He wished them goodbye and left hastily with Barty.

A/N: Thank you guys for the amazing feedback. Hopefully you like this chapter as well. I wanted to dive deeper into some of the other relationships Harry had for contrast. Of course, Tom is in for some big surprises. Let me know what you think