AN: This is a word of fiction using the characters from Harry Potter that are trademarked by J.K. Rowling
Barty leaned against the weathered stone wall of the manor, tense and contemplative, a cigarette rested between his fingers. His eyes were fixed on the distant horizon as he lifted his hand and took a long drag, then exhaled a cloud of smoke into the cold air.
He was startled at the sound of approaching footsteps. He turned to see Greyback emerge from the shadows, his form a silhouette against the glow from the light in the manor. Greyback's eyes gleamed with a predatory glint as he sauntered over toward Barty.
"All good?" Greyback asked gruffly.
Barty flicked the ash off his cigarette, his expression focused. He nodded curtly in response to Greyback's question, "As good as it'll ever be."
Greyback leant against the wall beside Barty, his gaze fixed on the distant lights that twinkled in the valley below. His demeanor was tense, as if ready to pounce at any moment.
"You seem restless, Crouch. Something on your mind?"
Barty took another drag from his cigarette, the ember glowed brightly in the dark. He hesitated for just a moment before he answered, ensuring that his voice was low and measured.
"Just the usual. This mission…It's crucial to the cause. The Dark Lord's orders must be carried out without error. I don't have much confidence in the new recruits."
Greyback's lip curled into a snarl, his teeth glinted in the moonlight. He nodded in understanding, a dangerous glimmer in his yes, "They won't know what hit 'em. We'll leave our mark."
Barty's jaw tightened and he felt a brief flicker of conflict before it passed through him. He forced a cold, determined expression, and squashed any hint of hesitation that he felt. It would do him no good for Greyback to catch a whiff of hesitation.
"They will pay for defying our Lord. We'll ensure that," Barty boasted.
There was a tense pause between them, the night was alive with the distant howls of creatures and the wind that rustled through the trees. Barty crushed the cigarette under his heel and turned towards his companion.
"Time to rejoin the other. We must keep them waiting," Barty said with a smirk.
Greyback nodded, a feral grin spread across his face as he pushed off the wall and straightened up. They shared a knowing look before they made their way back inside, their steps were purposeful and determined, ready to spread darkness over the world.
Word Count: 403
Challenges/Prompts:
December Advent Calendar – Barty Crouch Jr / "All good?" / Cigarette
Scamander's Case – Fenrir Greyback