Dementor Plant
Written for Shipping Week on Morsmordre
Prompt: foliage
Pairing: Barty Crouch Jr/Les
It didn't happen often, but evey now and then Les came home covered in leaves, her cloak dripping with pea soup. She left greenish puddles on the ground behind her, splattering the steps as she drifted towards the front door.
"Alessia!" Barty exclaimed as she hovered in the doorway. "What on earth happened?"
"I made the mistake of passing by the Barebone residence at lunch time," Les explained. "Jeanne was trying to feed her daughter, and the little brat threw her soup out the window. Then a gust of wind came up and blew part of Mary Lou's leaf collection in my face."
Barty chuckled, reaching out and plucking a handful of leaves from a fold in his wife's cloak. "You look like a plant. A dementor plant."
Seeing him smile lifted her spirits, including the ones she inhaled for breakfast.
"I can help you into something cleaner and more comfortable," said Barty, the leaves rustling as he combed his fingers through her hair. "Would that make you feel better?"
Les nodded, her eyes closing as she rested her head on his shoulder. Already she was feeling more relaxed, ready to sink into the warmth and comfort of his embrace. And then she had an idea.
.oOo.
Barty came home from work one night, exhausted and reeking of the stench of blood. He lit the candles with a wave of his wand, sank into his favorite armchair and sighed.
"Merlin, what a day." He lifted a hand and massaged his aching temples. "So many filthy Muggles, so little time."
He failed to notice the potted plant in the corner of the room, its leaves dark and twisted, blackened like strips of burnt paper. This plant was covered in gorgeous lavender blooms, and each one gave off a marvelous fragrance.
A leaf began to move, to quiver oh so gently, catching his eye.
"What?" Barty breathed, lifting his head and gazing at the peculiar plant.
"Barty," a voice whispered. "Bartemius Crouch junior." The plant was shaking and giggling. "I see you, dear. But do you know where I am?"
"What... what are you?" Barty asked, half rising from his seat. He pointed his wand at the plant, watching as it continued to chuckle in amusement. "Phil, I swear to Merlin, if that's you... If you're trying to trick me - "
"Don't be ridiculous." The plant rose up out of its pot, fluttering foliage and shreds of tattered fabric melding with the shadows. "I am dementor plant. A nocturnal variety, one that blooms at midnight just for you."
She approached her husband, sitting on his lap and wrapping her arms around his shoulders. Her fragment flowers tickled his nose, their intoxicating aroma delighting his senses as she placed a kiss on his cheek. And in that moment all he could see was her, a ring of delicate petals framing her face, dark and beautiful as he allowed himself to be lured into her embrace.