Re-establishing Alliance

Hearing the words "Grab Wand," James's expression changed instantly.

He quickly strode forward and blocked Barty Jr., pausing for a second before thinking of an excuse on the spot: "Wait, wait, wait! Crouch, calm down! Rosier's detention ends tonight, right? Just finished the first week?"

Barty Jr. stopped and turned back, frowning. "How did you know?"

James pointed to his badge, imitating a prefect: "Lupin! Prefect Privilege! Duplicating an itinerary is a piece of cake."

Regulus also leaned in. "Why do you care about Rosier?"

Seeing that he had temporarily escaped mortal danger, James stepped forward again. "Listen, I have a brilliant idea. How about we give her a Special Welcome Back? Two weeks of detention is too lenient for her."

Barty Jr. stared at him for a moment, his lips twitching. "No, Reg, you should ask them why they suddenly care so much about Lucretia."

James glanced in Lucretia's direction. "Hey, she's our prized student, the one we trained ourselves. Are we just going to watch her get bullied? Besides, a bully like Rosier, shouldn't she be taught a lesson?"

Sirius chimed in. "Whoever bullies a newcomer should pay the price."

Regulus chuckled lightly. "Ha! That's hilarious, Sirius. What about Smith from our house? Last semester, you guys hung a first-year newcomer from the Castle just because he wore Matching Socks with you?"

James said righteously, "That kid deserved it! He followed us around for a month, imitating everything we said and did. It was so annoying! Is that the same thing?"

Barty Jr. remained silent but didn't move away.

James scratched the back of his head. "But, you know, acting alone is too risky. Padfoot and I discussed it, if someone could help from the inside..."

Barty Jr. said slowly, "So you're here begging for cooperation? You think I'd do something stupid with you?"

James said with a hint of admiration, "Speaking of which, Jasper's Stairs Accident was brilliant! I bet you did it? That Delayed Trigger Leg-Locker Curse was pure art. We tried it several times and couldn't get the timing right."

Barty Jr.'s expression flickered, then he put on a stern face. "I don't know what you're talking about."

James rested his chin on his hand, looking appreciative. "Come on, others might not know, but we do. You didn't hold back when you got revenge for Lucretia. We studied that delayed effect of the Leg-Locker Curse; it requires Control Skill of at least sixth-year level. And choosing that section of the Shifting Stairs, the timing was perfect. Madam Pomfrey said she'd never seen anyone fall down stairs so badly."

Regulus saw Barty Jr.'s lips curve slightly and coughed softly. "What do you want to say, Potter?"

James pointed at Barty Jr. "What I mean is, with people of your caliber involved, our plan's success rate will be much higher."

Barty Jr. ignored him.

Just as James was about to continue persuading him, Lucretia walked over, carrying several exquisite boxes.

The four boys instantly fell silent, and the air grew quiet.

Lucretia looked at Barty Jr.'s tense face and then at James's excited expression. "What were you guys talking about? It seemed very... intense?"

"Nothing."

The four of them said in unison, then exchanged an awkward glance.

Miss Lucretia blinked, clearly not believing him, but she simply handed the largest box in her hands to Regulus.

"This is for you. I made some snacks in the kitchen."

Regulus was immediately distracted. "Really? Good sister, what did you make?"

Seeing his sparkling eyes, Miss Lucretia couldn't help but smile. "You said last time you wanted citrus-flavored desserts, so I made Orange Almond Cookies and Lemon Tarts."

Little Barty glanced at the box, the tense lines on his face relaxing. "Did you make these specifically for lunch today?"

Miss Lucretia nodded. "I knew you'd be training this afternoon and figured you'd be hungry anyway."

James cleared his throat. "About what we were just saying..."

The book title can't be found, you can try searching for the author, maybe the name has been changed!

Little Barty glared at him. "Not now, Potter. Serves you right for failing dates seventy-nine times."

James clutched his chest and pointed to a corner of the grandstand further away. "Uh, I... this, cough cough. Can we talk privately then? Just you, me, Regulus, and Padfoot. Just for a few minutes."

Miss Lucretia didn't think much of it. "It's fine, you guys go ahead."

"This won't take long."

Little Barty said softly to her, took the box of snacks from Regulus, and followed James towards the far end of the grandstand.

The boys formed a circle in the corner of the grandstand.

James gestured wildly as he spoke, Little Barty listened with a blank expression but managed to hear, Regulus nodded or shook his head occasionally, and Sirius leaned against the railing, interjecting occasionally with his usual nonchalant air.

Miss Lucretia sat in the grandstand, watching the other team members still training in the sky, occasionally glancing at the four of them talking in hushed tones.

She was curious about what they were planning, it looked just like it did during the summer holiday.

A few minutes later, they returned.

Little Barty was silent for a long time, then finally nodded.

"Eight o'clock, opposite the Room of Requirement. Don't bring Pettigrew, or else..."

James almost jumped up to high-five him. "That's great! I promise you won't regret it, Crouch!"

Little Barty pushed James's hand away. "Don't celebrate too early. If you mess this up, I'll happily make you take the blame."

James grinned brightly. "We won't mess it up! Miss Lucretia, thank you very much for the wonderful snacks and chaperone service, but I'm afraid we have to take our leave. Your escort knights have some urgent matters to prepare for. Shall we give you a ride back?"

Little Barty blocked James and waved his hand impatiently. "Lucretia doesn't need your escort. She's staying to watch the training. Now, you guys can leave."

Sirius nodded at Miss Lucretia. "Then we won't disturb you any further."

His gaze lingered on the pastries in the transparent box for a moment.

The imperfect leaf decoration on the Lemon Tart...

Lucretia noticed his gaze. "Mr. Black. Don't steal Lily's pastries next time, okay?"

Sirius curled his lips and whispered as he passed her, "Okay, next time I'll ask for the source directly."

James couldn't help but give a tactical cough again beside him, tugging on Sirius's sleeve. "See you at eight! Don't be late!"

After the two left, Little Barty turned to Lucretia.

"I have to go back to training, Selwyn is already angry. Did you really make Lemon Tarts?"

Lucretia hesitated as she opened the box. "I tried Frost Transfiguration, it wasn't very successful."

Little Barty looked at the leaf decoration, his expression softening. "It looks quite nice."

Regulus was already eagerly eating Orange Cookies. "Wait, what did you add this time? This flavor is amazing!"

Lucretia smiled, watching Regulus pop cookie after cookie into his mouth. "It's a secret."

Little Barty tasted the Lemon Tart and nodded. "The frosting is different?"

Lucretia nodded. "Headmaster Dumbledore's book has this recipe."

Selwyn was roaring on the field. "Crouch! Black! Are you guys reincarnated starving ghosts?! Hanging around a girl and eating endlessly?! Are you planning on coming back for training or not?!"

Regulus sighed and grabbed two more cookies. "Alas, sister, we have to go. See our captain? If we don't go over soon, he's going to hit someone."