Reforging the Alliance

At the mention of taking out wands, James's expression changed at once.

He hurried after him and blocked Little Barty's path. After a second's pause, inspiration struck him. "Wait, wait! Crouch, calm down first! Rosier's detention ends tonight, right? The first week just passed?"

Little Barty stopped and turned back with a frown. "How do you know?"

James pointed at his badge and imitated a prefect. "Lupin! Prefect Privilege! Copying a timetable is a piece of cake."

Regulus leaned closer as well. "Why do you care about Rosier?"

Seeing that he had temporarily escaped mortal danger, James stepped forward again. "Listen, I've got a brilliant idea. How about we give her a Special Welcome Back? Two weeks of detention was letting her off too easily."

Little Barty stared at him for a while, the corner of his mouth twitching. "No, Regulus, you should ask why they're suddenly so concerned about Lucretia."

James glanced in Lucretia's direction. "Hey, she's our prized student. Are we supposed to just watch her get bullied? Besides, a girl like Rosier, who throws her weight around, needs to be taught a lesson."

Sirius chimed in, "Anyone who bullies first-years should pay the price."

Regulus gave a soft laugh. "Ha! That's rich, Sirius. What about Smith from our house? Last term, you lot hung a first-year from the castle just because he wore the same socks as you?"

James replied righteously, "That brat deserved it! He followed us around for a whole month, copying everything from how we talked to how we walked. It was annoying! How was that the same thing?"

Little Barty said nothing, but he did not leave either.

James scratched the back of his head. "Still, acting alone is too risky. Padfoot and I worked it out—if someone could help from the inside..."

Little Barty said slowly, "So you came to beg for cooperation. You think I'd join you in doing something stupid?"

James looked at him with a hint of admiration. "Speaking of which, Jasper's Stairs Accident was excellent! I guessed it was you? That Delayed Trigger Leg-Locker Curse was practically art. We tried it several times, but we could never get the timing right."

Little Barty's expression shifted, then he put on a blank face again. "I don't know what you're talking about."

James rested his chin in his hand, looking impressed. "Come on. Others might not know, but we do. You didn't hold back when you stood up for Lucretia. We studied the delayed effect on that Leg-Locker Curse. It required at least sixth-year-level control. And choosing that section of the Shifting Stairs—the calculation was perfect. Madam Pomfrey said she'd never seen anyone fall down stairs that badly."

Regulus saw the corner of Little Barty's mouth lift and coughed lightly. "What are you trying to say, Potter?"

James pointed at Little Barty. "I mean, with people at your level involved, our plan's chances of success would be much higher."

Little Barty ignored him.

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

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

Lucretia looked at Little Barty's tense face, then at James's excited expression. "What are you talking about? It looks rather... intense?"

"Nothing."

All four answered in unison, then exchanged awkward looks.

Lucretia blinked. She clearly did not believe them, but she merely handed the largest box to Regulus.

"These are for you. I made some pastries in the kitchen."

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

Seeing his sparkling eyes, Lucretia could not help smiling. "Last time, you said you wanted citrus-flavored desserts, so I made orange almond cookies and lemon tarts."

Little Barty looked at the box, and the tension in his face eased slightly. "You made them specially at noon today?"

Lucretia nodded. "I knew you were training this afternoon, so I thought you'd definitely be hungry."

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

Little Barty shot him a glare. "Not now, Potter. No wonder you've failed at dating seventy-nine times."

James clutched his chest and pointed toward a distant corner of the stands. "Uh, I... well, ahem. Can we talk privately? Just you, me, Regulus, and Padfoot. Only a few minutes."

Lucretia did not think much of it. "It's fine. You go ahead."

"This won't take long."

Little Barty said quietly to her, taking the pastry box Regulus handed him before following James toward the far end of the stands.

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

James gestured wildly as he spoke. Little Barty remained expressionless but listened reluctantly. Regulus nodded or shook his head from time to time, while Sirius leaned against the railing and occasionally added a comment, looking as carefree as ever.

Lucretia sat in the stands, watching the other players continue their training in the sky, occasionally glancing at the four whispering together.

She was very curious about what they were planning. It looked just like it had during the previous summer holiday.

A few minutes later, they returned.

Little Barty was silent for a long time before finally nodding.

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

James nearly jumped up to high-five him. "Brilliant! I promise you won't regret this, Crouch!"

Little Barty pushed James's hand away. "Don't get excited too soon. If you mess this up, I'll be more than happy to make you take the blame."

James beamed. "We won't mess it up! Miss Lucretia, thank you very much for the wonderful pastries and babysitting service, but I'm afraid we must be going. Your escort knights have something urgent to prepare. Want us to take you back while we're at it?"

Little Barty stepped in front of James and waved him off impatiently. "Lucretia doesn't need your escort. She's staying to watch the training. Now get lost."

Sirius nodded to Lucretia. "Then we won't disturb you."

His gaze lingered on the pastries inside the transparent box.

That slightly imperfect leaf decoration on the lemon tart...

Lucretia noticed where he was looking. "Mr. Black. Next time, don't steal Lily's pastries, all right?"

Sirius curled his lips into a smile and murmured as he passed her, "All right. Next time, I'll ask where they came from directly."

James could not help coughing theatrically twice beside him, tugging on Sirius's sleeve. "See you at eight! Don't be late!"

Only after the two had left did Little Barty turn to Lucretia.

"I need to get back to training. Selwyn is already angry. Did you really make lemon tarts?"

Lucretia hesitated before opening the box. "I tried Frost Transfiguration. It didn't go very well."

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

Regulus was already eagerly eating the orange cookies. "Wait, what did you add this time? This tastes incredible!"

Lucretia smiled as she watched Regulus stuff cookie after cookie into his mouth. "It's a secret."

Little Barty took a bite of the lemon tart and nodded. "The frosting is different?"

Lucretia nodded. "The recipe was in Headmaster Dumbledore's book."

Selwyn was hopping mad on the pitch. "Crouch! Black! Were you starving in your past lives? You've been standing around a girl eating nonstop! Are you coming back to train or not?!"

Regulus sighed and grabbed two more cookies. "Ah, sister, we have to go. See our Captain? If we don't get over there soon, he's going to start hitting people."