( cis female | she/her | lulu antariksa ) —— isn’t that HILDE CROUCH? yeah that is them, sitting there at the GRYFFINDOR table with those other SEVENTH years. when sybill looks into that crystal ball of hers, she sees fire whiskey burning her throat, a roaring fire both warm and dangerous, cold shoulders from those who should love you most, lightning cracking and lighting up a darkened sky of angry clouds, a stolen glance that lasts a split second too long, slammed doors, hiding behind reckless behaviour, hiding a heart that keeps being broken which seems about right for that EIGHTEEN year old. anyway i’ve heard they’re pretty OUTSPOKEN, RECKLESS, and COURAGEOUS. apparently they’re a MEMBER of FOR THE LIGHT and HALFBLOOD but i’m sure that’s not related…
Born less than two years after the elder twins, Hilde seemed to follow the trend of her parents’ relationship moving quickly. Little did anyone but her mother know at the time, she was proof of the deterioration of their marriage. Bartemius Crouch was not her father.
He found this out when Hilde was a young child, further putting a wedge between the couple, and between parents and child.
She was privately viewed as a cause, not a symptom, of a failing relationship.
But Hilde never knew.
What she did know was that Barty Jnr was favoured by their mother, and Alice by their father. Both seemed to disapprove of her.
No one’s favourite, but no one’s least favourite either.
Without knowing the true cause of the rift, Hilde made her own conclusions.
She was always a rambunctious child, getting in trouble for talking or not paying attention.
She was impulsive, often forgetful, emotional. All things that seemed to irritate her father to no end. And therefore her mother, for upsetting the house’s mood.
It got worse the year her siblings went to Hogwarts, with no one else around to distract from her.
Hilde was glad to get to Hogwarts, to get away from her family home.
It was not too surprising that she was sorted into Gryffindor--she didn’t seem to really fit with her siblings’ house.
But she found a home in Gryffindor, where her mischief and impulsivity seemed less out of place.
And it didn’t slow down either, with Hilde often getting in trouble with teachers throughout her years.
She’s not stupid--in fact, she’s rather intelligent--but she’s easily distracted unless something grabs her attention and holds it.
She’s an avid partier, never afraid to get wild, and falling into trouble that it often takes her friends to help get her out of.
But she’s also fiercely loyal, never afraid to go to bat for a friend, nor to speak out against perceived injustices, consequences be damned. She’s stubborn and reckless, but she has a good heart and a strong moral compass.
she hadn’t planned to be here, but she had wanted to see her sister but considering how busy her schedule was she didn’t think that she would have the chance to see her today. she should be annoyed at how far she had to come to get here, but if she was being honest, she was just a little bit dramatic. she had grabbed one of her cigarettes, something that she probably shouldn’t be having, but had snuck one in and walked over towards a more secluded area of the park sitting on one of the benches figuring out what her next move would be. she knew that she could just go home, but where was the fun in that? she had seen some ministry people walking this way, she had put the cigarette down and had her head looking towards the pavement. it was definitely not a good look, but she had convinced herself that if she didn’t make much attention to herself then she was practically invisible, right?
Hilde could only work so much at the muggle bar Lily had helped her secure a job in. Muggles were weird and working was tiring. But that didn’t mean she wanted to go home. Not while she was arguing with Alice. Not while both the twins were now leaving. No way. The park was not exactly somewhere she’d planned on ending up, but it was where she was. And she just needed to sit down for a bit. Before she did something stupid, even by her standards. She didn’t exactly expect to end up sitting next to-- “Narcissa?”
she’d been chatting poor tedward’s ear off for the last half hour, nearly; mina might have been a little excited. she’d been continuously thwarted when trying to get time with hilde –– and she’d been trying since school let out –– and when she spotted her through the filthy window of the pub (she’d tried, okay, they’re impossibly dirty) she let out a squeal, threw her towel at ted, and was over the bar and out the door in a flurry of glitter and laughter. she bounced her way over to her cousin, never one to do something as boring as walk when filled with something as joyful as delight, and the bouncing didn’t stop once she’d reached her. “eeeee! i’m so excited I finally have you all to myselfffff” arms in the air she can’t help herself, still bouncing, still grinning, though the bouncing slowed as the fast (silent, thankfully) clapping began. “what should we do?!” are you hungry? do you wanna eat? do we wanna drink? do you wanna buy a cat? we can do anything! your choice, babes.”
Hilde was in a bad mood. Fighting with Alice about home, being home around her parents all the time, and then finding out Alice was moving? Despite arguing with her, Hilde really did like having her around, and although it had been years ago now, she had hated the last time the twins weren’t home. Her parents seemed to either actively ignore her, or be annoyed with her. Like she was a nuisance, even when she hadn’t done anything! It was different now, she was older and could leave when she wanted, but she still dreaded the thought. So when Mina came bounding over, it was hard not to be a little resentful. Hilde had always liked Mina, even if she spent more time with Alice than her. Mina’s energy was infectious, and Hilde couldn’t help the start of a smile, followed by a half hearted scowl.
“Mmm... I could eat, but you’re buying. You owe me.”
❝ we do , hilde . we do . mum and dad and anyone else ? sure that’s all pretend , all made up to make us seem normal . but don’t tell me we don’t have it . don’t tell me i don’t try and give us some normalcy ❞ she wasn’t the blind fool that her sister seemed to think she was in this moment ; she maybe even knew more than hilde did , knew every burden their mother had forced onto her . ❝ well that couldn’t be helped now , could it ? ❞
Hilde recoiled physically as Alice seemed to go on the offensive. Like Hilde had said something awful, rather than what was meant to be a joking remark. A poor one, in hindsight, but that wasn’t the point. But instead of backing down, apologising or moving on, Hilde felt herself turn defensive. Her chest clenched, her heart dropping through her stomach. Why did she have to be attacked for making a joke? She frowned, rolling her eyes, protecting herself the best way she knew; pushing back.
“I know it couldn’t be helped, Alice. That’s not the point I was making. God forbid I tell you I actually like having you around.” It felt vulnerable to admit, only to have it pushed back like Alice thought she was being a brat and not saying she missed her sister. Like Hilde was an insolent child, not Alice’s sister and only a year her junior. “I didn’t ask for you to give us normalcy. I’m allowed to comment on Mum and Dad’s lack of it.”
“i don’t think so – the only criteria i have right now, is anyone but my mum” grinning as the youngest crouch had his full attention, quirking a brow – he took a step down from the circular stool, “what kind of colours would you suggest? i need to grab a few of these and i’m open to suggestions”
“Well, I definitely fit that criteria.” She considered him carefully, taking her time to think about which colours he would suit. “Something jewel toned, I think. Rich blues or reds maybe. You’d look good in them. And they look formal too.”
Hilde chuckled at Arthur’s stunned expression. “Perfect. You’re buying first round, right? As the big graduate and all?” she teased. She led the way to the Three Broomsticks, finding a table for them in the warm, friendly pub. All around them chattering wix lit the place up, making navigating her way across the room with two full Butterbeers a bit of a challenge. “Alright. So, how’s your summer?”
❛ — but, of course. it’d be rude of me to not buy the first round and beat you, wouldn’t it ? ❜ he teased again. arthur plopped down into his seat and leaned back, thankful to not only get off his feet, but to be in a familiar setting again. it was always easier to relax that way. ❛ not too interesting thus far — i start my ministry position soon so i’m just trying to enjoy as much free time as possible. do you have any plans ? ❜ he asked, his hands reaching to help hilde bring both jugs down to the table without any spillage.
“Exactly right! Wait--” Hilde frowned, trying not to laugh. “No! I’m going to beat you. But it’d still be rude for you not to pay, Weasley.” She punctuated her words with a nod and putting the drinks down. “Avoid home as much as possible. Actually have some fun before NEWTs ruin my life all year? That’s about it. Oh! And Lily was going to help me get a job.”
❝ you say that as though order is inherently a bad thing hilde ❞ alice said with a sigh , she loved her sister , honestly she did but sometimes the younger witch was exasperating . she had grown up just the same as hilde had , she knew just how peculiar things were at home . she didn’t need hilde constantly throwing that in her face . ❝ i’ve still to get my plans in order so even if i am moving it won’t be till you’re back up north ❞
“I’m saying we don’t really have order, Alice.” It was all an illusion, and a tiring one at that. Alice might keep it up, might be able to tolerate it, but Hilde found it frustrating more than she even let on. “Well, I’m glad. Last time you both left at the same time, it wasn’t any fun. I mean, don’t let this go to your head but... I missed you.”
marlene had never enjoyed solemn moments , they were too quiet — too sad . they made her restless , on edge as if the sorrow in the air was simply the prequel to bigger tragedies , but she’d made a point to show up to the memorial service — an uncharacteristic sadness gracing her features , a nervousness in the way she stood rubbing the bottom of her glass watching people speak to grace . the tragedy was terrible in itself , but the implications of it were too troubling to be overlooked : it wouldn’t get better , especially not after rodolphus lestrange’s election . merlin helped them all , it felt like the whole wixen world was standing on a ledge , about to drop . she took a drink . " i want to talk to them , offer my condolences but . . . can you imagine having so many people try to shake your hand ? i almost feel selfish thinking about it . "
Hilde had never sat still long. Silence and solemnity made her uncomfortable, making it even harder. Still, she couldn’t not attend. Grace had been in the year above her, and her whole family was coming today. Not to mention... She felt an anxious sense of doom hovering over her. Oh, the impending doom had been there before, but now it felt more... real. More visceral. Hilde hated it, but she couldn’t shy away from it either. She stood next to Marlene, drink in hand. “I would hate it. I’d want them all to just... piss off. I mean, I get it. People want to remember them, but if it were me... I wouldn’t want so many people looking at me. Imagine trying to grieve like that.”
his wardrobe was lacking – his mum had been a bit more colourful with her choice of words and absolute horror of the growth that he had managed, but it was time for him to embark on the most dreaded task - dress robe fittings. he had no excuses - with the mckinnon wedding coming up, the garden party and the countless events his career was going to plague him with, he might as well get through it.
what he hadn’t expected was a familiar face, “so, what do you think?” rather than be embarrassed, he was rolling with it, “mum wanted something more colourful, but this seems timeless – doesn’t it?”
Hilde had come into Madam Malkin’s for similar reasons to Frank; the upcoming wedding and her parents’ garden party namely. She hadn’t expected to run into Alice’s boyfriend (or was that still complicated?), but that was only an unexpected upside.
“I think you’re asking the wrong Crouch sister, no?” Hilde liked Frank. He was nice enough and, more importantly, Alice liked him and he made her happy. Even if that seemed to cause her older sister to have existential crises, because Godric knew their role models for ‘romance and commitment’ wasn’t a steady one. “See, I like more colour. But timeless is probably the wiser decision.”
arthurs lips formed an ‘o’ before he began to laugh at hilde’s confidence over him. he was sure she’d try, and maybe he’d take it easy on her, but he was always up for any type of challenge. ❛ definitely the three broomsticks — rosmerta’s butterbeer and other drinks are hands down the best by far. ❜
Hilde chuckled at Arthur’s stunned expression. “Perfect. You’re buying first round, right? As the big graduate and all?” she teased. She led the way to the Three Broomsticks, finding a table for them in the warm, friendly pub. All around them chattering wix lit the place up, making navigating her way across the room with two full Butterbeers a bit of a challenge. “Alright. So, how’s your summer?”
" y'got it , i’ll owl ya once i do . you’ll get paid in muggle money but that might come in handy . " lily shot her friend a grin , nose wrinkling and shoulders shrugging as she walked , a raise of a brow punctuating her next words . she knew hilde enough to know that things were most likely not . . . great , but it was her duty as a friend to ask . " y'wanna talk about it ? home , i mean ? "
“Perfect. Thanks, Lils.” She grinned right back, though it froze as she saw Lily steering the conversation in a new direction. One that Hilde didn’t really want to get into. “Not much to say. Same old, same old.” The fact that Hilde did not want to be home spoke enough to what the usual was. Not to mention the fact that most of the time, it seemed to go unnoticed that she wasn’t there. “Barty’s moving out. Which is... interesting.”
𝑏𝑎𝑟𝑡𝑦 𝑠ℎ𝑜𝑜𝑡𝑠 ℎ𝑒𝑟 a laugh for the comment . ❛ i’d vote no , but that might be with a bit of bias in it . ❜ he gives a look down at the box , shaking his head . ❛ not at all . i’ve lost three at the least to just running for the fields . they make for a challenge , all right . ❜ his steps follow down the halls , turning over his shoulder to address the question . ❛ no . i made sure i had a fireplace i could just floo to . no need to transport them all , ❜ he says , coming into the room with a few boxes sat by already . ❛ we’ll just be laying them here and travelling back and forth to get it in . ❜
“You’re right, you are too biased to get a vote.” Hilde shoots Barty a smile dripping with feigned innocence. Which turns into her nose wrinkling as she looks down at the box again. “Sounds like more trouble that it’s worth really. Can’t you just use a magical marker that isn’t an asshole?” She was impressed with his forethought to ensure his floo connection was in before moving; it was the kind of thing she would forget. “Perfect. What’s the address again?”
❝ and the wonderful thing about having just sat them is that i can join you in that , try and keep at least the illusion of order around ❞ she teased , knowing her sister probably wouldn’t want a glorified babysitter tagging after her all summer . ❝ just don’t wind up dead in a ditch somewhere and i’ll do my best to keep them off your back ❞
“All about the illusion of order in our family,” Hilde muttered under her breath before flashing Alice a smile. “You must really want to get out of Mum’s hair if you’re tagging along,” she teased back. She laughed, shrugging. “Look, no promises. But I seem to have a knack for pulling through anyway. Mum and Dad are the bigger problem. So, thanks.” She paused, looking around herself, and trying not to let her true feelings about this summer show through. “So, are you both moving out then? Is it just going to be me soon.”
❛ 𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑔𝑜𝑖𝑛𝑔 give me reason not to , now ? ❜ barty throws her a grin , shoulders coming up at the question . ❛ part of the practice in it , ❜ he explains noncommittally . ❛ the idea is that real locations aren’t guaranteed to be monotonous . so these start to move around at will , keeping you in check for spatial awareness and the likes . ❜ he carries on , fitting all else that he can from his desk before picking up the crate from its sides . he makes way around the room to lead hilde . ❛ just by the fireplace . the one up here — no need to head downstairs . ❜
“I don’t know, should I?” Hilde matches his grin, mirroring him perfectly. “I see,” she replied, looking at the box as if the contents were about to try and spring forth. Hopefully the dark would... lull them into stasis. “So they follow the real locations or are they just frustrating?” Maybe she was missing something here. “Oh so we’re not actually lugging this stuff downstairs then?” She almost made a comment about who could be downstairs, but decided against it. Like this summer wasn’t going to be chaotic enough.
“Sure, it probably is fine to take a day off, but I don’t exactly like that.” Personally, Kaz liked worrying. If he didn’t have something to worry about, then he didn’t know what to do. This was his last summer to be a child, except he’d never felt like a child before. Maybe he could find a way to relax a bit and enjoy this break before going back to school and worrying about exams and his future. “Really? That sounds entertaining to you? Most people find art stores overpriced and boring.” He hadn’t meant for it to sound judgmental, though it probably came out that way.
“You do you, I guess?” Hilde half-admired it really. The determination and drive to study. She just didn’t have it. Her siblings did, and got the grades to prove it. Hilde... Hilde was a disappointment. A ‘could’ve been better’, ‘not living up to potential’. She was far too used to all of that. No one could explain why her brain just... wouldn’t cooperate, so she cloaked herself in armour of indifference. “Sure, why not? Art supplies are interesting. And besides, like I said, it’s anything to go out for a bit.”
“ it’s worth checkin’ , merlin knows they’re flooded during the summer , maybe someone needs a hand . i stuck to muggle london , but that’s just 'cause i fancied a change . ” lily hummed , brow raising at hilde’s suggestion but head bopping as she considered it , a smile spread on her lips as she continued . " as long as you get the money right , i d'know why you couldn’t — your parents don’t have to know . they’re lookin’ for someone to cover for me and the other girl who works here , yeah . y'want me to put in a good word with 'em ? "
“Ain’t that the truth. Every time I go it’s like a Hogsmeade weekend only worse. More families out and about, all that. I should ask.” And this was why Lily was the smart one. Hilde hadn’t even thought of it, but it was a good idea. “That’s true. I’d say normally my siblings might find out, but they’re both busy moving... Hmm. Yes! Please, I’d love that.”
“ alright, field trip. you and i. but where two… ” arthur paused as he brought his hand to his chin in a ‘thinking’ position. “ see who can down the most butterbeers in one sitting ? i think i’ll reign champion, but i’m down to let you have a try, ” he teased.
“Ooh, I’ll take that challenge! Maybe it’s time someone knocked you off the top.” Hilde grinned. Arthur would probably win, but Hilde was willing to try, mostly because it would be fun more than anything else. And butterbeer wouldn’t drink her under the table as quick as something like Firewhiskey anyway. “Three Broomsticks? Or Hogs Head?”
