The End of the Affair

The End of the Affair

"But sir," Miranda Leighton protested. "I don't understand."

"Your work is not up to this Department's standards," replied Crouch coolly. "If you have any further questions, Miss Leighton, you can take this matter up with the Department secretary, Mrs. McCabe."

Miranda looked stunned. "I've done everything required. I..."

"I have an appointment to prepare for," said Crouch. "Excuse me."

Miranda stared after him.

"Well, that was sudden," said young Arthur Weasley, looking across the room. No one else said anything. They watched Miranda standing there for a minute. Then suddenly she ran out of the room.

Barty Crouch was in his office, going through a stack of parchment. He looked annoyed at Miranda's arrival.

"Why are you doing this to me?" she hissed, closing the door behind her.

"Your performance has been most unsatisfactory. If you like, I can have everything written up for your benefit: the hours you've wasted gossiping, the extended lunches... There is every reason to dismiss you."

"But everyone takes long lunches! You're not sacking them, Barty!"

"You'll please not address me by my Christian name."

Miranda let out a moan. "This is about Alysoun, isn't it?" she said fiercely.

"And you will not discuss my wife! Miss Leighton, you have been dismissed, and if there's any more fuss from you, I'll send you down to a holding cell to cool your head."

Miranda fell into a seat. "How can you be so cruel?" she demanded. "Is it my fault that..."

"You can't dress and act like a respectable witch? Yes, I would think so. You might want to rethink your temptress persona. It doesn't seem to be getting you anywhere."

"Barty!"

He looked at her coldly. "You thought it'd be exciting to have an affair with a senior Ministry official. Well, is this ending exciting enough for you?"

"Don't you love me at all?"

"No."

"Did you ever love me?"

"No. Hasn't anyone ever explained the difference between love and lust to you, Miranda?"

"I loved you," said Miranda. "I still love you, Barty."

"You're to be pitied then," he said.

"Barty..." He shook his head. "Mr. Crouch," she said desperately. "Couldn't I stay on in the Ministry? You could transfer me to another Department."

"No," said Crouch. "I want you out of my world."

"You're doing this for Alysoun's sake, aren't you?"

"Yes, I am doing this for Alysoun's sake," said Crouch. "She's my wife, you silly little twit. And the mother of my son. And I love her."

"Is that why you've been fucking me, then?"

"Leave my office now!" shouted Crouch, his eyes bulging. "Unless you'd prefer that I make a few changes to your file that'll scare off any employer!"

Miranda started crying.

"And if you ever mess with me or my family, you will regret it."

Miranda hesitated a moment.

"Leave."

She finally obeyed. Crouch sat down at his desk again, and closed his eyes. For a few seconds, he sat there, trying to relax. Then he stood up, walked across the room, and locked the door.

He went back to his work. After three hours at his desk, he stopped, checked his pocket watch, and put away his files. He slipped out of his office without speaking to anyone and went down to the Ministry flooportal. He noted on his way that Miranda's desk had been cleared out.

Home was waiting for him, completely undisturbed as if there weren't a rash of killings by a band of dark wizards to contend with, as if he weren't bound night and day to his work, as if he had never been unfaithful to Alysoun.

She kissed him and quickly drew him into the events of the household. He found himself exaggerating his praise of his son's pictures, listening to his younger sister proudly play the piano, and generally wasting the evening with little thing he rarely considered. Alysoun gave no hint of anything but perfect domestic happiness.

"Are you sleeping in my room tonight?" she finally asked, though, after Winky had taken the children off to bed.

"Yes, unless you'd rather I not."

"No, Barty, of course not."

It was time to say it. "I'm sorry, Alysoun."

"Yes, I know."

"I had the girl sacked."

"She must hate me," said Alysoun.

"She hasn't any right to. I never gave her any reason to think she could take your place in my affections."

"Well, other than sleeping with her," said Alysoundrily. "Look, Barty, I'm sick and tired of calling her 'the girl.' Does she have a name?"

"Miranda Leighton."

"Is she pretty? But of course she is. The Crouches always have the best of everything."

Barty said nothing.

"And it's awfully unfair that I'm the one who's accused of being unfaithful!" she cried.

"No one believes that. I know that Barty's my son, and I couldn't wish any better than for him to have your looks."

"Do you really believe that?" asked Alysounin an agonized tone. "I thought perhaps you had this affair with that girl - with Miranda - because you doubted me..."

"Oh God, no!"

She was crying.

"Oh my poor Alysoun," he said, taking her into his arms.

"I've felt so alone," she sobbed. "It's as if I'm married to your position, not to you."

"It wasn't Miranda that's kept me from home. It's my work."

"Your work's at the bottom of everything."

"Would you want me to resign my post?"

"No, damnit. You're going to be Minister for Magic, Barty."

He smiled, and held her closer to him.