Chapter Text
Jungkook
Their plan is simple, meet Taehyung on the corner of the corridor that leads to the girl's bathroom on the second floor after lunch. Everyone is going to be in class, where Jungkook should be as well.
There’s always a first time for skipping classes.
Taehyung is right on time, he’s grinning and with a high-five as greeting, hides behind the statue on the corner of the corridor with Jungkook. From their hiding point, they watch as Jimin arrives, not five minutes later and enters the bathroom. They can’t hear what’s happening inside, but Jimin seems to be successful, because Myrtle leaves the bathroom behind him, hovering a few inches higher than him.
“Let's go,” Taehyung says when Jimin-Hyung and the ghost turn in their opposite direction.
They run to the bathroom and Jungkook feels his heart beating out of his chest from excitement. Taehyung grins beside him.
“What if you pronounce them wrong?”
“Shut up Tiny.”
“Did you practice before? If we miss our chance—“
“You are jinxing it!”
“I'm not! I’m just trying to be realistic.”
“It's pessimist what you are being.”
“Go on then!”
“I will! Shut up!” He says and Jungkook smirks, it’s his favorite thing, to rile up his Hyung.
Taehyung starts speaking it, Jungkook only hears hisses and it’s creepy, the hairs on his arms raise. For a moment, Jungkook thinks Taehyung mispronounced something because nothing happens, but there’s a noise from beneath them and the sink in front of them begins to move. It lowers in front of them, revealing on the wall a large pipe, large enough for both of them squeeze in.
Jungkook, suddenly nervous, blurts. “The sink sank.”
Taehyung snorts and does the unthinkable. He reaches for Jungkook’s hand and squeezes it once before letting it go. It all happens very quick and Jungkook doesn’t think it’s fair, that he’s going to pass out moments after finally opening the Chamber of Secrets.
Taehyung casts, “Lumus!” and enters the pipe whole, Jungkook is right behind him. There’s a corridor in front of them, the only light coming from Taehyung’s wand. Their steps echo on the walls around them and they can hear running water.
It’s not a very long corridor, they find old snake skin on the floor and Jungkook shivers from the sight. When they reach the end of the corridor, there are two snakes tangled in each other engraved on the stone wall. “It’s another door.” Jungkook says after brief inspection, “I think you will have to repeat what you said.”
Taehyung nods and says the same thing. It's a lot noisier this time, with the echo and the stone moving, Jungkook wonders if anyone passing in front of the bathroom can hear them. The wall in front of them breaks in the middle, separating the two engraved snakes and this time it's Jungkook who grabs Taehyung’s hand. And he doesn’t let go.
They enter and it’s a long, dimly lit chamber, with stone pillars entwined with more serpents. Jungkook can’t see the ceiling, darkness coming before it. The whole place has an eery green tint to it. The first thing they notice is the statue of Salazar Slytherin in the far end of the Chamber; the next, is the dead corpse of the Basilisk. “Helga's left breast,” Taehyung says and squeezes Jungkook’s hand.
“It's still here.” Jungkook whispers, some part of him scared that if he speaks any louder, the thing might wake and eat them both.
Each step they take, their shoes squelch on the floor and it’s echoed around the room. The snakes around the stone pillars seem to watch them and Jungkook has to look away from them. When they reach the other side, Salazar Slytherin’s statue is bigger than Jungkook originally thought.
“Do you want to get closer to it?” Taehyung asks and with a nod, Jungkook is the one to pull them towards the thing. The hand in his making him very brave.
The entire floor is wet and there are small pools of water beside them and near the snake and statue. Taehyung pulls his hand away to explore on his own and Jungkook crouches down by the pool of water, it’s very clear. He screeches and falls on his backside when water hits him and turns his head to find Taehyung cackling, both hands on his knees.
“Merlin, your face!” He laughs and Jungkook snarls at him. “What were you doing anyway? Looking at your reflection on the water?”
“I was trying to see where the water came from.”
“Maybe from the rain.” Taehyung shrugs, “we are somewhere deep in the castle. I think the pipes end here. Do you see how wet this place is? I think it gets flooded when it rains, it’s the only thing that makes sense.”
Jungkook makes an agreeing sound and gets back on his feet. Taehyung is turning to inspect the dead Basilisk from up close, Jungkook is satisfied looking from where he is.
His eyes catch sight of something golden and he goes to inspect it. He crouches in front of it and notices that it’s a golden cup, barely bigger than the ones they use during their meals, it has a badger on one side and Jungkook recognizes as Hufflepuff’s animal. “Hyung, look. It’s Hufflepuff’s symbol.” He calls.
“What?” Taehyung asks, half of his head is inside the snake’s head. Jungkook makes a disgusted face at the scene and turns his attention back to the cup.
There’s black ink all around it and he has to step on it to reach the cup, “this thing here.” Jungkook says and turns to show it to Taehyung.
He sees Taehyung’s panicked expression and hears “Jungkookie, NO!” And then everything turns to black.
When his eyes open again, it’s too bright and he closes them right after, he groans. His entire body feels heavy and his mind is a little dizzy. He tries opening his eyes again and even blinking seems to have become a difficult task.
Jungkook finally manages to keep his eyes open and he doesn’t recognize where he is. There’s a noise on his left and he turns his head to find a blue creature beside him.
He blinks once, twice, trying to adjust and make sense of what he’s seeing. Jungkook recognizes the lips first and then the nose. But the whole blue thing doesn’t make sense.
“You are blue.” Jungkook says dumbly. He blinks again, lazily, there’s a flash of something carrying him out of the Chamber behind his eyes.
“I can’t turn back.” Taehyung says, his eyes are very blue, but not the blue he sometimes changes, it’s something unnatural and reminds Jungkook of ice.
Jungkook can’t seem to look away from those strange eyes. Even Taehyung’s lashes are blue. “You are very blue.” He says again and Taehyung makes a chocked up sound. He tries to raise his hand to touch Taehyung’s face, to see if it’s as cold as his eyes feel. When he can’t, he looks down and finds blue fingers wrapped in his own pale ones.
Taehyung makes to remove their joined hands and Jungkook doesn’t let him, squeezing his hand. They watch and Taehyung makes a strange sound when the blue hand goes back to the original golden color.
“Oh.” Jungkook says and looks again at Taehyung, he tries reaching again, this time with the other hand. Taehyung stays still when Jungkook’s fingertip touches his cheek and Jungkook chuckles when the skin under his finger is back to its original color when he removes his finger.
He’s probably still a little delirious and definitely on something heavy because he hears the words “Maybe if I kissed you, you’d go back to normal.” escaping his mouth.
“Maybe.” Taehyung says and leans down a little.
Jungkook doesn’t see if the blue disappears, because he closes his eyes right before their lips meet.
Taehyung’s lips are very soft and he feels his hand being squeezed and Jungkook presses his lips harder against Taehyung’s, the older boy opens his mouth a little and they shift, unsure at first. Jungkook feels his heart hammering on his chest. It’s his first kiss and when Taehyung’s other hand finds his neck he makes a surprised sound that has Taehyung grinning against his lips and Jungkook feels something exploding inside him, he tries to kiss the grin away, because finally, he can and he opens his own mouth and licks Taehyung lower lip, before pulling back only enough to kiss the mole there, Merlin, he has actually done it, he does again. Taehyung chuckles against his mouth.
“Uh-hum” They hear around him and they pull apart. Jungkook finds Taehyung almost completely on his bed, all his colors back to normal. Or not quite, because his skin is flushed and his eyes are dark.
Jungkook understand then, all the times he caught Taehyung’s eyes a little darker. He feels the air getting nocked out of his chest in realization.
“I'm sure you were quite busy, but you missed Taehyung’s hair going through all the colors of the rainbow just now.” Jungkook blushes, he literally forgot about the reason they had stopped kissing. He turns to find Professor Zabini standing at the end of Jungkook’s bed.
“I will have to kiss him again then.” Jungkook says and Professor Zabini guffaws, opening one of his huge smiles. Taehyung hair flashes red for a moment.
Jungkook can’t wait to kiss him again. He feels on fire. He has no idea what happened to him, but he has a one track mind and it’s stuck on the feel of Taehyung’s lips on his.
“You look better now, color back into your cheeks.” Professor Zabini says, a smirk on his lips, “you too,” he says to Taehyung. “All the blue was a bit too much.”
“What happened?” Jungkook asks and tries to sit up. He manages it without difficulties and Taehyung moves from the chair, sitting beside him. Their hands find each other under the hospital sheet.
“Now he asks.” Professor Zabini jokes. “You almost died kid.” He says and Jungkook feels his eyes widening in surprise. “Taehyung said you touched Hufflepuff’s cup. It was an Horcrux once and was impregnated with Basilisk venom.” Zabini explains, “Their venom kills in minutes. You were lucky this boy has many tricks under his sleeve and got you out of there in time. And also that Hogwarts is one of the only places where Phoenix’s tears are in hand. That’s what saved you. The only antidote to Basilisk venom is Phoenix’s tears. Phoenix are already rare enough to find, not to mention their tears.”
“But I’m okay now?” He asks.
Professor Zabini smiles again, “you tell me, with all that kissing.” He says and Jungkook feels his entire body burning. Taehyung beside him seems to share his feelings.
In more ways than one. Jungkook thinks, he grins to himself.
“Give the poor boys a moment, Blaise.” Madam Pomfrey says and she swats at Taehyung, sending him back to his chair. The healer fusses over him and after her inspection, deems him in complete health.
“That's good to hear then,” Blaise says, “Just in time for dinner. Let’s go. You had the whole castle turned upside down in worry.”
Jungkook gets on his feet and Taehyung hands him his uniform, which the quickly changes into behind the curtain.
Both him and Taehyung follow Professor Zabini out of the Hospital Wing to the Great Hall. Taehyung holds his hand the entire way and if Jungkook leans a little too much on Taehyung’s side, no one needs to know.
“Ready?” Taehyung asks. Jungkook sees so much more behind his eyes, it makes his cheeks burn. Taehyung gives him a knowing grin, “You never quit staring.”
“I can now.” Jungkook says in what can only be remains of whatever sort of adrenaline and bravery from their kiss.
It’s Taehyung’s turn to blush now. “You always could.” He says and before Jungkook can fully process the words and the meaning behind it, Taehyung is stepping away and entering the Great Hall behind Professor Zabini.
People turn to look, as they always do when someone passes through the big doors when the majority of students are already inside. They looks linger, because it’s Zabini and the Professor uses the space between the middle tables as his catwalk, strutting and waving a hand when a student openly ogles. Professor Nott at the High Table looks unaffected and entirely unimpressed.
People seem to realize who were behind their professor, because the whispers start and there’s people pointing at him as he tries to disappear on the ground somewhere between the doors and the Gryffindor table. Jungkook finds that it’s common knowledge what happened to him and where it happened when he catches words like ‘the Chamber’, ‘almost killed’ and ‘Harry's horcrux’ on the way.
He’s almost on his seat when something collides on his back. It’s small and warm and smells faintly like lavender. Jungkook looks down on the pair of arms around his waist and recognizes Jimin’s hands. They are small enough.
“Hey, Hyung.” He says, slightly out of breath because Jimin is crushing him.
“I was so worried.” Jimin says on his back and after another squeeze, circles him, standing on his side. “Don't do that again. I’d have hexed Tae but he was already so worked up, I didn’t have it in me.” Jungkook doesn’t say Jimin didn’t have it in him anyway.
Jimin pulls himself and Jungkook down on the Gryffindor bench, making himself at home with all the red and gold around him.
“How are you feeling Kook?” Seokjin-Hyung asks and he smiles at his Hyung.
“I'm really fine.” He says and Seokjin-Hyung doesn’t remove his eyes from him to the remaining of dinner.
During the entire meal, Jungkook lost count of how many times he answered the same questions, assuring everyone that yes, he was fine; no, he didn't feel homicidal; yes the Chamber was very cool but no, he didn’t have any intentions of going back.
Sometime along dessert, Yoongi-Hyung appeared and sat in front of him. Two Slytherins on the Gryffindor table raised a few unpleasant comments and looks, but the Slytherins seemed oblivious to it or just completely unbothered.
If felt nice, to have his Hyungs worry and fuss around him. They scolded Taehyung, when he and Hobi-Hyung appeared by the end of dinner, after most Gryffindors had left and they could find space on the table. Jungkook then learned that Taehyung had escaped reprimands from their friends because apparently they were scared of the blue form.
“I thought he was going to jump me!” Seokjin-Hyung said at some point, Jungkook’s eyes found Taehyung’s at that and they had to look away when it was clear they were thinking of the same thing: the kind of jumping that did happen.
It takes two days for Jungkook to realize what Seokjin-hyung is doing and admittedly, Jungkook only realizes it after he stopped to wonder why he and Taehyung haven’t kissed again. He’d have thought of that particular situation earlier, but he was still busy thinking about their first kiss and relieving the memory during every wake moment to think about their second kiss.
It’s been two days since their first kiss and the reason why there hasn’t been a second is because Seokjin-Hyung won’t leave his side. The first night after the accident, his Hyung had gone as far as put him to bed, for his mortification. Seokjin-Hyung is taking him to classes and waiting for him to go down for breakfast, as if he’s scared jungkook might run and find himself swimming in a pool of Basilisk venom.
Jungkook has no intention about ever returning there. He really just wants his kisses.
On Thursday, the seven of them find time to gather on the grounds near the courtyard, the weather finally agreeing with some outdoor lounging.
“I almost forgot the feeling of grass on my pants,” Seokjin-Hyung says, head on Namjoon-Hyung’s lap and body sprawled in front of him. Twice, a group of students had to detour to avoid stepping on him.
“Don't exaggerate.” Hobi-Hyung says, eyes on the game of Exploding Snap going between the two Hufflepuffs and two Slytherins. “We all know about yours and Joon’s affinity with activities in the Forbidden Forest.”
Jungkook laughs, already used to his Hyung throwning jabs and after months of it, Jungkook is quick to remove his thigh from the path of Namjoon’s leg kicking Hobi-Hyung. The movement puts him closer to Taehyung, now their shoulders and knees touch. Taehyung leans back slightly.
This is a new game they are playing, until they find time to be alone, to touch, touch, touch. It’s knees pressed against knees when they sit cross legged like this, legs pressed together in library alcoves, elbows touching over the table and hands that brush and fingers that trail, touch, linger, all the while everyone remain oblivious. And they are, because Seokjin-Hyung is still giving tips for his first kiss and Jimin-Hyung asked just yesterday if he had been angry or upset with Taehyung about the almost dying situation. Not even Yoongi-Hyung, who seems to know everything, this time is unaware of the new shift.
A card explodes and when Jimin and Taehyung move back to avoid being singed, Taehyung decides to move his arm and the movement has his arm brushing Jungkook waist, fingers drumming where their skin touch and finally resting on the grass behind him. Jungkook has to look away from them, hide his smile on his uniform.
“You are so terrible on this game Tae,” Chims says and jungkook doesn’t say that the boys is only terrible when he’s not paying attention.
Their evening is uneventful, but when the group departs at the Great hall, each one going to their respective tables, Jungkook feels his skin burning and breathing slightly erratic.
Saturday comes and brings the first of the the final games of the season. The Slytherin team is already clad in their uniforms on their table, Jungkook catches the two smaller forms between Slytherin male chaser and beater. The Gryffindor table and Slytherin are separated by the Hufflepuff one and even so Jungkook can hear how loud they are being. They know they are going to win the game. Jimin laughs carries in the room.
He removes his gaze from the Slytherin and tries to find his friends on the Hufflepuff table, he finds Hoseok first, all energy in what’s still too early for Jungkook, the boy doesn’t seem to mind, their late night yesterday has no weight on his Hyung shoulders as he tells something with lots of hands gestures and smiles. It’s one of the few Saturdays he gets to spend with them, free of training now that the Major league has started and the national team was given a break.
Jungkook decides he has stalled enough and tries to find Taehyung. Usually, the boy is in a similar way as Hoseok, excited conversation with his classmates, this morning, he finds Taehyung looking at him. He has a look that tells Jungkook that the boy had been looking for quite a while.
He’s proven true when he reads ‘my turn then?’ being mouthed. He rolls his eyes and doesn’t reply, he doesn’t need anyone around him thinking he’s crazy by talking by himself.
Taehyung leans back on his seat, raises an eyebrow and without breaking eye contact, sips on his juice. He smirks. Jungkook rolls his eyes again and snorts. This time Seokjin-Hyung throws him a curious look and since he has his back to the Hufflepuff table, he’s spared of Taehyung ridiculous antics.
Jungkook tries to copy him, all his lazy glory, he knows he has the smirk down to a notch, but he can’t help and exaggerate the air of superiority Taehyung sometimes emanates. He raises an eyebrow of his own and takes a sip, only to find he has missed his mouth by an inch. He splutters and Taehyung’s cackle is so annoyingly loud that both Seokjin and Namjoon look behind themselves to find out what’s going on.
Seokjin-Hyung turns back first, rolling his eyes, “Honestly, both of you.” He says, the fatherly tone he has taken in using when talking about him and Taehyung. “Scourgify!" Seokjin casts, cleaning his shirt from the orange juice spilled.
“What was this time?” Namjoon asks, laughter on his tone.
“He was being annoying.” Jungkook replies and tries to catch Taehyung between his Gryffindor Hyungs. The couple angle their heads to close the space, hiding Taehyung behind them.
“Knock it off.” Seokjin says, “it's not even ten in the morning.”
“He started,” Jungkook says, shrugging. He’s slightly upset he got caught, because now, whenever he and Taehyung are caught in—anything really, even breathing in the same space, has Seokjin trying to separate them.
“You don’t need to raise to his bait every single time.” Seokjin retorts.
“I think it’s called flirting, Love,” Namjoon says. Jungkook is lucky because he had just put a spoonful of cereal on his mouth.
Back on his meal, slightly soggy for being neglected for so long in his staring game, he lets himself feel a little frustrated.
Thankfully, this new game of theirs is short lived and Jungkook is glad, frustrated enough after only a week of it.
He knows purpose when he sees it and it looks like the way Taehyung stops Hobi from sitting beside Jungkook once they find enough space for the five of them. Taehyung makes their Hyung move to the side so he can fit in between and the moment the balls are in the air and everyone's eyes are on the air, Taehyung's pinky brushes Jungkook's and it’s the only warning before a warm hand holds his. When the Hufflepuff’s hair turn to a ridiculous green, they laugh, their secret, because Namjoon-Hyung thinks it’s to support Slytherin and not because Jungkook had just caught his hand.
Jungkook is sure the game was very good, because their friends were cheering throughout the game, Seokjin-Hyung complaining that the Headmistress hadn’t accepted his offer to comment this time, saying he’d have given Yoongi’s performance the commentary of his career and Jungkook is not really sure whether that was a good thing or bad thing. But his attention, for the forty-five minutes that Jimin takes to get the snitch, was on their pressed hands and their grinning, matching smile every time they’d catch the other sneaking a glance.
“What's so fucking funny?” Hoseok cracks when the game ends and Taehyung doubles over in laughter. “You two look like a pair of giggling girls.”
Jungkook can only prove his Hyung point by giggling.
Namjoon raises an eyebrow at them, clearly searching something. Their hands are their own again, Namjoon will only find their matching grins.
Taehyung looks at him, once more, finds Jungkook already looking, his hair gets a crazy blue, much similar to the one he had that day in the infirmary and Jungkook, punched by the memory, feels breathless, his eyes zone in Taehyung’s lips, his mole and Taehyung lets out the air that seems to be stuck in Jungkook’s lungs. “Fuck it,” He says and tugs on Jungkook’s sleeve, “let's bolt.” He says and pulls.
Jungkook goes.
They laugh the whole way down, their friends calling for him, he hears Jimin’s offended cry when they spot him and don’t slow down to give the congratulations he clearly deserves. They probably had just won the Quidditch Cup, with winning all their games. Once outside the stadium, free of prying eyes, the hand on his sleeve becomes a hand on his and they run, laughing, to no definite destination.
Their feet take them to the same spot by the lake, now with leafless trees after their merciless winter. The view of the castle is still as ridiculous gorgeous as it was on those last days of autumn and they stay quiet for a moment, side by side, hand in hand, feet inches from the water.
“I wanted to kiss you that day.” Taehyung says, breaking the silence. Jungkook turns his head to look at him, finds Taehyung already looking. “You were so insufferable.” Taehyung laughs and Jungkook watches as Taehyung takes a step closer. “Half of the time I wanted to throttle you.” He stops.
“And the other half?”
“Wanted to throttle myself for thinking about kissing you.” Jungkook smiles at that, a knowing smile, when he remembers how that moment felt like he was looking at Taehyung for the first time, like really looking. He remembers wondering what Taehyung would look under his many layers and realizes that now he knows, that he has been seeing it every time they are alone and Taehyung’s eyes crinkles when he smile and how his mouth becomes a little box. Jungkook realizes that it has been months of Jungkook looking and Taehyung looking back.
He takes a step closer, feet touching, he only has to tilt his head up a little, to make his intention clear. Taehyung tilts his head down, a minuscule movement, he’s not that taller and Jungkook’s lips threaten to curl in a smirk, but Taehyung doesn’t let him, kissing him before he has any chances.
It’s different the second time, with their bodies pressed together and Jungkook’s hand curling on Taehyung’s shirt on his stomach. Taehyung has his hands on Jungkook's waist and Jungkook burns, burns burns and leans more against him, Taehyung helps by bringing him impossibly closer. Jungkook opens his mouth in curiosity and feels his body melting as tongues meet and one of them makes a sound, Jungkook isn’t certain who, he feels slightly out of his body, like the hands that now move up Taehyung’s chest doesn’t belong to him, because how could he, Jeon Jungkook, be allowed such a thing? He barely knows how to kiss and he’s audacious enough to be doing it with Kim Taehyung, the castle sweetheart. His hands tangle on the magic that is Taehyung’s hair, curling at the strands on his nape, vaguely Jungkook wonders if he should open his eyes to see what color the strands are, but Taehyung makes a delicious sound and Jungkook gets derailed, he swallows it, burning it in his memory forever.
They stop to breath, but their hands still grip on each other, Jungkook doesn’t think he knows how to let go. Taehyung kisses the small, almost invisible scar on his cheek and from all the kissing, this is what has him blushing. “Jungkookie.” Taehyung says and Jungkook nods, not exactly sure why, but Taehyung seems to take this as an answer to resume kissing and that’s what they do.
This time, it’s Tae’s hands that trail up, leaving Jungkook’s sides on fire as they move and stopping on his chest, where he knows Tae can feel his heart hammering and up yet again, finding hold on his neck. They jump, noses bumping, when they hear barking behind them. Neither of them pull back and they watch with amusement as Tanie runs towards them, a small ball of brown fur. They jump again when the feel something on their legs and they look down to find Walnut, walking between their legs.
Jungkook drops his head on Taehyung’s shoulder and laughs, his entire body shakes with laughter and not even the amused laugh and small kiss on the side of his head has him stopping. “What's so funny?” Taehyung asks.
“Do you remember what I said when I saw you with her that day?” He asks and there’s no embarrassment on his voice, not when Taehyung is holding him so carefully.
The boy looks at him for a moment, confusion crossing his features before realization settles. “Oh.” He says. It takes another moment of Taehyung just looking and considering his next words. Jungkook has an idea of what is coming, he grins. “Well?” Taehyung asks, in his false nonchalant tone, “What did she bring you then?” He asks and the red tint on his cheeks betray his aloofness. But it’s an overall good performance, Taehyung gives him an O.
“You.” Jungkook says, Yontae barks again in the background, a single bark, demanding attention. Tanie will have to wait. “She brought me you.”
Taehyung kisses him again.
Jungkook thinks about the finals that are starting soon, about the summer that is two months away and he can’t wait for them, he can’t wait for any and every day that comes after this, because if all his upcoming days has Taehyung’s mouth on his, he’s ready for all of them.
Yoongi
The last week of May has all of them going to the Shrieking Shack almost every day, with the sole purpose of studying. Every end of year is the same, the library crowded with students. Jimin, Jungkook, Taehyung and Namjoon stay well away from him, Seokjin-Hyung and Hoseok. Yoongi has caught their few worrying glances and the many scared ones, probably trying to figure which of them is going to explode first.
Whether is Hoseok, from frustration because he thinks he doesn’t need his O.W.L.S since he’s going to play Quidditch and had half assed his studies the entire year and now has to catch up almost everything, something that has Yoongi climbing on the walls in agony.
But maybe is Seokjin-Hyung, who has proclaimed that his career is a secret, saying he's only going to them tell after the results and is on the limits of his patience, ready to do the exams and put this whole studying behind him.
Or it might be him, after having finally decided to become a Healer, where he can use his love for Potions and learn about all the many magical maladies at the same time. But he's halfway to regret his choice since he needs at least five N.E.W.T.S and all his professors, Longbottom included, only accept Outstanding students for their sixth years. “Fuck the war generation.” He mutters and throws the Herbology book on the table. “Bunch of overachiever fuckers.” Taehyung winces from where he sits, Jungkook looks with wide eyes.
They had brought the dining table to the living room, so they all could be in the same room but in separate war zones, as Taehyung had said. The three fifth years on the table and the other four around the coffee table, lounging on the sofa while they study. Jungkook has fallen asleep twice already. Yoongi envies him. He misses his first year exams so much.
“I'll drink to that!” Seokjin-Hyung says and makes to raise from his chair.
“No drinking.” Namjoon says from the love seat he is. Yoongi holds his breath and watches Seokjin-Hyung glare at Namjoon, who gazes back at him, almost daringly. Hyung is quiet for three, five, ten seconds and Yoongi is so sure he’s about to watch the first of them break. His eyes widen when Seokjin-Hyung sits back down and picks up his book. A single twitch of his eye tells them how close of a explosion they were.
They all look at each other, surprise mixed with wariness in their expressions, Namjoon is already back on his book, but there’s a smirk on his lips. Talk about big dick energy.
He watches the two Gryffindors for a moment, curiosity tangible. He knows that whatever this is, is about the secret meeting the two of them had over Christmas. Secret meeting that Yoongi and Hobi, even using every single tactic and trick, had still failed in finding what it was.
That night, when they go to sleep, Jimin close to his chest on the single bed, Hobi in the bed in front of them in what can only possibly be a big joke, the three of them whisper about what transpired hours ago.
“I was so certain that Hyung was going to throw the book at Namjoon,” Hobi says and Jimin agrees. Yoongi had only looked at Hyung’s face and missed the way, according to Jimin and Hobi, that Seokjin gripped on the book.
“Of course Joon knows what Hyung plans to do,” Yoongi states the obvious, “but with the way Hyung is studying, it seems that he has to take every N.E.W.T level class next year.”
“Well,” Jimin says, “knowing Hyung, I wouldn’t be surprised if he decided to take McGonagall’s place right after graduation.”
Yoongi snorts at the absurdity, only because it’s so absurd that it’s exactly something Seokjin would do.
“It’s good that Joon had the decency to cast a Muffiato on the room.” Hobi says, “with the way Hyung stalked to the main bedroom, leaving the two of you stranded in the corridor, I can only assume a shouting match ensued.”
“Followed by loud, make up sex.” Jimin says and the three of the laugh.
“But I must admit,” Hobi says, “I'm more scared of going downstairs for water in the middle of night and end up drowned in the sexual tension between those two down there.”
“Yes!” Jimin says, too loud for Yoongi’s ears. He winces, “I’m sorry,” Jimin says, much lower now, kissing the shell of his assaulted ear. “All that looking!” Jimin actually shivers, “so many eyes.” He says in a conspiracy tone.
Yoongi can only agree. “And the touching.”
“And the blushing.” Hobi completes. “They being aware of their feelings is worse than they being unaware."
“I want to press their heads together and get it over with.” Jimin says and Yoongi makes a mental note to keep a hold on Jimin next time they are with the other two, because he has no doubts that Jimin will do just that. “And Tae has gone back to quiet. He hasn’t said a thing to me about Kookie since the accident, nothing, nada.”
Hobi and Jimin start a lengthy discussion over the two and Yoongi feels his head growing heavy and Jimin’s voice lulling him to sleep. He press a kiss on Jimin’s hair and closes his eyes, letting the hum of Jimin’s voice against his body bring him sleep.
The last Quidditch game of the year is on the day after their last exam and the whole castle is bustling with excitement and noise that morning. It’s the first breakfast in so many that Yoongi can’t see a single book spread open between plates of egg and croissants.
“I think I will go back to sleep,” Newt says, “I don’t care about the game.” He says, all smug. Yoongi can only agree, the Quidditch cup sits prettily on their Common Room.
“And besides, it’s Gryffindor and Hufflepuff, talk about boring.” Bonnie says derisively.
“It's not boring.” Olly says defensively, “It’s fascinating to watch Hobi play. The man is a monster on the goal.” Yoongi raises a single eyebrow at his friend. Jimin nudges him and he has that smirk, the one that tells Yoongi they are thinking the same thing. “And Clara?” He asks and stops, they all wait for him to continue, “That girl is amazing! She’s the fastest player on the school, she’s even faster than Yoons and Joon. She’s brilliant and she’s such a goodsport and—“
“Well, that my friends,” Newt announces, “is bisexuality at it’s finest.” The group explode in laughter and Olly becomes Gryffindor red.
“I can give you tips with Hobi,” Yoongi jokes and receives a slap from his boyfriend.
“You are so ridiculous,” Jimin is muttering, still laughing.
“And I can give you tips with Clara.” Gemma says and another explosion of laughter finds them.
“Merlin,” Bonnie gasps, tipping tears from her eyes, “I forgot you used to bang her.”
“You talk more like Newt every single day, you know that, don't you?” It’s Gemma only reply. “It's disgusting.”
“Guys, wait a minute.” Olly says, bringing the attention back to him. “Does that mean I have a chance with both of them? Clara swings her bat both ways?”
“Clara is not even a beater Olly.” Newt points out.
“What is unfortunate, the joke man, the perfect joke.”
“Yeah, she does.” Gemma replies and Olly, ridiculous as he is, honestly to god cheers, making a fist in celebration.
They all laugh throughout their breakfast, heads being thrown back in laughter, cheeks hurting and tears being wiped as they talk ridiculous things. It’s so light on the Slytherin table: The year almost over, their exams behind them, the Quidditch cup on their house and they will probably bag the House Cup as well.
When people start leaving, going to the stadium to watch the game, Professor Nott appears behind Newt. The professor puts a hand on the boy’s shoulder and another on Bonnie’s. His eyes are hard, but it’s with something Yoongi can’t quite grasp. His professor is usually so composed, he has no idea what kinds of emotion are swimming on his eyes. They all quiet down and wait for their Head of House.
“I just wanted to say,” he begins, looking at their group, “that you guys did a fucking awesome job this year.” He says and it’s not the swearing that has them holding their breaths, it’s how choked up he sounds. “It feels me with happiness that this is what the Slytherin house has become. I wish that—“ He stops, takes a quick glance at Professor Zabini, who probably has figured his husband is going through something and is coming to inspect, “I wish we had what you do.” He says and holds Professor Zabini’s hand. “I wish we were proud of who we were like you are today and I hope you cherish this house and feel proud of wearing green and being the house of the serpent.” He finishes and Professor Zabini leans on his husband, resting his chin on Nott's shoulder.
They leave and Yoongi watches them until they disappear from sight. Yoongi looks at his friends, finds that every Slytherin who heard Nott’s words is doing the same: Looking, cataloguing and finding that yes, they are proud to be in Slytherin. They are proud of what they achieved and how far they’ve come. Forever the underdogs, the least likable, the cheaters, the evil house. Yoongi is so fucking proud.
He drops a kiss on Jimin’s head, finds his boyfriend’s eyes red from holding back tears.
“We are fucking awesome.” Olly says and they grin at each other.
“Let's watch that fucking game.” Newt announces, “see who will get the second place.”
And Newt is right. It’s a fucking game. Namjoon seems possessed, he scores so quickly on Hobi, barely even five minutes into the game in what could only have been possession. Some kind of Gryffindor hero shit that gets Seokjin-Hyung on the mic screaming and Headmistress McGonagall is so gobsmacked that not even her says a thing.
Hobi looks at him like he can’t believe what happened and really, no one can.
The game continues and the pace the Gryffindors create is surreal. Yoongi feels tired and he’s not even playing. Olly was right, Maggie is fucking fast, Yoongi can barely see her on the field, she’s usually a blur of blond hair and red robes.
Gryffindor scores again before Hufflepuff can have their first and the whole stadium screams in delight. Hobi missing a goal is a rare sight.
Yoongi is glad they played Hufflepuff first and Gryffindor earlier in the year, because he is certain they wouldn’t be match for any of the teams playing today.
Hobi closes the goal for thirty minutes, thirty minutes in which Hobi caught twenty four attempts on goal. Yoongi counted.
“They are going to tire him out,” Bonnie whispers in awe. Yoongi nods, their strategy is clear. Hufflepuff has barely touched the Quaffle, Gryffindor is known for their quick, annoying passes and today, Hufflepuff isn’t standing a chance to get in the middle of it.
The game is still twenty till because Olly was right again and Hobi is a fucking monster. Taehyung is in a mad dash in the sky looking for the snitch, trying to catch it before Gryffindor finally manages to tire Hobi out.
The stadium is the quietest Yoongi has even seen, it seems that everyone has their breath held, afraid to make a single sound and somehow break the spell the game has cast on them.
It’s beautiful and when Hobi finally slips, the stands let out a collective dumfounded ‘no' and Seokjin screams onto the mic "What do you mean, no?”
Hobi is mad as hell, Yoongi can see from where he is, when one of his chasers is brave enough to fly on reaching range from Hobi, he gets his collar grabbed and Yoongi reads his lips and snorts. ‘Get the Quaffle off their fucking hands! I don’t care if you shove up on your arse.’
And really, Yoongi shares the feeling.
The Hufflepuff chaser seem intent on catching the Quaffle and shoving up on his ass, because the game turns violent in a way that seemed impossible when one of the teams playing is Hufflepuff. It gets dirty and has the whole stadium wincing with their body checks.
“I'm scared.” Jimin tells him after a very nasty hit that has the students on the other side of the stadium cushioning Lisa’s fall.
Madam Hooch is on the field as often as the players, barking warnings and threats to call the whole game off.
But it’s unsuccessful, because for the first time since Hobi started goaling for Hufflepuff, the other team is leading. When the game hits its one hour and thirty minutes mark, Gryffindor is forty points ahead and Yoongi catches himself wishing for Jungkook to catch the snitch, because Gryffindor deserves this win, this is probably the best match Hogwarts has seen in years.
Both teams keep scoring one after the other; but the Hufflepuffs are frustrated and offended and they are playing with their emotions and it’s all anger and Yoongi sees them becoming sloppy and careless. The Gryffindor players, in a absolute miracle, are not fighting back, they are holding their punches, or shoulders, and they are opening the score with each penalty a Hufflepuff player gives them.
“We need to get Joon out of the field the moment the game ends.” Yoongi tells JImin, who’s nodding furiously beside him. “Hobi is going to throw hands.”
Hobi is the least violent person Yoongi has ever met. But Yoongi has also never seen Hobi this angry, not when Gryffindor is laughing at him, high on the exhilaration of scoring on him when Hobi is literally a God in front of the goals.
“Fuck no.” Seokjin says on the mic, all pretense of an unbiased commentary gone in the first forty five minutes. “Get him Kookie, get him.” Seokjin says and Yoongi looks at the Headmistress, expecting her to admonish him, only to find her nodding and bitting her nails.
Both boys are side by side, knocking each other, friendship and whatever the hell they are doing forgotten in the middle of the game. Jungkook puts out a leg, pushing Taehyung’s broom to the side and Taehyung retaliates by pulling on Jungkook’s cape.
“Merlin,” Jimin says, hiding his face in his hands in embarrassment and Yoongi can’t help but snort in amusement.
“Jungkookie throw him off!” Seokjin-Hyung says and really, someone needs to do something.
“Salazar's shit,” Newt is jumping up and down on his other side, “If Taehyung catches the Snitch, the game ends in a tie.”
“Which I really hope it happens.” Jimin mutters, Yoongi catches him biting off his nails in nerves and pulls his hand from his mouth, holding it in his.
Two things happen at once, or really fucking close to each other that Yoongi isn’t sure what came first. Taehyung closes his hand on the Snitch just as Namjoon gets the Quaffle through the middle arc.
For once, Seokjin is quiet. He doesn’t know as well. If Taehyung caught the snitch first, it’s a tie. If Namjoon’s Quaffle was first, then Gryffindor won. Hobi is glaring at Namjoon, who’s anxious, waiting for Madam Hooch eagle eyes to give the verdict. A few meters above them, Taehyung and Jungkook are clutching at each other, either ready to push the other off their brooms of ready to kiss, Yoongi isn’t sure.
Madam Hooch flies to where the teachers and Seokjin are. He gives the mic to her in trembling hands. Madam Hooch has every single player on the ground before speaking. She knows that whatever brawl that unavoidably happens, is better if it’s on the ground and not hundred meters in the air. Every single player is between Hobi and Namjoon. Yoongi pulls Jimin and starts making his way down, bringing Jimin with him.
“TAEHYUNG CAUGHT THE SNITCH.” She announces and it’s complete silence, this they know. "GRYFFINDOR WINS THE GAME.” An explosion. The stands shake under their feet, “TWO HUNDRED AND THIRTY TO TWO HUNDRED AND TWENTY.”
Yoongi and Jimin reach the field the moment the first punch lands. It’s neither of their friends. “You go after Tae and Kook,” he tells Jimin. “Don't get punched.”
“You too.” Jimin says and runs in the direction they had last saw both Seekers.
He barely avoids a punch from a Hufflepuff girl, who took a swing at Clara. Clara is not so lucky.
Seokjin reaches Namjoon and Hobi at the same time Yoongi does. “Are you kidding me?” Seokjin snaps when they find boyfriend and best friend rolling on the sand fighting.
Yoongi dives and grabs Namjoon hood, pulling him back. He uses all his strength and manages to get Namjoon on his feet. Hobi has extremely fast reflexes and he’s on his feet in a second, pouring back on Namjoon, Yoongi gets in front of him. “Stop this shit,” he says, holding Hobi back with his entire body.
“Say that again Joon!” Hobi snarls. “Go, say that again.” He tries to push Yoongi away, Yoongi doesn’t budge. He looks at Namjoon and sees him opening his mouth, probably to say that again.
“Say anything and see if you have a boyfriend after.” Seokjin threatens and Namjoon shuts up. He glares at Seokjin, because unlike Hobi, he doesn’t dare to try get pass Seokjin. Hyung only has a hand extended in front of him and Namjoon is still as a stone.
“Yeah, I thought so.” Hobi laughs.
“Knock it off.” Yoongi says, pushing his chest. “What the hell man?”
"His pride took a beating.” Namjoon says and Hobi makes to lunge again.
“One more word Joon, I swear.” The other three reach them then, thankfully unscathed. “You three alright?” Seokjin asks and receives nods in return.
“We can’t fight.” Jimin says forcefully, as if they are making him say something ridiculous. “We had enough of it this year. I’m sick of it. Yoongi-Hyung and Hoseok-Hyung, Yoongi-Hyung and Namjoon-Hyung, Tae and Kook; and now you two? It’s a game. We are more important. Gryffindor won, big deal, the cup is ours anyway. It was a hell of a game. The best one in years, decades, Madam Hooch said best game in fifty years. That’s us. We did that. It should be enough.”
“Apologize.” Seokjin tells Namjoon.
“How do you know it was me?” Joon asks, irritation heavy on his tone. Seokjin only levels him a look that says ‘I know you’. Namjoon scoffs, but he turns to look at Hobi, features slowly unclenching, “I'm sorry. I was out of line. We both know nothing of what I said is true.”
Yoongi might not know what they said to each other, probably he won’t ever find out, Namjoon takes his fights silently. His and Joon’s fight a couple of years back remain a secret between both of them. Yoongi was in the wrong then and Joon said ‘they don’t have any business knowing, I don't want my hurt affecting their relationship with you’ and Yoongi knows this is going to be the same.
“Yeah, I know. You were a fucking arrogant bastard.” Hobi says and Yoongi pushes him slightly. “Get off me Hyung,” Hobi says, rolling his eyes, “I'm not going to punch him anymore.” He says and cracks a smile, simple as that, “we are good.”
“We are good.” Namjoon agrees.
“You know,” Taehyung says, “I caught the Snitch.” Yoongi snorts. Merlin bless the Hufflepuffs.
Taehyung walks towards Jimin, who had come to stand by Yoongi’s side, pulling Jungkook along by the sleeve. Taehyung shows Jimin the snitch, “For you,” he says, exactly like he did for Ravenclaw’s game and Yoongi thinks they are going to have a reply of that. “The one and only love of my life.” He finishes and throws it at Jimin, who again, fakes swoons.
Jungkook seems to have figure it out what is coming as well, because he rolls his eyes when Taehyung turns to him. There’s a moment and in the next, Taehyung has a hand on each cheek, holding Jungkook’s face in his palm and Jungkook laughs, easily, like this is expected and they lean into each other, their lips meeting in a way that is clear, to everyone watching: it’s not their first time.
“You fucking jerk!” Jimin screeches and pulls Taehyung back, who laughs merrily, grinning cheekly.
“What?” Taehyung asks and throws an arm around Jungkook’s shoulder, the boy gets comfortable under it.
“What the hell.” Yoongi says.
“You sneaky bastards.” Hobi says, laughing. “You’ve been playing us this whole time.”
“Jeon Jungkook.” Seokjin says, “I’ve been giving tips on how to kiss. And you mean to tell me you two—“ he waves a finger between the two seekers, “have been smooching all this time?”
“Hyung has been giving tips?” Taheyung asks, eyes crinkling.
“Yeah, but he was late. I had to improvise.” Jungkook replies and their back and forth is so easy, so comfortable that Yoongi can only stare.
“Argh!” Jimin screeches again. “When? When did this happen?”
“In the hospital wing.” Jungkook says and this time he blushes.
“A whole month!” They say. Namjoon and Hobi laughing, Yoongi chocked and Seokjin and Jimin offended.
“You didn’t think of telling us?” Jimin asks, both hands on his hips.
“It was fun.” Taehyung said, “But you did make it easy for us.” Tae says in his particular brand of golden mischief, “We didn’t even need to sneak around. With the rest of you all casting silencing charms in the rooms on Shrieking Shack.”
“I can’t believe you two.” Jimin says, shaking his head. “I will want the full story with details later.” He demands, pointing at both of them. “But now I’m mad.”
Yoongi snorts and lets himself be carried outside the field.
Jimin gets the whole story with details the day after, but the rest of them, the ones who lack the Best Friend Card and Jimin’s ability to get everything he wants with a pout and a blink, learns of the story on the train back home.
The seven of them are once again in the same compartment, this time the Prefect’s compartment, so they don’t need to squeeze together.
Taehyung tells the story and Jungkook blushes and hides his face throughout it all.
“Okay,” Seokjin-Hyung says out of nowhere, after Taehyung is done. “Joon, it’s time.” He announces and just like that, has everyone attention. “The secret Joon and I have.” He makes a dramatic pause, Yoongi, who's used to the theatrics, waits patiently. “We are getting married.” He says.
They blink.
“Shut up, no we are not.” Namjoon says, rolling his eyes.
“Joon!”
“What? We aren’t! Not now anyway. That’s not the secret.” He says with another eye roll.
“So uncooperative.” Seokjin mutters. He starts again, “Last December, Joon and I met many people and had lots of meetings and interviews. We decided we want to open a school, for magical Korean children under eleven. Kook got us thinking, he’s not the only muggleborn. We all know that, but we just stopped seeing. We talked with the other families. The Choi Family, the Lee family and the Park Family. They all agreed. We have a place just outside of London, Choi Siwon offered to be our sponsor, renovations will take us maybe a year. Our goal is to take the kids out when their magic first manifests. We had a long conversation with the Parks about whether try to get only the kids or their parents as well, we still haven’t reached an agreement. There’s a long way still, but it’s going to happen. We have all the funding.”
“Hyung that’s amazing.” Yoongi says. “So fucking amazing.”
“Yeah, Joon always wanted to teach and we thought why not? We can pave the way like this and maybe who knows, we get to go back.”
Go back. Yoongi thinks. Taehyung shifts in front of him, the one who probably misses home the most.
They talk for most of the trip home, all eager to help Joon and Hyung; Yoongi and Taehyung offer their money and Seokjin waves them off, apparently their families already know.
When the sun starts to set outside their window, Jimin is on his arms, Joon and Seokjin-Hyung are already snoring, leaning on each other and Hobi is using Namjoon’s other shoulder as a pillow. Taehyung is on Jungkook’s chest, in what can only be the softest, cutest thing he has ever seen. They were right, Yoongi and Jimin lost their title in a blink when Jungkook and Taehyung started walking hand in hand in the corridors.
He watches them and smiles, what a year. It always amazes him how a single school year can bring so much change. The five Outstanding O.W.L.S he got plus the two Exceeding Expectations weren’t the greatest achievement of his year. No, he looks at his friends and sees that the biggest achievement has been them. How every single one of them reached out to something they wanted, knowing and accepting the risks that exist in the unknown, but going for it anyway, because they wanted more.
Yoongi can’t wait for his sixth year, but he knows that whatever happens, it’s going to be alright, as long as they have each other. And they will.