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Jeongguk and Taehyung have been friends for years, they were the same age but they weren’t in the same house. To most of people, it was an unexpected friendship because Jeongguk was in Gryffindor and Taehyung in Slytherin.
For the first three years they have been enemies actually. They were often fighting, cursing each other and making trouble. One time in fourth grade, when they fought in front of a classroom, they got detention together. That evening they were just helping sorting out books in the library and they discovered that they actually had a lot in common and were similar in many ways. Since that evening they became inseparable best friends and they were the biggest trouble makers.
In another two years of their friendship, Jeongguk developed big fat crush on Taehyung. But the other didn’t want him back. Not that Jeongguk ever confessed to him but the thing was, Taehyung was the Casanova of Hogwarts. Since fifth grade he’s been breaking heart of both, girls and boys and Jeongguk had to listen to his stories about his weekly dates. Taehyung was very handsome and very desired, despite his reputation and now they were in the last grade, quitting school in few months and things didn’t get better. Jeongguk made his peace with staying just friends with Taehyung forever.
“Come on, Gukkie, let’s go out,” Taehyung pouted.
“Tae, I have an essay to write, I told you like hundred times,” Jeongguk sighed. The other came to the Gryffindor table in the Great Hall during the dinner. It wasn’t anything unusual, they were visiting each other pretty often, not only by the tables but also their Houses.
“Please, I’m bored, just for a while!”
“Can’t you ask Jimin?” Jeongguk sighed. Jimin was their other friend, he’s been friends with Taehyung longer than Jeongguk, Jeongguk got to know him through Taehyung later. He was in Hufflepuff.
“He’s got some date or something tonight, you are my only hope. Please!” Taehyung batted his eyelashes. Jeongguk sighed. Why did he let Taehyung ruin his life? He sucked in Transfiguration and he really needed some better grades and write that essay but he could never say no to Taehyung thanks to his stupid crush on him.
“Okay but just for any hour!” Jeongguk gave in.
“Yay!” Taehyung exclaimed happily and hugged him.
So that is how they found themselves in dungeons half an hour after lights-out. Of fucking course from hour became three hours and Jeongguk could say goodbye to the essay for tonight. They weren’t worried about consequences, they’ve been through this hundred times before and they knew pretty much every corner of the castle after seven years.
“Why am I even friends with you, I mean I am not a nerd or something but you have such a terrible influence,” Jeongguk sighed as he watched his brunette friend rummaging in some old closet.
“Because I am fun and because you love me,” Taehyung grinned mischievously. If only he knew how close he was to the truth.
“Okay, let’s go,” the brunette said eventually and grabbed Jeongguk’s wrist. He knew the dungeons much better than Jeongguk since he had time to explore them since the first grade.
They walked to the corner and Taehyung’s eyes widened. He quickly pushed Jeongguk back against the wall, pressed himself to him and covered his mouth.
“Filch,” Taehyung mouthed for his confused friend. Jeongguk could hear the shuffling steps of their janitor’s feet. They knew that sound all too well. Right now Jeongguk however didn’t care at all. All he could focus was Taehyung’s body pressed against his and he was getting too hot despite being in cold dungeons.
“Fuck, he’s coming here, let’s go,” Taehyung whispered when he peeked to look at Filch. He grabbed Jeongguk’s hand and dragged him deeper into the dungeons. They were running and their footsteps were bouncing around the walls, they could hear Filch’s voice behind them, calling out for them but they ran as fast as they could. Taehyung was laughing quietly, he was enjoying running from him little bit too much.
Finally Taehyung opened some door and they both ran into the dark room, closing and locking the door behind them. Taehyung pressed Jeongguk against the wall once again while he had his finger on his mouth to show him to stay quiet and Jeongguk was seriously asking himself if his friend is doing this on purpose.
“Do you hear anything?” Jeongguk whispered.
“No, I think he’s gone,” Taehyung answered after a while of listening.
“Okay, let’s get out of here,” Jeongguk tugged on his friend’s hand. They were pretty deep in the dungeons, they have never been this far before.
“What’s that?” Taehyung mumbled with sparkles of interest in his eyes. Jeongguk followed his gaze and saw some big object under a heavy curtain. His curious side took over him this time, this looked definitely intriguing. He walked over to the object before Taehyung could and tore the curtain down. They both started coughing from the amount of dust in the air.
“Cool!” Taehyung exhaled when the air cleaned. There was a huge mirror in front of them. There was some writing on the frame but it looked like some foreign ancient language.
“Mirror of Erised,” Jeongguk read out loud what was written on the top.
“Why is it here? Is it some junk or something?” Taehyung frowned and walked in front of the mirror. He gasped in surprise when he saw his reflection: “Whoa!”
“What is it?” Jeongguk looked at him surprised and interested. He looked at the reflection. It was showing Taehyung but not only that. His friend was standing there but he was surrounded by people who were taking photos of him and there was a gold all around him.
“What the hell?” Taehyung breathed out: “What do you think it is?”
“I don’t know, it’s something magical. Who knows why is it here in the dungeons. What if it’s dangerous?” Jeongguk looked at the object warily.
“Do you think it shows future?” Taehyung looked at him excitedly.
“I don’t know, Tae,”
“Come on, it’s your turn. Let’s see if your reflection is different!” Taehyung pulled Jeongguk in front of the mirror and stepped aside so only his friend was in front of it. For few seconds, all Jeongguk saw was his own reflection but after a while a picture started forming. His eyes widened in horror when he saw the reflection.
“What the hell is that?” Taehyung sharpened his gaze and inspected the mirror. He froze when he finally saw what it was showing. There was Jeongguk and there was also him even though he wasn’t in front of the mirror right now. But that was not everything. The figures were hugging each other and suddenly Jeongguk’s figure leaned in and kissed Taehyung’s figure.
Jeongguk turned to look at his friends with wide eyes. Taehyung was staring at him in disbelieve.
“Tae…” Jeongguk stretched out his hand but the brunette stepped back. He looked in the mirror and back at Jeongguk couple of times, completely shocked.
Taehyung turned on his heel and stormed out of the room.
“Tae!” Jeongguk called out for him desperately but he didn’t listen. Jeongguk rubbed his palms over his face and groaned. Great, really fucking great. What the hell is this thing and why did it show what it showed?
*
Taehyung was avoiding Jeongguk after the incident in dungeons. Jeongguk really wanted to talk to him and explain it to him but he really didn’t know what to say. Not only he didn’t want to confess, especially now when he saw how Taehyung reacted to a mere picture of them together, but he also had no damn idea what that mirror was.
Taehyung was confused, surprised and shocked. He missed Jeongguk but what he saw in the mirror was really weird. He knew it wasn’t Jeongguk’s fault because neither of them knew what the mirror was but the picture of them together in the mirror was burned into his mind. Was that mirror really showing the future? No, that couldn’t be. Not that he’d be disgusted by the idea of being with Jeongguk, he wasn’t blind, he knew his friend was very handsome and everything but they were best friends. Nothing more.
Taehyung decided to do some research. He wanted to know what that damn thing in the dungeons was. Then maybe he could go confront Jeongguk.
He was searching in the library for any information about the Mirror of Erised but he found nothing. He needed to look for it in the restricted section. Thank god he was such a friendly person despite being Slytherin, so he begged Namjoon, a Ravenclaw head boy to get him into the section. Namjoon wasn’t happy about that especially because Taehyung didn’t want to tell him why he wants there but he eventually granted him the entrance.
Taehyung’s been searching for any piece of information for days and finally he found something. It was just few sentences but it was enough to understand what the mirror showed. Apparently the mirror was showing not the reflection but person’s deepest desires. He leaned back in the chair, closing the book. Well, his reflection was pretty clear, he wanted to be famous and rich but what did Jeongguk’s mean? Did his friend want to make out with him or what?
He couldn’t find it in himself to go see Jeongguk just yet, even though he missed him terribly. Ever since they became friends few years ago, they haven’t gone a day without each other. Now it’s been a week and it was tearing him apart. He caught Jeongguk’s gaze couple of times in the Great Hall or in the classrooms of lessons they shared but he always looked away quickly.
One evening, he was bored so he went to Hufflepuff dorm to annoy Jimin because that was his best option right now. They stayed in the common room and just chatted for hours until there were almost no other people left.
“What’s going on, Tae?” Jimin asked carefully when he noticed his friend staring pensively into the fire in the fire place. He noticed that lately he and Jeongguk didn’t talk and he didn’t mention anything because he didn’t want to mingle into anything but Taehyung looked really lost right now.
“I think Jeongguk is in love with me,” Taehyung mumbled without breaking his gaze from the fire.
“You found that out just now?” Jimin snorted incredulously. Taehyung looked at him, confused.
“Tae, pretty much everyone knows by now that Guk is in love with you,” Jimin explained.
“What the hell? Why haven’t you said anything?”
“Because it’s none of my business. This is between you two. I talked to him about it couple of times but he begged me not to tell you anything and stay out of it so that is what I did,” Jimin looked at him apologetically. He understood that his friend was now upset but he wasn’t a promise breaker, he’d never betray Jeongguk’s trust.
“How did you find out anyway, did he finally confess?” Jimin asked curiously.
“No, not exactly,” Taehyung shook his head and told Jimin everything. How they found the mirror, what they saw in it and what he found about it.
“Listen, from what you just told me, neither of you knew what the mirror would show and it’s not like he could just tell his feelings to go away. If he could, he’d probably do it ages ago,” Jimin sighed.
“I know and I am not mad at him. It’s just awkward,”
“You are such a douchebag,” Jimin face-palmed. Taehyung frowned at him.
“Just put yourself in his shoes for a bit. He didn’t know what that mirror will show, can you imagine how shocked and scared he probably was when he saw that? And what did you do? You ran away from him. That I’d understand, you were shocked and everything but you’ve been ignoring him for a week!” Jimin exclaimed. Taehyung looked at his lap, now he felt guilty because he knew Jimin was right. Jeongguk felt probably ten times worse than him about the whole situation.
“But I don’t reciprocate his feelings, Jiminie, he’s just my friend,” Taehyung sighed.
“First of all, just because the mirror didn’t show it and it’s not your deepest desire doesn’t mean that you don’t have any feelings at all and second of all, who cares? He’s been in love with you for years because he was afraid you will react just like you did. He chose to just be friends with you because he was afraid he could lose you. That is all he cares about and now you are ignoring him,” Jimin gave him a speech: “Why are you ignoring him? Are you disgusted or something?”
“What? No!” Taehyung protested: “Hell, I’ve been with a lot of guys, I am not disgusted or mad. It’s just…I am afraid to face him, I don’t wanna see the look on his face when I tell him that I don’t feel the same way he does about me. I don’t wanna hurt him.”
“The only thing that is really hurting him is you being an idiot right now. He misses you. Just go talk to him, be honest with him and I am sure you can work it out,” Jimin looked at him seriously.
“Yeah, okay, you’re right,” Taehyung gave in. He really missed Jeongguk and ignoring him for such a long time was killing him.
*
Taehyung found his courage to talk to Jeongguk two days later. He waited for Jeongguk to get out of the class of Potions and he dragged him into some unused classroom.
“Let’s talk,” Taehyung looked at Jeongguk and continued quickly before he could back off: “I am so sorry, Gukkie, for ignoring you. I was acting like an idiot. I found out what that mirror shows and…I understand that you can’t influence how you feel.”
“Are you mad at me? I mean, I understand if you are. I am sorry,” Jeongguk looked down on his feet.
“No I am not mad! You should me mad at me for running away and ignoring you. I was shocked and when I found out what it showed, I didn’t know how to react to that. You have nothing to apologize for,”
“Okay,” the black-haired boy breathed out.
“It’s just…I don’t wanna hurt you, Gukkie, you know I love you. You are my best friend. But I don’t love you in a way you want me too, I’m sorry,” Taehyung looked at the other apologetically.
“Don’t be. As you said, we can’t influence how we feel. It’s not your fault that I like you in a different way. I made my peace with that a long time ago,” Jeongguk smiled at him sadly: “I just don’t wanna lose you, Tae, you are my best friend before anything else and I don’t want us to stop talking just because of my stupid feelings.”
“They are not stupid,” Taehyung protested weakly: “But don’t worry, you won’t lose me.”
“So are we good?” the Gryffindor boy looked at him hopefully.
“If you can forgive me for acting like an asshole?” Taehyung grinned at him.
“You’ve always been an asshole, that’s nothing new. I forgive you,” Jeongguk chuckled.
“Hey!” Taehyung exclaimed in pretended offence and hit the other lightly in the chest. They both started giggling. Everything was alright.
*
Everything went back to normal between them. They went back to be the problematic students, making trouble together and annoying professors and everyone as much as they could. Taehyung still had Jeongguk’s feelings at the back of his mind and sometimes he felt guilty but there was really nothing he could do about it.
But Jeongguk seemed to forget about him. Maybe not completely but at least to some extent which was confirmed one afternoon when they were hanging out outside.
“So, um, I’ve been kinda seeing someone,” Jeongguk spoke up.
“What?” Taehyung exclaimed in surprise.
“Yeah well, we’ve been only on couple of dates but it seems like it’s working out so…”
“Who is it?”
“Yugyeom,” Jeongguk revealed. Yugyeom was a guy from Gryffindor, one year younger than them who was also in the Quidditch team with Jeongguk.
“Oh, that’s…unexpected,” Taehyung breathed out.
“Yeah, kinda. We’ve been friends for years, we’ve always gotten on pretty well and everything but it never led to anything. But I was like ‘fuck it’ and I invited him on a date. I mean, I’ve always kinda liked him, we have a lot in common and he is nice and I’ve held myself back for so long…” the black-haired guy smiled. He didn’t have to say anything else, Taehyung knew that he was holding back because of him. Now when Jeongguk knew that he wasn’t reciprocating his feelings, he could move on and get together with someone.
“That’s-that’s great, Gukkie, I am happy for you,” Taehyung smiled. He felt a weird pang in his chest. Was it jealousy or what? Maybe because Jeongguk is now gonna spend more time with the younger guy.
Turned out that Taehyung wasn’t that happy for Jeongguk as he claimed to be. The new couple made it official and they started dating pretty much in front of the whole school. Taehyung was gazing them often, especially in the Great Hall when they were sitting together, laughing and flirting like a loved up couple on their honey moon. He didn’t know why he was so bothered by that sight, he himself was going on a lot of dates so why did he even care.
“Stare harder and you will burn a hole in Yugyeom’s head,” Jimin laughed. Taehyung jumped in surprise. He didn’t even notice his friend slipping on the bench on the Slytherin table next to him.
“What do you mean? I’m fine, they are cute and all,” Taehyung replied nonchalantly.
“Right,” Jimin laughed ironically and then he continued quietly: “Maybe you should make a trip to the Mirror of Erised and check out if the reflection you see didn’t change. Or maybe you don’t need that mirror at all, maybe you should just take a trip down your stubborn head and think about some things.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about, Jiminie,” Taehyung deadpanned. Jimin looked at him, obviously annoyed and sighed.
*
For the first time since Taehyung became friends with Jeongguk, he was happy that they weren’t in the same House. It was enough for him to see Jeongguk and Yugyeom around the castle, he didn’t need that also in the dorm.
He didn’t really know why it bothered him so much. He was happy to see Jeongguk happy but he was kinda bitter that he wasn’t the reason of Jeongguk’s happiness. The black-haired guy also spent less time with him now and Taehyung missed him.
So when one day Jeongguk announced him and Jimin the news, Taehyung felt a spark of happiness.
“Me and Gyeom broke up,” Jeongguk spoke up suddenly.
“What? Why? I thought you guys were working out,” Jimin looked at him surprised.
“I mean we were, it’s not that. We had really good time together and the break up was mutual so there is no bad blood between us. It was just, I don’t know, it didn’t feel right with him,” Jeongguk shrugged.
“I’m sorry,” Taehyung looked at his friend. That was a lie, he wasn’t sorry. Not that he’d be too excited about the news but he definitely wasn’t sorry which was probably showing on his face because he couldn’t help it and smile like an idiot.
“Thanks. Being with him just wasn’t right…” Jeongguk looked him straight in the eyes and Taehyung was staring back. They shared the eye contact for few seconds, Jimin was sitting between them awkwardly.
“Okay, I think I’m gonna go to sleep, it’s getting late,” Jeongguk cleared his throat and got up. He said quick goodbyes to his both friends and left.
Jimin was watching Jeongguk leave and as soon as he turned behind the corner, he turned to Taehyung and hit him in the arm.
“What the hell was that for?” Taehyung looked at him confused.
“You are seriously such an idiot,” Jimin groaned in frustration.
“I don’t know what you mean,” the brunette mumbled.
“Yeah, right…” Jimin snorted sarcastically: “You were literally smiling like an idiot when he told us about the break up and before that you’ve been sulking for weeks when they were together. You have obviously feelings for Guk, I just don’t know if you are being stubborn about this or you’re being completely oblivious."
“I am not in love with Guk, that’s bullshit,” Taehyung frowned and folded his arms on the chest.
“Oblivious it is,” Jimin sighed with an eye roll.
*
Finally the spring started so the castle wasn’t so cold. It also meant Quidditch matches so Jeongguk was on the field whenever he could. Taehyung often came to sit on the tribunes and just watch the team train. Jeongguk was a captain, of course he was, he was the best of the team. He’s always done really good and throughout the years he became the best and now in their last year in Hogwarts there was no one better than him. He was one of the best Chasers of the past years and even though Taehyung wasn’t a huge Quidditch fan, he liked watching Jeongguk play. He always cheered for him, even when Gryffindor played against Slytherin.
The first match of the spring season was between Gryffindor and Ravenclaw and it was clear who will win this match. Taehyung didn’t understand why they had to even play, they could give that cup to Gryffindor already, they were the best this year without doubts so what was the point.
Taehyung was sitting in Hufflepuff tribune with Jimin. Sitting on Slytherin tribune and cheering for Gryffindor could be pretty dangerous and Taehyung didn’t want to be cursed.
He was paying only half attention to the game, he was mostly just watching Jeongguk. There was something about his passion, the way he flew and his skills that were oddly attractive. Plus he looked great in the Gryffindor colours.
“Gryffindor is winning one hundred and ten to sixty,” Hoseok’s voice filled the air. He was the commentator as always, his voice and enthusiasm were perfect for that and most of the students were almost peeing themselves half of the match because of his comments.
“What a surprise that they’re winning,” Jimin snorted as he and Taehyung were watching Jeongguk, who had Quaffle now and he was flying in a speed of lightning toward the Ravenclaw Keeper, ready to fire another goal.
“Yas, Jeongguk, show them!” Taehyung jumped to his feet when the black-haired captain scored. Half of the Hufflepuff students looked amusedly at him but no one batted an eye, they were already used to this. Taehyung and Jeongguk were pretty famous duo in Hogwarts and everyone knew they were inseparable.
The match went on with Gryffindor still in charge but the Seekers still haven’t caught the Golden Snitch. Once or twice on of them saw it but they lost it again. Taehyung was quite bored already, if Jeongguk was a Seeker that damn ball would be already caught like ten times, the boy was great in everything, he could literally play at any post.
Jeongguk was flying about fifty feet above the ground when his teammate passed him the Quaffle. He was zigzagging on his broomstick, successfully dodging any attempt to be stopped. He was still flying quite low which was now the safest passage.
Suddenly everything happened so fast. Taehyung was watching him fly and in the next second, there was a Bludger flying his way. Taehyung and Jimin jumped to their feet, along with some other people as the hard ball, that was sent to him by one of Ravenclaw Beaters, hit him right in the chest. The captain gasped for a breath from the hard hit and the force threw him off of his broom. Taehyung yelled in horror as he watched Jeongguk fall to the ground. The fall wasn’t long, thank god Jeongguk was still pretty low but it was enough to look scary. When the black-haired guy hit the ground, he didn’t move.
Taehyung’s heart clenched with fear and he immediately ran from the tribune down to the field. When he got there, there were already people around Jeongguk. He was lying on the ground, unconscious.
“Gukkie,” Taehyung whispered and fell on his knees next to his friend. He could see his hair sticky with blood at the back of his head.
“Let’s get him to the Hospital Wing,” madam Hooch commanded as she conjured a stretcher: “The game will continue.” She then decided.
Madam Sprout, who was the first one to get on the field, took it on herself to escort Jeongguk to the Hospital. Taehyung, Jimin and couple of other people went too. The brunette was gripping Jeongguk’s hand the whole time.
At the Hospital, madam Pomfrey immediately threw everyone out, saying that she needs to take care of the injured boy and he needs peace and quiet. Taehyung was protesting but Jimin eventually convinced him to get out of there.
“You can’t help him now, you know. Let madam Pomfrey do her magic,” Jimin looked at Taehyung when they were in the hallway.
“He’s injured Jiminie,” Taehyung sniffled.
“Yeah he is. But the fall wasn’t that bad, it looks much worse than it is. Madam Pomfrey is amazing in what she does, he will be alright in no time,” Jimin tried to calm his friend down.
“I was so scared, Jiminie. When he fell from that broom and hit the ground. God…” Taehyung mumbled with tears in his eyes: “I…what if something happens to him. I couldn’t…I can’t lose him,”
“He will be alright, Tae, I promise,” Jimin looked at him encouragingly and pulled him into a hug. Taehyung couldn’t help it as silent tears started escaping his eyes. He was so stubborn and stupid and now Jeongguk was hurt.
Gryffindor won the match, the Seeker eventually caught the Golden Snitch but who the hell cared, Taehyung certainly didn’t. Only Jeongguk’s teammates and professor McGonagall were allowed to see Jeongguk that afternoon and Taehyung was going crazy. He needed to see him, he needed to see if he was alright and he needed to talk to him.
He talked Jimin into distracting madam Pomfrey at the evening. It was almost ten and there was no one in the castle hallways and in the Hospital. Jimin eventually gave in and promised to help him.
Taehyung sneaked in the room while Jimin was keeping the matern busy. There was no one else except for Jeongguk. Taehyung walked over to his bed. The boy was fast asleep. He looked peaceful and so handsome like this.
Taehyung sat on the chair next to the bed and took Jeongguk’s hand in his own. His head was hanging low while all sorts of thoughts were running through it. He was still so scared. The thought of something happening to Jeongguk was making him physically sick.
“Tae?” Jeongguk’s quiet voice brought him back from his thoughts.
“Gukkie,” the brunette perked up and looked at him: “Are you alright?”
“Well, my whole body hurts but it’s okay. Madam Pomrfrey said I will be alright soon, she is really good at her job,” Jeongguk gave him a small smile. Taehyung grinned and threw himself at the other, hugging him tightly. Jeongguk hissed in pain.
“Sorry!” Taehyung babbled and let go of the boy, hovering over him.
“I was so scared, Gukkie. When I saw you fall, my heart nearly stopped. If something happened to you…I realized…The thought of never telling you…” Taehyung was stuttering.
“Telling me what?” Jeongguk was watching his friend with confusion.
“Telling you that I love you,” Taehyung got out in choked up voice. Jeongguk was staring at him, perplexed. Was this really happening?
“I love you, Gukkie. I started slowly realizing it over the past weeks and today, when you fell, the only thing I could think about was how I might lose you without never telling you. In the past years I was so busy hooking up with all those people that I never realized that I had someone I love right beside me,” Taehyung’s eyes filled with tears.
“Tae,” Jeongguk whispered as a wide grin spread over his face: “I love you too.” He confessed. Taehyung got out a shaky laugh. They were staring at each other for few seconds and then the black-haired boy grabbed the back of Taehyung’s head and brought him down, kissing him softly. Taehyung giggled breathlessly when they separated after few minutes and leaned down, crushing their lips together again, kissing each other deeply. Maybe running away from Filch and finding the Mirror of Erised wasn’t a bad thing after all.