Chapter Text
It’s the first day of the semester and the Great Hall is buzzing from the noises especially the oh-so-excited first year. “They are so cute,” Jongin takes a seat beside his best friend before taking one of the muffins on their table. “Kind of remind us during our first year.”
Taeyong just rolls his eyes. “I’m sure I am not that noisy. I was nervous about a lot of things.”
“Of course you are,” Jongin laughs teasingly. “Do you think we’ll get many first years into our house this time?”
Taeyong shrugs and before he can answer verbally, someone is patting his back excitedly. “Welcome back, my boys! All is well huh?” he said before shamelessly sitting on the empty seat beside Taeyong.
“I’m sure this does not look like a Slytherin table,” Taeyong says, not answering Baekhyun’s question.
“Good to know you are fine,” Baekhyun nods. He looks happy to return to Hogwarts for their seventh year. “Jongin ah, Quidditch again this term?”
“Guys—”
Jongin laughs. “There’s no way I’ll pass it and you know that.”
“I heard Quidditch and I know I have to stop by. Hi, everyone!” another one approaches them and pats each of them excitedly. “Whoa, it’s so good to see all of you again.”
“I swear this is not the table for a gathering. Also, this is the first day, remember?” Taeyong says.
Baekhyun plops another grape into his mouth. “Our Taeyongie is so grumpy today. Waking up on the wrong side of the bed huh?”
Then the hall becomes quiet for a second after the students hear the clap from their headmaster. “All students are required to be at their respective house table. We’re going to proceed to house sorting and a few announcements will be made before your dinner starts.”
“Oh, it’s time to go. See you guys later!”
“Or tomorrow.”
Baekhyun laughs again for the nth time. “Okay. Make sure you guys pay attention to the announcements later. See you soon, baby!” He jokingly pokes Taeyong’s cheek before he walks to the Slytherin table.
Jongin waves at his friends who are walking back to their tables. “Rumours are saying, he’ll be a Head Boy this year,” he laughs before continuing. “What do you think?”
Taeyong widens his eyes. “Mark?”
“No,” Jongin laughs while shaking his head. “Baekhyun.”
“No way!” Taeyong wipes his lips after choking on his own drink. “Are you serious?”
“Apparently students are having their own list or bet on who’s going to be Head Boy and Head Girl. Baekhyun is kind of on the top of the list,” Jongin explains. “But it could be, you know. He gets a reputation, good score, friendly, good looking and popular.”
“Imagine Baekhyun as the Head Boy,” Taeyong shudders. “Do I even want to imagine it?”
Jongin laughs out loud and it catches attention from a few students and an eye roll from Taeyong. “Well, I think it’ll be our best year ever,” he pats his best friend’s shoulder before paying attention to the first student that’s going up to wear the sorting hat.
The sorting session goes smooth and the first years are looking happy that they finally know which house they got sorted in. The headmaster comes up again and starts making a few announcements regarding the new terms. Mostly are directed at first and seventh year students.
“Last but not least—“ the headmaster looks around his students before continuing. “I’ll be announcing the Head Boy and Head Girl for this term. Head Girl will be Miss Bae Joohyun from Ravenclaw and our Head Boy for this term will be Mr. Byun Baekhyun from Slytherin. I hope all students will cooperate with them and fellow prefects to make sure this semester will go smoothly. Now, you can proceed to your first ever dinner for this term. Enjoy!” With that, the students are applauding and excitedly having their dinner.
“What did I say?!” Jongin laughs excitedly.
Taeyong turns to look at the Slytherin table only to meet with Baekhyun who is playfully arching his eyebrows. No wonder he told them to pay attention to the announcements. Of course he knows about it beforehand. He then turns back to Jongin. “I can’t believe it but I guess we’ll see.”
*******
The next day, breakfast starts early for some students. Most of them just want to avoid the hassle with the excited new students. “Hello, sweethearts!” Baekhyun is happily approaching the Hufflepuff table. He’s one of the students that decides to have his breakfast earlier than usual. “How does it feel to be back for our final year?”
“Good morning, Baekhyun!”
“Oh, hey Mark! You are early, today,” the Head Boy takes a blueberry muffin from the table.
Mark nods while chewing his bread. “Got to see Professor Kim, something about Quidditch, before I go to Potion.”
“Potion so early in the morning?”
“Well, what good subject would be the best to learn early in the morning?”
Baekhyun just nods at Jongin’s question—more like a statement. Morning class is a disgrace to many. “Can’t believe we’re already in our final year huh?”
“It’s way too early to be sentimental,” Lucas, another one from their group of friends, comes and snatches an apple from the Hufflepuff table. “First, it’s only 7.30AM. Second, it’s only the second day of this term. Relax. We have a lot of time to be sentimental,” he laughs before taking a seat beside his fellow Gryffindor, Mark.
“He’s the Head Boy, he’s probably already practicing his graduation speech,” Taeyong teases him. “Which one is better? The dungeon or head’s room?” he asks curiously knowing that Head Boy and Girl got their own respective room.
“The dungeon is good but the head's room is definitely better. Not exclusively all green and silver, also I get my own privacy,” Baekhyun wiggles his eyebrows teasingly. “You are welcome in my room anytime if you want some privacy or study without any distraction.”
“Library exists,” Lucas chirps in. “Also, only Taeyong?”
“All of you can, of course. I don’t have to mention each of your names now did I?” the Head Boy rolls his eyes. “Anyway, who’s still joining Quidditch this year?”
Three out of four of his friends raise their hand. “Of course everyone, except for our Taeyongie. Taemin is still playing?” he asks while looking at Jongin.
The latter nods. “That’s what he told me. He’s planning to stay in the team all the way til’ the end,” he chuckles. “Taeyong don’t look at us like that.”
“We’re taking N.E.W.T this year—“
“I know, honey. We’re playing Quidditch and studying hard for N.E.W.T,” Baekhyun chuckles. “Speaking of N.E.W.T, sweetie, if you are that worried, how about you help me sorting my study schedule? So I can have a study-Quidditch life balance.”
Taeyong narrows his eyes. “Are you serious about that?”
“Why not? You know I always study. My grades proved it, right?”
“Okay,” Taeyong sighs. “I’ll help you. But make sure you are discipline enough to follow it.”
“You are talking to a Head Boy, darling.”
Taeyong just rolls his eyes meanwhile Lucas and Mark just look at each other. “How are they still not dating?” asked the former.
*******
“Hi,” a friendly whisper distracts Taeyong from scanning his notes. He’s not mad as he knows who the voice belongs to. “Did I disturb something?”
“You think?”
Baekhyun just gives his friend a toothy grin. “Jongin told me you’re here.” He stands forward to look over Taeyong’s note. “What is that?”
“Transfiguration essay,” Taeyong pulls his hair and grumbles while still scanning his note.
Baekhyun just chuckles and admires how cute Taeyong can be when he is stressed out. “Need some help?”
Taeyong finally looks up to the guy in front of him. He knows Baekhyun is an excellent student. He always helps Taeyong if the latter needs anything. “You can help me?”
“This is not going to be the first time I help you. Also, when is the dateline?”
“Next two weeks.”
Baekhyun almost lets out a laugh loudly before he remembers that he’s in the library. “Of course,” he nods. “Unfortunately, I didn’t bring anything related to Transfiguration, but you can come to my room if you really need help with it. I did some extra studying on it last night,” he admits after getting his study schedule from Taeyong a week ago.
“You follow the schedule I did?”
“I said I will, don’t I?”
Taeyong just smiles cheekily knowing his effort did not go to waste. “You are allowed to bring other people into your room?”
“Why not?” he shrugs. “The room is all mine. Plus, it’s not like I keep Hogwarts biggest secret in my room.”
“But—“
“But?” Taeyong tilts his head in confusion.
“You have to help me with anything Potion.”
Taeyong tries to contain his laughter because they’re in the library. He knows for fact that if there’s one subject he can beat Baekhyun in, it’ll be Potion. It takes him two minutes before nodding, still laughing a little. “Okay, it’s a no problem for me.” He looks over the table to see the material that Baekhyun reads. “Herbology?”
Baekhyun nods without taking his eyes off the book that he just picked from the shelf near them. “It’s my first class for tomorrow and Professor Lee has been hinting us that next lesson will be a little bit tough so I guess I need to do some advance preparation,” he says while taking notes of some information he finds in the book.
The Hufflepuff in front of Baekhyun unknowingly smiles at the latter. “You’ve been working so hard.”
That catches Baekhyun's attention which makes him stop writing immediately. “What do you mean?”
“Yeah—“ Taeyong shrugs. “Between Quidditch, Head Boy duty and your responsibility as a student. You juggle them all in your day. It can be exhausting but I’m glad you are doing fine,” he pauses. “I hope you’re not neglecting your own health over it. I know they’re all important to you.”
“And here I am worrying about you diving yourself in books and notes all the damn time.”
“I’m doing just fine.”
“You better be,” Baekhyun reprimands his friend about it and acts all serious. “But thank you, for thinking about me. For caring.”
“I’m trying to be a good friend.”
Baekhyun nods. “Speaking about being a good friend, are you coming to the Quidditch game? Next two weeks.”
Taeyong rolls his eyes, almost growling. How he can end up in a group with a bunch of Quidditch die-hard fans, is still a wonder to this day. “You know I despise Quidditch.”
“But you don’t despise me. Come on, I will not make you torn on which team you’re supposed to support. It’s Slytherin vs Ravenclaw,” Baekhyun just grins playfully.
“Mind you Taemin is a Ravenclaw and he’s my friend too. And he does play Quidditch. It does make me torn which team to support.”
“To save you from any further embarrassment, I’d say support Slytherin,” Baekhyun says, indicating that his team will win the match. Undeniably, the Slytherin team is doing so well every year and Baekhyun is a great seeker. He barely lets his team down and Taeyong knows that.
*******
Taeyong and Jongin struggle to walk to their seat among the excited crowd for their first ever Quidditch game of this term. Taeyong winces when some students are screaming a little too loud to his liking. He lets out a huge sigh of relief once he and Jongin are finally able to get to their seat. “Remind me again why I agree to go through all these hustle for a Quidditch game?”
Jongin just laughs, knowing well that this isn’t exactly how his best friend is planning to spend his weekend. “Because our friends are playing. Also, this will definitely not be your last time. I expect you to be here when I’m playing too.”
Taeyong just rolls his eyes, not bother to give any other response because he knows, as much as he despises Quidditch, he will always be here to give some support to his friends. And his group of friends consist of people who come from each house in Hogwarts so of course he will show up even if it’s not his house that’s playing, like now. He’s pulled from his thoughts when suddenly the scream around him is getting louder. The players are flying into the field. He looks up when he feels someone is flying near his area. It’s Baekhyun.
“God, he’s already looking cocky,” Jongin says while waving toward his best friend.
Taeyong just gives the Head Boy a toothy grin while clapping excitedly. “Take care and good luck,” he mouths.
Baekhyun’s grin is getting wider at that before he nods. “Thank you for coming,” he mouths back, knowing well there’s no reason to even yell at Taeyong because the scream from other students is too loud. He sends a wink towards the latter before flying away.
“Should’ve not made your support towards Slytherin that obvious,” Jongin playfully nudges Taeyong’s shoulder before plopping a choco ball into his mouth.
The game has been going on for more than one hour now, with Slytherin leading in score and Ravenclaw is following closely. Some students can’t even take a seat out of nervousness. Students from respective houses are chanting for the players.
“Looks like our Slytherin seeker is chasing for the Golden Snitch and is followed quite close by Kim Doyoung from Ravenclaw! Is this match finally getting close to its end?” Kang Seulgi, the announcer for this match is yelling through his megaphone, increasing the tension in the game. She’s obviously excited for the outcome of the game too.
“Doyoung or Baekhyun?” Jongin asks Taeyong, who is already biting his nails out of nervousness.
Taeyong can only shrug. “Both of them are doing well.”
Jongin just chuckles because Taeyong’s eyes give him the answer. The doe eyes never leave Baekhyun, not even when Jongin asks him the question.
Baekhyun stretches his left arm forward while the other one is gripping tightly on his broomstick. He looks so focused on something in front of him. “Baekhyun!” he hears one of his teammates scream for his name and he takes one turn to his right and immediately grabs anything—or nothing—before him. That’s when a bludger is hitting his side and the next thing, he falls to the ground. He then slowly opens his palm before everything goes black.
*******
“I can’t believe you— we , have to celebrate our first win for this term in the damn infirmary,” Ten walks in with a handful of sweets and drinks for his friends who are waiting for Baekhyun to wake up.
“We won?” Baekhyun, who just regains his consciousness thirty minutes ago, asks.
“Like we’ve said ten times before—,” Lucas sighs. “You won. You manage to catch the Golden Snitch and everyone sees it except you.”
Baekhyun grins and reaches for the sweets that Ten just brings in. “Looks like I did well.”
“You did,” Taeyong says. “But what did I say about not getting hurt?”
“Uh—you didn’t say anything?” Baekhyun chooses to focus more on his sweet. “You said I should take care—yeah.”
“It is what it is,” Taemin says while patting Taeyong’s shoulder lightly. He knows the Hufflepuff will always be the one that worries the most if any of them get injured. “I believe he’ll just recover in days.”
Baekhyun looks up to Taemin, his eyes are sending words of gratitude to the latter, for comforting Taeyong. He knows he has no place to talk at times like this. “Taemin, you stink. At least change your clothes before visiting,” he masks it with his witty jokes on Taemin, who is still in his Quidditch gear.
“I’m sorry that I panicked to see my best friend fall dramatically to the ground and immediately be sent to Hospital Wing,” Taemin jokes and just like that, the environment is light again.
“But I must say, the way he opened his palm to see if he got the snitch, that is dramatic,” Jongin says while cackling at the memories of seeing Baekhyun on the ground with his palm in the air.
“The rest are celebrating?” Baekhyun asks Ten, his fellow Slytherin.
Ten nods while drinking the beer he sneaks in. “They’re a bit hesitant to celebrate without their captain but I’ve passed the memo that you wouldn’t mind and they can come tomorrow for a visit. If they want to.” He then looks at Baekhyun. “Oh, when are you discharging?”
“You are the best,” Baekhyun can only manage to give a thumb up to Ten because he can barely move his right arm. “I probably have to stay for another day, longer if I kind of take time to recover.”
“That was bloody crazy,” Ten shakes his head. “How the hell did the bludger come to you at that speed?”
Mark subtly nudges Ten and the latter takes a huge gulp of his beer, not wanting to see any drama. “But it is what it is,” he immediately says, regretting his choice of topic earlier. “I’ll help you take all the notes, anyway,” he still puts an effort on changing the subject.
“Thank you.”
“Uhh, I think we’ll head to the dorm now?” Mark says, eyeing each of his friends. “It’s almost curfew.”
Jongin immediately gets the signal. “Yeah, I think we all should. Baekhyun ah, you need to rest as well.” He then looks at his fellow Hufflepuff friend. “Taeyongie, you’re coming with me?”
“You guys go first, I’ll catch up later.”
Each of them nod and bid their goodbye to Baekhyun, with a promise of visiting him again with some delicious foods from Great Hall, if their timetable allows them. Now, it’s only Baekhyun and Taeyong left in the infirmary, with silence surrounding them.
“You saw the bludger, didn’t you?” Taeyong breaks the silence.
Baekhyun just plays with the hem of his blanket. He lets out a heavy sigh. “There’s nothing I can do—“
“Fly away?”
“The snitch—“
“Is more important than your own safety and wellbeing,” Taeyong scoffs. “Of course.”
“I’m sorry.”
Taeyong closes his eyes and takes a deep breath. He repeats it for three times before slowly opening his eyes again and looks at Baekhyun sofly. “No—,“ he shakes his head. “I am sorry,” his fingers fiddle with each other. “I know every Quidditch match is important for you. I know you want to win them all. But when I watch the bludger hits you just now, it kind of gives me a flashback of our fourth year.”
“Also the fact that I fall from the sky,” Baekhyun chuckles. “Technically.” He says, remembering Taeyong’s fear of height, which is one of the reasons he dislikes Quidditch.
“Yeah.”
“This one—,” Baekhyun looks at his bandaged arm. “Is not as bad as fourth year’s injury. So far, nothing could top that one. But I understand and I’m sorry for making you worried.”
Taeyong just shrugs. “Well, it’s actually inevitable. You play Quidditch, it is expected. Not only to you, but the rest of the lads too. Except Ten,” he giggles.
“This makes me think—,” Baekhyun looks at Taeyong with curiosity. “How did you put up coming and watching us play in almost every match?”
“I keep asking myself the same too.”
Baekhyun lets out a small laugh and hisses not so long after when he shakes his shoulder too hard from laughing. “You are amazing,” he says sincerely, grateful for how caring Taeyong is as a friend. He then looks at the clock opposite of him. “You should head to the dorm. You know even if in this condition, I can still dodge points from a Hufflepuff for ignoring curfew, right?”
Taeyong scoffs in disbelief. “You’re an ass.”
“Who gives me an earful on being a responsible Head Boy at the start of the term?”
“My point still stands. You’re an ass,” Taeyong then chuckles after that. “I’ll head back, don’t stay up. Just sleep and get some rest so you can have a speedy recovery,” he looks at Baekhyun and flashes him a soft smile. “You did very well just now and congratulations,” he gently pats Baekhyun’s thigh before standing up. “Goodnight.”
*******
Baekhyun takes a bite of his bread while scanning his notes for Charms. He ignores everyone around him as he’s drowning in his notes.
“Where’s Ten?” a voice startles him and there’s no hint of guilt in the voice.
It makes Baekhyun stop reading his notes but smiles afterwards. “Good to see you too, Taeyongie,” he says, not looking up from his note.
“How do you know it’s me?” Taeyong is taking a seat in front of Baekhyun at the Slytherin table. “But seriously, where’s Ten? And everyone?”
Baekhyun reads the last line of his note before looking up at Taeyong. “I have known you for seven years there’s no way I don’t know your voice. Also, I have no idea where everyone is. I come from the head's room anyway.”
“No class?”
“I got a free period so I went up there to take some books,” Baekhyun continues to eat his bread. “Oh, I just remember I want to ask for your help on something. We have Potion later on next week right?”
Taeyong nods.
“I heard we’ll learn how to make a love potion.” Baekhyun smiles getting wider when he sees the spark in Taeyong’s eyes. “Exactly, Amortentia.”
Taeyong narrows his eyes. “But how do you know about it?”
“Professor Kwon told me in advance. But he’ll let the rest of the class know about it later anyway.”
“Of course,” Taeyong rolls his eyes. Professor Kwon is head of Slytherin house and without a doubt, Baekhyun is his favourite student. “So what do you need?”
“You promise to help me with anything Potion!” Baekhyun dramatically screeches.
Taeyong just laughs out loud and takes an apple from the table. “So you want to do an advance preparation?”
Baekhyun nods. “It’s a tough potion to make.”
“Library or head’s room?” Taeyong asks.
“I don’t want to walk to the library today. My schedule is quite packed except for now. Come to my room? You can ask other lads to come too. I feel like it’s been a while since I see you guys,” the Head Boy chuckles. He's Been juggling everything into his own schedule. Head Boy duty, Quidditch practice and N.E.W.T’s preparation. Sometimes he feels like he doesn’t even have time for himself.
“So I have to spread the word?”
“Just ask Ten to deliver it. He’ll do it in no time.”
*******
“Strawberry cheesecake,” Taeyong says the password to Baekhyun’s room and smiles after they are granted permission to enter.
“You know the password of Baekhyun’s room?” Lucas asks in disbelief. He knows Taeyong sometimes comes over and studies with Baekhyun. He does that sometimes too, with Mark or Ten but they’re never granted the privilege of knowing the password to the Head Boy’s room. This is obviously news to him.
“Yeah? Baekhyun tells me so I won’t have any problem entering his room,” Taeyong just shrugs and continues to walk into the head’s room.
“Of course,” Jongin just chuckles and follows the rest of the group into Baekhyun’s room. Out of all of them, he’s the one that comes here the least because he prefers to stay in Hufflepuff dorm and spend his free time sleeping. So he forgets how amazing the decoration of the head’s room is compared to their usual dorm.
“Whoa, foods?!” Lucas laughs excitedly when there’s a pile of delicious food on the table in the middle of the head’s common room. “You are the best, Baekhyun ah. You bring all of these by yourself?”
Baekhyun just laughs and takes a seat between Jongin and Mark. He shakes his head. “I get the house elf to bring it here. I know none of you guys can go on studying for hours without starving.”
“Geez, Head Boy privilege is real,” Taemin says before taking a fried chicken for himself. “Joohyun knows you’re having us tonight?”
The Head Boy just nods. “She’s aware about it. Plus her room is a bit far from the common room, unlike mine, so it’s fine, “he looks at his friends. “Or do I need to cast Silencio?”
“Thought we are here to study and not partying?” Ten asks.
“Exactly,” Baekhyun nods. “That’s why I told her to worry about nothing. Anyway, it feels so good to be together again. Why do I feel we’re kind of distance from each other nowadays?”
“Why do I feel like you can get easily sentimental since you’re announced as the Head Boy?”
“And we’re literally attending few same classes together,” Jongin teases his best friend.
“You guys won’t let me live, don’t you?” He takes a sip of his orange juice before reaching for his Potion textbook. “I guess we can start now. Jongin, Ten and Taeyongie, we’re going to proceed with Portion as planned. And if any of you guys need anything, just let me know. I got some books in my room if you need extra reference.”
“God, this smart ass side of yours is so sexy,” Taemin says while presenting a toothy grin to his Slytherin friend. “I get it now why the junior students are literally queuing to get your help.”
“Get yourself on your book already,” Baekhyun says while laughing, throwing the unused parchment when he’s writing nonsense while waiting for the guys to come. He then opens his Potion book before massaging his temple. “I’m looking at the ingredients and I’m already having a headache.”
“Professor Kwon can’t be real when he decides to make us brew Amortentia. I know we are seventh year students and it’s already in the syllabus but—“ Ten lets out a sigh looking at the Potion note in front of him. “This is making me lose my whole mind.”
“Do you think someone will keep the potion they brew and give it to their crush? Or partner?” Taeyong asks curiously, thinking about the possible outcome after the class, knowing well this potion is the most powerful love potion in the wizarding world.
“That—if they are successful in making the potion,” Jongin is already taking a chocolate into his mouth.
“I hear stories from previous seventh year students and their experience in making Amortentia—“ Mark interrupts. “In their words—it’s hellish,” he laughs as if he finds joy in imagining his friends suffering in their Potion class next week. “Kindly let us know how you guys feel after the class. And the secret of successfully brewing it too,” he winks before going back to his Charms essay.
“You guys are just going to ride on our success now huh?” Ten says jokingly. “Okay but this potion is difficult aside, aren't you guys curious or scared of what you’re going to smell from it?” He wiggles his eyebrows playfully.
Taeyong quickly scans his text book. “So each of us will smell a different scent from it. It's based on what we’re actually attracted to,” he says while his eyes are still on the book. “Interesting.”
“Indeed,” Baekhyun answers, eyes are on Taeyong. “What do you think you’ll smell?”
“How do I know?” Taeyong shrugs. “I guess we’ll just wait until next week.”
“I think I kind of have an idea what Baekhyun will smell from it,” Taemin snickers before dodging a pillow that’s been thrown by Baekhyun. “But I’ll just wait until next week to confirm my prediction.”
“Does Taemin know something that I don’t?” Taeyong asks curiously.
“Since when did we start listening to Taemin?”
“Hey, if you guys don’t realize, I’m still in the room and any slander against me is unacceptable!” Taemin half yells while diligently writing his Transfiguration essay.