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Jeongin sat in his usual seat at the Ravenclaw table, awaiting Dumbledore’s annual speech at the beginning of the year. But his mind was elsewhere.
Currently, the goblet of fire is standing large and tall in the middle of the great hall, blue flames coming out of the top. For the past day, Jeongin observed as Hyunjin steals glances at the object, intrigued by the opportunity to play in the Triwizard Tournament.
Even now, Hyunjin continues to keep his eyes on the goblet, unaware of Jeongin's stare.
Once dinner is finished, Jeongin ran toward Hyunjin.
“Hyunjin! Wait up!” he yelled, running to catch up with him, causing Hyunjin to turn around, smiling.
“Hey, Yen. I didn’t get to see you very much today.”
“I know, I missed you. It’s bad enough I didn’t get to see you over the break.”
“You’ll get to see me a lot more when you’re helping me study for the Triwizard tournament.”
Triwizard tournament? Didn't Hyunjin say he wasn't gonna enter?
“What? Is Jisung going to enter?” Jeongin asked bewildered.
“No, I am. I think I can do it. Why? Do you think I can’t do it?” Jeongin sighed and looked down.
“Of course, you can do it, Jin. But It’s extremely dangerous and I don’t want you to get hurt. You heard Dumbledore, people have died in this tournament, I can’t lose you.”
Hyunjin smiled and grabbed Jeongin’s hand.
“I won’t get hurt. I’ll be careful.”
Jeongin, however, grew weary.
“I’m just scared, Jin. Why did you change your mind all of a sudden?” Hyunjin sighed as he shuffled his feet.
“Fine, I won’t do it. I promise.”
“You won't?”
"Yeah, I changed my mind. Winning isn't worth worrying you." Hyunjin muttered, pulling Jeongin into a hug.
"I'll make it up to you, I promise," Jeongin mumbled into his shoulder.
-
Announcements for the Triwizard tournament happened a few days later and Hyunjin continued to insist that he hadn't put his name in the goblet.
After Dumbledore's announcement, the papers began to fly out.
From Beauxbatons, Delphine, a long blonde-haired girl, was chosen and from Durmstrang, Adrian, a muscular boy with a cold stare was chosen. Once it came down to the Hogwarts champion, the room grew quiet. Groups huddled together to see if they were chosen. But, once the name came out, the noise deafened.
“Hwang Hyunjin”
Jeongin’s head snapped in Hyunjin's direction, demanding an explanation, but Hyunjin was too busy celebrating with his friends to notice him.
Hyunjin lied. He put his name in.
Within a second, all eyes were on Hyunjin.
Cheers erupted from all the students.
Everyone was happy. Everyone but Jeongin.
Hyunjin tried to catch Jeongin’s gaze with pleading eyes as he stood on the podium, but the other just looked away, ignoring his desperate stares.
Once the champions were shuffled down into another room and Dumbledore gave his closing speech, Jeongin quickly shuffled out of the auditorium, only to be stopped by his best friend.
“I don’t get it, I thought you said he wasn’t going to enter?” Seungmin mumbled confusedly.
“He wasn’t. Or that’s what he at least told me, but we know that was a lie.”
Seungmin sighed.
“Maybe he just didn’t know how to tell you?”
“He promised, Seung. And then he goes and does this. Imagine if he didn’t even win, do you think he would ever tell me?” Seungmin looked down, not knowing how to answer.
“That’s what I thought.”
The two continued to walk down the hall in silence before hearing a yell.
“Wait! Jeongin, please?!”
Jeongin whipped around angrily and Seungmin began to walk away, whispering 'i'll see you later'.
“What, Hyunjin, what can you possibly say that’ll make this any better?”
“I’m sorry, okay? I’m really sorry. By the time I promised you, I already put my name in and I didn’t know how to tell you.”
“Hyunjin, we talked on the second night. You’re telling me you put your name in without a thought? Even after you told me you weren't gonna do it?"
“I-” He sighed. “I’m sorry. I’m just trying to live my life without-” Hyunjin then cut himself off.
“What? What were you going to say?” Jeongin questions, starting to get angry.
“Without you nagging me all of the time. I can’t do anything without getting scolded.”
Jeongin scoffed and shook his head.
“Are you serious right now? You act like I criticize everything you do. Do you know how many times I held my tongue when you and Jisung decided to get yourself into trouble? Countless amounts, Hyunjin!” he yelled.
Hyunjin pursed his lips, looking at the ground in frustration.
“You seriously have nothing to say?”
Hyunjin was at a loss for words, he knew what he did was wrong, but he was just so angry at Jeongin at the moment.
“Fine don’t answer then, I’m leaving.”
Hyunjin cursed as he watch Jeongin walk away. This was bad.
-
The next day, Hyunjin doesn’t see Jeongin at breakfast.
“Why are you so upset? You’re the champion. Is studying that hard for you?” Jisung questioned, plopping on the bench.
“Jeongin and I got in a fight and he’s been m.i.a since.”
“Oh shit. How bad was it?”
“I’m not even sure we are together anymore,” Hyunjin mumbled, looking down at his lap.
“Did he say you were over?”
“No, but he got all worked up about me entering and I said some things I shouldn’t have and then he walked away and has been avoiding me since.”
"You guys fight like this all the time when you get yourself into trouble, I'm sure he'll forgive you soon. And he never called it off between you two. You still have a chance to fix this. Now stop moping please, you have work to do."
“When did you get so wise? Did someone put a spell on you or something?” Hyunjin said, rolling his eyes.
“What can I say? I'm just that smart.” Jisung remarked, before stealing Hyunjin’s toast and running away.
Jeongin continued to avoid Hyunjin for the next few days, hoping that he was too busy with the tournament to notice. It's not like he was really even that mad about the tournament anymore. But, Hyunjin was always getting himself in trouble and Hyunjin clearly thought that Jeongin was too controlling anyways.
-
On the day of the first task, Hyunjin was nervous. He still hadn't talked to Jeongin yet and he had only just found a solution to beating the dragon. It was nerve-wracking.
-
Jeongin wasn't any better now that he saw what the task was. Dragons? Fricken dragons? How is Hyunjin going to beat a dragon?
“You know, Hyunjin hasn’t been doing so good since your fight, I think you should talk to him,” Jisung spoke up, taking a seat next to Jeongin.
Jeongin looked at the floor, opting not to talk. Seungmin, however, did not stay silent.
“Well if he was so upset, why didn’t he talk to Jeongin then?”
“Maybe because Jeongin was avoiding him.” Jisung spat out. Although, his anger wasn't particularly at Jeongin, but more at Seungmin.
“Hm, I wonder why he would do that. Let me think, Hyunjin broke a promise that he made about something serious and then acted like Jeongin was a nag.”
The two bickeed r back and forth for a while about who was at fault before Jeongin had enough and elbowed them.
“Look, I’ll talk to him when we are both ready for it.”
Jisung looked at him one more time with hope in his eyes.
“Are you going to forgive him?”
“I don't know.”
Jeongin didn't know what else to say. He really wasn't sure, they haven't talked.
His answer seemed to silence anything Jisung had to say.
-
Hyunjin was proud of himself. After all, he did just win the first task. Maybe he should talk to Jeongin. But first, he needed to figure out this second task. And the yule ball...
Hyunjin struggled to find a date for the ball. He can't go alone. It was tradition that all the champions performed the first dance of the night with their partners. And well, Jeongin still showed no signs of wanting to talk. So, he had to look elsewhere.
Changbin had been in the library studying when Hyunjin suddenly approached him.
“Be my date to the Yule Ball.”
Changbin looked up and chuckled.
“Hello to you too, Hyunjin. How have you been? I’ve been good, thanks for asking.”
Hyunjin didn’t seem to be in the mood to joke.
“I’m serious, Bin. Please, I need a date for the first dance, and Jeongin and I...Well, we aren’t really together right now.”
Changbin looked at him with pity before speaking up.
“Okay. I’ll go. But you owe me.”
Hyunjin let out a sigh of relief.
“Thank you Bin! I’ll make it up to you, I promise you!” Hyunjin yelled while leaving the library, only to get scolded by Madam Pince.
-
Jeongin sat in the Great Hall, eating his meal peacefully when Seungmin stormed his way towards him in a huff, plopping down on the seat in front of him.
“Seungmin, nice to see you again. It’s been about what? ten minutes? I thought you were going to go to the library.”
Seungmin groaned and laid his head down on the table, almost laying his head in the mashed potatoes.
“I was.”
“And why are you here now?”
“Hyunjin.”
Jeongin was confused. What does Hyunjin have to do with Seungmin going to the library?
“What does he have to do with anything?”
Seungmin lifted his head for a second.
“He asked Changbin to be his date to the ball.”
Jeongin inhaled. He wouldn’t lie, that hurt him, but he wasn't sure why that would upset Seungmin so much.
“Okay... And why did that make you so mad?”
Seungmin went silent for a second and looked down.
“Because I went there to ask Changbin to be my date," he said, mumbling.
Jeongin held in a laugh. He was in disbelief.
“Oh my god, the guy you like is Changbin? Are we talking about the same Changbin? Ravenclaw? Older than us? Short?”
“Haha funny. Yes, he is and I clearly don’t have a chance because he's going to the dance with Hyunjin.”
Jeongin stayed silent, looking around to see if anyone was staring. Seungmin looked up with a huff.
“Let me join you and your pity party. I don’t want to go now.”
“Pity parties are only for one person. Why don’t we just go together? I know you were looking forward to it.”
Seungmin lit up with excitement. Jeongin was glad to make his friend happy.
“Really? Okay, we need to get matching outfits, stat. It’ll be so fun. Thank you Innie!”
-
When the day came, Hyunjin was nervous. It's already hard enough having to learn to dance with Changbin, but now he also had to worry about if Jeongin was going to show up with a date and what that would mean for them. It didn't help that Changbin always seemed to be staring somewhere else.
“Holy shit.” Changbin breathed out.
Hyunjin looked up, dazed, before following Changbin’s line of vision. There Jeongin and Seungmin stood, arm in arm, cascading down the stairs.
"Wow."
-
Jeongin was nervous, to say the least. He was aware that he would have to see Hyunjin dance with Changbin and he wasn't exactly sure he was ready for it.
Seungmin sensed Jeongin’s uneasiness as he linked their arms.
“It’ll be fun. Don’t even think about it. We can stand in the back so you don’t actually have to watch if you want.”
Jeongin smiled at that, giving Seungmin the go-ahead to begin down the stairs. When the two reached the bottom, Jeongin felt eyes on them. He glanced around only to be met with Hyunjin staring back.
Why is he staring? Isn’t he supposed to be getting ready for his grand entrance?
-
Hyunjin couldn’t take his eyes off of them, even when the two were escorted into the hall and he was left in the corridor. He didn’t even know if Jeongin was going to come tonight, let alone with a date and looking absolutely gorgeous.
“I didn’t know they were together,” Changbin spoke up suddenly.
“They aren’t, at least I don't think. I mean we aren't even broken up and Jeongin said that Seungmin had his eyes on someone already.”
Changbin reached to pat Hyunjin on the back.
“Hey, it’s fine, they could just be here as friends. They don’t seem like each other's types anyways.”
Hyunjin laughed, feeling more relieved now with Changbin’s ‘logical’ answer.
“What would you know about their types?”
Changbin rolled his eyes before speaking.
“Well, Jeongin dated you. You're not exactly similar to Kim Seungmin at all.”
-
Hyunjin and Changbin walked side by side, the Slytherin towering over the older boy, something Hyunjin found hilarious. The champions all stood in the center, as everyone waited for the music to play. Hyunjin looked around, trying to find Jeongin, only spotting him toward the back a second before the music started. He lost sight of him as soon as the dance began.
-
Jeongin watched as the champions danced, his eyes glued to Hyunjin. It took everything in him to ignore the pit in his stomach, instead, focusing on the way his coat flowed while he danced.
Somehow, Seungmin noticed his discomfort and intertwined their fingers.
“Don’t torture yourself.”
-
When the dance ended, Seungmin pulled Jeongin toward the dance floor. The two danced for a while and the Ravenclaw seemed able to let go of all his worries for a moment. When a slower song came on, though, Jeongin decided it was time to get a drink.
“You two seem happy.”
Hyunjin.
Jeongin turned around only to see the other offering a cup of punch with a smile.
“We both needed a distraction and well, it’s fun.”
Hyunjin chuckled and glanced at his feet.
“I’m glad that you’re happy then.”
Jeongin nodded and took a sip of his punch.
“So you’re here with Changbin then?”
Jeongin abruptly asked, not knowing what else to say.
“Yeah, I couldn’t go with Jisung because he already had a date and well there was no way to go alone. Changbin said he’d go with me as long as I give him something in return.”
Hyunjin’s bitterness was now even more apparent. He must've sounded so pathetic to need to make a deal with his friend to even get a date.
Jeongin felt relieved.
“Changbin won’t make it something difficult. Knowing him, it’ll probably be paying for him during the next Hogsmeade trip.”
“Probably. Sounds like him.”
The table suddenly became silent, neither of the two knowing what to say until Hyunjin spoke again.
“In truth, he seems to be entranced by your date.”
Jeongin glanced at the older boy and followed his vision toward Changbin, who had seemed to be staring hopelessly at Seungmin dancing with a group of Durmstrang boys.
“Changbin likes Seungmin Back? Seungmin was so upset when he heard you and Changbin talking about going to the ball together. He Literally almost slammed his head in the mashed potatoes.”
Hyunjin’s eyes widened at the thought of an angry Seungmin.
“Oh my god. Seungmin likes Changbin?” Hyunjin whispered a little too loudly.
Jeongin swatted the top of his head.
“Yes, now shush. He would kill me for telling you and I don’t want to die today.”
THe two stared at each other for a second before bursting into giggles, only to be interrupted by Seungmin.
“Jeonginnnn, come dance with me it’s boring on my own.”
Jeongin scoffed at his best friend’s whiny attitude.
“I’m busy Seung, we can dance in a little bit.”
Seungmin groaned before noticing Hyunjin sitting there.
“Oh. It’s you.”
Hyunjin chuckled at the boy.
“Hello to you too, Seungmin, I've missed you in your absence.”
“Oh, that's odd. I haven't missed you one bit.”
“Why don’t you go ask Changbin to dance, I’m sure you would love that.”
Jeongin looked at Hyunjin with stern eyes, ready to punch him for saying that.
“You told him?” Seungmin whisper-yelled the younger boy in disbelief.
“To be fair, I only told him because he pointed out the fact that Changbin was staring at you.”
“He said what?!”
The three turned around to see none other than Seo Changbin. Hyunjin knew he was in trouble now.
“You were kinda staring,” Jeongin mumbled under his breath.
Seungmin snickered in the corner, causing Hyunjin to speak up.
“Don’t you laugh, Jeongin told me about your little fit the other day.”
The two burst into laughter as Seungmin's face goes red.
“What little fit?” Changbin felt left out now.
"Nothing!" The three yelled.
-
After teasing the two for a bit, Jeongin ended up pushing them toward the dance floor, leaving just him and Hyunjin at the table.
“That was fun.” Hyunjin seemed satisfied with his teasing.
“Yeah, it was. I’ve missed this.” Jeongin throws the last part in without even noticing.
“I’ve missed it too. I miss you so much.” Hyunjin whispered under his breath.
Jeongin was speechless, he really missed Hyunjin and he hated that things ended just but the words never seemed to leave his mouth. It seems he was too late anyways as Hyunjin's smile had already disappeared.
“I’m sorry, I shouldn't have said that. Thank you for entertaining me tonight,Yen, I’ll see you around.” Hyunjin choked out, grabbing his robe off of the chair and heading toward the exit.
“Wait, Hyunjin,” Jeongin called out to the other as he reached the exit.
“Yeah?”
Hyunjin felt a small glimpse of hope.
“Meet me tomorrow. Let's talk about us."
Hyunjin smiled, nodding.
“Of course. See you tomorrow, Jeongin.”
-
Sadly, Jeongin didn't get the chance to talk with Hyunjin before Professor Mcgonagall came in.
"Mr. Yang, Professor Dumbledore would like to see you in his office. He has something urgent to discuss with you."
Once Jeongin reached the office, he sat down next to two other students he didn't recognize.
"Would you likesome tea, Jeongin."
-
Hyunjin hadn’t heard from Jeongin since the night before and he really needed to get to the lake, but he did not want to miss the opportunity to talk with Jeongin.
“Did Jeongin stay with you last night? I haven’t seen him all morning and his roommates said he never came back last night.” Seungmin suddenly spoke.
Hyunjin looked at Seungmin confused.
“No? I haven’t seen him since last night. Is he not here?”
Seungmin shook his head and patted Hyunjin on the back.
“No, but I’m sure he’s around here somewhere, maybe he slept in Chan’s room. I’ll ask him, you focus on the task, good luck!”
Seungmin yelled as he headed toward Bang Chan.
Where is Jeongin?
Hyunjin let go of the thought, he'll worry about that later.
When the cannon went off, Hyunjin Jumped into the water, immediately putting on the bubble-head charm so he could actually breathe. Hyunjin still hadn’t figured out what prized possession was stolen from him, but he headed toward the deepest part of the lake anyways. The waters seemed calm, but Hyunjin remained cautious as he reached the bottom.
He searched the bottom, looking for an item of his until he came across a figure.
Jeongin.
Hyunjin panicked as he quickly swam over to the younger, trying to wake him.
No response.
Hyunjin untied Jeongin in a hurry and grabbed his hand as he swam toward the surface, making sure all the merpeople stayed away from Jeongin.
When they finally reached the surface, Jeongin was still unconscious. It wasn’t until Hyunjin placed him on the dock that he woke up, coughing.
Hyunjin stared at the younger, making sure he was alright as Jeongin sat up.
“Jeongin? Are you okay?”
Jeongin lifted his head, smiling at the older.
“I’m okay, thank you.”
“Yen, I think we should talk.”
Jeongin just nodded.
“Okay.”
-
After it was announced that Hyunjin had gotten second, Hyunjin walked Jeongin back to his dorm, giving the younger clothes to change into and sending him to Seungmin’s room to change. After both boys were changed and in the common room, Hyunjin began to speak.
“Well, I guess I’ll start, I know that you know that my task was to find something dear to me and that the thing ended up being you.”
Jeongin nodded, as a way to tell Hyunjin to continue.
“And I know that this whole situation is awkward for you since we aren't together right now and I understand if you need space. But Jeongin, I don’t think I can let you go without telling you that, no matter what, even after our fight, you’re still the most important thing to me. And you will continue to be that important thing even if you decide you move on and forget about me. I still love you and I always will.”
Hyunjin’s voice broke for the third time in the past few weeks. He knew that after this, Jeongin may never speak to him again. But he had to tell him that one last time.
Once again, the younger was at a loss for words, but he couldn't stand watching the older boy tear up.
“Hyunjin.” Jeongin reached out to the older.
“I still love you too. I know I haven’t been acting like it, but I really do. And you mean so much to me.”
He paused for a second, watching as the Hyunjin's face lit up.
“I’ve thought about it a lot these past few weeks, and Hyunjin, I don’t want to continue to be on a break. I never did and I don’t now either. Please don’t lose hope. I know it seems like I do, but I don’t."
Jeongin takes a deep breath before continuing.
"I'm so sorry, Hyunjin. I'm sorry for getting so mad at you, you're so smart and brave, of course, you would win. And I'm sorry for not being able to say this sooner. I’m just scared, what if we fight again? What if something like this happens again?”
Hyunjin immediately speaks up.
“I know, Yen. I forgive you too and I hope you know that. I know that it’s scary, but we can do it. I know I make a lot of mistakes and I can be reckless, but I promise you, I will never lie to you like that again or say the rude things that I did. Please, Jeongin, I’ll make sure to keep this promise, and if I don’t, you have every right to end it.”
Hyunjin stared at Jeongin with pleading eyes, looking for a sign. For a while, Jeongin stayed silent, looking forward.
“Okay,” Jeongin mumbled.
“I forgive you, but we are taking things slow and if you break your promise, I don’t know if I can forgive you again.”
Hyunjin automatically beams, a tear falling down his cheek. He reaches out for the younger boy, grabbing his hands and intertwining their fingers together.
“I promise you, Jeongin. Thank you. I mean it, I’ve been going insane without you.”
Jeongin smiles back at Hyunjin, his eyes glistening from both happiness and his tears.
“I’ve been going insane without you too. Do you know how hard it is to only talk to Seungmin? I mean, I love him, but he’s not you.”
Hyunjin laughs.
“Trust me, I’ve been stuck with Jisung and Changbin. I think I’ve lost all my brain cells and spent all my money at this point.”