Archive of Our Own

Professor Kim Taehyung:

House head of Slytherin • Age 22 • Teacher for DADA • Handsome, charmer & loved by 99% of Hogwarts population • likes hot cocoa.

7th year Ravenclaw Jeon Jeongguk:

Prodigy & golden boy of the school • Age 20 • makes a bet with his friends that the new Dada prof won't last • Closeted gay • Does not understand what's so great about "kIm tAeHyUnG"

1.

His favourite smell in the world was fresh parchment and the clean yet dusty smell of the library. It was a place he could wander aimlessly discovering endless pillars of knowledge, a place where he could sit down and study comfortably till the late hours of the night and even sneak in a mug of hot piping tea with madam Pince turning a blind eye. It was Jeongguk’s favourite place inside the castle, especially when it wasn’t crowded with students.

Unfortunately, since the beginning of his 7th year at Hogwarts, peace and quiet was hard to come by.

A giggle disrupted Jeongguk’s focus the fifth time in the past 3 minutes. He stared down in frustration on the textbook lying in front of him and the 7 sentence paragraph he has been rereading again and again that just wouldn’t get stored in his brain. Professor’s Kim Taehyung’s Fanclub, which was consisting currently of 6 of its young members who were sitting directly behind the deadbeat exhausted Ravenclaw and Jeon Jeongguk, was anything but amused.

He took a deep breath, forced himself to think of happy thoughts and puppies, and then proceeded to read the paragraph again. Finally, some progress was being made when a peel of laughter caused Jeongguk to swerve in his seat with a murderous glare. From the polaroid pictures scattered all over the table and their wistful misty eyes, Jeongguk could only assume that those pictures did not contain anything but the new professor for Defence Against the Dark Arts. The 6 young underclassmen froze, smiles freezing when they felt Jeongguk’s murderous aura. A younger blonde Hufflepuff patted the Gryffindor next to her and they all turned to stare at Jeongguk’s overly wide and vaguely threatening smile.

“Please keep it down or madam Pince will kick you out,” he whispered very loudly and with a slow pause between each word, emphasizing with an obvious grit in his teeth. Taking a deep breath Jeongguk forced his painful grimace to relax into a semi more pleasant expression. Him being stressed did not mean he should be rude to a bunch of overly excited new students, even if they were giggling because of a certain professor instead of studying. With  a softer tone he added, “-Some of us are studying for our N.E.W.T.S  exams, and they are really important exams for us 7 years and determine our future career paths, so I would really appreciate it if you girls can keep it down.”

The 6 girls quickly nodded, wide eyes exchanging glances from him to each other as patches of pink bloomed across their cheeks. Jeongguk nodded his thanks and turned back around to his homework, eye twitching when he heard another giggle which was followed quickly by five girls shushing the latter. With a small peek he saw them whispering, eyes darting towards his hunched form and back. 

Jeongguk managed to finish reading that forsaken page he was stuck on and his shoulders sagged with relief, tension slipping away.

It’s not only the library that’s infested with giggling students of both genders. The corridors, the classrooms, the halls and even the quidditch pitch. There is no avoiding the plague of giggling love-struck students who had all one thing in common; they were unquestionably smitten with the new DADA professor. 

Jeon Jeongguk could understand why.

He wasn’t blind. He had two functioning eyes and could see clearly that 22-year-old Kim Taehyung was undoubtedly attractive. Jeongguk just didn’t understand why 99% of the population was so smitten with him. The Ravenclaw snorted as he began to gather his things in the now empty library. If the curse of the DADA lessons were true, Professor Kim won’t last beyond a year in the position so Jeongguk honestly did not understand what all the fuss was about.

2.

To say Jeongguk got any sleep that night would be a lie. Maybe an hour or two tops. For him to arrive for breakfast on time was a miracle by itself. The dishevelled Ravenclaw plopped into his seat with bleary eyes and a large yawn. 

“Good Morning to you too.” Kim Namjoon greeted, a piece of toast smeared with jam in his hand. Jeongguk blindly patted his friend’s face, skewing his glasses, before half-heartedly pouring a cup of juice without spilling anything.

“It’s too early in the year to stay up studying late, Jeonggukie.” Jung Hoseok, a Hufflepuff mused from the table beside them.

“This year it matters, hyung.” Jeongguk yawned a reply while the Hoseok leaned over to pat down his messy bed hair.

“It always matters Gguk, no need to get your undergarments in a twist before we even got homework,” Namjoon muttered, chewing his toast sandwich. “Just look at Seokjin and Yoongi, they aren’t panicking yet.”

Jeongguk peaked at the Slytherin table to see a fast asleep Min Yoongi with about 2 meters distance between him and the other house students. Park Jimin didn’t seem to have joined him this morning so there was no one to diffuse his cold anger if touched. The Ravenclaw then swirled his head to the Gryffindor table, watching Kim Seokjin languidly drink his pumpkin juice while listening attentively to the girl beside him. If the head boy appeared completely calm, there was certainly something amiss. For headmistress McGonagal to choose the chaotic troublemaker for the head boy position was the shock of the year. Seokjin was as cunning as a Slytherin and mean like the most snobbish Ravenclaw. He was also not fit for the role as he was the most fitting candidate after Jeongguk refused the position.  

“Are we supposed to be panicking?” Hoseok asked, head popping between the two Ravenclaws.

“I took a pepperup potion yesterday.” Jeongguk mused, “Does that answer your question?”

A squeal cut off Hoseok’s answer, making all the surrounding students turn toward the commotion. 

Kim Taehyung had just entered the breakfast hall, honey-coloured hair slicked back and revealing a dark set of eyebrows while his body was snug in a fitted green vest. The professor against the Defence Against the Dark Arts was one of the few teachers at Hogwarts that did not wear the traditional black wizard robes and Jeongguk believed that if he did, then half the student population would die of a stroke. Professor Kim wore the same brilliant and boxy smile, shiny teeth making the younger Ravenclaw want to hurl. Joengguk refused to believe he did not use a spell to keep those teeth glistening like pearls.

The professor walked down the hall, pointed shoes clinking against the marble as he greeted everyone left and right, making his way towards the teachers table at the end of the great hall.

Jeongguk scoffed when another girly squeal cut from the Gryffindor table, the girl whom Seokjin was talking to was red-faced and waving at the passing handsome figure while Seokjin tried not to choke from laughter. A wave of screeching chairs once more caught the attention of the hall for Min Yoongi was awake and the rest of the Slytherin house was fleeing from his midst. The latter glared half-heartedly at the DADA professor and instead took a long gulp from his coffee which was already cold.

“Merlin’s beard, even Yoongi likes him.”

“You say that like that’s a bad thing.” Hoseok snorted. “About time grumpy Min started acting more human than cat.”

Jeongguk’s nose wrinkled in disgust, “He won’t last a year.”

“Yoongi?” Namjon asked with a full mouth, jam moustache formed on his lip.

“No hyung, Professor Kim. Their lot never does, each year different circumstances.”

“Please don’t tell you to believe in that stupid curse,” Hoseok said, aghast. “It’s just a coincidence that the professor gets changed each year, not everyone can stay in that position.”

“Well, he won’t last either.” Jeongguk huffed, stuffing his mouth with a piece of bacon.

“Wait, Jeon Jeongguk...do you actually dislike Professor Kim? I thought it was a petty crush that you refuse to acknowledge.”

Jeongguk choked, coughs tearing his oesophagus apart. Raising his hand, Jeongguk swished his wand and a cup of water appeared in his hand. The Ravenclaw drowned it in one go and slammed his cup on the table, startling every student in the vicinity a third time this morning- and hissed with tears in his eyes. “I do not have a crush on him! He’s full of himself and I hate his shoes!” 

“What did his shoes ever do to you?” Namjoon asked with an incredulous tone, eyes wide and jam still covering his upper lip. 

“Yeah Ggukie, I think you’re overreacting. Professor Kim is a great dude. I would be happy if the students next year got to learn with him. I feel like I learned more this year in DADA then the past 6 years at Hogwarts.” Hoseok rolled his eyes and added with a crooked smile spreading across his lips, “-If you think he won’t last a year, might as well make a bet about it. To ease your troubled soul?”

Jeongguk eyed the Hufflepuff with narrowed eyes. In moments like these, he was reminded why Hogwarts’s sunshine is best friends with doom and gloom Slytherin Min Yoongi. He was more kind-hearted than cunning but the two of them, plus Kim Seokjin, were renowned for causing trouble when in the mood. Jeongguk and Namjoon were outstanding students, and even they couldn’t escape the clutches of getting into trouble because of this troublemaker trio.

“What are the stakes?”

“A free meal and me buying you a new set of quills and ink,” Hoseok smirked. “I know you’ve been eyeing that silver quill in Hogsmeade since last year.”

Jeongguk's jaw clicked as he gritted his teeth. “And if I lose?”

“You buy me tickets to a k-pop muggle concert and pay for my hotel.”

“Deal.”

Namjoon groaned beside them, “Please don’t get us in detention like last year because of your stupid bets. Scrubbing Moaning Myrtle’s toilets was a nightmare I will never forget.” 

3.

Be it fate or the schedule, this year’s 7th year had DADA after breakfast. Namjoon was worried for nothing. It's not like Jeongguk could make Taehyung leave. What was he gonna do? Bully him? Frame him for something and get him kicked out? No, Jeon Jeongguk will just wait for the curse to take its course. He didn’t have to raise a finger to deal with Mr Perfect Kim Taehyung. Even if he tried he would probably get his ass handed by the talented former Auror. 

The Ravenclaw was just concerned with passing his N.E.W.T.S this year and nothing else. He will worry about the bet once he’s successfully graduated Hogwarts.

Speaking of a certain professor, he was currently dragging in an old chained box into the Defence Against the Dark Arts classroom while his wand spelt out in a glittery pretty cursive upon the blackboard the words; “BOGGART and SMILE”. Jeongguk found it slightly amusing that Kim Taehyung did not use magic to raise the box in the air but actually took the effort to drag it in. 

The professor grunted, pausing in his ministrations and leaning heavily against the dark trunk before standing up and pushing his hair backwards. There was a slight sweat upon his brow which he dabbed away with a green silk handkerchief before smiling and turning an excited gaze toward the class.

“Today we are revising! And what’s the best way to practice some wand work than with a good old Riddikulus charm!”

Jeongguk’s wand fell with a clatter on the floor while the room erupted into murmurs. It’s been two weeks since the beginning of lessons and the Raevnclaws have been sharing DADA with the Slytherins this year. It made classes much more interesting with Jimin and Yoongi to partner up with when Namjoon was absent yet again. The Ravenclaw is occasionally seen in the infirmary after plummeting down the vanishing staircase each Thursday and Jeongguk wasn’t fond of partnering up with a random student during wand practice. He doesn’t have anything against his classmates, but Amanda Williams once erased his eyebrows in 4th year and he had developed trust issues since. 

This situation was much worse than having spent a full year regrowing his eyebrows. 

This was 5th year all over again, the year Jeongguk hated with every fibre of his being.

He managed to dope the boggart two years ago into one of his lesser fears and quickly got rid of it, but that won’t work this year. Not when his anxiety was deeply rooted into him while having simultaneously an existential crisis as well as a fear of absolute hate and rejection from his family. 

The Ravenclaw picked up his wand while the rest of the class piled behind him in a single file. Jeongguk turned with an incredulous expression and hissed, “What in Merlin’s beard, guys?”

“You go this, top student!” Jimin whisper shouted from way behind him, shooting him a thumbs up. Yoongi nodded his head beside the blond, eyes drooping and calm. The two Slytherins didn’t flinch at Jeongguk’s glare while the other students nodded with Jimin’s words with their own tense expressions. Apparently, Jeongguk wasn’t the only one worried about the Boggart. Yet, the feeling of absolute betrayal from his classmates flinging him out towards the beast made that anxiety turn to irritation. 

“Are you ready Jeongguk?” Professor Kim Taehyung asked with a tilted head and a patient smile.

Jeongguk worked his jaw and met the professor’s earnest gaze before signing and stepping forward.

Kim Taehyung nodded, tapped his ivory green wand against the trunk and took a step back. The hatches flew open with a loud click and the room fell silent.

The trunk stood still like a flower before it opened with a creak and a calloused hand pushed it open. A middle-aged Korean male stepped out of the horror box. Jeongguk and he shared the same nose and face shape but the Ravenclaw had received his mother's glittering eyes and smile. 

His father, no, this creature- wasn’t smiling now. Jeongguk watched his father point a finger at him, expression furious as he took step after step towards the Ravenclaw and as the Boggart opened its mouth to utter the dreaded slur- Jeongguk Rediculoused him into a giant floating ball. His cheeks bulged like a chipmunk as the boggart furiously tried to remain in its angry and dominant composure with swelling limbs. The crowd exploded into laughter and the creature fled back into its trunk.

Jeongguk lowered his shaking hand, tucking his wand away into his robes. Cold sweat covered all of his body while he periodically clenched and unclenched his fists.

“Well done Jeonggukie!” Jimin cheered, appearing beside him and clamping down a hand on his shoulder with a rough pat. 

“Well done, mister Jeon“ Taehyung praised as well, eyes alight with excitement and a wide smile of approval etched upon his face. “You dealt with that challenge beautifully. 10 points to Ravenc-”

“Hey Jeon, wasn’t that you dad?” A snide voice cut in loudly, causing the room to fall into a hush. 

Jeongguk’s form grew rigid while Jimin hissed in outrage. He turned his head, eyes catching the malicious smile on Julian Andrews’s face. He was a Slytherin and was one of the few that picked a fight with all of the houses and not just Gryffindor. In general, he was a complete cock figuratively and literally. Of course, out of all the people in the room, fate decided that he was the one to recognize Jeongguk’s father.  

“Julian Andrews,” Professor Kim Taehyung continued with a calm tone. “I would watch very carefully your next words young man.”

Julian’s face paled, having forgotten that the one teacher who was in charge of this lesson was the head of his house. But the damage had already been done and Jeongguk could feel the stares and whispers of his classmates cut into his skin like jagged pieces of glass. His heartbeat increased and roared in his ear. With a sharp move, the Ravenclaw shrugged off Jimin’s vice grip and turned on his heel.

“I would like to excused, Professor Kim,” Jeongguk said quickly, voice cutting through the tension in the room while swinging the heavy doors open with a flick of his shaking wand. He didn’t hear the professor call his name through the aggressive beat of his heart and the sounds of his boots clinking briskly upon marble. 

In a matter of moments, the Ravenclaw was down in the entrance hall and almost sprinting through the green grounds towards the lake. The setting sun blinded Jeongguk but he didn’t slow down even when he slipped on the muddy bank, almost launching himself into the water.

Jeongguk slowly leaned back on his heels, taking in a deep and shaky breath through his mouth and releasing it through his nose before sinking down into a crossed leg position. 

His head hung between his shoulders while his hands lay limply between his legs. God, he was pathetic. It wasn’t even his real father and just a cheap imitation. Although it may have been a tad too realistic…

The Ravenclaw released an agitated breath while throwing his head backwards with a frustrated shout, startling the few birds into flight from their calm perch on the lake edge. He just needed to get through his last year and then he could walk away and be himself. Jeongguk could find a nice wizard to settle down within the countryside and raise screaming mandrakes together as a hobby. The Ravenclaw just needed to finish this year... 

His brief moment of self-pity was disrupted when he heard someone calling his name. 

“By merlin, can’t a lad get a break?” Jeongguk muttered and turned, only to see professor Kim plop down next to him on the bank.

The student startled, eyes widened in surprise at the heaving figure. 

“Mister Jeon Jeongguk, you’re a fast one.” Kim Taehyung coughed, chest rising and falling with quick breaths. He leaned back on his hands, using the tip of his heeled shoe to shrug off the fancy leather. One hand moved forward to take off the other shoe and roll up both his seamless pants up to his knees. With a shocking twist, the ever composed professor Kim bared his ankles before dropping long tan legs into the cold water.

Jeongguk could only stare while the professor laughed at his look. 

“You look like a scandalised maiden. It's a hot day and the water is refreshing. No need to look so shocked, mister Jeon.”

Jeongguk felt his ears grow hot and averted his eyes to the side, watching instead the giant squid swim in the distance of the lake. They sat in silence while the professor closed his eyes underneath the setting sun, its rays turning his butterscotch hair into gold. Just as Jeongguk started to feel his heartbeat begin to calm down, the silence was broken by a gentle murmur, “Would you like some hot chocolate?”

Jeongguk turns his head only to reel back once again. The professor waved a thermos right beneath his nose, the sweet smell of chocolate filling the student’s senses. Jeongguk didn’t want anything to soothe his parched throat but he couldn’t ignore the almost puppy-eyed look the elder was sending him. Apprehensively, a hand raised to take the thermos. Swallowing a small sip, warmth spread through the young boy's body. The creamy chocolate texture slid down his throat almost greedily as Jeongguk took another gulp. The heaviness in his heart lifted, and the Ravenclaw could only sigh in satisfaction. 

“A bit of Pepperup potion to soothe anxiety, followed by good old hot cocoa. Just without the effect of steam coming out of one's ears.” Professor Kim winked at the younger.

Jeongguk’s lips lift into a small grateful smile. “Thank you, professor.”

Kim Taehyung waves his hand in a dismissive gesture, a smile still present upon his lips. “It’s my pleasure, mister Jeon.”

They sit in silence, Jeongguk sipping on the hot liquid while Kim Taehyung hummed a song beneath his breath, an ever-present smile stretched upon his lips. The sun slowly began to set when the Ravenclaw swallows the lost drop, belly warm and content and eyes drooping. This was the most relaxed he’s been in weeks since the beginning of the semester. The events from the afternoon already seem like a faraway dream at this point.

He sets down the empty thermos on the side, next to the professor’s shoes when the latter speaks up, “I know it may be not my place-”

Jeongguk’s body goes rigid. His eyes which closed against the warmth of the setting sun flew open.

“-But if something or someone is bothering you or making you struggle, my office is always open.”

“With all due respect, Sir-” Jeongguk turns toward him with a gritted jaw. “-I am not part of your house, so why would you bother?”

The professor smiles again and Jeongguk has to resist the urge to punch him in the face. It wasn’t a mocking smile or filled with pity, just with unconditional kindness. Jeongguk hated that he showed that expression to everyone around him so easily without a hint of regret. It couldn’t be that such a caring person existed. 

“You're still my student. In Defense Against the Dark Arts, we often deal with threats that are of our own making. Magic or magical creatures using our weaknesses against us. It is my job to make you strong enough to deal with your outside fears as well as your inner ones. Boggarts aren't the only creatures that may use them against you. Other wizards and even muggles-” His eyes met Jeongguk’s own vulnerable gaze, “-may use our own weaknesses against us.”

Jeongguk licked his lips, gaze dropping from the other's look with red cheeks. For some odd reason, it made him feel flustered to be under such scrutiny by the young professor. He blamed it on hormones and Kim Taehyung’s odd level of attractiveness. 

“So You're a therapist now?”

The professor laughed, a deep thrum of a sound echoing across the water. “No I am not, but I will be here if you need a listening ear. That, I can guarantee.”

Jeongguk nodded, still refusing to look at the elder’s expression and mutters, “Alright, professor.”

Taehyung hummed and slowly got to his feet, “As much as I enjoyed our time together-” He swished his wand, pants immediately drying and straightening down his legs with not a single crease in the material, “-I have to, unfortunately, plan out the rest of the lessons. Since your dear friend Park Jimin destroyed the boggart with the loudest laugh I have ever experienced, plans need to change. Goodbye for now, mister Jeon.”

Jeongguk again nodded shyly, refusing to look at the other till he was far away. The professor didn’t wear his shoes again and instead held them in his hand as he tracked the grassy planes up toward the castle. The elder turned suddenly and waved at the Ravenclaw. Jeongguk couldn’t help but return the gesture, a warmth blooming in his chest that was not connected to the hot cocoa in his belly. 

4.

Several weeks have passed since the Boggart lesson and Jeongguk life continued. No one dared approach the subject of his father but the Ravenclaw knew that the rumours had spread. None of the Slytherins came near him but wasn’t because of common sense and tact but mostly because Professor Kim seemed to be around him whenever they tried to do anything.

He would be walking down the hall towards his new class, already sensing from the corner of his eyes the 3 Slytherins from DADA eye him with malicious smiles when suddenly Taehyung would appear in front of him with a cheerful greeting and demand his attention. At first, Jeongguk didn’t know how to react. Teeth nibbling worriedly at red lips and eyes darting from side to side in obvious discomfort; the professor never pressured him and stayed completely civil, keeping his distance and not once bringing up the incident in class. It was alarmingly weird that even Jeongguk’s friends noticed the change in their interactions with each other. 

“Didn’t you hate him?” Yoongi drawled at a flustered Jeongguk as Taehyung cheerfully waved at him from across the hallway, the green robe he was wearing swishing from side to side with the enthusiastic movement.

“He’s not so bad.” Jeongguk muttered, ignoring Hoseok jabbing his sides playfully with a knowing smirk, “-Once you get to know him I mean.” 

Several more days passed in the same manner, Jeongguk having no interaction with the professor beyond brief greetings and lessons. Before the Ravenclaw knew it, Christmas break had arrived.

He didn’t go home, even when his mother had sent letters imploring him to come back and spend it with family. Even now, on the first morning on break, he had received another letter with the same request and promptly burned it with a flick of his finger. 

Out of all of his friends, Jeongguk was the only one to stay over break at Hogwarts. Having the Ravenclaw common room to himself was unusual and didn’t happen once throughout his 7 years at Hogwarts. There was always someone that stayed over at school and filled the cold gaps in the room. A game of chess, a gentle murmur and the sound of a scratching quill against parchment wasn’t made by anyone but himself this year. 

Jeongguk set his book on the side of the table and looked upon the empty cold room. It was lonesome. Tremendously lonesome. It was a feeling he, unfortunately, grew to know over the years. As much as he and their friends were still in the same friendship circle, there wasn’t the same level of understanding and intimacy. Each person dealt with their own issues and retreated into his own house. The only people Jeongguk was still somehow in a closer relationship than the others was Namjoon and Hoseok, and even that was from them wanting to spend time with him. Everyone’s priorities changed, and their friendship went down in importance.

A sudden knock against the window made him jump, promptly spilling ink all over his pyjamas. Jeongguk swore before looking at the culprit, a familiar tawny owl cooing against the window, making his grumpy expression fade into an excited one. 

Pulling the window open he quickly allowed the bird to skip in, ruffling its feathers from the cold. 

“Thank you, Haru,” Jeongguk murmured, brushing the owl’s feathers back before offering it a cracker. Haru cooed, munching on its snack while Jeongguk untangled the heavy parcel attached to its legs. 

He first opened the small scroll, neatly wrapped around the parcel in a blue ribbon while  Jeongguk fondly shook his head at his older brother’s antics. Out of all the letters he was most excited to receive were always first and foremost from his brother, Jeon Junghyun.

The latter always liked to wrap his letters in a pretty colour of blue, the same colour as Jeongguk’s house Ravenclaw. Just like Jeongguk, Junghyun was also part of Ravenclaw when he studied at Hogwarts many years ago. Compared to their other family members all coming from Gryffindor, they were the special ones in the bunch. The colour blue always symbolized something more than family to both of them and became their signature during correspondences.

Jeongguk settled against an armchair while Haru stretched its wings before jumping out the window and setting out back to its master. The letter was brief in writing but made Jeongguk smile nonetheless.

My Dear little brother,

It’s your last year at Hogwarts and I wish you the best of luck during these trying times. I am saddened that we could not meet during the break, but I understand your reasoning for that. I hope once you graduate, you will be able to stand as your true self in front of our father. I sent you this gift a bit late in the year but it seems to fit the holiday spirit so I will tell you of its legend. Have you heard that if you make 10000 origami paper cranes, you will be granted a wish from the gods? That is the tale I have heard here at the ministry in Japan. Many seem to believe in it but not many have completed the task. So my gift to you is this, little brother; Don’t forget to take breaks between studying and calm your heart with this task of mine, so at the end, you will achieve what you want most. 

With much love,

Your brother, Junghyun.

Jeongguk reached for the parcel and opened it open, seeing a large stack of glittery silver and blue origami paper perched neatly in a box. A smile spread across his face and he buried his face into the letter with watery eyes with a laugh. This was the perfect Christmas present to distract him from the loneliness of the castle, the stress of his exams and the anxiety of his secret. 

He had not seen Junghyun since last year, ever since he went to work in Japan to study ancient runes older than the continent. Knowing that his brother still had him in his heart after all this time apart, was the greatest gift Jeongguk could ask for.

5.

On Christmas eve, Jeongguk enters a decorated great hall and gapes at its beauty. Winter fairies fly around with beautiful glitter falling off their wings while the great tree standing in the middle of the hall is decorated from head to toe in ornaments of the most beautiful colours. There is one small table for the remaining professors and students on break to eat food. The Ravenclaw had arrived later in the evening and only the headmistress remained seated, reading a book as she glances up through her spectacles at Jeongguk with a smile. 

“You’re late mister Jeon. the rest have already eaten.”

“I’m sorry headmistress McGonagall. Lost track of time.” Jeongguk replies, take a seat before her.

“It’s alright now. I knew you would have come eventually once you grew tired of studying.” she rose from her seat, graceful as always, even when exhaustion was apparent in her limbs. “Take this break as an actual break, Mister Jeon. Overworking yourself won’t do any good.”

“Yes, headmistress.”

“Goodnight mister Jeon,” she said in a parting and exited the great hall with a click of her heels. While her steps began to fade, Jeongguk set about filling his plate. Hunger ate up at his stomach while he stuffed his cheeks full with mashed potatoes. He hadn’t eaten all day while studying, determined to finish all of his homework at the beginning of break so he could study for the exams properly. Once his stomach calmed down and he didn’t feel like throwing up anymore, the Ravenclaw pushed aside his plate and took out a few papers from the stack Junghyun had sent him and began to bend and twist one origami paper into a clumsy crane. 

After several minutes he set his creation aside, the glittery silver paper making the crane appear more graceful than its creator’s hand. He gently touched the tip of it, warmth swelling through his chest when the great hall’s doors swung open with a creak. 

A green cloaked figure stumbled in while the snow began to melt off its frozen form. Leaving wet footprints in his wake, Kim Taehyung fell ungracefully into the chair the headmistress had previously occupied and threw back his hood with a huff. 

Jeongguk blinked at him curiously. Wet strands of hair were plastered to the professor’s forehead and his nose and cheeks were flushed a cherry red. It was such an opposite to Kim Taehyung’s usually immaculate graceful dressing that the Ravenclaw couldn’t help but be surprised. The professor seemed to always appear in front of Jeongguk in the most humane way possible, not the perfect idolized version the Hogwarts students had made it out to be.

It was a nice yet surprising change. 

“Merry Christmas, Professor Kim. “Jeongguk greeted softly, causing the latter to jolt with surprise. Wide brown eyes shot in the Ravenclaw’s direction, shock quickly switching into delight.

“Merry Christmas, mister Jeon! pardon me, I didn’t even see you there.” he shook his hair before drawing it back with his hand, a large emerald ring glinting against the fairy lights. He shot Jeongguk a glinting smile and raised his hand, drying himself with a simple spell. Jeongguk couldn’t help but snort to himself when the professor’s honey-coloured hair fell with a perfect wave against his forehead

Kim Taehyung shot him an amused look, “That’s the first time I’ve seen you laugh next to me.”

Jeongguk felt his smile slide off his face, cheeks tinting red. “Uh, well-”

“I’m glad I managed to coax that out of you.” the professor continued with a smile, piling mashed potatoes and meat on his plate. “-I’d always see your friends make you smile and laugh but I guess I made you nervous.”

“I’m like that will all professors.” Jeongguk huffed, clearly flustered as he played with the tip of his newly made origami crane. 

“Not with Flitwick.”

“He’s my head of my house!” Jeongguk said, lips already stretched into a bemused smile. “Are you perhaps jealous, professor Kim?”

Kim Taehyung was caught unaware, stopping in his ministrations with the sudden question. He blinked, staring blankly ahead of him before focusing his gaze on Jeongguk with an unreadable expression, “I don’t want you to be uncomfortable around me, mister Jeon. What I said 2 months ago, still stands.”

Jeongguk nodded, gaze equally as guarded while he regarded the other. The professor managed to surprise him yet again with his reactions. The Ravenclaw couldn’t help but wonder what went through that blond head.

“Are you perhaps interested in origami?” Professor Kim suddenly interjected through his train of thought, chin inclined to the poorly made crane. 

Jeongguk smiled, gently cupping his weak creation. 

“It was a gift from my brother. He said it would ease my mind when I am stressed.”

“It is known to help with keeping one’s mind calm through turmoil.” Professor Kim hummed, now pushing his own plate aside. “But specifically paper cranes...Have you heard that if one makes 10000 paper cranes his biggest wish in the world will come true?”

Jeongguk nodded, inclining his head to the stack of glittery papers beside his empty plate. “That’s what my brother told me.”

Kim Taehyung's expression grew gentle, “You have a very caring brother mister Jeon. I do hope that whatever you wish for will come true.”

“Thank you, professor,” Jeongguk replied with a murmur.

They sat together with relatively easy chatter and calm, a warmth surrounding the two of them in a tiny bubble of happiness in the darkening hall. Jeongguk completed 25 more paper cranes that night and sent his brother a chocolate rose as a thank you.

6.

Once the holidays end, Hogwarts is once more filled with hundreds of steps and murmurs crossing its ancient halls. The story of Jeongguk’s Boggart had slowly faded once the newest gossip hit the halls; Ravenclaw Kim Namjoon is dating head boy Gryffindor Kim Seokjin. 

Jeon Jeongguk was happy for his best friend, but also felt betrayed that he found out when the rest of the school did. Namjoon had been harbouring a crush on the Gryffindor since year 4 and Jeongguk was the frequent witness to his gay meltdowns. Because of how Namjoon gushed about the other, Jeongguk realised he was attracted to men as well. Once Namjoon found out he verbally threatened Jeongguk not to approach his crush and the younger Ravenclaw was terribly amused.

“What are you going to do? Fall down the vanishing staircase and crush me?”

“Maybe I will!”

Needless to say, Jeongguk wasn’t interested in Kim Seokjin in any way whatsoever. He had a brief crush on Park Jimin but that didn’t last when the other continuously whined about his own crush on Min Yoongi.

His own friends began to pair off in the recent year, widening the gap between them. Even Hoseok managed to find himself a girlfriend to enjoy the blossoming love of youth

There were many girls that approached Jeongguk over the years but for obvious reasons, he declined all of them. He wasn’t publicly outed as part of the LGBTQ community and only his close friends knew of his secret. His father had connections with Hogwarts and Jeongguk couldn’t take the risk of it leaking to him.

Especially with how maliciously people were reacting to the new couple. 

When Namjoon came after lunch into the common room, robes torn and covered in green goo, Jeongguk knew immediately what happened. Enraged, he tried to drag the older Ravenclaw to the headmistress and the other refused. 

“Namjoon this is bullying.”

“I don’t want to bother anyone.” the older Ravenclaw replied, murmuring spells under his breath to mend the torn edges and clean off the green substance of his bag. 

“You think Seokjin will be happy to see his boyfriend in such a state?” Jeongguk replied, jaw ticking. 

“Can we not do this now?” Namjoon then said, dropping his bag on his bed with a groan. “I’ll tell him tomorrow okay? I don’t want him to worry.”

“Do you promise?”

“Yeah ggukie, I promise. I’ll tell Seok and go to McGonagall myself.”

Yet on the next day, they didn’t even get a chance. It’s during lunchtime when the same Slytherins that bothered Jeongguk in DADA class approach Namjoon with a snicker on their face. While they were exiting the great hall, Jeongguk heard the whisper clearly as if they shouted it out loud, “Look at that fairy, flouncing around as if he owns the place. Couldn’t find a girl to bang so he went to the next best thing.”

Namjoon went rigid while Jeongguk saw red. The older Ravenclaw grabbed Jeongguk’s arm in warning but they were already surrounded.

“Sod off, Andrews. “

“Feeling iffy, Jeon? It’s not like I’m wrong.”

“Go eat a mandrake you piece of shi-”

“You’re Boggart was big old daddy Jeon finding out you were a fairy just like your friend.” Julian Andrews cut in, face getting dangerously close to Jeongguk’s rigid expression. 

“What did you just say?”

“Oh you know, a fairy flamer,” the Slytherin continues with an ugly expression, lips twisted into a self-satisfied smirk. “-With your pretty girly features anyone would know with a glance that you like to take it up your-”

A punch in the face and the Slytherin went flying. Gasps resounded from the crowd that formed around them. Julian Andrews shrieked when he fell, both hands grabbing at his nose which was now weeping blood.

Jeongguk’s hand throbbed in a pleasant way, harsh anger coating his judgment with rage. It felt good not using his wand to deal with a piece of walking crap. Unfortunately, Andrews was already reaching for his wand, as well as his 2 goons. Jeongguk swiftly unsheathed his own and pointed at the other’s throat with a cold expression. “Say that to my face again and it won’t be just your nose that is broken.”

A commotion in the crowd as students fled backwards and Kim Seokjin arrived at the scene. His expression was furious as he looked from one side to the other.  “What is going on here?!”

“Just teaching someone a lesson when they can’t keep their mouth shut,” Jeongguk replied coolly, not once lowering his wand and gaze from the whimpering Slytherin on the floor.

“Jeongguk-” Seokjin begins, furious expression altering between shock and anger when another voice interjects, “Normally I wouldn’t condone violence, but this has crossed a line!” Headmistress McGonagall walked into the scene, followed closely behind by professor Kim Taehyung. If Jeongguk’s expression was cold, her face was outright murderous as she continued,  “-Naming other students such unprecedented names and mocking another! You should be ashamed of yourselves. No student of mine and in Hogwarts will be harassed for their sexual orientation! Everyone has the right to be and love with who they wish and it’s none of your business, Julian Andrews! 200 points off Slytherin! Detention to the three of you till further notice and I will be notifying your parents of this embarrassment!”

The 2 remaining Slytherins helped their injured friend to their feet while Jeongguk lowered his wand, rage simmering down a tiny notch. McGonagall turned toward Jeongguk with a grave expression and he bowed his head, “As well for you mister Jeon, you will be serving one session of detention. Like I said to mister Andrews; we do not condone violence here, although I do understand the anger.” Her fury ebbed into a much softer expression, “20 points off Ravenclaw, although with an act like that I would have thought you were a Gryffindor. Professor Kim, I will leave you to deal with your students.” The last part of the sentence was directed toward the DADA instructor and head of house Slytherin that stood silently beside her, expression thunderous.

“Infirmary. Now. You will stay there till I go get you, is that Understood?” his voice made Jeongguk's spine break out with shivers. It was a tone the Ravenclaw had never heard the kind professor use, and from the looks of his students, they hadn’t either. Taehyung then turned toward Jeongguk, expression twisting once he noticed his throbbing hand. “Get Madam Pomfrey to look at that as well, Mister Jeon.”

Jeongguk nodded, dropping his gaze to stare at his friends. Namjoon and Seokjin were huddled together, the Ravenclaw explaining in a hushed tone to the other what had happened while the head boy tried to keep his fury under check. 

“Yes Professor.”

Taehyung sighed. If Jeongguk wasn’t so close to him he wouldn’t have heard the sound. The Ravenclaw watched the professor walk away and thought his expression looked pained. 

The crowd parted once the teachers left and Namjoon was quick to grab Jeongguk in a fierce hug. “You crazy fool, you could have gotten hurt. Don’t ever do that again!”

“Well, you should have seen the other guy.”

“You brat, I did!”

Jeongguk burst into giggles when suddenly Seokjin came over and squeezed them both tightly. The two Ravenclaws huddled against each other in the Gryffindor’s tight embrace and returned the gesture just as fiercely. 

“Thank you, Gguk.” Seokjin murmured into his nape while Jeongguk nuzzled his cheek. 

“Anytime, hyung.”

A sudden outraged scream behind them had the three parting, while Jung Hoseok skidded into a stop beside them, “Are you bloody kidding me?! I missed Andrews getting punched in the nose! Worst day of my life!”

“Don’t worry, they still have hell coming their way.” Park Jimin came after the disgruntled Hufflepuff, green robes matching his ominous smile while Min Yoongi swayed their locked hands between them. “Bastard wouldn’t dare say anything about me and Yoony so he went bothering other houses, what a coward.”

“Might as well have a little fun before the end of the year.” Yoongi drawled, clasping a hand on Namjoon’s shoulder. “Wanna help this time? Pretty sure McGonagall and Kim will let it slide.”

“You should have seen Kim’s expression, I thought he was going to kill them,” Namjoon said. “Never seen him so angry before. He’s usually a chill chap.” Seokjin added.

“There’s a reason he’s the head of our house, “Jimin smiled, “-even though he’s a former Hufflepuff.”

Hoseok gasped loudly, “He’s one of mine?!”

“Yes, he is Hobi.” 

“I cannot believe I missed this! Jeongguk I want a reenactment!”

“Pass, I have homework.” Jeongguk declined, a smile already appearing on his lips at Hoseok’s betrayed expression.

“Enough of that!”Seokjin cut in and tugged the Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff into a hug. “Group hug! Now!”

Yoongi, Jimin and Namjoon joined the fray and the 6 of them began to giggle, pushing and pulling to accommodate all of their now much taller figures. It’s been a long time since their friend group had been together and after 7 years of friendship, those bonds truly did not wane even a bit. Jeongguk held on tightly to the people holding him close and regretted not holding on to them tighter for the past 3 years. It’s funny that it took one homophobic asshole to bring them all back together. There was less than half a year left until their last year at Hogwarts ends. Jeongguk promised himself to use that time wisely and never let go.

They only parted after what seemed like 30 minutes and Seokjin immediately rewarded Jeongguk with 110 points to Ravenclaw for his act of ‘Bravery and chivalry against fiends who meant to harm him and another student’. Yoongi questioned Seokjin’s credibility over such points and the Gryffindor puffed out his chest, ready to bicker. Laughter filled the halls as the friend group continued out into the sunny fields outside the castle, cheerful voices trekking from the quidditch field and toward Hagrid’s hut. It was the happiest afternoon Jeongguk had experienced during this year and he did not want it to end.

7.

Jeongguk eventually went and received treatment for his swollen hand. It was nearing curfew and the halls were already emptying out of the remaining students. He walks slowly, enjoying the calm in his heart and the calm atmosphere of twilight. Jeongguk’s eyes watch the paintings move from one to another, conversing with hushed whispers and smiles. The ladies and men holding court in a food bowl, speaking of things close friends shared right before the clock stroked 9. The Ravenclaw was calm because he and his friends finally talked about the growing distance between them, how they almost treated each other as strangers while being in the same room. How they might be present together but bared a distance in their hearts. They talked it out and neared tears, sharing a collective promise to be better to each other. Jeongguk realised that he wasn’t the only one feeling lonely when the 6 of them drifted apart, and that eased his troubled heart even more. 

Yet, his chest remained heavy because what Julian Andrews had said was true. Jeon Jeongguk was terrified of his father finding out he liked men. He was almost scared to death by the idea. Yet standing up for his friends when they themselves are just like him...was empowering in a way the Ravenclaw had never felt before. Jeongguk pressed a fist to his thumping heart and slowly took the staircase upwards toward the Ravenclaw common room. He began to believe that he may be able to overcome this challenge, but first, passing N.E.W.T.S and graduating.

That night Jeon Jeongguk completed his 262 origami crane. 

8.

Once more, Hogwarts was talking about Jeon Jeongguk. He hears the whispers and feels the stares while walking down the halls and even during class. Younger students ogle him while his classmates gave him curious looks. It wasn’t every day that quiet proper Jeon Jeongguk punched someone in the face after all.

When the Ravenclaw was still on the quidditch team last year, he wasn’t known to play rough. No, the young chaser would just outsmart his opponents instead. He wouldn’t pick fights outright and focus on his studies, as well as help any other student when in need. Jeongguk was a wallflower that the whole school knew off and now they were violently reminded that he wasn’t a person to be messed with. They forgot for a moment that he was supposed to be head boy and not Kim Seokjin. They forgot he was one of the top students at school. They forgot that Jeongguk wasn’t one to be angered easily.

The incident yesterday was a rough reminder.

Jeon Jeongguk didn’t seem bothered by the attention this time around. The Ravenclaw table was rowdier than usual, joined by members of other houses consisting of his friend group. Park Jimin howled in delight once Namjoon recounted his Boggart experience while Jung Hoseok tried desperately not to choke on a piece of spinach with Kim Seokjin slapping his back aggressively. 

Compared to their excited bubble, the Slytherin table was subdued in comparison. The distance the student made between the 3 embarrassments of the year was obvious; the house of Slytherin would not associate themselves with their disgrace.

Just as the sky above the great hall began to twinkle with stars, a figure stood from the teacher’s table and a hush fell over the hall. Hoseok finally coughed out the remaining piece of vegetable in his throat and Jeongguk poured him a cup of water, head already turning to watch Kim Taehyung Straighten his jacket.

Taehyung had a much-subdued smile compared to his usual boxy grin. He was wearing his iconic green vest with a cream jacket above it and his hair was parted in the middle, honey strands growing longer in the back.

“Yesterday was a cruel reminder, that this world has no tolerance for those that are different from what is considered the norm.” His deep voice echoed against the silent hall. His expression was anything but serious and his stance was alert. “Such actions won’t be tolerated at Hogwarts by anyone. A student or faculty member will not be discriminated against for the gender they love or the sex they identify with.”

Headmistress McGonagall nodded beside him, expression grave yet proud as she watched the young professor. The remainder of the teachers’ table was alert in their sitting positions, staring intensely at the Slytherin head.

“With what happened yesterday I would like to clarify, that in the house of Slytherin such actions won’t be tolerated either.” Kim Taehyung turned his expression to the far right corner of the hall with an amused smile blooming across his lips. “Especially when their own head of the house is part of the LGBTQ community and identifies as a gay man.”

Gasps echoed across the hall while Kim Taehyung raised his chin with a cheeky smile.

Park Jimin wolf whistles right next to Jeongguk, causing the whole hall to erupt into chaos. 

“I bloody knew it!” Hoseok screams, slamming his fist on the table and then pointing at Seokjin. “Guess who won the bet Jinnie? Pay up!”

Seokjin gapes at him like a fish while Namjoon hollers, and Jeongguk just stares. He stares at Kim Taehyung who’s gaze had met Jeongguk’s own flabbergasted one and sent him a single wink that made something warm burst within the Ravenclaw’s chest. 

9.

The following months passed in a blur. Namjoon managed to fall down the vanishing staircase 36 times and Madam Pomfrey kept count with a vaguely disgruntled expression and a shake of her head. The 6 of them managed to get their revenge on Julian Andrews and his goons by lacing their food with explosive diarrhoea pills they bought from Weasley’s Wizard wheezes hat had a lasting effect for 3 countless days. Seeing Julian Andrews run away in the middle of DADA with a vaguely horrified expression made Jeongguk burst into giggles while professor Kim would then eye him with a knowing expression and an amused glint, but didn’t say a word about the matter. Speaking of said professor, Jeongguk didn’t know what he thought about the other. Finding out Kim Taehyung was gay and most likely figured out Jeongguk was gay as well, was startling. The days passed in a haze and soon enough the exams came and threw every 7th-year student into a hurricane of panic. While Namjoon attempted to keep his cool with each new day of exams, Jeongguk didn’t revise or practice in between but instead sat down for hours and made countless origami cranes. He studied throughout the whole year, he wasn’t afraid anymore of the outcome and trusted in his abilities to pass these exams with flying colours. So he made one crane after another and when the N.E.W.T’s ended, he had 1 more crane to go until he reached 10000. His dorm room was covered with silver and blue glittering cranes, hanging through the air with a spell and served as decoration. 

He had spent his morning with his other friends by the lake, enjoying the sunny day like the rest of graduating lot of 7th years. Hoseok was passed out near a hyper Seokjin, having exhausted his efforts with cramming the past few nights. Namjoon was finally reading a book for leisure and not for studying with the happiest expression Jeongguk had seen on his face. Jimin’s eyes had black bags hanging beneath him but the smile on his face was full of relief while Min Yoongi looked as dazed as the rest of them. They all survived the last exams of the final school year of Hogwarts and the atmosphere was lighter than ever. 

Jeongguk waved goodbye to his friends and entered through the dramatic entrance hall probably for the last time for this year. With the school year almost over, Jeongguk decided to wander the halls of the place he called home for over 7 years.

His feet took him from the astronomy tower and down into the Slytherin dungeons. The Ravenclaw wandered to the kitchen, saying goodbye to the house-elves and passing by the teachers’ lounge to say a brief hello. In his hands, he held the last completed paper crane. It glinted a soft blue while he pressed it into his lips and made a wish.

Whether it is fate or unconscious movement, Jeongguk’s feet brought him to the entrance of the office Kim Taehyung had invited him all those months ago. He had not been there once, never taking the professor’s offer of help even though he thought often about that moment at the lake. 

He pushed open the door with a creek, witnessing professor Kim packing up all of his belongings into many different trunks of varying sizes. He’s wearing that green vest again and Jeongguk is convinced that he has several of them at this point. The paper crane was safely hidden within the confines of Jeongguk’s robes. 

“Let me help you, professor,” Jeongguk says, walking in with no invite at this point, and picks up several scrolls in his hands. 

Taehyung turns with a smile already lighting up his features, “There’s not much left to do but I will appreciate the company.”

“Are you leaving professor?”

Taehyung sighs, folding a green quilt into a bag. “If you mean to ask if I will come back next year to teach at Hogwarts, there no certainty.”

Jeongguk felt a pang go through his chest, confusion swimming through his mind. It couldn’t be that after this whole year the Ravenclaw was going to win the bet. Hogwarts without Kim Taehyung wouldn’t be the same. 

“Pardon me if this seems inappropriate professor, but is there a reason for you not wanting to stay?”

Taehyung smiles at him lightly, eyes warm. “Not at all, mister Jeon. I’m sure you could relate to this in a way. The uncertainty that the future holds...for me teaching was never part of my dream. I wanted to travel, and I did for two years after graduating this same school you are going to leave behind as well.”

His expression was fond while he continued to pack, not using magic once to make the process smoother. With a jolt, Jeongguk realized that he was stalling his remaining time in the castle.

“This might come as a surprise, but I was a Hufflepuff before I became Slytherin head.”

“You seemed like one. Kind and loyal. Hoseok’s a menace in comparison.”

Taehyung barked out a laugh, “You should have seen me across the years! Merlin, I was such a troublemaker. I was surprised McGonagall took me in when I applied for the position, I used to make her daily life hell.”

“Really? Calm and Collected professor Kim a menace? Unlikely.” Jeongguk teased, keeping his eyes on the book pile he was currently assembling.

“I’m surprised you don’t remember me through the years, mister Jeon. I was 4 years older but I kept Hogwarts on its toes.”

Jeongguk thought he did remember a certain blond-haired boy running through the halls with laughter in his wake but he couldn’t be sure. His mind back then was focused on his studies and the Ravenclaw closed himself off from the world.

“Were you the one that made Professor Slughorn’s office explode?”

“Oh dear, he never did forgive me that one I think.”

They both giggled, settling into a comfortable silence. 

“Do you know about the DADA curse?” Jeongguk suddenly asked, lips pursed with guilt.

“Hmm, I have heard of it.” Taehyung replied, “Guess you will be winning that bet, after all, mister Jeon.”

Jeongguk’s head shot up, eyes wide with flaming cheeks, “You knew?”

“The Hogwarts halls are filled with secrets Jeongguk.” Taehyung peeked at him with sparkling eyes.

“The paintings were gossiping again weren’t they.”

“Oh, they love to talk about you. Hogwarts golden boy that refused the head boy position and has the cutest bunny smile according to the fat lady-”

“Professor!” Jeongguk said with an indignant shout as Taehyung once more burst into giggles. Jeongguk found himself smiling at the soft sounds escaping the other’s lips, cheeks still flaming but filled with a nice warmth.

“Professor Kim, Hogwarts would be lucky if someone like you stayed for years after.”

Taehyung’s giggles cut off abruptly at the confession and he smiles bashfully at the younger, “I’m still undecided whether I want to stay or see what the world holds for me.“

“I always wanted to travel,” Jeongguk replies, gaze dropping to busy himself with packing another trunk, now filled with odd metallic trinkets.

“Why is that?”

Jeongguk took a breath, meeting Taehyung’s openly curious expression. “I’m not going to hide it from you since you saw my boggart...and we are both in the same boat per se.” his smiles wobbles awkwardly while putting down a metallic figurine more harshly than the others before continuing, “My father doesn’t like men who like other men....and I don’t think I can stay in a home while feeling guilty for something I can’t change about myself or them.”

“Will you move out?” Taehyung asks without a second of hesitation. 

Jeongguk shrugs at the question, “Most likely...I plan to tell him before I do. I can’t continue lying to myself or him.”

Taehyung hums, expression faraway before suddenly asking. “You wanted to be a Magizoologist, correct?”

Jeongguk fiddles with the lock of the trunk he just packed and answers softly, “I wanted maybe to travel a bit while I learn...and then come back to teach Care of Magical Creatures at Hogwarts.”

A thump, followed by a small curse caused the Ravenclaw to raise his head and see Kim Taehyung crouched on the floor with a flustered expression, gathering the pile of parchments that scattered across the floor.

Jeongguk quickly walked over and crouched beside the other, assisting with the sudden mess.

“You would be a good teacher,” Taehyung said softly once most of the parchment was safely tucked into a box. “You have patience and kindness even for the rowdiest ones. The other students look up to you.”

Jeongguk swallowed, trying to meet the professor’s gaze only to notice him avoiding his.

“I would be happier to teach here if you were still here, professor.”

Kim Taehyung froze, back going rigid at the confession. Jeongguk is still semi crouched on the floor, a few pieces of leftover parchment in his hands when the professor turns to meet his gaze with an unreadable expression.

Jeongguk cleared his throat, mouth suddenly dry before standing up. “I mean it could be fun you know. Being friends and coworkers, it was just a thought-”

“Do you want to travel with me? Around the world?” 

Jeongguk mouth closed with a snap. He stared at the other, doe eyes wide with shock as he processed what just occurred. 

“Pardon?”

Taehyung’s ears were tinted red yet his eyes were earnest like always. “Travel for a while, learn about the magical creatures and the world before you have to go back for the Magizoologist exam...and then we both can come back.” he swallowed thickly, “Together.”

“Do you...Do you mean that?” Jeongguk asked weakly.

Taehyung suddenly laughs at his expression, cheeks going as red as his ears. “Jeon Jeongguk, if there was anyone I would like to go somewhere around the globe- it would be with you.”

Jeongguk gently put down the piece of parchment in his hands in the last trunk and opened his mouth just to take a deep breath before saying, “Then I’m glad I finished those 1000 paper cranes before I saw you.”

Taehyung looked at him and Jeongguk met his intense gaze head-on. No more flustered cheeks, just honesty and resolution.  

Taehyung took a step toward him, head tilting to the side. “What did you wish for, Jeonggukie?”

Jeongguk felt his heart thump at the nickname, mentally forcing his cheeks not to burst into flames. The Ravenclaw licked his lips when the other male drew closer. “To love myself. To accept myself...but to also-” His breath hitches when two hands trap him in between the other’s legs, his back leaning heavily against the mahogany table of Taehyung’s office. Jeongguk’s eyes move upwards from the male’s chest to meet his warm brown eyes and he gasps out a last desperate breath, “To have someone love me for being myself and for me to love them back just as strongly.”

Taehyung licks his lips, expression vulnerable and pink-cheeked. So different from the composed professor Jeongguk knew throughout the year. Taehyung was always showing Jeongguk sides of himself that the rest of the school didn’t see, almost in an unconscious manner. Or either Jeongguk was too perspective of the other’s presence. Either way with their breath mingling together, it didn’t matter.

Taehyung let out a shaky sigh, “I think...that can be arranged. If you would allow me Jeongguk, loving you is as simple as breathing air.”

“Good because I have had a crush on you for the past year.” Jeongguk huffed, a smile crinkling his eyes and his hand grasped at the edge of Taehyung’s green vest.

Taehyung laughs breathily, a puff of warm cocoa flavoured air parting Jeongguk’s bangs.

“Funny I could say the same about a cute Ravenclaw.” He noses at Jeongguk’s cheeks, eyelashes tickling the younger’s skin. “-But it was mostly seeing this shy, kind-hearted and incredibly smart man punch a twat in the face that made me realize it.”

Jeongguk grins, eyelids fluttering at the warmth surrounding him. “I tend to avoid confrontation.”

Taehyung leans back, hands moving from the table to Joengguk’s hips in a secure and gentle hold.

“Don’t love,“ Taehyung murmurs, expression fond while drawing circles with his thumbs that sent electricity through Jeongguk’s nerves beneath his robes. “I saw it before in small glimpses but don’t hold back that fire within you. With just one word, you make the world stop and listen. Don’t let it build up within you till it burst out with no control. People listen to you more then you think they do.”

“I will take that advice into consideration, professor.” Jeongguk smiled, lips crinkling into a familiar bunny smile before tugging the other closer.

“Please, call me Taehyung.” The male murmured, lips pecking the Ravenclaw’s nose

“Taehyung then,” Jeongguk said cheekily and his lips met the other’s with a gentle touch.

Taehyung held him like he was something precious that wouldn’t break with a simple touch. He held them like Jeongguk was the only one grounding them at the moment. That if Taehyung would let go for just a second, the younger would be whisked away. Jeongguk didn’t feel like he wanted to float away when his mind grew hazy as if he was on a cloud. He only wished to remain in this singular piece in time forever.

Taehyung tasted like the hot cocoa he gave him all those many months ago. With a hint of bitter chocolate and sweet peppermint, this was the taste Jeongguk would love to drown in.

They parted with loud gasps, both desperate for air and swollen lips. Taehyung then cradled Jeongguk’s cheeks, pressing chaste kisses all over his face while causing the soon to be graduated Ravenclaw to giggle at the affection. Taehyung was smiling with each small press of his lips, thumbs caressing the face of this boy he grew to love for over the span of a full year.

They kissed again and again, each time parting with breathless giggles. Before long it had grown dark, the natural light leaking from the windows going dim.  Jeongguk was now sat on the former professor’s table between his legs. They both looked at each other, eyes soft with adoration. Jeongguk then pulled Taehyung into a hug and they stayed in that position till the first torches lit the castle halls.

There was no more uncertainty in Jeongguk’s heart. He knew what he wanted to do, and what person he wanted to be. He will deal with his father once the time arrives and he will spend his time with a man he never dreamt to fall in love with and being loved by him. His friends and he will stay in touch and there was a whole world out there Jeongguk was going to explore.

Tomorrow, the school year will officially end and with it, a new adventure shall begin.

END

Thank you for reading!