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Seonghwa’s head hits the table with a solid thud.
It’s a shock to him, as his head shouldn’t have hit the table. It should have hit the book that had been open in front of him, on the exact same page he’s been looking at for the past ten minutes.
But instead of hitting the softer pages from the thick book, his forehead had been acquainted with the hard table instead. Which is decidedly less forgiving, and a harsh and somewhat painful shock to him.
“Oh shit, sorry hyung,” San’s voice frantically whispers to him, and Seonghwa doesn’t find himself too surprised with his presence. Though maybe San’s presence is just less of a surprise in comparison to hitting his forehead on the table.
San’s fingers run through Seonghwa’s hair, gently massaging his scalp in apology. Seonghwa rolls his head to the side just a little, no longer looking straight down at the table but rather in San’s direction.
He’s standing at the side of Seonghwa’s table, one hand holding the book that Seonghwa had intended to hit his head into. He groans, slowly drawing his head back up, though he’s quick to place it into his hands.
It hurts, and it’s not just from hitting it on the table — he’s had a headache forming for a while now, words on the pages no longer making sense to him, forming a painful jumble of incoherence in his brain.
“Sorry,” San continues to whisper. His hands have also followed Seonghwa’s head, his fingers now gently pressing into his forehead, right where he’d made contact. “I didn’t expect you to... slam your head down like that.”
Seonghwa grimaces, pushing his hair back as he finally lifts his head properly. “Mhm. Ow.”
“Maybe it’s for the best. The book probably would have hit you back anyway,” San’s tone shifts from apologetic to teasing, and Seonghwa huffs.
“Yeah. But I’m not done, I still have a lot more to study,” Seonghwa replies, fingers reaching out to grab the book again.
San shakes his head, keeping the book out of reach. “Hyung, it’s time for dinner.”
Seonghwa feels his eyebrows furrow, confusion washing over him for a moment. He’d only just finished his last class of the day, and there still should be another couple of hours until dinner. “What? No, I haven’t been here that long.”
San looks concerned, a frown appearing on his lips. “Hyung, it’s already halfway over. I came to find you once I realised you weren’t coming.”
For the first time in a while, Seonghwa looks around him. There’s the least amount of students in here than he’s ever seen — it’s almost empty, just a couple of seventh-year Ravenclaws studying in the corner.
“Ah,” Seonghwa groans, leaning back in the chair. His voice is a little louder, no longer as nervous to speak in the library now that he knows there’s no one really around to jinx him for it. “Sorry, I lost track of time.”
“Obviously,” San replies, setting the book down and helping Seonghwa pack the rest of his materials away. “You left me at the Slytherin table alone.”
“Like Hongjoong and Mingi wouldn’t sit themselves near you,” Seonghwa refutes, slinging his packed bag over his shoulder, and San’s arm follows by draping around him.
“And you left me to deal with them by myself,” San whines, pressing closer to Seonghwa like he refuses to ever let him go.
Seonghwa’s eyes inadvertently glance over to the two Ravenclaw students, who have broken away from their own studying just to look at San and Seonghwa. They avert their gaze once they realise Seonghwa has caught them, though they’re not subtle in hiding the way they discuss it to each other.
He frowns to himself, a familiar insecurity starting to swell. It’s been a while since he’s had any cause to feel it — being a Slytherin isn’t really a cause for discussion anymore. What is cause for a discussion, however, is likely the fact that it’s recently become known that eight students are now dating each other.
Hongjoong had been the one to declare it, after a few too many rumours started to spread about cheating and secret relationships and other ridiculous notions. And Seonghwa is used to dating them, but certainly isn’t used to the way people know about it.
Seonghwa isn’t the only one to notice the attention. San gives the two students a wave, and Seonghwa glimpses over to see the cheeky expression he’s wearing that Seonghwa is all too familiar with.
“What’s that look about?” Seonghwa asks him, and San turns his attention entirely to Seonghwa.
“They were talking about how cute you were,” San replies, and Seonghwa immediately flusters, cheeks burning in embarrassment and disbelief. He goes to shove at San for his attempt at a joke, but San remains unmoving from his side. “One of them wanted to give you a letter. I don’t think they realised who you were.”
Seonghwa realises San’s telling the truth, though it still doesn’t quite explain his expression. “Sannie, what did you do?”
San crosses a hand over his heart, scoffing. “Me? Nothing.”
“San-ah.”
“I might have mentioned you were spoken for,” San replies, though it’s clear that’s all he’ll reveal about it. Seonghwa sighs, but doesn’t press any further as he figures that no harm has come to anyone at least.
They wander together until they get to the Great Hall. Students are starting to file out, the Hall half-empty and the food mostly eaten. San drags him over to the Slytherin table, making sure his plate is filled with food.
The rules are a little more lenient now that dinner is almost over, and Mingi is the first to stand and walk over and sit with them. Hongjoong automatically follows from beside him, and then it’s like a green light for the rest of his boyfriends to come over.
Wooyoung manages to wriggle his way next to Seonghwa, pressing up against him as he eats. Yeosang reaches across the table and helps himself to some of his food, and Seonghwa pushes his plate so it’s a little easier for Yeosang to take it.
“Hyung,” Wooyoung says, in a way that means Seonghwa is likely about to agree to something he probably shouldn’t, “What are you doing after this?”
“Studying,” Seonghwa replies, barely keeping his discontent from his tone. Hongjoong hums in sympathetic agreement, meaning he’ll likely be joining Seonghwa tonight. They’re both feeling the pressure of sixth-year, the expectations for seventh-year starting to press upon them, and most of their time now is spent revising for the exams in just a little over two months.
“Can I join?” Wooyoung asks, and Seonghwa almost chokes on his food in surprise. Wooyoung rarely asks — he sometimes joins them, though he’s seemed confident leading up to his O.W.L’s. He does well in his exams, and somehow always seemingly has enough time to spare for his boyfriends and ridiculously large circle of friends.
They owe a lot to Wooyoung, if Seonghwa starts to think about it all. Seonghwa doubts their relationship would be as respected as it is if it weren’t for Wooyung making friends with basically the entire school, shielding them from the worst of the vicious rumours that could have circulated.
Though it’s even more than that — if it weren’t for Wooyoung, Seonghwa doubts he’d even have ever gotten to know half of his boyfriends in the first place.
“Yeah, of course,” Seonghwa replies, trying to keep the surprise as best as he can out of his voice. “I’ll probably head back to the library until it shuts.”
The Great Hall is emptying out, most heading back to their common rooms or to sleep, though his boyfriends all stay together as Seonghwa finishes his meal. The Hall isn’t quite empty enough for them to do much more than hug each other goodnight — though San and Mingi both give Seonghwa, Hongjoong and Wooyoung a quick kiss on the cheek each, and they wish them luck studying as they part ways for the night.
The walk to the library takes a little longer than coming back from it — Wooyoung stops twice to greet people that don’t look familiar, and strikes up a conversation with one of the professors that Seonghwa and Hongjoong also get sucked into by proximity.
The library has a few more students milling about after dinner, though it’s still not very busy. It’s mostly just fifth, sixth and seventh years studying, tiredly combing down aisles until they find the materials they need.
Seonghwa has his books on loan and still in his bag, so he goes to sit back at the table he was at previously, while Wooyoung and Hongjoong both search for books from the shelves.
Wooyoung comes back a little sooner, three books stacked on top of each other. He drops them onto the table not-too-delicately, and Seonghwa is surprised that they don’t turn and snap at him for their treatment.
Figures that even the books are whipped for Wooyoung.
Seonghwa takes notice of the titles, tilting his head to try and read the letters.
“Potions?” Seonghwa asks Wooyoung, looking up at him. Wooyoung sighs and takes a seat, mouth twisted in an unhappy expression.
“Unfortunately,” is the defeated reply. Seonghwa watches him — the way Wooyoung sinks a little into his seat, the way he looks so tired suddenly. Wooyoung is quick to cover it, but Seonghwa has already caught it.
Trying to prod Wooyoung about it now likely won’t help. Though Wooyoung is no Slytherin, he can certainly act like it. He is both independent and prideful — and while they’re certainly not bad qualities on their own, it means Wooyoung is a little more resistant to admitting he might need help.
Wooyoung looks around for anyone supervising, then loosens his tie. And Seonghwa’s brain is fried, absolutely and positively gone, because all he can think about is that one time he’d accidentally ended up wearing Wooyoung’s Hufflepuff tie for half a day after Wooyoung had pulled him away to make out.
He must visibly react to the memory, because Wooyoung tilts his head for a moment, trying to place Seonghwa’s thoughts. It seems that he’s quick to follow Seonghwa’s trail of thoughts — there’s now a menacing grin on his lips, and damn him, he pulls the knot of his tie down a little lower.
“Fix that up before Hongjoong gets back here,” Seonghwa grumbles at him, and Wooyoung just responds by leaning forward on the table, attempting to get in Seonghwa’s space.
“I’m sure he wouldn’t mind,” Wooyoung replies, voice low and teasing, and Seonghwa rolls his eyes and shoves at Wooyoung’s shoulders.
“Do you forget he’s a Prefect?” Seonghwa asks, and Wooyoung’s smirk doesn’t falter in the slightest.
“If he docks points from Hufflepuff, he’ll make Yunho upset. And if Yunho’s upset, then Jongho will declare war against Ravenclaw, and he’s well on his way to becoming a Prefect for Gryffindor next year.”
“Jongho won’t declare war against Hongjoong,” Seonghwa replies, shaking his head. Wooyoung goes to argue, but Seonghwa holds up a hand. “No. Yunho won’t be upset at Hongjoong for docking points. He’ll be upset at you for Huffepuff losing points, and Jongho will know that and not get involved. And anyway, Prefects can’t even dock points from each other, so therefore there will be no war to begin with.”
Wooyoung tuts. “Hyung. We are eight competitive boyfriends across four different houses. There’s going to be a war.”
“No talk of war or fighting right now,” Hongjoong’s voice suddenly chimes in, placing his own stack of books on the table. “Give me one night of peace Wooyoung, I beg of you.”
Wooyoung frames his face with his hands, acting as innocently as possible. “Since when I am anything but peaceful?”
Hongjoong sighs heavily as he sits down, deciding to forgo any further debate about it. They only have a couple hours until the library shuts for the night; though Seonghwa will likely return to the Slytherin common room just to study some more anyway, and assumes they’ll likely do the same.
Things settle. They focus on their individual studies, with only the scribbling of their quills to fill in the silence. There’s the occasional frustrated sigh, the occasional turn of leaning back and pressing their fingers to their eyes in annoyance, but time passes before they know it.
And Seonghwa is focused on his own studies, but he takes notice of other things too. Like how there’s a seemingly permanent frown on Wooyoung’s face, how there’s a tight tension that seems to have nestled into his shoulders.
It’s not something to bring up that night — they’re all tired, and the warning chime that echoes out around the library only gives them a few minutes to snap out of their studying stupors and scramble out before charmed objects start chasing them out.
Seonghwa has to head down for the Slytherin dormitories, separating from Wooyoung and Hongjoong. Hongjoong is complaining to himself about having to figure out a riddle to get inside tonight, though there’s a glint to his eyes that gives away he’s eager to try and solve whatever awaits.
Wooyoung leans forward to give Seonghwa a quick, parting kiss while the halls are currently free of anyone patrolling. Seonghwa takes a gentle hold of one of his arms, keeping him close.
“Hey, I’m going to be in the study hall tomorrow, if you want to join?” He offers, and watches as Wooyoung’s lips purse, realising his stresses haven’t gone unnoticed by Seonghwa.
Wooyoung sags a little, but straightens up rather quickly. He seems determined, and it’s a promising sign that he isn’t just denying that he might be struggling. “I’ll be doing some Quidditch drills, but I’ll join you in the afternoon.”
“See you then,” Seonghwa farewells, waving both of them off for the night. He's exhausted, though he won't get much of a reprieve for the weekend — he'll be spending it studying, and likely helping Wooyoung with potions.
It'll be time consuming, and he'll likely have to catch up on his own study time into the week to make sure he's still on top of everything, but he knows it's worth it to help Wooyoung.
San's in the common room as he enters, curled up on one of the sofas with a book in his lap. His eyes are drooping, though he looks up as Seonghwa approaches. His exhaustion seems to disappear, grinning brightly as he shoots up and wraps his arms around Seonghwa, like they've been apart for months rather than a couple of hours.
San continues to hang off him as they head to the dormitories. Seonghwa figures he'll wash up in the morning, hopefully when he's feeling a little more alive and less like he'll fall asleep standing. He's pretty sure he can still see the words from all his books swimming in front of his eyes.
Merlin's beard, he hates History of Magic. He's done too many years of it now, and the subject just doesn't appeal to him like so many others. Still, he's determined to do well in it — to excel in it. He will make sure he gets the best results he can, secure the best job he can, to ensure that his boyfriends don't have to bear the burden of it.
Still, hopefully he'll only have to study just a little bit more of History of Magic for these exams. He's really got to start focusing on apparition, as it's his newest subject, and he feels very underprepared for it.
San's fingers intertwine through his, pulling him out from his worries. San gives him a soft smile, illuminated by the candles around them, before taking Seonghwa's bag and pulling it over his head. He walks them over to Seonghwa's bed, placing the bag on Seonghwa's trunk before walking back over to him.
Though they'll likely get in trouble for it if they’re caught, San crawls into bed with Seonghwa. And Seonghwa thinks maybe he should argue just out of responsibility, but San is a comforting presence by his side, and he doesn’t have the heart to argue otherwise. Besides, it's Friday, and usually the other students are willing to turn a few blind eyes.
They all need a bit of support these days, and they all know it, and they're willing to give or let it be given. So knowing that they’re safe from prying eyes, he lets San under the blanket with him, pressing close in a bed that's too small for the two of them.
They fall asleep like that — wrapped up in each other, breaths soft and steady, without a need for words to be shared.
Wooyoung and Yunho head off from breakfast early, both of them dragged into Quidditch drills for Hufflepuff. They have a game soon against Slytherin — though, admittedly, Seonghwa lets his loyalty to his house flag a little in the face of his boyfriends playing.
At least he knows he's not the only one. Though they support their own houses, their biggest support and loyalty are always to each other — even when it comes to Quidditch, though it's something they'll never say aloud.
And perhaps it gets a bit difficult when it's Hufflepuff and Gryffindor, when it's Wooyoung and Yunho versus Jongho, but Seonghwa is just glad that they're the only three of his boyfriends playing Quidditch.
It's always in good sport, at least. There's yet to be any hurt feelings, and Seonghwa doubts there ever will be, even if they don't hold back in the game — which had been proven by Jongho sending a bludger straight to Yunho, accidentally knocking him off his broom just last month.
One hospital visit later, with a very guilty Jongho and an amused Yunho, had been all Seonghwa needed to be reassured that nothing would be able to separate them.
"Don't get knocked down by any bludgers today, Yunho-yah!" Yeosang calls out as Wooyoung and Yunho leave the Great Hall, and beside him Jongho hits his head on the table.
Yunho shoots back a grin and a thumbs-up. Jongho just groans, keeping his head down.
They haven't bothered to separate into houses today in the Great Hall — it's the weekend, and such rules are generally disregarded.
"We're heading to Hogsmeade today for a bit," Mingi says, gesturing to Yeosang and Jongho, before looking between Seonghwa and Hongjoong. "Did you want to join?"
Seonghwa gives him a small smile, but shakes his head. "I've unfortunately blocked out my schedule today to be in the study hall."
"And I'm also studying," Hongjoong sighs, stabbing his breakfast with his fork rather aggressively. Not for the first time, Seonghwa reflects that Hongjoong is one of the only Ravenclaws he's ever met to despise studying so much.
It's not about his enthusiasm or passion though — it's about the subjects. Hongjoong might not be so passionate about the typical subjects though he excels in them, but his passion and studious nature thrive with other activities.
And it's like Seonghwa can see a glimpse of what's to come. The way Kim Hongjoong will be a name known in not only their world, but in the Muggle world too. A name known and respected for his art and music in the world.
Until then though, unfortunately, Hongjoong must also suffer doing the typical course subjects and all the corresponding exams.
Mingi doesn't seem surprised by their answers, giving a sympathetic hum. "Right."
"If you need any money just let me know," Seonghwa offers, but Mingi shakes his head.
"Yunho already snuck some extra into Jongho's pockets. We'll be fine, thanks hyung," he replies, and Jongho's head snaps up in surprise, patting down his pockets immediately. He pulls out some coins and spills them across the table, face blank as he stares at them.
The following laughter between them all makes Seonghwa feel lighter, easier. More motivated to get through today, to get through all this studying and the exams — to get back to something a little more manageable, to a time that they can all go out together whenever they want without worrying about exams and futures.
"We'll make sure to bring you back some snacks," Yeosang promises as they go to leave. Mingi is draped across Hongjoong's back, resting his chin on Hongjoong's head. He presses a kiss there as he goes to leave, walking around the table and giving Seonghwa one too.
They give their farewells, those going to Hogsmeade leaving earlier, though Hongjoong stays by Seonghwa's side as they walk out of the Great Hall together.
"I'll walk you to the study hall," Hongjoong offers, "I've got some time before I meet Professor Kim."
"You've got to go find him first," Seonghwa laughs, giving Hongjoong a little nudge as they start walking.
"Yeah, it's why I'm only dropping you off. It'll still give me an hour to wander around and try and find him," Hongjoong replies. It looks like he's already running through possibilities in his head, deducting where the Professor might be wandering.
Hongjoong remains deep in thought, though it doesn't distract him from the path to the library. He sticks to Seonghwa's side, fingers occasionally brushing against each other as they walk, the temptation to intertwine them always lingering.
Hongjoong doesn't hurry off once they reach the library. Instead, he finally intertwines their fingers, pulling Seonghwa to the side right before he enters the study hall. He looks around, making sure there's no one to overhear them, before he leans a little into Seonghwa's space.
"I know you'll look after Wooyoung," Hongjoong quietly tells him, a small fond smile on his lips. It means Wooyoung's behaviour also caught Hongjoong's attention yesterday — but Hongjoong is trusting that Seonghwa will be able to manage it, is trusting that Wooyoung will open up to Seonghwa enough on his own.
"Of course," Seonghwa promises, because Hongjoong's words have faltered after his statement. Hongjoong nods to himself, building up his confidence for something.
"Right. But make sure you look after yourself too," Hongjoong says, which does take Seonghwa a little by surprise.
It probably shouldn't. They've always both been so careful to look after each other, ever since they came together as second-years.
Seonghwa, a muggleborn sorted into Slytherin, had no real friends to speak of. Not until Jung Wooyoung came bounding into Hogwarts in his first year, taking no notice of ages or grade years — he'd just noticed Seonghwa, sitting alone in the courtyard one day, and suddenly Seonghwa had six new friends within the week. Then seven, once Jongho entered Hogwarts the following year.
But there's a bond between Hongjoong and Seonghwa — tied together in the same year, as well as being the eldest of their boyfriends. And though they don't speak of it, Seonghwa is the reason Hongjoong had announced their relationship to the school body, daring anyone to challenge them.
It was easier to target Seonghwa, back then. He didn’t linger around other students much, and there were a couple of classes he didn’t share with Hongjoong, and it meant that people would attempt to corner him and blame him for things.
Such stupid things. Things they've heard through the grapevine, twisted in their perception and mangled until the truth was buried so far under he had no hope of uncovering it to them. Somehow so twisted, thinking Seonghwa was attempting to stand between Wooyoung and whichever boy they thought he was dating at the time — whatever and whoever fit their motive best, anything they could use to try and target Seonghwa.
Hongjoong had come across it one day — one not too long ago, just at the start of the school year, when their relationship was still new but it was settling. He had been walking the halls and doing his rounds as a Prefect and making sure no one was breaking curfew, and walked right upon an incident.
After that, no one bothers Seonghwa anymore.
Seonghwa always does his best to look after Hongjoong, who already has so much to manage. Hongjoong, who looks after all their boyfriends, and so Seonghwa makes sure that someone is looking after him as well.
"I will," he reassures Hongjoong, and it's honest. They're both stressed out, both exhausted and running on fumes half the time, but they'll be okay as long as they have each other. As long as they have everyone. "You too, okay?"
Hongjoong musters up a grin — something light, teasing, something that reminds Seonghwa of the time he'd been the one to help set off fireworks in the courtyard with Wooyoung and Mingi.
"We're almost at the end of the school year," Hongjoong replies, and his grip tightens around Seonghwa's own fingers. "And then it's just one more year. And that's it. We're almost there, Seonghwa-yah."
"Almost there," Seonghwa echoes, his own smile spreading. "Now go, you better start looking for Professor Kim."
Hongjoong groans, head falling forward and stifling his voice into Seonghwa's shoulder for a moment. He grumbles out something that sounds like almost there is not soon enough, but eventually his grumbling subsides as he straightens up with a determined huff.
"Right. I'll see you later. Take care of yourself and our rascal," Hongjoong tells him, and Seonghwa gives him a salute in acknowledgment.
The study hall isn't as occupied as it is during the school days, but it's still used by a fair few students stressing about their exams. Thankfully, Seonghwa is able to find a spot, organising his books in front of him and clearly claiming the seat beside him as well.
He has time to get in a bit of his own study, so he uses it, though it's like his thoughts are somewhere further from him — jumping ahead, already thinking about Wooyoung, how he'll be able to help. Reciting over the materials and sources he used for his own potions study the previous year, and though things change, fundamentally it should all be relatively similar. At least, so he hopes.
When Wooyoung walks in, it's like Seonghwa can sense it. He looks up, right in time to see Wooyoung come through the large entry of the study hall. His hair is a little wild and unkempt, though it's probably to be expected after flying several metres in the air for just over a couple hours. He's thrown a jumper over the clothes he's worn to training, and he looks a little frazzled, a little frantic, but still so breath-takingly gorgeous.
Wooyoung catches his eye, and Wooyoung's grin is so big and disarming. He heads straight over to Seonghwa, taking the seat next to him without hesitation.
"Come here often?" Wooyoung asks, tone exaggeratingly flirty. Seonghwa gives him a flat look, shutting one of his own books with dramatic flair.
Wooyoung just keeps up the ridiculous grin, so Seonghwa just diverts the topic entirely. "How did practice go?"
Wooyoung links his fingers, stretching his arms over his head. "Good, actually. I think we'll do well in the game against Slytherin."
Seonghwa blinks purposely. "Do you forget two of your boyfriends are Slytherins?"
"Definitely not. It's why I'm so excited to demolish Slytherin in the upcoming game," Wooyoung teases, leaning over to pat Seonghwa's cheek. Seonghwa sighs, batting away Wooyoung's hand.
"Well, I'm glad practice went well then. I was just about to start studying potions, if you're interested," Seonghwa says, trying to sound as casual as possible. He knows he misses the mark by a few hundred kilometres, and Wooyoung is certainly well aware of that too.
"Right, sure you were. Let's just both admit you're helping me figure out what the fuck is going on in this class," Wooyoung replies, arms lowering and stretching them out in front of him, and Seonghwa fights the smile trying to creep up on him.
"Well, I wasn't sure if you'd admit to wanting some help," Seonghwa tells him truthfully, though they both know that. But Wooyoung’s independent pride seems to have taken a seat back for this, because he just grins.
"What, and deny that I'm getting tutoring from one of the hottest and smartest guys in sixth-year? Why would I do that?" Wooyoung is unashamed of his declaration, a little too loud and purposeful in the room, and Seonghwa feels the way his ears and cheeks warm and redden as some heads swivel in their direction.
Seonghwa hurriedly opens up a book in front of Wooyoung, randomly pointing at a page to try and look like they're both doing something important in an attempt to not draw anymore attention. "Shut up, oh my Merlin."
"I'm not Merlin, I'm-"
"I will end you," Seonghwa quietly threatens, though he knows his threat is diminished in intensity thanks to the way he's barely able to keep a laugh out of his voice.
The laughter and lightness is needed, though. It's clear that it's helped to lower Wooyoung's shoulders, has eased up some of the tightness around his eyes, to stop thinking about so many things. It's a little easier to get him to focus like this as well.
"Okay, we can start with some theory stuff for potions. It's important that you understand these things before applying them," Seonghwa says, gesturing to the books in front of them. "And then we'll work on the actual practice of it all, once you're confident here."
Wooyoung groans, but rolls back his shoulders, a determined glint in his eyes starting to emerge. "Alright. Best be prepared hyung, we'll be practicing in no time."
"I know," Seonghwa assures, with wholehearted confidence and belief. He's already got a timeline prepared of how Wooyoung should progress, though he expects to surpass those timings. It does seem to startle Wooyoung for just a moment, though it settles into a warm, genuine smile, pleased with Seonghwa's conviction.
The theory of potions certainly isn't half as interesting as the practice of it, but Seonghwa knows Wooyoung well. Wooyoung is very clever, it’s just that he's impatient at times, and he's likely skipped over some of the foundations and understanding of potions before jumping straight into mixing ingredients.
Today, Wooyoung's impatience is beaten by determination, as he sits and listens thoroughly to Seonghwa explaining things. He asks attentive questions whenever he needs clarification, focused and eager to take in whatever Seonghwa helps him with.
The day passes before they know it. They're interrupted by an enchanted parchment, folded into a paper airplane that hits the side of Wooyoung's head.
They can easily recognise that it's come from Mingi, though Seonghwa has no doubt San probably had a hand in how it arrived. Wooyoung unfolds it with a grumble, though his annoyance is forgotten as soon as he reads it over, brightening up.
It's a demand for them to hurry up and come get some food. Wooyoung's focus breaks — he stands up immediately, eager to go get some food, and Seonghwa is only just a beat slower.
"Thanks for helping me today, hyung," Wooyoung says to him as they leave, voice rising from the hushed tones they had been using in the study hall. He's clinging to Seonghwa's arm, pressed against him, though it somehow doesn't seem to hinder the way he walks.
"You made a lot of progress today," Seonghwa replies, reaching up at an awkward angle to pat Wooyoung's hands. "We can do a couple more sessions with some more practical stuff, and I'm sure that by then you'll be fine for the exam."
"I really owe you," Wooyoung says, a touch too dramatically. Seonghwa laughs, shaking his head.
"No, you really don't," he reassures. Wooyoung knows this — Seonghwa doesn't like feeling like he's doing things so that he's owed something in return.
"I can give you a flying lesson!" Wooyoung offers, and Seonghwa blanches, feet almost tripping over themselves.
"Absolutely not."
"Fine, fine," Wooyoung relents quickly, though he sighs petulantly. "No flying then. Oh! Hyung, you're coming to the Quidditch game, right?"
"Yeah," Seonghwa confirms, a slight dip in his eyebrows at the question that shouldn't need to be asked. Though he despises flying, and watching Quidditch makes him feel queasy sometimes, he has yet to miss a game his boyfriends have played in. "Of course I am."
"Great! Then I'll catch the Golden Snitch for you, okay?" Wooyoung promises him, and Seonghwa laughs at the absurdity.
"Wooyoungie. I'm in Slytherin. If you catch the snitch, my house loses. How is that for me at all?"
"By catching it for you! Not for Slytherin. Not for Hufflepuff, even. Just for you," Wooyoung declares.
"Just for me, hm? What am I going to do with a Golden Snitch, Wooyoungie?" Seonghwa questions, though it seems to go unheard. Wooyoung is caught in a dramatic act, one of his hands letting go of Seonghwa so that he can reach out to the air in front of him.
"I'll reach out, just like this, and I'll say Seonghwa hyung, this is for you! And then, bam—" His hand clasps around the air in front of him, and he pulls his fist to his chest. "I'll have caught you a Golden Snitch!"
"Wooyoung, I think that might just be a declaration of war. On both of us," Seonghwa points out logically, because a Hufflepuff declaring a Golden Snitch catch for someone in the opposing house is certainly some type of call to war, though he can't stop the ridiculous smile on his face.
"So? We have six boyfriends, we can take everyone," Wooyoung cries out, and Seonghwa is laughing as he tries to cover his hand over Wooyoung's mouth, trying to get him to hush before they're overheard.
"I'm not taking on the student body because you decided to show your appreciation to me for catching some brassy-looking flying ball thing," Seonghwa tells him, and Wooyoung's protests are muffled against Seonghwa's palm.
Eventually, Wooyoung just licks a stripe on Seonghwa's hand which makes him recoil. Wooyoung grins in triumph, wrestling himself away from Seonghwa and skipping ahead. He turns backwards, somehow managing to keep up with his skipping pace despite now facing Seonghwa instead of the direction he's heading.
"I'll catch you a Golden Snitch yet, Seonghwa-hyung!" Wooyoung yells out, certainly loud enough to draw attention. Seonghwa takes off, pressing his bag close to his side as he chases Wooyoung down the halls.
And this — this is all Seonghwa needs. All he truly desires in return for helping. To just have Wooyoung by his side like this for the rest of his days.
+++
Exams draw closer.
There's a foreboding sense of doom, which is mostly just made up in Seonghwa's mind because he's definitely freaking out a little. He knows, in the back of his mind, that realistically he'll probably be fine. He's studied hard — so ridiculously hard for these exams, and he doubts his effort will betray him now for it.
He knows the content. He's studied hard. He's survived his O.W.L's and has done them well enough to get into N.E.W.T classes. He'll be fine.
They'll all be fine, realistically. At least he can take solace in the fact that Wooyoung no longer looks so stressed, doesn't have that same tension whenever he has to head to Potions class. He's definitely more relaxed, a lot more prepared and ready for his O.W.L exams, and Seonghwa is so proud of him for it.
It's not only exams that draw closer — it's the Slytherin and Hufflepuff Quidditch game upon them now. It's a well welcomed reprieve for everyone, a day to focus on festivities rather than studying.
Though Seonghwa doesn't really have too much interest in Quidditch itself, he's happy to be swept up in the excitement. San takes his hand in the morning and drags him in front of a mirror, painting a small little flag with the Slytherin colours on both of their cheeks.
And Seonghwa is proud to be in Slytherin. It took some time, a lot of conflicted feelings he had to work through, but Seonghwa is now happy and prideful to show off the green in his uniform. He's proud of how far he's come, of how he gets to hold San's hand and be matching to him.
They have hours until the game itself, and Seonghwa feels a familiar sense of nerves starting to kick in. They're not for him, though these types of ones never are. They're just a second-hand type of feeling, a sense of nervousness he gets whenever any of his boyfriends play a match.
San takes out some of his nerves by doodling patterns into Seonghwa's arm. They'll disappear under the uniform and robes anyway, so Seonghwa sits as still as he can, counting down the time until they can enter the stands.
They don't really mingle with the other houses on these kinds of days — where house spirit is so prominent, where everyone is happy and proud to represent their individual houses. It means they won't really get to see their boyfriends until well after the game, when everyone is celebrating and they can all slip away to see each other.
It's a little harder for the players to slip away those nights, especially after a win. But these things aren't minded, and there's always time to catch up later.
There's a snake on Seonghwa's arm when he finally inspects over the artwork San is leaving him with. It's the largest piece on there, easily drawing his eye, but then he notices it. The way the snake is surrounded by an eagle, a badger, and a lion.
"The lion looks a little... Uh..." San trails off with a wince, because — well, the lion is definitely something, but Seonghwa is no less proud of it.
"I love it," Seonghwa declares, opening up his arms for a hug that San immediately dives into. Their nerves are still high, but Seonghwa is thankful that San is here with him to help them feel a little easier to control.
It's thankfully not too long before they head to the stands, though unfortunately means the artwork on Seonghwa's arm is lost beneath his robes. Seonghwa had managed to quietly place a little spell on it, keeping the ink smudge-free and visible for at least another day.
The Slytherin stands are absolutely buzzing with energy, their house excited to be part of the game, and it's easy to get swept up in it. There's chants going around, and there's a battle between their stand and Gryffindor's for who can cheer the loudest.
Slytherin takes the victory in chanting, though Seonghwa suspects there were certainly some magical advantages used for their voice projection by some of the seventh-years, who are too tired to care about teachers noticing.
"Here hyung, I brought binoculars," San offers, going to pass them over, but Seonghwa shakes his head.
"I'm good, I think I get dizzier using them," he replies. San shrugs, keeping hold of them as the players fly onto the field. The cheers erupt into roars, arms raised and flags waving as the game is set to begin.
The referee enters the field, three of the four balls being thrown into the air — and then the Quaffle is launched into the air, and the game really begins.
The game starts with high energy, the crowd tense and reacting loudly with every movement. Seonghwa should probably be watching the Slytherin players, but his eyes always drift over to Wooyoung and Yunho.
Yunho doesn't move around as much as Wooyoung, making him an easier player to watch. He successfully blocks an early shot into one of the rings, and Seonghwa has to press his lips together to stop the way he wants to cheer.
San is using the binoculars, closely following Wooyoung and the other Slytherin seeker who are currently battling it out, trying to follow the path of the Golden Snitch as it whizzes unpredictably around the field.
Slytherin starts to pull in the lead — two goals ahead of Hufflepuff, the Slytherin chasers banding together and pulling off some new strategies on the field. Seonghwa cheers along with the rest of his house, and though his heart does pang a little in sympathy for Yunho, he knows Yunho won't be one to let it get to him.
The enthusiasm and tension start to dwindle away as the hours pass, students and teachers alike getting tired. It's a close game — both houses barely able to keep the lead for more than a couple of goals. Seonghwa is almost nervous this will be the kind of game that lasts days, or even weeks, as there seems to be no end in sight.
His eyes drift to Wooyoung, who's currently staying rather still in the air on his broomstick. Both seekers have lost sight of the Golden Snitch, and they're taking the moment to recover, to assess the game and where their other players are.
Seonghwa's eyes drift down for a moment, catching sight of something out of the corner of his gaze — and the Golden Snitch whizzes right by his line of sight. Seonghwa startles, and there's an uproar in the crowd around him as they notice it as well.
Wooyoung notices it too. So does the Slytherin seeker, and both of them take a rapid dive on their broomsticks to head towards it. Wooyoung rushes by, passing closely — and Wooyoung shouldn't, because he should have his sight pinned on the Golden Snitch, but he looks.
He looks right at San and Seonghwa and grins. It's only a moment, just a single moment, and thankfully seems like it hasn't disrupted his hunt of the Golden Snitch. The stadium erupts into cheers, both of the seekers re-engaging with the Golden Snitch for the first time in a while.
There's a bit of a scuffle — a bit of rougher play, a bit of shoving and attempted maneuvering to get their opposing position to fall from the broomstick. It's all legal, by technical terms, but Seonghwa winces as they clash in an attempt to get the winning snitch.
They're too far from Seonghwa's sight for a moment, and he finds himself holding his breath, waiting. Knowing something is about to happen here.
They loop back around quickly enough, and there—
Right in the centre of the stadium, Wooyoung dives for the Golden Snitch.
And he catches it.
Just a little over five hours, and Wooyoung has managed to capture the Golden Snitch.
An announcement echoes around the arena. "Jung Wooyoung has caught the Snitch! 150 points for Hufflepuff!"
Though it's a shame for Slytherin, their house pride taking a hit, San and Seonghwa still share a small, secret smile.
The referee blows their whistle. And there, with Wooyoung right in the centre of the field and barely clinging onto his broom as he cradles the Snitch in his palm, Hufflepuff is declared the winner.
It takes a few more hours before they can all be reunited — the curfew is exempt on the winning night of Quidditch, and they make the most of it, gathering together in the Astronomy tower close to midnight. Wooyoung and Yunho are last to join the group, facepaint smeared and clothes almost in tatters from their celebrations.
Wooyoung bounds up to them in excitement, a wide grin across his face and pure joy bouncing in every step, and Seonghwa lets himself admire the sight of it.
Wooyoung heads straight for Seonghwa, thrusting his palms out, the Golden Snitch sitting right there unassumingly in his hold.
"I told you, didn't I hyung? I told you I'd catch it for you!" He exclaims, and Seonghwa finds himself speechless. He can't believe that Wooyoung remembered the conversation, that he's offering the snitch he caught after so much hard work, just to give to Seonghwa.
"You did," Seonghwa finally replies, so ridiculously proud and full of love. Wooyoung attempts to pass the snitch over to him, but Seonghwa reaches out and closes Wooyoung's fingers, capturing the snitch once again in his fist. "But this is yours, Wooyoungie."
Wooyoung pouts at him, though Seonghwa doesn't relent. "Hyung," Wooyoung whines, and Seonghwa grins as he shakes his head. Wooyoung seems to realise he isn't going to be able to get Seonghwa to change his mind, and he sighs, finally dropping his arms.
"Fine. But I'm naming it Seonghwa then!" He announces, and Seonghwa figures he can't quite argue that.
San drapes his arm across Seonghwa's shoulder, and reaches out with his other arm to poke Wooyoung's shoulder.
"So all because Wooyoung wanted to catch the snitch for you, Slytherin lost the game?" He teases, though it's clear to hear the pride he holds for Wooyoung in his words.
"Wooyoung-ah, why didn't you catch the snitch for me?" Mingi gasps out dramatically, which immediately starts the rest of them on tangents. Wooyoung just sticks his tongue out at all of them.
"Because none of you tutored me with potions!" He argues, keeping the snitch out of reach of the rest of their playfully grabbing hands. "Seonghwa-hyung did! So I owed him!"
"A snitch, Wooyoung? That's 150 points! 150!" Jongho folds his arms in mock-outrage, and Seonghwa has to smother the fond smile he knows is on his face.
"Points aren't transactional or functional, so it's basically useless to Seonghwa-hyung," Yeosang debates, "So really, Wooyoung probably still owes him."
Though there's no real curfew being enforced tonight, Seonghwa still feels like they'll probably be told off for the ruckus by any passing teachers.
"It's not about the points! It's about being romantic and declaring the winning snitch is his!" Wooyoung argues, opening his fist for a moment to show it off once more.
"The winning snitch that made his house lose! How is that romantic?" Hongjoong argues, likely just for the sake of making Wooyoung even more exasperated.
They're loud, arguing like they're all first-year students again battling on who gets to try the newest magic spell first. Seonghwa is quiet during it all, taking it all in, letting the love in his chest grow and grow.
Though this is a moment Seonghwa doesn't wish to end, he does also think they will actually get caught, and likely lose house points for all the houses. So to put an end to the debating going on, he reaches out and cups Wooyoung's cheeks, squishing them together a little because he's overfilling on love and fondness.
Wooyoung still has one arm up to keep the snitch out of reach, and he holds it there awkwardly. The movement has made everyone else pause and quieten, which is exactly what Seonghwa wanted, but this alone won't be enough to make it stop.
So he leans forward and presses a kiss to Wooyoung's lips.
"Thank you," he mutters, only enough for the two of them, and Wooyoung seems frozen. But finally he smiles, something warm and full of love, and Seonghwa wants to keep this memory forever.
Though unfortunately, Seonghwa's plan doesn't work as well as he planned.
Because now his boyfriends are outraged that they haven't received kisses, and— well.
At least there's an easy solution to that problem.