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******
RENJUN
Renjun wasn't the most popular person at Hogwarts and he had made his peace with it. People were nice, sure, but they never really tried to become his friends. He just wasn't that likable, apparently. Although Donghyuck — the closest best friend he ever had — would fight him every time Renjun spoke of himself like that.
But this was the truth. In no way was Renjun popular — he didn’t really feel like he needed to be. He was fine being on his own, really. He got used to it after all this time.
Lately, since Donghyuck was too busy with Jaemin — his boyfriend — Renjun was often on his own, not really wanting to bother the couple with his presence, and trying not to mind all the times Donghyuck left him to join his boyfriend instead.
Although sometimes he felt lonely, and he couldn’t help it, he was just a human after all.
Renjun made his way to the library, to search for a specific book for Herbology. He was supposed to go with Donghyuck at first, but his friend asked him if it would be okay if Renjun went alone, because Jaemin had quidditch practice for half the day and also needed to study, and Hyuck wanted to make sure the boy took care of himself properly. Renjun couldn’t say no. Although he did start to think that Donghyuck might eventually leave him too. Because no one was really willing to stay in his life for long...
Renjun shook his head, escaping the intrusive thoughts. It was Donghyuck’s right to be happy after all, and spend time only with Jaemin. They were boyfriends for about two months now, call it a honeymoon phase. Renjun sighed, entering the big library — one of his favorite places. He didn’t really know if it was just the Ravenclaw in him, or his anxious soul, but being around books calmed him down so much that soon enough, he forgot the sad feeling in his chest and proceeded to move around shelves, his eyes skipping through various titles, searching for the right copy of the book he wanted. It didn't take him long before he managed to find the spot — he didn’t really pay attention to anything else and with faster pace he moved towards the shelf. When he tried to grab the book, suddenly a hand appeared, trying to grab the same copy as Renjun, but ending up grabbing Renjun’s hand instead. The boys jumped away, surprised, and Renjun could feel his ears burning; he couldn’t even imagine the blush on his face.
“I’m sorry,” he heard, his gaze focusing on the boy — Liu Yangyang. Slytherin.
“It’s alright, the book is yours, I can get another copy later,” Renjun uttered, taking another step back. And before Yangyang could say anything more, Renjun rushed outside the library with quick steps.
It’s not that Renjun and Yangyang hated each other; they barely talked to be honest. Renjun was just bad at getting out of awkward situations, and Yangyang always seemed like someone cheerful and outspoken, someone that would get along well with Donghyuck who was as witty when it came to talking to people. Renjun just wasn’t that type. Renjun had enough people thinking he was weird — no need to add one more person, especially if that person was someone who always told him ‘hi’ in the corridor as they entered the same classes, and in general was always nice to him. Besides, Renjun thought. The Slytherins had a rather negative vision of Renjun, perhaps he didn’t want Yangyang to be seen with him by one of his friends.
******
Renjun really didn’t mean to get angry at Donghyuck. That was definitely not his plan when he made the decision to talk to him about feeling left out. But when Donghyuck came to him, running with the biggest smile on his face announcing he only had about 5 minutes because he and Jaemin decided to go to Hogsmeade, something in Renjun snapped. Here he was, yet again being left behind because his best friend decided that he wasn’t important enough. It wasn’t the first time they were supposed to hang out but then Donghyuck decided he had only about 5 minutes in his schedule for him, while Jaemin was able to take the rest.
So Renjun’s irritation got out and hit Donghyuck. After a few more heated words, the boys separated in anger, both going their own ways. Renjun ran outside, accidentally bumping into someone on his way out. He didn’t look up, still angry and embarrassed of the tears running down his face. He only managed to utter a quiet ‘sorry’ and was outside running to his hiding spot.
/////
Renjun sniffed, wiping his tears that kept falling down his face when he suddenly heard a noise behind him. His head turned in surprise, just to spot a black cat standing right in front of him, his big, dark eyes looking at him almost with worry. Renjun smiled at the small creature and stretched his hand towards it, the cat quickly coming closer, letting himself be pet.
“Are you one of the student’s cats?” he asked after a while, moving his hand under the cat's chin, scratching it. Renjun of course couldn’t get any answer except for the cat purring contentedly, but as he kept petting the cat, he somehow got calmer. His body relaxed as the cat kept purring near him — even once Renjun stopped petting him, he just kept sitting there near Renjun, and in a way that felt like the cat was trying to comfort him. Renjun couldn’t help but smile as the cat slept right next to him comfortably, breathing calmly and it almost made Renjun feel the same way. He was slowly relaxing, and knew he soon would need to go back to their common room to apologise to Donghyuck. But for now he decided to relax a bit longer here, by the lake with his newly met friend.
******
YANGYANG
When Renjun bumped into him, he didn’t even look at him as he apologised and ran outside. Part of Yangyang was aware that they were not friends — they weren’t even super close, just classmates sharing the year of birth and few classes. Technically it wasn’t his business as to why Renjun was crying, and seemed to be running away from something. But something in Yangyang’s gut told him that he needed to follow him, so he did just that, hoping his friends wouldn’t mind him ditching them out of nowhere.
Yangyang turned around, trying to follow Renjun. The road from there was quite easy, and unless Renjun took a different, unexpected turn, Yangyang had a small idea where to look for him. He was seeker in his Slytherin quidditch team after all, finding him should be easy enough.
And he wasn’t wrong. As he stopped in his steps by a massive tree, he could spot Renjun’s figure a few meters away from him, his back facing Yangyang, his arms shaking as the boy sat down, and Yangyang was pretty sure he was still crying. Yangyang knitted his eyebrows, trying to figure out what to do. He was pretty sure that if he went up to him like that, Renjun would run away, so he thought about the only thing possible.
It was getting already dark, so unless someone was really close there was really no way of being spotted. Yangyang looked around, making sure there was absolutely no one by the lake, apart from the two of them.
And with a deep breath, he did the only thing possible — he turned into black cat.
******
RENJUN
The next few days were pretty normal for Renjun — he studied, attended classes, did his homework, hung out with Donghyuck who apologised to him for neglecting him the second Renjun entered the Ravenclaw’s common room. Renjun even got the chance to spend time with Jaemin, as he now often came around with Donghyuck. He then studied some more, nothing that was out of the ordinary. Except for two things. The first one was his new furry friend who appeared often by the lake where Renjun loved to spend his time, or was often found wandering around arcades that led outside, as if it was waiting for Renjun every evening. Renjun didn’t know if his owner wouldn’t be worried if his friend disappeared for half a day, but at the same time, no one seemed to be searching for him, so maybe whoever that was, was already used to the cat being gone? Because Renjun was pretty certain the cat couldn’t be a stray. So he allowed the black kitty to follow him around as Renjun was walking throughout the Hogwarts grounds.
The second new development, however, was definitely more strange than anything. It appeared that Liu Yangyang tried to talk to him. It started with a simple ‘hello’ one sunny morning as they found themselves walking together to the Care of Magical Creatures class. Renjun answered him politely, thinking that the boy would just move past him to catch up with his friends. However he continued talking, and Renjun was nervous so all he could do was give him short answers so as not to sound like he was being rude for not answering. Renjun wasn’t sure what was happening, but he thought that maybe Yangyang was bored and needed to talk to someone so he saw the opportunity in Renjun.
But when the second time happened, Renjun wasn’t sure how to feel.
They were having breakfast in the dining room. Renjun was one of the first people there, barely a few minutes after 7am — as he didn’t like the crowds — and he didn’t really pay attention to his surroundings, until he felt a light tap on his shoulder. He was honestly expecting it to be Donghyuck or even Jaemin although he didn’t feel like the latter one would talk to him willingly, but when he looked up, he saw no one else but Yangyang. The Slytherin looked at him with a smile that reached his eyes. “Uhm. Hi. Sorry. I said it before but you seemed to zone out,” he said shyly, scratching the back of his head.
“I. I’m sorry, I was too deep in my thoughts,” Renjun answered quickly.
“Right. I hope you have a nice day,” Yangyang only said, and after that he moved quickly to his table. Renjun whispered shyly ‘you too’ not being sure Yangyang could even hear him, and looked as the boy sat down by one of his friends, still happily smiling. Renjun, after a few seconds, looked away, too scared of being caught on staring.
After that, his day went quite normal, seeing Yangyang a few more times as he smiled his way shyly. And exchanged a few words with him.
And later in the evening when he found himself outside, he spotted the black-furred creature that was now meowing happily once he spotted Renjun. He forgot about the weird encounters, just happily sitting by the lake, breathing fresh air and listening to the sounds of nature, his clouded mind slowly clearing out as he shared some of his thoughts out loud with his new friend. And while it felt weird bearing his soul to a cat, what was even more weird was the fact that the said cat looked like he was listening attentively to all of his words. Renjun could even swear that he saw him nod a few times — not that he would ever share that part with anyone.
******
“And. and the professors gave us 20 points each because all the Ravenclaws scored the highest!” Renjun exclaimed as he finished his story. It was just him and the cat again — Renjun was so used to his presence that it didn’t feel like he was talking to himself anymore. It was 2 weeks since their first encounter and he saw the cat everyday. Renjun reached to the animal to scratch his head gently, moving slightly to his neck so he could end up scratching between its shoulder blades, the black fur under his fingers feeling soft. Renjun examined the animal for a while. It appeared to be young, but not too young, just enough to survive without a parent and outside for so long; the cat seemed to be well-kept too. So there was a chance he did have an owner.
“You don’t have a nametag, but I’m sure you’re not a stray, right?”
“Meow.” Renjun giggled, treating it as an answer. “Alright then.” He sighed, thinking about the next question.
“Are you a girl?”
Silence.
“A boy?”
“Meow,” the cat answered and moved, bumping his head on Renjun's side. Renjun smiled, not quite believing he just had a conversation — in a way — with a cat.
“Alright. Thank you for your answers.”
“Meow.”
******
YANGYANG
Yangyang wasn't a cowardly type. Shy? Sure. But it usually went away once he talked to someone for long enough. But not a coward. Until one day he realised that the boy he kept staring at in classes since the 1st year — the one who always smiled so brightly in Care of Magical Creatures — was really way more interesting than what Yangyang already imagined, and Yangyang wished he could get to know him better. He had that wish for a while now. But Renjun always seemed to not be approachable. A little bit too out of his reach. So over the years, all he could do was to stare at him. Yangyang still remembered when he observed the way Renjun’s eyes lit up the first time at charms when the feather went up in the air, and he did it on his first try. The day when he heard him laugh at something his friend said, Yangyang couldn’t help but break into a smile as well.
He was very well aware that his crush was only growing stronger over the years and sadly it was also very obvious for his best friend, Jaemin.
“Stop staring at him like that, will you? I’m trying to eat here,” Jaemin said, shoving another bagel into his mouth.
“I’m not staring,” Yangyang huffed, averting his gaze to his plate.
“Just talk to him.”
“You know I can't, it would be weird!”
“Well, to be honest you made it this way,” the fellow Slytherin reminded him with a shrug, and Yangyang only made a face at him. “He thinks you hate him,” Yangyang started and Jaemin made a confused sound. “But we barely talked.”
“I think that’s why. He- he is a little insecure, I think. Scared that people will leave him. Or that Donghyuck will leave him because of you.”
“He thinks I’m trying to take Hyuck from him? That’s ridiculous!”
“Well, you did say you don’t talk with him!”
“Because I don’t know how to make friends!”
“Who am I? A neighbor's dog?”
“More like a cat.”
“Na Jaemin.”
“Liu Yangyang.” Jaemin stared at him with a sly smile.
“Shut up,” was all Yangyang could say before coming back to his oatmeal, from time to time stealing glances at Renjun. And when their gazes met at some point, Yangyang could hear Jaemin snorting as Yangyang almost put his face in his bowl trying to hide the blush spreading on his face.
The point is Yangyang knew he made a mess when he showed himself in his cat form first, instead of talking to Renjun like a normal human being. Now that he actually started talking to him in person, and Renjun started answering him, it felt strange, and Yangyang felt guilty because he wanted to get closer to Renjun; Yangyang wanted Renjun to like the human form of him. But part of him knew he should confess about the fact that the same black cat following him around every day was in fact Yangyang. The animagus.
If he could only figure out how to do that.
******
RENJUN
“Imagine that Renjun guy being Slytherin, we would like — completely smash everyone. Grades-wise.”
Renjun really didn’t mean to eavesdrop, but it’s not his fault that the cabinet with all the quidditch trophies aka wall of stars was on his way to the library today.
And he should probably just walk past them, ignoring whatever was being said, but instead he found himself hiding behind the brick wall close enough to hear the exchange.
“I mean, it’s not like he would be of any use in quidditch. He is nowhere near his older brother.” “Oh how I miss Kun. His brother is not capable of even holding the bat.” The group laughed, and Renjun felt a pain in his chest, something tightening around his heart. It was true that Renjun was good at many things, but he never could reach as high as Kun was — his older brother. Kun was not only on top of his year grades-wise, but also an amazing quidditch player and the perfect addition in his Slytherin team. He was also popular and likable. All the things Renjun wasn’t, and while he really didn’t mind since crowds and strangers weren’t really his thing, he still felt bad when someone compared his abilities to Kun — or the lack of them.
Another thing. Renjun came from a family of Slytherins. Really respected, high profile Slytherins. His family was proud of themselves, and good, his family was amazing and he loved every single person there, and they were completely okay with Renjun becoming a Ravenclaw — his parents even said they expected that. And his family was fine with it. His Ravenclaw house was cool with it too — Renjun gained a lot of points for them, after all. The problem was Slytherin, the 6th years to be more specific. Renjun guessed the personal gain trait was really kicking in when it came to having people scoring points for you. Not that he thought that of everyone — some Slytherins were nice to him, like Yangyang, or even Jaemin, who these days approached him with or without Donghyuck by his side. But he really couldn’t explain the negative attitude he felt from some members of that house. It was that way since the first year they all joined this school.
Renjun quietly turned around, too upset to go past them, and marched forward, needing some fresh air. He passed students rather quickly, trying not to bump into anyone, but the tears in his eyes made his vision more and more blurry.
He was near the door leading to the cloisters leading outside when a figure showed up in front of him. He almost bumped into them, but the hands on his arms stopped him from colliding with whoever was now looking at him.
“Hey, you alright?” a soft voice rang in his ears.
“What’s going on Renjun?” the voice asked again, it was Yangyang’s voice, he recognised. Renjun wiped his face before his eyes met the other, the soft brown gaze looked right at Renjun with worry, and all he could do was just sob, as if seeing Yangyang let him finally break down.
“Hey, it’s okay, let’s go outside to get some fresh air and tell me what happened, alright?” Yangyang said, grabbing him closer and leading him outside. Renjun was only capable of nodding and following Yangyang to somewhere less crowded and quiet.
////
“I think they are just jealous of you,” Yangyang stated, watching Renjun wiping his tears. The boy was calming down, but he still couldn’t help tears falling down his face, and Yangyang was really angry seeing that.
“Why would someone be jealous of me?” Renjun sniffed.
“Are you kidding me?” Yangyang asked, sounding stunned, and Renjun could feel himself blushing. “You are like… one of the greatest, smartest, students here, and not only that! You are also an outstanding wizard! Smart and talented, you are like your house pride or something. I aspire to be like you, but I’m also too lazy to try.”
Renun snorted at that but couldn’t help but to feel a bit shy at the compliment. He laughed honestly, starting to feel like a weight was lifting off of his shoulders, and looked at Yangyang.
“Aren’t you putting yourself down a bit too much?” Renjun asked, looking at him with raised eyebrows and an incredulous smile on his face.
“Nah. Charms and Transfiguration are honestly all I’m good at. With the rest, I am just really lucky to somehow pass,” Yangyang answered simply, looking somewhere behind him.
“And Quidditch,” Renjun added shyly, which took Yangyang by surprise.
“Huh?”
“Quidditch. You’re great at it, too.” This time it was Yangyang’s turn to get shy.
“I- thank you.” After that, they fell into a comfortable silence, listening to birds and the wind swaying the trees. They were comfortable like that. Somehow they exchanged gazes, just to look away with a shy smile on their faces.
“So the game is this Saturday.” Yangyang cleared his throat, his ears getting red. “Will you come to the game?”
“But Slytherin is playing with Hufflepuf, not Ravenclaw,” Renjun said, confused.
“I know,” Yangyang answered, looking now straight into Renjun’s eyes, and it took Renjun a few seconds to realise what he meant. “Oh.” Does he want me there to see him? Renjun thought. His face now getting covered in shades of pink.
“Sure, I think Donghyuck will be there to watch Jaemin so I can go with him... To watch. You play.” Renjun stuttered slightly by the end but kept looking at Yangyang, a small smile appeared on both of their faces.
“Good,” Yangyang said.
“Good,” Renjun repeated. They kept looking at each other for a while longer. Yangyang got lost in his thoughts when suddenly his eyes took on a new expression that Renjun couldn’t really describe. Yanyang tilted his head, his eyes now sparkling with mischief.
“So those were the sixth year Slytherins there?”
“Yes. I’m pretty sure I heard some of those voices during our classes. Why?”
“Oh. No reason,” Yangyang answered simply with a nonchalant tone. Renjun watched him for a while longer but then decided to dismiss the urge to push him to answer and they fell into silence yet again. Both boys were thinking about different things, but their minds sometimes still came back to one another. Both content with each other’s presence.
******
“Did you hear what happened to Slytherins in 6th year?” Those were the first words as Donghyuck sat by him in the library. Renjun hummed. “How can I know, I don’t know anyone there,” he simply answered, and if it wasn’t for the fact that he was too focused on reading a paragraph, he would have seen Donghyuck raising his eyebrow with a sceptical look aimed at him.
“Anyways,” Donghyuck started. “There are a whole bunch of 6th year kids that got their things jinxed. Like softening charm or their clothes got changed into rodents! The rodents ran away and they changed back into clothing all over the castle, so basically they needed to find their clothes all over the place! But the thing is! They turn back into rodents when their owner is near and run away from them, they are just like… everywhere, running around and stuff, I’m surprised you haven’t seen anything!”
“Hm.. maybe I did actually.” Renjun looked at Donghyuck, now thinking. “I did see some mice as I was walking here,” Renjun added, deep in his thoughts when suddenly his eyes widened in realisation. “Wait! 6th years? Are Jaemin and Yangyang alright?”
“Oh yeah! Their stuff is completely untouched, apparently they have some protection spells on them or something? I don’t know, they are geniuses at charms not me. But they are the ones out of few who didn’t get hit by that prank.”
“Oh, I see. Glad they are good then,” Renjun said with a sigh of relief.
“Yeah, so good!”
After that, the topic drifted away, the boys now too focused on their homework. Later at the diner when Renjun and Yangyang would see each other again, he would tell him again that he was happy that Yangyang was okay. Yangyang would just smile and thank him while walking him to his spot by Ravenclaw’s table, and after a few more words between them, Yangyang would come to his table, the happy smile and fluttering feeling in his chest not leaving him for even a second.
******
YANGYANG
“So. How do I tell someone that the black cat he met every day was actually me without him feeling creeped out and like he was being stalked by a weirdo.”
“It's 8am and you already want me to think.”
“Jaemin, please,” Yangyang cried out as he fell on the couch next to his best friend. They were in their common room, still about to go get breakfast but first Yangyang needed to be helped with his crisis.
“How can I know? Just- I don’t know. Take him somewhere with no people and turn into that furry void or something,” Jaemin deadpanned, and Yangyang groaned again, covering his face with his hands.
“I just wanted him to like me.”
“You are stupid if you thought he would not like your human form.”
“Well, it made sense to do it back then.”
“And a month later, look where you are.”
“He is going to hate me.”
“You can’t say that.”
“Oh, so you think he won’t?” Yangyang asked, frustrated, this time it was Jaemin’s turn to sigh.
“I don’t know! Listen. Yes, he may feel weird at first, sure. And if he gets mad, that’s his right, his feelings are valid. But you won’t know unless you go there and tell him.”
Yangyang knew Jaemin was right. And he hated the fact that the option that Jaemin mentioned seemed reasonable, and Yangyang couldn’t figure anything else out.
When they finally left their dormitory to go get breakfast, Yangyang still couldn’t stop thinking about it. The fact that at some point Donghyuck and Renjun joined them didn't help at all. The boy’s bright smile aimed at him made his heart speed up rapidly but his mind was full of guilt and worry.
He had to tell Renjun before the quidditch game, which gave him about 3 days.
******
“There is something I need to tell you,” Yangyang started, feeling like the ground under him was shaking. They were again at Renjun’s spot by the lake.
When Yangyang came up to him at breakfast, Renjun was confused and looked nervous but followed his friend nevertheless.
And now here they were standing, facing each other, Yangyang fidgeting his fingers, while Renjun just looked at him and waited for anything.
“So. Once, about a month ago, you bumped into me without even looking up. You just ran. I was worried I- followed you here and saw you crying, the thing is-” Yangyang needed to take a deep breath, he kept looking at Renjun’s face, trying to read his emotions, but Renjun was still confused, not being able to figure out what this was about. “-I went there. I came up to you. And I was beside you.”
“What? No, you weren’t.”
“I was,” Yangyang breathed, the nerves now overtaking his whole body. ”You see. I’m an animagus. I can change- I can change, into a black cat.” Yangyang finished the last sentence quietly, looking at the ground, and now just waited. There was a long silence, so with a nervous gulp his eyes went back to Renjun. He watched Renjun thinking, he saw his eyes widening in realisation, his mouth opening to say something but closing soon after, not being able to form a sentence. Yangyang really didn’t know what would happen next. He just waited. And Renjun felt betrayed.
“The black cat that came up to me that day- the one I saw almost every day after- the same one that stopped showing up once I started hanging out more with you. It- it was you.”
“Yes.”
“Were you just messing with me? Was this some stupid prank? A joke? You must think I’m an idiot!” Renjun raised his voice and it made Yangyang flinch.
“Wait, no-”
“You were playing games with me this whole time!”
“Renjun-” Yangyang tried to step closer to him, but Renjun moved back without letting him.
“I hope you had fun making a fool out of me,” Renjun added and moved past Yangyang who only stood there, letting him leave. Too afraid to make a move. All he could hear was Renjun’s steps getting further and further away until there was no sound of his presence. Yangyang was alone. Guilt running through his body and spreading like a fire.
*****
RENJUN
The whole day Renjun couldn’t stop thinking about it. He felt stupid, not only for the fact that Yangyang knew all of his secrets without him knowing, but more for blowing up like that at him. And while Donghyck told him it was justified — that he had every right to be angry, and Renjun knew it was his right to get upset too — he still didn’t feel well. Especially when Yangyang avoided him — yesterday when he told him, and today. They came for lunch around the same time, but Yangyang basically ran to his table, leaving him, Donghyuck and Jaemin far behind. Renjun knew Yangyang felt guilty, and when he thought about it, he didn’t really know how he would have reacted if Yangyang had approached him back then. To be honest, he used to run away from him, so when Yangyang would have seen him crying he would probably have pushed him away again, just as he said. And that encounter at least made Yangyang speak to him, and Renjun was grateful for that. Yangyang was the nicest addition to his small circle. Yangyang, within these few weeks, had become someone really important to Renjun, he knew that. So maybe that’s why when he found out the secret, his heart hurt extra strong. He felt betrayed by someone really important to him. He couldn’t fully understand his own feelings at this moment. But Renjun felt sad that Yangyang hesitated with telling him the truth right away.
Renjun watched as Yangyang got up from his seat and moved to the door, not even sparing Renjun a glance on his way, as if to make sure he would be invisible for him. Renjun almost called his name, almost got up to go after him once his slim figure escaped through the door. But he didn’t. Instead he only looked the way where he was just a few seconds earlier. He even ignored Donghyuck asking him if he was alright.
Renjun was so absorbed in his thinking about Yangyang he didn't even realise that Jaemin approached them. Only when he started to speak did he get pushed back to reality.
“Who do you think got the idea to pull that trick then?” Jaemin started without hesitation, almost scaring Renjun. He just glanced at him, confused.
“What?”
“The rodents on 6th year Slytherins, the guys that were pranked, were the exact same guys who were talking shit about you. Who do you think was so angry about them hurting you that he needed to do something?” Jaemin continued in one breath, his gaze hardening as he watched Renjun.
‘“I-”
“Yangyang really likes you,” Jaemin interrupted, not letting Renjun speak yet. “He did for a while and he was worried sick about how you would react. He-” JaemIn sighed, seeing as Renjun’s eyes got filled with tears now. Jaemin didn’t mean to sound angry, but he also needed to do something, so his best friend had even a small chance of getting the happy ending he always wanted. “You really mean a lot to him. Please talk to him. Come to the game tomorrow to see him, okay?” Jaemin’s gaze softened. “He has been a nervous wreck the second he realised what he did, he- he really didn’t mean to hurt you, it was his best intention to just help you. He really likes you.” After that he only bid his goodbyes to the two of them, and left the dining hall, most likely to catch up with Yangyang. Renjun hoped he was alright.
“So what will you do?” Donghyuck asked after giving Renjun a few more seconds to digest all the information.
“The match is tomorrow. I will think about it until then.”
“You will go?”
“If I figure out my feelings and what to say to him? Yes.”
******
Renjun wasn’t sure what he would tell Yangyang, he definitely wasn’t sure how he felt, but he still decided to go to the game with Donghyuck regardless. He sat down at the tribunes in the front, he looked at the teams preparing to lift up in the air and when he spotted Yangyang his eyes lingered on his figure longer, sure from this distance he was barely visible and Yangyang probably couldn’t even spot him from there. Maybe that’s why it was so easy to keep looking at him without the risk of being spotted.
Renjun couldn’t help but to feel a pinching pain in his chest. He missed Yangyang.
The crowd roared as both teams went up the air, while Jaemin waved at the two of them the second he saw them, Yangyang just stared, his facial expression unreadable. Renjun really wanted to yell good luck to him, but when he had stored enough courage to do so, Yangyang’s eyes averted away from him and the whistle signaling the start of the game had spread on the stadium. The game had started. Renjun just sighed, leaning back and watched the game, Yangyang’s sorrowful eyes not leaving his mind for even a second.
While both teams were good, the Hufflepuffs still were a bit behind when it came to playing with Slytherins — part of Renjun hoped Slytherin would win (not something he has ever expected to say) and part of him wanted them to lose for one particular reason — the team would most likely go their own ways to deal with losing the game, giving a bigger chance for Renjun to talk to Yangyang. And that thought surprised even him.
Renjun wasn’t angry anymore, he realised. He still felt disappointed sure, but at least Yangyang told him before anything happened between them (whether there was something to happen or just Renjun’s wishful thinking he didn’t know), but Yangyang made an effort to tell him, and he could have seen the guilt and fear that day on his face. Yangyang wanted Renjun to know and that counted for something, didn’t it?
He kept looking at Yangyang, his gaze not missing any of his movements. Renjun just looked and kept thinking and wanted to talk to him. But more so, he wanted to hug him and tell him that they were okay, that he missed his friend and that- that he possibly liked him too. Renjun’s heartbeat sped up at the realisation. It was true — he felt butterflies for a while now, that Yangyang’s presence made things sound better and brighter, but up until this moment he always sealed those feelings inside of him. Why? He wasn’t sure. Maybe because he never thought Yangyang would ever like him like that? But when Jaemin repeatedly told him that Yangyang liked him, something changed. Here he was thinking about the boy with the brightest energy, the one that could match Donghyuck’s. The same boy who was ready to drop everything to make sure Renjun was okay, the one that always listened to him and kept his secrets safe. Yangyang was there for him, always by his side even before Renjun knew about it. And sure, Donghyuck was always beside him too, even if they sometimes fought, but Yangyang felt different. Yangyang felt like something, something more than a friend. Renjun didn’t want only friendship. He wanted to hold his hand, and hug him so he could feel just how much Yangyang meant to him. He wanted to cheer for Yangyang loudly when he was playing the game — just as loud as Donghyuck was cheering for Jaemin. Yangyang felt like something beautiful, magical and exciting and Renjun wanted it all. Most importantly Renjun wanted for Yangyang to call him his, and Renjun wanted to be able to call him his too.
Renjun was certain he liked Yangyang.
///
The match ended with Slytherin winning and everyone was now back down on the ground, congratulating the winners. The friends greeted each other happily, the Hufflepuffs congratulating them on their win and Slytherins complimenting their great game.
And Renjun was waiting.
He was sure Yangyang spotted him, he was standing right across him, a few meters away. Yangyang’s gaze moved a few times towards him, uncertainty in his eyes, but he tried to smile as new people approached him over and over again to congratulate him on catching the snitch. When the crowd finally started getting smaller and smaller, Yangyang approached him quietly, as if testing if walking closer was alright. His movements were quiet and gracious, almost like a cat. Renjun smiled thinking now of that comparison; Yangyang was confused but Renjun only shook his head, smiling even brighter. He stretched his hand towards Yangyang once the boy was close enough to him.
“Hi. I’m Huang Renjun, a 6th year Ravenclaw. I wondered if we could be friends since we have at least one thing in common.” Renjun said, and Yangyang was still confused and kept quiet, just staring at him. Renjun rolled his eyes but smiled.
“Ask me what,” he prompted at Yangyang.
“What is it?”
“A black cat. I really like him and it seems it is somewhat connected to you. I miss him,” Renjun said and Yangyang smiled brightly. “I believe he misses you too. A lot,” Yangyang answered, finally grabbing his hand.
It was a way for them to start over, and when Renjun asked later if he could hug him as a winning prize, Yangyang was happy to accept it. Both boys again felt nothing but happiness.
******
Renjun sat by the lake throwing pebbles into the water. It was around 5pm so it was getting slowly dark, an October wind dancing around him, making him feel relaxed. Another month of his journey as 6th year Hogwarts student was almost over. Renjun still couldn’t believe how well it is going so far for him. So many things had happened already. So many new and amazing things.
Renjun smiled, hearing something behind him. A loud meow followed by a well-known black cat appearing right in front of him, sitting and putting his paw on Renjun’s arm. Renjun couldn’t help but laugh. His gaze softened, now thinking about what to say. “You know. At the beginning of the school year, I wasn’t in the best of places. I had Donghyuck sure, but- hm. I felt lonely and kinda lost, but then-“ he paused, clearing his throat, and he smiled as memories of the past few weeks flooded his brain. “I met a boy.” Renjun looked at the cat, smiling. “He is really sweet and nice, a bit reckless and clumsy, but also very, very charming. He really cares about me. And I really like him, as more than a friend.” He whispered but was sure the cat could hear him clear enough. The animal jumped on his feet and ran towards a tree, Renjun’s gaze went back to the water and a few seconds later he felt a light tap on his shoulder.
“Mind if I join you?”
“I thought you did already?” Renjun answered, smiling and Yangyang beamed at him, taking a spot right next to him.
“So, about that boy.”
“Hm? What boy?” Renjun asked, playing oblivious. Yangyang sighed, amused.
“What if he likes you too? As more than a friend?” Yangyang said shyly, a blush spreading on his face. Renjun smiled and licked his lips, thinking of an answer.
“Then I would really like him to kiss me?” Renjun answered, blushing, but his gaze stayed on Yangyang. Somewhere along the silent stares their hands connected, fingers intertwined. And they moved closer to one another.
“Can I? Kiss you?” Yangyang asked one more time. And when Renjun said quiet ‘yes’ their lips connected. Renjun hummed into the kiss contentedly and Yangyang couldn’t stop himself from smiling.
The kiss was short and sweet. Full of happiness and love.
The first kiss of many that will be shared between them in the many years to follow.