Work Text:
01
"Alohomora."
Ike Eveland looked around warily as the lock clicked in the depths of the eye and, after checking that no one was around, catapulted himself into the empty classroom.
He didn't relax immediately after entering, but quickly threw out a silencing spell and waited until there is no more movement in the corridor before taking a long breath and finding a chair to sit in.
What a coincidence. He was indignant: why do I have to meet that guy on patrol today?
02
The comedy of chase played out between Vox Akuma and Ike Eveland has been the hottest topic of conversation at Hogwarts after tea.
Though one of the people involved thought it made no sense. He had only remotely seen the man at the centre of power on the Slytherin long table when he started first year; he had been saved by a hand on train 5972 in second year; and a clean-up new by the Quidditch training ground in third year - and only since then had there been any real back-and-forth communication. And to think, it took until third year for two people to officially start trying to form a friendship!
He was working on his Potions class assignment in the Ravenclaw common room with Shu Yamino when he complained so. His roommate, the best support in the school, had the only weakness of being as bad at Potions as he was, a few extra inches to the paper could have killed both of them. His roommate ponders his grievance for a moment and tries to discuss it: "maybe it's just because you gus are a good match?"
Ike almost let the quill in his hand fly out, a drop of ink landing on the table. "What did you say?" He doubted his ears, "GOOD MATCH?"
The other side is not surprised to see it. Shu solved that ink spot perfectly with a Scourgify. "You guys always hit it off." He said, "Think about it, you guys are always picking up on things that other people don't understand..."
"I often talk to you about niche topics too." Ike retorts.
Shu continued, "That's because we share a common interest, Ike, it can't be generalised and I don't always understand the rest of those topics you have. Not to mention that you all treat each other differently than you do us, and you didn't even teach him a lesson when that incident happened in fourth grade."
Grade 4. Ike opened his mouth and tried to argue something. But Shu added quickly, "If you're saying that just having a half-hearted disagreement counts as a lesson, it doesn't count, normal people would usually just give him a punch - don't you think so, sister?"
Petra Gurin, who had been listening to their small talk while sitting drowsily next to them reviewing the history of magic, perked up and nodded approvingly. "I'd have punched him straight in the nose if it was me." She recalled that day with great longing, "But I have to say, that Christmas ball was really romantic, and I'm so glad I got to tie your girdle that day and stand in the best viewing seat."
Shu pointed out: But Rosemi said you almost strangled Ike to death that day.
Petra blinked: I was obviously being gentle, wasn't I?
Ike dropped his pen and covered his face: I shouldn't have brought up the subject, can we just stop here?
03
The Christmas Ball in Year 4 was memorable enough for everyone present.
At least none of the students will ever forget the gilded hall where a lively round dance was played. When the heavy doors opened, the music stopped for it. The petite figure in a red and black dress has long grey hair like moonlight. She steps into the middle of the crowd of three or two on a pair of red heels. Layers of black lace enveloped her chest, shoulders and arms, her red satin dress was embroidered with a dark pattern of gold threads, sets of gold and red diamond jewellery adorned her earlobes and neck, and her pale skin was visible beneath black tulle gloves. No one could see the small face hidden beneath the red veil; but all were sure that the long hair of that day had been unadorned; all were sure that the beautiful figure left the stage with a delicate rose at her temples, flaming red with love.
This Aphrodite, who had descended in a trance, walked straight into the circle of Slytherin power with her tiny chin held high and with an air of indifference that made the descendants of the undervalued houses of the magical world retreat like Moses parting the sea; finally stopping in front of the representative of the supreme power and watching in silence as Vox Akuma put down his goblet and gave him a slap in the face. The enigmatic Aphrodite didn't hit hard, but the slap was loud enough to reach every guest clearly. But it did not displease him; then she took his outstretched hand and slid into the middle of the dance floor as the music resumed.
The young man in the matching dress wrapped his arms around the slender waist. The two were at times as intimate as if they were talking at each other's ears, and at other times as distant as if they were brushing past each other. The dresses blossomed into flowers under the flashing lights, slowly closing up as the music ended. The coda of the violin dissipates into the air and the flaming red flowers close to the tide of applause.
"Oh Merlin," someone whispered in exclamation, "it seems as if the King and Queen of the Underworld are dancing together."
However it was only short-lived. Even Cinderella's departure was not that urgent like her, not even a shoe was left behind for whoever had been robbed of their heart and soul, and Eros fell running with the red rose that had been gifted to her, sweeping the crowd's heartstrings like a butterfly on wings, and then immediately fluttered away. Only the devil, who had folded the red rose and pinned it up for her, heard the words in his ear: You teased me like that, just for this?
It was a night of indulgence, and no one would have noticed him watching with a smile for a long time in the direction from which her had fled. He rephrased his goblet and mentally replied: yes, just for this.
04
Ike Eveland shrank himself completely into his robe when Shu Yamino began to recite, without emotion, 'To the God of Love of that Night', written by an unknown person. Two years later he heard this third-rate love poem again and was still so ashamed that he wanted to bury himself in the ground.
Now Shu put down his pen, too. "What the hell did you think then." He was deeply curious as his best friend had never answered the question positively and he now felt that some truth was about to come out, "You looked like you were going to fight him when he sent that dress in and you actually ended up wearing it to the Christmas Ball. You do realise that was the first ball we attended at Hogwarts?"
"Of course I know." Ike's voice came out muffled from under the fabric.
"So you didn't have a custom-made dress? I remember your family sending you ready-to-wear."
"I have."
"Then why ...... you come out and talk first, or I'm afraid you'll suffocate yourself and I can't explain it to Vox tomorrow."
Ike muttered what this had to do with the guy, but resigned himself to showing the top half of his face. "I don't know, I just ...... had an impulse." The more he said the redder his face turned, the memory of barely fitting into that dress two years ago with the help of his well-connected seniors resurfaced. He shook his head desperately trying to shake it all out of his head, closing his eyes and shouting out self-destructively, "Well, I had a white suit that fit perfectly, but I didn't wear - I wore the dress he gave me as a prank!"
"I didn't think it counted as a prank." Petra said in surprise, "He gave you the matching dress and the whole of Hogwarts knows you're his female companionship."
"Female companionship?" Ike asked rhetorically.
"Female companionship." Petra replied in a firm voice.
05
Time returned to the present. In the silence and darkness of the empty classroom Ike Eveland could hear every beat of his own heart. Lights flickered outside. Perhaps the nightly patrols of the heads of grade are over, he thought. There were no windows in this classroom, not even a wisp of the bright moonlight that he was used to at the top of the tower; he was slightly claustrophobic, but he had no time for that at the moment.
Where the hell had it fallen? His mind raced in the darkness, trying to dig up memories -
Where the hell did I leave that damn tie clip?
06
"Wow, fancy." A fortnight ago in The Three Broomsticks, Shu Yamino whistled when he saw the emerald green shimmering on his silver and blue tie. "But why emeralds?"
Ike Eveland reddened the tips of his ears at this. "How should I know." He muttered, "as it looks good, it's okay"
"So would you change it if I said it was ugly?" Reimu Endou rolled his eyes as he sat down next to him, "Which fashion is blue with green anyway, you should have listened to me and worn citrine, at least that's your lucky thing ......"
"That's what you told me last week." Ike reminded her.
"We can get Shu to re-divine you now." Reimu changed his tune without blinking, "Admit it, it's not about whether it looks good or not, it's just that you want to wear the damn thing, even if he gave you a freakishly ugly one you'd still-"
Shh. Ike gestured for her to stop talking and tried to make a last ditch effort: "After all, my old tie clip was broken and I had to find a replacement."
The Gryffindor maiden sized him up from head to toe and back again, sending shivers down his spine and leaving him with a final snort of laughter."Yes, your tie was tugged by a slippery freshman in the hall, the tie clip was gripped off, dropped to the floor and stepped on, breaking in half." She gave a meaningful smile, "Shall I remind you of what happened back there? You came in with that bastard ("Reimu!") - well, with Vox. Your explanation was that you went to the library together, his explanation was that you went on a date, but it doesn't matter. Anyway, those heels were pretty deadly, and you lost your balance. Finally, in full view of everyone, you fell into -"
Shu picked up where she left off, "- fell into Vox's arms and he wrapped his arms around your waist, I had a clear view from that position."
Reimu clinked his glass with a butterbeer: you even took a picture of it, didn't you? Thankfully, the whole of Hogwarts has gone crazy.
Shu raised his glass in return: a hand up, you're welcome.
Ike covered his face with his hands and sighed heavily: I'm going to leave if you guys keep talking about this.
Reimu immediately changed her expression to one of pity. "Come on-" she flattened her mouth with a watery look, "I got to snatch you away from that guy for once, and you said you'd stay with me in Hogsmeade all day! "
Ike was somewhat helpless. "Make it sound like Vox committed some big crime, you guys are obviously cousins so why are you just mean to him sometimes, just look at Shu and Petra senior ......"
"That's because he messed with me first, of course!" Reimu shouted without waiting for him to finish - which caused Shu to remind them once more to watch the volume - and she immediately picked at Ike's arm and shook it and shook it. "I don't have a cousin like that, and if I had to have an older brother I'd rather it was you."
"Uh, I'm grateful? But you're in the same grade as Vox, and you're older than me by definition ......" the teenager, who was not good at responding to the kindness of others, replied back cautiously. Seeing Reimu's face getting worse, Shu interjected just in time: it's almost dinner time, let's move the trip to the Honey Duke back, should we settle for lunch here or find another place?
Reimu was immediately enthused and the mood loosened up again: of course it can't be here, I found a great shop last time that has a great chocolate ice cream cake!
Ike sighed with relief: I'll go and return the mugs then, I hope you remember we have to have a proper meal too?
07
Once again, footsteps sounded outside.
Despite the silencing spell, Ike Eveland subconsciously held his breath. One step, two steps, closer and closer. The lock clicked and the cylinder fell.
"See who I see?" A familiar teasing voice, "The princess should be lying on a bed with velvet curtains at this hour."
Ike had to step out of the shadows and undo the spell with a wave of his wand. "I obviously used a silencing spell and wasn't seen by anyone," he said helplessly, "how on earth did you find me?"
Vox Akuma recast the silencing spell as he closed the door. He rested the carrying lamp on the podium, folded his arms across his chest, and raised his chin. Of course it was because of your scent, my dear, I always recognise your magic - "What are you doing out of your dorm room so late?"
Now that he'd been caught in the act, Ike let loose and sat down on the table with a flourish. "I can't sleep, I'm just out for a night out, and the student president wants to use me as a reason to take points off Ravenclaw?" He deliberately took the tone of his voice and peeked up to see the reaction. Vox frowned at this, rubbing his chin with his index finger as if he was really considering it before speaking: "I'd rather use you as a reason to give Ravenclaw extra points."
Ike was amused by him. "What kind of excuse is that," he snapped, "don't let them accuse you of using public office for personal gain. Besides, don't Slytherins want the House Cup this academic year?"
He giggled, not noticing who was watching him warmly and seriously; until he looked over again and Vox had moved much closer to him.
"Close your eyes." Ike didn't quite understand, but did as he was told, and the next moment his temples were being rubbed, not too hard, not too little, just right. "I hear you've been working through the night for two days on your History of Magic assignment, still tired?"
"Who told you, Shu? ...... Honestly not as torturous as Potions, but you know, the Goblin Rebellion."
"That part was really confusing. I was tortured enough to write my dissertation last year too."
"I was able to finish writing it anyway. What about you? I heard from Selen that you've been having a headache with the Ancient Runes lately, it won't going to affect your N.E.W.Ts grades, will it?"
"It won't, I think. But after all, my language bank has only had English for over a decade ......"
"Then you're going to be tortured. Next time you say something weird, I'm going to recite Rune in your ear."
"O Merlin, then why not just give me a Langlock."
Despite being a year above himself and being the one at the centre of pureblood power and the highest ranking of the students, the teenager begged for mercy from himself in a pathetic tone. This made Ike stifle a laugh. "Well, shouldn't you get on with your patrol?"
He opened his eyes and snapped into those pink and gold eyes. The goose-yellow light flickered on and off in the back, and several reflections melted down into the gilt, glittering so brightly that he had to avert his eyes in haste. He raises his hand to shove Vox's shoulder, but his wrist is gripped; thin-calloused fingers slowly graze his skin, rubbing the bones of his wrist, so softly that it seems to wipe away a pool of spring water from his heart, causing his face to burn. He buried his head lower and lower. Until his breath began to shudder, the hand spared him mercifully.
Let's go. He looked up and Vox was already carrying the lamp again, looking at him with a smile, "I'll walk you back to the tower."
He stumbled in response, straightened his rolled up sleeves and jumped off the desk to follow.
The journey was wordless. Ike was still distracted as they said goodnight to each other in front of the bronze doorway. He wondered: where on earth had the tie clip fallen to?
08
"He was so cute when he smiled then."
"Mmm."
"He actually blushed."
"Hmm."
"Want to marry him so badly."
"Hmm.
"Something seems to be bothering him and I'm a bit ......"
Nina Kosaka closed A Guide to Advanced Transfiguration hard. "Listen," she took a deep breath and gave an amiable smile, "Vox Akuma, if you don't want this thing to fall on your head next, shut the fuck up."
"Do you think he'll listen? I threatened him like that when he repeated it for the fifth time, and now it's the nineteenth." Selen Tatsuki yawned, "I've heard you talk about this marriage thing since second grade, all talk and no action, can we have something real?"
Everyone in the Slytherin common room had left for predictable reasons, leaving only Nina, who was revising, and Selen, who was leaning back on the sofa reading a magazine, to resist the urge to give themself a Muffliato to echo someone who seemed to have lost his soul, out of friendship with the fellow student.
Vox retorted: I gave him a tie clip, is that not real?
Nina didn't bother to listen to his crap: yes yes. How's your Ancient Runes homework going, the great lover?
Vox didn't reply anymore and began to look down and pound through the Rune Dictionary.
Selen had some pity: Why not just choose Divination... Why you insisted on choosing Ancient Runes? That's simply asking for trouble ......O.W.Ls barely all O's milord.
Mr. Vox Akuma, who almost got an E in Study of Ancient Runes, was holding his dictionary, and after a long time, no one knew what came over him, but he smiled almost tenderly at the parchment: but he's very good at Rune.
Selen was utterly speechless and staggered her tongue. "He's him! His family is Scandinavian pureblood and he's been taught this since he was a child, and you've only been learning it for a few years? So obsessed with love, man!"
Nina recalled something and lost her voice for a moment: I feel like this happens every day, starting with the day he saw Ike on the sorting ceremony.
Selen burst out laughing: if you mean that he was hit by the "Ravenclaw" immediately after love at first sight, I definitely agree!
"If the freshers weren't all at the long table and this man was still dead set on saving face, he probably would have really burned the sorting hat on the spot."
09
The next day Ike Eveland got up a little late and had to make a mad dash to the hall on his heels in order not to miss breakfast. It was no one's fault that he went back to his dormitory, still thinking about his missing tie clip, and spent half the night in bed with his eyes open, only managing to squint for a few hours.
As soon as he was seated, Shu pushed the plate with the food over to him and looked around asking quietly, "No luck?" He nodded bitterly, still recovering from his run and taking small sips of air, and Shu promptly handed him a glass, which he subconsciously took and drank, realising it was not pumpkin juice but soda. The friend met his surprised look with a shrug and pointed down in the direction of the long Slytherin table; Ike looked along and saw the dark-haired teenager star-struck as he always was by his followers, talking and laughing about something.
"He came over here this morning and asked if I'd seen you, so I told him you weren't up when I left the house, and when he came back five minutes later he had all this ready." Ike couldn't help but look down at the food and drink that matched his tastes perfectly, Shu took a sip of his own portion of pumpkin juice and found it interesting, "Dude, I didn't know you didn't drink pumpkin juice until last year either, he's only known you for three years and knows all about food preferences?"
Ike didn't think anything of it: oh, because we often went to Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley together and he would order for me.
Shu shook his head: don't talk about Hogsmeade at a time like this. Do you know how many girls have held grudges over the last two years because of it? Someone in Gryffindor even tried to attack Vox before Hogsmeade week last time. Although in the end it was unfortunately defeated by Expelliarmus instead.
"That's why we had to fight Slytherin, on the Quidditch pitch." Reimu came over and said mysteriously, "It's a shame that girl didn't get it, I was ready to taunt Vox at the hospital wing."
Ike almost choked and hurriedly wiped the corner of his mouth with his napkin. "First of all that's too mean," he said, "and secondly I don't think I'm the trigger. Are you done your breakfast?"
Reimu gave a disapproving look: finished eating. Do you have a basic idea of how popular you are with the girls, no, with the whole of Hogwarts? Thanks to you that guy is becoming the public enemy of the entire staff.
"No way, right?" Ike stammered a little, "No one asked me out anyway, and it just so happened that he asked me if I was free, so I fixed the schedule for him ......"
The more he spoke, the lower his voice became, as both Reimu and Shu were staring at him with a look of unspeakable discomfort that made him very uncomfortable and he hurriedly changed the subject. "I'm done eating. We should go, right?"
Reimu was a seventh year and had no class this morning, so she waved them off. Shu packed up his bag: you're still with Mysta?
"Better not," Ike sighed. The last time they both blew up half a crucible and had to go pickle frog eyes together, there was a lot of dry heaving from both of them. "I'll team up with you this time and let him and Luca both make a mess ...... A finished product with a failure point is better than having a corner of my school gown burned off."
10
Selen was a little surprised to see that Vox's face wasn't the usual look of joy when he walked into the common room. "Weren't you talking with Ike in the hallway?" She recalled how she had just made an excuse to leave as fast as she could in the midst of Ike's detainment, "What's with that look, you got rejected? Poor you, I allow you to mourn your love with some firewhiskey."
Vox still had a stony face.
"Selen. "
"Yes?"
"He's not wearing that tie clip."
"Oh that's such a shame, may Merlin bless you ...... wait." Selen sat up straight, "Just this? Are you sure you weren't crossed by a guy nicknamed Tie Clip?"
"This thing can't be measured in 'justs'." Vox was righteous. "This is a very serious situation: he's not wearing the tie clip I gave him a fortnight ago."
"You mean the one with the emeralds?" Selen racked her brain to remember. "Blue with green, Nina and I both voted against it at the time and so did Reimu ...... What the hell did you think, I think he made the right choice by not wearing it."
Nina Kosaka pushed right through the door. "What right choice?" She flung her book and slammed herself into the couch, "I hate History of Magic class, it's a only good thing we're with Ravenclaw so I can at least sit with Rosemi."
"I'm talking about that tie clip he picked that's really ugly in green with blue."
"Oh." Nina stomped off her heels, "You should have been more polite, it hurts our Sir Akuma's feelings to say that - don't make that face, honey, it's not ugly, Selen overstates it - it is very pretty, the tie and tie clip look very pretty on their own."
"So together it's still ugly." Selen burst into laughter.
Vox looked disgruntled at the two fellow students who were laughing together. "Whatever you guys say." He grunted, "You can all go ahead and laugh at me, but he's been wearing it for a fortnight."
"Yes ...... wore it for a fortnight." Selen laughed so hard that tears came to her eyes, "Do you know how many times the Ravenclaw girls swore to Merlin during that time that they must pull that thing off the 'princess' tie? I don't doubt for a second now that it was actually one of them who got it."
Nina couldn't agree more. "I was just listening to them talk about it in class." Her eyes suddenly sharpened, "Honestly, what kind of bewitchment did you put into His Highness the Princess of Ravenclaw that made him willingly lower his taste in clothing?"
Selen duly booed up a storm.Vox spread his hands out with a look that he had it all under control. "I didn't do anything, I just gave out gift for Halloween ......" he lowered his voice in a staged manner and immediately put on a smug smile, "... . and asked him to be my dance partner at the Christmas ball."
"He said yes?" Nina screamed, "You've got a history of your Year 5, and he said yes?!"
Vox Akuma whistled, "Or what? That's why I say this is very serious."
Oh ...... Selen Tatsuki was thoughtful, "So he didn't wear your token of affection and the whole thing hit you hard."
Yeah, Vox definitely had to be decisive, he'd been looking like he had something on his mind since last night and I was wondering if he was regretting it.
Selen didn't give him a break: that's normal, you were a real jerk that time in fifth grade.
"Milord is now a golden retriever worried about being abandoned by his master." Nina clapped her hands together and laughed, "Don't worry about it, that boy isn't one to backtrack at will. Since when do you think so much about the Christmas Ball? You were complaining earlier that it was the social shit. You're not thinking of doing something else, are you, or proposing?"
As soon as she spoke, a sort of inexplicable silence fell over the Slytherin common room until the silence was broken by the fifth and sixth years coming in from class, laughing and joking in twos and threes.
You, you. Nina stammered a little in a rare moment. Will you really ......?
Vox winked and smiled the gentle smile of a proper English gentleman: what are you talking about? It's almost time for my appointment, I'm off to the library with Icheal, I have to tutor him in Potions today.
He picked up his bag and turned around, leaving the unaware students with a tumbling black robe and a deafening, angry "Vox Akuma!!!" behind him.
11
Vox Akuma waited in the library for a message from the princess instead of the princess he had been waiting for.
"He had a quick thing, here are the notes he borrowed last time." Shu Yamino placed the notebook with the dark red cover on the desk, "He said he was sorry to miss his appointment on short notice and would like you to go to the Room of Requirement tonight after curfew if you can."
Vox raised an eyebrow, "Tell the student president directly about the night out plan?"
Shu smiled, "You won't expose him, will you?"
Vox smiled back. "Indeed I won't." But he was still a little distracted, by the tie clip, by the impromptu missed appointment, and by all sorts of things. He was sure the Ravenclaw in front of him had seen the end of it, because this top one of sixth year's had never taken off that knowing smile.
"You're in exactly the same state as he was last night." Shu said, the "he" obviously referring to Ike Eveland, "I'm not really interested in getting involved in this kind of thing, but ...... I really don't understand what you're all worried about, there's a lot more to it than I can see. I'm not the only one who can see it, everyone can see it."
He gave a thumbs up finally: trust yourself, Vox, I can secretly mix love potion in his soda for you if you really need.
Vox smiled bitterly.
12
Vox Akuma did not go on patrol that night. He had taken an early leave of absence from Elira Pendora, and the colleague from Ravenclaw showed understanding with an impish smile.
"Be nice to my schoolboy," said the usually reliable and unassuming Head Girl, "and gentle, you know? Remember to take protective measures-"
"Image crumbling, Elira," he interrupted promptly, unable to resist saying again, "...... I certainly will."
Of course I will. Vox paced the corridor with his lamp and went back and forth three times before walking into the Room of Requirement. He wondered if he had arrived too early and the person who had sent the invitation was not there. He casually set the lamp on the low table and sat down on the soft sofa. Well, Sir Eveland never breaks his own promises, he thought, and touched his pocket unobtrusively to make sure it was still securely in his pocket.
He couldn't help thinking of the many things people said these days. The student president always received a stack of letters at breakfast time, from followers and unsuspecting ones alike, which made him have to open them while throwing all sorts of detection spells. Last week Nina Kosaka read aloud in the common room one of them, which said "You have only set a trap for his innocence! Evil devil, what do you intend to do with the goodness of the princess!" The wording was so childish and ridiculous, and with Nina's vocal delivery, it managed to make the whole common room erupt in laughter.
There is only one demon in all of Hogwarts: the sole heir to House Akuma, whose legendary blood flows from the devil of the East. There is also only one princess: the sole heir to House Eveland, a family from the mysterious Northlands, whose bloodline is older and purer than any English pureblood, and who rarely comes into contact with the outside world.
In his second year, he had heard talk around the long table that "that family" was sending their only child all the way to Hogwarts this year, rather than the closest Durmstrang as in previous years. He just calmly sipped his pumpkin juice and let his friends' eyes begin to roll with excitement the moment the new students entered the auditorium, searching for the bloodline of the mysterious family.
Before that moment happened, Nina came up to his left and mumbled: there are rumors that his family is of Veela blood, so both men and women have charming and seductive looks; there are also rumors that his family is also of Mermaid blood, so they master the words of mermaids and their songs can compel the heart ...... are you listening Vox, are you listening?
And Selen elbowed him hard on the right: now it's him who's ready to be sorted!
The blow from his best friend was so strong that he had to lift his head and so fell straight into a trap that was six years long and still continues. The small white face with soft flesh, the mermaid-like grey hair with light blue at the end and the golden-green eyes that occasionally glistened with water because of their shyness all became a fire in his heart, and not even the pumpkin juice dripping down his chin could quench it.
13
And then what happened? In his third year he deliberately went for a skulk around the Ravenclaw carriage. Granted it was just to get a glimpse of his little mermaid from afar, yet those who used ignorance as a hook and net were so hateful that they dared to turn it upside down and make fun of the teenager's unparalleled charm, and his little mermaid always had an endless supply of kindness to accommodate. By the time he realised, he had already spoken out to save him. In the story, the mermaid princess who saved the prince took one last look at him and turned to leap into the deep sea; in reality, the little mermaid who was saved by the devil in turn held back his slightly red eyes, clutched the sleeve of his overgrown coat, whispered thank you and turned to flee back to the shelter of his seniors.
In fourth year he had arranged to meet up with a friend from his Quidditch team. It was pouring rain that day, and he saw the slim figure at the exit of the training ground, a figure that didn't quite fit the goalkeeping role. The drenched teenager carried his Nimber 2000, swaying along with his muddy body, muttering something as he walked, his pretty little face scrunched up in disgust. It all struck him as too cute, so he dared to say hello, and fortunately the teenager remembered him, and they hit it off surprisingly well. The teenager suddenly realised how badly he looked as the conversation got underway and blushed, intending to say goodbye and leave. Unaware that he was blushing, Vox liked it even more, and without even thinking about it, he called out to him and threw out a Scourgify.
"Get some rest and don't catch a cold." The dark haired teen leaned against the wall with his arms clasped over his chest and cocked his head towards him in a gesture, "Remember to have a warm cup of ginger tea. Good luck for the game."
The small mermaid who had regained his cleanliness opened his eyes wide. His cheeks flushed, his golden-green eyes shining behind the lenses filled with laughter, and his whole being was full of vigorous life: "If you remember our next match is with Slytherin?"
"Then I'll still cheer you on." The teenager said matter-of-factly, "Because you're trying hard."
Ike gave a few small chuckles then - in fact Vox loved his big unconcealed laugh later, that arrogant look was even more endearing - and said, "Well, thank you." He said it with an upturned tail, like a kitten cocking its tail and rubbing itself smugly against a person's calf. Vox later discovered that he would always speak English with a little hook-like upturned tail, like an after-effect of learning a mermaid's language, tugging at the listener's heartstrings with every twinge.
In fifth grade he sent out that dress, wistfully apprehensive, and he was distracted throughout the Christmas dance. It was just a momentary impulse, an indefinable impulse after seeing Ike talking happily with the teacher of the Durmstrang delegation in a language he didn't understand. He tried to hide the trembling hand that held the glass and said to himself: if he was angry, then go and apologise for your excessive joking. Yet the figure in the long red and black dress appeared, as if to brush away the gloom from his heart once and for all, even though he too had tasted the price of a slap on the wrist. But when he went to make amends the next day, Ike listened in silence to his sincere apologies and asked him: will you be competing in the Triwizard Tournament in a couple of years?
He was waiting for a response, but was baffled by the bullheaded question and stumbled and said maybe not.
That's a shame, Ike gave a bit of a pity look, "I even told the teachers over there that in a couple of years you'll be the one beating them to death."
He laughed out, "If I go to the competition, you're going to be taken to the bottom of Blackpool."
"Did you forget that I can communicate with mermaids?" His 'treasure' smiled playfully, "I'll say to them 'Can you be a bit gentle? I'm a bit scared of the pain or I'm going to take it out on one of the contestants'."
"Then I would be the first contestant ever to be sent to the hospital wing by his own 'treasure'."
The two smiled at each other and then hugged each other tightly. He rested his chin against the nape of the teenager's neck and wondered, with difficulty, "Is he not angry because he loves me too?"
14
Ike Eveland cursed as he entered and took off his hood. For some reason this corridor had been particularly patrolled by grade leaders today and he had almost been caught, but fortunately they had been called away temporarily by the student president. He mentally thanked his own senior and was sorry to find out that he was indeed late.
"Vox? I'm sorry I'm late." He hung his bag on the cloakroom, "And for today's cool appointment too ...... Have you been waiting long? ...Vox?"
The person whose name was called just looked straight at him and didn't say a word.
Vox wasn't as disgruntled and angry as the guy in front of him suspected, if he knew what Ike was thinking he would have smiled helplessly and then cupped the teenager's handy cheek and said when have I ever been angry with you. He snapped back and moved to the side to make room for Ike. "I didn't wait too long, it just so happens that I just finished my paper on Ancient Runes and needed a break, the couch here is just the right amount of fluff." He smiled and brought out the prepared bread and soda, "I heard you didn't eat dinner again, did the magic potion quiz keep you this busy?"
Ike laughed twice in embarrassment, "Yeah, after all there's nothing even the top of the grade can do about that." He noticed that Vox had been staring at his loose-fitting, unfastened tie and, momentarily more flustered, hurriedly changed the subject to tuition.
They realised it was 3am when the wall clock on the wall rang out, and Ike stretched out, and Vox noticed him drape his robe back on, waving his wand to make the blanket fly and wrap the teenager up carefully.
Ike, wrapped up in a blanket, with almost all of his furry head showing, smiled and said, "How am I supposed to hold a pen like that?"
"No more writing, then." Vox closed the book as a matter of course and looked at the boy who seemed to have 'softness' written all over his face, finally unable to resist raising his hand and stroking his cheek with the back of his fingers, "Take a break, this can't be done overnight."
His hands were warm, and Ike, whose mind was being confused by the cold and what he couldn't read, was so comforted by the caress that he subconsciously rubbed his face against it, making sticky humming noises from his nose.
This silenced Vox for a moment. He caught the teenager's slender wrists as the golden-green eyes looked up with suspicion and they both fell backwards into the fluffy sofa.
"You seem preoccupied." Ike drew his wand and turned the blanket into a size large enough to hold two people and helped Vox cover it up. "Can I listen?"
Vox couldn't stop staring at the teenager whose entire body was almost pressed against his own because he was trying to arrange the blanket. The rustle of fabric against fabric, the exhale of the teenager's breath close at hand, the occasional brush of warmth against his skin, all of it made his mouth go dry and his throat roll; words stuck on the tip of his tongue at the moment for someone who had always been judged to be oily and smooth; not a word could come out.
It was a long time before he found his voice. "I ...... don't have anything on my mind."
His eyes were glued to the line of the boy's jaw and the strands of hair that he had casually tossed behind his ears, and he finally asked the question that had been hovering over him: “You seemed upset last night, why?”
15
The moment the question was uttered Vox felt the torso next to his own frozen, so he gently wrapped his arm around the teenager's waist in a smooth motion. Without resisting. He tucked his arms back in, now that they were really close together, he could feel the drumming coming from the other man's chest, and figured the other man could feel his too.
The warmth of their bodies mingled through the fabric, so hot. Little by little the flush haloed the boy's pale skin, and Vox heard Ike whisper in his ear that let me out, but the body in his arms didn't struggle a bit, signalling his master's duplicity. He wasn't going to reveal it, for his sweetheart had always been thin-skinned; but he wasn't going to let it go either.
The bad-hearted demon followed his lead: "First you tell me why you're upset, eh? You tell me, and I'll let you go."
The trapped little mermaid blushed and mumbled for a long time before finally covering his face and muttering, "...because I accidentally lost the tie clip you gave me."
It was Vox's turn to freeze, "What?"
He hadn't expected to hear that answer and was incredulous; at the same time relieved that at least it wasn't because he didn't want to be a dance partner, or something worse. Ike, however, mistook him for being angry that his gift had been lost, and his eyes and nose began to glow red, looking as if he was about to drop a tear. "That's why I didn't want to talk about it! I couldn't find it all the way from my dorm room to my classroom last night ......" he bit his lower lip, his heart instantly rising with aggravation, "How can anyone want to just tell someone 'I lost the gift you gave me! ' ...... Why must I say it out loud?! That would make you sad wouldn't it?"
Vox heard the thick nasal sound in his voice and realised that it was a storm coming. He knows how tricky it can be when this boy blames himself, and immediately reassures him in a flurry of words, "It's okay, they said it was ugly anyway. I'll buy you a new one, we'll borrow a fashion magazine from Selen and see what we can do with it ......"
Before he could finish his sentence, he was interrupted by the screaming with a sob. "I don't think it's ugly!" The golden green eyes blinked and the teardrops eventually fell like a broken thread, "That was a gift from you, from you, how could I not like it ...... they said it was ugly, but ...... that was from you ......"
He didn't finish the last half of his sentence, not because he was stopped by the crying hiccups or didn't catch his breath, but because the rest of his words were all jammed back into his stomach by lips.
Ike Eveland's eyes were wide open, a tear was still in the corner of his eye and was about to fall. His cheeks were wet and covered with tears, and his lips were now moistened. Those pink-gold eyes now seemed to compel and devour his soul, and he saw himself in the overflow of intoxicating love - with surprise and unconcealed joy.
"Close your eyes." Between his lips and teeth he heard Vox slur.
He closed his eyes tamely. The last tear should fall and be gently wiped away again by whose fingers.
16
Never mind the tie clip, okay? Vox Akuma wiped the tears from the little mermaid's eyes with a handkerchief, and Ike made a snort of disbelief, his still-wet eyes staring up at him without intimidation. Vox rubbed the tip of his nose, unsure of how best to speak, and hesitated before sighing. "Look, I didn't think it would be this early ......" he muttered, "okay? Don't laugh at me, I was going to save it for the Christmas Ball."
With a wave of his wand, the velvet locket floated out of his pocket and the lid lifted to reveal a silver ring set with emeralds.
"I'm going to give you this now." He held the ring out and took a solemn step back, "Although I thought it would be more ceremonial on the day of the Christmas ball, I think you need this now more than saving it for that day."
Ike Eveland covered his mouth in amazement: he saw the head of England's high and mighty purebloods kneeling on one knee towards him, offering love, loyalty and even his life.
Vox said aloud, "In life, in sickness and in death - my liegge, will you?"
Ike couldn't help but be teasing when he heard the serious teenager's tone shudder. "Why the emeralds again?"
Vox immediately replied, "Because it's the colour of your eyes." And after a moment asked cautiously, "Don't you like it? I can order you another one with another stone, if you like, whatever ......"
Ike shook his head to stop him from going on and held out his left hand.
He smiled and said, "Looks like I'll have to get you a ring with pink stones too."
17
"But the tie clip ......"
"Actually ......"
"What?"
"Actually, before I came here today, Elira told me that a fourth year student had picked up the feather shaped silver tie clip with emeralds in the ground floor corridor."
"......"
"And then she gave it to me."
"......"
"It's in my dorm right now, don't worry."
"......Vox Akuma."
"What's up sweetheart?"
"No coming to me all day tomorrow, all day."
"Why? We've only just become sweet fiancées, and I'm already ready to take you shopping for a new dress robe tomorrow, you know, for the engagement party ......"
"No discussion."
00
Selen yawned in the dorm: I thought from the start that Vox was really overdoing it with that tie clip
Nina washes off her mask: doesn't entirely agree. Agree because Ike couldn't possibly know that giving a tie clip means someone loves you; disagree because he actually wears it every day, even if the thing is really ugly.
"So that's why he fell into Vox's blatant trap." Selen smacked his lips and shook his head in mock sorrow.
"Ravenclaw will be furious that their most precious princess has been abducted by milord so easily."
"Bet on a Galleon, honey, he was abducted a long time ago." Nina said in a mysterious way, "Everyone will be delighted because everyone is fed up with the two of them pulling a fight like nobody's business."
"I'm not going to bet against you." Selen scolded with a laugh. She pretended to hold a glass of butterbeer herself and gestured towards Nina to clink glasses, "Congratulations in advance Vox?"
Nina clinked her glass with air as well and smiled, "To love."
Turn back the clock to the night Ike was hounded in the Ravenclaw common room. With difficulty, Ravenclaw's most precious princess moved his hands away from his face to reveal cheeks that were almost steaming red. He dodged the curious, probing glances of his roommates and schoolmates, stumbling as if he had only just learned how to formulate words.
"Well." He whispered, "I do love him."
-End-