Chapter Text
Yuu could hear their steps behind him on the stairs as he took the next corner, a little too sharp really, but luckily he didn't fall.
They could have had him by now, the bloody snakes, he knew that they were way faster than him.
But he also knew that they liked teasing, playing with their prey, and right now he was hoping that they wouldn't tire of their game too soon.
Because as fast as they were, they didn't know all the secret passages that Yuu knew - at least that was what he hoped.
“Yuu-kuuuun!“, he could hear Ferid's sickening voice calling out behind him. “It's not like a lion to run away and hide, no?“
Fuck, that asshole and his two cronies, probably Lacus and René again, were way too close for comfort. Why he had ever thought that dyeing all of their immaculate white laundry a bright, Gryffindor-red had been a good idea eluded him. He always managed to get himself into situations like this, somehow.
He was close, though, so close to his escape. A secret passage hidden behind a tapestry that led to a, as far as he was aware of, unused wing of the castle.
When he skidded to a halt in the deserted corridor he was panting heavily. He could practically taste the adrenaline on his tongue. Actually, he would like to slap himself for thinking that they would leave their washing unsupervised, but there was no time for that now.
So he hastily pushed the tapestry apart, to the muttered protests of the hunchbacked witch portrayed on it, and slipped into the passage. Yuu hesitated just a second, as the three sets of steps came closer. If he didn't make a run for it now, they would have him.
Checking that the tapestry was in place again he started down the narrow pathway, barely even big enough for him, until it widened out and abruptly became a dark, dusty corridor.
He'd never explored many of the rooms, he supposed they were either unused classrooms or storage spaces, so he picked a door at random, ripped it open and shut it immediately once he was inside.
Only then did he allow himself to relax and heave a great sigh of relief. It was very unlikely that they would find him here. He just had to wait now.
That was when he registered the slightest movement at the edge of his vision, a low rustle and a blur of colours. Still on edge, he promptly drew his wand, only to find himself face to face with another student, and a Slytherin at that.
Oh, he was so fucked.
If he hexed him before the boy had time to shout out to his house mates, though...
The other was faster. As was usually the case for Yuu.
“What the hell are you doing here?“, the blonde boy hissed. Mikaela, his mind supplied. One of the arrogant purebloods he unfortunately had to share most of his classes with.
“Hiding.“ Yuu growled back. “Now shut up or I'll hex your face apart.“
He strained his ears in panic but didn't hear anything except for his own laboured breathing.
The snake still hadn't shouted, so maybe he was lucky - maybe the other was here by coincidence, and not on the lookout for Gryffindor pranksters.
When he focused on the blonde in front of him again, who still had his wand up but his stance relaxed, the only reaction he got were a raised eyebrow and blessed silence.
They remained like that for a good few minutes, until Yuu felt pretty certain that his pursuers were gone by now, off to search for him in some other part of the vast castle.
He let himself slide down the wooden door and the slight thump that came from him hitting the carpet seemed way too loud for this room.
It was a tiny, cozy room - it looked like some sort of private study, he thought, more at home in a manor than in a school. The carpet was, though very old and dusty, of a deep burgundy and rather thick and soft. Cushy armchairs were spaced unevenly around the room, mostly empty shelves lined the wall, and there even was a fireplace which didn't actually look big enough for flooing through it.
He looked up at the Slytherin, who now loomed over him, wand still at the ready.
“What are you hiding from? Aren't Gryffindorks supposed to be all courageous?“, the blonde practically sneered.
Yuu bristled. If he hadn't just barely escaped a chase he would have had the perfect snarky comeback, but as things were now, he just scoffed and ruffled his already untidy hair.
“The fuck's it to you? And anyways, why aren't you out there with your lot, chasing me? Thought you belonged to Ferid's gang of pureblooded Grindelwald worshippers or whatever it is you do.“
Instead of the insult, or the hex, that he had expected, Mikaela just.. grimaced.
He looked as if someone had given him something really disgusting to eat, and he was about to punch their face.
Well, that was new. One of the sly ice sculptures loosing their composture and showing a facial expression other than disdain or faint amusement - at somebody else's cost, naturally - was so rare it was practically unheard of.
“None of your business. Now leave.“
As fast as it had come, it was gone again. Back was the arbitrary mask of nonchalance that every pureblood seemed to have down to perfection.
“Whoa, now, hold on a sec.“ Yuu scowled at the blonde and crossed his arms. “You don't own this room.“
Typical Slytherin attitude really, he thought, acting like they ruled over goddamn everything. Just because they were all pampered aristocrats they didn't have any fucking right to... Really, it bothered Yuu more than was probably healthy.
Instead of answering, Mikaela just raised his wand, and an eyebrow.
The look of disdain on his face made Yuu want to punch him. The Gryffindor raised his wand as well, already itching to throw some hexes at the smug snake.
“What do you care, anyway? Not like there aren't enough other rooms for you to hide in.“, Mikaela scoffed.
“Ah, it's about principle.“ Yuu threw back, grinning. “I don‘t like the way you lot think you're better than us, sashaying around like you own this place.“
He knew he had made a mistake with saying that the moment he was finished - the blonde's eyes darkened, his look became murderous, and it made even Yuu, who never stood down a challenge, want to run as far away from the boy as he could.
“Do not keep putting me in a category with them.“, he spat, his voice dangerously low, venomous, and his eyes flashing rage.
For the seemingly millionth time in the past hour or so the Gryffindor wondered why he always compulsively did the stupidest goddamn thing in any given situation. He should just hex his own mouth shut, really.
Now, though, it was too late for that.
Before Yuu could even open said overactive mouth, Mikaela had fired a quick “Impedimenta!“ at him, which left him in a crumpled heap on the floor. The blonde hovered over him, still looking immensely angry, and Yuu was already dreading what was sure to come.
Instead of hexing him again, the Slytherin surprised him yet again by merely shooting him another sneer and stalking out of the room, just like that.
Honestly, what was with that guy?
No other pureblood he knew would just ignore the chance to hex a defenseless Gryffindor senseless.
Even after the curse had worn off, Yuu stayed on the floor longer than was strictly necessary.
He knew that it was probably safe to head back to his dorm now, both Mikaela and Ferid should be far off by now, but the encounter with the blonde Slytherin had confused him.
Nearly none of Yuu's expectations had been met, well, except for one measly hex, and it just didn't make sense.
Weren't the snakes supposed to be ridiculously proud of their heritage or whatever? Mikaela had seemed more insulted to be associated with them.
This, Yuu thought, while finally heading back towards the Gryffindor tower, was highly odd and had to be investigated as soon as possible.