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The end of the school term at Hogwarts. The corridors were full of gaggling freshmen and almost dead last year's graduates. The pale young face of Uki Violetta, a fifth year student at Hogwarts reflected a very noticeable fatigue. Having passed the last History of Magic exam test, he was heading down the noisy corridor toward his friends who had finished their final exams faster and had posted in the group chat that they were waiting for the others at their usual place. With a headache from a difficult test and a face swollen from a sleepless night, he saw a crowd gathered ahead, near the transfiguration room, surrounding one guy he knew very well. The boy with a long ponytail, dark hair and strands of different colors, was wearing a yellow Hufflepuff cape that seemed to make him look even slimmer and taller. Standing by the window, he had a soft and friendly expression on his face as he told his classmates about the exam project he had just taken, which of course he had taken first and gotten the highest grade. He wasn't bragging, it wasn't in his nature, but there was pride and joy in his eyes at a job well done. Giving advice to those who asked him for it, he got the nickname "Shupport" and "the smartest sixth-year student" who is loved by everyone. From professors to first and final year students. And with this Shu Yamino, who was waiting just for Uki, they were childhood friends. Turning his head slightly to the side, Yamino noticed Uki walking towards him and relief flashed imperceptibly in his dark purple eyes. Smoothly pushing himself off the windowsill, he said goodbye to his classmates and walked towards the tired friend.
-Eeeeeyyyyyyyyy, how's your test?" - asked Shu, looking a little worried at Uki's haggard appearance.
Silently handing him his evaluation form, the purple-haired man exhaled tiredly but with relieved
- I did it- of course he passed. They spent the whole night together helping each other prepare. With half-closed eyes, Uki listened to Shu tell him about the project, and then the older man helped the slytherin and solved the history tests from the previous school years with him.
With a triumphant Shu’s "Let's go baby", they headed off together to their friends, on the way the hufflepuff telling how the teacher who was taking his project almost fell off his chair when he turned his assistant into a talking banana.
***
Despite the bitterly cold wind, sitting around a small stone table, in a gazebo shimmering with all colors, four people were engaged in a lively conversation. Alban darted his eyes in surprise at the blue-haired boy across the room and questioned loudly.
-HOLLY SHIT, SO IT'S TRUE?!
Kyo smirked with the corner of his lips, put his elbows on the table and leaned closer to the impatient Albanyan, like a professional con man about to trick an innocent child.
-You think I'm lying? I've seen seniors come out of the forbidden wing at night and talk about this thing...
-And what were you doing there yourself at night Kyo? -with eyes curved in a smile,
The petite girl in the red robe tauntingly interrupted the boy and continued - the owl whispered to me that she heard moans from the potions room, which is next to the forbidden wing - the blonde's voice was clearly mocking.
Distorting his face in utter disgust, Kaneko turned his head towards the girl, who had her head resting on the tall silent blond's shoulder and already laughing at his reaction, and was about to start talking when he was interrupted again
-Oh, Uki and Shu are here!
At that moment, the two newcomers entered the gazebo. Uki sneezed, greeted them sluggishly, and walked forward to the greetings, while Shu stopped at the entrance to the gazebo, took out a painted talisman from the sleeve of his robe, and quietly whispered an incantation, glued it to a wooden beam. At the same moment, the gazebo was covered with a thin orange dome, and everyone felt much warmer.
Sonny, who had been sitting silent and in the clouds, finally joined the conversation.
-Oh, thanks Shu, and how did we not think of that.- Sonny smiled his sunny smile without turning his head at the fight Alban had started to chase Pomu away from his beloved oniichan.
-You're welcome, but where are the others? - As he walked over and sat down next to Uki, he asked,- how did your exams go, guys?
Looking at the group chat, and seeing that no one except those sitting here had read it, Kyo put his phone away
-I think the others are still in their exams. We took the exams as usual. Pomu had managed to get the Defense Against Dark Magic teacher to talk to her so he wanted her to leave, Alban had cheated on a test I could barely answer, and Mr. Sonny Brisco had written a ten-page essay on how to defend yourself against werewolves, half of it his own example of how he'd fought a fucking werewolf in the magical forest last week, don't ask why he'd gone there, though it was forbidden.
Suddenly Alban jumped up from his seat and turned to Kyo.
-Speaking of forbidden! You didn't finish telling me about that mirror in the forbidden wing!
At this shout, Uki's eyebrows, who had already managed to lie down on the table and doze off, furrowed and he woke up.
-Why the fuck is it so noisy?
Pomu pulled in a mysterious voice, while Sonny got up from his seat to comfort Alban, who had now started jumping around Kyo.
-Nothing extraordinary, our dear Kyo just found out some details about the mystical mirror located in the closed wing of the school. Go ahead and spill the beans,-she said, turning back to the blue-haired boy, her tone brooking no objections.
The mentioned guy huffed, rolled his eyes, and crossed his arms across his chest in response to such an attack.
- If y’all hadn't interrupted me, you would have known all this a long time ago, so shut up and listen. So, last night I was passing by that wing because of a task from our dear prefect, whom I lost to in Uno. So I had to go get his papers, which he had forgotten in the astronomy class. I took those papers and was about to leave when I saw someone coming out of the forbidden wing, and they were talking about the mirror. There have been rumors circulating among the students about some cursed mirror. So, one of them said that it supposedly reveals people's feelings towards others. I didn't see them because I hid in the office, thinking it was that old ass security guard with his cat.
-So you're saying that this mirror reveals the people who are in love with you?-Alban asked, looking disappointed as his shoulders slumped. He had expected the mirror to show something like horror scenes or to answer questions about the future. He pouted resentfully, wrapped his arms around Sonny's waist and whimpered. Sonny responded by comfortingly stroking the unruly, soft hair.
Pensive thoughtfulness was on Shu's face
-I think it's an invasion of a person's personal boundaries - he said after a while. At the same time, he felt the gaze of heterochromatic eyes on him from the side.
-Well, you don't need to know that, because you're loved by the whole of Hogwarts, Mr. Shu Yamino, the most perfect sixth year student- Kyo interjected.
Shu awkwardly chuckled but didn't reply, turning his head away, but Uki was already not looking at him. Even though the Slytherin had turned his face away, there was a fleeting emotion on his face that Shu couldn't quite grasp. Despite being friends since childhood, there always seemed to be a certain mystery about Uki that lay on the surface but had remained unsolvable for a very long time.
As the group chatted about the mirror, Pomu, sweeping them all with her scrutinizing gaze, paused at the silent Uki and the awkward Shu, and let out a heavy sigh.
"Why are they such idiots" she thought to herself.
When the bell rang, they all stood up and headed towards the exit of the gazebo. Alban grabbed Sonny and Shu by the arms, leading the way and enthusiastically talking about some new game. Kyo bid farewell to everyone, stating that he had other matters in the city, and went off in the opposite direction. Uki, pausing to apply balm to his chapped lips and rummage in his bag, was startled when someone's hand descended on his shoulder, gripping it with sharp nails. Turning around, he saw Pomu, who hadn't left the gazebo. Narrowing his eyes in suspicion, he looked at her face, the expression of which clearly indicated that she was contemplating something that would most certainly lead to trouble. He thinks he already knows what she wants.
-My answer is, no.
-C’mon, Uki,- the girl said pitifully,- I'm small, weak, and it's so dangerous at night. I really want to know about someone's feelings. Come with me, please!"- she clasped her hands together, gazing up at him with her big eyes, seemingly trying to squeeze out tears.
With an impassive expression on his face, he seemed to be thinking about something. Involuntarily glancing in the direction the boys had gone and quickly shifting his gaze back to the girl. Not seeing that the moment he turned away, the dark-purple eyes turned to look at him and Pomu with a slightly confused and perplexed look.
-Okay, I'll come with you. When and what time are we meeting?" sighed Uki tiredly. Pomu jumped up happily and clenched her fist victoriously.
- Tonight, at 11 o'clock. When everyone has gone home, I'll be waiting for you in the astronomy room, near the forbidden wing. When you go, make sure you don't get caught, otherwise the plan will fail, and I'll have to spend the night there.
- Why don't you just go by yourself, if I get caught and can't make it?
- Don't ask, just make sure you come with me! 11 o'clock sharp, Uki Violeta. I'll owe you if you come with me. And don't you dare not come, bitch.
-You've got a deal, bitch
Finishing up, they left the gazebo laughing, and as they walked along the path, they saw Shu standing nearby, shifting his weight from foot to foot and looking at his phone until they approached him. After bidding them farewell, Pomu winked at Uki. Waving goodbye, the guys were left alone on the path. Uki turned to Shu.
-Were you waiting for me?
Shu nodded
- I wanted to suggest going somewhere, - he said in a light tone, looking into the younger one’s eyes, a gentle smile on his face. - want to celebrate the end of our exams, if you're not too tired, of course. - He tilted his head slightly.
Uki felt tired, but the fact that Shu, despite helping him prepare for the exams, also wanted to congratulate him on passing made his heart beat a little faster and a warmth spread in his stomach. He responded in a soft voice
-Let's go to that cat café I told you about last week. They serve delicious pancakes with cream and strawberries.
***
Walking through the darkness of the corridor leading to the astronomy room, Uki regretted signing up for this adventure. His large and warm purple cloak with its soft fur and hood was gently moving from side to side with his quick but silent strides. After relaxing in the cat cafe, he and Shu reached the Slytherin dormitory, where the older man saw him off and said goodbye, walking towards his Hufflepuff dormitory. Having had fun and lifted his spirits, the boy took a bath and got ready to meeting Pomu.
When he got to the classroom just in time, he didn't even have time to touch the doorknob before it quickly open and an arm stretched out of the darkness and pulled him into the room, closing the door as silently as it had opened. Before he could make a sound, Uki only flapped his eyes as Pomu clamped her palm over his mouth. Glaring at him, she brought her index finger up to her mouth and hissed quietly. He looked at her with displeasure and irritation in his heterochromatic eyes, but nodded that he understood and took her hand away. They stood listening for a while, and soon they heard the echo of shuffling footsteps from the hallway.
"Checker!" thought Uki and listened more closely to the sound of footsteps passing by the room.
As soon as the footsteps faded, Pomu quietly told her plan of action.
- So, after we leave this room, we need to go to the restricted section and enter the very last room. I managed to get a copy of the keys,- she held up a large key in the air and then put it back in her pocket, -and while we're walking, it will be total darkness, so you'll have to take my hand. Don't look at me like that, I know you're gay, Uki Violeta. How many years have we known each other?
The girl chuckled and patted his shoulder before adding
-Rumor has it, the mirror works from 12 to 3. Only one person can use it at a time, and there should be no one else in the room. So, I'll go first, and you stay outside to make sure no one's there, then we'll switch. Got it?
Uki wanted to get this over with and go to bed, so he just nodded and holding hands, they walked out of the office into the darkness of the hallway. As they navigated through, seeing nothing, Uki felt as though he was being watched from the darkness. He held Pomu's hand tighter, trying to ignore the chill seeping through his warm cloak. Walking quickly through the darkness of the forbidden wing, they finally stopped near the door to the closed room. Girl pulled a flashlight out of her bag and gave it to Uki while she opened the old-looking door.
Finally unlocking it, they entered the room and closed the door behind them, which creaked slightly. Both of them let out a sigh of relief and immediately set about lighting the candles hanging on the walls. With the appearance of light, the room suddenly felt warmer and safer. While Uki, in the dim candlelight, was inspecting another door opposite the one they had entered, covered in sheets and furniture draped in dust, Pomu, her eyes shining, called him over and pointed at a tall, full-length mirror from which she had just pulled the curtain to look at her reflection.
Approaching it, Uki whispered to Pomu,
-How does it work?
- I heard you have to say the name of the person whose feelings you want to know and then say 'like or dislike," - she whispered back.- I'll try it first, and you wait outside until I come out, alright? It won't take long.
Uki didn't feel like going back into the pitch-black and cold corridor, but he had no choice, so without objection, he went back into the corridor. Once outside the room, he quietly closed the door, leaned against the wall, and pulled his hood over his head to keep warm..
"I should have worn a sweater. It's not exactly spring,"- Uki thought to himself, hating the cold. - "I wonder if Shu is still asleep or playing Valorant?"
At that thought, a melancholic smile appeared on his face. Initially, he had considered this mirror story as something for losers who feared confessing their feelings to someone and wanted to know in advance about that person's emotions. However, his perspective had changed. He realized that he, too, was a coward who was afraid of jeopardizing his friendship with someone he had known almost his entire life. Uki was lost in memories. No matter what he remembered, Shu was always there alongside him. When Uki felt sad, Shu was there. When Uki was happy, Shu was there, too. Scared? Shu would come and suggest watching their favorite movie with popcorn in hand. Feeling lost? Shu would not only offer a way out but also provide moral support. Shu did much more than said. It was impossible to count all that he had done for Uki.
Their families were close, even though the Yamino family came from a long line of pure-blood wizards, while the Violetta family were Muggles. When Shu turned 11 and Uki 9, the Yamino family decided that Shu would go to Hogwarts. Uki cried for a long time, hugging him, drenching his shoulder with tears when he first heard the news. Shu promised then that he would come back during every holiday and vacation, and when Uki turned 11, he would take him with him. Just a year after Shu left, he returned with an acceptance letter to Hogwarts for 10-year-old Uki, back to the Violeta family home. Amid the younger boy's joyful shout, his parents, who had already received the news, had packed their child bags and handed them to the Yamino family's accompanying servant. Holding onto Shu, little Uki quickly bid farewell to his parents, and as promised, Shu took him away. Later, as they grew older, Shu often teased the younger one for being so clingy.
Deep in his memories, Uki came back to earth when the door creaked, and Pomu's head peeked out. She looked around and spotted his silhouette, beckoning him over.
-It's your turn Uki - the girl whispered with a sly look in her eyes, -Come on, come on, hurry up!
Finding it suspicious he was about to ask how it went, but she had already pushed him into the room, under the purple-haired man's quiet curses.
When the door closed behind him, he figured if the girl was alive, he didn't have to worry about his life.
In the dim light of the flickering candles, Uki felt much more comfortable. Looking around the space again and finding nothing suspicious, he slowly walked over to the mirror. His reflection looked hesitant, but then he sighed slowly, looked up again and asked quietly but confidently.
-Shu Yamino, like or dislike? - he squeezed his eyes shut, then slowly opened them,
hoping to get an answer written on the mirror.
Shu's appearance from behind stunned him. The long ponytail of hair with banana bangs, those dark purple eyes that seemed to see and know everything in the world, those lips that had come up many times in Uki's dreams. That figure stood behind him and looking seriously into his eyes, opened his lips and exhaled with ease
-Loves him- Shu Yamino's reflection from the mirror slowly approaches him as if afraid to scare him off-and Uki Violeta, do you love Shu Yamino or not?
The real Shu in the flesh, carefully and gently embracing from behind, crossing his arms on his chest, and whispering into the ear of the frozen boy. Yamino put his head down on the other's shoulder.
Uki's throat constricted.
-"Are you real or a figment of my imagination? - He asks in a hoarse voice, carefully placing his palms on the hands tenderly embracing him, looking through the reflection. - How did you get here?"
The older man lifts his head from his shoulder, looking back through the mirror and seeing in the twinkling heterochrome eyes what he himself has and pulls him closer to him
-Through the second door. I have the original keys.
Turning in his arms, Uki looks up at Mr. "coolest sixth grader" and sighs
- Besides Pomu and you, who else has keys to this fucking room? Or is it better to ask who doesn't have one?
Shu’s smile grows wider.
-Only the chosen few have them.
-Do you mean those who are acquainted with all the prefects and teachers?
Uki asks with a laugh, then partially closing his eyes, he reaches to hug Shu by the neck. However, halfway there, he stops and, placing his hands on Shu's chest, suspiciously asks, narrowing his eyes
-But what are you even doing here, Yamino?
As he looked at him intently, he noticed Shu's eyes start to run. Uki had never seen him so flustered and it made his heart race at the sight. After calming down a bit and look again at Uki’s eyes, Shu responded with a lingering trace of embarrassment in his voice
- For the same reason as you. After our conversation in the gazebo, like a coward, I wanted to know if you like me or not. But I think even if you didn't like me, I would still continue to be by your side and confess to y...
Without letting him finish, Uki finally wrapped his arms around this silly boy’s neck and pulled him closer, bringing their lips together, merging in a kiss. The soft petals of their lips made contact. Shu let out a cute surprised sound before closing his eyes and placing his hands on Uki's waist, gently caressing the younger man's sides. The last one gently biting Shu’s lower lip and sucking on it. A little bit opened his eyes and looked at his lover's tomato red face with a languid gaze.
Pulling away from the enticing lips, he warmly whispered
- Do I still need to say whether I like you or not?
Shu smiled shyly
-I think I'll choose the third option.
And pulled him close again.
***
At the same time, in the same astronomy room where Pomu and Uki had recently been hiding. Two people were standing next to each other near a table, looking at a map of the castle's movements spread out in front of them.
Kyo looked at Pomu and said in a grumpy but pleased tone.
-I can't believe you made me tell that ridiculous story, but I admit, it all turned out quite well.
The girl, without taking her eyes off the map where the marks of her purple friends were still close together in that old room, stretched her lips in a smug grin.
-Everything went according to plan, well done, Kyo. Those idiots see everything but what's in front of their eyes. Oh,- she turned her head to the blue-haired boy when she remembered something, - and next time when you and Ren going to do something naughty in the classroom again, don't forget to put up the noise and light suppression talisman.
Smiling sweetly at embarrassed and angry Kyo, Pomu gave him the key and the movement map.
- And thank Ren for his cooperation from me. Good thing your boyfriend is a Hufflepuff prefect.
With a groan of despair, Kyo swore he'd never go with Ren to get his papers again.