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Another heavy sigh left Sion as he slumped over the table, crinkling some of the parchments and nearly knocking down his ink bottle.
It was nearing the night curfew, and Sion knew the librarian could come over at any minute now, but he couldn’t bear returning to the dormitory now. Being a seventh-year meant that every waking hour was dedicated to studying, revising, and more studying. And yet, despite knowing that this was his and dozens of other seventh-years’ routine now, the sight of fellow students hunched over their respective essays still sent Sion’s stomach reeling.
As if the NEWT was not anxiety-inducing enough, the start of November meant Quidditch season was kicking off as well. His house had started practising, of course, and his team looked solid this year, but as a captain, Sion couldn’t help but mull over things that could potentially go wrong (and honestly, it usually did go wrong at some point). He mentally went over some of his to-do-list points for the week – a consultation with Professor Lee, booking the next three practice sessions for Hufflepuff, a study session with Wonbin – before his left eye throbbed and he had to fight another sigh.
He didn’t know how some of his fellow seventh-years still spared enough energy to undertake Prefect duties. A Quidditch captain role was challenging enough and it didn’t even amount to half of Prefect or Head Boy and Head Girl duties, in his humble opinion. Sion witnessed just how chaotic a Head Girl’s day could be, provided Lily, who was also from Hufflepuff, always entered the dormitory after a good chunk of students had gone to bed. He did not envy her schedule in the slightest.
The anxiety had been there since the start of the year, and now that the winter term had come, he was quite simply terrified. Just as he was about to pack up for the night, a familiar meow was heard next to his seat. A smile bloomed on his face even before he saw the creature, and sure enough, it was the same ginger cat that had been his close companion for an entire year now. The cat seemed to always know where he was and when he felt a little rough, as if its mere presence would make Sion feel better. Sion thought it worked wonderfully.
×××
Sion waited until the coast was clear and Professor Sakamoto had returned to her office before letting his tears fall. He couldn't believe what had just gone down, not when Herbology was his passion and one of his best subjects. Outstanding and Exceeds Expectations were the only grades he had ever received on the subject, not to mention Professor Sakamoto had a soft spot for him and had given him access to a wealth of herbology tips and book recommendations. Theoretically, he had everything under control.
And yet, he was distracted enough to make a rare mistake serious enough that an evacuation order had to be issued. The upcoming Quidditch tryout – and his last one as a vice-captain – was all he had in mind when he belatedly realised he was dropping the wrong solution onto a venomous tentacula leaf, causing the leaf to sizzle and exude poisonous vapour. Had Lily not yanked him backwards in time… Sion shuddered at what could’ve happened. All because of his inattentiveness.
Professor Sakamoto had been gracious enough to excuse it, acknowledging it as a genuine mistake, but stressed that that kind of error should never happen again, especially not from a star student. Sion just nodded at her words, heart heavy with the weight of his personal failure and endangering his batchmates on top of it.
Frustrated, Sion buried his head on his knees, all while trying to control his sobs. He knew his friends weren’t going to get hung up on it, but the thought of harming them because of his careless mistake was eating him from the inside.
“That was such a close call…” he whispered to himself, feeling the sting of fresh tears in his eyes.
Just when Sion was about to condemn himself to another self-loathing session, a small meow was heard. Then a nudge on the tip of his right shoe before it moved to the left. He didn’t register it at first, the meow nearly got lost in the sea of his sobs. But the creature proceeded to come even closer to him, butting his calf instead. That was when Sion lifted his head and saw a ginger cat staring right at him, meowed softly, and repeated its nuzzling. Sion let out a huff at it – barely a laugh, but his first genuine laugh of the day nonetheless. The cat seemed satisfied with his reaction and moved even wilder. Sion’s lips curled up even more, and with leftover tears still streaming down his cheek, he scratched the cat’s head, relishing the purr it let out.
“Thank you.”
The comfortable atmosphere lasted for a while, with Sion silently petting and scratching the ginger cat and the cat casually lying on the floor beside him.
“I have never seen you before, who is your owner? Definitely not someone from Hufflepuff, or I would’ve seen you by now… maybe someone from Gryffindor?”
His voice was scratchy, barely louder than a whisper, but Sion had calmed down enough to let his curiosity take over. It made him feel silly, talking to a cat out loud alone in a secluded hallway, but he appreciated the company nonetheless. The cat was quiet yet engaged, actively seeking his scratches, and it was exactly the kind of interaction he needed right now.
“Where are they anyway? Does your owner know you're out here exploring by yourself? My friends are always very protective of their pets, except those who have owls, I guess. Although I’ve seen Riku go batshit crazy thinking his owl flew all the way to Japan because he spoke Japanese to her.”
The ginger cat stared at him for a second before deciding to start grooming its fur, completely ignoring Sion.
“Hey, don't ignore my stories, Riku was really stressed back then!” Sion giggled, amused by the cat’s impeccable timing. He glanced at the empty corridor before sighing, slowly coming to terms with his previous mistake.
“Anyway, thank you for accompanying me, I feel a lot better now. I think I’ll be heading back to the dorms, and maybe we can find your owner together?”
He moved to pick up the cat, but it leapt away before he could touch it. With a final look at Sion – sharp golden orbs met confused, slightly startled brown eyes – it ran along the corridor, disappearing into the castle’s complicated hallways.
The cat’s sudden departure left Sion perplexed. Six years he had been here and yet the ginger cat seemed utterly unfamiliar to him. Oh well, maybe the owner really was particularly distracted today. He shrugged it off before gathering his book and writing supplies and walking back to his dorm, the thought of the cat’s whiny meow dissolving to the back of his mind.
×××
The cat looked at him expectantly, and this was routine enough for Sion to smile and simply pat the space in front of his books. He watched as the ginger cat leapt easily onto what Sion dubbed his designated seat, and when he was all perched up and ready, stared at Sion expectantly, waiting for his stories. The Hufflepuff just laughed at this, fingers fiddling with the hem of his robe before spilling out what was on his mind.
“It’s just the same old story; the prospect of NEWT is tearing me down. I know it’s in the name, but it really is exhausting in every single sense. Even watching my friends study stresses me out. And it doesn’t help that the professors keep reminding us about it in every class.”
Sion groaned at this, his professors’ words roaming endlessly in his head. “Professor Zhang said to us earlier this week how the real wizarding world is when life actually begins, and that it’s also the deadliest yet the most fun period of life. I’m not sure how much I want to enter that stage, honestly.”
The seventh-year’s smile turned a bit wistful as he closed his eyes.
“I’m just… tired. Everyone expects me to do well in everything. The professors, my friends, even my Muggle parents, and they don’t understand a single thing about the wizarding grading system. People say it’s because I’m one of the star students or whatever, as if that guarantees how my life would be after school?”
The cat shifted his position to let Sion stroke his back more easily.
“I’m a Muggle-born, you know, so I know how the Muggle school system works. Every time I came home during the holidays, my sister and cousins always let me know what they’d learned in Muggle schools. It’s not that different from our subjects, but… I can’t help but wonder what my life would’ve been like if I had been born a Muggle, with no magic in sight. Maybe I could’ve been studying to be a surgeon. Politician? An astronaut?
It’s just… keeping the theoretical grade is difficult enough, and we have the magic aspect to tackle as well. I feel like I’m slowly but surely failing everything. My grades, my future prospects, my Quidditch team… I could barely be a good student, let alone a good captain– ow!”
A stinging sensation appeared on his right hand, finding the cat’s paw on it with his claws extended. Sion blinked confusedly before catching the cat’s eyes staring – glaring – at him as if offended by his statement.
“What? I’m just telling the truth. I’ve never considered myself a leader material, so I’m not sure just how good I am as a captain. It was all thanks to my teammates who listened to my words and trusted my commands. I did my best, of course, it’s just how I feel on the inside.”
The cat meowed loudly and smacked his other paw onto Sion’s hand, also with claws out. The Hufflepuff giggled at this, getting the message as he rubbed the cat’s head, his heart lightened thanks to the ‘reminder.’
“You sure are intelligent. I can’t believe your owner never put up a search for you, I would’ve done anything to get a cat like you back.”
×××
Autumn wind brought a chill that had begun to effortlessly slither its way into his bones, but Sion stayed seated at the shore of the Black Lake. As always, the lake was still and the shore deserted, exactly what the sixth-year needed to rest his turbulent mind.
Yesterday was Hufflepuff’s first Quidditch practice of the year and his first as a team captain. Sion wasn’t too sure of the position when Shotaro first suggested Sion as his successor at the end of his fifth year, having zero experience in leading anyone. Still, the team whooped and voiced their agreement almost as soon as Shotaro finished his closing speech. It was his friends’ encouragement that served as the push he needed to accept the title.
As they wrapped up their practice, however, Sion knew he had a lot to learn. His teammates were gracious with him, but Sion could see some doubts lingering in some of them. The session itself wasn’t bad – in fact, it went pretty smoothly – but it was for sure one of the most awkward practices he had ever been to.
Shotaro, bless his kind soul, visited and accompanied Sion throughout the entire thing.
“You clearly still have time to spare, why did you resign?” Sion asked his previous captain, a hint of petulance seeping through his tone. The older just laughed at the remark, affectionately ruffling his hair.
“Ah, you haven't really registered the monster that is NEWT, huh? I take one look at my curriculum and immediately know this year is going to be rough on me.”
Sion watched Shotaro as he spoke and suddenly felt a wave of emotions bubbling inside him. It never really dawned on him that, as much as Shotaro was a superstar on the Quidditch field, he was also a student struggling to get the best scores to graduate. He had always been the perfect captain to Sion, a creative strategist and the most optimistic person he had ever met. Now he was given what he thought was an impossible duty to fill Shotaro’s shoes.
“But didn't you get approached by some professional teams during the holidays? You don’t really need to excel in a particular NEWT subject, do you? I've always assumed you'd be going pro.”
“Oh, believe me, that career is still very much on the table. I just want to have a backup plan or two in case it doesn't work, because the league is competitive and the job is physically risky. And Merlin knows how hard it is to bump a grade from a mere Acceptable to Exceeds Expectations. Not like you would know how it feels though, Mr Star Student.”
The younger saw Shotaro’s signature cheeky grin before it morphed into a reassuring smile, his gaze towards Sion soft and full of pride.
“I have watched you grow from an ambitious newbie on the team to a solid, dependable teammate in the past few years, and I have no doubt the team will be better under your captaincy. You have all the qualities needed to be a leader, Sion, and you have my full trust.”
Shotaro’s reassurance was like a soothing balm for Sion’s anxious mind, but his inner thoughts were loud enough to drown even the most sincere encouragement. Was he doing alright? What if Shotaro was just bluffing? But he wouldn’t do that, would he? He’s the kindest person ever, but what if–
A meow interrupted his negative train of thought, and Sion looked over just in time for the ginger cat to hop onto Sion’s side, golden eyes staring curiously at the moping boy. Sion sighed at this before he began pouring out all his worries, uncaring how ridiculous he might’ve looked talking to a random animal.
The moment he finished his story, the cat immediately let out a loud meow and nipped at his hand, his fangs sinking softly into Sion’s palm. The more Sion tried to justify his lack of leadership, the more aggressive his antics got.
“Did you… did you understand what I said all this time?”
The resounding, almost offended meow was as clear an answer as Sion could get.
“Oh my, I am so sorry! Every time you appeared I was somehow always in a bad mood or some kind of a slump, and I ended up complaining a lot to you. If I knew you understood everything I would’ve told you better, happier stories instead! I’m sorry, it must’ve been super boring listening to me getting depressed about a lot of things…”
The cat looked at him for a few seconds before licking his palm, right on the dent where his fangs had been a few minutes ago, seemingly apologetic at the damage. A surge of gratitude warmed Sion’s heart at the gesture. He had always known the cat was quite intelligent, but now that he knew the cat understood everything and was actively paying attention to his stories, Sion couldn’t describe just how thankful he was for the cat’s existence.
“Thank you for finding me and listening to my stories.”
×××
“Anyway, shouldn’t you come back to your owner by now? It’s nearly curfew, I’m sure your owner is panicking as we speak, their beloved clever cat is nowhere to be found. You really should spend more time with them instead of listening to a random student’s rant, you know. Not to mention they probably know your favourite treats, you never seem to like the ones I bring…”
Sion took one look at his pocket watch and started tidying up his supplies, all the while berating the cat for his wacky priorities. The thought of having to study in his dormitory terrified him, but it wasn’t like he had any other choices.
“I wish my captain privileges would grant me some kind of extra leeway when it comes to curfew. It’s not really beneficial, in my opinion, the so-called Quidditch captain privileges. Sure, access to the Prefect’s bathroom is great and all, but I’d rather be pardoned for breaking curfew if I use it for academic purposes like studying.”
They exited the library like that, Sion chatting away his complaints or some of his random observations with the ginger cat tailing him by his side. The hallways were quiet and deserted, illuminated by the sparsely located torches on the wall and void of the students’ usual chipper conversations and hurried footsteps.
Sion took a turn towards the direction of the castle kitchen and spotted Anton from across the hallway, all ready for his Prefect duties. The usually soft-spoken sixth-year looked like he was in good spirits, the complete opposite of Sion’s depleted energy.
“Coming back from the library yet again, Sion?”
Sion shot him an exhausted grin in response. It was hard not to feel at least a little bit of happiness every time he saw the younger boy. Riku said the same thing applied to him too, was it a Hufflepuff trait?
“Ah well, you just have to get used to this sight of me until next year. Or until I’m sure I can complete all my NEWTs. Or until I pass out in a random hallway.”
“Come on, Sion, you’re one of the brightest students in your year! You can afford to rest once in a while. Which, funny enough, is what I am about to instruct you now anyway. Please enter the Hufflepuff dormitory as soon as possible, Oh Sion.”
Anton deepened his voice as he spoke that last sentence, trying to insert as much command and dignity into his tone. Sion thought the sudden contrast was adorable, chuckling heartily while ruffling the younger's hair, breaking the facade.
“Command taken, Mr Prefect.”
“Please proceed immediately and avoid taking detours unless absolutely necessary.”
The other boy nodded sagely, lips pursed as he held back his own cackles. It was just a matter of time before the two Hufflepuffs descended into uncontrollable giggles, the sound echoed prominently in the dim hallway.
“Goodnight, Sion, have a restful night. Oh, actually, before you go, do you happen to see Yushi on your way here?”
Sion perked at the mention of the boy. There wasn’t a single student who hadn’t heard of Tokuno Yushi. Apart from being Gryffindor’s star Chaser, he also managed to be a Prefect in his fifth year, winning the hearts of students and professors alike. Despite this, Yushi was quite elusive, keeping his circle close and others outside it at arm’s length. At least that was how Sion perceived it, being someone belonging to the latter group.
“No, he wasn’t anywhere near where I was from. Is it unusual for him?”
“I mean, I’ve heard him plan elaborate schemes to avoid patrolling duty, but he’s way too responsible to go through any of it. Especially not when we both get the same patrol area for the day.”
“Ahh, I see. Sorry, Anton, I haven’t seen him. I’ve been with this cat all evening, he accompanied me while studying.”
Sion swivelled to the right, expecting a meowing blob of ginger, only to find the spot empty. His eyebrows furrowed as he looked around them in confusion, the cat nowhere to be found.
“Huh…? I swear he was following me all the way from the library…”
Anton looked at him funny, eyes darting back and forth from the spot next to him to his face, trying to gauge whether the older was serious.
“You were with a cat.”
“Yeah, a ginger cat. Quite intelligent too, I’ve been wanting to ask people around to see if any of the students have lost their pets. None of Hufflepuff's first-years have a ginger cat, right?”
“Not that I can recall, we would’ve seen it otherwise. A ginger cat, huh…”
The taller Hufflepuff suddenly looked deep in thought, all the while glancing at Sion occasionally. It was as if he knew something Sion didn’t. But Anton then shook his head, dismissing whatever inner musings he was having and smiled reassuringly at the older.
“Don’t worry about it. I was just trying to remember who could possibly be the owner, but no one came to mind. Good night, Sion.”
“Good night. Have a safe patrol, Anton.”
Sion watched as the Prefect lightly skipped his way to the rest of the castle wing before making his way back to the dorm. He was about to turn to the kitchen area when he spotted hurried footsteps across the corridor, and there stood the subject of his conversation earlier.
“Yushi! I was just wondering where you’ve been, and uh… what were you doing in the kitchen?”
The Gryffindor was visibly winded, stopping in front of him while catching his breath. He looked like he was about to fall forward at any moment, so Sion reached out a hand to stabilise him. Yushi wheezed out a thanks before straightening up, eyes finally meeting Sion’s amused ones. Now that he thought about it, this was the first time he had talked to Yushi alone.
“So, what brought you here, Yushi? It’s past curfew already.”
“I, uh, I was wondering if I could get another slice of tonight’s apple pie before starting my patrol duty. You know, for extra energy…”
Sion laughed in surprise, not expecting the honest – and quite adorable – answer. He reached out to fix the younger’s hair, oblivious to the way he stiffened at the contact.
“Next time you want another serving of pudding, you can just ask the house-elves to bring some for you. They can be a little snarky, but aren’t immune to polite requests. Which reminds me, I bumped into Anton just now, and he was looking for you. Something about a promise to start the patrol together?”
Yushi nodded and sighed, smoothing the remaining creases on his robe.
“He got the dungeons as his assignment tonight, and for some reason, he refuses to go there alone. I told him it was ridiculous because it’s not like he had never gone there, and we’ve been here for six years, but he was absolutely adamant about not going alone. So here I am, acting as his bodyguard for the night.”
Sion smiled amusedly while he listened to the younger’s complaints, knowing full well he wasn’t being serious. Their friendship was well-known amongst the students, Anton being one of Yushi’s closest friends in his circle.
“Well, I shouldn’t stall you any longer, then. Good luck with the patrols, Yushi.”
“Thank you, good night, Sion.”
“Good night. Oh, and before you go, good luck with the Quidditch match this weekend as well. Slytherin won’t go down easily, but I know they will have a hard time playing against Gryffindor’s star chaser.”
Against his better judgment, he winked at the younger, before freezing up and panicking internally. 'Why in the world did I do that?! You’re practically a stranger to him, why did you do that?!' But then he registered the creeping redness on Yushi’s cheeks as he stuttered out another thanks and practically sprinted across the hallway, and a slow, endeared smile bloomed on his face, eyes fondly trained at the turn where he disappeared.
×××
He didn't know how it began, but Sion remembered the exact moment he first thought Yushi was cute.
He knew of the younger's skills as a Chaser – one of Gryffindor’s best in recent years! – long before he found out about his infamous aloofness. Others who admired Yushi’s performance during Quidditch often expressed how difficult it was to have a conversation with him, his answers limited to precise politeness and guarded smiles. He remained popular nonetheless, receiving not-so-subtle glances from girls and boys alike, but never allowing them to enter his circle.
Sion never really noticed the personality aspect, provided he hardly interacted with the Gryffindor outside of the field. Consequently, he only ever saw Yushi wearing his game face on, with piercing, focused eyes and neutral expression. That was until he witnessed the exact opposite during a random April morning.
It must've been Yushi's birthday, judging by the little commotion on the Gryffindor table he saw as soon as he entered the Great Hall. The Quidditch team gathered together, each one of them donning a party hat and blowing those obnoxiously loud paper trumpets. Sion could see Yushi sitting in the middle of the commotion, smiling widely despite looking seconds away from hexing his team. Something about Yushi’s exasperated grin brought a smile to Sion’s face, the younger’s happiness contagious. The fifth year then proceeded to shut Riku up by magically stuffing his mouth with birthday cake, and it shocked Sion enough that he inadvertently chuckled at the sight – who knew that the distant Chaser could be that mischievous?
He didn’t realise he was staring long enough until Riku caught his eye and waved him over, inviting him to join the group. The Gryffindor captain managed to swallow most of the cake before yelling in his direction.
“Come join us here, Sion, it’s Yushi’s birthday today!”
Sion laughed lightly before strolling over, approaching the birthday boy directly. The Gryffindor had calmed down from his previous antics and was back with his polite smile and guarded eyes. Well that stings, Sion thought, but pushed down the feeling immediately. He understood how someone as private as Yushi could feel uneasy being around someone outside his circle.
“Happiest birthday, Yushi. Good luck with your OWLs, and may all of your wishes come true.”
“Thank you, Sion.”
Oh. His voice is unexpectedly soft. That’s… cute. Maybe it was because he had never talked to the younger boy properly before, but Sion felt weirdly disarmed by Yushi’s voice. He’s full of surprises, Sion thought.
“Come on, that was such a basic birthday greeting! What about his Quidditch games, hmm? Are you actually afraid we Gryffindors would defeat Hufflepuff next year, Sion?”
Bless Riku and his penchant for teasing remarks. He managed to yank Sion out of his thoughts and new revelations about Yushi, pulling him back to see Riku and his cocky smirk. Sion rolled his eyes good-naturedly, heart light as he quipped his answer back.
“Bring it on, Maeda. And I’m not worried about Yushi not doing well in Quidditch, he’s basically a star already.”
His answer prompted a collective ‘oohhhhh’ from the group, followed by playful pushing and gushing directed to the Chaser.
“Look at that, Miracle boy, you’ve charmed the Hufflepuff captain!”
“What did you do to receive these high praises, Yuu-chan?”
Sion just laughed amusedly at the commotion he caused, not even the sight of Yushi turning bright red made him feel guilty (well, maybe just a little bit). He then heard his own table calling for him, reminding him his sausages were getting cold, and only then did he tear his gaze away from the younger.
“Um, I have to get back to my table, but it was nice talking to you guys. Happy birthday again, Yushi.”
He waved again before making his way back to his friends. Little did he know, he had just missed Riku elbowing Yushi teasingly, congratulating him in silence, and Yushi staring at his retreating figure, ears all crimson and a shy smile on his lips.
×××
Gryffindor’s match against Slytherin was exhilarating. Snow has yet to come, but the chilly November wind seeped through layers of Sion’s robe anyway. He wasn’t the only one in that position as the stands were noticeably packed with students and professors, nearly all of them bundled in some form of warm coats. Sion was there in support of Wonbin, his best friend and a fellow Keeper, but it was clear that Gryffindor was on fire today.
Despite his penchant for dramatics and throwing teasing remarks, Riku in match mode was a ruthless Beater. His senses were on point, and he was often already there before the Bludgers hit any of his teammates. He didn’t discriminate on his targets either – Sion saw him once hit the Bludgers with enough force to whizz past Wonbin’s head. He got a warning as a result, technically performing a foul, but Riku insisted he was aiming at Slytherin’s Chaser. His smirk told another story, though, and Sion would never not be amused at his charismatic negotiation tactics that seemingly worked every single time.
And then there was Yushi.
The Chaser was quite simply breathtaking. He had always been precise – his quick and snappy movements were what got him into the team in the first place – but Yushi seemed particularly zoned in today. His agility really messed up Slytherin’s defence, expertly swivelling past them to score the goal, rendering them useless. His movements even forced Slytherin to ask for a time-out so they could readjust their strategies.
There was this one play where Yushi seemed to know he was going to be targeted. Without giving anything away, he caught the Quaffle passed by his fellow Chaser and immediately dashed towards Slytherin’s goal. Sion watched in awe as Yushi expertly dodged both the flying Bludgers and Slytherin’s Chasers before finally throwing the Quaffle. It zoomed just barely out of Wonbin’s reach and whirled past the goal post, scoring another ten points for Gryffindor. He celebrated it by flying close to the stands, right fist raised and a satisfied smirk on his face.
He looked absolutely certain Gryffindor would be victorious. Sion couldn’t take his eyes off him.
Gryffindor did end up winning after Ryo, Gryffindor’s newest Seeker, caught the Snitch and closed the match with 180 points to spare. Sion strolled down to the pitch and slung his arm around Wonbin, who seemed rightfully frustrated.
“Tough game, eh? It wasn’t like you to miss so many Quaffles in a row.”
“Oh, shut up, you’re supposed to console me, not rub more salt onto my wounds.” Wonbin scowled, unclasping his helmet. “That sixth-year Chaser, Yushi? I swear he was possessed by something. Actually, no, their entire strategy pissed me off.”
Sion just patted the Slytherin’s shoulder empathically. He knew from experience that trying to comfort Wonbin verbally had little to no effect when his frustration was still evident. He let his best friend grumble in peace before he accidentally caught Yushi’s eyes. The star Chaser had just got away from Gryffindor’s celebration, looking satisfied but slightly overwhelmed by his team’s energy. He noticed Sion approaching and smiled slightly.
“Congratulations on the win, Yushi! Gryffindor was incredible to watch!”
“Thank you, it was a team effort. We just didn’t want to lose to Slytherin, ever.”
Sion laughed at it, shaking his head at the so-called rivalry.
“I understand completely. But I think you were especially fueled up during the game, it was captivating. The stunt you did near the stands was also the highlight of the celebration.”
Red bloomed on Yushi’s cheeks as soon as Sion mentioned his celebration. He scratched his neck bashfully, voice turning softer.
“Ah, that… it was honestly done in the spur of the moment. I couldn’t even recall half of it, too caught up by the adrenaline rush… I’m surprised you remember it.”
“I think it was great, and you deserved to react that way. That play was incredible, you should be proud of yourself.”
Whatever answer Yushi had prepared was cut off as Riku slung both arms around both boys’ shoulders, still visibly energised after the win.
“Sion! We are going to celebrate our win at the Gryffindor tower, you should come! Or don’t, if you want to be loyal to your Slytherin best friend over there.”
The Hufflepuff rolled his eyes at the invitation. “It’s only the first game of the year, Riku, how are you guys celebrating already?”
“Hey, this is a manifestation, okay? Raise the energy and celebrate now, and you will attract that same energy in future games. So, are you coming or not?”
“I would love to, but I have a study session planned after this. Is it possible to join a bit later, say an hour from now?”
“Boo, you’re so boring, Sion. It’s post-Quidditch evening, stop burying your head in textbooks and have fun for once!”
“I am having fun, I just said I will come, didn’t I?” Sion smirked, elbowing the Gryffindor Beater on the shoulder. “Maybe you should visit the library more often and study there. You know, for your unavoidable, impending NEWT.”
“Do not remind me of my own doom, Oh. See you in an hour, then.”
The library was as quiet as ever, but to Sion’s surprise, the ginger cat was already waiting at his usual seat. He grinned at the familiar sight, hastening his steps towards the table.
“How did you even know I was going to be here? Is my schedule that predictable to you, hmm?”
As he laid down his books and parchments, Sion noticed the cat’s unusually haggard appearance. His fur was all dishevelled, and there were specks of dirt in some spots. Sion’s hand itched to smooth the mess, but he knew better than to touch the cat without his permission.
“You looked like you got into a fight earlier, did something happen? You seem okay overall, but your fur is all wet and dirty.”
Sion swore he saw the cat freeze for a while before frantically grooming himself. The student giggled at the cat’s furious attempt to make himself presentable before opening his book and started revising.
“The first Quidditch match of the season just ended today. Gryffindor won, and they seem pretty satisfied having beaten their lifelong rival. Everyone played wonderfully, too, and if they keep this up, I would have to step up my strategy building for the team.”
The cat was still deep into his grooming routine when Sion glanced at it, so he continued his recount of the match.
“I personally think the man of the match was Yushi. He’s a sixth-year and Gryffindor’s star Chaser. You should’ve seen him, he dodged those wild Bludgers like he had been doing it forever. That’s some serious talent, that is. I won’t be surprised if we find his name on the national team squad in a few years. He’s going to be a great star.”
Another glance at the cat and he was still finishing up his grooming, now focusing on his front paws. Sion watched the movements mindlessly, his fondness towards the cat palpable.
“You know what, now that I think about it, you kind of remind me of Yushi a bit. You’re both warm, maybe even a little feisty, but you hide all of that beneath a closely guarded exterior. It took me a long time before you allowed me to touch your paws, remember?
Yushi’s also like that. Not that I have spoken with him often, but when I do, he’s always very polite and reserved. Even when Riku is with us, he seems to extend his warmth only towards Riku. I understand, of course, they’ve been best friends for so long, and I’m not exactly in Yushi’s inner circle, but… I don’t know. I just thought we could be friends since we’re already in the same Quidditch community.”
The cat’s attention was now fully on Sion, golden iris fully fixated on the Hufflepuff. Sion felt like he was being read open, so he gave up and let out his innermost thought, ear tips going redder as he went on.
“Both of you are also very cute. You are a given, being a cat and all, while Yushi… This is the first time I’ve ever admitted it to anyone but myself, but… I find him really cute. I know, I know, I just said he is hard to approach – and he is, don’t get me wrong – but in instances where I did talk to him, he always managed to surprise me. He’s a fierce athlete but very soft spoken outside of the pitch. I can see that he’s loved by his friends and teammates too, which tells a lot about his personality.”
The Hufflepuff then narrowed his eyes at the ginger cat, finger pointed towards him teasingly.
“I don’t know if you’ve seen or even know Yushi or not, but promise me to never tell him I said all that, okay? Let it be our tiny little secret.”
At first the cat stayed still, slowly blinking his golden eyes back at Sion. Then the unexpected happened. He made his way towards Sion’s lap, cautiously but surely, and then proceeded to curl into a ball.
Sion was stunned. Having known the cat for over a year now, he could count on one hand the number of times the cat ever granted him the privilege of holding or touching him for too long, let alone allowing the human to be his seat. The profound display of budding trust made Sion’s heart melt, and he brought his hand to stroke the cat’s fur, relishing his satisfied purrs.
“Whoever your owner is, I hope they realise how lucky they are to have you as their pet.”
They stayed that way for a while before Sion remembered the Gryffindor party. He began to pack his supplies while slowly stirring the half-dozing cat on his lap.
“Gryffindor’s hosting a little celebration for their win today. You know what, I think you should come with me. I’ve been thinking about this forever, but now I’m pretty sure that you belong to someone in Gryffindor. No one in Hufflepuff owns a ginger cat, and going by Wonbin’s and Gaeul’s statements, the same applies to Slytherins and Ravenclaws. And, well… Riku told me Gryffindor’s the same, but my gut feeling just points to that house.”
However, almost immediately after Sion finished his sentences, the cat leapt from his lap and ran away. Taken aback, he could only sigh in confusion. The cat was intelligent, that he didn’t doubt, but figuring out what he was thinking seemed to be Sion’s homework that wouldn’t end soon.
He had just finished putting away his books in his dorm when he bumped into Yushi on his way to Gryffindor’s common room. The younger was still in his Quidditch gear, which baffled Sion.
“Yushi! Are you not joining your team’s celebration party? Why are you still in your gear?”
“Oh, I’m, um… I was just… one of the professors called me, and–”
“You know what, it doesn’t really matter, actually. I’m glad I bumped into you because I have no idea how to get past the secret password for your dorm.” Sion sensed the Gryffindor’s anxiety and decided to give him some mercy. It really was not his business what the younger was doing. “Will you accompany me to your dorm?”
The two of them walked towards the Gryffindor tower and soon enough they arrived in front of the portrait.
“Fortuna Major.” Yushi recited, expecting the portrait to swing open. The lady took one look at the unfamiliar face before looking back at Yushi, a teasing smile on her face.
“I see you have made your move, young boy.”
Sion furrowed his eyebrows, not following the lady’s words, but he saw Yushi’s cheeks reddening at the comment. Maybe it was a Gryffindor inside joke?
“Please, my lady, this is not the time. Fortuna Major.”
The lady snorted gleefully at his answer, basking in Yushi’s mortification. She winked at him before finally swinging open the door.
“Alright, boy, just this time. You are lucky you’re such a polite one.”
“Thank you.”
“What did she mean by that? What move?” Sion whispered as they stepped into the common room. The party was in full swing, with colourful drinks and sweets decorating the centre table.
“Don’t listen to her, she loves making weird predictions about people,” Yushi mumbled, his soft voice getting drowned by the noise around them. “I’m going to change first, see you in a bit?”
Sion nodded as he watched the younger make his way up the spiral staircase. Turning his attention back to the celebration, it just dawned on him just how out of place he felt here. What even was the Hufflepuff captain doing at a Gryffindor party?
His saviour came in the form of an excited Riku, grinning happily while shoving a cupcake into Sion’s hand.
“You made it here! How did you get past the portrait lady?”
“I bumped into Yushi on the way here, thankfully,” Sion grumbled, taking a bite of the icing. “Next time you invite me without telling me the password, I won't even bother considering it.”
Riku at least had the decency to look sheepish, scratching the back of his neck before offering a fizzy drink as an apology.
“Note taken. Anyway, did you really get to revise before coming here?”
“Just for a little while. You were right about the timing, though. I should've taken the night easy instead of forcing it. None of the creature handling methods I read stuck with me.”
The mention of NEWT made both boys sigh as they fell onto the closest sofa. As they settled into a peaceful silence, Sion studied Riku for a moment.
“What are you going to do, Riku? Are you considering going pro as well?”
“Hmm, the thought had definitely crossed my mind, but I think I’m feeling good about the Auror prospect.” Riku hummed. Outside the pitch, Sion realised Riku was just an equally exhausted seventh-year trying to survive the pressure. He looked drained, with dark circles prominent and shoulders tense. “It’s one of the reasons why I took Potions. I despise the subject, though, I’m just lucky it didn’t hate me back.”
Sion laughed as he felt the seat beside him dip. A waft of lavender grazed his nose. Yushi. He smells good.
“Fair enough. That’s also how I feel about Defence Against the Dark Arts. I have no problems with the spells or anything, it’s the nature of the subject that sucks my soul sometimes.”
Riku whistled in surprise. “I never thought you, out of all people, would avoid DADA. Isn’t it the main requirement for being an Auror?”
“I never wanted to be an Auror.”
Sion thought Riku would say something about it, but the Gryffindor suddenly stood up and ran towards the tower entrance, leaving Sion flabbergasted. He saw Riku smiling bashfully at another student, a Ravenclaw…?
“Isn’t that Daeyoung? The member of the choir? Was he also invited here?”
“He’s one of the people outside Gryffindor that Riku invited.” Yushi snorted, eyes flicking towards the couple. “They’ve been dancing around each other for the past few months. It’s sort of annoying, really.”
Sion just nodded at the information. “The Gryffindor captain and Ravenclaw’s choir boy, huh? That’s interesting.”
“Yeah, until you have to third-wheel them on a Hogsmeade visit.” The younger rolled his eyes, although the fond tone never wavered. “Anyway, what’s interesting is that Hufflepuff’s golden boy has no desire to be an Auror.”
Sion couldn’t help but sigh out loud. Yushi’s curiosity was valid, but he was starting to get tired of the constant disbelief from people, even his own professors, whenever they found out he wrote off Auror as a possible career.
“Just because someone is excelling in their subjects doesn’t mean they absolutely have to be an Auror, does it? I think Auror is a great and honourable profession, but I don’t know if I can handle the dangers that come with it.”
“That’s fair. Auror is the kind of job that requires passion and discipline, so I guess it makes sense to not want to be one if your heart’s not in it.”
“That’s what I’m saying, what’s the point of doing something for the rest of your life if you don’t even enjoy it?” Sion’s gaze flitted to the younger, who was fiddling with the sleeves of his jumper. “What about you, Yushi? Have you decided on your future career?”
“I think I’m quite set on going pro after school. Unless something unexpected happens next year, of course.”
“That's wonderful, Yushi. With your skill set and track record, any team would be crazy not to make an offer for you.”
Even under the dim lighting they were under, Yushi’s bashful smile was radiant enough to warm Sion’s heart.
“You too, don’t be too worried about the future. You will be a fantastic wizard and way cooler than being an astronaut or whatever it is in the Muggle world.”
The laugh Sion let out was bright and genuine, and for the first time in a while, he felt himself relaxing. Yushi had a way of making even the most complicated thing seem simple, as if he was confident Sion was going to be great no matter what.
“Astronaut, huh… it certainly is an interesting career path.”
“What do they do? In the Muggle world?”
“They are the ones exploring the space. You know, the one we learned in Astronomy class. While there are people who exclusively study space movements from the Earth, astronauts are the ones who go up there to collect data.”
“Ahh, I see… I’ve never heard about that kind of profession before.”
“Well, yeah, it’s only available among Muggles. How did you find out about astronauts then if you’ve never heard of it?”
“You told me once.”
Sion’s eyebrows furrowed immediately. He was pretty sure he had never divulged that information to the younger. They barely talked to each other, so Sion would’ve remembered if he ever told Yushi something related to the Muggle world.
Now that he thought about it, Sion never really talked about his Muggle side to anyone, except maybe Wonbin, but only because the Slytherin had been by his side since their first year. It wasn’t like he would get bullied if he did – no one really judged a wizard by their lineage anymore – but Sion avoided talking about it because it represented all his insecurities and the ‘what-ifs’ in his life. What if he didn’t get his Hogwarts letter, what if he stayed in the Muggle world, what if he failed to be a great wizard.
The only person who knew about this was his Slytherin best friend and the ginger cat he talked his ears off–
Sion turned to Yushi, eyes wide and in shock, only to find the younger Gryffindor looking equally petrified. There was music and conversations bouncing off the walls, yet the silence between them was deafening. Completely stunned, Sion could only stare at Yushi’s eyes, unconsciously inspecting them. The more he stared, the more he realised – those iris colours, those sharp, almost too intelligent pupils, that all-too-familiar gaze.
“Yushi–”
The younger jolted as soon as Sion said his name. The Hufflepuff could only watch as Yushi ran across the room and up the tower stairs to his quarters, palms clamped tight over his mouth, leaving Sion with a single clarity and a hundred more questions.
×××
“Have you heard? Rumours are saying there’s a newly registered Animagus among us.”
Sion watched as his Slytherin best friend threw the stone at an angle, bouncing three times before sinking into the deep end of the Black Lake. The sun shone on the water's surface, bathing the two boys with the welcomed summer warmth.
“Yeah, they’re kind of hard to escape. Incredible, isn’t it? To be a registered Animagus before even graduating Hogwarts, not many can boast about that.”
“If their only intention is so that they are able to gloat over the rest of us, then that’s not very incredible.”
“Come on, give credit when it’s due.” The Hufflepuff scoffed lightly at Wonbin, already familiar with his sarcastic remarks. “Animagus craft took years, Wonbin, years! No one knows what their purpose is, but I don’t think it’s just so they can brag about it.”
“Doesn't change the fact that everyone has been suspecting it, though,” Wonbin replied, looking around for the next stone to throw. “What do you think the reason is?”
“Well, considering the intense process they had to go through, they have to really want to be one, so the popular theory is out for me.”
There were several speculations floating around in the castle, but one theory stood out amongst the rest: family pressure. It made the most sense to many due to how secretive the professors were about the topic, prompting students to think that it wasn't a completely voluntary admission.
“I wonder what happened to that third-year girl who revealed the information. The professors won't be that harsh towards her, will they? It sounded like a genuine slip of the tongue.”
“I hope so, she was just excited about her parents' new position in the Animagus registry at the ministry.” Four bounces before the stone sank. Sion grinned, having successfully beaten Wonbin’s record. “And it’s not like she gave us a lot. We don’t even know if they’re from a wizarding family or a Muggle one.”
His Slytherin best friend sighed in defeat, plopping backwards onto the sand. “True, although the chances of becoming one in such a short amount of time could indicate a strong magic lineage.” Sion then felt Wonbin’s eyes on him, curiosity tinted his usual open and non-judgmental gaze.
“What do you think about Animagus, Sion?”
What did he think of them? Sion hummed thoughtfully as he mulled the question. It wasn’t as if he had any particular thought or prejudice against them, because who even brought up the topic of Animagus in day-to-day conversations? But then he remembered the stories, the archived accounts he stumbled upon while researching for his Care of Magical Creatures essays, the rigorous ritual one had to go through.
“I think they’re admirable.”
The Hufflepuff snorted in amusement as he witnessed Wonbin blinking confusedly, as if surprised at the answer. “Admirable? How?”
“I mean, just look at the sheer amount of time and ritual steps one needs to do before even attempting a transformation. That needs serious dedication. Not to mention the patience required, imagine not seeing any tangible progress for years on end.”
“Well, yeah, but that’s exactly why it’s creepy. All those years of dedication only to be a house pet?”
“Hey, house pets are cute,” Sion’s exaggerated gasp accompanied his pout, faking an offended face. “Besides, don’t all incredible crafts need time to be nurtured and perfected? I don’t think it’s any different from an athlete who dedicates hours and hours of repetitive practice only to show their skills for an hour, sometimes maybe less than that. I thought you would understand, given your background as a former national athlete. But then again, maybe not, Mr Prodigy.”
Wonbin’s grumbled ‘shut up’ was immediate, accompanied by a half-hearted punch to Sion’s arm as the Hufflepuff guffawed his heart away.
“Anyway, I think being an Animagus is a remarkable skill a wizard can have that needs a lot of sacrifices to achieve. If I ever met them when we were still in school, I’ll let them know how amazing they are.”
×××
Two weeks had passed since the fateful Gryffindor party, and Sion still couldn’t catch a glimpse of Yushi. If the younger was elusive before, now it seemed like he just disappeared without a trace. Their grandiose castle didn't help either, with the continuously morphing walls and long-winding hallways that never failed to make him hesitate to even start looking for Yushi. Not to mention his demanding NEWT preparation. Sion almost felt like he was looking for a ghost, which said something considering his own dormitory was full of ancient spirits.
He managed to catch Riku and Anton a few times, asking about the Chaser, but both only gave him a quick ‘sorry, Sion, I don’t know where he is’, while sending him the most apologetic gaze – one that basically said ‘actually I do, but he’s my friend, so he comes before you’. While it reassured Sion in some way, because it meant Yushi wasn’t dealing with this alone, it ultimately pissed him off because where in Merlin’s beard is he?!
The stars finally aligned during the weekend, just in time for the first snow to arrive this winter. The Hufflepuff was strolling his way to Honeydukes when he spotted Yushi exiting The Three Broomsticks with Riku. Sion rushed towards him, fully aware this might be his only chance to talk to the younger.
“Yushi!”
The boy in question froze at his voice, and Sion couldn't help the way his heart stung at the sight. Finding out your voice caused such a reaction in people you care about was something he never thought he would experience in his life.
The sting morphed into surprise when the next thing Yushi did was run away. The Gryffindor dashed towards the direction of The Shrieking Shack, ignoring Sion and Riku’s panicked calls.
His chase came to an end when the younger was physically stopped by the shack’s bordering fences. Not even the most desperate students would ever dare to cross that threshold, and Sion thanked every magical deity for it as he finally caught up to him. The grip he had on Yushi’s wrist felt scorching, weighted by all the unsaid questions.
“Please, Yushi, I just want to talk.”
The older took a moment to really look at Yushi, observing the figure that had successfully eluded him lately. Underneath the winter sun, the younger looked radiant – the afternoon glow hit his face at just the right angle, accentuating his boyish features and softening them at the same time. And yet his eyes seemed exhausted, as if the incident two weeks ago had taken every ounce of his energy.
Sion felt Yushi shiver underneath his grip and his priorities immediately changed.
“Okay, we can talk later, but let’s get back to the castle first. You’re freezing.”
The trip back to Hogwarts felt like the longest walk in Sion’s life. Silence with Yushi was supposed to be comfortable, maybe even calming, filled with shy teasings and soft laughs. Not suffocating and heavy with unsaid fears and palpable tensions. Sion could feel Yushi’s body incredibly stiff underneath his shiverings, like a taut string seconds away from snapping. The grip he had on Yushi’s shoulders felt almost invasive, the touch foreign and just… wrong.
When they finally entered the library, Sion unconsciously steered them right to his usual study table. Only after guiding Yushi to sit next to him did he realise that it might not be the best place to get the other boy to talk. Sion grimaced internally, cursing his insensitiveness as he glanced towards the younger. Decoding his invisible wall was never easy, but it was especially challenging when Sion could barely see anything other than the crown of his head.
“Yushi…?”
At first, Yushi kept silent and still. But after a few seconds, he shook his head. A slow, almost defeated head shake was the only response Sion got. Something inside Sion cracked at the motion, and before he could think, he wrapped his hands around Yushi’s clenched fists. His thumbs caressed the younger’s wrists, the touch careful and grounding. Sion’s breath hitched slightly as he felt the clenched fists loosen, enough for him to slowly slot their fingers together.
“Why were you avoiding me, Yushi?”
The Hufflepuff honestly didn’t know if Yushi would speak, let alone answer his question. Sion knew it must have been so mortifying for the younger, accidentally confessing something that was obviously confidential. On the other hand, though, he refused to let this go unresolved between them.
“...was creepy.”
Sion blinked. Yushi kept his head low, anxiety and embarrassment clouding his entire posture, but he clearly had said something. Not wanting to agitate the Gryffindor even more, Sion relaxed their slotted fingers, slowly caressing the back of Yushi’s hand with his thumbs instead.
“What was that, Yushi?”
“You must think I’m creepy.”
As if his heart hadn’t fractured enough today, Sion could almost physically feel another crack lodging itself in his chest. Yushi’s voice sounded as fragile as his body language indicated, thin and barely audible, like he was slowly evaporating into the air.
“No, Yushi, I don’t think you’re creepy. Why would you think that?
The younger lowered his head even more, shrinking into his winter coat. “Because, because of everything. Because I’m an Animagus…” Yushi hesitated, and his voice went softer, “And, and because I keep following you around.”
Sion let out an exhale through his nose at Yushi’s answer, half in relief and half in sympathy. He knew it wasn’t easy for the Gryffindor to admit it out loud, especially when phrased in a way that, in normal circumstances, would’ve gotten several raised eyebrows. But Yushi was clearly distressed, and Sion was just glad Yushi didn’t shut down in front of him.
“Well… I did think having a ginger cat following me around was weird at first, especially one that’s so intelligent, too. All I could think was how crazy the owner must have been to be so negligent with such a smart cat. But honestly? Now I look forward to it.”
The nervous grip on his hands had loosened, Sion noticed, relieved that Yushi’s finally listening. “I sort of see the cat as my motivational partner to study for NEWTs now. Seeing my fellow students study makes me nauseous, but somehow having a cat as a companion feels weirdly soothing. As for the Animagus thing…”
Yushi’s eyes still looked slightly mortified, yet Sion saw a glimmer of hope, shy and endearing in its existence.
“I think it’s really cool that you are one. Being an Animagus takes a long time, right? A lot of detailed and peculiar rituals, too. There’s a reason why not a lot of wizards attempt or even desire to be one, and here you are, casually being registered in your sixth year of schooling. That’s incredible.”
The older Hufflepuff scratched his nape, suddenly growing self-conscious of his long-winded explanation. “I’ve always thought people who have the patience and persistence to do something are admirable. Magic skills, I think, are just like sports and arts. All the best athletes and artists have undergone a long process of perfecting their crafts, and they sacrificed many things to achieve excellence. So, yeah, you’re amazing, Yushi.”
The younger turned his face away, the tips of his ears blazing red, but Sion saw him biting his lips, as if refusing to believe the taller’s explanations.
“Is it… not weird to you? That I turn into a cat?”
“That’s just the nature of an Animagus, it doesn’t weird me out. I want to know why you were following me around, though.”
Yushi flushed even harder, the blush crawling down to his neck. Sion was utterly, completely endeared at the sight, the urge to squeeze the younger’s hands was getting harder to resist. The Gryffindor didn’t answer for a while, but instead of heaviness, this time the silence felt more patient.
“–cool.”
“What was that?”
“...I followed you because you’re cool. And handsome. You’ve always been, since the very first time I saw you. Everyone loves you and is friends with you, and you smile all the time. But then I found you crying in the hallway near the greenhouse last year, and I just… I thought my cat form would cheer you up, even for a little while. I like seeing you smile, so…”
Yushi flickered his eyes to Sion, a bashfully honest glance peeking underneath his bangs. “It was supposed to be just a one-time occurrence, but it sort of became a habit afterwards. I got to know you as someone who’s kind, responsible, smart, and just… good, and it just… the feelings just grew…”
It was Sion’s turn to be stunned into silence. All those night study sessions, the stress-induced emotional breakdowns, every time the ginger cat – Yushi – had accompanied him, they were all done with a single goal: to help Sion regain his smile. To let Sion know that someone was here for him, that Yushi was here for him.
He could feel his own face was blazing hot, but Sion knew he had to let Yushi know his feelings as well. His thumbs once again traced the same comforting pattern on the back of the younger’s hands.
“Ah, well, I’m not sure I’m even half as good as what you described, but thank you. I find you adorable too, although I’m sure you knew that already.” Sion relished the mortified groan Yushi let out, no doubt recalling the unintended ‘confession’ after the Quidditch match.
“How about we start over, hm? I would love to get to know you better, now that we've shared our feelings with each other. We can take it slow, however slow you want.”
Yushi gaped at him, like he didn’t expect to be asked out. He turned his gaze to the side, avoiding Sion’s eyes, but Sion didn’t miss the quiet delight on the widening smile he tried to hide.
“I’d like that too.”
Sion’s grin couldn’t be sunnier.
“Perfect. How about a study date tomorrow after supper? Right here at this table. No transforming yourself into a cat this time, though.”
×××
“Can I ask you a question?”
“Sure.”
“What made you interested in becoming an Animagus?”
A month had passed since the ‘library interrogation’, as Yushi liked to call it, and festive ornaments and enchanted snowflakes slowly started appearing in every corner. Both of them decided not to come home this Christmas, taking their sweet time getting to know each other.
They were aware of the unsaid ‘we don’t have a lot of time left,’ with Sion’s NEWT examination and graduation creeping closer and closer. Though this time, instead of moping and stressing around, Sion turned every study session into a study date. Yushi’s presence truly calmed him down, even when he never once turned into a cat during those sessions.
Tonight’s plan was no different: to study together in Hufflepuff’s common room. Sion’s housemates had mostly gone back to their homes, allowing the two boys to have the entire space for themselves. None of them were concentrating anymore though, not when Sion claimed the sight of textbooks alone was beginning to make him nauseous.
“Hmm, honestly? To differentiate myself from the rest of my family.”
“Huh? Why?”
“Purebloods are no fun.” Yushi rolled his eyes. “It was always about upholding the family name or following the rules written hundreds of years ago. Not to mention the constant reminder to dress properly, as if we’re meeting important people every day. Like, who cares?”
“But isn’t being an Animagus a good thing? It means, I don’t know, you have a greater affinity for more advanced magic?”
“Yes and no. It requires a lot of spells and rituals, but most Pureblood families see it as kind of a useless skill to have, believing their names alone can get them out of anything. My family in particular is not a fan of it because Animagi usually just turn into more mundane, everyday animals. As if a dragon is a useful disguise to have.”
Sion burst out laughing at the sight of the Gryffindor’s grimace. He never thought a grumbling Yushi could be so endearing, all pouty lips and huffy attitude, rambling about various family rules he found ridiculous. “So, how did your family take the news of your registration?”
“Oh, they were furious. Wrote a letter to Headmaster Hwang requesting to meet me, unaware that she was the one supervising my ritual progress.” The younger nodded, clearly satisfied by the outcome. “But honestly, my parents basically gave up on controlling me the moment I announced I’m pursuing Quidditch professionally, said it was an unconventional career to have. My little brother, on the other hand, thinks everything I do is cool.”
“I didn’t know you had a younger brother.”
“He will be attending Hogwarts next year. We’re quite far apart in age.”
Yushi visibly softened at the mention of his brother, and Sion could feel his heart tightening at the sight. “Do you regret being one? An Animagus?”
“Not even a second. Especially now that it leads me to you.”
“God, Yushi, you are going to be the death of me.”
The younger giggled delightfully, the sound danced together with the crackle from the fireplace. “Enough about me, how are you feeling about Magizoologist?”
“I think I’m going to love it once I become one, but Merlin’s beard, the prerequisites are mental.” Sion groaned, feeling a phantom migraine forming at the conversation shift to his studies. “It’s why I had so many breakdowns this year, everything feels so overwhelming.”
“Sion, you’re selling yourself too short. There are many smart people, but few work as hard as you do, nor love Care of Magical Creatures as much as you. You can be anything, even a pro Quidditch athlete if you want.”
The older just laughed bashfully, his heart warming at Yushi's full trust in him. With how well they fit together, it felt like they had been best friends forever. Yushi was sitting in front of him, all bundled up in a sweater and fluffy blankets on his lap, smiling softly as the roaring fire drenched him in warm, golden light. Sion never wanted this moment to end.
“You know, with you being a pro athlete and me being a Magizoologist researching creatures all over the world, we’ll have to endure the long-distance relationship for a while.”
Yushi froze at that, eyes meeting Sion’s immediately. “Long-distance…? Are you–”
“Tokuno Yushi,” Sion couldn’t contain his grin anymore, fondness and giddiness overriding his nerves, “Will you grant me the honour of being your boyfriend?”
The Hufflepuff wished he could record this moment and replay it forever. The way Yushi hid his face, blush spreading across his cheeks within seconds. How he let out a wounded sound afterwards, a mix of endearment and wonder, as if Sion asking to be his boyfriend was nothing but a distant dream. The way Yushi returned his grin, equally dazzling and so, so beautiful, while nodding his answer.
“I would love to be your boyfriend, Sion.”
Then, as if sealing the deal, as if Yushi’s answer was not enough, Sion reached out to intertwine their fingers and brought the younger’s hand to his lips, kissing the back of his hand softly. The unexpected gesture had Yushi laughing, and before Sion realised it, Yushi was already leaning forward to leave a peck on Sion’s cheek.
The holiday would be over soon, and that meant endless revising sessions, NEWT exams, and graduation were just months away. However, as he looked at the Animagus boy in front of him, whose smile was brighter than the blazing fireplace, Sion knew he would be alright. And if he ever fell into a slump again, well. Now he knew where to find his beloved ginger cat.
×××
“Why did you not want to get picked up as a cat?”
“I was too nervous back then. It was my first time being in close physical proximity with a human, and that human was you, and you were so affectionate! I didn’t know what to do.”
“Okay, fair enough. But now that we’re dating, would you be willing to be picked up and cuddled by me?”
“Oh, shut up.”
“Does this mean you don’t want to cuddle with me?”
“...”
“...”
“...Scoot over.”