Chapter Text
“What business does he have being so bloody pretty?” Jonghyun muttered to Minki as they waited to catch the staircase to Charms. Just out of earshot, a certain Hwang Minhyun was drifting by serenely above them on another portion of the enchanted staircase, headed towards a different part of the castle.
“Is it that time of the month again already?” Minki asked and Jonghyun smacked him lightly on the arm.
“Don’t you dare bring that into this!” Jonghyun snappped back.
“You’ve been irritable all morning and you’re more hyperaware of Hwang Minhyun than usual,” Minki pointed out. “And it’s… Let’s see,” Minki rummaged in the sleeve of his robe for a moment before pulling out a moon calendar from within. “ A little less than a week before the full moon! You can’t deny the correlation, Jonghyun.”
“Be more subtle, Minki!” Jonghyun hissed, glancing around the stairway, anxious that someone might have overheard. “You know what could happen to me if that secret got out!”
“Relax, there’s no one nearby, I’m not that stupid.” Minki said with an air of casualness that Jonghyun thought was insensitive. “Come on, if we don’t hurry we’ll get detention for being late again.”
Despite being in different houses, Jonghyun and Minki have been friends since their first year. It all started when the Hufflepuffs and Slytherins had potions together and they ended up sitting at the same table. At first, they had barely talked to each other, but then one day when Minki managed to spill his potion all over the both of them Jonghyun had tried to take the blame for it upon himself. Minki refused to let him, and immediately cut Jonghyun off to confess that it had been his carelessness that had caused the accident. The two of them have been fast friends ever since. Jonghyun was so reserved that even in the friendliest house, he had struggled to make friends. Choi Minki trampled over all of Jonghyun’s shyness and forced himself into Jonghyun’s life. At first, Jonghyun had a bit of a crush on Minki, for how couldn’t he help but like willowy the eleven-year old boy who constantly did stupid, crazy things just to make Jonghyun laugh and had taken the time to fight through his awkwardness. Eventually though, the crush had faded away and he and Minki were just best friends. When Jonghyun confided the fact to Minki in their third year Minki had teased him about it relentlessly. Of course, at that point it was obvious that Jonghyun was very much over Minki when one considered the amount of time he spent mooning over a certain Ravenclaw student by the name of Hwang Minhyun.
Minki was also the only person in the castle excluding the staff who knew about Jonghyun’s affliction. Werewolf anti-discrimination laws had improved in recent years, but it still wasn’t safe for the students at large to know what Jonghyun was. That was one of the reasons Jonghyun tried to keep to himself when he first arrived at Hogwarts. It was also one of the reasons Jonghyun disagreed with Minki’s opinion that he should be more assertive and actually try to talk to his long term crush, Ravenclaw dreamboat Hwang Minhyun.
Jonghyun was by no means Minhyun’s only admirer. People of all houses, genders, and years seemed enamored with the boy. Minhyun went around the castle singing softly to himself in his honey-sweet voice, how was anyone supposed to resist that? He was devastatingly handsome, and according to Minki, who did some research on Minhyun for Jonghyun’s sake, one of his great-great grandmothers or something was a veela. So really, Jonghyun’s crush was out of his own control, or so Jonghyun liked to believe. However, Minhyun’s supposed veela ancestry was a hot topic in gossip within Hogwarts, some swore by it, while others insisted that it was just a rumor. Minhyun was one of the top students in their year, and on top of all that, really, really nice. He was always willing to help people out on their homework regardless of house. If Jonghyun was braver, he might go to Minhyun for ‘homework help’ just for an excuse to talk to him, but Minhyun’s dazzling smile always rendered him incapable of forming a coherent sentence.
“I don’t know how you always manage to get it perfect so quickly every time.” Minki told Jonghyun in Charms, staring enviously at Jonghyun’s frog, which was now completely silent despite its numerous efforts to croak. Jonghyun let himself smile a little, embarrassed, but really quite pleased with Minki’s praise. Minki gave Jonghyun’s frog one more longing look before turning back to get to work on his raven.
“Silencio,” Minki said dispassionately, flicking his wand a bit too intensely. The raven continued to caw loudly. Minki let out a sigh.
“Excellent work Jonghyun!” The professor commented as he walked past their table. “You’re the second person in your year to master silencing charms this fast! Ten points to Hufflepuff!”
Jonghyun couldn’t help but smile a little more.
“You know, I don’t think even Hwang Minhyun could beat you when it comes to grades, Jonghyun.” Minki said once the professor moved on to the next table and out of earshot.
“I miss too much school for that to be true.” Jonghyun muttered, pretending to exam his frog so to avoid looking at Minki. Spending a few nights in the hospital wing every month around the full moon meant that Jonghyun missed class so often that if he didn’t work extra hard he’d be certain to fall behind. His above-average performance in classes was only the result of him desperately putting in the extra effort so that his grades didn’t go under. He was certainly no genius, not like Hwang Minhyun.
“Your wrist movement was off when you tried the spell, let me show you.” Jonghyun said quickly, eager to change the subject.
“I’m so glad we have this class together this year,” Minki sighed. “Last year when I was stuck with the Ravenclaws was awful, I couldn’t focus with that idiot Aron Kwak staring at me every lesson.”
Jonghyun suppressed a giggle. He knew Minki well enough to know that if Aron’s attentions actually bothered him Minki, he wouldn’t talk about him so much. As it is, Minki seemed to find great enjoyment in complaining about Aron to Jonghyun every chance he got and messing with Aron by sending mixed signals. Jonghyun felt a bit sorry for the guy. If he were to actually to confess to Minki Jonghyun was pretty sure Minki wouldn’t turn him down, but Minki played with Aron too much for him to retain enough confidence to openly approach the Slytherin.
“At least you didn’t have to witness the shame of Gryffindor’s quidditch star being afraid of unicorns in Care of Magical Creatures.” Jonghyun countered. “I don’t think I’ll ever get over the secondhand embarrassment of watching Dongho flinch away from probably the most serene of magical creatures.”
“I’m just jealous that I didn’t get to see that in person like you did.” Minki laughed. “It’s practically become a school legend. It’s been weeks and people are still neighing at Dongho in the hall ways.”
*
With the help of the Wolfsbane potion Jonghyun was by no means dangerous during the full moon, but he still had to stay in the hospital wing for the night of the full moon, as well as the night preceding and the night after. Minki visited him sometimes, but Jonghyun used most of the time to try to catch up on all the classes he was missing. In addition, as much as he hated to admit it, Jonghyun always felt awful during the week leading up to the full moon. He was tired and grumpy for no reason, and it seemed like he could never eat enough to put an end to his hunger. During those times he wished he could just rest, but if he didn’t want to flunk out he couldn’t afford to.
As Jonghyun and Minki were walking down the corridor to the great hall for lunch, they came upon Aron and Minhyun exiting the transfiguration courtyard with a group of Ravenclaws. Upon catching sight of Minki, Aron quickened his pace to catch up with Minki and Jonghyun. Minhyun followed his friend with a bemused expression. Aron wasted no time starting a conversation with Minki, and Jonghyun was left standing awkwardly beside them, trying to deafen his ears to their uncomfortably flirty conversation.
“Hey Jonghyun.” Minhyun greeted him and Jonghyun felt himself tense. He didn’t think that someone as popular as Minhyun would even know his name.
“H-hi.” Jonghyun stammered back after an embarrassingly long pause.
“Excited for lunch?” Minhyun asked at the same time Jonghyun’s stomach let out a terribly audible growl. Minhyun laughed and the sound mesmerized Jonghyun for a split second. “I suppose that’s a yes then.” Minhyun smiled. Thankfully, Jonghyun was saved the trouble of thinking of something else to say by their timely arrival to the Great Hall.
“See you around, Jonghyun. Bye Minki.” Minhyun bid them farewell before dragging Aron along with him to the Ravenclaw table. With frightening speed, Minki whipped around to Jonghyun.
“You finally talked to him. I’m proud of you.” He congratulated Jonhyun, patting Jonghyun’s back in a way that made Jonghyun feel less than dignified.
“More like he talked to me.” Jonghyun grunted, brushing Minki’s hand away.
“When, an improvement however you put it.” Minki commented. “Do you have class after lunch?”
“Defense Against the Dark Arts with the Ravenclaws.” Jonghyun answered shortly.
“Excellent. You can continue what you started with Minhyun then.” Minki said smiling and nodding. “See you around dinner then I suppose.” He finished, turning away to joining the Slytherin table.
“I didn’t start anything!” Jonghyun called after him, but Minki was already too far to hear his words. Frustrated, Jonghyun plopped himself down next to the other Hufflepuffs and began to devouring his lunch.
*
Jonghyun never knew where to sit in classes with the Ravenclaws or Gryffindors. In classes the Hufflepuffs share with the Slytherins he always just stuck to Minki, but when Minki wasn’t there, he felt a bit lost. Youngmin, also in Hufflepuff, talked to Jonghyun in their common room sometimes, so when in doubt Jonghyun sat by him. Unfortunately though, Youngmin had so many friends among all the houses that Jonghyun often couldn’t sit by him in lessons because the seats around him filled up so quickly. That day in Defense against the Dark Arts the seats by Youngmin were already occupied by Sewoon and another Ravenclaw Jonghyun didn’t recognize. Not seeing any other options, Jonghyun took a seat in a part of the classroom that nobody has decided to sit in yet, taking out his notes and starting studying them so he wouldn’t have to look up as other students enter the classroom.
“Hey Jonghyun, is it okay if we sit here” An all too familiar voice asks and Jonghyun looked up into the gorgeous face of Hwang Minhyun. Aron was standing behind him, and both were looking at him expectantly. Jumping a little in his seat when he realized that they were waiting for him to reply, Jonghyun nodded quickly and then went back to his notes. Minhyun sat down in the seat right next to Jonghyun and Jonghyun wondered how he was going to focus on the lesson when he was in such close proximity to Minhyun. In lessons with the Ravenclaws, Jonghyun usually made a point not to sit too close to Minhyun for that very reason. He did usually try to sit somewhere where he could see Minhyun, just so he could enjoy the visuals, but he never dared to get up close and personal like that.
“Wow,” Jonghyun heard Minhyun say and at first he assumed that he must be speaking to Aron. “You take really thorough notes.”
Jonghyun looked up from his notes for a second time to see Hwang Minhyun leaning toward him to look over his shoulder at his notes. Jonghyun closed his notebook as quickly as he could, feeling his entire face go hot.
“It’s- It’s’-It’s…” Jonghyun stuttered. “They’re… They’re n-not that great. My notes, that is.” Jonghyun wanted to dig a hole and escape out of the classroom and out of the world forever.
“They definitely look much better than mine.” Minhyun told him with a dazzling smile that made Jonghyun’s heart speed up. “Maybe we can share notes sometime.”
Jonghyun was spared having to answer by the professor coming in and starting the class. Still blushing, he reopened his notebook and passionately took notes on the lecture for the entirety of the period, taking special care not to look at Minhyun too much, despite how pretty he was.
If Jonghyun thought that he would be able to escape the room once class is over without any more embarrassing encounters, he was mistaken. Once class was dismissed and he finished putting all his things away and was just about to get up and leave the room, Jonghyun felt a tap on his arm. Unsurprisingly, he was once again faced with the distractingly beautiful Hwang Minhyun.
“Jonghyun, you’re pretty close with Choi Minki from Slytherin, right?” Minhyun asked him. Confused why Minhyun would suddenly ask him about Minki, Jonghyun just nodded.
“And you two usually spend Hogsmeade trips together, right?” Aron asked, popping out from behind Minhyun. Jonghyun nodded again, raising an eyebrow. “The next trip is in two weeks, can the two of us come with you?” Aron continued quickly. “That is, if you don’t mind of course.”
“Aron is… quite fond of your friend Minki and wants an excuse to spend time with him.” Minhyun said in explanation before Jonghyun had time to answer.
Jonghyun considered rejecting the request purely because he thought he might not be able to manage being around Minhyun for several hours without horrifyingly embarrassing himself in one way or another. On the other hand, when else would he get another excuse to hang out with his crush for almost an entire day? When no clear decision came to him after several long and awkward moments of Minhyun and Aron staring at him in anticipation, he settled for answering vaguely.
“Ummm… I’ll have to ask Minki about it.” Jonghyun finally answered back, scratching the back of his head awkwardly.
“Great, give us your answer after you talk to him then.” Minhyun said smiling at Jonghyun in a way that made Jonghyun’s insides feel ticklish. “Bye bye then.” Minhyun waved at Jonghyun before exiting the classroom, humming as he went, Aron trailing behind him.
*
“Coward.” Minki said once Jonghyun explained what Minhyun and Aron asked him earlier when they were hanging out together in the library after dinner. “He should’ve just asked me out, then we could have made it a double date.” Minki continued, running a hand through his hair in irritation. At the word date, Jonghyun felt himself cringe.
“Double dates require two couples, Minki.” Jonghyun reminded his friend.
“Yeah, you and Minhyun, me and Aron. It would have been perfect! I guess there’s always next time…” Minki said and Jonghyun felt his face go red at the mention of himself and Minhyun as a couple.
“Minhyun- Minhyun would never agree to go on a date with me, that’s… that’s too big a stretch.” Jonghyun argued, hoping that Minki didn’t notice how furiously he was blushing.
“You should have more confidence, Jonghyun.” Minki told him throwing an arm across his shoulder. “Anyone would be lucky to score a date with you.”
“That’s- That’s… You know that’s not true.” Jonghyun insisted, blushing even more intensely, trying to pull away from Minki. In response, Minki just embraced him even tighter.
“School heart throb Kim Jonghyun!” Minki crowed, holding Jonghyun so tightly it was uncomfortable. “Adorable, perfect grades, sweet as sugar, what’s not to love?”
“Stop making things up!” Jonghyun yelped, trying in vain to wiggle out of Minki’s embrace. “Even if those things were true, I still have a flaw that’s pretty impossible to overlook.”
“Once anyone gets to know you they’ll realize that that’s inconsequential!” Minki insisted, the playful tone starting to leave his voice.
“It’s not.” Jonghyun said shortly, looking away from Minki. Suddenly, Jonghyun wanted to retreat back to his dormitory and hide under his blankets and not have to talk to anyone. “No one in their right mind wants to associate with creatures like me.”
“Kim Jonghyun look at me.” Minki told Jonghyun sternly, reaching out to turn Jonghyun’s face towards him. Hesistantly, Jonghyun looked up into his friends eyes. “Don’t you dare talk about yourself like that. You’re so much more than your, erm, problem, and you know it.”
Jonghyun nodded, leaning in to hug Minki back as he blinked back the tears.
“And if anyone ever rejects you because of that reason.” Minki continued, rubbing Jonghyun’s back soothingly. “Tell me who and I’ll jinx the hell out of them for you.”
Jonghyun laughed into Minki’s shoulder before pulling out of the embracing, hoping that Minki wouldn’t notice him wiping tears on his sleeve. Usually Jonghyun wasn’t this temperamental, but when the full moon approached he always found that his emotions spilled out of him more intensely than usual. “Thanks.” He told Minki quietly after talking several long, deep breathes
“Aish, what am I going to do with you?” Minki sighed, continuing to pat Jonghyun comfortingly as Jonghyun reached for a tissue to blow his nose. “I suppose I’ll have to let Aron come with us to Hogsmeade for your sake, even if he is a coward. I can’t let Hwang Minhyun slip through your fingers just because of Aron’s idiocy.” Minki decided. “Talk to Minhyun as much as you can, okay? He’d be a fool not fall for your charms.”
“Okay.” Jonghyun replied, voice still quavering a little.
*
Although Jonghyun preferred when the full moon falls on a weekend because he didn’t have to miss quite so many classes, most of the time he wasn’t so lucky. That week, for instance, the night of the full moon was a Tuesday, so he could only go to class for the last part of the week. He checked in to the hospital wing early Monday morning and the nurse quickly lead him to his customary secluded alcove in the back, concealed from the rest of the wing by thick white curtains. As much as he wanted to just sleep, Jonghyun forced himself to pull his potions textbook out of his bag and reread the chapter that would be covered in the class he was missing that day. As hard as he tried to concentrate, the words started to blur together and Jonghyun felt himself nodding off into sleep.
“Sleeping like that is bad for your spin, you know.” Jonghyun was roused by several pokes to the side accompanied by Minki’s voice. “Open your eyes, sleepy head, I brought you lunch.”
Only then did Jonghyun realize how hungry he felt. He sat up too quickly and the text book fell off his lap with a loud clunk. Jonghyun flinched at the sound, letting out an involuntary squeak.
“Looks like someone’s eager.” Minki laughed, bending down to pick up the book off the floor and place it on the table next to Jonghyun’s bed. After taking care of the book, Minki handed Jonghyun a lunch tray piled with all of Jonghyun’s favorite foods.
“Thanks,” Jonghyun told him quickly before preceding to stuffing his face.
“Oh yeah I told Aron that he and Minhyun can join us in Hogsmeade this Saturday,” Minki informed Jonghyun casually as he took a bite. “They’re going to meet us in the entrance hall at nine.”
“Mmmffh”
“Finish eating before you speak!” Minki reprimanded him, obviously suppressing a laugh.
“I thought the Hogsmeade visit wasn’t until next week.” Jonghyun said after swallowing.
“It’s this weekend.” Minki reaffirmed. “You should of see Aron’s face when I told him they could go with us. I don’t think he could believe me at first, he just kept staring at me like this.” Minki let his mouth hang open and made his eyes go wide. Jonghyun laughed through a mouthful of food. “What a doofus.”
Jonghyun spent the rest of the meal listening to Minki make fun of Aron. When the bell chimed signifying the end of lunch period, Jonghyun was sad to see Minki leave. Sighing, he reached for another textbook and continued trying to make up for everything he would miss in the classes he couldn’t attend that week.
*
Saturday morning dawned crisp and clear. Although the wind was still chilly, as typical for late autumn, the temperature was slightly warmer that day. Having had three days to recover from his transformation, Jonghyun felt pretty good. As good as he ever could feel, anyway.
The nerves started to hit Jonghyun as he climbed the stairs from the Hufflepuff basement up to the Entrance Hall. Earlier in the week Jonghyun had been so preoccupied with the full moon that he didn’t have time to worry about the fact that he’d be spending the entirety of that day with Hwang Minhyun. At least Minki would be there for him. Jonghyun was pretty sure that Minki would be too busy teasing Aron to pay much attention to anything else though. Jonghyun stumbled on the last step up the entrance hall and his foot caughts on the hem of his robe. Helpless, he fell flat on his face in the doorway to the entrance hall.
“Are you okay, Jonghyun?”
Of course Minhyun had to be there early to witness Jonghyun’s shame. Looking up from where he was sprawled on the floor, Jonghyun saw that Minhyun looked impeccably flawless as ever. Jonghyun cursed himself under his breath, wondering why he thought he could somehow comport himself around Hwang Minhyun.
“F-fine.” Jonghyun mumbled as he picked himself up off the floor and banished the dust off his robes with a spell.
“Good.” Minhyun said with a smile. “Then I suppose we just need to wait for your friend Minki.”
Jonghyun made a sound of agreement and leaned against the wall as he waited. Behind Minhyun, Aron was nervously shifting his weight from foot to foot. Minhyun, on the other hand, seemed completely relaxed, absentmindedly humming a tune softly to himself. Jonghyun hated how perfect Minhyun always sounded, even when he was just humming and not even really singing. What right did anyone have to sound that good? Jonghyun didn’t know what to do with himself.
Minki arrived five minutes after nine, greeting them all brightly and making no apology for his slight tardiness. The four of them checked in with their individual heads of house at the castle gates before heading down towards the village together in the chilly November sun.
Once they reached the Hogemeade, Minki insisted on going to Honeydukes first and proceeded to sweet talk Aron into buying him half of the goods in the shop. Minhyun shot Jonghyun a bemused smile as Aron returned from the cashier with several bulging bags of sweets for Minki, who quickly tucked them into his robes before thanking Aron with a coy smile. Judging by Minhyun’s expression, Jonghyun thought that he was probably aware of how Minki is messing with his friend. Jonghyun also felt a little less awkward with someone else to share the burden of embarrassment of listening to Aron and Minki’s mildly cringe-worthy flirting.
After finishing at Honeydukes, the four of them nabbed a table at the Three Broomsticks and Minhyun ordered them all butterbeer before Minki could charm Aron into paying for more stuff for him.
“Wow,” Minki said, catching Jonghyun’s eye with a knowing look and smiling at him “What a gentleman.”
Jonghyun kicked Minki under the table, wishing he would be more subtle. Minki suppressed a yelp of pain by biting into his lip, and Jonghyun couldn’t help but feel a bit satisfied with his revenge. Aron and Minki continued their flirty style of conversation, which Jonghyun did his best to tune out, choosing to focus his attention on his butterbeer.
“So Jonghyun,” Minhyun turned away from the couple and focused his gaze on Jonghyun, evidently also not wanting to be a part of their conversation. “Are you going home for Christmas break?”
“My family would be mad at me if I didn’t.” Jonghyun answered, fiddling with the handle of his mug so he didn’t have to look at Minhyun’s distractingly handsome face.
“I see.” Minhyun continued. “Is your family big then?”
“Not really, just me my parents and two older sisters.” Jonghyun answered, proud of himself for keeping his composure. “You?”
“I’m going home for Christmas too,” Minhyun said. “I have just have parents and one older sister. Sometimes the extended family visits though.”
“Oh yeah, Minhyun.” Minki said suddenly, evidently having been paying some attention to their conversation. “I heard one of your great-great-great grandmothers or something was a veela, is that true?”
“Er, yeah there was a veela in my family a few generations back.” Minhyun answered, looking a bit embarrassed. “I don’t really resemble that side of the family much though, my sister has more of the looks of that side of the family than I do.”
“I don’t know, I think I can see the resemblance.” Minki said, sounding deceptively casual. “Jonghyun can too, right Jonghyun?”
Having just taken a sip, Jonghyun choked on his butterbeer, spitting the hot liquid all over himself and Minhyun. Minhyun didn’t seem to notice though, as he quickly leaned over to try to help Jonghyun by slapping him on the back, which only made him splutter even more due to nerves. When Jonghyun could finally breathe again, he apologized profusely for spitting butterbeer on Minhyun, wishing that he could run away back to the castle and hide himself in his bed in the Hufflepuff common room and never speak to Minhyun ever again. Minhyun brushed off his apologies as if it was nothing, and cleaned both of them off with a quick spell.
When they turn back to Minki and Aron, Jonghyun found that Minki was trying to goad Aron into visiting the shrieking shack with him by accusing Aron of being afraid of ghosts. Jonghyun internally groaned, aware of the origins of the rumors that the shrieking shack is haunted as he was, Jonghyun preferred to stay away from it. He was sure that Minki would probably understand his reservations, but he couldn’t really communicate them to Minki while Aron and Minhyun were there listening.
“Come on guys, don’t you want to witness Aron peeing himself in fear at the shrieking shack?” Minki asked excitedly, turning to Jonghyun and Minhyun. “Let’s go!”
“I, um, I’ll stay behind.” Jonghyun said, frantically racking his brain for an excuse. “I need to go buy owl treats, you guys go on without me.
“I’ll stay too and keep Jonghyun company.” Minhyun said unexpectedly. “Be sure to tell us whether or not Aron actually wets himself, Minki.”
Aron made a noise of protest, but Minki was already nodding in agreement, grabbing his hand and pulling him out the door. Jonghyun was left alone with Minhyun in awkward silence, suddenly wondering if it wouldn’t have been better to just agree to accompany Minki to the shrieking shack despite it all.
“So,” Minhyun said, his voice breaking through the silence. “Let’s head to the post office and get your owl treats, shall we?”
Jonghyun nodded and stood up a little too swiftly, somehow managing to knock over a thankfully empty butterbeer mug on his way up. Muttering a quick apology, he quickly cought the mug before it could shatter on the floor and set it back on the table. Luckily, Minhyun doesn’t seem to notice his clumsiness.
They walked to the post office in relative silence, Minhyun tried to strike up a conversation several times, but Jonghyun was woefully unable to keep it going. Every time he made eye contact with Minhyun his brain seemed to go fuzzy and his words couldn’t form properly in his brain. Jonghyun was relieved to have a reprieve from the awkwardness when they finally reached the post office and walked past the numerous owls for hire to where the owl treats were sold.
“Do you know what kind you want to buy?” Minhyun asked Jonghyun, glancing at the numerous options on the shelf.
“Potato likes this kind best.” Jonghyun answered, motioning to a certain type and then grabbing three packs off the shelf. When he turned around he found Minhyun doubled over giggling.
“What?” Jonghyun asked, not really understanding what Minhyun found so amusing but glad to have the opportunity to hear him laugh like that.
“You- You named your owl… Potato?!” Minhyun got out between giggles and Jonghyun understood. It was stupid for him not to realize that Potato wasn’t exactly a very normal pet name.
“Stop laughing, I got him when I was eight,” Jonghyun said, smiling in spite of himself. “I thought it was a cool name at the time…” Jonghyun leaves out the fact that this parents got him Potato as a get well present after he was bitten.
“W-what eight year old considers Potato to be a cool name!” Minhyun snotted out, still unable to suppress the fit of giggles. “You’re something else, Kim Jonghyun.”
“Whatever.” Jonghyun said, attempting to look annoyed and failing. “I’m going to go pay.”
Once finished at the Post office, Jonghyun and Minhyun met up with Minki and Aron again in Zonko’s. Minhyun’s laughter didn’t die down until they were half way there. If it was Minki, Jonghyun would be annoyed, but Minhyun’s laugh was too pleasant sounding for him to pretend to be mad convincingly.
“I didn’t pee myself!” Aron announced defiantly as soon as Jonghyun and Minhyun found him and Minki looking at a display of dungbombs.
“Congratulations.” Minhyun said, straight-faced. “I always knew you could do it.”
Minki doubled over laughing and Aron went red with embarrassment, evidently only then having realized the ridiculousness of his declaration.
*
After their Hogsmeade trip, Aron and Minhyun started being more friendly towards Jonghyun when they saw him around the school. If either of them saw Jonghyun in the corridors between classes they would greet him, and they often sat near Jonghyun or shared a table with him during the lessons Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw fifth years shared.
Jonghyun reasoned that they were probably only being nice to him to get into Minki’s good books, but nevertheless he appreciated having more people who are willing to talk to him. Due to their new friendliness Jonghyun was also able to get used to Minhyun to the point where he could even form coherent sentences in his presence. A part of Jonghyun had hoped that if he got to know Minhyun better his infatuation for him would gradually disappear, but instead it has the opposite effect. The more he got to know Minhyun the more he seemed to like him. Minhyun’s habits and mannerisms never lost their charm for Jonghyun. Even when Aron and Minki would often get annoyed by Minhyun’s constant singing, Jonghyun still found it charming. Minhyun was caring, kind, intelligent, and so so beautiful. Jonghyun was screwed.
As a werewolf, Jonghyun knew it wasn’t a good idea for him to get involved with anyone. Any association with creature like Jonghyun could ruin a person’s reputation, make them an outcast. Because of this, Jonghyun knew he should avoid romantic feelings on principle. He would never be able to pursue romance with anyone in good conscious, so it would be better for him if he just avoided crushing on anyone. Unfortunately, he couldn’t seem to resist being attracted to Hwang Minhyun. In effort to keep his mind off of Minhyun, Jonghyun tried drowning himself in his studies.
Due to O.W.L.s coming up in the spring, Jonghyun started spending more time in the library than he did in previous years. At first, he asked Minki to join him, but Minki insisted that studying for O.W.L.s that early in the year was excessive and he wouldn’t begin until after winter break at the earliest. As a result, Jonghyun started spending a lot of time studying by himself in secluded corners of the library.
One Thursday afternoon in early December Jonghyun was studying in one of his favorite secluded nooks and, discovering he needed a book he hadn’t previously thought to grab, he got up to go look for it. Turning the corner into a different part of the library, Jonghyun heard a familiar voice coming from behind one of the book shelves as he passed through. Unable to contain his curiosity, Jonghyun found a gap in the rows of books and peeked through.
On the other side of the bookshelf, Minhyun sat at a table with a first year student who looked vaguely familiar to Jonghyun. There were multiple astronomy charts strewn across the table and Minhyun appeared to be patiently explaining something to the first year.
“Seonho, do you remember what planet this is?” Jonghyun heard Minhyun gently as the boy.
Jonghyun couldn’t help but notice how Seonho was leaning into Minhyun’s side, and how Minhyun reached up to pat the boy’s head affectionately when Seonho answered a question correctly. Jonghyun backed away from the gap he was looking through, feeling a twinge of jealousy. Despite how much he tried to suppress it, he couldn’t help but wish that he could take Seonho’s place just so he could lean on Minhyun like that and be on the receiving end of those affection-filled head pats. Cursing himself, he continued on through the book shelves to go get the book he needed.
By the time Jonghyun finishes up in the library it was almost closing time and the librarian was already starting to sweep through the book shelves, telling students to pack up and go back to their respective dormitories. Jonghyun hastily gathered up the mountain of books that has piled up around him over the last few hours and started frantically trying to remember where he got them all from to put them back on the shelves. Technically, he could have just left all the books stacked up in a pile by the nook he was sitting in, but he felt bad making someone else clean up after him.
Standing on his toes to put the last of his books back in the shelf it belonged, Jonghyun felt himself loose his balance and the ground slip out from under his feet. Cursing his clumsiness, he shut his eyes tight and prepared for impact, but surprisingly he didn’t fall flat on his back on the library floor. Instead, a pair of steady arms caught him before he could fall, causing Jonghyun squeak in surprise. Once he regained his balance, Jonghyun turned around to thank his savior and was faced with the attractive visage of Hwang Minhyun.
“M-Minhyun!” Jonghyun said breathlessly, hyperaware that one of Minhyun’s hands was still resting on his shoulder. “Thanks for… Thanks for catching me.”
“Don’t worry about it.” Minhyun brushed him off with a smile. “Let’s go, I think they’re about to lock the library.”
Jonghyun nodded and hurried after Minhyun, less than convinced that the librarian would care if she accidentally locked a few students in the library overnight.
“What were you here studying for?” Minhyun asked Jonghyun as they walk towards the front.
“Just revising.” Jonghyun answered with a shrug. “O.W.L.s this year, you know.”
“Wow, it’s really diligent of you to start this early.” Minhyun said, and Jonghyun felt his ears get warm. Jonghyun was still pondering how to reply when they reached the grand staircase and Minhyun is waved goodbye to him before he catching a bit of the staircase going to an upper floor.
“Good night, Jonghyun”
Minhyun’s goodbye seemed to linger in Jonghyun’s mind as he caught the stairs down and headed back to the Hufflepuff basement.
*
Things continued much the same as Christmas break approached. Minki and Aron danced around each other, neither of them willing to formally admit feelings to the other despite how obvious it was. Minki pestered Jonghyun about his crush on Minhyun, but Jonghyun remained passive, still convinced that not pursuing anything was the best course of action. He was happy to have the opportunity to be kind of friends with Minhyun. It was more than he thought he’d ever achieve so he made himself content with the prospect.
Two days before break, Jonghyun was walking to his Arithmancy class when he heard Minhyun and Aron talking in a nearby classroom.
“Aron he’s so perfect I don’t know what to do.” Jonghyun heard Minhyun say, and immediately froze in his tracks. Jonghyun had never heard Minhyun say anything like that before or use such a desparate tone of voice. He was so shocked he almost didn’t take in what Aron said in response.
“I never thought I’d see this day.” Jonghyun heard Aron say through the wall. “Implacable school beauty Hwang Minhyun. Completely whipped by a simple crush.”
Jonghyun’s heart dropped at the word crush and he ducked into a nearby secret passageway as he realized that Aron and Minhyun were about to emerge into the corridor he was walking through. Jonghyun hadn’t thought about the possibility that Minhyun might find someone and the pain watching that happen might cause him. Biting his lip hard to prevent the tears from escaping his eyes, Jonghyun ran the rest of the way to the Arithmancy classroom.
*
Minki found Jonghyun moping in one of his customary nooks in the library after dinner. Since overhearing Aron and Minhyun’s conversation that afternoon, Jonghyun had been careful to avoid all of his friends, taking roundabout routes through the castle, eating dinner quickly and scampering out of the Great Hall as early as he could manage… but it was stupid of him not to realize that Minki would notice and come find him.
Minki sat down next to Jonghyun without saying anything and wrapped an arm around his waist. A sniffle escaped Jonghyun as Minki started comfortingly stroking his side. Jonghyun turned in to Minki, curling himself into his friend’s chest as the sobs started to come in earnest. Minki let him get the tears out, holding Jonghyun and rocking slightly, rubbing slow circles into his back.
“What’s up?” Minki asked Jonghyun softly once the sniffles slowed to less frequent intervals. It took Jonghyun a few tries to get the words out.
“Min-Minhyun… he- ” Jonghyun started to say through the sobs, but Minki cut in before he had the chance to say more.
“What’d he do? Did he hurt you?” Minki demanded. “If he did I’ll go find him right now and jinx the hell out of him. Or I could probably talk Aron into filling his bed with dungbombs if you think that’d be preferable. Give me the word and I’ll make it happen.”
Jonghyun shook his head quickly, not wanting Minki to misunderstand. “He-He didn’t d-do anything…” Jonghyun explained. “It’s just... just… I was so foolish to let myself like him.”
“Shhh…Jonghyun letting yourself like people isn’t foolish.” Minki comforted, hugging Jonghyun a bit tighter. “What happened?”
“Minhyun… he-he has a crush on someone.” Jonghyun took a deep breaths in between his words to try and compose himself. “I h-heard him and Aron talking about it earlier.” A fresh wave of tears washed over him and he hid his face in Minki’s shoulder. “I knew I’d never have a chance with him and I was okay with that, but… but… knowing I’ll have to watch him be with s-someone else… it-it-it…it hurts, Minki.”
Jonghyun dissolved back into full on sobbing and Minki continued to hold him close, stroking his hair and softly murmuring words of comfort. Minki was the only person Jonghyun trusted to see him like this, the only friend he could tell the most intimate secrets to, although Jonghyun really has any other friends anyway.
“Listen, Jonghyun, you’re way out of his league anyway. You deserve better. I promise someday you’ll find someone who will be way more worthy of you and adore you and that’s a thousand times better than Hwang Minhyun.” Minki assured him. “Break starts soon, and then you won’t have to even see him anymore for a while. Use that time to forget about him. And then when we come back to school I’ll help you find someone better.”
Jonghyun continued to weep into Minki embrace for several more minutes before finally pulling away, wiping the last tears off of his cheeks.
“Thanks Minki.” Jonghyun murmured weakly as they stood up.
“No problem, this is what friends are for.” Minki told him firmly, giving Jonghyun one last pat on the back. “I can still get Aron to but dungbombs in Minhyun’s bed if you want.”
Giggling softly in spite of himself, Jonghyun shook his head.