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Chapter Text

1961, THE JIANG MANOR, LOTUS PIER

THE WEATHER DID NOT CHANGE.

It remained gloomy, the sky covered in big grey clouds. With a crash of thunder, the sky split apart to let big drops of rain patter against the windowpanes.

Inside the manor, however, was only brightness.

Peals of excited laughter tore out of three mouths, their collective giggles breaking through the raining atmosphere to make every servant and worker in the manor smile.

"It's here, it's here!" shouted Jiang Cheng, jumping up and down with a letter clutched between his hands. He nearly crashed down the stairs as he ran down them to reach his parents, who stood in the foyer.

"Careful!" chided Jiang Yanli, trying to grab her little brother's flying robes. He was not within reach, however, as he halted in front of their Father and Mother.

She turned around to grab hold of a cackling Wei Ying, who was trying to read the letter and climb the steps at the same time.

"A-Xian," she said, making him look up mid-giggle. "Come down first. You will have plenty of time to read the letter."

Jiang Cheng was already bellowing the contents of the letters to his parents at top speed. "We are pleased to announce that Jiang Wanyin has been chosen to begin his academic life as a student of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry—"

"We know, we know," said Jiang Fengmian, giving the letter a loving stroke. "Your mother and I had the same letters, as did your sister."

Jiang Cheng did not heed his words. "We have to buy so many things. Books, cauldrons, brooms, uniforms, robes, potions and familiars!"

Madame Yu nodded. "You are taking Zidian as your familiar, A-Cheng."

Jiang Cheng took a step back. "No way am I taking that murderous owl with me."

"Zidian isn't murderous. Do you know for how many years she has been serving me?"

"Mother, I swear upon Merlin that Zidian has tried to kill me atleast five times by now—"

Jiang Fengmian turned to Wei Wuxian. "What is it, Wei? What are you thinking of?"

~~•~~

FROM THE MOMENT the letter had come through their chimney, Wei Wuxian had been thinking of one thing only, which he now proceeded to tell Uncle Jiang.

"My wand," he replied, his eyes scanning the pages of the letter. A wand was the compulsory requirement for every witch and wizard who could channel magic. To him, there was no stronger or more personal thing for a wizard than his wand, bought specifically from the reputed shop of Garrick Ollivander.

Wands chose their masters. Shijie's wand had chosen her, after she had tried two wrong ones and nearly set Madame Yu's hair on fire. That had been four years ago, when she had received her acceptance letter.

Now, it was his turn.

Beside him, Jiang Cheng snorted. "Wands? That is what excites you? You idiot, we are going to Hogwarts. Hogwarts!" He caught hold of his shoulders and gave Wei Wuxian a shake. "Hogwarts!" he repeated, as if the word had healing properties.

Shijie laughed. "Wands are important, A-Cheng. We have to go to Ollivander's, right, Mother?"

Madame Yu crossed her arms. "Yes. In fact, we set out for Diagon Alley tomorrow morning. Your supplies have to be brought and readied."

Uncle Jiang nodded.

Wei Wuxian felt an uncontrollable burst of laughter threatening to bubble up his throat. He knew he shouldn't laugh so loudly in the presence of Madame Yu, who might scold him for it, but he would laugh as soon as he got to his room.

Diagon Alley. Hogwarts. Buying wands.

It was all so much more exciting than last year's celebrations of New Year.

He looked at the letter again, and smiled. He would have to sleep with that under his pillow tonight.

~~•~~

"DIAGON ALLEY!" screamed Jiang Cheng, before dropping the Floo powder and giving a yell of surprise as he promptly vanished before their eyes.

Wei Wuxian felt a hand on his shoulder. "Go," said Uncle Jiang, his kind eyes shining with encouragement.

Wei Wuxian took a handful of the Floo powder and stepped inside the chimney. He rolled the name around his tongue, then cleared his throat and shouted "Diagon Alley" with proper enunciation. He dropped the powder, which immediately burst into loud sparks that made him close his eyes. There was a tug at his clothes from behind, a whiteness before his eyes, before the Lotus Pier halls vanished.

When he opened his eyes, he was standing in the middle of the crowded streets of Diagon Alley.

Shijie wiped off soot from his face as Uncle Jiang appeared soon after.

The last time Wei Wuxian had been here was four years ago. The entire family had come to shop for Shijie's First Year. He had half-forgotten the bustling state of the place, with its ever-present crowd of buyers, food stalls, hollering shopkeepers and vibrant shades.

"Okay," said Madame Yu, with a decisive shake of her head. "First thing we need are the books."

"The books?" asked Wei Wuxian, inspite of himself. He bit down on his tongue when he caught Madame Yu raise an eyebrow, daring him to say further. He finished the rest of the sentence sheepishly. "I thought we would go for wands..."

"We will come to wands," she snapped, turning away with a flourish as she started towards the book shops. "For now, we buy books."

"Boring," muttered Jiang Cheng. He began to whine to Uncle Jiang. "Can't we go for the broomsticks first? I really want to buy the Nimbus 1500, Father."

Shijie chuckled. "Already thinking of trying out for Quidditch?"

Jiang Cheng puffed up his chest proudly. "Absolutely. I'm going to be the best—"

He began his ramblings about how he was going to be the greatest Quidditch player Hogwarts had ever had and would win numerous World Cups. It was a dream Wei Wuxian had heard several times, so he tuned out his words as his feet took him to the most colourful of shops, laden with things he did not know the names of.

The clamour of the place was like an invasion.

"Is it always like this?" he asked Shijie, pointing to a crowd before a high-end fashion store.

"Only this week, A-Xian," said Shijie. "Every First Year student is going to come here today, as well as the Second and Third Years."

That made sense.

"Well, well, if it isn't the Jiangs."

Wei Wuxian stopped abruptly, his feet tangling together for a brief moment as a gigantic shadow blocked out the sunlight filtering from above. A man stood before him, tall and broad, with a huge sword strapped to his back. He wore fine silver robes and a glittering headset on his unruly mop of hair.

"Clan Leader Nie," whispered Shijie, bowing down to the man.

It took Wei Wuxian a moment to place him. Where had he heard that name? Ah yes, this was...

"Nie Mingjue," said Uncle Jiang, smiling as the man bowed. "What a surprise. What are you doing here?"

Nie Mingjue shook his head in an exasperated gesture. "I don't know that myself. Huiasang dragged me here, saying that he wanted me to come. That boy has been inside this book shop for the past one hour, not doing anything at all. I was bored, so I decided to wander around." He glanced at Wei Wuxian. "First Year, huh?"

Wei Wuxian nodded.

"Huiasang too. He has been insanely happy about it all." Nie Mingjue sounded like that was a personal affront.

Wei Wuxian couldn't stop asking, "What's wrong with being excited for Hogwarts?"

Nie Mingjue looked at him as if he had shot his mother. "I never liked Hogwarts. People there are not like our folk in Qinghe. They are too pretentious, you know. And the syllabus is going to wear you down." He frowned. "I have some pretty bad memories of my time there, so I am not excited. You look excited, though."

Wei Wuxian smiled. "That's because I am."

"Brother! Big brother!"

Nie Mingjue groaned. "I'm here!"

Seconds later, a scrawny boy popped up behind Nie Mingjue. Wei Wuxian scrutinized him in wonder, as the contrast between Nie Mingjue and Nie Huiasang was too comical.

Whereas Nie Mingjue looked like he had been carved from a mountain, Nie Huiasang was...scrawny. And thin. His complexion was a deathly pale white, as if he had not eaten anything for days, and his voice was an annoyingly nasal one that promised gossip and drama already. Wei Wuxian wasn't sure whether he liked the guy or not. He looked a bit too casual to be normal.

"Huiasang, I do not care about your books," said Nie Mingjue. "Buy what you want to, okay? First, meet the Jiangs. Their boys are going to be joining you in First Year."

Nie Huiasang gave a nervous once-over to Wei Wuxian and the chattering figure of Jiang Cheng.

He wasn't like the Nies at all. Wei Wuxian knew that the pureblood Nie clan was composed of fierce warriors. They were all Gryffindors and had the heart of lions. Despite being one of the oldest pureblood families, they did not use a wand, but instead channeled their magic through their swords.

But Nie Huiasang carried no sword, only a small folding-fan was held by him.

Nie Huiasang was looking at the floor, too awkward to say anything else. Wei Wuxian suddenly felt bad for the boy. He was probably belittled everyday by his brother.

So he sprung into action. "Hello. I am Wei Wuxian. What books were you buying?"

"Huh? Oh," said Nie Huiasang. Then he smiled and lowered his fan. "Advanced Potion Making."

"Isn't that a Third Year book?" chimed up Jiang Cheng. "What are you reading Third Year books for?"

"Some people like to read, A-Cheng," mocked Wei Wuxian, which earned him a guffaw from Nie Huiasang and a scowl from Jiang Cheng.

The three of them walked the rest of the way, buying their uniforms and cauldrons together. Madame Yu made efficient transactions, and it seemed that Nie Mingjue was relieved to let her handle Huiasang's purchases too, only paying whatever money was required.

After what seemed like an hour of touring all the useless shops, they arrived at the real deal.

"Yes, wands," cheered Huiasang, who turned out to have a rather loud voice despite his small stature. "We are going to Ollivander's, right?"

"You won't take the Nie sabers?" asked Wei Wuxian, somewhat puzzled at the unusual choice of channeler.

"Nah," said Huiasang, clicking his tongue. "I am getting a wand. Do I look like I can lift, let alone handle, a saber?" He chuckled at his own joke.

The seven of them trooped out towards the back of Diagon Alley, and Wei Wuxian felt his limbs getting lighter with excitement.

The only reason why he and the others (with the exception of Jiang Cheng, who was still whining about the Nimbus 1500) were so overjoyed at the prospect of buying wands was because Ollivander's wands chose their masters. The wands told people everything about a wizard. Each wand was made with a particular wand core-and-wood combination, each different than the last. The inherent qualities of a sorcerer was brought out by the wand, and Wei Wuxian hoped he got a sword worthy of himself.

"Which House are you guys aiming?" asked Huiasang.

"Gryffindor, of course," replied Jiang Cheng, without a moment's hesitation. "Every Jiang is a Gryffindor."

"Not every," frowned Huiasang. "Some Jiangs have been Hufflepuffs too. Your sister is a Hufflepuff, isn't she?"

"I am," said Shijie, poking her head in and making Huiasang jump in fright.

She laughed, and as usual, Wei Wuxian laughed at the sound too. "Which House do you want, Huiasang?"

Huiasang managed to compose himself. "Uh, I don't know. Preferably a Gryffindor, though I doubt it. I'm not brave enough."

Jiang Cheng scoffed. "You are a Hufflepuff, then."

Wei Wuxian threw his hands up in the air. "Why does everyone always forget Ravenclaw?"

Shijie was about to say something, when she suddenly gasped and pointed at the distance. "There you go, A-Xian. Ollivander's."

Sure enough, there was the huge shop, an aura of mysticism around it. Wei Wuxian surged forward. He wanted to be the first one to enter the shop, to see its cramped interior and meet its eccentric keeper.

Then a hand shot out and stopped him.

Wei Wuxian staggered backwards. He looked up to see the disapproving face of Madame Yu, her eyebrows pinched together. "Where are you going?"

Wei Wuxian pointed to the shop ahead.

Her eyes widened for a second, before narrowing. "What are you going to Ollivander's for? You will come with me to the Grand Wand Junction. Am I clear? We will buy a wand and then join the others. Come on." She tugged at his shirt.

The world stopped turning for a moment.

Wei Wuxian looked at Shijie, who was looking at the entire conversation with confusion. Nie Mingjue, Jiang Cheng and Nei Huiasang had already entered the shop, not paying any attention to him. Only Uncle Jiang looked on, his eyes going back and forth between his wife and Wei Wuxian.

Wei Wuxian felt himself getting dragged along the road, farther and farther away from Ollivander's. The Grand Wand Junction was an ordinary shop for wands. There was no choosing, no spectacle, no nothing. You saw a wand and bought it. It was not magical. It was not Ollivander's.

A low growl rose in his mind. If he didn't speak up now, then he would be stuck for the rest of his life with an ordinary wand.

"But, why not Ollivander's?" he ventured, balling his hands into fists as he anticipated Madame Yu's slaps to slice open his cheek any second. "Madame Yu, what happened? Everyone is going to Ollivander's—"

"What makes you think you are equal to everyone?" hissed Madame Yu. "You are getting a wand. Be grateful for that. It is your choice, Wei Wuxian. You either get a wand, or you don't."

Wei Wuxian's head was spinning. "But...but—"

Madame Yu tapped her heels on the ground impatiently.

Uncle Jiang stepped forward hesitantly. "The boy should get his wand from Ollivander's. He's the best wandmaker in the world."

"So?" barked Madame Yu.

"Uh, Mother," said Shijie, her shoulders dropping in premature defeat. She knew she was never going to win against her mother in an argument, yet she was willing to try. Her trembling hands made Wei Wuxian's heart ache with a different kind of pain. "Shouldn't A-Xian get his wand from Ollivander's? I mean, he has been looking forward to it..."

One glare from Madame Yu shut her up.

Wei Wuxian tried again. "Ollivander's—"

Then his eyes strayed to the opposite end of the street, and he stopped speaking altogether.

A group of people were coming down the street towards Ollivander's. They wore identical white robes, decorated with swirling patterns of blue and designed in cloud patterns. Each wore a white headband across their foreheads. The group reminded Wei Wuxian of an army: head held high, stiff shoulders, an unsmiling face and a methodical look about them.

The person at the head was an old man, with an expression that proclaimed him to be the leader. Behind him stood a tall young man, with high cheekbones and an air of nobility. He was the only person who had some semblance of a smile on his face.

Madame Yu let go of his shirt.

"Clan Leader Lan," said Uncle Jiang, tilting his head in a reverential gesture.

Things slotted into place for Wei Wuxian.

Oh. These were the Lan Clan of Gusu. One of the most prestigious pureblood families in the Wizarding World, with an affinity towards education that bordered on manic obsession. Before attending Hogwarts, many pureblood children attended the Lan's own version of a beginners school, where etiquette and other useless stuff was taught.

Wei Wuxian hadn't been allowed to go there, but Jiang Cheng had gone and returned with only one description: "It was so boring."

The Lans were also pioneers of Hogwarts itself, with all of them being permanent Ravenclaw members, as was expected.

Clan Leader Lan bowed, but did not smile. "Clan Leader Jiang. I take it you are going to Ollivander's too?"

"Yes, we are."

"That's great," said the smiling Lan. "We can go in together."

Uncle Jiang smiled at him. "Lan Xichen, are you trying out another wand? Aren't you in your Fourth Year, same as Yanli here?"

"Oh no, I won't be buying wands. My brother will." Lan Xichen pushed a boy forward. "My brother, Lan Wangji. He is going to be a First Year student this year."

Wei Wuxian considered Lan Wangji for a second, his mind immediately coming to the embarassing realisation that he was a pretty guy to look at.

Lan Wangji, much like his Clan Leader, did not smile. He merely bowed, that looked forced out of good-breeding. His striking golden eyes caught the shine of the afternoon sun, painting the irises a molten gold. He was tall, taller than Wei Wuxian, and was rather slender. His hair was tied neatly, but strands of hair framed his face like a picture.

He looked like a picture.

Wei Wuxian didn't know what to do with that conclusion.

"Our boys are joining First Year too. Jiang Cheng and Wei Wuxian," said Uncle Jiang. He turned to Wei Wuxian. "This is Wei Wuxian. Perhaps you and young Wangji here can become friends."

Wei Wuxian had never loved Uncle Jiang more than he did at that moment. He wanted to be Lan Wangji's friend with a kind of desperation, and he turned to the sullen boy with his brightest smile. There was something about his bored posture and sophisticated air that made Wei Wuxian want to see him laugh.

Lan Wangji, though, looked constipated at the thought of them becoming friends.

Clan Leader Lan cleared his throat. He entered Ollivander's, Lan Wangji trailing after him. Lan Xichen invited Uncle Jiang over. "Please, come in, come in."

Uncle Jiang grabbed Wei Wuxian's shoulder. Then he pushed him straight inside the shop, not looking back at his fuming wife.

Wei Wuxian's anger and dismay vanished the moment he set foot inside Ollivander's.

The shop hadn't changed. It was still cramped and darkly lit-up, with huge shelves stocked full of wands. The scent of wood and old books floated in the air, masking the heavier, tangier scent of ancient magic within its walls.

The frazzled figure of Ollivander made its way to them. "Welcome, Jiangs and Lans," he said, his voice rougher than Wei Wuxian remembered. He spoke in a tone that announced that he had known this would happen, that he knew everyone's futures and yet was only an ordinary wandmaker. "Which one of you require new wands?"

Wei Wuxian raised his hand. "I do," he said, his voice dropping to a whisper. Somehow, whispers felt suitable here than loud shouting.

Lan Wangji nodded.

Ollivander nodded. He ambled away to the counter.

Jiang Cheng caught up with them. "Hey, what were you guys doing outside?" Then, his eyes fell upon the Lans. "Oh. Good afternoon, Master Lan."

Wei Wuxian almost snorted at his brother's uncharacteristic respect.

Clan Leader Lan nodded. "Have you chosen a wand yet, Jiang Wanyin?"

"No, Master."

Suddenly, Nie Huiasang's cheer made them all startle. "I got my wand! I got my wand!"

Wei Wuxian went over to him, where Nie Mingjue stood with a surprised expression on his face. "The first wand he picked up chose him," he said, to no one in particular, still in a daze.

"That's amazing," said Wei Wuxian. It truly was a rare feat.

"Unicorn tail core, Hawthorn wood," remarked Ollivander. "An unusual combination, indeed, young Nie. Unicorn tail wands are the least prone to accidents and the Dark Arts, but the Hawthorn wood is paradoxical and intriguing. Their owners are mostly conflicted, but..." He shook his head. "Good for you, young Nie."

Ollivander turned to Jiang Cheng next. He pointed to an array of wands set out before him. "Choose, young Jiang."

The first wand that he picked up emitted a horrific buzzing noise, like thousands of bees descending together. Jiang Cheng quickly dropped it, breathing hard.

Wei Wuxian watched as his brother tried out three more wands, each one either shocking him with electric currents, or drowning him in water, or making frogs jump out from the tip.

Lan Wangji scattered back when that happened, something like fright coming across his tight-lipped face.

"Honestly, A-Cheng," said Madame Yu, her hands on her hips.

The fourth wand Jiang Cheng picked up worked. He pointed it towards an unkempt pile of books at the far corner of the shop, and suddenly, the books arranged themselves, dust flying off them.

"Dragon heartstring core, Fir wood," declared Ollivander. There was a twinkle in his eye. "Integrity of spirit, courage and power. Stubborn, yes, but decidedly skilled in duels. Your wand has great potential, young Jiang. Do not waste it in less grand intentions."

Jiang Cheng skipped back to his parents, looking at his wand with love.

Ollivander looked at Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji. He beckoned the two over. "Come on, try," he said, bringing out more boxes.

Wei Wuxian stared at the wands. This was it. All the excitement and anticipation of the past few hours would culminate in him choosing a wand and the wand being his forever. Jiang Cheng had got a powerful wand, one that suited him to the T. He wanted a wand like that too, brilliant and extraordinary, that would only take orders from him and no one else. His wand would be something people remembered him by, and it would be his second heart, really.

So he picked up the first wand.

Nothing happened.

Lan Wangji arrived at the same result.

Both families heaved sighs.

Ollivander clicked his tongue. "Seems like Cypress wood doesn't match you both." He began to rummaged around.

Wei Wuxian dropped the wand. Why didn't Cypress suit him? Didn't they signify nobility of character and spirit? Moreover, why wasn't someone like Lan Wangji suited for it?

The second wand resulted in nothing for Wei Wuxian. For Lan Wangji, his wand erupted into fiery blue flames, which was extinguished by a casual sweep of Clan Leader Lan's wand.

Lan Xichen leaned over his brother and nudged him in the shoulder as a sign of encouragement.

For the next one hour, to the utter impatience and disbelief of the Lans and the Jiangs, not a single wand worked for either Wei Wuxian or Lan Wangji. They kept on trying, but no reaction came out of their wands. They flicked their wrists, muttered charms, said incantations.

Nothing happened.

"Oh dear," said Nie Huiasang. "Are they ever going to get wands?"

"Albus Dumbledore took two hours to pick his wand," replied Ollivander, going to the back of his shop and bringing out ten more boxes.

The comparison made Wei Wuxian feel better, but after he had tried out his fifty-fifty wand with no reaction again, he slumped against the wall, defeated. A thought as black as night crossed his mind: Was he really not worthy enough for a wand? Was he actually so weak and incapable? Was his Golden Core so weak?

Was his mudblood status finally catching up with him?

He heard Madame Yu scoff in the background, as if she could hear his thoughts.

He couldn't fail here, not right now, when all the people were watching him like vultures watching a carrion. The Jiangs were trying to be supportive, the Lans were already branding him as a failure and the Nies were slightly amused.

For a moment, Wei Wuxian hated them all.

"Alright," said Ollivander, handing Lan Wangji a wand. "If this doesn't work for you, then I don't know what else will that would be fitting for a Lan."

Everyone sucked in a breath.

Wei Wuxian caught beads of sweat trickle down Lan Wangji's head. He could feel the pressure of the air drop.

Lan Wangji picked up the wand

Nothing happened.

Wei Wuxian almost walked out of the shop at that. If 'the' Lan Wangji couldn't get a wand, he was out of the question. Jiang Cheng had nearly dozed off by now, while Shijie was somehow trying to give him uplifting smiles. He ignored them all.

And then, it happened.

First, a scent came over the room, tickling Wei Wuxian's nose. It smelled of trees, of stone, of earth and of the river. Then, came the warm feeling, overtaking his skin, sinking deep within like autumn sunshine.

The sound came at last.

It was as if thousands of birds were singing together, their melodies mashing together in an intoxicating swirl of music and happiness, protection and strength.

Wei Wuxian's mouth dropped.

Lan Wangji had made a hundred floating orbs of light erupt in the air, each glowing like miniature suns. Swirls of white and gold flew inside the orbs, as the orbs themselves glided in the air against each other.

The light was too strong to look at directly.

Ollivander brought everyone back to reality. "White River Monster Spine core, Yew wood." He frowned for the first time. "An... unusually strong combination. Too strong, in fact."

Lan Xichen smiled. "How strong, Sir Ollivander?"

"Well, the White River Monster Spine is of the rarest quality. It was founded by Thiago Quinton, but only he could produce it since only he could tame the White River Monster to extract its spine. After his death, the production stopped. I was lucky enough to have one piece of it."

Uncle Jiang nodded. "True. The Yew wood, though, is certainly paradoxical. It can be used for the strongest of spells, but if it falls in the wrong hands..."

A tense silence wrapped around the group.

Ollivander said, "This wand is best for the protective and the courageous, as well as for the most sophisticated and elegant of spells. It is both strong and has a tendency to attach itself with its owner. Young Lan, I hope you will make good use of this absolute treasure."

Lan Wangji, who was staring at the golden orbs, nodded.

Ollivander turned to Wei Wuxian at last. "Come here, young Wei. Let's see if this wand will work."

Wei Wuxian's heart wilted. "I doubt it," he said, walking over anyways.

"We are wasting time here," said Madame Yu. "It is clear Wei Wuxian will never get his wand right. Why don't we just go to—"

"It worked for me. Maybe it will work out for him too."

The quiet sentence, spoken with the voice of a person who wasn't used to speaking much, could only belong to Lan Wangji.

Wei Wuxian turned around, his eyes going through his eyebrows in surprise. Had Lan Wangji just spoken for him?

Madame Yu looked seconds away from snapping. But she smiled at Lan Wangji and looked away, anger flashing in her eyes.

Ollivander, who had vanished for a few minutes, appeared again. "Here," he said, dropping an extremely dusty box before him. "I must warn you, Clan Leader Jiang, this wand is amongst the most dangerous wands that I have left. If young Wei cannot work this out, though I doubt he can, seeing that this wand is rather unsuitable for such a young child, then I'm afraid my stocks will not be enough to supply him with a wand anymore."

"He can do it," said Shijie, interrupting when she saw Wei Wuxian's head drop. "You will, won't you, A-Xian?"

Wei Wuxian wasn't so sure anymore.

Nevertheless, he picked up the wand.

It was a black one, long and sinewy, with a handle that glinted like the pale bones of some animal. There was a word carved into the wood, but it was a foreign letter and he couldn't understand it. There was a heavy weight to the wand, and it slotted between his fingers smoothly.

Wei Wuxian flicked it.

Nothing happened.

This time, he was unable to stop the film of tears that came upon his vision. He blinked, trying to dispel them, but it only caused his eyes to water more.

Oh Merlin.

He was completely useless.

Some 15 years later, Wei Wuxian would always remember this exact moment as the foreshadowing of all future events that would besiege him.

The wand trembled.

Wei Wuxian blinked, this time in shock. What was happening? Was the wand—

"Let's go," urged Madame Yu. "Come on. This is useless. Let's go."

"No."

It took Wei Wuxian a moment to realise the word had come out of his mouth.

Madame Yu snapped. "What did you say?"

The wand was trembling. Something cold was flowing from the wand to his fingers, seeping into his bloodstream, making him dizzy and whoozy for a second. He swore he could see black, smoky tendrils wrapping around his wrist and encircling his field of vision.

It was Clan Leader Lan who shouted first. "Watch out!"

Watch out for what?

Wei Wuxian turned his head and gasped.

Thick, black smoke was slowly covering Lan Wangji's golden orbs into cocoons of darkness. The afternoon sun disappeared under the black tendrils. Then a wind rushed past them, thunder cracked somewhere, and suddenly, with no warning whatsoever, the wind-speed increased, sweeping everything off the shelves, making books fly and causing everyone to scream.

Wei Wuxian gripped his wand.

The wind, the smoke, the cold — everything was coming out of him.

He smiled.

Then he caught Shijie's face.

His smile vanished.

Oh Merlin. Everything was coming from him.

Wei Wuxian grunted and reared the wand back. He did not know how he got the spell — or whatever it was — to stop, but the wind and the smoke cleared under a blink.

It took several minutes before Ollivander spoke up.

"Walnut wood. Horned Serpent Horn core," he said, wiping his brow. "Exceptionally powerful. Prone to the most dangerous sorts of Dark Arts."

Wei Wuxian's heart landed somewhere beyond his knees. "W-what?"

"Oh yes," continued Ollivander. He suddenly looked up, his eyes pinning Wei Wuxian to the spot. "Be careful with that wand, boy. It has choosen you, but I do not get a good feeling from it. It would do you good if you kept that wand to the better side of magic."

Shijie walked up to them. "Of course he'll keep it to the better side of magic," she said, drawing Wei Wuxian closer to herself. "Thank you, Sir Ollivander."

Slowly, realising that the show was over at last, the Nies hastened out.

"Meet you in the train," said Nie Huiasang.

The Lans began to go out too, casting uneasy glances at Wei Wuxian.

Madame Yu stormed off, pulling a protesting Jiang Cheng behind her.

Uncle Jiang gestured for them to come out. Shijie joined him.

Wei Wuxian looked at the wand again. It had quitened down, but the coldness had still not gone from his blood.

"You destroyed the orbs."

Wei Wuxian spun around. Lan Wangji was looking at the ceiling.

"Ah," said Wei Wuxian. "I'm...sorry?"

Lan Wangji looked at him. The expression in his eyes was unreadable, but he said nothing and followed his clan out.

Wei Wuxian stood alone in the shop.

So much for wand buying.

"Be careful, Wei Wuxian," said Ollivander, coming up behind him. "You have great things to do, son. But...be careful."

Wei Wuxian came out in the sun. The world suddenly looked different, more muted, somehow. He guessed it was due to spending so much time in that dark shop.

He had to be careful with the wand. Extremely careful.

So, he would be.

If only Wei Wuxian had known what the future had in store for him, he would have never fooled himself into thinking that he could be careful.

Wei Wuxian, after all, was never meant to be careful.

Chapter Text

1961, THE JIANG MANOR, LOTUS PIER

SEPTEMBER 1ST DAWNED fair and bright. The incessant rains that had plagued the little magical community of Yunmeng had stopped, leaving the sun to show its face to the mortals below for the first time in weeks. Birds chirped. People laughed. Little kids played around. The sky swirled in patterns of azure blue.

Wei Wuxian flinched as he heard Madame Yu's voice echo through the manor in a harsh tremble.

The sun and the sky faded, for him.

Beside him, Shijie sighed as she locked his suitcase for the last time, after making sure he had everything he would need.

"....it is going to be a decision you will regret!" sneered Madame Yu. She was ascending the stairs as she argued with Uncle Jiang, whose voice could not be heard amidst her yelling. "That boy is going to be the death of us, Fengmian! Why aren't you listening to me? Didn't you see his wand?"

Uncle Jiang's exasperated question could be heard. "What about it? It is just a wand."

"No!" protested Madame Yu. "You know very well that wands signify the deepest, darkest corners of a wizard's mind. His wand is made of walnut! It is the easiest to turn to the Dark Arts! And what about the Horned Serpent Horn?"

"As far as I remember, the Boots' brothers had wands of Horned Serpent Horns," countered Uncle Jiang. "Those two brothers founded Ilvermony and were the greatest wizards to ever exist."

That shut up Madame Yu for a hot second.

The door to Wei Wuxian's room opened.

"Wei Ying," smiled Uncle Jiang, not giving him any indication of the quarrel that had been raging. "Are you all packed?"

Wei Wuxian gave him a dry smile. Uncle Jiang always wanted to hide his arguments with his wife, and he was no one to shatter that semblance of normalcy.

"Of course he's all packed. Your daughter has been picking up after him like his maid," snapped Madame Yu, casting a knife-like glare at the room. She always seemed to see invisible amounts of dirt in his room.

Shijie frowned. She opened her mouth to say something, but decided against it. "Everything is sorted," she told her father. "What about A-Cheng? Is he ready to go?"

Uncle Jiang nodded. Then his face lifted into a broad grin as he said, "Come on, kids. Off we go to King's Cross Station, lest we miss the train."

~~•~~

THE JIANGS were usually a punctual bunch of people. They did not like to hurry and hasten, and believed that arriving on time for things made everything much easier to operate. In all the years since Shijie had been leaving for Hogwarts, they hadn't missed the train once.

This year too, never breaking their record, the Jiangs had arrived at Platform 9¾ on time.

Wei Wuxian smiled at the thought. He had been so caught up in the excitement and the nerves that he had forgotten the fact that he would miss Uncle Jiang and Yunmeng dearly.

Yunmeng wasn't as large a territory as Qishan or as rich as Lanling, nor was it as strong as Qinghe and as pristine as Gusu. But it was the place where he and a lot of his friends had grown up in, perfectly content and in tune with the natural world. They were people of the water, smooth and slow, ever-patient and steady.

Boy, he was going to miss the sound of the waterfalls of Yunmeng in Hogwarts....

"Wei bro!"

The shrill voice pierced Wei Wuxian's ears even before he had seen the boy approaching. It made him perk up immediately, as he turned around to greet Nie Huiasang and his brooding elder brother.

"Huiasang," said Wei Wuxian, clapping the smaller boy on the shoulder. He was wearing robes that were far too big for him. Two suitcases and an owl-cage accompanied him, perched on Nie Mingjue's arms.

He did not look too happy about having to carry his brother's luggage.

"Let's sit together," said Huiasang, returning the clap with a big smile. "We will sit together, right?"

"Of course," said Wei Wuxian. He looked at the scarlet, glittering Hogwarts Express, standing on the tracks like a wide old wizard itself, puffs of steam coming out of its whistle. The train was a substantially long one, but the first ten compartments were always occupied by the Fifth, Sixth and Seventh Years. "We will sit together. One cabin holds four people. Me, you, A-Cheng and Shijie."

Nie Huiasang hummed in contentment. "Sounds good. We have to eat from the Trolley Witch, by the way."

Jiang Cheng, who had managed to escape from his mother's grasp at last, came bounding over to them. He held the cage of Zidian — a magnificent grey owl — at a safe distance from his body. "Hello, Huiasang. You are with us, right?"

"You bet."

"Good. Wei Wuxian, where did your cat go?"

Wei Wuxian furrowed his brows. "What do you mean? It's right here." He lifted up the cage he was carrying, and his heart skipped three successive beats.

The cat was gone.

Nie Huiasang's eyes widened. "Oh, hell. Don't tell me you have already lost your pet?"

"Shut up," hissed Wei Wuxian, darting his eyes to see Madame Yu chatting with a Jin clan woman. She hadn't noticed anything, yet.

Shijie saw his panicked stares and glided over. "What is it?" she asked, her voice low. Her eyes fell upon the empty cage and she gulped. "Oh no, A-Xian. Tell me you have your cat with you."

"He doesn't," whispered Jiang Cheng, which was more of a shout than a whisper.

Wei Wuxian swayed on the spot. A cold feeling, unlike the one he had got when he had tried his wand in Ollivander's, slithered down his spine now. It was the familiar feel of fear and stress. Madame Yu would never let him get on the train if he lost his cat now.

He searched for a tuft of white-and-yellow fur, but the platform was so packed with students and parents that it was rather impossible to spot a cat among them. Besides, cats never sat idle. She would have strayed away.

Oh Merlin. He was going to die. He was—

"Wait a minute," said Jiang Cheng, screwing up his eyes into thin slits. He was staring into the distance, trying to make out something the others couldn't see yet. "Wait a minute, I think I see your cat."

Wei Wuxian swung the cage. "Where?" he said, preparing to scoop up the cat and throw it inside the cage forever.

"The cat is on... someone's head."

Shijie coughed. "Excuse me?"

"Yes. She is sitting on someone's head. Someone with black hair. I cannot see anything more, but..." He stopped speaking, still gazing into the crowd as Wei Wuxian searched as well. "Oh, Merlin's left leg. You won't believe whose head the cat has perched upon."

"Whose head?" ventured Huiasang.

Jiang Cheng turned to him with all the graveness of a soldier whose comrades had just died in battle. "Lan Wangji."

Wei Wuxian's hand shot out to hit him in the arm. As Jiang Cheng danced from the pain and shouted curses at him, Wei Wuxian pushed through the crowd to see whether it was true.

Sure enough, there was that bastard cat, sitting on top of a very confused Lan Wangji's head as he ambled along slowly, his brother laughing in glee at the sight. The cat was licking her paws, unaware of what she had just done.

"Careful," said Lan Xichen, wearing a neat Ravenclaw robe and carrying a small briefcase with him. "Don't fall over, Wangji. You will hurt the cat."

Lan Wangji glared.

"What?" said Lan Xichen, pouting in mock innocence. "I am worried about the cat."

Wei Wuxian only looked.

The last time he had seen Lan Wangji had been in Ollivander's shop, where he had extinguished his golden orbs and Lan Wangji had pointed it out with....scorn? Disbelief? Amazement? It was difficult to decipher the Lan's emotions.

Now, here he was, balancing Wei Wuxian's cat on his head like his life depended upon it.

The Hogwarts Express gave an abrupt whistle.

Wei Wuxian broke out of his ruminations. He had to get that cat off Lan Wangji, put her in her cage, then apologise profusely to the Lans. It was a gift from the gods that their scary Clan Leader was nowhere to be seen.

"I'm sorry," he said, stepping in their field of vision and drawing out an indecipherable look from Lan Wangji. "That cat is mine."

Lan Xichen stopped in shock. Then, his smile grew even more. "Who would have thought, huh? Surprises, surprises." He tried to take the cat down, but she hissed at him and he withdrew his hand. "As you can see, your cat has taken a sudden liking to my brother."

Wei Wuxian grinned. Now that he had found the cat, he could actually enjoy the sight without tension. "Do you like cats, Lan Wangji?"

Lan Wangji pointedly looked away.

Wei Wuxian sighed, then reached out for the cat. He was surprised to find that Lan Wangji was taller than him, since he had to stand on his tiptoes to hold the cat.

The cat clutched on Lan Wangji's head. "Come on now," said Wei Wuxian. "Whose pet are you? His or mine?"

"I am sorry," he said again, once the cat had been wrestled inside the cage. "The cat escaped, you know. Maybe it really wanted to sit on a head."

Lan Xichen pointed to the train. "Are you going to board the train?"

"Yes," said Wei Wuxian. "I will share a cabin with Huiasang and Jiang Cheng. Shijie will be there too. Do you want to join us?"

The question came out unexpectedly. Wei Wuxian certainly hadn't tried to ask such a thing, but Lan Xichen looked like he was actually considering it.

"I have to sit with my friends," he said. "But Wangji will sit with you."

"What?"

Lan Wangji spoke for the first time, turning around to glare at his brother in full-force.

Lan Xichen smiled his smile again. "What? You should be making friends. You already know Wei Wuxian and the others. Have fun instead of studying for once, Wangji."

"Was he planning to study in the train?" asked Wei Wuxian. He hadn't even opened the books yet, let alone plan to study in a moving train.

Lan Xichen nodded.

"A-Xian! A-Xian! Come on! The train is going to leave!" shouted Shijie, just as the Hogwarts Express gave its last whistle.

Lan Xichen bade goodbye to them, walking over to the back compartments.

Wei Wuxian turned to Lan Wangji with a deep sense of satisfaction. At last, he could finally make the boy his friend. He knew his grin was as shit-eating as it felt. "Come on, Lan Zhan. Let's go."

Lan Wangji's eyes widened just a fraction. He was probably not used to strangers calling him by his birth name, but Wei Wuxian had never cared for etiquette like that. Besides, Lan Zhan suited him more than Wangji.

He started moving as one with the crowd. Everyone was scrambling to get on the train at the same time, last minute farewells rang out at every corner, nervous First Year students fluttered around their parents, reluctant to leave.

Jiang Cheng and Nei Huiasang were waiting for him onboard the train. He turned around to see Uncle Jiang smiling at him.

"Have a good year, Wei Ying," he said. "Write to us and enjoy. Do not worry about the First Year exams."

"Really?" laughed Wei Wuxian.

Uncle Jiang suddenly took out a wrapped packet from the mysterious bag he had been carrying around all day. He handed it to Wei Wuxian, who could immediately tell what was inside.

"The Nimbus 1500," he said, his eyes not leaving the packet. "Uncle, this is—"

"I got it too!" cheered Jiang Cheng. "Finally!"

"Have a nice year," added Uncle Jiang.

Wei Wuxian spotted Madame Yu, who was staring at him like he was some vermin. Still, he tried to smile at her, giving her one last farewell, but she would not look him in the eye, turning away.

Oh well.

Some things couldn't be changed.

~~•~~

"WHERE WILL JIEJIE SIT?" asked Jiang Cheng, as Wei Wuxian dragged in Lan Wangji behind him. "The cabins hold only four people comfortably."

"I'm not sitting with you guys," said Shijie. "I'm off to my friends." She left with her friends, chattering nineteen to the dozen.

Wei Wuxian grinned. "Any other problems, A-Cheng?"

Jiang Cheng flattened himself against the wall to let a burly Fifth Year pass by. "No. Where did Huiasang go? We have been standing here without a compartment for the past fifteen minutes. He said he'd find an empty one."

As if on cue, Nie Huiasang's voice rang out. "Come here, you guys."

Jiang Cheng scurried away. Wei Wuxian made to go too, but he stopped when Lan Wangji did not follow him. He gestured him to come along, but he stood there, looking at something beyond Wei Wuxian's head, shuffling his feet in an uncharacteristic show of nervousness.

"Don't you want to sit with us?" asked Wei Wuxian, surprised at how easily his voice switched to a softer tone. "You can join your brother if you want to, Lan Zhan. You don't have to sit with us if you are not comfortable."

Lan Wangji made some sound at the back of his throat. "No...I..." He stopped speaking and resumed his silence.

Wei Wuxian blinked. Lan Wangji was clearly over-thinking stuff.

He put a hand upon his shoulder, and Lan Wangji almost flinched at the contact. "Come on, we will have fun," promised Wei Wuxian, and steered him towards the compartment. They entered together, and were immediately greeted by the sight of Jiang Cheng and Nei Huiasang stretched on the seats, talking like women in the market.

"Move!" said Wei Wuxian, slapping Nie Huiasang and snatching away the chocolate he was munching on. He ignored Huiasang's protests and gulped it down.

"Hey, are you going to play Quidditch?" asked Jiang Cheng, offering Lan Wangji a melted piece of candy. Lan Wangji refused, understandably.

Nie Huiasang sat up straighter. "Yeah. I have heard the Lans don't usually play Quidditch. Will you?"

Lan Wangji shrugged. Then he sat back and looked out of the window, just as the train emerged into open, green countryside.

The other three came to a silent consensus not to disturb him again.

~~•~~

THAT FIRST YEAR TRAIN ride would quickly become Wei Wuxian's few pure moments of joy. Years later, when he would produce his first Patronus, he would look back upon this particular memory, sitting in the compartment with his brother and friends, playing cards, petting his cat, eating chocolate bought from the Trolley Witch and looking forward to the brightest of futures in the grand house of magic where they were heading.

As evening approached, Jiang Cheng and Nei Huiasang dozed off, leaving Wei Wuxian to talk with Lan Wangji, in their own style.

"Jiang Cheng is obsessed with Quidditch. I don't know why he is so smitten by the sport. It seems like a whole lot of kicking and flying to me. He wants to win the World Cup when he grows up. He also wants to become Gryffindor's youngest Beater."

"Mhmm."

"What House do you want to get in? Uncle Jiang, Madame Yu, even my own parents were in Gryffindor."

"....Ravenclaw."

"Of course, of course."

"....What about you?"

Wei Wuxian was pleasantly surprised. "Asking questions, huh? Don't worry, I was just teasing," he hastened to clarify, when Lan Wangji furrowed his eyebrows. "I will be honest. I have no problem with any House, except for Slytherin, of course. Gryffindor would be great, but Hufflepuff has my Shijie. Even Ravenclaw seems tempting now."

Lan Wangji tilted his head. "Why?"

Wei Wuxian smiled. "Because you will be there, silly!"

By the time the train pulled to a stop, even Lan Wangji had half-closed his eyes.

A tremendous thundering of applause broke out in the front of the train, as raucous Seventh Years jumped down and rushed to the carriages that were parked on the far side.

"Come on, come on!" said Wei Wuxian, yanking on Jiang Cheng and Nie Huiasang's hair to wake them up. They left the train in a flurry of giggles, curses and running, with Lan Wangji following them closely behind.

"First Years over 'ere. First Years over 'ere."

"Who is that?" asked Nie Huiasang, pointing to a man before them, holding a lantern and bellowing in a voice that could only belong to a giant. The man certainly was large enough to be a giant, with a tangled beard and hair that hid half of his body from view. He had a rugged look about himself, but he did not look dangerous, even though he could probably crush them all in a second.

"Rubeus Hagrid," informed Lan Wangji. "The gamekeeper. He will take us to Hogwarts through boats."

"Boats?" asked Wei Wuxian.

Lan Wangji gave him a look that screamed: I'm surprised you didn't know. He cleared his throat and continued. "Yes, boats. We have to cross the Black Lake."

"Now, that is exciting," remarked Jiang Cheng.

Sure enough, it was long before they were herded together and made to walk a short distance to the edge of the Black Lake. Under the moonless sky, the undulating depths of the great water body made several of them shiver in fright. Numerous boats floated on the water, small, wooden ones.

"Are we seriously going to ride on those?" said Nie Huiasang, putting down a foot on the boat gingerly. He yelped when Jiang Cheng pushed him inside and clambered on.

Wei Wuxian got in next. The boat swayed a little, but it held on. Hagrid was saying that each boat could only hold five people, but no student was willing to let go of their friends and were piling upon the boats like bees.

Lan Wangji stared at the boat skeptically.

"Come in," said Wei Wuxian. "You won't fall." He held out his hand, even though he knew Lan Wangji would not take it. Wangji looked at his hand for a while, then stepped on to the boat himself.

Each boat had a lantern affixed to the front, though the poor light did nothing to chase away the pressing darkness of the night. Nevertheless, the boats advanced slowly, like thousands of fireflies fluttering around. Everyone was talking at the same time, their words and laughter filling in the stunned silence that had fallen over Wei Wuxian's group.

Jiang Cheng, Nie Huiasang and Lan Wangji were too entrapped in looking at the water to pay anything else any attention. It was rare to see Lan Wangji invested in something so ordinary.

Wei Wuxian kept his eyes straight ahead. They were about to reach Hogwarts any time now, and he did not want to miss the first glimpse of the castle.

"The Giant Squid in the lake is nowhere to be seen," said Jiang Cheng.

"Why? Would you have liked it to arrive?" asked Wei Wuxian, scrunching his nose in distaste. "The Giant Squid will most probably sink the boat."

"I would be happy if the Giant Squid ate you."

"How dare you—"

"Guys," interrupted Nie Huiasang. "Is that Hogwarts?"

Wei Wuxian would never be able to describe what the first glance of the castle did to his heart. He only knew it filled him with a warm feeling of home and safety, as if the castle was already more dear to him than Lotus Pier or Yunmeng. It was an old, stone structure, full of turrets and balconies. The windows were alit with candles, lending the castle an ethereal glow, and the dim stars above twinkled in accordance with the sheer beauty of the castle.

Hogwarts was truly beautiful.

Wei Wuxian was already in love.

It wasn't just him, though. Everyone drew in a collective breath of admiration at the sight, silenced for a moment. Then the chatter started again, this time more excited, as they steadily approached the shores.

"Careful, careful," said Hagrid, helping the smaller boys and girls to descend the boats. He advanced a hand and easily lifted Wei Wuxian off the boat, placing him upon the ground.

Wei Wuxian grinned at him.

Rubeus Hagrid smiled himself. "Off ya go, young kid," he said, ruffling Wei Wuxian's hair. "And be sure to tie that hair up. Professor McGonagall might just go crazy if she sees you like this."

Wei Wuxian laughed. "Or maybe she will like my hair," he said, even though he pinned his hair in a ponytail. Professor Minerva McGonagall's reputation as a fair but strict teacher was well-known; his Shijie said that there was no one in Hogwarts more intimidating than her, not even Headmaster Albus Dumbledore.

They trode on the vast lawns of the castle, entering through the great front doors of oak. Everything about Hogwarts was grandiose. Wei Wuxian had to lift up his head to look at everything.

They entered a huge cavernous room, with another set of doors at the front. All the First Years huddled together, shaking with anticipation, wondering what wonders lay ahead.

The doors opened.

Wei Wuxian, who had pushed himself to the front of the crowd, gasped loudly, not caring for the others. The room that he saw ahead was perhaps the most beautiful room that he had ever seen or would see in his life. It was huge, with long tables laid in parallel lines. Candles hung from the ceiling that was enchanted to look like the night sky. The other students were already seated in their places, gentle conversation filling the air.

They began to file in, one by one. Wei Wuxian looked around the room again. There were four banners hanging from the ceiling, each representing the four Hogwarts Houses. The tables were arranged according to the House, it seemed.

As soon as everyone had come in, the doors clanged shut.

At the far end of the room was a raised platform where a table was set for the teachers. A podium stood there, empty for now. A chair had been placed at the front of the room.

"The Great Hall," said Jiang Cheng, glancing around with his jaw open. "Look, A-Xian. Jiejie."

Wei Wuxian craned his neck to see Jiang Yanli waving at him from her Hufflepuff table. She smiled and he was immediately comforted, the first pangs of anxiety disappearing.

"Holy hell," swore Huiasang. "That's Minerva McGonagall."

The descriptions did not do justice to the absolute elegance that Minerva McGonagall presented. She stood by the empty chair with a dignified tilt of the head, wearing shimmering green robes of the deepest green. She did not smile, but one could tell that she was not unkind.

"Welcome to Hogwarts," she said, her voice a tough staccato. "We shall begin the Sorting Ceremony now. Whenever your name is called, make sure to come up and sit in this chair. The Sorting Hat will decide which House you go to."

The Sorting Hat was brought out as she spoke, and Wei Wuxian had to admit that it was the ugliest hat he had ever seen. The hat looked like it hadn't been washed for days.

Professor McGonagall began to call our names.

As the list grew shorter and the impending time when his own name would be called out came closer, Wei Wuxian found his legs shaking. Just a little.

Getting sorted into your Hogwarts House was akin to getting a second family. It was to become a student's permanent House for the rest of his life, and he would have to eat, drink, study and sleep with his housemates. House pride ran strong in Hogwarts, and each House was unlike the other.

Besides, everyone, even the professors, attached a great deal of importance to the sorting of the children from the Great Five Pureblood Families, the oldest amongst the purebloods and higher than the Sacred Twenty-Eight.

"Nie, Huiasang."

Huiasang's face grew pale. He looked at Wei Wuxian, as if asking him for strength. Wei Wuxian offered him a squeeze on the hand and a big smile.

Huiasang walked to the front. He had barely settled in when the Sorting Hat was dropped on his head and a reverential silence fell upon the Great Hall.

Wei Wuxian saw Huiasang sweating profusely.

After what seemed like an eternity, the Hat spoke out. "Ravenclaw!"

Wei Wuxian was among the first to clap and cheer as Nie Huiasang walked to the cheering Ravenclaw table. He had a sudden desire to be sorted into Ravenclaw too. With Huiasang and Wangji, Ravenclaw wouldn't be a bad House to get into.

He turned to look at Lan Wangji, who was watching the Lans of the Ravenclaw table.

"Jiang, Cheng."

Wei Wuxian clapped Jiang Cheng on the back as he proudly strolled through. Shijie shouted out his name as he took his seat. The Hat took only a second.

"Gryffindor!"

Both Wei Wuxian and Nie Huiasang burst into loud cheers.

Jiang Cheng laughed. He looked up at Professor McGonagall, who gave him a slight smile, then hopped towards the red-and-gold table, who were screaming themselves hoarse. The Gryffindors were always happy to add a Jiang to their collection.

"Lan, Wangji."

Lan Wangji stiffened. For a moment, he did not move at all. Wei Wuxian wanted to clap him on the back too, just to show encouragement, but he knew that would only earn him a glare from Wangji. So he took the only possible measure available to him.

He gave his hand a quick squeeze.

"Come on, Lan Zhan," he said, rubbing Wangji's hand a little to dispel the coldness. He felt his cheeks growing warm when Lan Wangji moved his fingers slightly. God, he had forgotten how pretty he sometimes looked.

Lan Wangji only stared at him. Then, as if in a daze, he walked to the Sorting Hat.

The Great Hall fell silent again.

Wei Wuxian saw Lan Wangji's eyes contort, his eyebrows furrow for split seconds, his tongue flicking out to wet his lips. There was something going on with the Sorting Hat, for he exhaled loudly once or twice, his expression barely shifting to that of intense argument.

Then, the Sorting Hat dropped the first bombshell of the day.

"Gryffindor!"

No one clapped.

The Ravenclaws gawked. The Gryffindors did too.

Wei Wuxian caught Lan Xichen putting down a half-full glass of celebratory pumpkin juice.

When he turned to look at Lan Wangji, the boy's expression made Wei Wuxian almost crumble.

Lan Wangji wasn't supposed to look that confused and weak.

A lick of anger flared up in his chest at the complete silence of the Great Hall.

Wei Wuxian knew he shouldn't have pulled such a move on his first day at Hogwarts, but he couldn't let Lan Wangji search for support and then receive none. He would become his support. Hell, he wanted to be his support.

So, he clapped.

The sound echoed around the Great Hall, causing everyone to spot him. Wei Wuxian did not care.

The Gryffindors slowly followed. Then a steady applause started, picking up tempo. Wei Wuxian stopped when Professor McGonagall nodded at Wangji, then patted his shoulder. "Welcome to Gryffindor, young man."

Lan Wangji rose and moved to sit at the Gryffindor table.

After three more names, the hour arrived.

"Wei, Wuxian."

His legs moved of their own accord. Wei Wuxian was thankful for the muscles memory as he sat down and the Hat was dropped on his head, for he was certainly incapable of forming coherent thoughts now.

The room looked different from here. He could see everyone staring at him: Lan Wangji, with a tilt of his head; Jiang Cheng, with a big grin and a glass of pumpkin juice ready; Shijie, with bright eyes; Nie Huiasang, giving him a thumbs-up.

A hollow voice ricocheted around inside his head. "A Wei, huh? I remember your mother."

Wei Wuxian jumped. What the— was that the Sorting Hat speaking? Inside his mind?

The voice continued. "A fine witch, your mother was. She was in Gryffindor, I remember. A pity that she did not hail from any pureblood family. Hmmm, you don't either. You are a muggle, no magic in your veins. What's that? Such a small Golden Core?"

Wei Wuxian grit his teeth. Shut up, you old gnat, he thought.

The Hat heard him, and chuckled.

"You are certainly not a Hufflepuff, my boy."

Wei Wuxian suddenly could not meet Shijie's eyes. Why not? he thought.

"Huffepuffs are honest and pure, Wei Wuxian. You are not."

Wei Wuxian scowled.

"Hmm, not a Ravenclaw either. You are smart, but not the Ravenclaw type."

Wei Wuxian did not grow sad at that. Now that Lan Wangji was in Gryffindor, Ravenclaw seemed like a so-so House, no offence to Huiasang.

"Gryffindor, then?"

Wei Wuxian almost shouted out the "Yes" out loud.

The Hat chuckled again. "Maybe...not. Oh no, not a Gryffindor. Your wand, my boy, is not that of a Gryffindor. Walnut wood. Horned Serpent Horns core. Oh, it is a dark combination. Not good at all."

Wei Wuxian gripped the chair. Please, he begged, please, let me be Gryffindor.

With Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff gone out of the list, the only House available was...Wei Wuxian shivered at the thought.

The Sorting Hat stopped talking. It straight-up bellowed.

"SLYTHERIN!"

Oh.

Hell.

No.

Wei Wuxian saw darkness before his eyes.

Chapter Text

1961, HOGWARTS

LAN WANGJI NEARLY knocked over the jug of pumpkin juice on the table as the Sorting Hat yelled out “Slytherin!”

The Great Hall fell silent for several moments, just like it had during his Sorting. He looked at Wei Wuxian's face, which had lost its perpetual glow, and felt his heart suddenly grow heavy. Wei Wuxian had clapped for him when no one else had. Shouldn't he do the same thing for him too?

He looked at the other tables. The Hufflepuff table was full of gossiping students, no doubt talking about the unlikely decision of the Sorting Hat. Jiang Yanli was looking conflicted, pity and confusion rife in her face. The Ravenclaws were ruminating, their heads bent low, as if the sight of Wei Wuxian was unholy now.

Lan Wangji craned his neck to catch sight of the Slytherins.

He couldn't see much, but he thought he saw some people let out uneasy smiles and raise their hands. They were clearly unsure of whether to laugh or cry, because the majority of their housemates were just staring at Wei Wuxian.

Wei Wuxian, for his part, hadn't risen from the chair. He still sat there, the Sorting Hat upon his head, and Lan Wangji suddenly found himself sympathizing with him.

The same thing had happened to him when he was sorted. The Sorting Hat had spoken to him in his mind, its cruel laughter still echoing in his brain. “Not a Ravenclaw, young Lan,” it had said, as if it could decide Lan Wangji's future in five seconds. “Never going to be a Ravenclaw. You aren't meant for knowledge, no. Your wand…White River Monster Spine core, Yew wood. Undeniably strong and elegant. You are powerful. Do you know where the powerful go?”

Not Slytherin, Lan Wangji had thought in a panic.

The Sorting Hat laughed. “Of course not. Cunning doesn't suit you. You will go to…Gryffindor!”

Lan Wangji had sat on that chair just like Wei Wuxian, unable to decide what to do. His eyes had fallen on his brother first, but his Xiongzhang could not meet his eyes.

That had hurt.

Right somewhere in his chest.

Then Wei Wuxian had clapped, smiling as if Lan Wangji had just slain a beast.

Now, he was in need of help, but Lan Wangji's hands didn't move. He looked around himself, seeing Jiang Cheng scowl at his plate. Even he was avoiding looking at Wei Wuxian.

Lan Wangji wanted to clap. He really did. He really, really did.

But he couldn't.

And then, Wei Wuxian stood up.

He kept the Sorting Hat on the chair and moved to the Slytherin table, his head held high, shoulders drawn tight in tension. The red ribbon in his hair fluttered like the last remnants of his hopes for getting into Gryffindor. Then the boy vanished behind a sea of silver-clad students, and Lan Wangji could see him no more.

Why was the lighting so poor at the Slytherin part of the Hall?

His irritation was washed away by a wave of crushing disappointment and regret. He hadn't clapped, after all. Wei Wuxian had received no help from him or anyone else. He had simply decided to help himself.

Not for the first time, Lan Wangji wondered about Wei Wuxian.

~~•~~

HE HAD SEEN him in Diagon Alley that day, on their way to Ollivander's. He had heard of Wei Wuxian before that day. When his foster brother, Jiang Cheng, had come to study at Gusu, all he talked about was his brilliant older brother, who could summon little paper butterflies at will.

Wei Wuxian.

Wei Ying.

Somehow, Lan Wangji had imagined him to be someone like Nie Mingjue, stern and rough and unyielding.

Instead, he met a boy with eyes the colour of the night sky and a smile that suddenly threw light on his face. Lan Wangji had never thought it possible that someone could smile like the sun. And yet, Wei Wuxian had proven that assumption wrong.

Then, he had tried to become Lan Wangji's friend.

Lan Wangji had been shocked at that. No one became his friend, ever. He was Lan Wangji, silent and stoic and he did not make friends because they were distracting. Wei Wuxian was the epitome of ‘distracting.’

And yet, as he did with most other people who wanted to get close to him, Lan Wangji had been unable to glare at him.

Wei Wuxian surprised him further during their wand-choosing. Lan Wangji was sweating heavily by the time they had come to the end of Ollivander's collection. He could feel his uncle looking at him, trying to understand why he was incapable of picking out a wand. His brother was trying to encourage him, but that only made matters worse.

Lan Wangji had never failed in his entire life at anything.

There was no way on Earth he was going to fail at the most crucial step in a wizard’s life.

When his Hogwarts acceptance letter had come, the entire Lan household had given him only one advice: to excel and never look back. He had to excel like his previous clan members, like his father had, like his mother was rumoured to have been. Education was the noble pursuit of the Lans, and the first step to it was the wand-selection.

Wei Wuxian, despite getting no reactions from his wands either, did not look harried in the slightest. He kept on trying, making Ollivander bring out boxes after boxes, never tiring, certainly never wiping the smile off his face.

He smiled whenever he looked at Lan Wangji, as if they were comrades in failure.

Of course, his wand had come to him at last.

White River Monster Spine. Yew wood. Lan Wangji knew Yew wood. The trees grew in the more remote mountains around Gusu, and the wood was said to be one of the strongest wand woods among them all.

The only unsettling thing about his wand was how it felt in his hands.

Lan Wangji did not reveal it to anyone, but his wand never sat right in his hands. It was too big for him and he could not hold it properly. The smooth surface kept on slipping from his fingers. The curved hilt of the wand, coloured in midnight black, was jarring to the eyes, especially since the entire wand was a bleached bone-white.

Lan Wangji did not like his wand.

But he had been able to cast those golden orbs with it, so that counted for something. When the magic rushed out of the wand, he had felt a searing hot liquid run down his body, scorching his internal organs, making his blood boil.

But right after, Wei Wuxian had done something and extinguished his orbs.

Lan Wangji could never forget the thing Wei Wuxian did with his wand. Those thick curls of smoke came to him in his dreams that night, looking like the gnarled roots of a rotten tree. The smoke had caged him in his dreams, curling round him fast, grabbing his neck and not letting go—

But that had, of course, been a nightmare.

Wei Wuxian's magic wouldn't choke him like that.

After that moving (and slightly creepy) spectacle, his uncle had practically forced them all out of Ollivander's shop. Lan Wangji, however, did manage to snatch a few seconds with Wei Wuxian.

“You extinguished my orbs,” he had said, not as an accusation, but as an acknowledgement of the facts. Earlier, he had found in himself the sudden courage to speak up for Wei Wuxian when his adoptive mother was being a bit too impatient with him (Lan Wangji was sure he would hate her in the coming future). Hence, it was not unnerving to talk with Wei Wuxian.

Wei Wuxian had apologised to him.

Lan Wangji hadn't wanted that.

He had wanted Wei Wuxian to…to do what, exactly? He didn't know.

Wei Wuxian had managed to leave his thoughts for a few hours when they returned to Gusu and everyone started gushing about his wand. His uncle had called him to his study and said, very gravely: “You have been given a strong well of magic, Lan Zhan. Use it well. First, you must learn how to control the force of the White River Monster Spine and the roughness of the Yew wood. Then—” and so on and on.

His brother had been overjoyed. “When you come to Ravenclaw, I'll give you a personal tour of the Ravenclaw library,” he had promised. He had bounced on his heels that day. “Oh, Wangji, this is so exciting. You have such an awesome wand. Don't you feel good about it?”

“Yes.”

“Packed your luggage?”

“Yes.”

“Of course you did. Go and sleep now. We have a long week ahead.”

So he slept. And the nightmare came, dark and looming, bringing Wei Wuxian's eyes along with it.

When September 1st came, Lan Wangji did nothing out of the ordinary. He woke up at the crack of dawn, practiced his guqin lessons, took a stroll in the garden, checked the locks on his suitcase. Then, when the time came, he and his brother took everyone's blessings and Floo’d to Platform 9 ¾…

….and immediately met with a fluffy cat who jumped upon his head in a lithe motion and stayed there.

“Get it off me,” said Lan Wangji.

“No,” Xiongzhang laughed.

“Brother, please—”

“I'm so sorry.”

Lan Wangji felt himself stumbling over his own feet.

Wei Wuxian was there, dressed in the flowing robes of Hogwarts, his raven hair tied in a high ponytail with a delicate ribbon holding it in place. He was red in the cheeks and was apologising to them (again), but his eyes remained the same from Lan Wangji's dream: bright and strong enough to be the Sun itself.

The cat was Wei Wuxian's.

Of course.

His brother had pushed him on Wei Wuxian and made a sly escape.

Lan Wangji remembered shaking a mental fist at Xiongzhang’s retreating back.

Wei Wuxian, Jiang Cheng and Nei Huiasang made a loud trio. The thought of having to endure them for the rest of the train journey had only made him anxious. Lan Wangji was aware of his nature. He was quiet and did not understand how to deal with people who were larger-than-life; people like Wei Wuxian and Jiang Cheng, each with their own personalities and goals.

But then Wei Wuxian had spoken to him as if he was a kitten, asking him if he was comfortable or not, and Lan Wangji spontaneously decided that it would not be bad to hear him rambling for the rest of the journey.

And Wei Wuxian had indeed, rambled.

The guy could talk.

The only time when he truly shut up was during the boat ride over the Black Lake. While he and the others had been too busy staring at the unfathomable depths of the lake, Wei Wuxian had looked ahead as if he could see something they couldn't. Some unknown vision, maybe, or place.

But that silence of Wei Wuxian had not made Lan Wangji tense. That had been a good kind of silence.

But the silence now?

It made Lan Wangji want to go to sleep and never wake up.

To be honest, he had expected that Wei Wuxian would be sorted into Gryffindor, along with him. He had known him for only a day, but Wei Wuxian already felt like one of the bravest people he had ever met.

The Gryffindors were lions.

Wei Wuxian was on his path to becoming one.

Lan Wangji suddenly found relief in the thought that the Sorting Hat had made a mistake. Surely, it was a mistake. How could Wei Wuxian ever be in Slytherin? He was the boy who had the softest of smiles and the kindest of eyes and—

“Welcome to another magical year at Hogwarts.”

A loud, booming voice filled the Great Hall, startling everyone rudely.

It was Albus Dumbledore, come to address the gathering at last.

A new kind of hush fell over the room now, not oppressive, but one of amazement and dumbfoundment. Everyone glued their eyes to the imposing figure of the greatest wizard alive in all of the Wizarding World, and the Headmaster of Hogwarts.

Albus Dumbledore’s pictures did not do him justice. The wizard was taller and more commanding than his pictures. He wore a shimmering blue-and-golden robe that swept the floor. His grey beard and hair lent him an ancient appearance, and his half-moon spectacles increased the aura of grandeur about him.

“Now that the Sorting Hat Ceremony is over, I know none of you can wait to tuck in,” he chuckled, his voice reminding Lan Wangji of honeyed cupcakes. “Without further ado, we will start the Welcoming Feast.” He clapped his hands, and the most marvelous feat of magic took place in front of Lan Wangji.

The four long tables came alive as hundreds of dishes popped into existence, filling every corner with exotic smells and bright colours. The food — half of which looked too good to be eaten — was warm and steaming, ready to be devoured.

Albus Dumbledore, true to his word, indeed let them attack the food at once. He sat back in the Teachers Table, enjoying the meal with fellow professors.

The Gryffindors started to talk and eat together, much to Lan Wangji's confusion. Back in Gusu, no one was allowed to talk during meal-times. Surely, Jiang Cheng knew of that rule, being from the Five Great Pureblood Families…

He was wrong.

Jiang Cheng was talking too. His earlier scowl had vanished, but it had been replaced with something far more serious. He was conversing with someone from the Jin clan, saying things Lan Wangji couldn't make out, though he did hear the words ‘Slytherin’ and ‘impossible’ twice.

Lan Wangji looked at the Slytherin table again.

Wei Wuxian couldn't be seen at all.

It was as if the House had swallowed him whole, hiding him from the outside world behind a shield of smirking Slytherins with pride in their heart and poison in their minds.

~~•~~

After Dumbledore had finished listing out the various do’s and don'ts of Hogwarts, which mainly consisted of not going anywhere that was marked as ‘Dangerous,’ the Feast ended.

Lan Wangji had not been able to eat much of anything. It was absurd to be so affected by another guy’s Sorting, but he was unfortunately unable to get it out of his mind. He cast a mournful look as the dishes disappeared. He would have liked to try the desserts, but somehow, they had not looked appetising today.

By that time, most of the First Years were yawning. The Prefects stood up to escort their Houses to their respective dormitories.

The Gryffindor Prefect was a gangly, red-haired boy named Andrew Weasley. The Weasleys were one among the Sacred Twenty-Eight families of the Wizarding World. They were purebloods, and the Lans had some of them as guest students in their school.

“First Years, you will get your time-tables tomorrow from Professor McGonagall, who is our Head of House. First Years, please pay attention. Follow me to the Gryffindor Tower.”

They all filed out of the Great Hall, climbing up the infamous moving stairs of Hogwarts that Xiongzhang always complained about. Lan Wangji tried to memorise the route, but the winding corridors seemed to be never-ending. Hogwarts was a huge castle, full of passages, classrooms and hidden corners. It was said that the castle had many secret rooms too.

They climbed up a particularly steep flight of stairs. “If I have to climb these stairs everyday, I am going to levitate myself,” said a girl, flicking her long hair behind her. She wore the signature yellow bracelets of the Jin clan, was small and petite, with eyes that flashed with anger as several boys laughed at her comment.

“You'll get used to it, Mian-Mian,” said a Jin clan boy.

Mian-Mian huffed.

Lan Wangji couldn't disagree with the girl. Where was their dormitory? Where was Gryffindor Tower?

They came to the long-awaited Gryffindor Tower at last, their chatter picking up again as they saw a portrait of a lady in pink staring at them from the wall. It was the Fat Lady, the one who guarded the Gryffindor Dorms and could only be opened by a password. Lan Wangji had read about it in Hogwarts: A History.

“Lemon plum,” said the Prefect.

The door swung open.

Everyone gasped as they saw the inviting inside of the dorms. Lan Wangji ducked his head to enter, and was immediately struck by how red the entire room was. It was a large Common Room, full of plush armchairs with red-velvet cushioning, red wallpapers, golden rugs, a grating fireplace and rows and rows of…trophies?

“Are those Quidditch Cups?” asked Jiang Cheng, his eyes shining.

The older Gryffindors nodded.

“Alright, off you kids go,” said a Fourth Year Gryffindor. “Go to sleep, kids. We are about to have our Welcome Party now.”

Several of the First Years chorused, “We can't participate?”

Lan Wangji hoped the answer would be negative.

Sure enough, it was, and the First Years were pushed up the stairs to the dormitory, divided between the boys and the girls. Lan Wangji found himself squeezed beside Jiang Cheng as they climbed up.

He looked at the Jiang, who seemed to be always scowling or laughing. There was no in-between.

Jiang Cheng cast him with an uneasy glance. “So, Gryffindor, huh? I thought you would be Ravenclaw.”

Lan Wangji nodded.

They came to a series of doors, upon which were stuck papers with names of four students written on it. The Gryffindors shared dorms, with 4 in each. Lan Wangji saw that he was going to become roommates with…surprise, Jiang Cheng, and two others: Song Lan and Xiao Xingchen.

Lan Wangji suddenly felt something happen to his chest. It took him a moment to place the feeling as fear. Fear was not something he experienced very often, but it was always an unpleasant sensation to have. It rooted in his heart and refused to go away for a long time, painting the world in darker shades.

He turned around, hoping to see someone smiling at him, giving him the final encouragement he needed to get inside the den of the lion.

Of course, there was no one here to do that.

What had he been expecting anyways? Wei Wuxian?

Lan Wangji felt utterly alone. He wanted to cry.

Chapter Text

1961, HOGWARTS

AS WEI WUXIAN stood up and strode down the Great Hall, he caught Lan Zhan looking at him as if he had sprouted wings.

He slowed his confident stride across the Hall (where had the confidence come from?) and looked at him until he was swallowed by the burly Gryffindors and could be seen no more.

Wei Wuxian shook his head, mostly in mirth. Just a minute ago, he had been chatting with the boy without worrying about any kind of consequences. But now, within a minute, he and Lan Zhan had been reduced to two different people from two different Houses.

Gryffindors and Slytherins.

The eternal rivalry of Hogwarts, never to be broken.

And he and Lan Zhan were now going to be rivals for the rest of their lives, even if Wei Wuxian did not feel an ounce of anger towards the Lan. He knew how House practices worked. People had to act as enemies for the sake of maintaining appearances.

He came to a stop in front of the Slytherin table.

The students looked at him in open-mouthed wonder and curiosity. Some of the students looked angry, their brows furrowed and fists clenched, though he could not understand why anyone would be angry at him for no reason.

Then, his mind suddenly clicked.

This was Slytherin. In Slytherin, one did not need a reason to be hateful towards each other.

“Welcome to another magical year at Hogwarts.” He turned to see the grinning figure of Albus Dumbledore, wearing a glittering blue-and-golden robe that shone like the stars. He began to address them as if they were long-lost friends instead of students.

Wei Wuxian sat down on the last chair, as far away from the rest of the Slytherins as was possible. They were still staring at him in a way that made him feel strangely exposed. All his confidence from earlier had vanished too soon.

Wei Wuxian would never know how he had managed to stand and walk towards Slytherin. After the Sorting Hat had decided his fate, Wei Wuxian had reeled in shock, a dark blanket falling over his eyes. He tried to make out Shijie, but her head was bent so low that he could not see her face.

Jiang Cheng was a different matter. He was drilling holes into Wei Wuxian's skull, his eyebrows raised to his forehead and his eyes full of questions. He tilted his head, trying to make sense of what he was seeing.

He did not smile at Wei Wuxian.

In fact, no one clapped too. The Great Hall remained in a state of pin-drop silence. Was hin getting into Slytherin that serious?

He blinked and saw Madame Yu's face, sneering at him, laughing in that volatile way she did whenever she won and Wei Wuxian lost.

She had told him, time and again, that going to Hogwarts to learn magic would be the biggest mistake of his life as an orphan mudblood whose Golden Core was not strong enough. In fact, he only had his Golden Core because of his mother, who was often spoken of in tones of great reverence.

Wei Wuxian gritted his teeth.

It was crazy how Madame Yu was here too, in the one place where she had no chance of coming.

So, he stood up. His legs carried him to the Slytherin table, making him sit down. His hands moved when the food appeared, hot and delicious. Wei Wuxian had planned to enjoy it with Jiang Cheng and Lan Zhan. Even Nie Huiasang would have been a good partner. They would have enjoyed the famous cuisine together.

But now, he had to eat it himself.

He barely felt the rice go down his throat, the silk-like curry flowing through his blood. He did not touch the desserts, though the bountiful cakes and sweets looked like paintings.

He heard snippets of the conversation the other Slytherins were having.

“What about this year, Malfoy? Who is going to get the supplies?”

“I don't know, Rosier. Damn Lestrange to hell. He promised he’d bring the whiskey.”

“Hey, who is that guy?”

“First Year.”

“Isn't he awfully short for his age?”

“I heard he was a Squib.”

Wei Wuxian looked at a trio of chattering Second Years. He was not a Squib, but it seemed as though the others thought him to be. However, one of them pointed to a boy sitting two chairs down Wei Wuxian, speculating about his Squib heritage.

They were not talking about him.

They were talking about some other boy.

Wei Wuxian looked at a boy sitting with his head bowed, poking at his soup without eating it. He was indeed short, even scrawnier than Huiasang, and he looked as if he were about to burst into tears any second.

Another First Year, then. None of the Slytherins were interacting with him, so he was another outcast too. Maybe the reason was his Squib heritage.

Wei Wuxian gripped his fork tightly enough to make his knuckles turn white. In a flash, an important detail about Slytherin came to his mind. The Snake House was an exclusively pureblood House.

It was dominated by the Malfoys, the Rosiers, the Yaxleys and others of the Sacred Twenty-Eight families, not to mention the Wen Clan that had almost monopolised it.

Wei Wuxian could see the Wens from where he sat. Their glares and a general dislike for everything that moved made them quite easy to spot.

Almost no half-bloods, squibs or muggles made it in Slytherin, and the House had begun to consider itself as a pureblood supre…supremacy-something.

Uncle Jiang talked about it quite often.

Wei Wuxian leaned back, his appetite forgotten.

Oh Merlin, he thought, his eyes swimming. Oh Merlin.

What would a mudblood like him do in Slytherin?

~~•~~

The food from the tables vanished as the Welcoming Feast ended. The other three tables stood up, ready to go back to their dormitories and settle in for the night.

“Slytherins, Slytherins,” drawled a tall boy, clapping his hands to attract attention. He had piercing blue eyes and fine, silver hair that fell down to his shoulders. At his stentorian voice, several people snapped into attention, in a way an army might when their Commander said something.

A shining Prefects badge was attached to the collar of the boy’s shirt.

“My name is Edmund Malfoy and I am your Prefect.” He paused, then flicked his eyes to Wei Wuxian once. “Follow me to the dormitories. I do not want any trouble, any mischief and certainly no getting lost in the dungeons. If any of you fall behind, then I will not come back to search you.” He finished his cold speech with a colder smile. “Walk.”

He turned around, his robes swinging around him and clicked his heels as they took a different direction from the other Houses.

Wei Wuxian glanced behind to see the crimson line of Gryffindors climbing up the stairs to get to Gryffindor Tower. The Ravenclaws followed suit, going to the western Ravenclaw Tower.

The Hufflepuffs trooped towards the end of the Great Hall. They stayed near the Kitchens, in the Hufflepuff Basement. Shijie had told him all about it.

“It is the best place on Earth,” she had smiled, while combing his hair one winter’s night. “It is a cozy, warm place that looks like a badger’s sett. We focus more on keeping things natural. You'd love the beds, A-Xian.”

Wei Wuxian smiled at the memory.

Atleast someone was staying in a warm dormitory, unlike himself, who was going to the infamous Slytherin dungeons beneath the Black Lake. The location itself sounded damp and cold, making an involuntary shiver run down his spine.

Wei Wuxian did not like the cold.

The First Years were made to climb down several steps of stairs. Each flight of stairs took them deeper inside the Earth, down and down and down, until the candles and lights disappeared and flickering firesticks appeared, taped to the wall, emitting a greenish glow.

Wei Wuxian touched one of the walls. It was damp to the touch, moss clinging to the surface and making it green. It seemed that the entirety of the dungeons, including Nature herself, was decked out in green for Slytherin.

“Careful now,” came Edmund Malfoy’s voice. He was leading the line with a powerful burst of light from his wand. “Look out for the stairs.”

Wei Wuxian raised an eyebrow. At least he had the decency to warn them.

When he stepped on to the first step, he understood instantly why Edmund Malfoy had warned them.

These stairs were cut from the Earth itself, blending with the rocky floor underneath. No light, except that of the firesticks, showed its light here, making the steps harder to discern. They were steep and high, making him lift his legs to climb down carefully, one hand on the wall.

Why didn't stairs like this ever have a railing?

As Wei Wuxian stepped on to the third stair, he heard a sound behind him.

He turned around, startled, more by the fact that he was the last in the line than by the sound. As far as he knew, he was the last in line. Who was there behind him, and for how long had they been there?

Recognition came to him as soon as he saw. It was the Squib.

The small boy was clutching the wall, gasping for breath as softly as possible. He was looking at the stairs with a frown, his knees were bent and his eyes wide.

Wei Wuxian nudged him. “What happened?”

The boy jumped back, nearly crashing down the stairs as he did so. Wei Wuxian was sure he would have fallen and broken his head had he not caught the boy, catching a hold of his pin-wheeling arms.

“Hey,” he said, steadying the boy, setting him down on his feet. “Are you alright? Hurt yourself, didn't you?”

It was obvious. The boy was cringing in clear pain, some discomfort in his body that was making him unable to climb down the stairs.

The boy shook his head in a suspiciously fast reaction. “I–I am fine!”

Wei Wuxian snorted. “Yeah, sure. Listen, I heard you gasp in pain. You are clearly hurt, somewhere in your legs, if I'm not mistaken. Tell me.”

The boy pointed ahead. “They are going,” he squeaked.

Wei Wuxian turned to see the entire group having moved forward. They were at the base of the stairs, and he saw the silver head of Malfoy jumping down on the floor.

The boy tried to jostle past him, but Wei Wuxian did not allow him to move.

“Prefect!” he shouted, his voice becoming a hideous echo that gonged around the cavernous hall. “Prefect Malfoy, could you please wait for a minute? There is someone who has hurt himself.”

The First Years stalled.

Wei Wuxian saw Malfoy squint his eyes to make out him and the boy. When he saw who they were, he shrugged and continued walking.

Wei Wuxian frowned. Why was he going away? The First Years followed him like a row of ducklings, none of them stopping or providing any explanation.

The boy grimaced. “Please do not worry about me,” he said, trying (and failing) to be polite. “I can walk completely fine.”

He shook away Wei Wuxian's hand and attempted to climb down another step. But, as was imminent, he lost his footing and was about to take a tumble down the stairs when Wei Wuxian caught him again.

“Please do not worry about me,” repeated Wei Wuxian, modelling his voice into a higher pitched tone to imitate the boy. “I am fine.” He hauled the boy up and looked him in the eye. “Fine? My ass. You are so not fine, whoever you are. If you do not want to die, I suggest you say what has happened to you.”

The boy squirmed. “They are going away,” he wailed.

Wei Wuxian couldn't see the issue. “So?”

“So? So we will be lost without them leading us to the dungeons. What the hell is wrong with you?” The boy clamped his mouth shut, his eyes widening as he registered what he just said. “S-sorry. I didn't—”

Wei Wuxian sighed. Jiang Cheng told him to go and die at least twelve times a day. “Don’t worry. Look, you are wasting time. We can still catch up to them if you just tell me what is wrong and let me heal you.”

“Heal me?” asked the boy. “You can perform magic?”

“Elementary level,” said Wei Wuxian. “Where are you hurt?”

The boy took so long to reply that Wei Wuxian was thinking of just picking him up and throwing him over his shoulder.

“My leg is cut,” he murmured, at last.

Wei Wuxian perked up. “Which leg? How did you cut yourself?”

“Right leg. I…fell down earlier. My leg was cut open. I bandaged it and kept going, but now I bumped into a wall and the wound opened up again.” The boy flinched. “I'm pretty sure it's bleeding.”

Wei Wuxian took a deep breath. The wound sounded rather serious, and he wasn't sure if he could heal it. Shijie had taught him only a few basic spells to heal scratches and nicks, not cuts deep enough to bleed.

He felt the wand in his pocket grow heavy abruptly, as if it could sense that its assistance was required. He almost drew it out too. After the incident at Ollivander's, he hadn't touched the wand for two nights straight, but his curiosity piqued on the third day and he performed a simple cleaning spell with it.

The spell was completed efficiently by the wand.

That had led Wei Wuxian to conclude that the wand had been merely having a bad day at Ollivander's, but was completely respectable otherwise. All that stuff about the “Dark Arts” and whatever was pure crap and superstition.

Should he use it now? The wand should be able to do healing spells, right?

Something in his gut told him that revealing his wand would not be good.

Wei Wuxian rubbed his hands. “Alright. Look. I can carry you—”

“Absolutely not!” screeched the boy.

Wei Wuxian had expected this. The boy felt like a cat, skittish and indifferent to care. But like cats, he had to be helped too.

“I am going to help you climb down the stairs,” he said, making his voice intentionally harder. “Do not talk. Come on, hold me.” He offered him his arm. “Come on!”

The boy latched on.

Wei Wuxian maneuvered his arms around the boy’s waist and held him securely. The boy was clearly over-thinking their close proximity, but Wei Wuxian did not care enough to consider the boy’s feelings right now.

They climbed down the steps slowly. By the time they felt solid ground beneath their feet, none of the Slytherin First Years were visible anymore.

Wei Wuxian halted. He looked at the long corridor that lay ahead, winding into the dark unknown. There were no other corridors in sight, so this must have been the one they'd taken.

“Come on,” he said to the boy, who now freely held him with a little less hesitation. They trudged down the corridor together, and Wei Wuxian couldn't have been happier for the firesticks flickering alongside.

“Don't you think the dungeons are creepy?” he asked, looking at the boy. Under the green fire, he suddenly looked sharper, his eyes coming into prominent focus. The irises were a dark brown, complimenting his jet black hair and pale face. The boy pressed his lips together, which created two dimples on his cheeks.

It was oddly endearing.

“This is Slytherin,” the boy spat the word like poison. “Of course it is going to be creepy.”

“Well, yes,” agreed Wei Wuxian. “But don't you think the Slytherins are trying too hard to be creepy? I mean, would it have killed them to provide normal lights here instead of these green firesticks? And what's with these corridors? Why are they so drab?”

He huffed. “If you ask me, Dimples, then I'll say that the Slytherins are just a bunch of snobs who want to appear creepy to feel special.”

The boy gave a cough. “What did you call me?” There was no threat in his voice, just surprise.

Wei Wuxian smiled. “Dimples. That would be a nice nickname, don't you think? You can call me whatever you want to. The nickname culture is high in our house. For example, I often call Shijie Beautiful, because she's beautiful, you know? As for A-Cheng, he's Mr. Angry. He's always angry. I find simple nicknames the most effective. I can call you Mr. I-Am-Fine, but I doubt you'd like that.”

The boy did not say anything. He only listened to Wei Wuxian chatter.

Wei Wuxian loved people who listened to him without growing irritated. He kept on talking, partly because he wanted to distract the boy from his pain, and partly because he felt like he could breath for the first time in an hour.

They soon arrived in a open space with a blank wall ahead. There was nowhere else to go.

The boy let go of Wei Wuxian. “Where do we go now?”

Wei Wuxian scratched his head. His hair was coming undone already. “Uh…I think the wall has something to do with it. I mean, it must be the entrance to the Slytherin dorms.”

“Okay.” The boy limped to the wall. “I don't see any doors.”

Wei Wuxian began to press the cement bricks this way and that. He knew that some areas of Hogwarts operated in a mechanism of bricks and walls, where one could push a certain brick to reveal a hidden opening in a wall or a door. But the wall remained as it was.

“We are not getting inside, are we?” asked the boy, after about ten minutes. He sat down on the floor. “We are not getting inside.”

Wei Wuxian scowled. “How do you know that?”

“The Slytherin dorms require a password to open and we don't have that.”

Oh.

That was the problem.

Wei Wuxian leaned against the wall, massaging the bridge of his nose. Of course. Every dormitory opened with passwords.

Which they didn't know.

Wei Wuxian thumped on the wall. “Hello?” he shouted, eliciting a gasp from the boy.

No one answered.

For the next half-an-hour, Wei Wuxian dropped to the ground and yelled, threw punches and yelled, kicked at the wall and yelled, licked the wall once (“What are you doing? Oh Merlin!” swore the boy) just to see if that would work.

But as was his luck, nothing happened.

“Surely they must hear us,” said Wei Wuxian, slipping to the floor to join the boy. “They are having a party tonight. They were talking about supplies of whiskey during dinner. They must be awake.”

Wei Wuxian knew the Slytherins were a bad bunch, but to treat their own House members like this was outrageous and confusing. He knew how loudly he had yelled. People must have heard them.

Edmund Malfoy surely heard them.

Did the guy have no fear? What was he thinking by leaving two First Years behind like this? Surely, the professors would…

“They don't care about us,” said the boy, his voice dropping to a whisper. “They can leave us out because we are not important.”

Wei Wuxian's scowl deepened. He could feel the beginnings of anger deep inside his chest, threatening to burst out any second. His neck grew hot. His wand felt heavier, again.

“This is so not done,” he said, getting up and pacing up and down. “Hey, who is the Head of Slytherin House?”

“Professor Horace Slughorn,” said the boy.

Wei Wuxian nodded. He knew nothing about the professor, but he was sure that to solve this problem, he would need the help of a teacher. An adult.

He would show them.

He would show Edmund Malfoy that Wei Wuxian wasn't to be ignored.

“You stay here,” he ordered the boy. “I'll go to Professor Slughorn.”

The boy scrambled to get up. “Are you insane?”

“I might just be,” said Wei Wuxian. His mind was set. He did not know where Professor Slughorn stayed, or whether they were even allowed to talk to him about such matters. All he knew was that he was being unfairly treated, and by Merlin, would he stand up for himself.

And Dimples.

“You stay here,” he repeated, heading down the corridor. “If I do not come back in an hour’s time, I'm afraid you'd have to spend the night outside.”

“That is not what I'm worried about,” snapped Dimples. “I'm worried about you! You cannot—”

“I can.”

Wei Wuxian did not stop or look back.

He just went on.

Edmund Malfoy was going to have one hell of a first day. Served him bloody right.

Chapter Text

1961, HOGWARTS

THE MUSIC DID NOT STOP.

Instead, it kept on going, the melodies floating up from the Common Room and entering the dormitories in full force.

“What song even is this?” asked Xiao Xingchen, looking at the door with disgust in his face. He crinkled his nose. “I don't like it.”

Lan Wangji sighed.

In the short one hour since he had known his two dorm-mates, he had come to know that Xiao Xingchen and Song Lan were best friends since childhood; that Xiao Xingchen had wanted Ravenclaw and Song Lan was a half-blood; that Song Lan despised spicy food and Xiao Xingchen had a weird love for insects.

It was a lot of information to take in one night.

Song Lan talked. Not as much as Wei Wuxian, but close enough. He had expressed adequate confusion at Wei Wuxian going to Slytherin, had offered Jiang Cheng some meaningless words of comfort, then promptly passed out.

Jiang Cheng, it seemed, had completely forgotten about Lan Wangji and his existence. He consistently ignored him, even when Lan Wangji looked at him a couple of times. He chatted with Song Lan, though not as joyfully as he was in the train, then snored off to sleep.

Xiao Xingchen brought out a book. “Do you mind if I keep the light on for a while?” he asked, waving a copy of ‘First Year Charms.’

Lan Wangji shook his head.

So Xiao Xingchen sat there, reading at his table, while Lan Wangji looked around the dormitory.

The Gryffindor dorms were just as red and loud as the Common Room. There were four beds with blankets, pillows and other necessities. Each bed had its own cupboard and desk. Their suitcases were already sitting on their beds, with letters from Professor Minerva McGonagall herself, detailing their classes and routines.

The Gryffindors shared two classes with the Slytherins: Charms and Defence Against the Dark Arts.

Great, thought Lan Wangji. Two classes with the Slytherins ought to go well.

In fact, the Gryffindors shared only one class with Ravenclaw: Potions.

Surprisingly, they had three classes with Hufflepuff: Herbology, History of Magic and Flying.

Lan Wangji packed his clothes in the cupboard. Jiang Cheng and Song Lan had not even opened their suitcases, but Xiao Xingchen had prepared both his and Song Lan’s suitcases.

There was no way Lan Wangji was going to do that to Jiang Cheng's bulging suitcase.

He took care of his own. He wrote a letter to his uncle back at Gusu, providing him with the barest of details. He almost skimmed over the fact that he was a Gryffindor now, but he knew he had to include it.

Lying was forbidden in their house.

At the end, the letter had come out looking like this:

Dear Uncle,
We have arrived safely. I have been sorted into Gryffindor.
I'll write to you soon.

Yours sincerely,
Lan Wangji.

He folded the letter, gave it to Bichen, his trusted snowy-owl, then laid on his new bed.

That was when the music started.

It had been low at first, soft and dull, just a background noise. Lan Wangji had to sleep, he knew. Classes would start from 9:00 a.m. sharp. He had eleven hours left to sleep, but he was unable to use the time when the music began to grow louder, the beats heavier.

Xiao Xingchen closed his book with a snap. “Seriously? A Ray Charles song? I thought the Gryffindors would like something with more snap.” He laughed softly, as if sharing an inside joke with Lan Wangji.

Lan Wangji asked despite himself. “Who is Ray Charles?”

Xiao Xingchen’s eyes widened. “You haven't heard 'Hit The Road Jack'? Come on.” He began to sing in a low voice. “Hit the road Jack, and don't you come back..?”

Lan Wangji tried to swallow, but found his throat way too dry to do that. He shook his head.

Xiao Xingchen shot him a look. “Okay…”

He went back to reading, his long black hair illuminated by the lamps, and Lan Wangji suddenly found himself thinking of the red ribbon in Wei Wuxian's hair.

Oh Merlin.

This was getting ridiculous.

The song had changed now. The tempo was higher, or was that the pitch? Lan Wangji couldn't remember the last time he had heard music of any sort, except for his guqin lessons and his brother's flute classes. Uncle did not like anything other than classical music.

That meant music of this kind was forbidden.

Lan Wangji turned to his side. The party was going on in full swing, it seemed. People’s laughter echoed up from below, someone shouted an urgent “Move!”, which was followed by a chorus of panicked yells.

Something burst.

Lan Wangji pressed his ears to his pillow.

How was he supposed to go to sleep like this? It was impossible. Whenever night fell in Gusu, no sounds of merry-making could be heard, so as to not disturb anyone’s sleep. That was the only considerate thing to do. And yet, these people were partying like it was their last night on Earth.

Did they not have classes tomorrow?

Or did they just not care?

The latter seemed more likely for the Gryffindors.

Lan Wangji bit his lips when he realised that he was a Gryffindor now too. He did not have any right to speak of them as foreigners anymore.

It was at this moment that he decided the Sorting Hat was complete crap. Jiang Cheng used that word a lot, and Lan Wangji had come to know the meaning of it.

There was no way that he fit in Gryffindor. Lan Wangji knew what kind of a person he was. He liked the quiet, hated the noise and stayed away from chaos. Chaos was unpredictable. It did not follow patterns, and Lan Wangji felt a desperate kind of fear when he was not in control of the situation. He actively sought out peace, but Gryffindor was the opposite of ‘peace.’

The Sorting Hat was so, so wrong.

This was what he would tell his uncle when he went back home in Christmas. “The Sorting Hat is wrong,” he would say, and uncle would understand that Lan Wangji was really a Ravenclaw, not a Gryffindor.

Lans belonged to Ravenclaw.

They were the pioneers of knowledge and one of the first Five Great Pureblood Families to promote a healthy system of magical education, that resulted in the birth of Hogwarts. In a way, the Lans created Hogwarts. Godric Gryffindor, Rowena Ravenclaw, Helga Hufflepuff and Salazar Slytherin were only brilliant wizards who made the dream come true.

But the original dream was that of the Lans.

Thus, Ravenclaw was the House that was theirs. Some previous Lan family members had been in Hufflepuff too, but Gryffindor was never one of them.

And he, Lan Wangji, was suddenly a lion now.

It was beyond humiliating. More so, it was scary.

Lan Wangji let out a scowl as the music deepened and a pounding behind his head began to take root. Thinking in unstable environments was not good. He had to get out of here, maybe go outside for a while and calm his head.

He wouldn't be able to sleep like this.

“Where you going?” asked Xiao Xingchen, as Lan Wangji pulled on a robe over his pajamas and slipped on his shoes.

Lan Wangji was already out of the door. “Great Hall,” he said, shortly, not allowing Xiao Xingchen to say anything else as he closed the door behind him.

When he came to the Common Room, the smell of sweat, magic and whiskey hit him in full force. Alcohol was forbidden in the Lan Clan, but Gusu was famous for its expensive bottles of Emperor's Smile — widely regarded as the best fruit-wine in all of the clans.

Lan Wangji knew what alcohol smelled like.

He inched downstairs, trying to make no noise. He did not need much effort; the music was blasting so loudly that he doubted they could hear him even if he shouted. He pushed himself against the wall and slid along till he came to the door.

“Lemon plum,” he said, thankful that he had remembered the bizarre password. The door swung open, the Fat Lady sleeping.

Lan Wangji got out.

~~•~~

THE GREAT HALL looked different. Bigger, somehow, without the large crowd of students and professors crowding it.

Most of the floating candles were extinguished, leaving half the hall in darkness. The middle of the room was illuminated, so Lan Wangji went there. He hovered around the Gryffindor table, that looked unusually regal in its red-and-gold decorations.

Then, his eyes fell on the navy blue of the Ravenclaw table.

Lan Wangji touched the Ravenclaw table. If the Sorting Hat had been correct, then he would have been sitting at this table with Xiongzhang. He would have worn the blue-and-silver robes, put on the blue tie and seen his brother every day.

Of course, that was all gone.

Lan Wangji looked around. There was no one in the room.

He sat down at the Ravenclaw table, just to see how it felt like.

Lan Wangji rested his head on his hands. Tomorrow, he would have to face the fact that he was a Gryffindor. He had to look his brother in the eye during their shared classes and tell him that the Sorting Hat was wrong. Tomorrow, he would have to wear the crimson tie (it was ugly) and spend his entire day with fellow house-mates.

If all of them were going to be as loud as Jiang Cheng and the dancing seniors, then he was gone.

Tomorrow—

“Lan Zhan?”

Lan Wangji froze. He held his breath, his heart thundering against his chest at the lack of oxygen. He did not turn around, because he knew the other would come to him.

He was right.

A red ribbon fluttered into view, then came Wei Wuxian's face.

“What are you doing here?” he asked, his face shining with sweat. He cast a glance at the table, but did not say anything about it.

Lan Wangji wished he could dig a hole right now and die.

Would he have to explain things to Wei Wuxian now? He did not want to, and a certain guilt came over his heart when he recalled how he had not clapped for the boy, had not been able to return the favour.

Wei Wuxian poked his shoulder. “Earth to Lan Zhan?”

Lan Wangji took a deep breath. “What are you doing here?” he asked.

Wei Wuxian shook his head. “I asked first.”

“I am asking now.”

“Give me your answer first.”

Lan Wangji swallowed. “I…nothing. I couldn't sleep, so.”

Wei Wuxian nodded, as if he understood everything. “At least you could get inside your dorm. I couldn't even do that.”

Lan Wangji sat up straighter. “What?”

Wei Wuxian poured out his story. “We were going to the Slytherin dungeons, when Dimples — First Year boy in Slytherin — could not walk due to a leg injury. I stopped to take care of him, but by the time the both of us arrived in front of the dungeon, the wall was closed and nobody had told us the password. I shouted for someone to come outside, but no one did. So now, I'm going to Professor Slughorn to complain and get inside.”

Lan Wangji gawked when the story finished. “Professor Slughorn would be asleep by now,” he said, standing up.

“I know,” said Wei Wuxian. The smile was gone from his face. His eyes, usually a calm black, were now intense, with flashes of anger thundering in them. “But he's the Head of House and he has to take care of this problem.”

Lan Wangji pressed his forehead with his index finger. Wei Wuxian had no idea what trouble he was getting himself into. “I do not think the Slytherins would take this kindly,” he tried to explain, stepping closer to him. “If you complain, they will get a scolding. But who will save you from their wrath once Professor Slughorn is gone?”

Wei Wuxian raised an eyebrow. “You think I can't protect myself?”

Lan Wangji frowned. “Yes, you can. But if all the Slytherins gang up against you—”

“Lan Zhan, I'm going,” said Wei Wuxian. There was a hardness in his voice that he had not heard before. “You can either stay here or accompany me.”

Accompany him?

Was he mad?

Lan Wangji almost laughed at the suggestion. “Wei Wuxian, I do not think you should go.”

Wei Wuxian smiled, but it was not a real one. “I think I should go.”

Lan Wangji had never seen someone like him in his life.

The boy was beyond stubborn. He was a hopeless case. Wei Wuxian turned on his heel and began to climb the stairs winding up from the Great Hall. The third floor housed the offices of the four Heads of Houses, and Professor Slughorn might be there.

Lan Wangji stood in his spot. He knew what the Slytherins were. He had read about some of their darkest deeds and their frequent association with the Dark Arts. If Wei Wuxian got on their nerves now, he was going to face seven years of hell in his own House.

Should he help him?

It was absurd how quickly Lan Wangji's mind jumped straight to “help.”

Why should he help Wei Wuxian? In retrospect, Lan Wangji had no compulsion to, but that day, with sleep in his eyes and a heaviness in his heart, he followed Wei Wuxian up the stairs too.

Wei Wuxian gave a laugh. “Are you actually coming with me? Good, good. Maybe Professor Slughorn will see you and believe me.”

“I will not talk with him,” said Lan Wangji. “Do not drag me inside this problem.”

Wei Wuxian held up his hands. “Understood. You do not want trouble. Why would you? I will talk to Slughorn and sleep in my own dorm, not on the floor.”

Lan Wangji crossed his arms. If there was one thing remotely good about the Slytherins, it was their astounding unity. They behaved like one unit, all of them taking great pride in their House. Slytherins were known for their loyalty to the group. Why then, were they excluding Wei Wuxian and whoever this other guy was?

Wei Wuxian was powerful. Lan Wangji knew that, given his wand and the magic that had come out of him at Ollivander's.

The Slytherins liked powerful people.

Had Wei Wuxian already done something to anger them?

“Did you talk with any of them?” he asked, looking at the portraits that lined the wall.

Wei Wuxian shook his head. “I did not. They would not talk to me. Behaved as if I am a piece of garbage. Though,” he said, becoming distant for a while, “I suppose they see me as trash. They are such pureblood supre…supre-something.”

“Supremacist,” finished Lan Wangji.

“Yes! That. So, it makes sense that they don't take kindly to me.” Wei Wuxian sighed. “Everyone thinks we don't know such things, but honestly, when you grow up as a muggle, you tend to get the hang of things pretty early on.”

Oh.

Oh.

Lan Wangji stopped as his mind tried to wrap around the new information. Wei Wuxian was not a pureblood.

He knew that Wei Wuxian had been adopted by the Jiangs, but he would have never guessed that he was a muggle.

Lan Wangji looked at the boy. He was poking at every door, reading the name-plates attached on them. They climbed up, by-passing the moving stairs with ease, as if they had been doing things like this for a long time.

They came to a halt in front of a polished oaken door.

“Professor Horace Slughorn,” read Wei Wuxian. “This is it.” He knocked before Lan Wangji could stop him.

Lan Wangji hoped there was no one inside. It was nearly midnight. Who stayed in their office during such an ungodly hour? He realised, with a shudder, that this was the longest he had been awake for the first time in his life.

Bedtime at Gusu was 10:00 p.m. sharp.

The door swung open.

Lan Wangji, trailing behind Wei Wuxian, quickly shoved himself against a pillar. He watched as a middle-aged man came out. He had grey hair and wore a suit, but he did not look as severe as Professor McGonagall. In fact, he looked rather jolly, with his protruding stomach and round, red-cheeked face.

Lan Wangji would have never pegged the man as a Slytherin.

Horace Slughorn was their Potions professor too, and a pretty good one, if Xiongzhang’s descriptions were anything to go by.

“Hello Professor,” greeted Wei Wuxian, bowing low. “Could you tell me the password to the Slytherin dungeons?”

Horace Slughorn blinked. “What?”

“The password.”

The man looked about him. His eyes rested on Wei Wuxian, and recognition came to him. “Ah, you are the third First Year to get sorted into Slytherin today. Wuxian…Wei Wuxian?”

Wei Wuxian send the man a dazzling grin. “That's me.”

Horace Slughorn smiled. “Why have you not gone with the others? Prefect Malfoy took them—”

“Prefect Malfoy,” interrupted Wei Wuxian, “left us behind.” In a compact yet meaningful way, Wei Wuxian related the story to the professor, who listened with genuine sympathy.

“Well, this is unacceptable,” he said, patting Wei Wuxian on the shoulder. “That other boy is still there, yes? Come with me, boy. Let me go with you.”

Lan Wangji's jaw dropped.

He had never thought that a Slytherin professor would turn out to be this good. Perhaps the Professor did not know that Wei Wuxian was a muggle yet. Yes, once he came to know that, he would not be so kind.

But he led Wei Wuxian out for now, and the boy cast a triumphant smile at the hidden Lan Wangji before he disappeared down the stairs.

~~•~~

WHEN LAN WANGJI came back to his dorm, everyone was asleep. The party had ended. The clock was striking 1:00 in the night.

Lan Wangji slipped beneath his covers, his toes tingling with the excitement of the past hour. He did not know what was happening with Wei Wuxian now, but he hoped that the boy — and Dimples — had got in safely.

Only classes tomorrow (today, rather) would tell the situation.

Lan Wangji closed his eyes. He was a Gryffindor now.

Wei Wuxian was a Slytherin.

His brother was in Ravenclaw.

The Houses of Hogwarts had divided them, but maybe, if tonight was anything to go by, their relationships with each other would not differ much.

Hopefully.

Fortunately.

He slipped into a dreamless slumber.

Chapter Text

1961, HOGWARTS

“GOOD GOD, BOY, are you alright?” asked Professor Slughorn, peering at Dimples, who was dozing off.

Dimples tried to stand up, gathering his too-large robes about himself, but he winced as his injury acted up again.

Wei Wuxian caught him. “There, there.” He then turned to the professor and pointed at the wall.

Professor Slughorn approached the wall. He cleared his throat and uttered: “Per ignem.”

A series of clicks resounded from within the wall as the entire structure shifted to reveal an opening, and Wei Wuxian found himself looking at the entrance to the Slytherin dungeons.

Thirty stunned faces peered at them, the stench of wine strong in the air. One of the girls pushed a crate of beer bottles away, out of sight of the professor.

Edmund Malfoy sauntered over, his eyes roaming over Wei Wuxian and Dimples with a flash of rage, before it quickly transformed into respect. “Professor,” he said, smiling. “What brings you here? I hope you do not mind the state of things here. You know what we do, right?”

Professor Slughorn laughed. “Of course, of course. Malfoy, I would not have come down here if not for these kids.” His brows furrowed. “They told me you did not let them in?”

Malfoy gasped. “I would never do such a thing, Professor,” he lied, his voice not even wavering. “I honestly had no idea that these two got left behind. You should have called me,” he said, looking at Wei Wuxian. “I would have stopped, kid.”

He shrugged his shoulders at Slughorn. “Do you really think I'd do something so irresponsible?”

Slughorn shook his head. “No, no. Well, I guess it was all a misunderstanding. The kid also told me that you were not opening the door despite him shouting, but I guess you couldn't hear it over your party.”

Malfoy chuckled. “Ah, yes. Sorry about that, Professor.”

Slughorn waved a hand. “Say sorry to the kids, Malfoy. Go on, Wei Wuxian.”

The professor walked away after bidding everyone a good-night.

Wei Wuxian looked at Malfoy as soon as Slughorn left. He grabbed Dimples’ hand and walked forward, not looking at any of the Slytherins.

~~•~~

FINDING LAN ZHAN in the Great Hall had been the greatest surprise of Wei Wuxian's life. He had absolutely not expected to see him tonight, but he had caught sight of him as he was hurrying past the Great Hall and could not help but talk.

Lan Zhan did not talk, but he made Wei Wuxian want to talk to him.

Lan Zhan was sitting at the Ravenclaw table. Wei Wuxian was about to ask him about it, but one look at the other's forlorn face and black eye-bags told him that it was not his area to interfere.

He knew exactly what Lan Zhan was feeling, anyways. The Lans were supposed to be Ravenclaws, yet here he was, in Gryffindor. He was probably feeling both scared and out-of-place (though he doubted Lan Zhan ever felt scared, he seemed too tough for that) and was sitting here for comfort.

He was even more surprised when Lan Zhan kicked up an active protest, basically commanding him not to go to Slughorn.

“The Slytherins will not treat you kindly,” he had warned, as if Wei Wuxian did not have the brains to know that.

The final straw, however, came when Lan Zhan actually followed him to Slughorn’s office, minutes after his warnings. He had not helped him actively, but his presence at his back had been more comforting than Wei Wuxian liked to admit.

Lan Zhan was so tough. He probably had no phobias or fears, and he always looked in control. The aura made him reliable, a good friend to have in times of distress.

Still, for all his silent support, he was not here now, and Wei Wuxian had to walk through the Slytherin Common Room in a way that proclaimed that he was not to be messed with any further.

Neither was Dimples, who no longer complained when Wei Wuxian dragged him along.

His eyes scanned the Common Room as quickly as they could. The walls were green, the ceiling was high, expensive paintings and tapestries decorated the walls. At the far end of the cavernous room was a fireplace and a cabinet of gleaming trophies, most of them Quidditch cups. The windows offered a view directly into the Black Lake, lending the place a natural darkness, despite the glowing lamps.

Low tables and stitched rugs made up the seating area.

Two curved staircases stood at the back of the room. They led up to the dormitories, and Wei Wuxian pulled Dimples onto one.

Luck was on his side, for it turned out to be the boys’ dorms.

They climbed up quickly, not sparing a glance at the Slytherins. Wei Wuxian could feel their stares on him. Several unopened alcohol bottles stood in crates. There was no music or dancing happening, but a big game of Wizard’s Chess had been going on prior to their entrance, if the scattered board was anything to go by.

Of course the Slytherins would play chess in a party instead of dancing.

“Here,” hissed Dimples, pushing open a great door on the second floor. “The First Year dorms.”

Wei Wuxian shut the door quickly. He clicked the lock in place and let out the heaviest sigh of his life.

“Merlin,” he said, feeling sweat pooling in his temple. “That was something.”

Dimples looked close to a panic attack. “I was so scared,” he admitted, leaning against the wall. Room after room stretched on, facing each other on either side of the long corridor they found themselves in. The doors had names stuck on them.

Wei Wuxian groaned as he realised that he'd have to share a dorm with three other Slytherins. When he told this to Dimples, he shook his head.

“This is Slytherin, not Gryffindor or Hufflepuff. In Slytherin, each dorm is shared by only three people.”

“Not any better,” said Wei Wuxian. “How do they put up the names so soon? We just got sorted.”

Dimples raised an eyebrow. “Magic. Ever heard of that?”

Wei Wuxian laughed, stunned. Dimples was growing bolder. “I never knew you were so sarcastic, Dimples.”

“Do not call me that,” said Dimples.

“Then what should I call you?”

“My name.”

“And what is your name?”

Dimples muttered something.

“What?” asked Wei Wuxian.

“Meng Yao,” said Dimples.

Wei Wuxian nodded. Meng Yao.

He began to walk towards the doors. Sure enough, each dorm had three names taped to the doors.

“Uh, I'm here,” said Meng Yao. He was pointing at a room in the middle of the corridor. Wei Wuxian saw that the list had his name, along with two others: Wen Zhuliu and Alexander Avery.

Wei Wuxian crossed his arms. Great. Meng Yao would be rooming with two purebloods.

Meng Yao seemed to have come to the same thought, for he stood outside the dorm without getting in.

Wei Wuxian placed a hand on his shoulder. “Calm down, Dimples,” he said, grinning. “This should be fine. If you face any trouble, just call me.”

Meng Yao nodded. “Thank you,” he said and gave a sudden bow.

“Woah, woah,” said Wei Wuxian. “Merlin. Get a grip on yourself, Meng Yao. Go!”

Meng Yao cast one last look at him, then opened the door and stepped inside.

Wei Wuxian got his name soon after that. His roommate was one Wen Chao. There was no third person, which made him both relaxed and anxious.

No Wen was a good person. Ever.

From his childhood, he had been hearing stories about the largest of the Five Great Pureblood Families: the Wen Clan. They lived in Qishan — an isolated country full of active volcanoes and ragged land. The Wens were always Slytherins and had no qualms in being arrogant to the other clans. Their wealth and power only heightened their pride and wrath.

Wen Chao better be a tolerable one.

Wei Wuxian entered. The first thing that hit him was that the room was huge.

Similar green-and-silver walls greeted him, with an ornate ceiling and an actual fireplace inside the room. The room was partitioned in two parts. Each part had a bed, cupboard and desk, with a thick silver curtain in the middle that could be drawn for privacy. The beds themselves had curtains too.

Wei Wuxian could see no other colour other than emerald, silver and black.

There was a person asleep on the second bed. It was probably Wen Chao, sleeping peacefully after having an equally peaceful dinner. His curtains were drawn, so there was no way to see his face.

His Nimbus 1500 and suitcase were on his bed, with a letter on top of it, written by Professor Slughorn. It detailed their routine and classes. Wei Wuxian kept it to check on at a later time.

For now, he concentrated upon his sleeping cat, about whom he had completely forgotten.

“I'm sorry,” he said, stroking the cat. She purred.

Wei Wuxian had picked her out as soon as they had hit the pet shop on Diagon Alley that day. She had looked at him out of her cage in a very sad way, her eyes large and ears dropping. There was no way Wei Wuxian could resist that expression.

It was a pity that the cat liked Lan Zhan more than him.

Wei Wuxian opened his suitcase. Shijie had packed in everything, and with her usual thoughtfulness, had kept the bottle of cat-food at the very top. He gave the cat her dinner, then clasped the suitcase shut after taking out his toothbrush and pajamas. He will take care of his clothes tomorrow.

He walked to the bathroom at the far end of the room. Even the bathroom was impressive, with jade tiles, a huge bathtub in one corner (seriously, who was ever going to use that?) and a walk-in shower at the other. There was also a silver mirror on top of the sink.

All in all, the Slytherins knew how to spend their money.

When he slipped under the blanket, Wei Wuxian realised how tired he was. Classes would start early in the morning. He had only seven hours to shut his eyes. The events of the day were finally catching up to him.

His cat curled up at the foot of the bed.

Wei Wuxian slept.

~~•~~

WEI WUXIAN HAD NEVER THOUGHT that one day, he would wake up and find himself suffocating, but today was the day it happened.

“Move,” he groaned, clawing at the cat, who had made her bed atop his chest, with her black tail on his nose. The cat did not stir.

Wei Wuxian managed to push her awake with considerable strength. His eyes fell upon the grand clock on the wall.

It was 8:30.

Wei Wuxian shot up from his bed. He looked at the other side of the room, but Wen Chao was nowhere to be seen. He had left behind a crumpled blanket and an unmade bed, but otherwise his side was decidedly empty.

He could not, under any circumstances, be late for his first class.

Wei Wuxian dug out the routine. First class was…oh hell, Charms with the Gryffindors. Was the world trying to punish him for killing that marigold tree after pouring bad milk upon it back in Lotus Pier? That had been an accident. Besides, Madame Yu shouldn't have given him bad milk in the first place.

He rushed to the bathroom and had a quick shower. He gave his cat breakfast, then sped to get dressed. He grabbed his Charms textbook, stuffed a pen in his pocket and a worn-out notebook, then flew out to the Great Hall.

Would he even get time for breakfast?

Wei Wuxian raced through the empty Common Room. He climbed up the stairs and arrived at the entrance to the Great Hall, then shrieked like a banshee as he came face-to-face with Shijie.

“Shijie!” he gasped, holding his chest. “What are you doing here?”

Shijie laughed and held him steady. “I was waiting for you,” she explained, brushing his uniform. “You did not arrive for breakfast and I cannot get into the Slytherin dungeons. I was waiting for you. Here,” she produced a bun. “You do not have time for a proper breakfast, I'm afraid. Lan Wangji told me your first class starts in five minutes.”

Wei Wuxian's heart swelled with warmth. “I cannot express how much I love you,” he said, shoving the bun in his mouth. It exploded in a swirl of sugar and butter. “Thank you. Where is the Charms classroom?”

He kissed her on the cheek when she told him and skedaddled up the stairs, never noticing the dark wrinkles of worry on his Shijie’s face.

“Damn you!” he cursed, as one of the staircases moved and caused him to almost fall on his head. Why did the stairs even move? He knew he was running out of time. He could not afford to be late to his first-ever class at Hogwarts.

Two floors up, he reached the Charms classroom. He gingerly pushed the door open, readying himself for a scolding, but no professor was to be seen inside.

Fifty pairs of eyes fell on him as he entered.

The chatter died down.

Wei Wuxian looked at the classroom instead of the students. It was a large room, with multiple windows that allowed the September sunshine to come in. Shelves of books lined the walls. There were two sides of benches spread around the room.

The Slytherins were on the left side.

Wei Wuxian spotted Meng Yao, sitting by himself at the last bench. He walked over to join him, and Dimples scooted over silently, giving him space to sit.

“Good morning,” said Wei Wuxian, swallowing the last of his bun. “Did anything happen all night?”

Dimples shook his head. Then, he whispered, “What about you?”

“When I arrived, Wen Chao, my roommate, was sleeping. When I woke up, he was gone.”

“Same with my roommates too,” said Dimples. “I woke up late and they were already gone. I could not have breakfast.”

Wei Wuxian's shoulders fell. “Should have told me, Dimples. I wouldn't have finished the bun, then.”

Meng Yao waved a hand.

Wei Wuxian looked at the Gryffindors. Lan Zhan was sitting at the first bench all alone, looking effortlessly cool even after their midnight gamboling. He kept his eyes on his book, his wand on the table. Next he saw Jiang Cheng talking with two other boys. The new boys must be his roommates, for Wei Wuxian had never seen them before. He vaguely remembered having seen the sturdy, black-haired guy get sorted into Gryffindor.

His attention was arrested by the door opening. Their professor was walking in, though ‘tottering in’ would have been a better word to describe him.

Wei Wuxian stared. Their professor was a…dwarf?

“Welcome, welcome,” sang the professor, beaming at them with a bright smile. His blue eyes twinkled. “Welcome to First Year Charms, my dears. Here you shall learn the basics of what a wizard and a witch have to know, but before we begin today's class, I would like to tell you all that sitting according to your House is strictly forbidden here.” He paused and climbed upon the table in the middle of the room. “Mix and match, my kids!”

Nobody moved.

The professor tutted. “Quick, quick.”

The class moved with murmurs of confusion. Both were reluctant to sit beside each other, and Wei Wuxian marveled at the deep rivalry that had already come about between them. He saw Jiang Cheng and moved to join him, more so because he needed to talk to him, but Jiang Cheng looked away and kept up conversing with the two boys.

Wei Wuxian grinned when he saw Lan Zhan looking around. Well, he could always sit with him.

“Come on,” he said, pulling Dimples along with him. They plopped down beside Lan Zhan, who gave them a mildly annoyed look.

Wei Wuxian waved. “Hello. Did you sleep last night?”

Lan Zhan nodded, albeit with great difficulty.

Wei Wuxian turned to introduce the two. “Lan Zhan, meet Dimples. His name is Meng Yao, but I call him Dimples. Dimples, meet Lan Wangji. Only I am allowed to call him Lan Zhan, so do not call him that.”

Dimples scowled. “Stop calling me Dimples.”

Lan Zhan looked mildly annoyed.

“My name is Filius Filtwick,” said the professor. “Let us start our lesson, students. Please open your books to page 23. We shall start with the most important spell of all time, the Levitation Charm.”

Everyone flipped to the page, their excitement clearly showing.

“What?” asked Wei Wuxian, as he brought out his pen and caught Lan Zhan glaring at him.

“Where is your ink and quill?” asked Lan Zhan, pointing to his own ink bottle and feathered quill. He also had a fresh bundle of parchment with him.

Wei Wuxian shook his head. “I'm not using that messy thing. Do you know how many times I've spilled ink over myself while using that?”

“Pens aren't allowed,” said Meng Yao. He too, had his quill and parchment. “Besides, what is that thing? Where is your parchment?”

“I did not have enough time to find my parchment,” said Wei Wuxian. Both Lan Zhan and Dimples gave him a disappointed look.

“In Charms, you will come to know that the most important thing is how you pronounce the spell. Many great wizards and witches have had their spells badly misfired just because they said it wrong! I want all of you to concentrate upon me.” He flourished his wand and shouted: “Wingardium Leviosa!”

A feather began to rise from a chair, floating up and up, until it hovered above their heads.

“Holy Merlin,” Wei Wuxian heard someone swear.

He himself was amazed by the spell, even though he would laugh at its simplicity in the coming years. At this moment, however, the way the feather moved in accordance to Filtwick’s movements was an extraordinary thing.

“The Wingardium Leviosa Charm is the most primary spell that every wizard…” droned on the professor. All Wei Wuxian heard was him saying, “Try it, try it.”

So he did.

He took out his wand. He had not looked at the thing since last day, and the blackened wood looked somehow soft in the morning light. The bone-like handle was shining, as if someone had scrubbed it with soap.

Before Wei Wuxian could say anything, Lan Zhan muttered a quiet “Wingardium Leviosa.”

The feather kept in front of him stirred.

Meng Yao’s mouth fell open. “How did you do that on the first try?”

Lan Zhan did not answer. He stared hard at the white feather, and gripped his wand tightly. He directed it at the feather and it gradually began to rise, not perfectly, but in a steady motion.

Professor Filtwick clapped. “There were go, young man. What is your name?”

Lan Zhan bowed. “Lan Wangji of the Lan Clan.”

Professor Filtwick smiled. “Ah, of course. I should have recognised you from that headband alone. My, my. So you are the new Gryffindor, yes? You would have been in my House, had the Hat not pegged you as a lion.”

The professor laughed good-naturedly, but Wei Wuxian could see how the words stung Lan Zhan. He did not give any outward indication, but his jaw tightened enough to express irritation and something else.

Some feathers were rising up too. One of the feathers burst into flames.

Professor Filtwick was quick to take care of it, as a commotion fell upon the Gryffindors.

A girl shouted, “Sorry Professor!”

“Seriously, Mian-Mian, be careful!”

“I was!”

Wei Wuxian laughed as he saw the girl, whose name was apparently Mian-Mian. She was a small girl, wearing her hair in a ponytail, with an equally scared and awed expression, as if her feather bursting into flames had amazed her greatly.

Meng Yao cursed. “Why wouldn't this stupid thing move?” He nudged the feather.

“You are probably pronouncing it wrong,” said Wei Wuxian sagely, as he attempted next. “Watch me. Wingardium Leviosa!” He twirled his wand at the feather.

Nothing happened.

Meng Yao snickered.

Wei Wuxian tried again. He was sure he had the incantation right. Wasn’t his wand supposed to be powerful? Couldn't it do such a basic spell?

“You are saying it wrong,” said Lan Zhan, shooting him an openly disgusted look. “It is Leviosa, not Leviosaaaa.” He dragged the last vowel to imitate Wei Wuxian.

Wei Wuxian frowned. “I am pronouncing it correctly. Wingardium Leviosa!”

“You are not.”

“I am.”

Lan Zhan crossed his arms, a gesture which looked childish on him. “Then why isn't your feather flying?”

“Because my wand is useless.”

Dimples gasped. “How can you insult your wand like that?”

Wei Wuxian did not like how, by the end of the class, even Jiang Cheng had levitated his feather successfully. This was ridiculous. Why wasn't he able to do it?

He knew he wasn't pronouncing it wrong. Everything was fine. Why wasn't it working? Why wasn't it working? Everyone was looking at him, jeering at him, saying he was a failure when he clearly was not a failure and he—

“Wingardium Leviosa!” shouted Wei Wuxian one last time, his hand trembling. He could see Lan Zhan start to say something, but there was a sudden coldness in his veins, flowing to his wrist and accumulating inside the wand.

Then, just like at Ollivander's, there was a burst of magic.

The feather shot up, circling above all the others.

This time, the others let out gasps in shock.

Professor Filtwick remained motionless, unsure of what to do. He let out a hesitant clap at last. “Well done, well done.”

Wei Wuxian sat back, satisfied. His feather was much, much higher than all of them, floating serenely near the windows. His eyes caught a lone feather inching up towards his after a while, and he turned to see Lan Zhan manipulating his wand softly.

When he caught Wei Wuxian looking, he raised an eyebrow.

Wei Wuxian grinned. Trust Lan Zhan to try and follow him. He did not think he would be able to surpass his feather, but him trying was a bit endearing.

They got to take their feathers back after class. When Wei Wuxian got his feather, he was a little taken aback.

His white feather had turned black at the corners.

He quickly hid it, not wanting anyone to see it. It would only give rise to speculation.

So much for his first class of Hogwarts.

As he and Dimples made their way out of the class, Wei Wuxian did not realise that Lan Zhan had already seen his burned-out feather.

Chapter Text

1961, HOGWARTS

WEI WUXIAN DID NOT know why everyone termed History of Magic as the worst class in Hogwarts. He found the class quite enjoyable, with the ghost of Professor Binns floating in and out of the walls, his gentle voice flowing rapidly. The chapter they were reading — Pioneers of Magical History — was not as exciting as levitating a feather, but it was not the worst either.

They were sitting with the Ravenclaws for this one. Wei Wuxian found a few Lan children in the room, all of them sporting the headband and calm faces typical of their clan. He wondered if they were Lan Zhan’s cousins or simply disciples of the Lan Clan.

He looked for the goofy smile of Nie Huiasang, but he was nowhere to be seen.

“I fell asleep,” confessed Meng Yao, as the bell rang and the students rushed out to grab lunch in the Great Hall. “Did anything important happen?”

“We have been assigned homework,” said Wei Wuxian.

Meng Yao groaned. “Professor Filtwick did not. He let us off because today's the first day.”

“Yeah well, Professor Filtwick is nice.” Wei Wuxian had come to the conclusion that the dwarf professor was going to become his favourite in Hogwarts. Kind and intelligent, Professor Filtwick took genuine interest in whatever he taught to his students.

That alone made his lessons good.

The two of them did not waste the chance for lunch. Wei Wuxian's stomach growled when he took in the dishes at the table. He had not been able to appreciate the cuisine last night, but now, with hunger gnawing at his stomach, he made the most of the rice, soup (not as good as Shijie's, but passable), curry and sweets. He and Meng Yao sat together, while the other Slytherins hogged the table.

No one spoke to them.

Wei Wuxian pocketed a tin of biscuits. He gazed at Edmund Malfoy, who was laughing and chatting with his friends. He appeared too normal for Wei Wuxian's liking.

“It is the calm before the storm.”

He turned to Meng Yao. “What?”

Meng Yao pointed to the laughing Slytherins. “It is the calm before the storm,” he repeated, shoving a dumpling in his mouth. “They should have torn us apart by now, but they are not doing anything. Even our roommates aren't talking to us. They are either ignoring us, or planning something bad.”

Wei Wuxian stabbed his chicken.

~~•~~

THE LAST CLASS OF THE DAY was with the ever-smiling Professor Sprouts of Herbology. The class took place in a massive greenhouse on the lawns of Hogwarts, and Wei Wuxian was determined to explore the grounds thoroughly as soon as possible.

They had a small, introductory class with Professor Sprouts. She told them about the subject, the topics they would be covering and the class they would have tomorrow.

“Read up about Mandrake Leaves,” she said, giving them the page number. “Tomorrow, we will learn how to handle them.”

When she dismissed them at last, every one of the Slytherins trudged back to the dorms wearily.

Wei Wuxian clapped Meng Yao on the back. “Let's explore the grounds,” he said, steering him towards the direction of the Black Lake. “We shall see the Black Lake first, then go see the Quidditch grounds, then catch a glimpse of the Whomping Willow and maybe a peek at the Forbidden Forest—”

“Honestly, I'm tired,” said Meng Yao. He shrugged his shoulders. “I am sorry, but I'd rather get started on the homeworks. Then eat and sleep.”

Wei Wuxian crinkled his nose. Homework sounded criminally boring in a place like Hogwarts. “What are you aiming to become? The teacher’s pet on the first day? I bet none of our housemates will do their homework.”

“On the contrary,” began Meng Yao, with a smug look about him, “the Slytherin House is known for being the second-best at academics after Ravenclaw. Slytherin has always upheld studying.”

Wei Wuxian stuck out his tongue. “Okay.”

Meng Yao chuckled, deepening his dimples and giving himself a sudden, youthful appearance. “Let's do our homework. Will you help me with History of Magic?”

Wei Wuxian laughed as they walked back to the castle. He could have explored the grounds by himself too, but doing it with someone else was much better. Besides, if he got caught and put in detention, he would not be the only one.

The trip down to the Slytherin dungeons took considerably less time, now that they were somewhat habituated. When they came to the steep, cursed stairs again, Wei Wuxian looked at Meng Yao with concern.

“How is your injury?” he asked, a little guilty at having forgotten about it.

Meng Yao shook his head. “I don't know. I bandaged it this morning and saw that the blood had clotted.”

“Is it painful?”

“Not anymore.”

Wei Wuxian felt for his wand in his pocket. “I could try a spell, but…”

“No, thank you.” Meng Yao sprang back. “I'm sorry Wei Wuxian, but I think your wand is a little unstable.”

Wei Wuxian raised an eyebrow, even though he knew Meng Yao was telling the truth. “Excuse me?”

His sharp tone made Meng Yao flinch, and Wei Wuxian immediately hated himself for doing it to a boy who was already skittish.

Meng Yao shrank back a little. “I mean—I did not—”

Wei Wuxian patted his arm. “Calm down, Dimples. I know what you mean, okay? I am not quite used to my wand yet.” As he spoke, his mind came up with an idea. “Oh, we can go to the nurse. Madam Pompfrey will heal you.”

Meng Yao began to climb down the stairs. “No, no, I don't need that,” he said. “I'm fine. Really.”

Wei Wuxian shrugged. Dimples wasn't limping any longer, so that seemed like a good enough sign.

When they reached the wall they had come to know so well, a silent agreement made the both of them stop in their tracks. They were hesitating to enter, and Wei Wuxian did not know what was going to happen to them once they entered the dorms now. Everyone was bound to be up and about.

Surprisingly, it was Meng Yao who said the password and went inside first.

Wei Wuxian followed him in.

The Common Room was full of students. Some of them were lounging, some were talking, others studied with friends. A game of Wizard's Chess was going on between two Seventh Year girls.

The First Years, though, were all crowded around one particular window, with a tall girl who was telling them to keep calm.

“Noise scares away the Giant Squid,” she was saying, pushing her long blonde hair out of her face. “If you want to see it, then don't make such noise. Shut up, Wen Chao. And you, Selwyn.”

Meng Yao had scurried to his room, but Wei Wuxian couldn't help himself. He joined the group, lingering at the back. The tepid waters of the lake were a murky blue in colour. Little fishes were swimming about, but there was no sign to suggest the Giant Squid’s whereabouts.

A boy screeched. “We have been standing here for three minutes! Where is the Giant Squid?”

“Shut up, Wen Chao,” chorused the blonde again.

Oh. So this was Wen Chao.

Wei Wuxian took in his roommate’s dour face, plump body and narrow nose. He looked angry, with a scowl that seemed permanent on his face.

All Wei Wuxian could tell was that the boy was going to be bad news.

“Wait a minute,” said another boy. “Why is the water moving?”

“The Giant Squid! It's the Giant Squid!”

“Oh Merlin! Look, look!”

“Everyone shut up.”

The First Years pressed their faces against the glass, pushing each other to get better views. Wei Wuxian pushed himself through with his limbs. When he got to the front, he got wedged between two girls, but the sight before him was so spectacular that he forgot how to complain.

There was a creature in the lake. It had a body so huge that it was out of his imagination, with rough scales and gills. The darkness did not allow them to see its face, but it was the Giant Squid alright, floating in a lazy way, its tentacles squirming menacingly.

Everyone let out “Ohs!” and “Ahs!”

The moment was snapped by a now-familiar drawl. “First Years, may I have your attention, please?”

Wei Wuxian's heart thudded against his ribcage.

Edmund Malfoy was smiling at them, his hair in a messy bun that left half of the strands on his face. He appeared too cheerful to fit with the dark background of the Common Room. His eyes hovered around them, before coming to a rest on Wei Wuxian.

“Where is your friend, Wei Wuxian?” he asked.

He was referring to Meng Yao. Wei Wuxian formed fists at his sides.

“He's my roommate,” said a black-haired guy.

Malfoy nodded. “Bring him, Avery.”

“Why?”

The room looked at him instead of Malfoy now.

Wei Wuxian squared his shoulders. “What is the matter?” he asked, in his most polite voice.

Malfoy gave him a sickly-sweet smile back. “You guys missed the introduction yesterday, when you unfortunately got left behind. You see, all the First Years introduce themselves to everyone. Your name and your parents have to be stated.” He looked towards the stairs, where Avery had appeared with Meng Yao. “It is a ritual, Wei Wuxian. You understand, right?”

Oh, he understood.

Meng Yao looked close to tears as he stood by Wei Wuxian's side. The room seemed to be closing in on them, swallowing their small frames.

Malfoy stepped back. He gestured for them to start speaking.

Wei Wuxian buried his hands in his pockets and gripped his wand.

The Slytherins wanted to know his parentage, his blood status. Wei Wuxian knew he could not escape from this situation. Besides, the truth had to come out some day.

“My name is Wei Wuxian,” he said, praying to every God that his voice remained steady. “My parents are Wei Changze and Cangse Sanren. I have been adopted by the Jiang Clan and am a disciple there.” He bowed. “Pleased to meet you all.”

It took a few moments for everyone to place Wei Wuxian in their minds.

He could see several expressions on their faces, ranging from curiosity to awe to disgust. The latter people had figured out he was a muggle, or rather, a mudblood.

Edmund Malfoy’s lips twisted in a half-smile. “I see. And what about you?”

Meng Yao was breathing heavily, the sound echoing in the room. Wei Wuxian wanted to grab him and give him support, but he knew that would only make Meng Yao look weak and stupid.

“I am Meng Yao,” he said, and cringed when someone snickered. “My parents are Lin Yao and…Huang Yao.”

The reaction was more visceral now.

People started whispering with no effort to hide whatever they said.

“Yao? I can't seem to recall that name.”

“That's because it's not on any list.”

“I'm guessing it's a muggle surname.”

“Oh Merlin. Don't tell me he's a mudblood.”

Meng Yao shuddered beneath his robes.

Wei Wuxian was one second away from hitting someone. He felt his wand growing colder against his thigh. “May we go now?” he asked Malfoy.

Malfoy grinned. “Sure.”

~~•~~

THEY HURRIED OUT to the Great Hall as soon as Wei Wuxian finished feeding his cat and Meng Yao had completed his homeworks. Staying amongst the Slytherins while they gawked at them was becoming too much to handle.

The Great Hall was beginning to fill by the time they arrived. Wei Wuxian spotted Nie Huiasang.

“Oi, Huiasang!” he shouted, laughing when the boy nearly dropped his folding-fan in surprise. “Where were you all day? I didn't see you in class.”

“Stupid alarm clock didn't go off,” said Huiasang, offering him a plate of cupcakes. “Wei bro, what is this I've been hearing about you?”

“Hearing what?” said Wei Wuxian.

Nie Huiasang wriggled his eyebrows. “A little birdy told me that you went to Professor Slughorn's office yesterday, to complain about the Slytherins. Making a name for yourself on the very first day, huh?”

Wei Wuxian was too glad to see Nie Huiasang treating him like he used to, so he let the jab slide. “Who told you this? Lan Zhan? That sneak!”

Someone cleared their throat behind them.

“Lan Zhan!” said Wei Wuxian, springing up to provide space for Lan Zhan to sit. “How honourable of you to join us!”

“You are at the Gryffindor table,” said Lan Zhan.

Nie Huiasang waved his fan. “Ah, these divisions do not matter, Lan Wangji. These—”

“It may not matter to you,” said Lan Zhan, his tone taking on a sudden rough edge. “But it matters to Wei Wuxian. The Slytherins will not like their newest student sitting with Gryffindors.”

Wei Wuxian groaned. Lan Zhan worried too much. “Sit and eat, you grandpa. Oh, allow me to introduce Dimples to you, Huiasang.”

“Who?” laughed Huiasang.

Meng Yao was scowling. “My name is not Dimples,” he said. Then he turned to Huiasang and gave a bow. “Meng Yao.”

Nie Huiasang nodded. “Great to meet you. I am Nie Huiasang, the one and only. Sit, sit, have a cake.”

Meng Yao glanced at them nervously. “Should we really sit here, Wei Wuxian? Lan Wangji is right, in a way.”

Wei Wuxian looked at the Slytherin table. It was beginning to get crowded, and he was sure that Wen Chao had seen him at the Gryffindor table already. The prospect of going back there hurt him like needles, but the rational part of him knew that Lan Wangji (annoyingly) was right.

Then his eyes fell on Jiang Cheng, and he paused.

Jiang Cheng was alone. He was coming to the table, head bowed in thought and took a seat beside Nie Huiasang without looking up.

“A-Cheng.”

If someone had killed Jiang Cheng at that moment, he would have reacted less than he did at Wei Wuxian's voice.

“Yes?” he asked, as if Wei Wuxian had asked him what to eat for dinner. As if he hadn't been ignoring Wei Wuxian since the Sorting Ceremony.

Wei Wuxian tilted his head. An awkward silence fell over them as the other three watched them back-and-forth. “How is Gryffindor treating you?” he asked, attempting a smile.

Jiang Cheng nodded. “Yes, it's fine. Everything's fine.” He looked at the ceiling, then back at Wei Wuxian. “Uh, you?”

Wei Wuxian decided not to relay all his adventures to him. Instead, he shrugged. “Yeah, I'm good.”

“Oh. Okay.” Jiang Cheng crouched down and looked at the floor, inspecting the non-existent architecture of it.

Wei Wuxian felt Lan Zhan's gaze boring into his skull as he stood up and made his way over to the Slytherin table.

At that moment, Wei Wuxian hated the House he had been sorted into. All this time, the House had made him uncomfortable and scared, afraid of the judgement he would face and the treatment he would receive, but now, a searing hatred coiled itself around his heart and squeezed.

Slytherin was stealing Jiang Cheng from him.

Very soon, it would steal Shijie, Lan Zhan, Nie Huiasang and everyone he knew and loved. He would lose his friends. Would he have anyone to talk and laugh with anymore?

Wei Wuxian wasn't so sure.

Chapter Text

1961, HOGWARTS

AFTER THE FIRST DAY that never seemed to end, the next two days passed by in a flash of new classes, increasing homework and an ever-growing anxiety.

Wei Wuxian was managing things well enough by this point. After Charms, History of Magic and Herbology, the next class they got introduced to was of their Head of House, Potions.

Professor Slughorn proved to be just as kind a professor as he was a person, and though he talked a bit too much and displayed some favoritism, he was altogether not bad. In fact, he had recognised Wei Wuxian immediately.

“Wei Wuxian,” he greeted, shooting Meng Yao a lukewarm smile. “Welcome to First Year Potions.”

The first day had passed by in a haze of note-taking and lectures by Slughorn about the importance of Potions on their life.

“I have known many great potioneers,” he said, as Wei Wuxian noted his words down on his parchment that he had finally found. “You all have the chance to be a great potioneer some day.”

“He is good,” admitted Meng Yao, who usually expressed dislike for most things. “He did not sneer at me, at least.”

“Yes, but he was a bit condescending to the Hufflepuffs,” said Wei Wuxian. It occurred to him that being a Slytherin was the only thing that was stopping Professor Slughorn from being unkind to him. The thought was not a comforting one.

On Wednesday, they had arrived at the formidable Professor McGonagall’s uncannily neat classroom.

“Welcome to Transfiguration,” she said, her tone as clipped as Wei Wuxian remembered. “Open your textbooks to page 2. We shall start with the most basic of spells. Transfiguration, if not handled correctly, can often misfire.” She pinned them with a stare. “Do not make mistakes.”

In the background, Wei Wuxian heard Nie Huiasang whimper.

The spell was simple: transform your own quill into a little grasshopper. The smaller the objects for transfiguration were, the simpler the spell was. Shijie was best at this subject, and she often practiced her spells upon unsuspecting cutlery, turning them into colorful birds (mostly on his requests).

This time around, Wei Wuxian's wand did not give him trouble. After two attempts, his quill morphed into the spindly body of a grasshopper first.

McGonagall nodded. “Not bad, Mr Wei.”

Wei Wuxian beamed. Her appreciation felt — for some weird reason — the most sincere that he had ever heard, even though Professor Slughorn had complimented him just yesterday too.

The one who did not fare any good in any of the classes was Huiasang.

Wei Wuxian did not know why the boy could do no spells or even make his wand do something. He did not submit his homework, he missed various classes and he could not wake up on time. He consistently misfired, which resulted in his quill bursting into a spray of confetti.

Professor McGonagall pinched her nose.

Astronomy, which was the one class Meng Yao was looking forward to, was unfortunately scheduled on Friday.

Wei Wuxian, and half of the Slytherins, were more interested in Defence Against the Dark Arts. It was one of the few classes that stressed more upon magic itself, rather than long lectures and boring notes.

However, when they arrived for the class on Wednesday, a notice was taped to the classroom door. It ran:

“CLASSES REMAIN SUSPENDED TILL NEXT WEEK.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION.”

Everyone let out groans.

“I bet it's because they can't find a professor,” said Avery.

Wen Chao stomped his feet. “Why? What is so difficult about hiring a professor for this class?”

“Don't you know?” whispered a girl, whose name was Wang LingJiao. She looked like a porcelain figurine, according to the close observation of Meng Yao.

Wei Wuxian couldn't deny it.

“What?” asked Wen Chao.

“It is said that no professor wants to teach Defence Against the Dark Arts,” she said, her thin frame shivering. “They say it is a cursed post.”

The First Years, along with Meng Yao, took in a sharp breath.

“Besides,” continued the girl, who was enjoying this way too much. “Most of the professors in this post…” she paused for dramatic effect, “...die!”

“Holy Merlin!” gasped Avery and Wen Chao together.

Wei Wuxian shook his head. “And how do you know all this?” he asked, smirking at her when she shot him a clearly disgusted glare.

“I know!” she snapped, turning away and walking out of the corridor.

The Slytherins were like that. They did not like it whenever someone questioned their beliefs and traditions, and the pride they took in these things was honestly laughable. The only person who seemed to be indifferent to these things was one student: Wen Zhuliu.

Wei Wuxian first bumped into Wen Zhuliu on Tuesday, while he was hurrying out of his room after having over-slept again.

“Ow!” he cried, his nose bumping against a wall. Then he looked up, and saw that there was no wall.

It was a student.

Wen Zhuliu, for his part, did not react. He looked at Wei Wuxian like someone looked at an insect they had just stepped on, then continued on his way, not bothering to apologise or help him up.

Wei Wuxian hated him at the time.

But now, while standing in the Defence Against the Dark Arts corridor, he was amazed to see Wen Zhuliu giving that same look of indifference to Wang LingJiao. He rolled his eyes when she walked away.

Wei Wuxian almost snorted.

Wen Zhuliu was probably a cousin of Wen Chao. The two talked together during lunch and dinner in the Great Hall, and Wei Wuxian had caught them looking at him more than once, whispering amongst themselves.

That sight, despite being comical, had sown seeds of unease in his heart.

It was Meng Yao who brought up the topic during dinner on Tuesday. “Hey, don't you think everyone is being a bit too polite with us?”

“Polite?” asked Wei Wuxian. “I don't know about polite, Dimples. But yes, they are not killing us. Yet.”

Meng Yao squirmed in his seat.

Wei Wuxian tried to appear like he was not worried by such mundane things at all, but he was thinking about it too. After the Common Room fiasco, Edmund Malfoy had not accosted him anymore. The rest of the Slytherins went about their normal routine, the First Years ignored them and Wen Chao only ever glared at him.

No more discussions about their parentage or blood status happened.

Things felt easy.

Too easy.

Wei Wuxian knew better than to relax.

~~•~~

IT HAPPENED ON THURSDAY.

Wei Wuxian woke up late, shoved his books inside his bag and hurried out to grab a bite in the Great Hall. The one advantage of waking up late was that he didn't have to see Wen Chao in the mornings.

Wen Chao and him had fallen into a peculiar arrangement. The two did not talk with each other the entire day, and when night fell, Wen Chao made it a point to shut the curtains of his bed loudly and go to sleep. Wei Wuxian, whose productivity increased as night fell, did his homework, ate salvaged biscuits and played with his cat.

It was…fine, in a way. It wasn't as if he was dying to talk to Wen Chao.

Wei Wuxian flew inside the Charms classroom. Professor Filtwick, a fellow late-comer, came five minutes later.

They were now working on the Accio Charm, trying to bring heavier objects like parchment and inkwells to them. The spell was easier than Wingardium Leviosa, at least.

Wei Wuxian had stuck himself to Lan Zhan again.

“May I have the honour of getting a glare from you?” he asked, pressing his face on the desk as Lan Zhan copied notes diligently. He looked prettier than normal today, with his hair in a different style rather than the sharp way he always tied it.

Lan Zhan glared. His golden eyes somehow made it scarier.

Wei Wuxian laughed. He did not know why he liked to annoy the guy so much. It was probably the fact that Lan Zhan never shoved him bodily (like Jiang Cheng) or cursed at him (like Nie Huiasang). In fact, he only ever glared and stayed silent. He never pushed him away.

As class finished, excited murmurs rose from the Gryffindors.

“What are they talking about?” asked Wei Wuxian, as he spotted Jiang Cheng yapping with the two new guys he kept seeing around him. “And who are those two?”

“Song Lan and Xiao Xingchen,” answered Lan Zhan. “Our dorm-mates.”

“Ah. I see.”

Meng Yao tapped him on the shoulder. “Hey, you have your broom, right?”

Broom? Why would..?

Oh Merlin.

Wei Wuxian slapped his forehead. Today was…“Flying Class!” he exclaimed. Their first Flying class was scheduled to begin in the next ten minutes. They had to go to the Flying Grounds at the back of the Quidditch pitch.

He grabbed Lan Zhan. “You have the class with us, right?”

Lan Zhan shook his head. “With Hufflepuff.”

Crap. That was bad, but not unmanageable. Wei Wuxian nodded, told Meng Yao to wait, then ran to the Slytherin dungeons. He retrieved his Nimbus 1500 from under his bed, still wrapped in the packet Uncle Jiang had handed to him on the platform.

He absolutely had to write a letter to Uncle Jiang today.

Meng Yao was waiting for him when he finally reached the front doors of Hogwarts. Together, they ran (and limped) across the vast green lawns.

Wei Wuxian took note of the warm sunshine and azure sky. It was a beautiful autumn day, neither hot nor cold, the perfect weather for flying in the sky.

A shrill whistle pierced their ears as they scrambled to join the line of the First Year Slytherins at one side of the field.

A tall, thin woman, with hair as short as a man’s, came into view. She was blowing upon a whistle, her brown eyes narrow and intense. Wei Wuxian recognised her immediately.

When Shijie was in her First Year, she could not stop gushing about a “short-haired professor who taught Flying.” According to Shijie, Madam Hooch was the perfect example of a sportsman — or rather — sportswoman. She was strict yet soft, serious yet humorous, and a perfect person to be around when you needed an energy boost.

Wei Wuxian was still staring at her when Meng Yao said, “What's happening?”

He turned his head to see a line of First Years making their way across the field. A closer look told him that they weren't Ravenclaws, but the crimson-robed Gryffindors.

Lan Zhan arrived first, his face shining with sweat. He clutched his broom in one hand, looking extremely uncomfortable with the entire situation. Behind him was a grinning Jiang Cheng.

The Slytherins looked on with confusion.

“First Years!” said Madam Hooch, making them snap to attention. She had a very clear voice. “I know that this class was supposed to be with the Ravenclaws, but I personally wanted it to be with Gryffindors.”

Both the Houses shot her looks.

Madam Hooch continued, unperturbed. “I have always seen extraordinary things happen under an atmosphere of healthy rivalry, and I do think it is fitting that the Slytherins and Gryffindors have this class together. Now, those of you who do not have brooms can get them from the supply closet.”

Healthy rivalry?

Was Madam Hooch blind?

Wei Wuxian scoffed under his breath. He had been in Hogwarts for only four days, but it was enough time to teach him that Slytherins and Gryffindors Did. Not. Mix. At. All.

Several of the Slytherins and Gryffindors seemed to have come to the same conclusion.

It did not take long for everyone to be ready with their brooms. Madam Hooch told them to keep their brooms on the ground, then lift it up without using their hands.

“You have to command your broom,” she said, as none of their “Ups” worked. “You have to let your broom—”

“Damn it,” muttered Wei Wuxian. How long did one have to keep on doing this? Couldn't they just say ‘Accio’? He had performed a perfect rendition of the spell in Charms just an hour ago, with Professor Filtwick clapping for him.

Why wasn't the spell working now?

He looked at the prone Nimbus 1500, glaring at it the same way Lan Zhan glared at him. Maybe Lan Zhan's glares would come handy now.

It was to no avail.

“I got it! I got it!”

Everyone looked up to see Jiang Cheng laughing like a madman, holding his broom in his hand joyfully. Madam Hooch did not waste time.

“So you climb up, boy, and take off. Push off the ground, let your mind and your magic connect with the broom.”

Meng Yao, who had brought a shabby broom from the closet, scowled. “She's not being any real help, is she?”

“Well, no one can exactly teach flying,” said Wei Wuxian. “Uncle Jiang said that it depended a lot on the power of the witch or wizard. You only have your Golden Core to depend upon for this.”

Not that I have a powerful Core, he thought dryly, not saying it to Meng Yao.

Thwack! Someone's hands met their broom.

Madam Hooch gave an appreciative nod. “Lan Wangji, aren't you? You got your broom. Now, get on it.”

Lan Zhan looked at the sleek broom in his hand. It was the latest model of the Windriser, a powerful broom with an exceptional ability to stay afloat even in storms and hurricanes. Lan Zhan went to join Jiang Cheng, who was yet to go up in the sky.

Soon, most of the Gryffindors and half of the Slytherins had achieved the milestone of getting their brooms up. They were now huddled in various parts of the field, trying to zoom up.

Madam Hooch’s whistles were getting louder. She was clearly disappointed with them all, seeing that a quarter of an hour had already passed with no students in the sky.

Wei Wuxian, on the other hand, had had enough with the pathetic condition of Meng Yao’s borrowed broom. The broomstick was basically falling apart in pieces. How was anyone supposed to operate this?

“Here,” he said, pressing the Nimbus 1500 in Meng Yao's hands. “Try this one.”

Meng Yao frowned. “No, no, what will you use then?”

“Just take it.”

“I really cannot.”

“Will you take it, or should I reveal your nickname to the entire school?”

Meng Yao gasped and clutched the broom. “I hate you.” He passed his own to Wei Wuxian with an apologetic expression on his face.

It was as if the universe had been waiting for this opportunity, for no sooner had Meng Yao received the Nimbus and said “Up,” the broom lifted itself gracefully and fit inside his hand like a glove.

Both boys gawked.

“Well, there you go,” said Wei Wuxian, pushing him towards the practicing students. “Go. Fly and make me proud.”

“Oh, shut up,” grumbled Meng Yao. Then he smiled a little, and said softly, “Thank you.”

Wei Wuxian suddenly caught Lan Zhan's eyes. The guy tilted his head at him, his eyes narrowing when he saw the broom Wei Wuxian was holding. He looked as if he were about to ask him about it, but Madam Hooch's whistles made him change his mind.

Wei Wuxian looked at a struggling Wen Chao. His broom, another advanced model of the Windriser, was slowly stirring to life. It flew up in an instant, eliciting a cheer from the Slytherins. None of them paid any attention to Wei Wuxian.

Wen Chao scanned him from toe-to-head, saw his broom and smirked. Then he went off to join the others.

Madam Hooch shook her head. “Wei Wuxian, are you even trying, boy?”

In all honesty, Wei Wuxian was not.

He knew that his image of a playful, mischievous trickster was contradicted by this, but Wei Wuxian had never had a desire to ride a broom and play Quidditch. That was all Jiang Cheng.

He preferred a party with friends to waking up at 5 a.m. for matches.

But of course, he couldn't tell Madam Hooch that. Nor could he blame Meng Yao for taking his broom, seeing that he had offered it up himself.

Obnoxiously screaming “Up!” wasn't working. His Golden Core was not enough for this kind of magic based solely on the innate spiritual power of sorcerers. He needed the leverage of his wand for this one, but wands were forbidden and…

And it did not matter.

Wei Wuxian surveyed the students and Madam Hooch sharply, a sudden idea flashing through his brain. No one was looking at him. Even Lan Zhan was concentrating on himself now.

Using a wand was prohibited here, but what harm would come if he used it? It was only one class, after all…

Wei Wuxian gripped his wand. The wood was cold to the touch, and he felt that coldness flow into him again, like it did at Ollivander's and at Charms. He took it out slowly, kept his eyes upon the oblivious students, then pointed it at the broom.

“Accio.”

The broom shot up.

Wei Wuxian heaved a sigh of relief. He put the wand back but kept on holding to it. He mounted the broom, held it with one hand and gripped the wand with the other. The transfer of magic was still happening, nearly numbing his hand with the freezing current of it.

Slowly but steadily, the broom began to shake. Wei Wuxian wobbled but held on, wrapping his legs tight. What was the worst that could happen if he fell off? Apart from the humiliation, he would have some fractures.

Nothing his Shijie couldn't heal.

So he did not let go, even as the broom began to lift from the ground. It hovered for some moments, tossing and turning, then, without warning, it flew up in the air with all its might.

Wei Wuxian left the wand. He did not need it anymore.

“Merlin’s left leg!” shouted Avery, his broom forgotten.

The cheers and chorus faded as Wei Wuxian began to fly higher and higher. He let out a stunned laugh, his hair coming undone at the force of the wind rushing past his ears. His red ribbon fluttered towards the ground.

Wei Wuxian could only scream in delight at the sudden motion. The broom came to a stop some 15 metres above ground, and all he could see at that level were the green lawns and the toy-like people below.

He could still hear Madam Hooch's whistles, though.

“Wei Wuxian, are you alright?” she asked, squinting up at him.

“Never been better,” he yelled back, his heart going at top speed. He was more thrilled about his successful cheating rather than the fact that he was currently flying.

A warm ball of satisfaction settled in his stomach. He had done it! Flying was the most significant magical skill that a sorcerer could have, and he had done it. He was now above them all, above the shocked Slytherins and groaning Gryffindors, above the wretched Wen Chao and the jaw-dropped Jiang Cheng.

Wei Wuxian saw his red ribbon, spiralling down serenely, with no care in the world. He’d have to buy a new one soon—

Something white suddenly shot past, catching the ribbon and coming to a stop in front of him. It was Lan Zhan.

“Hey!” shouted Wei Wuxian, unable to contain his smile. He giggled, the excitement increasing tenfold. “You did it! How are you feeling? Isn't the view great? Hogwarts looks like a dollhouse!”

Lan Zhan cast a glance down. His eyes widened just a smidge, but Wei Wuxian could see that he was just as surprised as he was.

Lan Zhan extended his hand. “Here,” he said, clutching the ribbon.

Wei Wuxian took it, another giggle coming out. “Thanks. Did you fly up just to catch my ribbon?” The thought was ridiculous, but it made him giddier than he already felt.

Lan Zhan glared.

“Come down now!” ordered Madam Hooch. She turned to the other students. “Look at them. They did it through sheer determination and—”

Her words were drowned by the wind.

Wei Wuxian raised an eyebrow. “Want to race me?”

To his greatest astonishment, Lan Zhan asked, “To where?”

Huh. Maybe he was a Gryffindor after all.

Wei Wuxian pointed to the crimson flag of the Gryffindor Tower. “There. If I touch the flag first, you have to call me Wei bro. If you do it first, I will give you my box of biscuits.”

Lan Zhan pursed his lips. “None of the gifts are good.”

Wei Wuxian stuck out his tongue. He gripped the broomstick and steered it to the left. It happened without much effort. Lan Zhan was more elegant with the motion, his Windriser gleaming under the setting sun.

Not paying any heed to Madam Hooch's whistles, the two flew towards the flag.

Wei Wuxian discovered that crouching down upon the broom helped the aviation. He crouched till his body became one with the broom and saw Lan Zhan doing the same.

“They are racing!” screamed Wen Chao. “Madam Hooch, they are—”

“Hush, boy.”

When the Gryffindors realised what they were doing, they began to shout and scream, yelling encouragement to Lan Zhan and telling him to win.

“Go, Lan Wangji, go!”

Out of the corner of his eye, Wei Wuxian caught Lan Zhan's lips curve by a millimetre.

The walls of Hogwarts rushed to meet them, cracked and yellow with age, yet a marvel of architecture. They ducked down protruding balconies, avoided towers, swerved around turrets and hurtled towards the flag.

Wei Wuxian was glad to see that the broom was working fine now. He flew past a window and grimaced when the children inside the classroom stopped studying and rushed to the window to see him.

He was pretty sure Professor McGonagall had been inside the classroom.

Lan Zhan was gaining on him. Wei Wuxian bared his teeth and made the broom rise steeply. His hair flapped around him like ropes.

“Boys! Slow down!” said Madam Hooch, but none of them were in the mind to listen. It was disorienting to see Lan Zhan so competitive, so immune to a teacher's orders.

Wei Wuxian stretched out his hand. He inched forward on the broom, careful not to disturb the broken splinters at the front. Lan Zhan, however, was before him, gliding with the wind.

Wei Wuxian buried his right hand inside his pockets again and found his wand.

The boost it gave to him made him let out a scream — not of joy, but of fear. The broom lurched forward at an alarming speed, making him speed by Lan Zhan in a blur. The crimson flag appeared in sight and Wei Wuxian caught it with a triumphant shout.

“I win!”

Below them, he heard Meng Yao cheer.

Then, as he turned around to grin at a shocked Lan Zhan, half of the Slytherins cheered too, the sound of them chanting his name shaking Wei Wuxian out of his euphoria.

“He got the Gryffindor flag!”

“Wei Wuxian! Wei Wuxian!”

“Nobody has done that ever!”

Wei Wuxian laughed. “Damn. Am I the first one to touch the Gryffindor flag?”

Lan Zhan said, “Professor Slughorn is here, along with Professor McGonagall.”

Wei Wuxian's smile did not drop, even though he knew that he was going to get scolded for his unsolicited racing. Even McGonagall didn't faze him.

Hell, he had just done something no Slytherin had ever done. His housemates were cheering for him, Meng Yao looked happy and Lan Zhan was there by his side.

Nothing mattered for now.

If only Wei Wuxian knew what catastrophe his harmless joy would cause that year, he wouldn't have been so happy.

Chapter Text

1961, HOGWARTS

LAN WANGJI STAGGERED back when he saw Wei Wuxian fly up in the sky like a bird. He let go of his broom, which caused Madam Hooch to follow his line of vision and nearly topple backwards too.

“Wei Wuxian!” screeched Madam Hooch. “Are you alright?”

“Never been better,” came back the other's answer, laced with a giggle.

That was when his ribbon fell.

The bright red ribbon fell slowly, folding and unfolding, gliding along the afternoon breeze. Lan Wangji gripped his broom again. If Wei Wuxian had done it, then he could too. He focused his eyes on the ribbon. He had to catch that.

He wanted to catch that.

His uncle had told him that to achieve something in life, one had to set a definite goal. Only the goal could lead a man to his destiny.

His goal, therefore, would be the ribbon.

Lan Wangji felt warmth pool in his gut. It was his Golden Core acting up, feeding his broom with the magic that it needed to fly. He closed his eyes and concentrated, breathing slowly.

Then, as if someone was pushing him, he lurched forward and shot up in the sky too.

The wind whipped around his face as he flew high, catching sight of the ribbon. It was still falling and he easily scooped it in his hand. It stayed there, caught in his grip, fluttering to be let free.

Wei Wuxian was laughing when he came to a stop beside him. “Hey! You did it! Isn't the view great? Hogwarts looks like a dollhouse!”

Lan Wangji sighed. He always talked so much.

When he handed over the ribbon, Wei Wuxian raised his eyebrows. “Thanks. Did you fly up just to catch up my ribbon?”

Lan Wangji narrowed his eyes in return, hoping Wei Wuxian got the message that he was annoying him.

He looked down when Madam Hooch started to scream at them, telling them to come down. The ground beneath him made his eyes swim a little, as his mind suddenly registered how high up he was. In his mad quest to catch the ribbon, he had not paid much attention to the height.

Wei Wuxian was waxing lyrical about the beautiful sunset and the greenery beneath them, but all Lan Wangji could see was the misty edge of the Forbidden Forest and the predatory gaze of the Black Lake.

He blinked rapidly.

“Want to race me?” asked Wei Wuxian. His giggles were yet to stop, as if floating in space was a thing of great happiness. Lan Wangji saw nothing happy about this in the slightest. Flying on a broomstick made you a wizard. It was a mandatory duty; not a vacation to enjoy so much.

Wei Wuxian was looking at him with a slight hint of pride.

Lan Wangji did not like that. Wei Wuxian was a nice boy, he knew that, but sometimes he looked at other people as if they were beneath him.

Right now, he was looking at Lan Wangji like that.

There was no way he wouldn't accept the challenge now.

Their race started with him gaining the edge over Wei Wuxian. His Windriser was swift and smooth, catering to his wishes fast and maneuvering around Hogwarts with ease. The Gryffindor flag was in view, big and red, tantalisingly out of reach.

He zeroed in, not looking back at Wei Wuxian. His housemates were cheering him on, and there was a tingle of possessiveness in his heart. He could not let anyone touch the Gryffindor flag.

Then, as usual, Wei Wuxian got the upper hand.

His broom hurtled forward at break-neck speed with Wei Wuxian shouting loudly. Lan Wangji's heart jumped. He was sure to crash, wasn't he?

He didn't.

Wei Wuxian gripped the flag like his life depended on it and gave a laugh that shook every Gryffindor with silent anger, including Lan Wangji.

The Slytherins burst into applause.

Lan Wangji caught the razor-sharp glare of Jiang Cheng. He had abandoned his broom and was staring at them with his mouth hanging open, his scowl deepening as he looked at Wei Wuxian.

Two figures rushed on the ground. Professors McGonagall and Slughorn.

Wei Wuxian's joy could not be stopped, even as the both of them descended and Madam Hooch began to reprimand him.

“Wei Wuxian! How could you do that without my permission? What if you had fallen? What if you had been injured? And Lan Wangji, I expected better from you than to race Wei Wuxian!”

Lan Wangji's indignation flared up. Why was he getting scolded when all the fault lay with Wei Wuxian? He swallowed and bowed his head, careful not to let his emotions show.

“What happened?” asked Professor Slughorn. The portly man had been probably dragged from his class, for he still held a vial of potion in his hand. “Wei Wuxian, are you hurt? What did you do, my boy?”

Before Wei Wuxian could say anything, the Slytherins interjected on his behalf.

“Oh, he was amazing, Professor!”

“He caught the Gryffindor flag!”

“You should have seen him, he was brilliant!”

“And he didn't even have his broom with him!”

Everyone turned to look at Meng Yao holding a Nimbus 1500 aloft. “This is Wei Wuxian's broom, but he gave it to me and took my damaged broom instead. He did all that with a broom that is splitting apart at the seams.”

That gave rise to a new wave of wondrous admiration.

Professor McGonagall said, “I saw him flying by the window of my classroom. You were going at an awfully fast rate, Mr Wei.”

Wei Wuxian scratched his neck. “I am sorry, Professor McGonagall. I could not stop myself.” He had the courage to laugh in front of her, who was more intimidating than Lan Wangji's uncle. “I wanted to go fast, you see. I mean, the sensation of flying like a bird is so good that you cannot—”

“I understand that!” said Madam Hooch, who was still panicking. “I understand all that, but Wei Wuxian, this was highly dangerous.”

Lan Wangji and Wei Wuxian listened to their tirades for the next few minutes. After Professor Slughorn had warned them enough, he went away. Madam Hooch dismissed the class, saying that they would continue the next day.

Professor McGonagall was the only one who did not scold them as much as they had expected. Instead, she began talking about a different topic altogether.

“Even though what you did was unacceptable, I have to admit that you are both good at flying,” she said, giving their brooms an appreciative look. “Are you thinking of trying out for the Quidditch try-outs next month?”

Both of them said “No” at the same time.

She raised an eyebrow, then gave a nod. “I see.” She walked away, but Lan Wangji caught the disappointment in her voice.

“Did she want us to try out Quidditch?” asked Wei Wuxian. He handed over the broom to Meng Yao and took his own back. “Well, that was unexpected. I have no interest in the game. What about you, Lan Zhan? Why won't you try out? Does the Lan Clan forbid it?”

Lan Wangji was about to tell him that the Lan Clan did not hold favourable views towards Quidditch, but one look at Wei Wuxian told him that he was expecting such an answer.

So, he said nothing.

Wei Wuxian clapped him on the shoulder. “I'll see you around, yes?”

Lan Wangji glared.

He immediately let go, giving a nervous laugh. He bounced over to Meng Yao, who began to talk to him as they trudged up the lawn. Wei Wuxian turned around, looked at Jiang Cheng, saw something and turned away in alarm.

Lan Wangji glanced at Jiang Cheng.

The boy was gritting his teeth rather audibly.

~~•~~

SEPTEMBER FLEW BY.

By now, Lan Wangji had fallen into a routine that was suitable for him. He woke up early, did his homework, ate breakfast and went off to classes. He communicated only when it was absolutely necessary, exchanged the bare minimum niceties with his roommates and avoided Wei Wuxian's loudness as much as was possible.

He buried himself in his school-work. Ever since the first week had gone, the awe of being at Hogwarts had been washed away by the amount of syllabus the professors were handing out. They wanted the students to cover a lot in their First Year itself.

Charms began to move rapidly. They were now juggling the Accio charm, the Lumos charm and the Ice Jinx at the same time, with some weaker students still stuck in Wingardium Leviosa.

Xiao Xingchen had generated the largest block of ice on his very first try, earning him an excited applause from Song Lan and Wei Wuxian.

For Lan Wangji, Charms were not difficult. It was a subject that required a little practice and the right technique. He could handle it just fine, and Professor Filtwick was a kind teacher.

Transfiguration and Astronomy were manageable too. Professor Sinistra did not care as long as each one of them could see and chart Callisto. Professor McGonagall was thorough with her subject, but she explained concepts really well, and Lan Wangji was ashamed to admit that it had given him great joy to be the first in class to perfect the Avifors Spell.

Their Defence Against the Dark Arts class was still not being held. Each time they arrived in front of the classroom, they could find the same notice of apology. Some of the Third Year Gryffindors were planning to write an “explosive letter to Dumbledore.”

Lan Wangji did not like the sound of that at all.

Reading about ‘Emeric the Evil’ and ‘Elfric the Eager’ formed the crux of the History of Magic class. Professor Binns was a corporal ghost who talked with none of the students. Half of the Hufflepuffs (and some Gryffindors) were too creeped out by his sudden vanishings to concentrate on his lectures.

Lan Wangji did not read the subject much. He knew he could do it a night before the exam. History of Magic was a theoretical subject, plain and simple for him.

Of course, that was not the case with Jiang Cheng.

“How do I learn all this?” he said, holding the massive tome in front of him. “This is ridiculous! Why do I have to learn about Emeric the Evil's misdeeds? He was evil. Can't we leave it at that?”

Song Lan and Xiao Xingchen laughed, causing Lan Wangji to let out a smile of his own.

His roommates were turning out to be relatively…alright. Not good. Not bad. Just alright. He knew they were good people, helpful and friendly.

Jiang Cheng was the only one who bothered him.

In retrospect, Lan Wangji should have had no problem with Jiang Cheng. They did not interact. It was only the way he treated Wei Wuxian that made him annoyed.

Wei Wuxian tried at every possible opportunity to talk to his brother, but Jiang Cheng always turned away. He would see Wei Wuxian approaching and strike up a conversation with anyone he could get his hands on, deliberately avoiding him.

Lan Wangji wasn't sure why he didn't like it, but there was something inherently wrong about the way Wei Wuxian's smile fell whenever Jiang Cheng behaved this way.

Apart from those two, another thing that was fast becoming a problem was Herbology.

The first time Professor Sprouts asked his name, she expressed great delight at getting to teach a Lan.

“Your brother is an amazing student,” she said. “Lan Xichen always gets the best marks in Herbology. I just know you will be the same.”

After four classes, her high opinion of him had been reduced drastically.

No matter how they tried, Lan Wangji just could not control his Mandrake Leaves. His plant seemed to hold a grudge towards him, because whenever he came near it, it emitted the most earth-shattering sound ever known to man.

“It understands your dislike of it,” said Mian-Mian. “Can't you try smiling at it or something?”

Lan Wangji, tired of letting Song Lan control his plant, agreed. He gave a smile to the Mandrake Leaves with the utmost difficulty.

It did not work.

“You are disgusted by the subject, aren't you?” asked Xiao Xingchen one evening, while they were doing their Potions homework. “You do not like getting your hands dirty. Neither do you like the hard, manual work involved in wrestling the Mandrake Leaves. You just hate Herbology.”

Lan Wangji thought. “Maybe I do,” he admitted.

Lastly, there was Potions. Professor Slughorn turned out to be an unusually jolly Slytherin, with a great laugh and an engaging method of teaching. He had already taught them the Strength Potion and the Pompion Potion.

Lan Wangji never told him that he had been Wei Wuxian's invisible ally that first night, when Wei Wuxian had gone to complain to him. He did not know how the guy would react to that.

The one downside to Professor Slughorn was his excessive love for his own House.

“Ah, the Slytherins could do this perfectly,” he said, shaking his head when Nie Huiasang messed up his Pompion Potion. “I remember, Wei Wuxian brewed it and caused a pumpkin to sprout on Wang LingJiao’s head.”

He laughed at the memory.

“Wei bro sounds like he's having the time of his life in Slytherin,” said Nie Huiasang over lunch the next day. “He has won their hearts by catching the Gryffindor flag, hasn't he? Now he's up to mischief.”

He leaned over to whisper in Lan Wangji's ears. “Have you seen Prefect Malfoy running after Wei bro day and night? He always appears to be begging for Wei bro’s attention. Wonder what that's about.”

Lan Wangji had not seen such a thing, but when he observed the Slytherin table during dinner that night, he noticed an increased correspondence between Malfoy and Wei Wuxian.

In spite of himself, his curiosity spiked.

~~•~~

PEACE WAS A rare commodity to come by in Gryffindor.

After the loud Welcome Party they had, the senior Gryffindors gifted the First and Second Years with slices of cake as an apology for the music and chaos.

The cake had a surprising effect. It made them forget everything.

Andrew Weasley grinned sheepishly at Lan Wangji. “I understand that you are going to have some trouble adjusting. You Lans are big on meditation, I bet. While we Gryffindors are…well, the opposite.” He chuckled, then handed him the cake. “Sorry for the music, man. When you come to Third Year, you can join us!”

Lan Wangji nodded.

After four weeks of classes, he came to know that the Gryffindors were noisy, chaotic, rowdy, egoistical, unclean, hot-tempered, rebellious, rule-breakers and overwhelming. However, they were supportive, friendly, compassionate and funny, and that kind of balanced things out.

His uncle's response had come back in the meantime. It was simple acceptance and tinged with disappointment.

“Dear Wangji,

I read your letter and can only say that all our hopes rest on you. You might be a Gryffindor now, but you are a Lan first, and I hope that you will not let us down.

Yours sincerely,
Lan Qiren.”

Lan Wangji knew he could never make his uncle accept Gryffindor, so he wrote nothing back.

Still, for all the virtues of Gryffindor, peace was a rare commodity to come by.

Maybe it was this desire for peace and quiet that made the balcony of the Common Room Lan Wangji's favourite place. The Gryffindor Common Room had plenty of balconies in all directions, but the one he liked was a small one to the south-east that looked over the Hogwarts gardens. The balcony was tucked beneath an alcove, which lent the place some privacy.

It was from this balcony that Lan Wangji saw Wei Wuxian one night.

The entirety of Gryffindor Tower was deserted. It was dinner-time and everyone was in the Great Hall. Lan Wangji should have been there too, but his appetite was absent today, and the Lans believed in “not eating when you weren't hungry.”

So he sat there, enjoying the cool breeze while trying to solve a Transfiguration problem, when he looked up and saw a dark figure moving around the lotus-pond.

The full moon in the sky shone upon the lurker’s face when he looked up, and Lan Wangji gave a sigh of relief.

It was Wei Wuxian.

He leaned down till half his body dangled out of the balcony. “What are you doing?”

Wei Wuxian jumped at least a foot in the air.

He crouched down and shouted, “God?”

Lan Wangji resisted the urge to say that he was an idiot. “No, it is me.”

“Lan Zhan!” said Wei Wuxian, recovering quickly and looking up at him with his brightest smile yet. “What are you doing up there?”

“This is my Common Room.”

“Well, yes. But what are you doing here? Shouldn't you be in the Great Hall?”

Lan Wangji crossed his arms. “Shouldn't you be in the Great Hall?”

Wei Wuxian bit his tongue. “Using my own questions against me, huh? Well, you caught me. I'm skipping dinner to have a walk around the Hogwarts grounds before curfew falls.”

Lan Wangji frowned. What was there to see in the Hogwarts grounds? Grass?

Wei Wuxian continued. “I really want to see the Black Lake, the Forbidden Forest, the Quidditch pitch and the gardens closely. I decided to start from these gardens.” He pointed to the lotus-pond. “I saw this pond and stopped. Yunmeng is known for its lotuses, you know. I am surprised to see them here.”

Lan Wangji gripped the railing. “Are you…will you go to the Forbidden Forest?”

“Of course not!” said Wei Wuxian. “I just want to take a look. Hey, why don't you join me?”

Lan Wangji almost toppled off the balcony. “What?”

Wei Wuxian shrugged. “We won't be breaking any rules. We will come back before curfew.”

“But we are skipping dinner.”

“Nowhere is it written that a student cannot skip a meal.”

“That—”

That was right.

Wei Wuxian had really thought this through.

Lan Wangji exhaled loudly. Trust Wei Wuxian to make him want to go outside. He hadn't explored the grounds yet. Xiongzhang had promised that he'd give him a tour, but he was busy with his Fourth Year studies and preparation for O.W.L.s.

Wei Wuxian was giving him a chance to do something he wanted to.

Lan Wangji ran through the list of rules Headmaster Dumbledore had said on the first day. Were they going to break any of them?

They were not.

Wei Wuxian knocked at the wall. “Earth to Lan Zhan? Are you coming or not? Just jump.”

Lan Wangji measured the distance between the ground and the balcony. “I cannot jump. This is too high.”

“Ridiculous,” said Wei Wuxian. “You can.”

“I can't.”

“You can.”

Lan Wangji balled his hands into fists. “I cannot.”

Wei Wuxian suddenly brought out his wand. “Then I'll levitate you.”

Lan Wangji would die before he would let him do that.

He calculated the distance again. What was the worst that could happen if he jumped? Maybe a few broken bones? Nothing Madam Pompfrey couldn't fix. His own line of thinking was scaring him (since when was he this reckless?), but he took a few deep breaths, climbed on the ledge and jumped.

“Atta boy!” laughed Wei Wuxian, as Lan Wangji landed on his feet in a miraculous show of athletics. He tried to stand up and found himself pin-wheeling towards the lotus-pond, but Wei Wuxian caught his arms.

Lan Wangji gave a slight shudder as the breeze picked up speed. “This is a mistake,” he murmured, looking at the balcony he had just jumped from. Turns out he was quite good at jumping down.

“Why do we always meet at midnight?” asked Wei Wuxian. He was walking towards the silent Quidditch pitch. His robes were blending with the night, and his silver tie wasn't helping it.

Lan Wangji tilted his head. “This is not midnight.”

Wei Wuxian shot him an exasperated look. “Are you always so serious?”

Lan Wangji had long since learned to not answer all of Wei Wuxian's stupid questions. He followed him, staring at the huge stands with rings on top. They were the Quidditch goalposts.

“What's going on with you?” asked Wei Wuxian, after they had toured the pitch and were making their way to the Black Lake. Lan Wangji could already hear the waves, slow and rhythmic.

He wet his lips. “Nothing.”

Wei Wuxian laughed.

Lan Wangji didn't know his response was so comedic.

Wei Wuxian asking him about his situation made him want to reciprocate. The sight he had seen a few days ago: him and Edmund Malfoy talking, along with the things Nie Huiasang had said, suddenly itched to come out.

They arrived at the shores of the Black Lake, and Wei Wuxian let out a soft squeal.

“I can see it from the Slytherin dungeons, you know,” he said, walking to the pier and crouching down. He touched the water with his fingers, and Lan Wangji watched the water caress his hand. “Have you ever seen the Giant Squid?”

“No.”

“It's terrifying, but like, in a nice way.”

Lan Wangji would never understand Wei Wuxian's weird way of comparing things. How could something be nice and terrifying at the same time?

Wei Wuxian patted the spot next to him. “Come, Lan Zhan. Sit and experience the Black Lake.”

There was nothing to ‘experience’ in the Black Lake, but the dramatic tone of Wei Wuxian convinced him to thread his fingers along the waves in the same way. The water was cold as ice. Under the moonlight, the vast surface twinkled and glittered, as if a thousand diamonds were floating upon it.

Lan Wangji found his curiosity bubbling like hot broth. If he did not ask Wei Wuxian about his interactions with Malfoy, he would have to resort to the unreliable gossip of Nie Huiasang. But how could he just ask him? They weren't that close, and Lan Wangji knew how to value a person's privacy. If—

“Lan Zhan, can I ask you something?”

“Huh?” stammered Lan Wangji.

Wei Wuxian was looking at the sky. “I want to ask you something.”

Lan Wangji did not say anything. He shifted himself a little closer.

Wei Wuxian got the hint. “Okay. So, for the past two weeks, ever since we pulled that stunt during Flying Class, Edmund Malfoy had been pestering me to join the Slytherin Quidditch team.”

Lan Wangji turned around fully, meeting Wei Wuxian's eyes. “What?”

The other nodded. “Yes, I know. It is very suspicious.”

Lan Wangji struggled to get out the thousands of words he wanted to say. “But—but…why would he do this after you literally complained about him the very first day?”

“I asked him the same thing,” said Wei Wuxian. “He told me that as the Prefect, it was his duty to put Slytherin’s interests before his own. He is ready to forget all our past differences and wants me to join the team as a Beater.” He looked back at the water. “He has been practically begging me to join. I…I do not know what to do.”

Hearing Wei Wuxian not know what to do caused Lan Wangji to sit back and think. This was growing up to be a serious matter.

Lan Wangji, despite being 11, knew how the Houses of Hogwarts worked. He knew what the Slytherins were like and what implications Wei Wuxian joining their team would have. The very first thing that it would give rise to would be…

“Jiang Cheng will burn,” he said, not bothering to mince his words. “You do know his Quidditch dreams, right? What do you think he will feel when he sees you at the opposite side? As it is, he isn't talking to you.”

Wei Wuxian groaned. “I know all that,” he said. “Of course he won't find it funny. But…”

Lan Wangji pressed. “But?”

Wei Wuxian slid closer to him, their knees bumping together. “But I kind of want to join?”

He shrank back when Lan Wangji glared at him. “What?”

“If you have already decided you want to join, then why are you asking me?”

“Show me some other reasons not to join. Don't show me Jiang Cheng. He will remain angry even if I suddenly become a Gryffindor now.”

Lan Wangji pinched his nose. This was truly getting ridiculous. To think all he wanted tonight was peace and quiet…

“Listen, to me, this entire affair sounds suspicious. Don't trust Edmund Malfoy. He may have some tricks up his sleeve. Why fall into his trap?”

“Besides,” he continued, not giving Wei Wuxian a chance to speak. “You don't even like Quidditch that much.”

Wei Wuxian stared at him without speaking for several seconds. Then he abruptly stood up, dusting his pants.

He held out a hand to Lan Wangji. “Come on, let's go back. I'd rather not go to see the Forbidden Forest at night. Unless, of course, you want to.” He smirked.

Lan Wangji stood up without accepting his hand. “I never wanted to come out in the first place.”

“Ah, but you did. It was fun, wasn't it?”

Lan Wangji remained silent.

As they trudged up the ground, Wei Wuxian complained about the homework and the syllabus. He pulled out a sandwich from his pocket and offered it to Lan Wangji, who declined vehemently. He did not go back to the topic of Quidditch, and once again, Lan Wangji did not pry.

It was forbidden in the Lan Clan to pry.

Chapter Text

1961, HOGWARTS

LAN ZHAN PROVED to be of no help.

Wei Wuxian gathered the strands of hair around his face into a ponytail, trying to keep the scowl off his face. He had decided to explore the grounds to clear his head, but getting Lan Zhan to join him had been nothing short of a miracle.

Wei Wuxian had thought he would get some valuable insights from the guy. Lan Zhan looked so intelligent, but when he related his Quidditch dilemma to him, he told him the same things Wei Wuxian already knew.

Jiang Cheng will be angry.

This is a trick of the Slytherins.

Do not fall for it.

Edmund Malfoy is playing you.

As if Wei Wuxian hadn't thought of all that already.

There was a reason why he was spending sleepless nights now, tossing and turning on his bed, his mind awake with a lot of questions. Should he join the team? Should he not join the team? It was all very confusing.

He entered the Slytherin Common Room, praying that nobody would question his absence at dinner. Had this been a week ago, nobody would have paid any mind to him. The Slytherins would have gone on ignoring him. But now, with Malfoy behind his back, there was a low chance of being ignored.

“Wei Wuxian!”

He groaned.

Malfoy smiled at him from where he was draped across the sofa. “Why weren't you at dinner?”

Wei Wuxian shrugged. “I wasn't hungry.”

Malfoy clicked his tongue. “When you join the team, you will have to eat more than you currently do. You will need the energy—”

“I am not joining your team,” said Wei Wuxian. The response came out automatically. Malfoy had been pestering him for ten days now and his response never changed, no matter what Malfoy said or did.

“You are not even considering it,” said Desmond Nott. He was a tall Fourth Year and Slytherin’s Seeker. According to overheard gossip, he was a really good player and was solely responsible for making Slytherin win the previous three Quidditch Cups.

Wei Wuxian did not like the way Desmond Nott looked at him sometimes. He used his height to his full advantage and often towered above Wei Wuxian in a way that screamed that he would kill him if he did not comply.

Wei Wuxian never answered his little remarks here and there. His conversation took place only with Malfoy, who seemed less intent on killing and more intent on recruiting him.

Malfoy sighed. “If you are refusing this based on how things between us started, please don't.” He stood up and looked at Wei Wuxian, really looked at him, his eyes shining with earnestness.

Wei Wuxian knew that look. It was what made Malfoy look humane: more like a boy than the untouchable Prefect.

“I value Slytherin a lot, Wei Wuxian. I care for everything surrounding the House. When I heard about your flying skills, I knew that I had to get you on the team.” He smiled. “Please, Wei Wuxian. We need a Beater on the team. We need you, can't you tell?”

“Yeah,” nodded Catherine Greengrass. She was a Sixth Year and the only girl on the team. She was the Keeper, and to Wei Wuxian, one of the prettiest people he had ever seen. Her dark hair and eyes that matched her last name made her look ethereal.

When she spoke, Wei Wuxian listened. “We need a Beater to accompany Wen Xu. You are the best bet we have.”

Wen Xu did not look up from the book he was reading. He was a Third Year student who was always writing or reading something. Wei Wuxian knew that he was a studious guy, always top of his year, with an unmatched savagery in the way he played Quidditch.

This was to be his partner, his fellow Beater.

A chorus of voices voting for his name as Beater began. Wei Wuxian shook his head and climbed up the stairs. If anyone had told him that he would be treating his Slytherin seniors like this even a week ago, he would have laughed at them.

Meng Yao was cuddling with his cat.

“Already attacking my biscuits?” asked Wei Wuxian, smiling when he threw a crumb at him. Meng Yao stayed in his room nowadays, finding the silent atmosphere of his own room too stifling. Wei Wuxian had told him to stay the night too, but Meng Yao had given him a smack on the arm and went down to his room to sleep.

Things were under control a bit. He had Lan Zhan, Meng Yao and his cat. Everything was fine, except for the big question.

To join the team or not to join the team?

~~•~~

AS WITH MOST things in Wei Wuxian's life, the answer to the question plaguing his mind arrived unexpectedly, like a punch to the gut.

With the arrival of the first week of October, the smell of Halloween floated in the air. Yunmeng was not big on the festival, but it seemed that Hogwarts paid a great deal of mind to it. The students began to chatter in hallways, deciding their costumes in advance.

The Hufflepuffs began to be bombarded with bribes.

“Hey, you guys are closest to the kitchen, aren't you? Tell the House Elves that I want seventeen batches of cookies on Halloween. I'll pay, of course,” said Wen Chao, cornering a Hufflepuff after their Herbology class.

The Hufflepuff nodded.

“Good,” said Wen Chao.

Others, in more polite ways, began to do the same.

Wei Wuxian did not find this amusing at all. The poor House Elves probably worked themselves to the bone every day in order to create the splendid feast of Hogwarts. These Halloween orders were just what the over-worked creatures needed.

Halloween brought many things with it. On the 10th of October, a notice on the doors of the Great Hall brought along immense excitement.

“Quidditch try-outs, yes!” cheered Alexander Avery.

“First Years are not allowed,” commented Meng Yao.

Wei Wuxian swore he saw Avery’s eyes fill with tears. That was when a thought occurred to him.

“If First Years are not allowed, how come you guys expect me to—”

“Exceptions exist,” said Malfoy, as if that explained everything.

The other Houses were tearing at each other to see the notice. The obsession the Wizarding World had with Quidditch was a thing of great proportions. It was the single unifying factor amongst everyone, be they purebloods or half-bloods, rich or poor, young or old.

“It will take place on the 23rd. Slytherin try-outs begin from 5:00 p.m. sharp,” said Meng Yao, as they went to their Astronomy class that night. “What are you going to do?”

Wei Wuxian did not know. He instead focused on charting Callisto and writing down mostly made-up notes whenever Professor Sinistra walked by.

Another phenomenon to take place during those weeks was the increasing demand for pumpkin.

“The Ravenclaws took the last batch!” wailed Wang LingJiao, clutching on Wen Chao’s shirt. “The next batch of pumpkins will arrive on Friday!”

Wen Chao was seething. “Brother, can't you do something about this?” he snapped, poking Wen Xu’s book.

Wen Xu only rolled his eyes.

Wei Wuxian knew why pumpkin was the in-demand commodity. They had to carve faces out of the pumpkins and hang them around the castle. There was an informal competition among the Four Houses about who would string up the most number of pumpkins, and the Ravenclaws had won every single Halloween.

The Slytherins were rarely this excited about something. Their excessive planning and mirth was contagious, for Wei Wuxian found himself becoming concerned about the pumpkins too. He was still not ready to accept that he was a Slytherin, but he did wear the House’s robes and sleep in its dorms, so the thought of Slytherin not winning at something was eating at him.

Damn the Ravenclaws.

October 23rd crept closer, as gradual as the autumn setting in. Hogwarts turned golden, blanketing the Black Lake with reddened leaves and falling twigs. The air took a crisp turn, and many students came down with common cold.

Lan Zhan was among them.

The boy sneezed beside him in Charms, trying to do it quietly, burying his face in his handkerchief.

Wei Wuxian patted him on his back. “There, there. Do you want a Strength Potion? I can ask Professor Slughorn.”

Lan Zhan shook his head.

Amidst all this, Wei Wuxian nearly forgot about the most important day in his life.

It was only on the 22nd of the month when it suddenly came to him in a flash. October 31st was his birthday.

Wei Wuxian had never really celebrated his birthday. He always received blessings and well-wishes, but his birthday had never been graced with a party. It was mostly due to Madame Yu, who thought that celebrating two back-to-back birthdays was a hassle they could not bear, since Jiang Cheng's birthday fell on November 5th.

“His birthday is after five days,” she would say, whenever she and Uncle Jiang got into an argument over the matter. “You seriously think that we ought to celebrate Wei Wuxian's birthday when we can announce it on A-Cheng’s? Do not be ridiculous.”

So that had been it.

Every year, he gets a customary applause on Jiang Cheng's birthday.

Other than that, all the gifts were addressed to Jiang Cheng.

The dishes carried Jiang Cheng's name on it.

The people blessed Jiang Cheng with a long life.

Wei Wuxian was just…there.

Over the years, the novelty of a birthday had ceased to Wei Wuxian. Yes, he was born on this day, thank you very much. That was all there was to it.

He was stirring the rice on his plate absent-mindedly, thinking about such things, when Malfoy bombarded him with requests to join again.

“The try-outs are tomorrow,” he said. “Won't you at least try?”

This guy. Here he was, trying to wallow in self-pity regarding his depressing birthdays, and Malfoy was only interested in Quidditch.

“No,” sneered Wei Wuxian, gripping his chopsticks so that he didn't stab Malfoy with them. “I will not.”

Malfoy shrank back.

The next week passed by in a blur. People were shouting all the time, it seemed. Everyone wanted something, be it pumpkins or another chance to join the Quidditch teams. The try-outs were officially over.

“Huffepuff has a great team this year.”

“Please. Have you seen Gryffindor? They have two new players, all of them First Years too.”

“A girl called Mian-Mian and the Jiang heir. She's the new Chaser. He's the Beater.”

Wei Wuxian knocked over the inkwell, flooding his table. Meng Yao yelled in surprise, but he barely registered the sound.

Jiang Cheng had got in?

“Oh Merlin,” he said, happiness unlike anything that he had experienced blooming in his chest. “Jiang Cheng got in!” His brother, his best friend, who had always dreamt of Quidditch and nothing else, was suddenly the new Beater of Gryffindor.

Wei Wuxian shook Meng Yao's shoulders. “He got in! Dimples, he got in!”

“Uh, who got in where, Mr Wei?” asked Professor McGonagall, more amused than angry.

Wei Wuxian laughed, something he never thought he'd do in front of McGonagall. “Jiang Cheng is the new Beater!”

“Ah, yes,” said the professor. “He displayed fine talent in the field. He was rather stubborn and came to see me the night before the try-outs, demanding one chance. Of course, I had to give in.” She let out a slight smile. “I do think he will be a valuable addition.”

Wei Wuxian could think of nothing else after that. He waited till dinner was served in the Great Hall. Today, he would talk to him. Not those awkward smiles they sometimes shared, oh no. Today, he would actually talk to him and hug him, House-differences be damned.

And he did.

Wei Wuxian sailed by the Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff tables as the Slytherins gasped in shock. He went straight to Jiang Cheng and threw himself over him.

“You got in!” he said, savouring A-Cheng’s arms around him. They used to hug like this at least once everyday back in Yunmeng. Since coming to Hogwarts, that had stopped, but the feeling of warmth it gave him had not faded.

Jiang Cheng clung on for precious seconds, just as tightly as him, and for a delightful moment, Wei Wuxian thought: Oh, it's all okay now. He will talk to me again, laugh again, joke again, play—

Then, he let him go.

Wei Wuxian stumbled back, his smile wavering.

Jiang Cheng was breathing heavily. “Yes, I did,” he responded, his shoulders stiff and hunched high. “Thanks.” Then he turned away and sat down, keeping his eyes on the food.

Wei Wuxian tried. “How did it all happen?” Jiang Cheng did not answer him. He only shrugged.

Wei Wuxian felt everyone looking at him. Lan Zhan, Song Lan and Xiao Xingchen, Nie Huiasang, Lan Xichen, Shijie…all the people he knew, not counting the still-in-shock Slytherins.

They were laughing at him, weren't they?

Wei Wuxian stepped away from Jiang Cheng. Hope allowed him to fantasise Jiang Cheng turning to him and laughing, sharing every detail of the try-outs with him, hitting him like he used to.

Reality crashed down like a rock when he did none of those things.

~~•~~

THE FINAL STRAW CAME on Halloween.

Wei Wuxian woke up with a splitting headache that confused him more than it pained him. He held his head as he got dressed and ate breakfast, then took his bag to go to History of Magic class.

“Booh!”

“Argh!” screamed Wei Wuxian, holding his heart still. He glared when he realised it was Meng Yao, holding a disgusting mask above his face. “Dimples! How dare you?”

Meng Yao giggled. “You got scared. I'll tell the whole school you got scared.”

Wei Wuxian rolled his eyes and took the mask himself. Ideas were already forming in his mind. “Well, let's see if this scares Lan Zhan too.”

“Don't forget Huiasang.”

“Of course.”

Classes were laced with the festive spirit that day. None of the professors were in a mood to teach, and Professor Filtwick shared funny Halloween anecdotes in class. Wei Wuxian also got to scare Lan Zhan with the mask, though the latter denied it.

“I was not scared.”

“You were.”

“I was not.”

“You were!”

The day was going awfully well, thought Wei Wuxian, as he headed for lunch. Nobody here knew it was his birthday today, and he didn't bother telling anyone about it. There was no use.

He shook his head and entered the Great Hall.

Years later, Wei Wuxian would remember that lunch as the first crack in his life.

A commotion was taking place at the Hufflepuff table. People were standing, trying to see what it was all about. Raised voices could be heard amongst the crowd, and harsh words were probably being exchanged.

Meng Yao stood on his toes. “What's happened?”

Wei Wuxian pushed his way to the front. “A food fight, maybe, or—”

He stopped short when his eyes fell upon the two figures at the centre of the chaos.

It was Shijie and a Jin Clan boy.

Wei Wuxian recognised him after a few moments. The boy was Jin Zixuan, heir to the Jin Clan and a Gryffindor Fourth Year. He sometimes came to Yunmeng during their Annual Archery Competitions, and was the most self-entitled brat that he had ever seen.

Shijie always defended him, though. “I'm sure he's not a bad person,” she said, listening to Wei Wuxian's tirades. “I'm sure he is a nice boy.”

Well, that was Shijie. Seeing the good in everyone, even when it caused her harm.

Jin Zixuan was talking in a measured but threatening voice. “I don't see why you would bother interrupting us like that, Miss Jiang.”

Shijie wrangled her hands together. She was white in the face and clearly panicking, having never been good at arguments. Her voice shook when she spoke, jarring Wei Wuxian's ears.

“I know this was not my place, Mr Jin. But I couldn't stand by and see you behaving like that with Holly.”

Jin Zixuan raised an eyebrow. “You named the House Elf?”

Shijie's eyes snapped to him. “They have their own names.”

“It's something to do with the House Elves,” said Nie Huiasang, who had wedged himself by Wei Wuxian. “Jin Zixuan was apparently yelling at a House Elf for messing up his Halloween order. Yanli Shijie stopped him from doing so. They are— bro Wei, where are you going?”

Wei Wuxian had heard enough.

He himself had been worrying about the House Elves since the month began. He had been pitying them himself, and his Shijie always fought for the underprivileged and the weak, no matter what situation she was in.

His hand went to his wand, finding solace in the immediate charge it gave him. “Hey!” he shouted, drawing everyone's attention to himself. Shijie's eyes widened.

Jin Zixuan regarded him as one who looked at a gnat.

Shijie rushed forward. “A-Xian, wait—”

Wei Wuxian was done waiting. He had tolerated that golden peacock strutting around for years now, and it was time to put a stop to him. His anger was boiling over, starting to spill over his head and into his veins, churning his blood.

Nobody messed with Shijie.

Absolutely nobody.

“You dare to insult Shijie when you are the bastard here,” he spat, looking up at Jin Zixuan with the coldest glare he had learned from Lan Zhan. Every fiber of logic was leaving his body.

Jin Zixuan took a step back. “Excuse me? I—”

“Shut up!” barked Wei Wuxian. He resisted the urge to point his wand at the other's throat. “How could you even think of shouting at my Shijie—”

“What are you doing?” screeched Jiang Cheng, rushing inside the circle. His hair was half-tied and flying around his face.

Wei Wuxian pointed to Jin Zixuan. “He was blaming Shijie! He was being rude even though Shijie was the right one! He—”

“Wei Wuxian!” thundered Jiang Cheng, his eyes flashing in rage. “Can you stop being such a nuisance for once? Just for once in your life, can you stop trying to hog all the attention to yourself?”

The Great Hall fell silent.

Wei Wuxian, with his blood rushing through his body at an alarming speed, swayed a little on the spot.

Attention?

He was hogging attention?

“How am I hogging attention?” he asked, his voice flickering despite his greatest efforts. “I was just—”

“You always do this!” continued Jiang Cheng. The crowd was now converging around them. “You have to be in the middle of everything, be it performing flying stunts or firing arguments! You create a mess and then I have to clean it up! I always clean it up! How can you talk to Brother Zixuan like this? Do you even know what the truth is?”

“Are you doubting Shijie?” exploded Wei Wuxian. “Are you serious, Jiang Cheng?”

“You act as if you are the only person who cares about Jiejie. She's my Jiejie! My very own sister! She's just your Shijie!”

“A-Cheng!” reprimanded Shijie.

But the damage was done.

Wei Wuxian felt hot tears gather at the corner of his eyes. Something snapped inside him. He was only trying to help, to protect Shijie, to bring things under control — but he was apparently hogging attention. He was ‘just’ Shijie's martial brother, not actual brother.

Merlin.

It just had to happen on his birthday.

The day had been going so well.

Wei Wuxian nodded. His anger stopped boiling, stopped spilling. It went back inside him and formed a lump in his chest. He backed out of the crowd slowly.

His feet took him towards the Slytherin table.

None of them had moved from their spots. Edmund Malfoy smiled at him, never questioning what had happened. He seemed to understand.

Wei Wuxian pretended not to feel Lan Zhan's gaze burning holes in his neck.

He was a mess. He was not Shijie’s actual brother. He was just Wei Wuxian: adopted from the streets and a Slytherin outsider now.

“I want to try out for the team.”

Chapter Text

1961, HOGWARTS

WEI WUXIAN DID NOT enjoy the try-out.

How could he, when he was still running on the anger Jin Zixuan had produced in him, the disbelief that Jiang Cheng had formented, the grief that he had opened? It was like a chasm, and Wei Wuxian was falling in it.

He did not wait for lunch to be over. Neither did Malfoy or any of the Slytherins. When they heard his proclamation, the Quidditch team members stood up and gestured for him to follow them.

“A-Xian!” said Shijie. She had somehow come out of the argument and was now walking towards him. “A-Xian, listen to me. Please don't be so angry. Listen—”

Wei Wuxian almost turned around. He had never been able to resist Shijie's requests, no matter what the requests were. On her request, he had studied for an entire day once and passed his numeracy test with good marks.

Shijie was still saying something. “A-Xian, please, not on your birthday—!” Wei Wuxian barely heard her.

Malfoy clutched his shoulder. He looked down at him, his hair falling loosely behind his back. “Good call, Wei Wuxian. You are going to be grateful for this.”

When they arrived at the Quidditch pitch, dusk was approaching fast. Desmond Nott threw a broom towards him, a new Comet 140.

“Alright, up we go,” said Malfoy, once Wen Xu brought everyone's brooms from the dungeons. Catherine Greengrass, Desmond Nott and Wen Zhu flew up. Edmund Malfoy was one of the Chasers, while Greengrass and Nott the Keeper and Seeker respectively.

Wei Wuxian looked at the broom. He waited till the others were busy in formulating their positions, then took out his wand slowly and placed it close to his chest, strapped in place by the shirt he was wearing. He mounted the broom and held his wand, feeling the cold energy seep through the shirt and into his hands.

Then, he shot up.

The wand was the main thing that had been holding him back from accepting the Slytherins’ offers. He knew he needed both hands on his broom in an actual Quidditch match. He could not touch his wand while playing with one hand. And without the energy flow from the wand, he was quite unable to fly.

He had to figure out a way to strap the wand to his broom itself. It had to be invisible, of course, but effective. When he played actual matches—

Wei Wuxian choked on his own spit.

Holy Merlin.

He was going to be in matches.

He looked at the players, each of them confident in their element. Wen Xu was close behind, being his partner, the second Beater.

“The Beater has one of the most difficult jobs in Quidditch,” said Malfoy. “You have to handle the Bludger, which is a vicious ball that hurtles at everyone alike. Injuries caused by Bludgers take years to heal.” He shrugged. “Sometimes, they never heal at all.”

“Your job is to deflect the Bludgers from our team,” explained Catherine. “Also, you have to direct the Bludgers at the opposite team, so that their players are knocked off.”

Wei Wuxian nodded. “Is that why you need two Beaters in a team? One to protect and one to attack?”

“Yes.”

Wei Wuxian turned to see Wen Xu speaking. He looked just as focused as he did while reading his books, and it made Wei Wuxian realise that this guy right here was the greatest weapon — or asset — that the Slytherin Quidditch Team had.

Wen Xu continued, his voice low. “I mostly attack. But I can defend too, so it is up to you to decide. Will you attack or protect?”

The question was laced with curiosity and something else Wei Wuxian couldn't place.

He sat back on the broom. Attacking meant that he had to look for openings to chuck the Bludgers at the opposite team. Protecting meant that he always had to be alert, keeping an eye out for every team member. Protecting, it seemed, required more focus and effort than just throwing the Bludger at the opponent.

“Attack,” he said, gripping his wand tightly. “I'll attack.”

Desmond Nott let out a low whistle. “Okay, champ. Prefect, do we call in Yaxley and Carrow? Our other Chasers,” he added, for Wei Wuxian's benefit.

“No,” said Malfoy. “We don't need them now. We just need the Bludgers.”

Catherine flew down to the far side of the field. She soon returned with a struggling black ball in her hands. It was made of iron and looked sufficient to knock someone's brains out.

Malfoy smiled. “Wei Wuxian,” he called, throwing a bat towards him. Wei Wuxian managed to catch it. It was a short yet tough bat, coloured in green, with the word SLYTHERIN written on it in flowing calligraphy. “Use that bat to attack the Bludger. Me, Catherine and Desmond are your opponents.”

Wen Xu fished out his own bat.

Wei Wuxian stared at it, a solution coming to his mind. If he had to hold a bat, then he could easily hide the wand inside the bat! He had no idea how he was going to hide it, but he knew that here was a solution to his problem.

The Bludger was released without warning.

It flew straight towards it maniacally, with no sense of direction or rhythm. It had incredible speed and sailed through the air, coming straight towards him.

The first swing of the bat was entirely on instinct.

The bat connected with the Bludger as Wei Wuxian closed his eyes, his heart jumping out of his throat. There was a sickening crunch of iron against iron, then the Bludger flew towards Desmond.

“Woohoo!” cheered Malfoy, laughing and clapping. “Wei Wuxian! That was brilliant! You are already an aggressive opener!”

Wei Wuxian's fingers had lost feeling. The bat was rather heavy and the wand too cold. The energy transfer was still going on, freezing his chest and hand alike.

Catherine and Desmond swerved around the Bludger gracefully. Catherine sent it to Wei Wuxian again.

This time, he did not close his eyes.

Aggressive opener, huh?

Well, he did not mind that epithet at all.

Wei Wuxian hadn't meant to shout. He was not a theatrical person. But the scream he let out as he hit the Bludger hard enough to make Wen Xu gasp came straight from his heart — the anger and grief colliding in the worst way possible, culminating in the greatest sense of rage and revenge Wei Wuxian had felt in his 11, no, 12 years of life.

As the Slytherins let out impressed chuckles, all Wei Wuxian could see was Jiang Cheng's face before his eyes.

~~•~~

NEWS SPREAD FAST.

“What is this I am hearing?”

Wei Wuxian was cornered by Nie Huiasang the day after the try-out.

“What?” he asked, trying to appear innocent, but he knew Huiasang was too smart for that.

“You knocked out Malfoy with your Bludger!” blabbered Nie Huiasang. His eyes were magnified to the size of tea cups. “Did you do that?”

Wei Wuxian frowned. Just what kind of rumours were circulating around the school? People were already starting to look at him in weird ways, as if he was someone they all wanted to write a book on. After the scene in the Great Hall, all the students had come to know that Wei Wuxian was the adopted disciple of the Jiang Clan who had no impulse control whatsoever. It was a poor reputation to have, and when you coupled it with his Slytherin House, it became poorer.

“I knocked no one out,” said Wei Wuxian, then proceeded to ignore Huiasang for the rest of Transfiguration.

Meng Yao was deeply worried.

“I can feel something bad is about to happen,” he said, walking around Wei Wuxian's room while his cat nipped at Meng Yao's heels. “I can feel it. You should not have accepted the offer, Wei Wuxian.”

Wei Wuxian put down his quill.

He turned his chair around and stared at Meng Yao. “Are you telling me,” he began, in the voice he knew made Meng Yao nervous, “that I should have sat there while Jiang Cheng shouted at me? That I should have thrown away the one way to get back at him?”

Meng Yao stepped back. “Why–why is revenge so necessary?” he asked, his eyes shining with unshed tears. “And how will you…exact revenge?”

Wei Wuxian went back to his homework.

He himself did not know the answer to that.

All he knew was that Jiang Cheng would be shocked and angered to see him when he walked out in the Slytherin Quidditch uniform, and that expression was enough for Wei Wuxian. He did not know why making Jiang Cheng angry was so important to him now, when in the past, all he ever wanted was to see his brother smile.

Oops, not brother.

Martial brother.

Everyone continued to gossip for the next month. November was full of rushed classes, piles of syllabus and regular Quidditch practices, this time with the whole team.

Yaxley and Carrow proved to be two gigantic boys who looked very much like the Quaffle they played with. They glanced at Wei Wuxian with mirth in their eyes.

“He's the Beater?” asked Carrow, nodding his head at Wen Xu. “What are you? The attacker?”

Wen Xu shook his head, though his lips were curved in a faint smile.

Both Yaxley and Carrow let out guffaws of laughter at that.

Wei Wuxian did not pay them much mind. His emotional reserves had all but drained after the events of the past week. He simply played, hit the Bludger, tried not to get killed and finished the game quickly.

It was safe to say that all his teammates regarded him as a fine addition.

It was at this time that December came, with the promise of Christmas in the air.

“I am going home!” said Nie Huiasang, on the 12th of December. “What about you guys?”

Meng Yao shook his head. “I..uh..won't be going home. My…parents will be away for some work in Italy.”

Nie Huiasang asked, “Will you stay at Hogwarts, then?”

“Wait,” interrupted Wei Wuxian. “You can do that? Stay at Hogwarts and not go home?”

Christmas was usually a joyful part of Wei Wuxian's life, and the thought of going home during the holidays had made him very excited in the past. Now, though, he wasn't quite sure about the enjoyment he would get after visiting Yunmeng.

Yunmeng meant Lotus Pier, Lotus Pier meant family, and family meant having to see Jiang Cheng at every nook and cranny of the Jiang Manor.

It was easy to avoid him in Hogwarts. Gryffindors and Slytherins were distances apart at all times. But in their home, how would they ignore each other? How would they see each other face-to-face? Uncle Jiang and Madame Yu did not know about the argument or the ensuing fallout, but they would know something was wrong when they saw them behaving weirdly around each other.

Wei Wuxian knew what reaction Madame Yu would have if she got air of all this.

Besides, he was not looking forward to receiving worried glances from Uncle Jiang and other Yunmeng citizens because of his Slytherin status. The people of Yunmeng were nice and simple. They would never accept that their Wei Ying was a Slytherin now.

It was all too much.

Wei Wuxian had never thought he would dislike Yunmeng.

Nie Huiasang suddenly clapped his hands. “I know! Meng Yao, you can spend Christmas with us! Me and my brother usually spend Christmas alone, so you can tag along!”

Meng Yao's eyes widened. He spluttered and began to reject the idea, but Nie Huiasang could be surprisingly stubborn when he wanted to be.

“Come with me!” he whined. “Christmas at Qinghe is full of snow. We can play together and take full advantage of my brother's festive cheer!”

Meng Yao muttered, “Nie Mingjue scares me.”

“Oh, please! He is afraid of worms!”

In the end, Meng Yao agreed with reluctance.

“And you?” he asked Wei Wuxian.

That night, their family owl dropped off letters to him, Jiang Cheng and Shijie.

Wei Wuxian scrubbed his face with his hands. The familiar purple envelope made him realise, with a start, that he had not written a single letter to Uncle Jiang since coming to Hogwarts. What would the man think of him?

Merlin, it was so ungrateful and rude of him to have never written to them. But then, so much had been happening ever since he came here that a letter had escaped his mind.

He opened the letter. It was written by Uncle Jiang.

“Dear Wei Ying,

How are you? You did not write to us at all. Forgot about us so easily? I don't blame you for it. Hogwarts is the kind of place where you just lose yourself.

I hope the food is to your liking. I have always loved the Hogwarts culinary.

Your Shijie told me about the Sorting Ceremony. Congratulations on making it in Slytherin. You have lots of years left at Hogwarts, so use this first year wisely. Make friends, though you make friends everywhere you go.

Look after Jiang Cheng. That boy is already in Gryffindor and he's going to be a headache. Did he pass the Quidditch try-outs? He will cry the entire holiday if he doesn't.

I'm sorry to inform you that we won't be there at Platform 9¾ to receive you people, but we will send Uncle Tai-Chun to pick you up. Hogwarts is beautiful during Christmas, but you are spending this Christmas with us. You kids can stay at Hogwarts when you are older.

See you at Christmas.

Yours lovingly,
Uncle Jiang.”

Wei Wuxian could not eat a single morsel of the food after that letter.

He did not know why, but Uncle Jiang’s loving nature was disturbing him instead of comforting him. Maybe it was because the man put so much trust in him that was uncanny. “Look after Jiang Cheng,” he had said, without knowing the mess that he had created.

Wei Wuxian let out a deep breath when he realised that his Slytherin status had not disappointed his uncle much. Maybe he was masking the hurt, but Uncle Jiang's sincerity was so transparent that anyone could sense it.

After a letter like this, how could he ever think of not going to Yunmeng?

~~•~~

A GREAT HUBBUB fell over Hogwarts as everyone started to hurry.

The professors hurried to finish their syllabus.

The students hurried to pack their suitcases.

The House Elves hurried to make the greatest dinner of Hogwarts — the special Winter Feast.

Even Nie Huiasang was hurrying, exchanging letters with his brother to ask if Meng Yao could come.

“He said yes!” he announced, his happiness too strong to contain. “Finally! I shall have a friend with me in Qinghe.”

“Friend?” asked Meng Yao. “Huiasang, we have had like, only four conversations ever.”

“Exactly! Four. That makes us friends.”

Wei Wuxian was happy for them, he really was. Two of his closest friends were becoming friends, hanging out together and quarreling over Wizard’s Chess. He had never expected Nie Huiasang to be such a promising player and Meng Yao to be so focused, but here they were, wearing cartoonish jumpers and playing for three hours.

Malfoy had put a stop to Quidditch practice “in honour of the season.”

“I'm letting you off now,” he said, wagging his fingers at them. “But once you come back, practices are going to be merciless. The match season will arrive by January. I have news that we are playing against the Ravenclaws first.”

“Easy,” drawled Catherine.

“They have good players,” said Wen Xu, ever the voice of reason. “Do not underestimate them.”

“They are a bunch of bookworms,” laughed Yaxley, but shut up when Wen Xu glared at him from behind a voluminous tome of Astronomy.

After the Halloween Incident (this was what Wei Wuxian called it now), things were under control again. The undercurrent of anxiety and anger was still there, but things were beginning to look up. The snow of Hogwarts was helping that too.

Uncle Jiang was right. Hogwarts was indeed beautiful in white. Wei Wuxian was waking up to cold days and inch-thick snow. They had watched, fascinated, as snow fell into the Black Lake and swirled around the dark depths as shining white beads.

Most of the Slytherins were going home for the holidays, except Malfoy, who stayed behind to focus on his upcoming O.W.L.s.

It was during one of these snow-filled, sleepy days, right before the Winter Feast, that Wei Wuxian ran into Lan Xichen.

He had been trudging towards the castle after Herbology, balancing his scarf and book at the same time. He did not see who was coming down the path and collided with a body.

“Oh, I'm sorry—” he began, but stopped short when he saw Lan Xichen.

Lan Xichen was equally surprised. “Wei Wuxian,” he said, and smiled. The reaction was so effortless that Wei Wuxian smiled back without thinking. “Watch your step. The snow is rather treacherous.”

Wei Wuxian laughed. “Where are you going?”

Lan Xichen pointed to the greenhouse. “I'm going to Professor Sprouts to solve some last minute doubts. I can then solve them during the Christmas holidays.”

“Wow,” marveled Wei Wuxian. “You are so studious.”

Lan Xichen pointed to his forehead ribbon.

That made Wei Wuxian laugh again.

Lan Zhan was nothing like his older brother.

“Oh,” he murmured, the name sparking guilt in him. After the Halloween Incident, he had not talked with Lan Zhan at all, even though the Lan boy had tried to catch his eye multiple times in Charms. Wei Wuxian, like the roach he was, had switched over to Meng Yao as his partner.

He had not wanted to deal with Lan Zhan at that time.

Now, though…

“How is Lan Zhan?” he asked him, trying to appear nonchalant. He was pretty sure he was failing at it. “Is he going to Gusu for the holidays?”

“Of course,” said Lan Xichen. “We don't really celebrate Christmas in Cloud Recesses, but we always go home for the holidays.”

“I see.”

“What about you?”

“Oh yes, I'm going home too.”

Lan Xichen cast him a searching glance. He opened his mouth to say something, but closed it. “Well, Merry Christmas, Wei Wuxian. See you in January.”

Then he walked away.

Wei Wuxian spent the day cooped up in his room, trying to ignore Wen Chao’s presence as much as he could. Wen Chao did not talk to him, but that was more troubling than him arguing or something.

He rushed down to the Winter Feast with Meng Yao at dinner-time. He had to eat and then pack his bags. There was so much to do that he turned to Meng Yao for help, who flatly refused.

“Why didn't you do it sooner?”

“I was being lazy.”

“That is your own fault.”

“Is this how you treat a friend?”

“Shut up, Wei Wuxian.”

“I'll buy you biscuits.”

That made him consider. “Okay. I'll help you a little.”

Wei Wuxian kept on glancing at the Gryffindor table. He spotted Lan Zhan after minutes of squinting. There he was, dressed in a woollen jacket and a scarf, his nose and cheeks red. The sight was rather adorable.

Wei Wuxian smiled. He knew Lan Zhan could not see him, but he looked so unusual from his stiff, picture-perfect get-up that—

Wei Wuxian nearly dropped his chopsticks when Lan Zhan looked at him.

Lan Zhan seemed to have the same reaction, for he immediately looked away and caught the glass of water he had pushed in his haste. He did not look up again, and that was the last interaction Wei Wuxian had with him before the holidays began.

Still, the little view had calmed his guilt. Wei Wuxian sat back, listening to Meng Yao go on and on about Wizard’s Chess.

Maybe, the holidays won't be so bad, even if he had to deal with Jiang Cheng.

Chapter Text

1961, YUNMENG

TAI-CHUN GLANCED at them as if they were all mythical creatures he had never seen before, even though he was the chauffeur of the Jiang household since the last decade.

Wei Wuxian knew why he was clearly uneasy, fidgeting with his robes. After all, Uncle Tai-Chun had always seen him and Jiang Cheng fighting and laughing, with Shijie taking care that they didn't accidentally die.

This time, though, he and Jiang Cheng were sitting metres away from each other. None of them were laughing. Shijie was hanging awkwardly in the middle, unable to decide where to go or with whom to talk. The car felt cramped, even though it was a fairly big one.

Of course, to Tai-Chun, the situation looked suspicious.

Wei Wuxian sighed. If even Tai-Chun could see there was something wrong among them, then Madame Yu would know it within the first second.

He looked at the snowy fields and cities they were passing by. They had entered the outskirts of Yunmeng and were now going to Lotus Pier. It was warmer here than it was in Hogwarts.

The thought of the school made Wei Wuxian regret coming to Yunmeng. If he had been at Hogwarts today, he could have enjoyed an empty castle, peaceful meals and maybe friendly conversations with Professors Filtwick and Slughorn. He could have practised Quidditch, sought out the House Elves and developed ideas for some pranks.

But Hogwarts was far behind.

So were Meng Yao, Nie Huiasang and Lan Zhan.

Nie Huiasang and Meng Yao had been with him in the Hogwarts Express. Wei Wuxian had tried to search for Lan Zhan, but Huiasang informed him that he was traveling with his brother. Jiang Cheng was with the Gryffindors.

Wei Wuxian saw the last of Lan Zhan when they alighted in Platform 9¾. He thought he saw someone looking at him, and when he turned around, it was Lan Zhan who caught his eye.

Wei Wuxian smiled at him. He even shouted, “Merry Christmas, Lan Zhan!”

Lan Zhan cast a look at his brother, who was busy saying goodbye to his friends. Then, he nodded and mouthed back the greeting. His lips twitched a little, giving rise to the smallest of smiles.

Wei Wuxian raised his eyebrows.

Lan Zhan returned to his blank look. Then his brother said something to him, and the both of them went down the opposite direction, towards Gusu and wherever their house was located.

Nie Mingjue, looking as exhausted as ever, hauled away Nie Huiasang and Meng Yao after wishing him a Merry Christmas.

“Drop by,” he said, swatting Nie Huiasang's head. “Your friends will be in Qinghe, so you can drop by.”

“Woah, Big Brother,” said Huiasang. “Since when were you this kind?”

That earned him another swat.

Meng Yao had looked apprehensive, but when they boarded the Nie Clan carriage, he brightened up. He promised Wei Wuxian that he would write to him, then went away.

Wei Wuxian had left them all behind to come to Yunmeng. He could only hope that things would go tolerably well.

~~•~~

UNCLE JIANG WAS there at the front gate to meet them.

“Dad!” shouted Jiang Cheng, plunging out of the car to go and dive into his father's arms. He looked eager to escape from the proximity of Wei Wuxian.

Uncle Jiang laughed and scooped him up. “Well, well, look who's here! The youngest Gryffindor Beater!”

Shijie laughed as she climbed down. “Everyone is happy about that, Dad. Professor McGonagall is beyond excited for the upcoming matches.”

“Ah, McGonagall,” nodded Uncle Jiang. “A very capable witch. Jiang Cheng, I hope you are in her good books.”

Jiang Cheng puffed out his chest. “Of course I am! Do you know how happy she was when Captain Jonathan Prewett said that I was the best Beater he had ever come across in a long while?”

Uncle Jiang ruffled his son’s hair. Then his eyes fell on the lingering figure of Wei Wuxian, who was helping Tai-Chun to take out their suitcases from the trunk.

“Wei Ying,” he said, beckoning him over. “My, my, you have grown taller. What has Hogwarts been feeding you?”

Wei Wuxian smiled. He did not know whether he had gained height, but he did know that his physical strength had been increasing ever since the Quidditch practices started. Did Uncle Jiang know of his place in the Slytherin Quidditch Team? Would he be accepting of that?

They were ushered inside the house. Several of the servants, disciples and villagers greeted them, asking them how Hogwarts was and whether the place had any lakes and ponds. Yunmeng was a watery area, with a massive area of connecting rivers, canals and streams. The villagers could not think of living in a place without water bodies.

Wei Wuxian noticed a change in the way the people saw him now. It was subtle, but it was there. Earlier, the villagers had called out to him first, talked first, laughed first. Now, they only shot him with polite smiles. The familiarity had vanished.

Everyone knew he was a Slytherin by now, even though he had worn nothing green or tied himself to his House by anything. Uncle Jiang had to tell the news to the curious villagers, and now he was the only Slytherin to walk the roads of Yunmeng in a long, long time.

He averted his eyes to the road.

The Main Hall of Jiang Manor was decked out in the traditional Christmas decorations. A huge tree stood in the center. Red and green banners hung from the ceiling and laurels decorated the walls.

The smell of baked cookies was rife in the air.

“Mother,” said Jiang Cheng, running straight to the kitchen. He emerged with Madame Yu, who was smiling for once.

“Do not neglect your studies just because you are the Beater now,” she said, combing her son's hair. “How have you grown so thin? Don't they give you enough to eat?”

“Hogwarts has divine food, Mother,” said Jiang Cheng. “You cannot believe the amount of dishes they have. I ate so much all the time.”

Shijie hugged Madame Yu. “How are you?”

Madame Yu patted her. Christmas seemed to have lightened her mood. “I am fine. How are your classes going? I hope you haven't forgotten about your upcoming O.W.L.s next year.”

Shijie said something, but Madame Yu's attention was snatched away by Wei Wuxian.

“Well, hello,” she said, her voice taking on a stone-cold tone. “And how have you been? You wrote us no letters.”

Wei Wuxian swallowed. Merlin, she was totally going to make that an issue. He hung his head in an effort to placate her. “Sorry about that, Madame Yu.”

Madame Yu scoffed.

She told them all to wash and have their lunch soon after. The servants resumed their frantic scrambling to set the table and bring out the dishes.

Wei Wuxian stepped inside his room and was delighted to find that no one had touched anything. Everything was covered in a fine layer of dust, but it was the same as he had left it, including the bunched-up blanket he had thrown on the floor in a hurry.

He sat down on his bed and stared at the sky through the skylight.

Was Meng Yao having fun?

Were Nie Mingjue and Huiasang still bickering?

Was Lan Zhan eating lunch?

Hell, he even thought of Malfoy, who had looked genuinely sad at having to study at Hogwarts while the rest of them waved and left.

Suddenly, his room felt very small.

~~•~~

WEI WUXIAN'S CHRISTMAS, in spite of all hopes, did not go as planned.

Nothing catastrophic happened, of course. But many little things did happen, which disturbed him, made him sad and generally made him feel like leaving the place for good.

Like earlier Christmases, which were full of joy, gift giving and food, this year was a lot duller. Gift giving did take place, and Wei Wuxian received a silver jumper from Uncle Jiang (no doubt to signify his Slytherin status) and a book on Potions by Shijie (which he had told her once about and then forgotten). His Shijie’s gift managed to bring a smile to his lips, but it quickly vanished when he realised that Jiang Cheng had got him no gift this year.

Wei Wuxian had. He had bought a book on star Quidditch Beaters on Christmas Eve from the Yunmeng Market. He had bought a fancy quill for Shijie coloured in yellow that magically erased spelling errors, a big box of candy for Uncle Jiang (who was a sweet-tooth but would never admit it) and a scented candle-set for Madame Yu.

As usual, he received nothing from Madame Yu.

But Jiang Cheng always made sure to give him something outlandish. Once, he had gifted Wei Wuxian a talking raven figurine. It picked up slang words and had to be disposed of quickly, but it had been the best highlight of Wei Wuxian's 9th Christmas.

Even Uncle Jiang noticed the absence of a gift. “What is this, A-Cheng? Where is Wei Ying’s gift?”

Wei Wuxian answered before Jiang Cheng. “Oh, I told him not to get me anything this year,” he laughed. “He always gives me nonsensical gifts anyways.”

Later at night, he could not understand why he had saved Jiang Cheng from a scolding by Uncle Jiang. He shouldn't have saved him.

But he did.

Maybe it was the nervous way Jiang Cheng looked when his father asked that, but Wei Wuxian saved him.

Again.

He wanted to tear his hair out.

Dinners and lunches were a whole other matter. By now, the rift between him and Jiang Cheng was well-known. None of the adults pried, but their unease was as clear as day.

A stiff silence followed their once-rowdy dinners.

How could Wei Wuxian enjoy the food like this?

Days crawled by. The fortnight of holiday they had received seemed never-ending, and so did Madame Yu's thinly-veiled taunts.

“A Slytherin, huh?” she had cornered him one day after a stressful dinner. Wei Wuxian froze, the hair on his neck rising. Here it goes…

He turned around and gave her a smile. “Yes.”

Madame Yu's eyes narrowed. She scanned him from toe to top and chuckled. “I can't say I'm surprised.”

Wei Wuxian did not know what that meant, but he was sure it was not anything good. Had she always expected him to be in Slytherin? But why? As far as he knew, he had never shown any Slytherin traits. In fact, everyone told him he was destined to be a Gryffindor. He was brave and righteous and honest, and the House of the Lion represented all those things.

But to Madame Yu, he had always been a snake.

Christmas morning dawned dismally. Wei Wuxian lay on his bed, not wanting to go down and exchange fake smiles. There was a party scheduled, bringing together the smaller clans, and he was expected to make an appearance.

The party did nothing to enhance his mood.

It went on like it always did: food, drinks, gossip. Earlier, Wei Wuxian enjoyed the limelight. He still did. But everyone looked at him as if he was a murderer in disguise.

A Slytherin Snake was not welcome among them.

Wei Wuxian balled his hands into fists. Was a House going to dictate the entirety of his life from now on?

The thing which hurt the most amidst this gloomy atmosphere was his break with Shijie.

Shijie couldn't be blamed, of course. She tried everything in her power to talk to Wei Wuxian. During meal-times, she smiled at him, tried to engage him in the conversation, but to no avail. During that disastrous gift-giving ceremony, she had hugged him when presented with her gift.

Wei Wuxian had not lost any love for her.

He was just embarrassed to face her.

His embarrassment stemmed from the Halloween Incident. After his anger had cooled down, it had come to his realisation that his brash behaviour towards Jin Zixuan was going to cause a lot of problems with his Shijie. Worse, it would cause problems with Madame Yu, who was friends with Jin Zixuan’s mother.

From then on, he could not face Shijie. He had caused problems for her. He was a mess. Jiang Cheng had been right in that regard. He wasn't even her real brother. He had no right to protect her like that.

During these difficult times, his only companion was his cat.

Meng Yao had asked him to name it repeatedly. “The cat needs a name, Wei Wuxian.”

Wei Wuxian only scratched his head. “I don't know, man.”

“Do you not love her?”

“Of course I do! But naming someone is a hassle! What if she doesn't like the name I give her?”

“But still. She needs a name.”

“Whatever, man.”

Two days after Christmas, the name came to Wei Wuxian. He picked up the cat, kissed her on the nose and said, “Your name shall be Suibian, which in Chinese means ‘whatever.’ Do you like it?”

Suibian purred.

The decision was made.

The last day of the year arrived pretty fast. Wei Wuxian stayed in his room as the Jiang Manor was flooded with guests again and this time, he would only make a last-minute appearance. He had no wish to be gawked at.

He came down when half-an-hour was left for midnight to arrive.

Shijie clasped his arm. “Do you have a New Year's Resolution?”

Wei Wuxian tried to squirm out. “I-uh—”

Shijie stopped smiling. She suddenly twirled him around to look him straight in the face. “What is the matter with you, A-Xian? Have I done something wrong? If I have, then please forgive me. I am sorry for not saying anything that day, for not protecting you the way you protected me—”

“I did not protect you,” interrupted Wei Wuxian. “I only made things worse.”

Shijie huffed. “No, you didn't. A-Xian, what happened that day was bad. But please don't beat yourself up over this. Forget what A-Cheng said. Forget what Jin Zixuan said. Please, A-Xian.” She looked close to tears. “I know it was your birthday that day. I was going to come to you to celebrate, but then everything happened and I—I could not...”

She choked. “I am sorry.”

If someone had torn out Wei Wuxian's heart, it would have hurt less than the sight of his crying Shijie.

He hugged her, breathing her in after many, many months. She wrapped her arms around him too, and they stayed like that, while the party raged on downstairs.

“You are my brother,” she said, gritting her teeth. “Always will be. You understand that?”

Wei Wuxian laughed to mask his tears. “As you say, Professor.”

New Year's started with him and his Shijie holding hands and counting down the seconds. Everyone cheered when the next year rolled around, and Wei Wuxian knew that the coming year was not going to be bad at all.

How could it, when he began it by holding hands with Shijie?

~~•~~

RIGHT AFTER JANUARY HIT, preparations for going back to Hogwarts started.

It was the same bustle again. Jiang Cheng was running around to get everything in order. The Hogwarts Express would leave on the 3rd.

Wei Wuxian received a letter from Meng Yao at last.

“Dear Wei Wuxian,
Happy New Year, idiot. I hope your resolution this year is to be less of an idiot.

Listen, I cannot tell you everything that has been going on at Qinghe. All I can say is that this Christmas has been the best of my life. I'll give you detailed accounts in Hogwarts.

Me and Huiasang will be going by the train. You will too, right? Meet you on Platform 9¾.

Yours lovingly,
Meng Yao (Dimples)

PS: You don't have to reply to this letter. You told me about your problem with the owl.”

Ah yes.

The Jiang family owl.

Wei Wuxian was never allowed to send letters which Madame Yu deemed as useless by the family owl. She said it was a waste of the owl's energy and a waste of paper. Wei Wuxian could only send letters for official matters, though what came under ‘official matters’ was unclear.

In short, he could not send letters to friends.

Merlin. He couldn't wait till Hogwarts.

Wei Wuxian smiled bitterly at the change in attitude. Just a month ago, he had been dying to come to Yunmeng. Now, he was dying to go back to the one place where he could be understood.

He was an outcast even in Hogwarts, as all Slytherins were, but at least he was known and noticed by his housemates.

Plus, Hogwarts did not have Madame Yu.

The hours ticked by.

Soon enough, it was the second day of January. Shijie had dropped by earlier to help him with his luggage, but Wei Wuxian had it packed and ready. After having their last dinner, he had run up to his room, determined to get a good night's sleep and then go away.

The last dinner had been the usual. Uncle Jiang had added that they would all be missed, but Shijie had lightened the mood by saying that they would be back by June, after their Finals.

It was during this time when an owl knocked at Wei Wuxian's skylight.

He almost fell off his bed in surprise. The owl was huge, with white feathers and golden eyes. Wei Wuxian was immediately reminded of Lan Zhan, then pinched himself for thinking of the boy this way.

Lan Zhan was no owl.

He was a grumpy grandpa.

He opened the skylight and let the owl in. The owl perched on his desk and looked at him calmly.

“Hello,” said Wei Wuxian, holding Suibian back from jumping on the bird. The owl looked capable enough to gouge out his cat’s eyes. “Whose owl are you, beautiful one?”

The owl lifted a leg.

There was a letter rolled in its claws. Wei Wuxian gingerly took the letter out and had another small heart attack.

The letter was from Lan Zhan.

With trembling hands (why were they trembling? Stupid hands) he opened the letter. There, in Lan Zhan's clear calligraphy, were the words:

“Dear Wei Wuxian,
I write this letter to you to let you know that your Herbology textbook has somehow been mixed in my suitcase.”

Wei Wuxian had a third heart attack. His Herbology book? He looked around wildly, spotted his mostly unopened book bag and rummaged around. Sure enough, there was no sign of his Herbology book. Merlin. How had that happened?

He continued reading the letter.

“I will give it back on the train, if you are coming by train. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Also, I would like to wish you…”

Wei Wuxian squinted. There were a lot of scratched out words here.

“....a Happy Birthday. I did not wish you earlier and I apologise for my rudeness.

Yours sincerely,
Lan Wangji.”

Wei Wuxian flopped on his bed. How did Lan Zhan get to know about his birthday? Why was he wishing him? How on Earth had his Herbology book reached Lan Zhan's bag?

It was all very confusing.

Wei Wuxian fed the owl some grains. He thought of writing a letter back, but he would see Lan Zhan tomorrow anyways.

When the owl went away and he finally pulled his blanket up to his chin, all the irritation of the past few days suddenly melted away, leaving only Lan Zhan's letter in his mind.

Chapter Text

1962, PLATFORM 9¾

“WANGJI, WHO ARE you looking for?”

Lan Wangji did not grace his brother's question with an answer. He only continued his search for the familiar face of Wei Wuxian, whose Herbology book was held tightly in his hands.

Xiongzhang, as usual, understood him even when he did not say anything. “Oh, looking for Wei Wuxian, huh? You know, Wangji, I still cannot make out just how his book landed inside your suitcase. You guys are not in the same House, nor do you have Herbology together.”

Lan Wangji wished his brother would shut up. He could not possibly tell him how the book had come into his possession for fear of being termed as crazy or a thief — or both — and hence, could not answer Xiongzhang.

The Hogwarts Express stood on the tracks, decorated in the traditional Christmas decor. Students were beginning to crowd the platform to get back to Hogwarts. Some of the First Years had begun to cry again, just like the first day.

That was when the red ribbon came into view.

“Lan Zhan!” said Wei Wuxian, dragging a suitcase behind him and shouting his name loudly enough to let the entirety of London know. “How did your holidays go? Is that my book?”

Lan Wangji could only hand him the book in silence. He could not decide whether to smile, answer his questions or reciprocate his greeting, so he did the only thing he did. He kept quiet, taking in his appearance. Wei Wuxian looked thinner than he was, with a patch of circles under his eyes.

Wei Wuxian smiled. “I really don't understand how this book got in your bag, but I'm glad it didn't go with anyone else.”

Xiongzhang nodded. “I too, am in confusion. Did you guys ever study together?”

Lan Wangji glared at him.

Wei Wuxian snorted. “You really think Lan Zhan would study with me?”

Before the conversation could go on any further, another set of loud shouts interrupted them. It was Nie Huiasang and Meng Yao, with a disappointed Nie Mingjue behind them. They were calling for Wei Wuxian and waving big boxes of gifts in their hands.

“Wei bro!” said Huiasang, jumping on Wei Wuxian. “Happy New Year! Look, I got you chocolates from Qinghe. They are a delicacy.”

Wei Wuxian's smile fell. “But I didn't get you anything,” he stammered, trying to push the box away, but Huiasang could be surprisingly stubborn when he wanted to be.

“Shut up and take it.”

Meng Yao clapped Wei Wuxian on the back. “Wei Wuxian, you absolute idiot. Take the chocolates if you don't want to miss out on a divine experience.”

“Divine experience?”

Meng Yao sighed dreamily. “Oh yes.”

Lan Wangji eyed the trio. Huiasang talked with everyone and greeted him too. He was a fairly transparent person, cheerful and positive, with a great love for gossiping and speculation. But Meng Yao stayed to himself, only interacting with Wei Wuxian. He was not a noticeable person at all and tended to cower behind pillars in most matters.

How he had managed to become Wei Wuxian's friend was a mystery.

Lan Wangji tried to spot his roommates, before remembering that Song Lan and Xiao Xingchen would come to Hogwarts tomorrow. As for Jiang Cheng, Lan Wangji could see him in the background, talking with Jiang Yanli.

He wondered if things were alright between the three Yunmeng siblings now. After the scene on Halloween, anyone with a brain could tell that things were about to take a turn for the worse for Jiang Cheng and Wei Wuxian. Some people felt that this was bound to happen between a Slytherin and a Gryffindor.

Jiang Yanli was the only person who had the sense to bring those two together, but her success was doubtful.

“Hey.”

Lan Wangji met Wei Wuxian's eyes. “What?”

Wei Wuxian trailed his eyes from his feet to his head. It was a quick scan, completely normal and obligatory, but it made Lan Wangji wet his throat by swallowing.

“How did you know when my birthday is?”

Lan Wangji had seen that question coming. “Your Shijie said it that day,” he said. “She said it was your birthday.”

Wei Wuxian raised his eyebrows. “When?”

“When you were busy arguing.”

Wei Wuxian blinked. “Oh,” he said, his face falling for a moment. Then he brightened up again. “You remembered that. Well, well, well, why would you remember such an unimportant detail?” His smile was extremely smug.

Lan Wangji hated it.

He said nothing and turned around, but Wei Wuxian began asking him when his birthday was. There was no way Lan Wangji was going to divulge such information to him, and he rolled his eyes when Wei Wuxian began to tap him on the shoulder.

Wei Wuxian only stopped pestering him when it was time to get on the train. He skipped to the train with Meng Yao and Huiasang, leaving Lan Wangji alone with Jiang Cheng.

Merlin.

It was going to be a long ride.

~~•~~

THE TWO OF them remained silent. Jiang Cheng read a book on Quidditch while Lan Wangji stared out the window. The Scottish countryside passed by, all rolling hills and fresh snow and sparkling sun.

Christmas had gone the way it always did. The Lans did not celebrate it much, but there was always a special dinner on Christmas Eve and New Year's Day. Everything had gone pretty normally, except for the complaints of his uncle about their still-closed Defence Against the Dark Arts class.

Lan Qiren had seemed especially worried about it. “You kids are missing the introduction to Defence Against the Dark Arts,” he said, his brows furrowed. “What is Albus doing? Who is taking the class for the Fifth and Seventh Years?”

“Dumbledore himself,” said Xiongzhang. “Professor McGonagall assists him now and then.”

“That is ridiculous.”

“Professor McGonagall is a strong witch,” said Lan Wangji. He respected their Head of House very much already.

His uncle shook his head. “I know, but she is not suitable to teach Defence Against the Dark Arts. Nor is Albus. I should have a talk with him. He's playing with your education.”

Xiongzhang had convinced him not to do so with great effort.

Lan Wangji was not concerned about the class. Sure, it was an important part of their curriculum, but he was already under great stress about the other subjects. Herbology was a pain, but Transfiguration and Astronomy were turning out to be difficult too. Charms were easy but confusing, and he had messed up some spells more often than not while practicing in the library.

The thought of the library made him grateful to be going back to Hogwarts. Cloud Recesses had an excellent library, but Hogwarts was on a whole other level of books.

Lan Wangji spent much of his time among the books. He read, did his homework and only came down to eat in the Great Hall. The Gryffindor dorms were always too loud to concentrate.

The train pulled into its destination by evening. They got out, but instead of the boats, they got the carriages this time.

“First Years over 'ere!”

There was Hagrid again, smiling at them from his towering height. He ushered them to a row of carriages that were harnessed to…nothing.

Lan Wangji frowned. Where were the horses?

Everyone was talking about the same thing, pointing to the invisible beings that pulled the wooden carriages.

“Thestrals,” said a Ravenclaw, supplying information like candy. “The carriages are pulled by Thestrals.”

“Why are they invisible?” That was Wei Wuxian's voice.

“Because they can be seen only by those who have seen someone die.”

A hush fell over them.

“What?” asked Nie Huiasang, fanning himself fast with his painted folding fan. “Someone die?”

The Ravenclaw boy was enjoying this immensely, it seemed. “Yes. Once you have seen death with your eyes, only then can you see Thestrals.”

Lan Wangji shifted on his feet. Well, that was disturbing. That meant that he could never see these Thestrals in his life.

“Get in, get in. One carriage is for four people,” said Hagrid, but none of the students paid any heed to his words. Friends jumped inside carriages together, pushing to get to the biggest carriages first. Some Gryffindors grabbed Jiang Cheng and threw him inside a carriage too.

Lan Wangji stood in the middle. He knew no one would pull him inside a carriage, so he waited to see where he could get an empty seat.

“Lan Zhan! Oi, Lan Zhan!”

Lan Wangji sighed as he turned around to see Wei Wuxian's head sticking out of a carriage. The door was open. “Come in here!” he shouted. “There's plenty of space!”

Space? Lan Wangji could see Nie Huiasang, Meng Yao and Mian-Mian inside the carriage. The carriage was already at maximum capacity. He then spied another Hufflepuff girl inside.

There were five people in that carriage. Wei Wuxian was basically on Huiasang's lap.

Lan Wangji shuddered as he shook his head. He would swim across the Black Lake before he sat inside that carriage and suffocated to death.

Wei Wuxian kept on shouting. He tried to come out, but the coach-man arrived and shut the door firmly. He then sat down, whipped the invisible Thestrals, and the carriage began to rush across the vast plains towards Hogwarts.

“What are you doin' 'ere boy?” asked Hagrid. “Everyone is gettin’ inside.”

Lan Wangji bowed. “Could you take me to a carriage with an empty seat?”

Hagrid used his massive hand to scratch his massive head. “I'm afraid the carriages are full, kid. You can…uh…”

Lan Wangji spotted a carriage that was about to leave. The space beside the coach-man suddenly gave him an idea. “I could sit by the coach-man, can't I?”

Hagrid winced. “You woulda fall off.”

Lan Wangji was already heading towards the carriage. It was a much better option to sit beside the coach-man instead of the heated atmosphere inside the carriage. He could ask the coach-man about the invisible Thestrals too. It was a win-win situation any way one saw it.

The coach-man cast him a confused look. When Lan Wangji explained his condition, he laughed and made space for him. “Hold on tight, boy. Riding in the open air is better than sitting inside the carriages like princesses.”

Lan Wangji clambered on. He had sat on horse-back plenty of times when he was a child. His father had liked horse-riding and often took him, teaching him how to control a horse through reins.

The carriage started to roll, slowly at first, before gathering considerable speed as it ran under the moonlit sky.

The rocking motion made Lan Wangji drowsy. He rested his head against the coach, hugging his suitcase to his body. He decided that from then on, he would always travel this way.

Later on in life, Lan Wangji would wonder what would have happened that day if he had not sat by the coach-man.

Words trickled into Lan Wangji's ears as he closed his eyes against the breeze. The people inside the carriage were talking.

“What about the Bludgers?”

Lan Wangji's ears twitched.

“He said he was enchanting both the Bludgers. You know him. He's thorough.”

“He's Malfoy. What else do you expect from him?”

Lan Wangji opened his eyes. Malfoy? Enchanted Bludgers? Where was this conversation going? He shifted to press his ears directly against the coach. He could make out the voices of at least three different boys and a girl.

“Malfoy is really determined about this, huh?”

“Honestly, Wen Chao, I think he's going a bit extreme with this.”

“Really, Alex? You are going to say that? You are an Avery, act like it.”

“What has my surname got to do with this?”

Lan Wangji's breathing was beginning to get heavier. What was Malfoy going extreme about?

“Honestly, I think he deserves it.” A girl’s voice sneered.

“Who?”

“Wei Wuxian, of course! He had the gall to make fun of me!”

“Calm down, Wang LingJiao.”

“Shut up, Avery.”

Oh.

Merlin.

Crap.

Lan Wangji almost lost his grip on his suitcase. The coach was full of First Year Slytherins. Malfoy was planning something extreme about Wei Wuxian, something concerning enchanted Bludgers. This was already sounding like the worst thing ever.

“What is he aiming at, by the way? I don't understand. Does he want Wei Wuxian to get hit by the Bludgers?”

“No, stupid. Malfoy wants the Bludgers to hit that guy — what's his name — the angry, scowling Gryffindor.”

“Jiang Cheng?”

“Yes.”

“But what good will Jiang Cheng's injury do to Malfoy?”

“Oh Merlin, you are really dense, aren't you Alex? Just think about it. If Wei Wuxian, our Beater, our attacker, hits Jiang Cheng on the face with a Bludger, how do you think his adoptive family would react to that?”

Lan Wangji did not need to hear the answer from Alexander Avery.

He could very well understand the implications of it.

Madame Yu would roast Wei Wuxian alive.

And that wasn't even the worst of it.

Lan Wangji knew Wei Wuxian. He knew he loved Jiang Cheng and the guilt of hitting him with a Bludger during a match would eat him alive. Wei Wuxian was good. Wei Wuxian was kind. Wei Wuxian would never, ever want Jiang Cheng to get hurt.

“But why would Wei Wuxian hit Jiang Cheng with a Bludger?”

“Someone throw him out of the carriage!” screeched the girl, Wang LingJiao.

“Avery, that is where the enchanted Bludgers come in! Wei Wuxian is not going to hit Jiang Cheng, the Bludger will. But who will be blamed? Wei Wuxian, of course!”

The glee in Wen Chao's voice was poisonous. “That guy thinks he's God or something. Complaining about us on the first day, acting high and mighty, flaunting his flying skills, treating Prefect Malfoy like a beggar. Oh, he's going to pay.”

The carriage rolled into the grounds of Hogwarts as soon as Wen Chao said that. It stopped, and so did Lan Wangji's heartbeat.

He jumped down and ran towards the castle, not taking into account the Christmas trees, the laughing crowd and the smell of dinner in the air. Wei Wuxian was nowhere to be seen. His carriage had been the first one to go, so he must be inside the castle already.

He rushed inside and stopped in the courtyard.

Wei Wuxian. He had to get to Wei Wuxian.

Hogwarts had never looked bigger.

Chapter Text

1962, HOGWARTS

WEI WUXIAN WAS having a good day. It was not a great day, of course. There had been no great days since the Halloween Incident. But today was a good day.

Firstly, he got to see his friends again. He was touched to receive presents from Huiasang and Meng Yao, the latter of whom had given him a pencil sketch of himself while playing with Suibian.

“It's beautiful!” he gushed, already thinking of framing it in his room at the Jiang Manor. The sketch was an incredibly detailed one. It showed him playing with an indifferent Suibian, laughing to himself in his dorm. Meng Yao had drawn everything, ranging from his cluttered bed to the pile of books to the fluttering ribbon in his hair.

Nie Huiasang whistled. “Since when could you draw?”

Meng Yao puffed up his chest. “Since forever.”

The train ride passed by in a chocolate-induced haze as the three of them chatted constantly. Wei Wuxian did not have much to say about his holiday, but Huiasang and Meng Yao did.

“Qinghe is a rocky place,” said Meng Yao. “I drew a picture of the Nie Fort. I'll show it to you later. Anyways, Nie Mingjue was a gracious host. He really tolerated me.”

“My brother likes you,” said Huiasang. “Says you are more capable than me.”

“That is so true,” mocked Wei Wuxian and received a punch in response.

Meng Yao continued. “And the food! Wei Wuxian, you had to be there. The food is so good. Most of it is meat. Fish, chicken, mutton, pork, beef—”

Wei Wuxian's stomach growled. They broke into fits of nonsensical laughter at that.

The nonsensical laughter continued after they boarded the carriage. The topic of the Thestrals was intriguing, but they were soon forgotten in the cramped space of the carriage. When Mian-Mian and Gwen Longbottom joined them, it became more boisterous than ever.

The girls turned out to be great companions, especially Mian-Mian, who had once made her wand burst into flames during Charms. She was genuinely funny and talkative and made quite the pair with Nie Huiasang.

Wei Wuxian felt that the day could have gone a little better had Lan Zhan joined them.

“Why are you calling him when he's clearly not interested?” asked Gwen, throwing a cross look at Lan Zhan standing outside. “He seems a bit arrogant to me, to be honest. Why is he so silent? Because he's a Lan?”

Wei Wuxian corrected her. “No, no, he talks. He just doesn't talk as much as we do.”

Their coach-man had driven them to Hogwarts at a break-neck speed. Wei Wuxian had received many head bumps against the roof of the carriage, causing both him and Nie Huiasang to scream and yell in excitement.

When they finally arrived at Hogwarts, the five of them jumped down.

“You turned out to be better than I had expected,” said Mian-Mian. She suddenly looked here and there, then leaned close to Wei Wuxian. “Don't mind, but after what happened on Halloween, I thought you would be too angry or sad to…you know…talk with people. Also, my family has always said that Slytherins are bad.”

Wei Wuxian grinned. “Do I look bad?”

Mian-Mian shook her head. “You look very cute, actually.”

She gave him a cheeky grin and ran towards the castle with her friends, leaving Wei Wuxian warm in the neck and ears.

Oh Merlin. If Huiasang and Meng Yao ever got to know about that comment, they would never let him rest in peace.

He rubbed his face and went inside too.

“I am regretting going home on Christmas,” said Nie Huiasang, looking at the string of Christmas lights in the courtyard. “I should have stayed here.”

“We will stay here next year,” said Wei Wuxian. The idea was very exciting. He began to make plans as he talked. “We will stay next year, eat all day, never sleep and never study. We are not touching books. We will plan pranks and stuff. Then, I will—”

“Can we go and eat already?” whined Meng Yao. “I am hungry.”

“You ate that chocolate box in the train.”

“Liar! Wei Wuxian ate half of it.”

“Hey!”

They trooped inside the Great Hall, the aroma of dinner hitting them in full force. Wei Wuxian shook his head. The Hogwarts food really had no competition, apart from his Shijie's lotus root soup.

Wei Wuxian drifted to the Slytherin table. He recognised some of them now, unlike the first day when he had approached the table full of apprehension. His eyes automatically went to seek out Edmund Malfoy. There he was, looking as put together as he always did. He spotted Wei Wuxian too, and his smile grew bigger.

“Wei Wuxian. Had a nice holiday?”

Wei Wuxian nodded.

Meng Yao grabbed seats for both of them and they sat down, immediately filling their plates.

Malfoy grinned. “I'll let you know that the Quidditch matches will begin next week. Our first game is on the 9th of January against Huffepuff.”

“Easy win, if you ask me,” said Catherine.

Wei Wuxian frowned. He did not know why all the Houses perceived Huffepuff as weak, when the strongest person he knew hailed from that House. “Do not underestimate them.”

The rest of the dinner passed peacefully enough, further reinforcing Wei Wuxian's thoughts that today was indeed a good day.

That illusion shattered just as he picked up his cup of tea.

“Wei Wuxian! Wei Wuxian!”

Most of the people in the Great Hall, including the teachers at the high table, started at the voice. It was a loud, harsh scream, as if the person had screamed himself hoarse all day. Even Dumbledore looked at the door with worry.

Wei Wuxian stood up when Lan Zhan ran inside the Great Hall, his hair dishevelled and tie loose. He was sweating profusely and was wheezing like an engine when he ran to the Slytherin table. He stopped in front of Wei Wuxian with a shudder.

Wei Wuxian clutched his red robes before Lan Zhan could faceplant on the dish of treacle tarts. He had never seen the boy like this, and had certainly never imagined that he would see him this way.

“What happened?” he asked, not caring about the fact that everyone was staring at them now. All that mattered was Lan Zhan at the moment. “Lan Zhan, are you alright? Did you hurt yourself? What—”

Lan Zhan held his hand tightly, the skin contact sending a jolt down Wei Wuxian's spine. He locked his golden eyes on him and said, “Follow me.”

Then he ran, dragging Wei Wuxian behind him.

~~•~~

THEY RAN UNTIL they reached the wooden pier of the Black Lake.

Wei Wuxian collapsed as Lan Zhan let him go. He was the one wheezing now, holding his heart still. Lan Zhan was a fast runner. “What happened, my man? What happened? Did someone die?”

“Someone will!” snapped Lan Zhan.

Wei Wuxian looked up at him. “What?” he barked, his mind not registering his words.

Lan Zhan regained his composure. He cleared his throat, wiped the sweat off his brow, sat down on the pier and splashed cold water on his face.

When he had finished, he turned to Wei Wuxian. “Listen to me,” he said, his usually slow speech tumbling out rapidly. “Listen to me very, very carefully. You are in danger.”

The statement was so absurd that Wei Wuxian laughed. “Excuse me?” He was pretty sure Lan Zhan was losing his mind. Maybe the boy had eaten something bad on the train.

Lan Zhan did not laugh. Instead, he said something that chilled Wei Wuxian to the bone.

“Malfoy is planning a huge thing. He is planning to strike during the Slytherin versus Gryffindor Quidditch game that will take place this month. He is going to enchant the Bludgers, Wei Wuxian. The balls you Beaters play with. He's going to enchant them to hit Jiang Cheng and make it seem as if you are the culprit.”

Lan Zhan took a deep breath. “He is planning to trap you! You understand? He will make you the culprit who hurt Jiang Cheng. You are about to be trapped!”

Then he sat back and let Wei Wuxian process his words.

Wei Wuxian did not take long.

“Wait a minute,” he said, his brain reeling with the amount of information. Trapped? Malfoy was going to enchant the Bludgers? Hitting Jiang Cheng? Everything sounded worse than the last.

Lan Zhan groaned. “There is no time,” he pressed. “I just talked to Madam Hooch before coming to you. She says that the Slytherin versus Gryffindor match will take place on 12th of January. You have only eight days in hand.”

“Eight days in hand to do what?” asked Wei Wuxian. “What can I possibly do in this scenario?”

Lan Zhan threw his hands in the air. It was the most expression he had ever shown. “Tell it to Professor Slughorn? You complained about them the first day. Surely you can complain again?”

Wei Wuxian could. He really could. Slughorn liked him. He would listen to him. He would—

“I told you a hundred times not to join their team,” said Lan Zhan. “I told you not to complain about them, not to be such a hero on the first day. But no! You just had to be the knight and do everything!”

Wei Wuxian scowled. “Are you trying to help me or scold me?”

“Both,” hissed Lan Zhan, his eyes flashing menacingly.

The temperature around them spiked.

Wei Wuxian scrambled back. The air around Lan Zhan had suddenly grown hotter, almost scorching, like the summer sun in Yunmeng. The wooden pier beneath them grew warm.

“Lan Zhan?” he said, realising that it was Lan Zhan's magic making everything hotter. “Lan Zhan!”

Lan Zhan blinked as he stopped spreading his magic. He closed his eyes, knocked himself on the head, then gulped. “Sorry. My wand does that sometimes. It grows hot.”

Wei Wuxian nodded. That part was understandable. “My wand does it too, but it grows cold. Freezing.”

“Oh.”

They sat there for a while, not talking, not looking at each other.

Wei Wuxian held his head between his hands. The laughing face of Malfoy surfaced before his eyes, and this time, it produced no joy in him. It was him who was becoming angry now, fisting his hands and leaving nail marks in his palms.

How dare he?

How dare he.

Malfoy had no right to destroy his life.

No one had any right to destroy his life.

Enchanting Bludgers, huh? Oh, Wei Wuxian was going to show them.

He would show them all.

He looked at Lan Zhan and snapped his fingers. “Lan Zhan, get up.”

Lan Zhan looked hopeful. “Going to Professor Slughorn?”

“He won't believe me,” said Wei Wuxian. It was true. “Malfoy is a star student. He won't listen to me if I accuse him of such a thing.”

“Then?”

“We do nothing,” said Wei Wuxian. “You act as if nothing happened. If anyone asks you why you shouted for me, tell them you had my Herbology book with you.”

Lan Zhan did not move. “What are you going to do?”

Wei Wuxian refrained from growling out that he was planning on skinning Malfoy alive. “Nothing. Just do as I say. Please.”

~~•~~

IN ALL HONESTY, Wei Wuxian needed time to think.

After spending five months in Slytherin, in the close proximity of Malfoy and Co., Wei Wuxian had come to realise that the pureblood Slytherins held considerable sway over Slughorn and some other teachers. Complaining about them on such a serious accusation would yield nothing.

Malfoy was not stupid. He would hide all evidence of cheating and play innocent, and Wei Wuxian would get crushed in the process.

Wei Wuxian had to admit that the plan was a good one. Using him to cause harm to Jiang Cheng meant that Wei Wuxian would ultimately suffer the most. Madame Yu would kill him, even Uncle Jiang would be angry.

None of them would try to understand that it was all a trick.

Except maybe Shijie.

But then, Shijie had no real power. Her opinions and support did not matter much in the long run.

Hence, Wei Wuxian could not complain. Neither could he confront them. Confronting them would result in Malfoy manipulating him.

That wouldn't do.

“I need to play along,” he muttered to himself in the bathroom. He wished he could punch the mirror, then stick a shard of it in Malfoy's stomach.

Wen Chao, Wen Zhuliu, Alexander Avery and Wang LingJiao were not exempt from this consideration.

Wei Wuxian had no idea how many Slytherins were involved in this ploy. It could be everyone. It could be only known to the players and the First Years.

Hell, even Professor Slughorn could be involved.

Wei Wuxian gripped the sink. He suddenly wanted to puke, but he couldn't.

Merlin. What would he have done if Lan Zhan had not eavesdropped on their conversation? After this blew over, he would have to thank Lan Zhan.

Wei Wuxian could not operate for the next two days. Every time Malfoy spoke, or Wen Chao laughed, or Desmond and Catherine smiled, or Wen Xu and Wen Zhuliu glared, he felt like a thousand needles were pricking him.

Classes continued as usual. So did Quidditch practice. Wei Wuxian did everything due to pure muscle memory. Meng Yao asked him if he was okay once or twice, but he deflected the question, saying he was under the weather.

Lan Zhan had told him that he would look into spells that enchanted Bludgers. Wei Wuxian thought it was going to be a fruitless search, but on the 8th, Lan Zhan whispered to him in Charms.

“I have the spell,” he said, passing him a piece of paper.

When Wei Wuxian gawked at him, he smiled. It looked amazing on Lan Zhan. “The spell was easy to find. Malfoy isn't as intelligent as he seems.”

Wei Wuxian physically held on to the table so that he didn't jump on Lan Zhan. He knew he would not appreciate the gesture.

Preme personaam. Literally ‘Hit the Person.’ The spell was put into effect if one chanted it, named the person they wanted to hit it with, then planted the charm into anything that could cause harm. It could either be a knife, a bat or a Quidditch ball.

Excellent.

Wei Wuxian wondered why such a spell even existed.

The morning of the 9th dawned cloudy and dull. The sun did not come out, but the interior of Hogwarts was more than enough to rival the splendor of the sun.

“Hufflepuff! Hufflepuff! Hufflepuff!”

Wei Wuxian cracked a smile as he entered the Great Hall for breakfast. The match was scheduled to be held from noon. Classes were cancelled for the day, and the school was dripping with banners of all colors: red and gold for Gryffindor, blue for Ravenclaw, yellow for Hufflepuff, green and silver for Slytherin.

The air was charged as House rivalry flowed strong.

“We are totally beating you,” sneered Wen Chao.

The Hufflepuffs sneered back.

“My god,” said Wei Wuxian. “This is crazy.”

“It's Quidditch,” said Malfoy. “It is always crazy. Ready for your first match, Beater?”

I am ready to drink your blood, thought Wei Wuxian. “Yes, first game and all,” he said.

How could Malfoy smile like that when he was planning to destroy him?

Wei Wuxian went about the day methodically. He had thought his first game would be an exciting affair, but the looming disaster managed to bitter his mood. Why did all the bad things happen to him? He could not enjoy anything.

Meng Yao and Nie Huiasang dropped by to encourage him.

He walked to the Slytherin Locker Room, situated behind the Quidditch pitch. Professor Slughorn came by too. “No pressure,” he said, offering them a lenient smile. “But try to win.”

“That's contradictory,” said Desmond.

Wearing the Slytherin Quidditch uniform was suffocating now. Wei Wuxian somehow skipped the jumper over his head, fastened his white pants, wore his boots and cleaned the Nimbus 1500. He held his bat, which was a tad heavier now.

Earlier that morning, Wei Wuxian had inserted his wand inside the bat.

He had been delighted to find that the bat opened easily. The wand fit inside snugly, and when Wei Wuxian lifted it, his hands became enveloped in that familiar cold sensation, numbing his fingers already.

Well, that was one problem solved.

The next was playing in the actual field. Wei Wuxian had seen Quidditch matches before, but he knew the experience of playing was going to be much different. For a moment, his thoughts were consumed by victory, but then he saw Malfoy and the main problem returned.

Preme personaam.

That scum.

Merlin save him.

“It is time,” said Malfoy. “I don't need to give you your prep talk. You all know it. Wei Wuxian, all I'll say is to give your best. Enjoy your first game.”

When Wei Wuxian walked out in the field, he was amazed to see the sea of spectators around them. The bleachers were all full. One side was yellow, the other emerald. Most of the Gryffindors and Ravenclaws were on Hufflepuff’s side.

The shouts were deafening.

“Walking in is the Slytherin Quidditch Team!” announced a Fifth Year Gryffindor. “Their Captain and Chaser, Prefect Edmund Malfoy, with Chasers Damien Yaxley, Charles Carrow. Behind them come the Keeper, Catherine Greengrass, along with the Seeker, Desmond Nott. Last but not the least, the Beaters Wen Xu and Wei Wuxian. Wei Wuxian is the newest addition to the Slytherin team, and the crowd waits to see how the youngest member will perform!”

Wei Wuxian took a sharp breath.

He surveyed the ground. Uncle Jiang and Madame Yu would come to watch the Slytherin versus Gryffindor game (just his luck). Shijie had told him about that.

His eyes unconsciously searched for Lan Zhan.

Golden eyes, black hair, white headband….

There he was!

Wei Wuxian smiled as he spotted Lan Zhan squeezed between Huiasang and Meng Yao. The three of them were sitting in the middle, neither Slytherin nor Huffepuff.

Madam Hooch arrived in the middle of the field. She blew on her whistle and Malfoy and the Hufflepuff Captain walked to the centre. They shook hands, said something to each other, then Madam Hooch blew again.

“Players, up!”

They had rehearsed this so many times that they flew up effortlessly. Wei Wuxian swayed for a second. He held his bat tight, willing the power of his wand to keep on flowing.

Another whistle from Madam Hooch started the game.

When someone would ask Wei Wuxian about his first Quidditch game, he would not be able to answer it. Wei Wuxian hardly paid any mind to the game around him. He kept looking at the Bludger, attacking it when it came too near, sending it flying at the Hufflepuffs. He heard shouts, boohs, cheers, applause; heard the commentator; saw his teammates flying; could understand that they were winning; but nothing stayed permanently.

“Nott has caught the Snitch! Slytherin wins by 100 points!”

Wei Wuxian broke out of his incessant worrying when he was caught in a group-hug.

He was suddenly, acutely aware of Malfoy laughing, Desmond Nott yelling obscenities of joy, Catherine Greengrass and Yaxley hollering, Carrow pressing his shoulder, Wen Xu patting him on the head.

“Knocked down a Huffepuff,” he was saying, looking happy for once. “You are a good attacker.”

When did he knock a Huffepuff? Was he or she hurt?

Wei Wuxian couldn't breathe.

~~•~~

THE CELEBRATION WAS tremendous.

It was mostly dedicated to him, or so Malfoy said. Apparently, students from every House was praising Wei Wuxian's skills on the field. They used words like “powerful, graceful and aggressive” to describe him, saying that he was an “asset” to the team.

“Now, get ready for the biggest match,” he said. “We need to show those Gryffindors what we are made of.”

“We have been winning the Quidditch Cup for three years now,” said Catherine. “We have to keep up the streak.”

They were all so worried for the next match that one wouldn't guess they were planning a heinous crime.

Wei Wuxian bade farewell and went up to his room. He was no closer to figuring out what to do. What could he do? No one would believe him. The Bludgers were fine today. Whatever went wrong would go wrong on the 12th. For now, all was fine on the surface.

The days ticked by. Other matches continued. Gryffindor won twice. Ravenclaw won once. Hufflepuff lost every match and were disqualified. Maybe they really were weak.

Wei Wuxian often felt like crying as he racked his mind but came up with no solution.

On the 11th, after having an extremely dismal dinner, he was coming back to his dorm to have another sleepless night when Lan Zhan joined him.

“Hey,” he said, cornering Wei Wuxian in the Defence Against the Dark Arts corridor. “I found out something.”

“What?” said Wei Wuxian, basically shouting in his eagerness.

Lan Zhan glared, then said, “Okay, so I found out that the Preme Personaam charm has to be cast a minute before implementation. That means that Malfoy has to cast the spell on the field itself, while playing, so that you can hit the Bludger and implement the spell as a result. Are you with me so far?”

Wei Wuxian stomped his feet. “Yes!”

“Okay. So,” Lan Zhan's eyes glittered. “I think I know how to solve it all. But it involves work—”

“I don't care!”

“Shut up. Don't interrupt me. Anyways, you have to keep a close eye over Malfoy tomorrow in the field. You have to catch him muttering the spell. Once you see that, signal to me. I'll alert Professor McGonagall, Filtwick and Slughorn. Do not, under any circumstances, hit the Bludger once you catch him uttering the spell. If you do, you'll hit Jiang Cheng. Am I clear?”

Wei Wuxian leaned back against the wall. His heart was having a very weird sensation for Lan Zhan.

What was it?

Ah, right.

It was overwhelming, crushing gratitude.

“Lan Zhan—”

“Am I clear?”

“Yes! Oh Merlin, Lan Zhan. You—” Wei Wuxian smiled, then surged forward to hug him. “Oh my god! I love you!”

Lan Zhan froze against him.

After painful seconds, he patted Wei Wuxian once. “Please let me go.”

~~•~~

THE 12TH OF JANUARY caught Wei Wuxian in the brightest mood of the year.

He had not slept the previous night. Excitement at having found a solution and satisfaction at finally bringing Malfoy's deeds to light kept his mind going. In the morning, Wen Chao looked at him suspiciously when Wei Wuxian greeted him good morning.

He went about the day happily, even as small arguments burst out between the Slytherins and Gryffindors during breakfast. He caught Lan Zhan's eyes during one such ridiculous argument and smiled.

Lan Zhan nodded.

That acknowledgement was enough.

When noon arrived, Wei Wuxian walked out to see another cloudy morning. Thunder sounded in the far distance. It was going to rain, he could tell.

He dressed and readied himself inside the locker. Everything happened just the same as it had on their first game three days ago. When they walked out in the field, applause and audiences greeted them. The stadium was a mix of ruby and jade.

Wei Wuxian's eyes went to the Gryffindor side.

There were Uncle Jiang and Madame Yu, with Shijie beside them. They were decked out in the Gryffindor colours, but Shijie had on a green cap, perhaps signifying her little support for Slytherin too.

Then the Gryffindors walked into the field.

Jiang Cheng had played two games by now. News of his talents had spread, but Wei Wuxian, too consumed by his depressed thoughts, had not attended his matches.

Today was the first time he saw Jiang Cheng wearing the Gryffindor uniform, carrying the Beater bat.

Wei Wuxian willed time to go faster.

Gradually, after formalities, the two teams were up in the air.

The game started.

The Chasers flew first, following the Quaffle at dizzying speeds. The Seekers flew in and out, searching for the elusive Golden Snitch that would earn them instant victory. The commentator was screaming himself hoarse, dancing out of McGonagall's reach every time he said something offensive.

The crowd played with the players.

“Gryffindor has possession of the Quaffle. They are about to score a goal but….ooh! Yaxley has the Quaffle, he's flying straight to the goals, he has almost put it in when…Jiang Cheng has knocked him out! The youngest Gryffindor of the team has been having an extraordinary game this year!”

Wei Wuxian gripped his bat. Yaxley was indeed spinning out of control. Carrow had gone to help him, and that was when Wen Xu shouted, “Wei Wuxian!”

Wei Wuxian whipped his head around. A Bludger was hurtling towards Malfoy, who was chasing the Quaffle.

The wand freezed his fingers.

Wei Wuxian shot past Malfoy. He swung the bat with ease, his mind clearer than the last game. The Bludger was hit firmly and the stadium erupted.

“Not to be outdone, Wei Wuxian has sprung into action! He hits the Bludger and sends it to the edge of the field, protecting Malfoy as he speeds towards the goals and…30 points to Slytherin!”

“Yes!” shouted the Slytherins, chanting their names as an incantation.

Wei Wuxian laughed. Oh, this was fun!

He crossed out the thought as he concentrated on Malfoy's face. There was no telling when he would activate the spell and cause Wei Wuxian to hit the Bludger.

After around ten minutes of flying, during which Slytherin scored another goal, Wei Wuxian suddenly saw Malfoy slow down.

He sailed until he was directly above Malfoy's head. No one was noticing them in the flurry of things, but Wei Wuxian swore that he saw Malfoy mutter something. He caught the tail-end of the word, carried by the wind.

“....naam.”

This was it.

Wei Wuxian had thought about this moment many times since last night. He had never thought it would be activated so early in the game, but it was done now. He had to let Lan Zhan know, but how? They had never agreed upon a signal. Just “a signal.”

Wei Wuxian cleared his throat as the thunder rumbled deep and low. “LAN ZHAN!”

The crowd fell silent for a second.

Only Lan Zhan, with a voice as loud as a lion’s roar, shouted back without a moment’s hesitation. “ON IT!”

“What the—” began Malfoy, looking up to see Wei Wuxian.

Wei Wuxian smiled. “You, Malfoy, will rot in hell.”

Malfoy's eyes narrowed. “Excuse me?” he said.

But Wei Wuxian wasn't listening anymore. His vision was now full of an approaching Bludger, the Bludger that the spell had been put upon. It was flying towards him, looking like the angel of death itself.

Wei Wuxian couldn't hit it with his bat.

Wei Wuxian couldn't let it hit Jiang Cheng.

His eyes fell on his brother, and he suddenly looked very small, very much a child. He was A-Cheng, after all. A-Cheng deserved no pain.

He did.

Lan Zhan had been correct. This was all his fault. The fault of his complaint, his anger, his arrogance, his vengeance. How had he ever thought that joining the Slytherins would be good revenge? If he had hit Jiang Cheng one day in a normal match, then he wouldn't have been able to forgive himself anyways, enchanted Bludgers be damned.

Wei Wuxian received the Bludger head-on.

He was Wei Wuxian, after all.

No one had the power to decide his life other than himself.

Chapter Text

1962, HOGWARTS

WHEN WEI WUXIAN fell from his broom, Jiang Cheng felt like his heart had stopped.

Things played out in perfect clarity and slowness. Jiang Cheng could clearly see as the Bludger hit Wei Wuxian straight in the left arm, causing him to drop his Beater bat and double over the broom. The Bludger shot past, flying towards the terrified crowd, before it miraculously came to a stop and fell down on the ground.

Wei Wuxian fell down too.

“Wei Wuxian!” screamed several people. Madam Hooch blew on her whistle fiercely, effectively stopping the match.

Jiang Cheng was still up in the sky, his bat dangling uselessly from his hand. Most of his teammates swooped down to see what was going on. He caught sight of someone rushing across the ground, someone tall and thin, wearing a headband.

Lan Wangji.

He was by Wei Wuxian's side in an instant, yelling about “the Bludger was enchanted! Professor McGonagall! Someone call Madam Pompfrey!” and looking at the hovering Slytherins with murder in his eyes.

A great commotion fell over everyone. Professors were shouting, the Slytherins were flying down reluctantly after Professor Slughorn ordered them to do so, the crowd was saying mixed things (“Cheating? Who cheated? Oh Merlin, is he alright? I always knew Malfoy was up to no good! Did you know Lan Wangji alerted the professors?”)

Alerted? What on Earth was going on?

Jiang Cheng could understand that some cheating had taken place. The Bludgers were the fastest balls in Quidditch, used to knock people off and cause harm. But the Bludger that had plummeted into Wei Wuxian was not normal. It was too fast, too violent.

The Bludger had been enchanted all right.

And Wei Wuxian was hit with it.

That was when it crashed on him.

Wei Wuxian was hit.

Jiang Cheng gripped his broom. He did not need to maneuver it to the crumpled body of his brother on the ground. The broom flew straight down, as if it knew where its master wanted to go.

Nie Huiasang, Meng Yao and Lan Wangji were trying to haul up Wei Wuxian. His eyes were closed, a thin streak of blood flowing down his temples. His left arm looked twisted in a way no human limb should.

“Boys! Boys! Give him air!”

Madam Pompfrey was bustling up the ground. Jiang Cheng had been to her once, after his first Quidditch practice, when he had received a scrap on his cheek. She was an efficient and kind Healer.

“Move, move! What's wrong with him? Oh dear, broken bones!”

“Will he be okay?” screamed Meng Yao. Jiang Cheng had not known he could shout like this. “Wei Wuxian needs to be okay!”

The lumbering figure of Hagrid suddenly picked up Wei Wuxian's limp body. Jiang Cheng did not know from where he had appeared.

“The match is off!” declared Professor McGonagall. “Please withdraw from the field. Silence and obedience will be appreciated. We request the parents to give us time to do the needful.”

Jiang Cheng could see his parents running towards them. Shijie reached Wei Wuxian first.

“A-Xian! A-Xian! Oh, Hagrid, hold him carefully!”

Hagrid patted Shijie's head. “Don't worry, little Yanli. He will be okay. Broken bones are Madam Pompfrey’s speciality.”

“Thank Merlin,” said his father. He looked awfully pale and scared. “Please, tend to him. Professor McGonagall, how exactly did this happen?” He went to talk to the professors. Shijie, Lan Wangji, Huiasang and Meng Yao ran after Hagrid.

Only his mother remained where she was, sniffing the air. “These are risks which every Quidditch player has to take. Enchanted Bludgers? Who will do that? Wei Wuxian simply could not hold himself—”

“No, Mother,” said Jiang Cheng, finally finding his voice. It came out as a squeak, but it came out nonetheless.

Mother scowled. “A-Cheng, go back to the castle. Stay in your room. Your first game just had to be ruined by that brat.” She squeezed his shoulder. “You were playing so well, sweetie.”

Jiang Cheng shook his head. “He did not do this purposefully.”

“Of course he did!” snapped Mother. “Don't you understand things even now? He's a Slytherin, Jiang Cheng! He will never want someone else to take glory.”

Ah yes.

Wei Wuxian was a Slytherin.

Jiang Cheng remembered the confusion that the whole year had been, ever since the Sorting Hat decided to put Wei Wuxian in Slytherin. He remembered having a mental argument during the Welcome Feast.

This is Wei Wuxian.

But he's a Slytherin.

This is my brother.

Not my actual brother. My martial brother.

But this is Wei Ying.

But he's not a Gryffindor now, is he?

All Slytherins aren't bad.

Really?

Jiang Cheng then scowled, unable to reach a conclusion. Slytherins were always bad. Evil. Wei Wuxian being in Slytherin meant that he was bad.

But he wasn't.

Wei Wuxian was the boy who saved him from Mother's scoldings. He was the one to teach Jiang Cheng maths. He was the one to take care of him when he fell sick. He played with him, pulled his leg, taught him how to make a fart-bomb, taught him how to catch fish.

This was Wei Ying. His brother who was afraid of dogs, loved spicy food, hated the colour brown.

But he was also a Slytherin.

Jiang Cheng had grappled with that confusion in his heart. He had participated in his classes, found out there was more to Hogwarts than just magic, seen Wei Wuxian fly up into the sky during Flying Class and felt pangs of envy.

Throughout everything, the confusion never went away.

Then, for a moment, the confusion ebbed. It was reduced when Wei Wuxian hugged him, congratulated him on being the Beater, and looked genuinely happy for him.

Jiang Cheng had wanted to hug him back.

He really did.

But then his eyes fell on Wei Wuxian's green tie and he remembered he was a Slytherin.

And then, the final straw came when Wei Wuxian was caught arguing with Jin Zixuan in the Great Hall.

Jiang Cheng had never meant to shout. Truly. In fact, he had been writing a birthday card for Wei Wuxian, complete with bad illustrations and worse spellings. He wanted to give it to him, apologise for not hugging back and hug him.

Maybe tickle him a little.

But Wei Wuxian was shouting with the one guy his Mother liked. If Jin Zixuan complained about this, his Mother would kill Wei Wuxian.

So, he yelled.

Shouted.

Said hurtful things.

Said Wei Wuxian only wanted attention, glory, fame. Had to be in the middle of everything. Had to be the first guy to fly, to be the best at Charms, to be Slughorn's favourite, to be all those things Jiang Cheng could never become.

Then, he said Wei Wuxian was not Shijie's actual brother.

He had not meant to say that. Really, he hadn't. But he said it anyways.

And Wei Wuxian put his name in the Slytherin Quidditch Team.

Oh Merlin. This was all his fault.

His Mother was still talking crap about Wei Wuxian. “Go back to your room,” she said. “Go.”

“No.”

Jiang Cheng looked up. Wei Wuxian was hurt, probably in severe pain. He had to go to him. “I'm going to the Hospital Wing.”

“A-Cheng—”

Jiang Cheng did not listen. He ran.

~~•~~

“TRACES OF THE CHARM have been found,” said Professor Filtwick, handing over the Bludger to Professor Slughorn. “I'm afraid Edmund Malfoy did indeed do this thing.”

Professor Slughorn looked ready to fall over. “Oh dear. How unfortunate of such a boy to commit such a thing.”

“Action has to be taken, of course,” said Madam Hooch and Professor Sinistra. “Professor McGonagall, is the Headmaster coming?”

Jiang Cheng side-stepped to allow Professor Sprouts to sit beside Wei Wuxian's prone body and take out a bottle. “Pompfrey, take this. This medicine will do young Wei some good. A mix of herbs, you see.”

Madam Pompfrey tilted the vaguely venomous-looking medicine in Wei Wuxian's mouth.

Professor Sprouts turned to wag a finger at Lan Wangji. “You are yet to give me your essay on Mandrake Leaves.”

Lan Wangji winced. “I will.”

“This is no time to be submitting essays.”

Jiang Cheng stood up hurriedly. He had come to recognise the voice of Albus Dumbledore by now. The wizard entered the room and granted everyone a kind smile.

Everyone, except Professor Slughorn and Madam Pompfrey, left the room.

Jiang Cheng rubbed his hands together. He had to be brave to ask the most important question of the moment to Dumbledore. He was not a Gryffindor for nothing. “Uh…Headmaster. What is going to happen to Malfoy now?”

Dumbledore peered at him. Jiang Cheng almost melted into a puddle, but then he smiled. It was very comforting.

Dumbledore clasped his hands behind his back. “Malfoy has been suspended. His parents are kicking up a lot of problems, but that has been dealt with.” There was an assurance in his voice that provided no cause for concern. “Do not worry, Jiang Cheng. Your brother is safe now.”

“He was always safe,” said Jiang Cheng. “That Bludger was not meant to hit him. It was for me.”

Lan Wangji had, in brief yet bitter terms, let him know about the problem a few hours ago. Now, the sun was setting beyond the horizon, painting the Hospital Wing a deep golden.

The place looked so serene, yet the situation was hardly anything but.

Jiang Cheng felt tears gathering behind his eyes. He blinked them back.

He looked at Wei Wuxian. He was sleeping now, his arm in a cast. The cut on his forehead was bandaged.

Jiang Cheng wanted to shake him awake and shout at him. Why had he done such a stupid thing? Why hadn't he talked with him? He could have told Jiang Cheng, but he chose to say everything to Lan Wangji.

Why?

Did Wei Wuxian hate him now?

He couldn't even blame him if he did. Jiang Cheng knew who was at fault here: himself.

Lan Wangji had stunned him when he finished his explanation with a cutting sentence. “And you told Wei Wuxian he isn't your real brother.”

Jiang Cheng had ignored him then, too preoccupied with Wei Wuxian. Now, though, he could see that he had been an absolute roach.

“Boys, go and get some rest,” said Madam Pompfrey.

Nie Huiasang and Meng Yao kicked up an immediate protest. Jiang Cheng was not far behind in stating his indignation.

Lan Wangji did not say anything. He only planted his feet more firmly on the ground.

Madam Pompfrey shook her head. “Go,” she ordered, her eyes flashing. “Or do you want broken bones too?”

Huiasang, Meng Yao and Lan Wangji were dragged out by Professor McGonagall some minutes later. She looked at Jiang Cheng to reprimand him too, but she stopped when she saw him. Maybe she had changed her mind, allowing him to stay.

Jiang Cheng stayed.

Hours passed. Meng Yao dropped by again, offering Jiang Cheng a biscuit. They munched on biscuits and crackers, not speaking. They did not need to.

That was when Wei Wuxian stirred.

Jiang Cheng was on his feet in an instant. “Wei Wuxian?” he said, as Meng Yao ran to bring in Madam Pompfrey. “Hey, are you okay? Are you…is it paining?”

Wei Wuxian groaned. “Of course, idiot.”

Jiang Cheng plopped down on the chair, relief unlike anything flooding through him, giving him much-needed oxygen. “You are okay.”

Wei Wuxian hummed. “As always.”

Madam Pompfrey bustled in. Lan Wangji, Nie Huiasang and Albus Dumbledore had somehow materialised behind her.

“Wei bro! You are alive!”

“Don't be daft, Huiasang. He wasn't going to die.”

“You say that, Dimples, but I know you've been crying for me.”

“Shut up. Why didn't you tell me all this?”

Wei Wuxian did not answer.

~~•~~

WHILE WEI WUXIAN laid in bed and focused on growing his broken bones back, the Final Exams loomed over them with a menacing spectre.

Every professor seemed to be shouting at them, intent on making their lives miserable. Assignments and class tests increased. Even Professor Filtwick was hurrying, sometimes giving them light rebukes.

Wei Wuxian joined them by the middle of February.

“Welcome, idiot,” said Meng Yao, holding out his Charms notebook. “This is the syllabus we have covered while you were relaxing in the hospital. Read them.”

Wei Wuxian looked at him in dismay. “You are joking.”

“I'm not. Or would you prefer Lan Wangji telling you this?”

Lan Wangji.

That guy was slowly becoming Wei Wuxian's close friend.

Now, Jiang Cheng hung out with Nie Huiasang and Meng Yao. Those two were friends, and it took some time for Jiang Cheng to get accustomed to Meng Yao's caustic humour. Lan Wangji was silent all the time, except to correct them when they made mistakes in their homeworks. Sometimes, they were joined by Song Lan and Xiao Xingchen too.

They were turning out to be quite the group.

Every evening, one of them went up to Wei Wuxian to supply him with the gossip of the day. Most of the times it was Huiasang. The guy loved to talk. Jiang Cheng was present at all evenings.

Lan Wangji did not go everyday, but whenever he did, Wei Wuxian brightened up a bit too much, almost as if Lan Wangji was his best friend.

Jiang Cheng was grateful to Lan Wangji. If not for him, he would have been in bed with twenty broken bones. He had helped them. But he had been rude to him, even though Jiang Cheng was at fault.

Who was Lan Wangji to be rude to him?

By May, when the summer winds began to blow, they sat down to give their Finals. Defence Against the Dark Arts was still closed, so it was one subject less for them.

“Merlin,” said Wei Wuxian, holding his heart as they came out of the Charms exam. “I think I messed up the last question.”

“I messed up all the questions,” said Nie Huiasang. No one was surprised.

Wei Wuxian was back to his old self: happy and joking. His joy had known no bounds when he heard of Malfoy's situation. He had laughed then, rocking the entire Hospital Wing, shocking Madam Pompfrey.

“Serves him right!” he said, still giggling. It was rather uncanny to see him laughing so hard at such a news. Maybe Wei Wuxian really hated Malfoy.

Jiang Cheng did not know how he felt about him. He wasn't even sure how Malfoy looked, so the fact that he had plotted such a thing was not making him particularly angry towards him.

He was drowning in regret for being angry at anyone, for that matter.

Very soon, their First Year came to an end.

Wei Wuxian talked with him now, but something was lost. That old, easy camaraderie was no longer there, and Jiang Cheng's one wish right now was not to come first in the exam, but to be able to apologise properly and hug Wei Wuxian.

That opportunity presented itself the day their results were announced.

“Lan Wangji, you champ,” said Nie Huiasang. Lan Wangji was first in their year, while Nie Huiasang was somewhere around the twenties.

Meng Yao bagged the sixth position. He cried in pleasure when he received the news.

Some Ravenclaw had bagged the third position, for the fourth and fifth were occupied by Xiao Xingchen and Jiang Cheng, respectively.

Wei Wuxian was second.

“Aww man,” he wailed, looking at his Progress Report like it had caused him personal offense. “Second? I wanted to be first.”

“Lan Wangji is first,” said Jiang Cheng.

“Of course,” said Wei Wuxian. He shook his fist at Lan Wangji's direction, but anyone could tell he wasn't really angry at that.

Jiang Cheng suddenly realised that this night was going to be his only chance at making amends. They were scheduled to go back home for the term break after two days, and students had already begun packing their luggages.

He stood up from his seat in the library (Lan Wangji had made the library their personal study-space. No one had supported that decision) and tapped Wei Wuxian on the shoulder. “Come here,” he said, leading him out of the library and into the deserted Defence Against the Dark Arts corridor.

He took a deep breath. There were many words running through his mind, but foremost among them was—

“I am sorry,” he said, hanging his head. There was no way he could look Wei Wuxian in the eyes right now. “I am so, so sorry, Wei Ying. It was all my fault. I shouldn't have treated you like this just because of your House. I…I wanted to talk to you. But I couldn't. I know this is a crappy excuse, but you—”

Wei Wuxian put a hand on his shoulder. “I know, A-Cheng. I know.”

Then he smiled at Jiang Cheng, who lost it.

He tackled Wei Wuxian into an extra hard hug, to make up for that day, the entire year.

“I bought you a gift,” he said, burying his face in the other's neck. “I did! But Mother said giving you a gift would be useless, seeing that you are a Slytherin now and your loyalties are fickle. What does fickle even mean?”

Wei Wuxian laughed. “I don't know. What gift did you bring me?”

“A box of Cracking Cords from The Yunmeng Magician Shop.”

“Damn. Now that was a great choice.”

Jiang Cheng disentangled himself. “I am sorry. I was too confused and a complete crap person to doubt you.”

Wei Wuxian took a deep breath. “It is okay, A-Cheng. Really. I—I do not blame you for your doubts. Slytherin is my House, and yet I was suspicious of my housemates.” He frowned. “They did prove my suspicions correct. Malfoy wasn't the only one involved in this. Most of the Slytherins were.”

“But only Malfoy was punished,” said Jiang Cheng.

“Exactly, because you can't punish a whole House.”

Jiang Cheng sniffed. “Oh well, we are going to show them next year.”

“Next year.”

It was a promise.

~~•~~

“OH GOD, IS he going to cry?”

“Shut up, Dimples.”

Nie Huiasang sniffed. “You all are horrible. Here I am, trying to be emotional and all—”

The three of them groaned.

Jiang Cheng laughed. The Hogwarts Express had just arrived on Platform 9¾. Their families were waiting to receive them, but Nie Huiasang, Meng Yao and Wei Wuxian were wrapped in a hug.

Lan Wangji stood by the side, keeping them company.

“First Year is over,” declared Wei Wuxian. “We faced a lot of troubles, homeworks, assignments, bad exams, Quidditch troubles and managed to get back at Malfoy.”

“We worked hard,” said Meng Yao.

Lan Wangji stopped to stroke Suibian. “I have to go. Bye.”

Wei Wuxian turned and threw an arm around Lan Wangji. “See you in three months, my love,” he said, leaning in to kiss him on the cheek.

Lan Wangji glared.

Jiang Cheng caught sight of Jiejie. She smiled at him. They were back to being friends, and he could tell that the summer was going to turn out great. It wouldn't be like Christmas at all.

They would come back to Hogwarts for their Second Year with full hearts and a promise to never doubt each other again.

Because if doubts and suspicions came between them again, Jiang Cheng wasn't sure if he, Jiejie and Wei Wuxian could survive it.

Chapter Text

1962, HOGWARTS

“CALM DOWN, A-Xian! You will find it somewhere.”

Wei Wuxian did not pause to consider his Shijie. He clawed through the suitcase and took out all the clothes that had been packed in there, upsetting the entire thing. He swatted his shirts away to empty the suitcase.

There was no sign of his Beater bat.

Wei Wuxian groaned. He only had himself to blame for this.

“Are you guys ready? We are going to go out,” said Jiang Cheng, skipping inside the room with his Gryffindor robes billowing in the breeze.

He stopped short when he saw the disarray of the room. “Oh Merlin. What happened here?”

Shijie pointed her wand to the mess of clothes and books. She muttered a spell that instantly put the clothes and books back in their positions. “Wei Ying has lost his bat.”

Jiang Cheng sighed. “I am pretty sure you packed it in the other suitcase.”

“The other suitcase?” said Wei Wuxian. Oh, why had he forgotten to take out his wand from the bat? If Uncle Jiang or Madame Yu came to know about it, his chances of continuing his education in Hogwarts would be going down the drain. “The other suitcase is already downstairs.”

“Well, yes,” said Jiang Cheng. His tone was way too casual for such a situation. “So what? You haven't forgotten the bat. It is there.”

“I know I haven't forgotten the bat!” said Wei Wuxian. Nobody could understand his situation. “I just want the bat by me. Not in a suitcase. I want it in my hands.”

“Why do you want to carry your bat on the train?” asked Shijie. “You are certainly not going to play Quidditch in the Hogwarts Express.”

Wei Wuxian did not say anything to her. If the bat was in his suitcase, he knew nobody would open it and get to know his secret. But it provided him immense comfort to hold his bat in his hands, for that way, he knew for certain that no one could touch it.

His cheating was becoming a pain in his side.

Wei Wuxian climbed downstairs, giving one last look to his room. He knew it would look the same when he came back for Christmas, but leaving it behind after spending three months in it was a little sad.

“We are going to be late,” said Madame Yu, when they stood in front of the fireplace.

“No, we are not,” countered Uncle Jiang. He smiled at them all, then picked up the Floo powder and stepped inside the fireplace. “Platform 9¾,” he said, throwing the powder. In a flash of brilliant green, he was gone.

Madame Yu followed next, grabbing Jiang Cheng with her.

Shijie looked at Wei Wuxian. “Want to go together?”

“You know I'll say yes,” laughed Wei Wuxian, as Shijie giggled and dragged the both of them into the fireplace. Wei Wuxian drew himself taut. The Floo powder had a way of pushing and pulling at him when they transported.

Within a blink, they were suddenly standing in the crowded platform, with thousands of voices clashing against each other in a deafening cacophony.

It was the first time in months that Wei Wuxian was seeing people wearing the colours of his House, and the sight made him unusually cheerful. He was still unsure about Slytherin and knew that the coming year was going to be a wreck, but this was a subtle reminder that he was about to go back to Hogwarts.

To his friends and classes and professors.

Speaking of friends…

“Dimples!”

Wei Wuxian turned around. Who said that? Dimples was Meng Yao's nickname, only ever said by Wei Wuxian himself. Was there another person in Hogwarts with that nickname?

A closer look told him that ‘Dimples’ was indeed Meng Yao. He could see the boy, who had grown a little taller over the summer, but retained his lean form and tired eyes. He was wearing the Slytherin robes and standing outside a coach.

Then, a boy barrelled into him.

It was Nie Huiasang.

Wei Wuxian scowled. “Why is Huiasang calling Meng Yao Dimples?”

Shijie looked at him. “Isn't that what you call Meng Yao?”

“Exactly. Only I can call Meng Yao that.”

Shijie laughed. She ruffled Wei Wuxian's hair, who was too late to run away from her attacking fingers. “You do not have sole rights over a nickname, A-Xian.”

Wei Wuxian rolled his eyes. “You don't understand, Shijie. Meng Yao is my friend. I am his first friend. I do have rights over the nickname.”

“But Meng Yao doesn't mind.”

“That does not matter.”

Wei Wuxian slipped out from Shijie's grasp. He made his way to the boys, who were hugging each other like the couples one saw around Yunmeng on Valentine's Day.

“Ahem.”

“Who—Wei bro!” exclaimed Nie Huiasang. He looked the same as he did before the term break, all bones and pale skin. He held an azure folding-fan in his hands. “Look at you! You have grown taller!”

Wei Wuxian crossed his arms. “Do not try to butter me up. How dare you call Meng Yao Dimples when only I can call him that?”

“Excuse me,” interrupted Meng Yao, trying his hardest not to smile. “Since when am I your private property?”

“What does private property mean?”

“It means when you own something. Grow some brains, Huiasang.”

“Shut up, Wei Wuxian. Everyone can call Meng Yao Dimples.”

“No, only I can.”

“Are you actually arguing over a nickname?” asked Jiang Cheng, knocking Wei Wuxian on the head. “Why are you even friends with these two, Meng Yao?”

Meng Yao shook his head. “I don't know.”

His rueful tone and pitiful expression was the last thing they needed. The four of them burst into laughter, holding their sides and leaning on each other for support.

Wei Wuxian swept them up in a hug. He was indeed a little taller now, and he easily towered over both Huiasang and Meng Yao.

“A-Cheng! Come and meet Jin Zixuan!”

Jiang Cheng cursed. “Crap,” he said, wriggling out and going towards his mother. “You guys, wait for me. And keep a space for me in the compartment.”

Meng Yao perked up. “Yes, compartments. Come on guys, we need to find a compartment now. Preferably one at the back.”

Wei Wuxian stopped. “Wait, wait. Where is Lan Zhan?”

“I don't know,” said Nie Huiasang. “I wrote the guy a letter in June. He replied back with a simple ‘I see.’ He's no fun. That was my last letter to him.”

Meng Yao snorted. “I wrote him a letter too. The reply comes back with three words: ‘See you soon.’ I mean, I wrote practically an entire page, asking him about his holiday and what he was doing. Lan Wangji is a very silent person.”

“Or rude,” said Huiasang.

Wei Wuxian slapped his arm. “He's not rude! Don't forget what he did for Jiang Cheng last term.”

Nie Huiasang yelped. “He helped you! Why should I like him for that?”

“Because we are all friends.”

“I was never Lan Wangji's friend.”

“Guys,” said Meng Yao. “We should really look for a compartment now. There goes the last warning whistle.”

“Damn it,” said Nie Huiasang. “I still haven't said goodbye to my canary!” He began to run towards the far end of the station, where a disgruntled Nie Mingjue stood with a cage in his hands. “I made Big Brother buy it in Diagon Alley right now. I need to say goodbye!”

“He really tortures Nie Mingjue, doesn't he?” said Meng Yao.

Wei Wuxian nodded. He kept his eyes on the milling platform, though, trying to spot the white headband of Lan Zhan. After three months of no communication with the guy, he was rather eager to see him.

“I couldn't write you any letters,” said Meng Yao, his voice dipping. “You told me not to write to you any. Why does Madame Yu hate it when you receive letters? The family owl isn't involved there. She should have no problem.”

“Madame Yu is angry at me,” said Wei Wuxian. “These past three months were spent in me trying to avoid her as much as possible.”

“Why is she angry now? She should be grateful that you saved Jiang Cheng.”

“I stood second in the Finals, remember? I beat Jiang Cheng. So she's angry.”

Meng Yao rubbed his face. “I—I have nothing to say.”

Wei Wuxian was saved from a reply when Huiasang came back and ushered them inside the train. Wei Wuxian glanced back to see Shijie doing the same. He waved to Uncle Jiang, who told him to write letters regularly.

This time, he did not say anything to Madame Yu.

The three of them began a tiring quest to find an empty cabin. People were filling up fast. The seniors hogged entire compartments to themselves, allowing no one to come inside.

Meng Yao gave a shout. “There, there!”

Wei Wuxian dove inside the empty compartment just as Jin Zixuan and his retinue reached the door.

The Jins halted.

Wei Wuxian spread himself on a seat, shoes and all. He could clean later. Right now, he had a compartment to save and Jin Zixuan to annoy. “Good morning, Jin Zixuan!”

The Fifth Year frowned. “We were here first.”

Wei Wuxian knew that this was going to be the stupidest way to start the Second Year, but he could not help himself when he saw the entitled brat’s face. He was so smug and confident in his wealth. And he had shouted at Shijie after abusing a House Elf. Jin Zixuan needed a lesson.

“Well, now I am here,” he said, spreading his limbs further. “You can go and find yourself a better compartment, can't you? I bet you could buy a compartment too.” He laughed at his own joke, enjoying the rage on Jin Zixuan's face.

Another Jin guy stepped forward. He had a narrow face, with eyes too far apart from each other. He flared his nostrils, a sight which would have been comical if not seen under such circumstances.

“Wei Wuxian,” he sneered. “Leave this compartment.”

His tone was so commanding that Nie Huiasang spoke up. “But, we came here first.”

Wei Wuxian raised an eyebrow. Who was this, and why did he sound like he owned the Hogwarts Express?

Wei Wuxian was sure that he would have done or said something regrettable had Lan Zhan not arrived.

“Excuse me,” said a voice, clear and strong. The Jins shifted to let in Lan Zhan — taller, brighter and prettier than last year — who walked inside the compartment and sat down on the opposite seat. He looked at the sprawled body of Wei Wuxian, looked at the fuming Jins and the distressed Huiasang and Meng Yao, and something flickered in his eyes.

Jin Zixuan probably saw it too, for he scoffed and went out. His retinue scurried after him.

Wei Wuxian burst out laughing.

Finally, Hogwarts seemed complete.

“Have I ever told you how much I like you, Lan Zhan?”

~~•~~

HOGWARTS WAS JUST AS Wei Wuxian remembered it to be. Nothing had changed, except that nostalgia made the place more beautiful now.

Jiang Cheng grumbled. “This is uncomfortable.”

Wei Wuxian slapped him on the back. “Shut up. You are sitting in my lap. I should be the one feeling uncomfortable.”

The five of them were wedged inside one of the Thestral's carriages. Lan Zhan had tried to escape, saying that he preferred riding next to the coach-man rather than suffocating inside, but Wei Wuxian had been prepared this time.

He and Nie Huiasang dragged Lan Zhan into the carriage.

“It will be fun,” Wei Wuxian had said.

Lan Zhan was now glaring at him as if Wei Wuxian had broken his wand.

Lan Zhan and Jiang Cheng did not affect the general atmosphere of happiness they all had. Huiasang was supplying gossip, Meng Yao was putting in his own two bits and making them laugh, Lan Zhan was sharing the enormous bag of chocolates he had bought from the Trolley Witch (on the insistence of everyone) and Wei Wuxian was having one hell of a time discovering the flavours of Bertie Botts’ Beans.

“This tastes like rice,” he said, sucking on a white little bean. “Hey, it's actually kind of good.”

“How will you eat during the Welcoming Feast if you eat everything?” snapped Meng Yao. He snatched away the can of beans and popped a pink one into his mouth. “You will not— eww, why does this taste like lipstick?”

He coughed.

Wei Wuxian smirked. “That's what you get.”

The carriage ambled along, gradually coming to a stop. The coach-man told them all to get out.

“Ah, good ol' Hogwarts,” praised Nie Huiasang.

They clambered down, picking up their bags and brooms. The castle peered at them, high and mighty, looking like a picture beneath the twinkling sky. Wei Wuxian knew the ceiling of the Great Hall would reflect the stars of the night sky today.

They went up the path, talking about nothing and everything, smiling when they saw the hordes of First Years coming up the Black Lake.

The Great Hall was as splendid as each of them knew it was. Jiang Cheng and Lan Zhan went towards the Gryffindor table, promising to meet early for breakfast the next morning.

Nie Huiasang took to the Ravenclaws.

Wei Wuxian and Meng Yao stood in the middle for a moment. They were hesitating to go to the Slytherins, even though that was where they would have to sit, especially during the Welcoming Feast.

Wei Wuxian glanced at the Slytherins. He could see familiar faces. The Sorting Ceremony had not started yet, and he did not know what kind of First Years would join them this time.

Surprisingly, it was Meng Yao who took the initiative this time. He held Wei Wuxian by the arm and strode towards the table, not sparing a look at anyone. Wei Wuxian caught Wen Chao sneering as soon as he saw them, but the two of them took a seat far away from the Wens.

There was Wen Xu, reading a book. Wen Zhuliu was staring at nothing. Wang LingJiao was saying something in Wen Chao's ears. They looked like a perfect troop of monkeys.

The doors to the Great Hall opened as a line of First Years came through. Their faces were awestruck, which made Wei Wuxian wonder if he too, had looked like this last year. The Sorting Hat made an appearance, sitting on top of the stool that he had sat on too.

Professor McGonagall was ready with the list of names.

Wei Wuxian settled in as the Sorting Ceremony officially began. Meng Yao leaned over to guess which student would go to which House, and the two of them occupied themselves with it.

Near the very end, Professor McGonagall called up two names that made the both of them stop snickering.

“Wen, Qing.”

“Wen?” muttered Meng Yao, instantly looking disgusted. “Great. Another addition to the House.”

Wei Wuxian looked on as a slender girl came to take her place on the stool. She was really pretty, with long hair like Shijie. Her brown eyes roved over the Great Hall confidently, as if she knew what she was doing. She did not look like a First Year at all.

“I'm pretty sure she's at least a Fourth Year,” said Wei Wuxian. “Look, Dimples.”

The Sorting Hat did not take long with her.

“Ravenclaw!”

No one clapped for one hot second.

“Ravenclaw? A Wen?” said Desmond Nott, looking at Wen Xu.

Wen Qing, however, took no notice of the lack of applause. She made her way to the Ravenclaws swiftly, her hair flying behind her. She wore the typical Wen Clan red sash around her waist.

So she was a Wen indeed.

Professor McGonagall proceeded to give them another shock. “Wen, Ning.”

With one look, Wei Wuxian could tell that this Wen Ning guy was the polar opposite of Wen Qing. He was a small, frail boy with pale skin that looked sick. He walked up to the stool, shuddering his shoulders, and looking so pitiful that Wei Wuxian saw even Lan Zhan leaning forward with interest.

There was no way this boy would be a Slytherin.

The Sorting Hat took a long time.

Finally, it yelled out, “Huffepuff!”

Again, it was the same reaction. Nobody clapped or did anything. Wen Ning sat on the stool, looking at everyone with huge eyes, his legs bouncing up and down the floor.

He suddenly looked a lot like Lan Zhan when he was sorted into Gryffindor.

And just like that day a year ago, Wei Wuxian clapped first. All alone.

Meng Yao looked at him with an expression that screamed: Please stop. But Wei Wuxian kept on clapping, the sound echoing in the Great Hall. Then, slowly, the Huffepuff table picked it up.

Wei Wuxian could swear Wen Ning gave him a slight smile as he jumped down the stool and made his way to the Hufflepuffs.

“Welcome to another magical year at Hogwarts.”

Albus Dumbledore did not take long for his speech. The only noticeable thing was what he said at the end. “Apologising once again for last year, we are now happy to announce that Defence Against the Dark Arts class shall be held on its scheduled time. Thank you, and tuck in.”

Wei Wuxian smiled. “Did you hear that? Finally, the main class!”

Meng Yao stuffed his face with eggs. “True, true!”

~~•~~

THE SLYTHERINS ignored them as they made their way into the dungeons after dinner. Wei Wuxian sighed deeply when he saw that his dorm-mate remained the same, but the disappointment was reduced when he caught sight of the Giant Squid in the lake.

In a weird way, he had missed that sight.

Sleep came easily to him that night. He held onto Suibian tightly, and did not wake up until his alarm clock rang the next morning.

Dressed and ready, Wei Wuxian ran down to have their promised meeting over breakfast.

Of course, the topic of conversation were their time-tables.

“First class is Defence Against the Dark Arts,” squealed Jiang Cheng. “I am so excited! It's a joint class with you Slytherins.”

“That sounds like bad news,” said Meng Yao. “Gryffindors and Slytherins in a class concerned with duelling? No, thanks.”

“Sounds good to me,” said Wei Wuxian. “I'll be your partner, Lan Zhan.”

Lan Zhan grunted. “Sure.”

Nie Huiasang stabbed his pancakes. They were all clustered at the far end of the Hufflepuff table, where they knew they would not be disturbed. Breakfast attendance was always low on the first morning anyways, seeing that so many students woke up late.

“Why is my first period Herbology?” wailed Nie Huiasang. Then he quickly recovered and snapped open his folding-fan. Hiding his face with it, he said, “Also, what was with those Wen siblings yesterday?”

“Siblings?” repeated Jiang Cheng.

“Oh yes. They are siblings. Wen Qing is in Fifth Year. Her brother, Wen Ning, is in our year. I got Herbology with him in twenty minutes.”

“Where were brother and sister studying for all these years?” wondered Meng Yao.

Wei Wuxian washed down his pancakes with a cup of tea. “I don't know about you guys, but I'm getting late for my first Defence Against the Dark Arts class.”

Jiang Cheng, Meng Yao and Lan Zhan sprang up, albeit Lan Zhan did it with grace.

The four of them trooped towards the third floor. They could already hear students converging around the corridor, each of them excited and nervous for the most important class of their Hogwarts syllabus. Defence Against the Dark Arts was legendary. They had heard so many stories concerning the class, how the strongest wizards ever taught the class, the duelling that took place, all the fighting and magic and power and—

“Oh damn,” said Jiang Cheng, stopping short at the entrance to the classroom.

A lady stood before the board, wearing flowing white pants and a grey shirt. Her hair was tied in a high ponytail. She was probably the most confident person Wei Wuxian had ever laid his eyes upon.

What caught all of them by surprise was the familiar Lan Clan headband strapped across her forehead.

All the Slytherins and Gryffindors turned to look at Lan Zhan.

Wei Wuxian nudged his shoulder. “Do you know her?”

Lan Zhan had never looked so confused. “Yes,” he said, his voice low. “That is…that is…previous Clan Leader Lan Yi.”

Chapter Text

1962, HOGWARTS

LAN WANGJI HAD NO idea what on Earth was going on.

Things had been going fine just a minute ago, when he walked along the corridor with Wei Wuxian, Meng Yao and Jiang Cheng. He had had a good breakfast, a satisfactory sleep and a nice reunion with Song Lan and Xiao Xingchen (who had acquired height over the summer).

In fact, the entirety of his summer holidays had gone just fine.

Apart from the usual lessons, he and Xiongzhang had immersed themselves in playing Wizard's Chess. Xiongzhang was a good player, but once Lan Wangji got the hang of it, he had managed to conquer Lan Xichen as well.

Xiongzhang hadn't been too happy about it.

All in all, a good holiday.

But now, every good thing was being rapidly forgotten when he caught sight of the Lan headband on their new professor’s head and immediately recognised her from the pictures that graced the Hall of Respect.

It was Lan Yi.

The only woman to head the Lan Clan.

Inventor of the Chord Assassination Technique, which no one had ever mastered after her.

It was ‘the’ Lan Yi.

Lan Wangji took a deep breath to compose himself. Wei Wuxian was peering at him, asking him if she was known to him.

“That is….Lan Yi.”

A commotion fell over the entire classroom, as students tripped over each other to get a better look at the famed sorcerer and witch. They had all heard the legends, of course. Every child of the Sacred Twenty-Eight and Five Great Pureblood Families knew of her.

Wei Wuxian gawked. “Lan Yi? The woman who killed people with strings?”

“Chords,” corrected Meng Yao. “She controlled the chords of her guqin.”

“Holy Merlin. She played the guqin?”

Lan Wangji saw Lan Yi’s impassive face suddenly morph into a smile.

“Why, yes. I did play the guqin. Still do.”

Jiang Cheng stumbled back, his jaw hanging open, as if he had never expected her to speak.

Lan Yi had an authoritative way of speaking. Her husky voice and crossed arms gave her the image of being immensely confident in herself, the spark in her eyes similar to the one Wei Wuxian had sometimes. She gestured to them to come inside.

Lan Wangji looked at the first bench. He sat on the first bench in every class, but something told him not to sit there today. He did not want to be directly in front of Lan Yi’s nose. He slipped beside Xiao Xingchen, much to the Gryffindor's surprise, and kept his eyes upon the various books in the classroom.

This was their first time entering the famed classroom.

For unknown reasons, the Defence Against the Dark Arts class hadn't been held last year. Only the O.W.L.s and N.E.W.T Level students were taught the class by Dumbledore and Professor McGonagall. The rest of them had wasted an entire year, not knowing about one of the most important classes Hogwarts had to offer.

Lan Wangji licked his lips. Lan Yi was a powerful sorcerer, but she had defected from the Lan Clan before Lan Wangji had been born. He did not know the exact details, since Lan Qiren always avoided the topic with a disgusted shake of his head.

There was something that Lan Yi had done wrong in the past. Every Lan seemed to revere her and fear her at the same time.

Why then, was such a person going to teach them about Defence Against the Dark Arts?

Who had hired her? Albus Dumbledore?

A sudden “Damn” from Song Lan's mouth made Lan Wangji look up.

Wei Wuxian, who had never sat on the first bench in his entire life, settled himself on the aforementioned first bench. He laid out his parchment, his books, his quill, ink-well and placed his wand upon the table. Then, he smiled up at Lan Yi with the sweetest smile anybody had ever seen on him.

“Good morning, Professor.”

Lan Yi tilted her head. “Good morning, Wei Wuxian.”

Wei Wuxian jumped. “How did you know my name?”

“It's written on your book’s cover.”

Wei Wuxian let out an airy giggle. It sounded ridiculous.

Lan Wangji looked at Jiang Cheng, who was sitting with Meng Yao at the left side of the classroom. Jiang Cheng shrugged, while Meng Yao kept on staring at Lan Yi with unabashed shamelessness.

Lan Yi leaned back against the teacher's desk. “My name is Lan Yi,” she began, looking at all of them with a cool gaze. She did not appear excited or nervous in the slightest. “I will be your Professor of Defence Against the Dark Arts. I know that you were bereft of this class last year, that was your First Year.”

She began to pace up and down the room, her hands laced behind her back. Her hair, pinned in a high ponytail, swayed. “First Year is an important year, but it is mostly concerned with theoretical learning. I am not going to do any of those with you.”

Lan Wangji nearly asked, “Why not?” He only sat forward to peer at her, trying to understand where she was going with this.

Lan Yi said, “You will read up about Werewolves, Vampires, Trolls, Ghouls, Banshees, Imps and Gnomes by your own accord. Your books provide ample information.”

Everyone scrambled to write the names down.

“If you have doubts, feel free to ask me. Without further ado, I shall jump straight to your Second Year syllabus. Everyone is requested to have their wands out.”

Lan Wangji did not fail to notice how the students obeyed her. They took out their wands quickly. None of them were so efficient in other classes, but there was a natural command in Lan Yi’s voice that made their bodies obey her naturally.

Lan Wangji did not like how she was skipping over the theory chapters. Theories were important. If you didn't know what a Werewolf was, how were you supposed to defeat it? Every professor concentrated on theory.

Why was she acting so differently?

Lan Yi was fast. She gave them only a minute to register things in their mind, then called out: “I will need two students to come up front and demonstrate the spell I'm about to teach you.”

Wei Wuxian's hands were up in the air even before she finished speaking.

Lan Yi cast him an amused glance and nodded.

Wei Wuxian skipped to the front and jumped up on the raised platform. He was vibrating with happiness, his wand held by his side.

“Who else?” asked Lan Yi.

Lan Wangji wanted to participate, but no one was willing to do it, so he stayed put and waited to see how this would unfold.

Lan Yi smiled. “You know, you don't have to be so afraid. If you want to come up, just come up.”

The tension seemed to reduce a bit.

Lan Wangji saw Jiang Cheng's hand slowly going up, and he immediately shot up his arm.

Lan Yi caught him. Her eyes fell on his headband and Lan Wangji was sure her eyes narrowed for a bit, before returning to normalcy. She nodded and he walked to the platform, his palms sweating as he held his wand.

His wand was already growing warmer, the buzz of magic intensifying under his fingers.

Wen Chao murmured, “Well, well, if it's not the best friends.”

Lan Wangji resisted the urge to glare at him. The way he said that word — best friends — was like poison to his ears, acidic and scornful.

Besides, he wasn't Wei Wuxian's best friend. That was Meng Yao.

Wei Wuxian was bursting with irrepressible mirth when they stood face-to-face. He tried to hide his smile but failed.

Lan Wangji did not know what had gotten into the boy.

Lan Yi turned to face the class. “Gryffindors and Slytherins, I want all of you to pay strict attention to the spell you are about to learn. One of the quickest ways to take care of your opponent is to simply disarm them. Whatever weapon they might be holding will be wrenched from their hands that way. Once you perfect this spell, you can also send your opponent flying.”

That got a gasp out of everyone.

Wei Wuxian trilled. “So it causes harm to the opponent?”

“It disarms them,” said Lan Yi. “Harming your opponent is a whole other matter. Now, do any of you know what spell I'm talking about?”

Lan Wangji knew, of course.

“Expelliarmus,” he said, smiling to himself when he caught Wei Wuxian's surprised face. He probably had not expected Lan Wangji to know.

Lan Yi nodded. She looked at him, her eyes always going to his headband. “Right. The incantation is Expelliarmus. It goes like this.”

Lan Yi did not give them time to prepare again.

She produced her wand out of nowhere, directed it straight at Lan Wangji and stated, “Expelliarmus!”

A jet of crimson light shot from the tip of her wand as the students scattered back with a surprised shriek. Wei Wuxian managed to say a “Hey!” before jumping back himself.

Lan Wangji saw red.

The crimson sparks hit his wand in full force and flew out of his hand. It clattered to the floor uselessly, even though Lan Wangji had kept a firm grip on it.

The spell ended just as abruptly as it began.

“There you go,” said Lan Yi, dusting her hands. “The power of the Expelliarmus. Go on, pick up your wand. Wei Wuxian, come over here. Do you want to try it?”

“I want to,” said Lan Wangji. He retrieved his wand and fixed her with one of his inscrutable stares. The absolute power behind the spell fascinated him; it was truly the fastest way to disable a wizard or witch. He wanted to try it himself, and Wei Wuxian was the strongest classmate he knew.

He still hadn't forgotten his display at Ollivander's.

Those black vines strangling him in his dreams.

Wei Wuxian tapped him on the shoulder. “Are you alright?”

Lan Wangji tensed. “Of course.”

Lan Yi raised an eyebrow. “Go ahead. Your arm should move in a half-circular motion, like this. Aim at your opponent's wand. Think what you want to do to him.” She bent a little, so that her mouth was next to Lan Wangji's ear. “Think of him as your enemy. You have to disarm him to save yourself.”

Lan Wangji eyed Wei Wuxian, who was jumping up and down. His enemy? Well, if that was what Lan Yi wanted him to think, he would.

Lan Yi stepped back. Then, she ordered, “Now.”

Lan Wangji whipped out his wand. He only caught Wei Wuxian's eyes widening and heard his own voice shout, “Expelliarmus!” The same red sparks shot out and attacked the wand, hitting it just as Lan Yi’s spell had hit him.

Wei Wuxian closed his eyes and held his wand in front of him like a shield.

Nothing happened.

The red sparks fizzled out, but Wei Wuxian's wand remained in his hands, not on the floor.

“Holy Merlin,” someone swore.

Lan Wangji frowned. He looked at Lan Yi with an accusatory face. He was sure he had performed the spell right. In fact, it was the perfect copy of Lan Yi's spell itself. That powerful burst of light had occurred, hitting Wei Wuxian's wand directly, precisely.

Then why was his wand not on the floor?

Lan Yi was frowning too, showing some actual emotion for the first time. She crossed her arms and looked at the wand in Wei Wuxian's hands. “What is your wand made of, boy?”

Wei Wuxian looked at the ceiling. “Uh, the core is made of Horned Serpent Horns. The wood is…Walnut, yes.”

Another gasp rippled through the classroom.

“Horned Serpent Horns?” said Wen Chao. “Isn't that supposed to be really dangerous?”

“It is,” echoed a Gryffindor. “And Walnut wood isn't very good either. I know about it. My brother was an apprentice under Ollivander.”

Lan Yi shut them up with a piercing glare. She looked at Lan Wangji. “What about you?”

His reply was automatic. “White River Monster Spine core, Yew wood.”

Her eyebrows disappeared beneath her hairline. “Your wand is exceptionally powerful. It should have been able to disarm Wei Wuxian. Try again.”

Lan Wangji repeated the spell in the same way as before.

Nothing happened.

Wei Wuxian smiled. “Don't look so disappointed, Lan Zhan. It is your first time.”

But Lan Wangji was disappointed. He always got things right on his first try. He wasn't used to facing failure much, especially not from the likes of Wei Wuxian, who were clearly not on the same academic level as he was.

“Switch,” said Lan Yi. She looked deep in thought, looking at the ground instead of them now. “Wei Wuxian, attack him.”

Wei Wuxian agreed all too happily. They switched positions as Lan Wangji firmly held on to his wand.

“Now.”

Wei Wuxian lifted his wand, hard and fast, then pointed it at Lan Wangji and said, in a low voice, “Expelliarmus.”

Lan Wangji felt his wand shake as the red sparks shot out again. The whole class was watching them like they were actors in a movie. He could not get defeated, not by Wei Wuxian, of all people. Was there no way he could protect himself?

He knew the Shield Charm. He had read about it in his Charms book for the year. He even knew the spell, and he knew that it blocked out most spells. Should he try that? Lan Yi hadn't told him to defend himself, but Wei Wuxian's attack was getting hard to hold up against.

“Protego!”

An invisible wall built itself around Lan Wangji. The red light stopped as it hit the wall, the charm holding against the steady stream of magic.

Lan Wangji could hear the muffled sounds of students and Lan Yi, but he was too proud of himself to care about the world at the moment.

He could do it. He successfully cast the Protego charm, defending himself, showcasing a nice feat of defensive magic. Lan Yi might be pleased with that.

Wei Wuxian's shock was the cherry on top.

Lan Wangji did not know why he was getting so competitive, but there was something inherently satisfying at seeing the other's easy confidence shatter. Lan Wangji did not hate Wei Wuxian; he only wanted to have the upper hand.

That was when Wei Wuxian stepped forward. He walked towards the invisible wall, his spell becoming….was the magic getting faster? Lan Wangji was not sure, but the pressure inside the wall was growing crushing. He was getting suffocated inside, all due to the persistent spell Wei Wuxian was keeping up.

Lan Wangji was so focused upon keeping the wall intact that he did not notice the thin black tendrils mixing with the red sparks.

Lan Yi did.

“Wei Wuxian, you can stop now,” she said, her voice as calm as ever. Wei Wuxian finally stopped, and Lan Wangji let the wall crumble around him as soon as he did.

“That was a fine defense,” she said to him, looking at his wand again. “Good work. What is your name?”

“Lan Wangji.”

That emotion flickered in her eyes again. “Both of you have defended yourselves against the Disarming Spell. I need students who will actually disarm each other.” She looked around. “Any volunteers?”

Jiang Cheng nearly flew off his seat.

As the demonstration started with Jiang Cheng and Wen Zhuliu, Lan Wangji could not help but speak with Wei Wuxian.

“How did you protect yourself?” he asked, his impatience making him lean over the other's shoulder.

Wei Wuxian looked him in the eye for a moment. Then he suddenly gripped his arm, his black eyes dimming their brightness.

“When you attacked me, I did not protect myself at all, Lan Zhan. I don't know what happened, but my wand stuck itself to my hand and numbed my fingers with its coldness. You remember the coldness of my wand? I told you about it last year.”

The alarm was genuine in his voice. “What do you think is happening with my wand?”

Lan Wangji did not know. The fact was hard to swallow.

Chapter Text

1962, HOGWARTS

WEI WUXIAN HAD NOT expected Professor Slughorn to greet him so enthusiastically on the first day of class. He was still pondering over the weird Defence Against the Dark Arts class they had had when he entered the Potions classroom with Meng Yao, not paying attention to the beaming smile of their Head of House.

“Welcome back, Wei Wuxian,” he said, his portly belly jingling. “Had nice holidays, I assume?”

Wei Wuxian smiled. It was good to be back in the Potions classroom, which smelled more of plants than their Herbology greenhouse. “I did. What about you, Professor?”

Slughorn took his place on the platform. “What can an old man do? He can only stay inside and read books.”

Wei Wuxian dropped down on a bench with Meng Yao.

Meng Yao leaned to whisper in his ear. “You alright?”

Wei Wuxian raised his eyebrows. “Why won't I be alright?”

“Well, you looked pretty out of it in DADA.”

“What's DADA?”

Meng Yao grinned. “It is the short form of Defence Against the Dark Arts.”

Wei Wuxian nodded. Meng Yao was getting more intelligent nowadays. Then Meng Yao pinched his arm. “Are you alright?”

“Yes, Merlin. I'm fine. Honestly,” said Wei Wuxian, bringing out his books. “You worry too much. I was just a bit tired after that demonstration.”

“What do you think of Lan Yi?” asked Meng Yao, but Wei Wuxian could not answer as Slughorn clapped his hands at that instance.

“Second Years, I want you to pay attention now. Today, we shall start with the task of brewing the Girding Potion. Does anyone know what it is?”

None of the Slytherins or Huffepuffs raised their hands.

Wei Wuxian frowned. He was sure he had read that word in his Potions book once, but he could not recall what it was for the life of him.

“Doesn't that increase endurance?”

Wei Wuxian's ears twitched. Who said that? It was a low whisper, which was only heard by him because the speaker was sitting right behind him.

It was Wen Ning.

Wei Wuxian turned around and gave the boy a smile. Wen Ning was muttering to himself, listing the properties of the potion to himself.

“Say it to the professor,” said Wei Wuxian.

It was a surprise that Wen Ning’s ungodly gasp of shock did not reach Slughorn's ears or any of the other Slytherins. His eyes formed two perfectly round balls of confusion and fear.

“Please don't cry,” said Meng Yao, who had heard Wen Ning and was now holding up his palms in a show of solidarity.

Wen Ning did look on the verge of sobbing. He was reacting as if Wei Wuxian had caught him in a crime. As if saying the right answers in class was wrong.

Wei Wuxian hooked his arm over his chair and turned completely. “Hi. I am Wei Wuxian.”

Wen Ning looked at him. “You clapped for me,” he said at last, some colour coming to his pale cheeks as he probably realised that Wei Wuxian was not a threat.

Wei Wuxian nodded. “I did. You looked like you needed a little…encouragement. Anyways, why don't you tell Professor Slughorn your answer? It's right.”

Wen Ning shook his head so fast that his hair whipped Wei Wuxian on the arm. “No, no. He will look at me if I do.”

Meng Yao turned back. “Don't disturb him, Wei Wuxian. He clearly wants to be left alone.”

Wei Wuxian did not pay him heed. Leaving someone alone was not in his nature, and he could tell that Wen Ning did not hate him or his companionship. Rather, the boy wanted friends, but was too shy to make some. Just like Lan Zhan.

Oh well.

Wei Wuxian could do this again.

“You should tell him,” he said, as Slughorn repeated the question with a note of disappointment. “He will be happy. He knows how to appreciate talent.”

Wen Ning licked his lips. Then, he cleared his throat and said, very softly, “It increases endurance.”

Professor Slughorn cupped a hand behind his ear. “What? Who said that? Wei Wuxian? Or Avery?”

Wei Wuxian saw an opening. “I didn't,” he said, and pointed behind him. “He did.” He moved to the side, allowing Slughorn to see Wen Ning's face.

Slughorn nodded. “Very good, my boy. You are absolutely right. The Girding Potion increases the endurance of anyone who consumes it. The required dosage is two vials. It is an extremely useful potion but equally difficult to make. Note the ingredients.”

~~•~~

“AND THAT IS HOW we talked,” finished Wei Wuxian, pouring orange juice inside his mouth at an alarming speed. “Wen Ning here is just like you, Lan Zhan. The both of you are silent and shy.”

Lan Zhan did not express anything, but his eyebrows drew together just a little bit. “I am not shy.”

“True, he isn't,” said Xiao Xingchen. He was the newest member of their breakfast gathering in the Great Hall, where they were now meeting every morning, sitting at the corner of the Hufflepuff table without attracting scrutiny.

The group had grown in the past three days. It now had Wen Ning and Xiao Xingchen, with Song Lan sometimes dropping by. Jiang Cheng was incredibly smug about the fact that the majority were Gryffindors.

Wen Ning smiled. “Wei bro is very nice. Without you, I wouldn't have been able to answer.”

Jiang Cheng snorted. “Nice? Oh my god.”

Wei Wuxian kicked him under the table. “Respect your elders.”

“You are only five days older!”

Nie Huiasang crunched into his scones. “Say, Wen Ning, what is your sister like? I see her around sometimes, but she is mostly in the library.”

“Jiejie loves reading,” said Wen Ning, and Wei Wuxian noted how delightful he sounded for a second. “She is very intelligent, you know. She is always studying. In fact, she was the reason why we could come to Hogwarts at all. She requested—” He stopped speaking abruptly, suddenly looking at his surroundings.

He stuffed a scone into his mouth.

Jiang Cheng and Xiao Xingchen were engaged in a Quidditch conversation, and did not notice the awkward pause.

Wei Wuxian leaned his head on his hands. Wen Ning was clearly going to say something forbidden, something which his sister had probably told him not to say. Poor boy. Maybe Wen Qing was strict.

Seeing Huiasang about to ask another uncomfortable question, Wei Wuxian changed the topic. “What do you guys think of Lan Yi?”

Everyone sprung into the talk as if they had been waiting for someone to just ask.

“Impressive. Like, really impressive. You could tell by looking at her that she is powerful.”

“Well, of course she's powerful, Xingchen. She is the only woman Clan Leader of the Lan Clan. What do you think of her, Lan Wangji?”

Lan Zhan shrugged.

“What kind of an answer is that?” demanded Nie Huiasang. “I think she's pretty great. Not as strict as McGonagall, but not as funny as Slughorn or Filtwick. She knows what she's doing. She told us that Lan Wangji and Wei Wuxian had a battle with the Disarming Spell.”

“That's an exaggeration,” said Meng Yao. “They did not have a battle.”

“Please,” scoffed Xiao Xingchen. “You guys were having a battle. I mean, Lan Wangji couldn't disarm Wei Wuxian, and when Wei Wuxian tried, he literally cast a Shield Charm. If that is not fighting, I don't know what else it is.”

“It is a demonstration,” said Meng Yao.

“I–I thought she was, like, funny,” murmured Wen Ning. “She, uh, cracked jokes and stuff. She did not assign us homework, nor teach us boring theory.”

“Theory is important,” said Lan Zhan, his voice coated in a defensive tone. He threw a glare at Wen Ning.

The boy withered like the flowers in Wei Wuxian's uncared-for plants.

Wei Wuxian kicked Lan Zhan under the table too, even though he knew that would either invite a scathing remark or another cold glare. Lan Zhan delivered a glare, coupled with a scowl of confusion this time.

“You guys know what I think?” asked Wei Wuxian. He smiled as he recalled Lan Yi’s thick hair, tall figure and curled smile. “I think she's the prettiest person I've ever seen.”

Everyone balked.

“Excuse me?” said a laughing Xiao Xingchen.

Jiang Cheng shook his head. “You are disgusting.”

“I support him,” said Nie Huiasang. “She is indeed a beautiful lady. And she's so powerful.”

Wei Wuxian snapped his fingers. “Exactly. She is powerful and beautiful. How cool of a combination is that?” Lan Yi had made him feel like he wanted her attention, and wanted her to praise him. She was not like their other professors. She actually focused on the practical part of magic.

Besides, there was this irresistible air of mystery about her. Where had she come from? Why was she here? Wei Wuxian did not know much of Lan Yi, but he knew that she had been barred from the Five Great Pureblood Families due to unknown reasons. She had done something — something bad, most likely — for which none took her name, except in whispers.

Wei Wuxian had thought she was a monster.

But she turned out to be….well…like this.

“I have my Charms class,” said Wen Ning, getting up from the table and nearly upsetting the jug of milk. He bowed to Wei Wuxian. “Thank you for bringing me here.”

Wei Wuxian smiled. Wen Ning was so sweet. He had had a hard time convincing the boy to join them for breakfast, and he was glad that Wen Ning had liked it.

“Wen Ning is nice,” said Xiao Xingchen. “He's very cowardly, though.”

“He's not,” said Meng Yao, buttering his toast. “Trust me. I was like him too. When people always scold you and regulate you, you tend to become like me and Wen Ning.”

“Who do you think is scolding him?” asked Jiang Cheng. “He is very quiet. He could not possibly cause mischief to get scolded.”

“I think it is Wen Qing,” said Wei Wuxian. The confident Wen he had seen was so unlike her brother that it would not be a stretch to say that she was the bad one here. “Wen Ning probably stays under her control all the time.” He gripped his chopsticks as he said so, the anger coming naturally to him.

Wen Ning was a genuine guy. Sure, he was cowardly, awkward and shy, and stuttered more often than he needed to, but he should be dealt with sweetness.

Wen Ning deserved better. Wei Wuxian did not know from where such strong feelings were coming. All he knew was that he wanted Wen Ning to live happily, possibly under his protection, since he was rather incapable of standing up for himself.

He would protect Wen Ning.

And anyone who needed it.

Lan Zhan cleared his throat. “Or maybe Wen Ning is just easily scared, and Wen Qing protects him.”

Wei Wuxian did not think that was true at all.

~~•~~

SECOND YEAR WAS passing by much more peacefully than the First Year.

After the suspension of Edmund Malfoy, Wen Xu had been chosen as the Prefect. He was now in his Fifth Year and as studious as ever. Wei Wuxian saw him buried beneath a pile of books every evening in the Slytherin Common Room. He was studying vigorously for his O.W.L.s.

Hence, there was no issue with Wen Xu. He did not talk with Wei Wuxian, left everyone to their own devices and commanded everyone to keep quiet so that he could study.

Alexander Avery was now Meng Yao's sole roommate. Wei Wuxian did not know how Wen Xu had managed to bag an entire dorm all to himself under the pretext of ‘quiet study.’

Just how much was the guy planning to score?

The Seventh Years were as crazy as ever over their N.E.W.T.s, which they claimed was a thousand times more difficult than O.W.L.s.

Other than them, the rest of the Slytherins were going about their usual business of classes, homeworks and tests. Not a single soul spoke to Wei Wuxian or Meng Yao.

Meng Yao was nervous about it. “It's like last year,” he said. “They were acting all silent, then suddenly invited you to Quidditch, then almost ruined everything.”

“I will not continue Quidditch,” said Wei Wuxian.

“What?”

Wei Wuxian nodded. It had been an easy decision. There was nothing to think about anymore. After the incident last year, all the glamour of the game had gone, leaving behind only painful memories. His arm ached whenever he replayed that scene of the Bludger grinding his bones into fine powder.

There was no telling what the Slytherins would do.

The primary reason for the decision had been the issue with the wand. Wei Wuxian knew how dangerous his secret was. If it ever got leaked, then he would be done for good. He might face suspension like Malfoy.

All in all, it was better to leave the game. He had never been that interested in the game anyways.

“I will be informing Wen Xu about this,” he said, patting Meng Yao's shoulder. “I know, you do not like my decision. But this is it.”

Meng Yao sighed. “I understand why you are making such a decision. It is just that…you were a wonderful player.”

Oh, if only Meng Yao knew the source of his ‘wonderful’ playing.

Wei Wuxian did not indulge the matter. It got buried pretty quickly.

The only problem was Wen Chao.

He was still his dorm-mate, and he always made it a point to make Wei Wuxian's life miserable in the smallest of ways. Firstly, there was his alarm clock. Wen Chao’s alarm clock went off at the crack of dawn loudly, waking Wei Wuxian up from his sleep.

Wen Chao always let the clock ring for a whole minute before stopping it.

He did not even wake up at dawn.

Wei Wuxian would go to the bathroom and find his toothbrush on the sink, dripping with water. When he asked Wen Chao about it, he said, “Yeah, I knocked it off. It fell to the bathroom floor.” Then Wei Wuxian had to clean the brush in a panic.

The worst of it was that Wei Wuxian knew he couldn't say anything to him. Not only was Wen Chao the brother of their Prefect, but he now had Wen Zhuliu sticking beside him as well.

Wen Zhuliu, who was taller than everyone of them and as wide as a pillar, could easily crush Wei Wuxian's head with his arms alone.

So Wei Wuxian grits his teeth every morning when the alarm goes off. Attacking Wen Chao would invite trouble, and he did not want any part of it this year. He finally had Jiang Cheng back. He could not afford to lose him — and the group — just because of Wen Chao.

Trouble, however, had a way of finding Wei Wuxian.

It all began in the second week of school.

Wei Wuxian woke up on Tuesday in a foul mood due to the alarm. He had DADA in the first period, so he got up and prepared himself for another exciting class. He would get to see Lan Yi again, with her smile and her hair and her awesome powers.

When he skipped up to the Great Hall, he stopped short.

A crowd had gathered around the Hufflepuff table. Everyone was talking at once, their voices rising together. When Wei Wuxian craned his neck to see what was going on, his heart leaped to his throat.

Shijie sat in the middle of it all.

A shot of the incident that occurred on Halloween last year flashed through his mind.

Wei Wuxian ran to the crowd. His hands closed around his wand as he pushed his way through the students.

“Shijie!” he called, crouching before her and clutching her robes. “What happened? Are you alright? Are you hurt? Did someone do anything to you? Who hurt you?” His heart was hammering as he repeated his questions without pausing. “Who hurt you?”

Shijie clasped his shoulders. “No, no,” she said, her voice cracking. She took a laborious breath and tried to smile. “I am fine. Nothing happened.”

Wei Wuxian's eyes fell upon the person he least wanted to see. It was Jin Zixuan, standing behind Shijie and conversing with Andrew Weasley.

That pompous peacock. Wei Wuxian knew he was the problem. He was always the problem in Shijie's life.

“What did you do?” he shouted, before he could stop himself. The temperature of his wand dropped. “What did you do?”

Jin Zixuan had the brains to stagger back a little. “I–I did nothing,” he said, scowling. “Listen to the matter before accusing me.”

“A-Xian, please,” said Shijie. “He is not in the wrong here.”

“Oh, please,” snapped Wei Wuxian. “You will defend the devil too, Shijie.”

“Calm down, Wei Wuxian,” said Andrew Weasley. He grinned at him, his auburn hair reflecting the morning sunlight. “Jin Zixuan is correct this time. You see, a thing has happened here. Miss Yanli and Jin Zixuan have apparently heard strange noises coming from the Hogwarts Kitchen basements late at night yesterday.”

Wei Wuxian blinked. “What?”

“Will you believe me?” asked Jin Zixuan, turning to Andrew. “I heard those noises, got it? They were real. There is something in the basement of the kitchens. The both of us heard it.”

“What's happening?” popped in Nie Huiasang. He slung an arm around Wei Wuxian's shoulder, materialising out of thin air. “Sister Yanli, what did you hear?”

Shijie wiped the sweat off her head. “Well, I was studying late at night,” she began, looking at the floor. “I got hungry around two in the morning and thought of getting a snack from the kitchen. I…uh…met Jin Zixuan there too. He was getting a snack too. We stood there for a while, talking a little, when suddenly, we heard this…loud thud. Then, then—”

“—Then we heard a howl,” interrupted Jin Zixuan. “A literal howl. Like a dog, you know. Someone howled.”

“It could be a dog.”

Wei Wuxian turned to see Lan Xichen. He graced everyone with the most bright smile ever. “It could be a dog, Zixuan. Or maybe one of the House Elves.”

Shijie shook her head. “I thought so too, at first. But that howl belonged to a human. You had to be there to experience it.”

“It was no human,” said Jin Zixuan. “It was something else. No human can howl like that. It was such a, such a…”

“Keening wail,” finished Shijie. “And it went on for several minutes before being abruptly silenced. Then we heard another thud. It echoed around the kitchen.”

Wei Wuxian tapped his forehead. Howls and noises were mixing up his brain. “Wait, wait, wait. You are telling me that you heard something strange down in the kitchens?”

“Yes,” chorused Shijie and Jin Zixuan. The both of them nodded together, the synchronisation making Wei Wuxian more astonished than their story.

A ripple passed through the crowd.

“Well, I think we Gryffindors should go and investigate,” said a Jin Clan student. “We will find it out then.”

“We will go too,” said the Huffepuffs. “If there is something happening beneath the kitchen basement, it concerns us the most.”

“Are you two sure?” asked Lan Xichen.

Wei Wuxian almost shouted at him. Instead, he replied in a measured voice. “Shijie isn't stupid. She must have heard something.”

Lan Xichen nodded. “It is settled, then. First, we inform the professors. Then, we go and investigate. Simple.”

For some reason, Wei Wuxian had a feeling things weren't going to be that simple.

This matter reeked of trouble.

Chapter Text

1962, HOGWARTS

STUDIES WERE FORGOTTEN for the day.

Every First, Second and Third Year student of every House was excited to hear the results of the expedition that had been undertaken to check out the basement of the kitchens. At lunch, it was all everyone could talk about.

“There is a troll there,” declared Nie Huiasang, speaking as if he knew exactly what was going on.

Meng Yao scoffed. “How are you so sure?”

The six of them were standing behind one of the pillars of the Great Hall, conversing in fast words and hushed tones. Speculation and rumours were rife, since most people had heard Jin Zixuan and Jiang Yanli’s statements in the morning.

Very few people believed them, though.

“Can we really trust those two?” asked Xiao Xingchen. He shrank back when Jiang Cheng and Wei Wuxian whipped up their heads to look at him. “I mean, they can be mistaken too…”

Jiang Cheng exhaled. “I know they can be mistaken, but the fact remains that both of them heard the same type of noise. How often does that happen?”

Wei Wuxian scoffed at the mention of Jin Zixuan. The others shot him a weird look, but he could not care less. He kept his eyes fixed at the far end of the Great Hall that led to the Hogwarts kitchens.

Professors McGonagall, Filtwick and Slughorn had joined the expedition, along with the likes of Lan Xichen, Andrew Weasley, some other Hufflepuffs and Wen Xu. Shijie and that peacock had joined them, of course.

Wen Xu had gone out of pure enjoyment. Wei Wuxian knew he had no qualms to help them, he was there only for the fun of it.

A worry was descending upon his chest too. If what Shijie said turned out to be false, she would be ridiculed for the rest of the year. No one would say anything to Jin Zixuan. People did not dare to raise their voices against the richest clan in the Wizarding World. But his Shijie would be laughed at, made fun of. Wei Wuxian was going to break the teeth of anyone who dared to openly mock her, but even he had a limit.

“What if they find something really horrible?” asked Meng Yao.

Nie Huiasang snapped his fan close. “Then I'm going to run away and never return.”

“You are such a coward.”

“Then we should be thankful I'm not in Gryffindor.”

“Shut up,” said Wei Wuxian. Here he was, with anxiety curdling in his stomach, and all his two best friends could do was squabble over petty issues.

Lan Zhan looked at him. “Don't you have Herbology right now?”

Wei Wuxian looked at the clock on a wall and jumped. Herbology had been forgotten. “Oh, damn it! We have to rush, Dimples.”

Meng Yao groaned. “Can't I bunk?”

Lan Zhan choked on air, as if the words had caused him great physical discomfort. He regained his composure swiftly, but the break was enough to make Wei Wuxian crack a smile.

Trust Lan Zhan to nearly puke at the thought of bunking class. He was such a stickler for rules.

~~•~~

NOT EVEN Professor Sprouts was interested in the class that day.

“I wonder what is taking them so long,” she said, arranging the plants on the windowsill. “I hope they return safely.”

It was actually getting quite late. Wei Wuxian, who did not think timing was important in anything, was keeping a close eye on the clock. It had been an hour already.

When they returned to the Great Hall after another hour of class, Wei Wuxian was glad to see that the party had returned.

“Shijie,” he said, moving towards her and holding her hand. “Shijie, what happened? You guys were gone for so long.”

Shijie cast a disturbed glance at the crowd that had gathered once again. She squeezed Wei Wuxian's hand tightly, unaware of the fact that her nails were biting into his palm.

Wei Wuxian did not say anything. He only curled his fingers. “Shijie?”

“Huh? Oh, we found…nothing,” she confessed, her voice wobbling for one dangerous moment before coming back to normal. “We went to the kitchen basement but found nothing. A thorough search was made, since there are several basements. But there was nothing, apart from bags of grain, food rations, broken chairs and stuff.”

She looked down at him and smiled. “It's a disappointment, isn't it? I thought that we would find something, but we did not, and now…” She trailed off.

Wei Wuxian completed her sentence. “And now everybody thinks you were lying.”

Shijie shrugged, a gesture uncommon on her. She was trying so hard to mask how upset she was feeling. “Well, yes. But I–I know what I heard, A-Xian. You believe me, right?” She suddenly crouched down, coming to his eye-level. “Those noises that I heard — that Jin Zixuan heard — were true.”

Wei Wuxian patted her shoulder. He was unable to find the words to comfort her. This was exactly what he'd been fearing.

Shijie ruffled his hair, but he did not find the action funny as he did.

~~•~~

EVERYONE THOUGHT that the matter of ‘The Howl’ was over. It was what the students had termed those noises as. The entire incident was dismissed as a mistake.

Professor McGonagall went so far as to suspect whether Jin Zixuan and Jiang Yanli had been drunk. When they vehemently denied it, she calmed down, but not before giving them a doubtful stare.

Shijie fell silent about the whole matter. She said there was no use in trying to make people believe her. She accepted the taunts and jeers thrown her way, the fake howls people emitted whenever she passed by and prevented Jiang Cheng from hitting them.

Wei Wuxian tolerated everything.

Jin Zixuan was still vocal about the entire thing. “We need to have a second look,” he said, when October rolled in and brought the scent of Halloween along with it. “We have to check it out again.”

“We checked,” said Lan Xichen, heaping his plate with soft, sugary buns. “We were careful. All we found were dusty boxes. Jin Zixuan, you have to admit that there was nothing in there, no sign indicating the presence of a wild creature or anything.”

Wei Wuxian overheard the conversation during lunch at the Great Hall. He could not blame Lan Xichen for pointing out the obvious points. Truth be told, he himself was a little skeptical now. Sure, he trusted Shijie, but maybe she and that peacock had really misheard things.

Maybe they were both sleep-deprived. Their O.W.L.s were coming up, right? Everyone knew that Fifty Year students did not sleep.

So, ‘The Howl’ was effectively forgotten by him after a few days.

Instead, his concentration was now focused on two different things.

First was DADA. It seemed that Lan Yi was determined to become the strangest professor Hogwarts had ever had, for she was still refusing to teach them theory. She answered their doubts correctly enough, but she never lingered on the topics too long. She only jumped straight to the practical parts, the magical parts.

Through extensive demonstrations and practice, she had most of them able to fire an Expelliarmus within a month.

“Honestly, I'm impressed,” she said to them ten days before Halloween. They had just finished another demonstration. Wei Wuxian and Lan Zhan had become regular sparring partners. They had both managed to disarm each other on their third try without Shield Charms and stubborn wands.

Lan Yi had declared them as partners.

“Why are you impressed?” smiled Wei Wuxian. He was perched at the first bench again, drawing weird looks from his classmates.

Wei Wuxian was truly, deeply in love with Lan Yi. He was sure of it, as sure as he was of the sun rising every morning. He looked forward to the class every day, and often found his mind drifting to Lan Yi’s smile at random hours of the day.

He had expressed it to his friends.

“I am in love with Professor Lan,” he declared one day.

Meng Yao and Jiang Cheng made disgusted noises.

Nie Huiasang giggled. “I agree that she is pretty.”

Xiao Xingchen and Song Lan laughed. “You can't be in love with her. She's kind of silent. Doesn’t talk much.”

Lan Zhan looked sick. He glared at Wei Wuxian when he caught his eyes, asking him if he was insane with his look alone.

Wei Wuxian was not fazed. This was not his first time getting a crush on someone, so he knew how it felt when you had a crush. Your heart sped up abnormally whenever your crush appeared, you would feel all soft in the brain and your tongue would suddenly dry up. All those things happened with him whenever he saw Lan Yi.

Besides, he was really fascinated by her.

So, when she told them that she was impressed, Wei Wuxian could not contain his smile.

Lan Yi smiled one of her half-smiles. “You are a good batch of students. You caught on the Disarming Spell very well.”

Wei Wuxian's heart fell. Oh. She was not praising him individually, but rather, the whole class.

“Of course, Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji are exceptional at it.”

Aha! There it was.

Wei Wuxian remained in a hazy mess of dreams and smiles for the entire day, to the scorn of Meng Yao, disgust of Jiang Cheng, pride of Nie Huiasang and disapproval of Lan Zhan.

The second problem that he found himself dealing with was the abrupt detachment of Wen Ning.

Wei Wuxian, after all the ruckus over ‘The Howl', had tried to talk to Wen Ning and give him all the information, but the boy actively ran away from him as soon as he saw him.

To say Wei Wuxian was surprised would be an understatement.

After that, whenever he caught sight of Wen Ning, he would try to approach him, talk to him, ask him why he was behaving this way after being so chummy, but Wen Ning always slipped away.

“What has gotten into him?” asked Wei Wuxian. “I don't like the way he's avoiding me. What have I done wrong?”

“Maybe his sister said something?” suggested Meng Yao. “Told him to stay away from you.”

Wei Wuxian raised his hands in exasperation. “Why would she do that? I am not going to push her brother off the stairs or something.”

The whole matter was baffling.

But Wei Wuxian had his classes to worry about too. Second Year brought in its own share of syllabus and homework. Slughorn was being extremely particular about their potions, Professor McGonagall was now teaching them how to turn a cup into a rat, Charms was entering the deceptive area of the Engorgio Charm (which caused hilarious episodes) and History of Magic was focusing on revolutions.

It was strenuous work.

So strenuous that Wei Wuxian did not pay attention to his upcoming birthday.

After last year's disastrous birthday, Wei Wuxian did not hope for anything this year. It would be a normal day, full of Halloween celebrations and feasts. Shijie and Jiang Cheng would greet him. Maybe his birthday would get a mention on Jiang Cheng's birthday.

That would be it.

But he was proven gravely wrong.

The morning of his 12th birthday dawned with noise. Quite literally.

Meng Yao, without any hesitation or shame, had jumped straight upon his bed and pulled the blankets from his body. “Happy birthday, you dumb idiot!”

Wei Wuxian flinched when the morning light hit his face. He sat up slowly, unable to comprehend what the hell was going on, when Meng Yao hauled him up from bed.

“Come on, come on, dress fast!”

“Why?” wailed Wei Wuxian.

Meng Yao leaned in to whisper, so that Wen Chao would not wake up. “We have a little breakfast party arranged for you.”

Wei Wuxian stopped. He blinked as he caught the words in his brain and tried to understand them. A breakfast party? For him?

Meng Yao pulled him out. “Come on! We will be late.”

When they reached their usual spot at the Hufflepuff table, Wei Wuxian did not know what to say. Years later, when he would face the darkest days of his life alone, he would always come back to this particular moment in time, when he had all his friends grinning at him, wishing him a “Happy Birthday, idiot.”

“Holy Merlin,” he swore, sitting down and staring at the spread on the table. Every item was his favourite, including the buttered biscuits brought specifically from Yunmeng.

“You are currently the third-eldest here,” said Xiao Xingchen. He handed him a box. “I thought you would like this.”

Oh hell no. Surely, he wasn't getting gifts now.

Wei Wuxian could not remember the last time he had had gifts. He took the box and tried to hide the tears that had suddenly dampened the corners of his eyes. “Thank you. Really.”

Huiasang snatched the gift away immediately, eager to see what was inside. “What is this? Assorted…Sugar Quills?”

Wei Wuxian snatched it back. “Give it to me. Damn, Xiao Xingchen. You are the best.”

Jiang Cheng glowered. “Shut up. My gift is obviously the superior one. Catch!”

He threw a rumpled piece of paper at Wei Wuxian, who caught it and unfolded it. Inside, in Jiang Cheng's signature scrawl, were the words:

“The secret ingredient to Mom’s spicy beef-and-potato soup is fenugreek seeds.”

Wei Wuxian let out a loud laugh. He couldn't believe that Jiang Cheng was the one to provide him with the final key to Madame Yu's beef-and-potato soup recipe that he had been trying to piece together for years.

The others saw nothing impressive in it, but Jiang Cheng and him shared a solid laugh for two minutes straight.

After Wei Wuxian had received a box of red ribbons from Meng Yao (“You always wear them, don't you?”) and a folding-fan from Nie Huiasang (“From my special collection,” he beamed with pride). The breakfast passed by in a haze of drunken happiness for Wei Wuxian, who was not sure how to handle all the feelings cursing through him.

He was certainly happy, but he also felt like he wanted to cry. This was the first time that his birthday was being celebrated like this, with so much love and warmth. He wanted to feel this forever, and suddenly, his friends seemed so much more than just kids his age.

“Lan Wangji reminded us of your birthday,” said Huiasang. “I did not know about it. Why did you not tell me, Wei bro?”

Wei Wuxian raised an eyebrow at Lan Zhan. “You remembered?”

Lan Zhan narrowed his eyes. He looked like he wanted to silence him with a glare, but then he nodded.

There was that feeling again. That sudden run of hot and cold temperature up his spine, culminating in a bright pool in his gut. Lan Zhan, of all people, remembered his birthday. He recalled the awkward letter he had received during Christmas last year, when Lan Zhan — with painstaking shyness — had wished him a happy birthday.

Wei Wuxian smiled. “Thanks for remembering.”

Lan Zhan shrugged. “It was nothing. Your birthday falls on Halloween. It is pretty memorable.”

“Still.”

Wei Wuxian saw Lan Zhan tighten his grip on his fork. He shut up after that, not wanting to rile up Lan Zhan on such a nice occasion.

Amidst bouts of laughter and food, Wei Wuxian felt like a bird. He was flying, high above the Earth, and nothing could bring him down from this heavy sense of euphoric bliss.

People started to trickle in the Great Hall. They roved their eyes over the group, but said nothing.

Wei Wuxian almost did not notice Wen Ning.

The boy saw them and tried to make a quick escape, but his clumsy nature got the better of him and he bumped into the table instead. Their eyes snapped up.

Wei Wuxian had clearly forgotten the strange way Wen Ning had been acting with him. He hailed him with a loud “Hey!” then patted the seat next to him.

Wen Ning stood there like a statue.

“Would you like to join us?” asked Meng Yao, after what seemed like hours of excruciating silence.

Wen Ning looked at them, looked at the door of the Great Hall, looked at the gifts lying on the chair, but said nothing. He shifted his weight and hid his bottom lip between his teeth. “I–uh—”

Wei Wuxian crossed his arms. “Wen Ning, are you angry with me or something? Did I say anything that made you sad?”

“What?” asked Wen Ning, too quickly. “No, no. Of course not. You are always so funny and kind, you have not—”

“A-Ning?”

Wei Wuxian and the others turned to see the tall figure of Wen Qing glide towards her brother. She was wearing the blue Ravenclaw robes, her hair in a tight ponytail, her eyes the softest shade of brown imaginable. She was so pretty; yet looked like she could kill you with no remorse.

Wei Wuxian shrank away when she passed by him. He did not know why, but he suddenly felt as if Wen Qing was angry, even though her impassive face was as effective as Lan Zhan's.

Wen Ning bowed his head. “Yes, Jiejie?”

Wen Qing gripped her brother’s arm and began to pull him outside with her. “You need to take a rest today.” She looked at them and gave a stiff bow. “He is sick.”

Then they left, arm-in-arm, leaving behind a suspicious Nie Huiasang, Xiao Xingchen and Jiang Cheng.

Meng Yao nodded. “I told you that his sister hates us.”

Jiang Cheng scowled. “Why?”

Lan Zhan put in a rare opinion. “Maybe she thinks her brother will be corrupted by us.”

Xiao Xingchen laughed. “What? Are you serious? How can we corrupt Wen Ning? We are not necromancers.”

Wei Wuxian only looked.

There was something going on between Wen Ning and Went Qing. Wen Ning was the dullest knife in the drawer, but his sister was sharp. It was evident by the way she surrounded Wen Ning like one of Uncle Jiang’s hunting dogs.

Why was she so caring of her brother?

Wen Ning seemed perfectly fine, even though he was a clumsy, shy guy.

Then someone fed Wei Wuxian a buttered biscuit, and he forgot about the Wens altogether.

Chapter Text

1962, HOGWARTS

JIANG CHENG'S BIRTHDAY passed by in much the same manner. This time, Song Lan joined them as they sang a ridiculously bad ‘Happy Birthday’ to him.

Jiang Cheng was not very happy with that.

Wei Wuxian was glad that he could celebrate his birthday this year, unlike last year, when he had only heard of Jiang Cheng's birthday from Shijie. This year, everything was going fine. So much better than last year. Wei Wuxian beamed to himself.

It was all good.

He should have known that he was jinxing things by thinking so, for things went awry just a day after the birthday celebration.

Wei Wuxian was skipping out of History of Magic class when it happened. Most of the students were still inside the classroom, trying to wake up from the quick nap they all took during the class. Wei Wuxian found the class rather interesting, though. Learning about dead wizards was not exciting, but the ancient wars were. Professor Binns was a ghost too, so that was a plus point.

He was lost in these thoughts when a voice stopped him.

“Wei Wuxian?”

He turned around and his face fell.

It was Wen Xu.

He was leaning against the wall, which he now pushed himself off. With slow, deliberate steps, he came towards Wei Wuxian and looked down at him, his hair flying in the autumn breeze.

Wei Wuxian took a step back. He was not afraid of Wen Xu. He could not do anything to him in the middle of a corridor that was soon going to get crowded. But it would do no harm to be wary of him. He was a Wen, after all, brother to Wen Chao. He had also tried to hurt him once, having been a part of Edmund Malfoy's plan.

“What?” he asked, slipping his hand inside his pocket. His wand was cold to the touch.

Wen Xu noticed the action. His eyes glazed over with amusement, but he cleared his throat and said, “I wanted to ask you something.”

Wei Wuxian licked his lips. He had a feeling this conversation was not going to be good. “What?”

“Are you going to play for the team this year? Quidditch, I mean.”

The question was so illogical that Wei Wuxian gave a short laugh. Was Wen Xu mad? “Of course I'm not playing anymore. How could you think I would play after what happened?”

Wen Xu shrugged, dismissing the memory of last year’s mishaps, as if they had never happened.

Wei Wuxian felt the tips of his ears burning. “I am not playing again anymore, Prefect.”

Wen Xu nodded. “I understand.”

“Good.” Wei Wuxian had Herbology next period, so he began to pull out his gloves from his book-bag and walked towards the eastern gates to get to the Greenhouse.

To his great annoyance, Wen Xu began to walk after him.

Wei Wuxian did not look back at the guy. He only increased his pace. “What do you want?”

Wen Xu probably smiled, for his next words carried the hint of mirth. “Well, I am just wondering if I can change your mind.”

Wei Wuxian began to grow confused. It was not like Wen Xu to plead to someone to do something. Wen Xu was the epitome of the perfect student. He regularly stood first in class positions, could brew potions under the blink of an eye (according to Slughorn), was a good Beater who earned them lots of points and was a straightforward person.

He was never involved in scandals.

Nor was he ever caught doing anything bad.

He was not Wen Chao, that was for sure. He carried himself with the pride that came if you were both a pureblood and a Slytherin. Wen Xu did not look at people who were half-bloods. He did not request. He did not plead.

Wei Wuxian scowled. This was the way Malfoy had acted with him to get him to join the Quidditch team. There was no way he was going to mistake their cunning for compliance again.

Wen Xu continued. “Look, I know why you do not want to play anymore. After what happened last year, you are bound to hate the game—”

“I don't hate the game,” snapped Wei Wuxian. “I hate all of you.”

Wen Xu did not miss a beat. “That too. Your hatred is very justified. What Malfoy did was bad.”

Wei Wuxian whirled around, a cold spark shooting up his thigh where his wand was pressed. “It was not just Malfoy! It was all of you. All the players and all the students. Everyone of you wanted to see me suffer and I don't even know why!”

He hated how his voice cracked at the last part.

Wei Wuxian had never confronted the Slytherins about the incident. He knew everyone had been involved, but the only person to get a punishment was Malfoy. Ever since Second Year started, none of the Slytherins talked to him, and so all hopes of getting an explanation were gone.

And now, everything that he had been wanting to say to them burst out of their own accord.

“I don't get why all of you ganged up on me. What have I ever done to you that you decided to hurt Jiang Cheng and put the blame on me? What were you guys expecting? Me getting beaten by Madame Yu?”

Wei Wuxian stomped his feet on the ground, causing Wen Xu to fall back. “How did you people even know that Madame Yu hates me?” The thought that the Slytherins had been able to know such a personal fact about himself was unnerving.

Wen Xu, for the first time since Wei Wuxian had known him, seemed a bit shaken. He stared at Wei Wuxian for a long time before saying, “You must know that only Desmond, Catherine and Rosier were in favour of the plan. The rest of us had no choice. We had to follow because Malfoy was leading. And we always go where Malfoy does.” He gave a bitter chuckle. “Of course, now that Malfoy is no longer here, we are not his slaves anymore.”

Wei Wuxian crossed his arms. “Why did you follow Malfoy? He is no God.”

“The Malfoys are the closest thing we have to royalty in Slytherin,” said Wen Xu. His tone suddenly took on an honest streak, sounding less made-up and more raw. “You know the Malfoys, Wei Wuxian. They are the most powerful pureblood family in Britain. The Blacks are powerful too, but they are not as public as the Malfoys.”

Wei Wuxian knew it. He knew about the pureblooded hierarchy within the Wizarding World. He had no part in it, since he was a Muggle, but he had often heard Uncle Jiang talk of things like this.

The Malfoys were wealthy and powerful.

Everyone knew that.

Wei Wuxian shook his head. The wind flew through his hair. “Why are you telling me all this?”

“I want you to know that you can join the team.”

Oh Merlin. He was still on that.

“I will not join the team,” he gritted out. “Thank you.”

“What if I kick out Catherine and Desmond? Will you join then?”

Wei Wuxian stopped.

Would Wen Xu kick out two of the most loyal and talented team members just to get him back? That smelled suspicious. He turned around and asked, “Why would you do that?”

“We need you,” said Wen Xu. He kept his cool, dark gaze upon Wei Wuxian as he said so. “The team needs you this year. You are an exceptional player. Together, we can beat back any team. Last year, Ravenclaw won the trophy due to the fiasco we had. But I want us to win this year.”

He stepped forward, until Wei Wuxian could smell his expensive cologne sweeping into his nose. “Look, I am going to tell you the truth. I don't like you. Neither do any of the Slytherins. But you are a valuable team member, unfortunately.”

The admission — though honest — stung Wei Wuxian somewhere deep in his heart. He balled his hands into fists by his side, clenching his jaw. “What do you mean by you hate me? What have I ever done to deserve your hatred?”

“Oh, please,” scoffed Wen Xu. “You act as if you are innocent, but you are not. What?” He leaned in closer, his dark eyes flashing. “Did you really think that you would win over the Slytherins when you complained against us the very first night?”

Oh Merlin. That complaint.

Wei Wuxian hissed back. “That complaint was against Malfoy. He—”

“That complaint made us lose our image in front of Slughorn,” said Wen Xu. “You made a—” He stopped speaking, taking a deep breath and backing away a step or two. He blinked and regarded Wei Wuxian with casual indifference once again.

“Listen, I have told you what I wanted to say. I can remove Catherine and Desmond, if you want. I…request that you play.”

With that, he walked off, leaving Wei Wuxian with a thousand questions.

~~•~~

IT WAS BECAUSE of this incident that Wei Wuxian found himself unable to concentrate on his homework that night. He would write something, scribble it out, then write again. He read the same paragraph over and over again, but the words seemed to be floating in thin air.

“What happened?” asked Meng Yao, eyeing Wei Wuxian as he tore out a parchment and threw it into the dustbin. “You should be able to solve such easy problems.”

“I know,” groaned Wei Wuxian, rubbing his face. He looked around the dorm-room. The low lighting was making him have a headache.

Meng Yao said, “Why don't you go outside for a while? Calm your head. Fifteen minutes are left till curfew.”

“Where I need to go is the library,” said Wei Wuxian. “I cannot solve this problem. What do you mix with Bat’s Wings to make your Strength Potion blue?”

“I don't know.”

“The library does.”

“So go to the library.”

Wei Wuxian stretched on the floor. The thought of the Hogwarts library, with its enormous shelves and hundreds of books, was pretty dampening. But he knew he had to get the answer, and there was no choice left.

He peeled himself off the floor and trotted towards the library on the fourth floor. It was quite late at night, so except the Fifth and Seventh Years, there shouldn't be anyone else there.

Of course, he was wrong.

Lan Zhan’s white headband greeted him as soon as he pushed open the doors of the library. Lan Zhan, who was just coming out, took a sharp inhale of air and stepped back as they nearly collided.

Wei Wuxian reeled himself back. “Damn. I would have knocked you off your feet just now.”

Lan Zhan blinked. He looked at Wei Wuxian, looked at the library, then back to Wei Wuxian again. “Why are you here?”

Wei Wuxian frowned. “You are speaking as if I'm banned here.”

Lan Zhan's eyes widened. Just a little. “No. That is not what I—”

Wei Wuxian snorted. It was so easy to have Lan Zhan concerned. The guy didn't get jokes at all. “Relax, my boy. Are you done?”

“What? Oh, yes.”

“Well, too bad. Accompany me.”

Before Lan Zhan could glare at him (or kill him), Wei Wuxian caught his arms and led him inside the library. There was no way on Earth he was letting go of such a chance. “Why do we always meet at night?”

Lan Zhan glared. “Not always.”

Wei Wuxian tightened his grip. Lan Zhan was rather than under his robes. Did they follow strict diet plans in Gusu? “Always, always.”

He dragged Lan Zhan behind a bookshelf full of dusty tomes and sat down at one of the tables.

“What do you want?” asked Lan Zhan.

“I want you to help me,” said Wei Wuxian. “You have to find me a book and answer a few questions.”

Wei Wuxian knew Lan Zhan was the perfect person to share his Quidditch troubles with. He knew Lan Zhan was no tattle-tale, nor did he have any friend other than their group. Wei Wuxian wasn't even sure if Lan Zhan considered them as ‘friends’ or simply ‘people.’ Nevertheless, he usually had good advice, was intelligent beyond his years and was sure to see some point Wei Wuxian was missing.

He was the luckiest person on the planet to find Lan Zhan at the moment of his confusion.

~~•~~

“NO.”

This was Lan Zhan's response after hearing everything.

Wei Wuxian wilted. He was disappointed, but not particularly surprised by his response. In fact, a small part of him had been expecting Lan Zhan to say this.

“You should not join the team,” said Lan Zhan, leaning forward on the table, his hands resting under his chin. The moonlight streaming through the window made his golden eyes an eerie silver. “No matter what Wen Xu says.”

“But, you know,” said Wei Wuxian, slowly, “Wen Xu is ready to kick out Greengrass and Desmond.”

“So?” The bite in Lan Zhan's voice surprised him this time. “Have you forgotten that everyone was involved in the plot? Wen Chao, Wang LingJiao, all the Second, Third, Fourth and Fifth Years. Not to mention the seniors and the players.”

Wei Wuxian smiled. “Yes, yes, I know all that. But—”

“But what?”

The sheer panic in Lan Zhan's voice made Wei Wuxian lose his smile. This was probably the first time he was showing so much emotion after the Quidditch incident last year.

Wei Wuxian felt a tingling in his stomach. It was nice to have someone worry about you, but Lan Zhan wasn't quite understanding.

Lan Zhan was telling him to play safe. Ignore the team, ignore Wen Xu, ignore Slytherin. But he was also telling him to ignore the fame that came with being a Quidditch player. Wei Wuxian would miss out on the games, the shouts, the fanfare, the special treatment. He would miss out on the looks on Catherine and Desmond’s faces when they would get kicked off the team. He would miss out on seeing the jealous faces of Wen Chao and Wang LingJiao.

Most of all, he would miss out on that feeling, that one feeling you get when you send the Bludger flying through the air and making your opponent fall down, down, down….

“Wei Wuxian, tell me you are not going to join.”

Lan Zhan was one word away from springing upon him.

Wei Wuxian gripped the table. The library was empty, save for the Fifth Years. Curfew was over long ago, but Lan Zhan sat there without a care in the world, as if curfew was just a thing of fairy-tales.

Joining the team was a hazard. Not joining the team was soul-crushing.

Wei Wuxian stood up. “Let's go,” he said, looking at the distant outline of the Quidditch pitch through the window. “First, we have to get into our dorms without getting caught by Filch.”

He would deal with the questions later.

Lan Zhan looked like he was about to say something more, but he decided against it and slung his book-bag over his shoulder. They left the library together, their slippers echoing on the marble floor. The trip down to the third floor was safe enough. After that…

“Filch roams around here,” said Lan Zhan. He peeked out from behind a pillar, darting his eyes everywhere.

Wei Wuxian narrowed his eyes. “Have you done this before?”

Lan Zhan nodded.

Wei Wuxian staggered back in shock. “What?” he whispered furiously. Lan Zhan had broken curfew before? How was that possible? He was such a good student—

“I study till late at night in the library,” said Lan Zhan. He turned to silence Wei Wuxian with a glare. “I know. Now, shut up and follow.”

“Oh Merlin, this is gold,” said Wei Wuxian, unable to control the laugh crawling up his lips. “God, Lan Zhan. You are an expert criminal. Please take care of this angelic civilian.”

“Shut up.”

Lan Zhan shuffled down the corridors, signalling Wei Wuxian to come along. The two of them walked silently, crouching whenever they heard a noise. It seemed as if the entire castle had suddenly come alive, with shadows and the hooting of owls.

They came to the Defence Against the Dark Arts corridor without accident.

Wei Wuxian leaned against the heavy doors that led to their DADA classroom. “This is exhausting work, huh? I never—”

That was when he heard it.

Voices.

Two of them.

One was, without a doubt, Professor Lan Yi's smooth voice. “...to be trained. You understand, right, Minerva? They have to be trained.”

Wei Wuxian stilled. He caught Lan Zhan's robes and pulled him back, clamping the other's mouth shut.

“Listen,” he whispered, talking to Lan Zhan’s ear.

“What are you—” began Lan Zhan, struggling to create distance between their bodies, which were stuck together against the door. Wei Wuxian could not see what the problem was. It wasn't even hot enough to start sweating at a little contact.

“I know, Lan Yi. But have you discussed this with Dumbledore?”

“Yes, I have. Listen, I know some…”

Then no more words were heard.

Lan Zhan twisted his neck to look at Wei Wuxian. “Will you let me go or should I punch you?”

Wei Wuxian pushed Lan Zhan off himself. “My god, the Gryffindor spirit is jumping out.”

“Shut up. We should focus on getting back safely.”

“I'm currently focusing on what Professor McGonagall and my beloved were talking about,” said Wei Wuxian. He had never seen the two teachers interact, so the fact that they were having a conversation in the middle of the night was borderline astonishing.

“They were talking about training,” said Lan Zhan. “Probably deciding how to train the Fifth and Seventh Years for their exams.”

Wei Wuxian grimaced. “No way. It sounded more mysterious.”

“You are imagining things.”

“Listen, Lan Zhan, imagination is the key to—”

Wei Wuxian never got to finish the sentence, for as they turned around a corner, ready to climb down to the second floor, they met two sights which sent his heart crashing.

Argus Filch was staring at them.

Behind him, the slender figure of Wen Qing flashed by.

Chapter Text

1962, HOGWARTS

THIS WAS THE reason why Lan Wangji preferred doing everything alone.

Whenever he had someone by his side, things were sure to go wrong. And if his partner was Wei Wuxian, the stars themselves aligned to create the maximum amount of trouble for them.

Lan Wangji had snuck out of the library and gone to his dorm so many times last year, but he had never been caught. Filch never knew that he was being bested by a First Year student. But the moment Wei Wuxian joined him, they were suddenly staring right at the wrinkled face of the caretaker.

Filch gave a rude laugh. It sounded like a dog howling. “Two students out of bed at curfew! What have you two been doing, huh? Who is your Head of House?”

Lan Wangji took a deep breath to calm his racing heart. “Mister Filch, I can explain.”

“Oh?” Filch leaned in closer, revealing a set of yellowing teeth and a balding head. “Will you, little Lan?”

Lan Wangji staggered back.

Filch laughed again, emitting a stench from his mouth that was sure to kill someone one day. “Oh, I know you by that ribbon you people wear around your head. My, my. To think that a Lan is sneaking out at night with his friend! And who are you?” he sneered, directing his speech at Wei Wuxian.

Wei Wuxian, however, did not answer.

Lan Wangji turned to see Wei Wuxian standing on his toes and craning his neck to get a glimpse of the dark corridor that lay behind Filch.

Filch asked again. “Who are you?”

“Wei Wuxian of Slytherin,” he answered, not sparing a glance to Filch, as if the man catching them was not an issue at all. He gripped Lan Wangji's arm roughly, just like he had in the library.

“What?” hissed Lan Wangji.

“Wen Qing,” said Wei Wuxian, pointing to the corridor. “I just saw her run by, Lan Zhan. It was Wen Qing, I swear.”

“I am going to report you both to Professor Slughorn,” threatened Filch.

Something cold shot up his spine and settled inside his heart. Lan Wangji swallowed to wet his throat, which was drying rapidly. If any professor came to know about this, he was going to get detention. Then the matter would reach the ears of his Uncle.

He was done for good.

Lan Wangji opened his mouth to say something, anything. Maybe he could plead with Filch to not say anything, maybe he could—

“That is Wen Qing,” declared Wei Wuxian. “Hey, do you want to go after her?”

“Wei Wuxian,” said Lan Wangji firmly. “Can you shut up for a while? We have a situation here.”

Wei Wuxian glanced at Filch for the first time. “Sir Filch,” he greeted, his voice growing an octave higher. He smiled at Filch and held out a hand. “I am Wei Wuxian, as I have already told you. I am sorry to be out after curfew, I really am. You see, I was studying at the library and lost track of time.”

It was Filch’s turn to back away now. He looked at Wei Wuxian's outstretched hand as if it was a cursed object. “That is a common excuse—”

“But this is no excuse,” said Wei Wuxian. “You can go to the library and ask around. Many Fifth Year students have seen us. But all that for later.” Wei Wuxian clapped Filch on the shoulder.

Lan Wangji resisted from choking in surprise.

“I have heard so much about you,” continued the other. He visibly jumped on his feet. “We will talk to you later, Mr Filch. Lan Zhan, come on!"

Lan Wangji could only croak out a “Where?" as Wei Wuxian pulled him by the arm, stepped around the stick-like body of Argus Filch and made a dash behind the pillars where he claimed to have seen Wen Qing.

“We are going to follow her," said Wei Wuxian, ignoring the thundering from Filch behind them. He kept on a steady run, pulling at Lan Wangji's robes harder than was necessary. “I want to see where she is going."

Lan Wangji clenched his fists in an effort to keep his rage from rising. Wei Wuxian was always mildly irritating, but this was becoming borderline psychopathic. “Wei Wuxian, do you not realise that we are going to get detention?" After such atrocious behaviour, there was no saving them from a detention, no matter who Lan Wangji was.

“A detention? Okay," shrugged Wei Wuxian. They darted behind pillars, the dark corridors opening up before them like the mouths of sleeping beasts. The candles provided weak light.

Lan Wangji twisted his shoulder out of Wei Wuxian's grip.

Wei Wuxian stopped. The ribbon in his hair stilled. “What?"

“I am going back to my dorm," announced Lan Wangji. “You do whatever you want to. Get detention, die. Or worse, expelled. I don't care."

Wei Wuxian had the audacity to grin. “Oh, calm down, Lan Zhan. We are not getting expelled. I just want to see where Wen Qing is going."

“Why?"

Wei Wuxian scoffed. His smile suddenly vanished, leaving behind a dark scowl, which he now directed at Lan Wangji in a particularly unnerving manner.

It made Lan Wangji take a step back. Wei Wuxian had never looked at him like this before.

“Don't you think that Wen Qing is an extremely strange person?" asked Wei Wuxian. “She is weird. She has no friends, talks to none, treats Wen Ning as a baby and is prone to anger whenever questioned. Like, what is the matter with her?"

Lan Wangji glared. “She seems perfectly fine," he said, biting his lips to stop the next sentence from spilling out. She is so much like me.

“She is not," insisted Wei Wuxian. “And what is she doing in the middle of the night, roaming around corridors like a ghost? Something is happening."

Oh Merlin. Who knew Wei Wuxian could be so dramatic? He was making a big deal out of nothing, and when Lan Wangji told him so, Wei Wuxian pursed his lips in a manner strongly reminiscent of Jiang Cheng.

“I'll go," said Wei Wuxian. “You can go back to your dorm, if you want."

Lan Wangji did exactly that.

~~~

“HOW DID YOUR hunt go?" asked Lan Wangji the next day over breakfast.

Jiang Cheng, Meng Yao, Song Lan and Xiao Xingchen looked up in surprise. “Hunt? Who was Wei Wuxian hunting?"

Wei Wuxian, for his part, had the decency to look shameful. “Well, I could not find her," he confessed, scratching his neck. “I looked everywhere, but I couldn't. Then I heard Filch's footsteps and ran away." He looked up at Lan Wangji. “She completely disappeared."

Lan Wangji shrugged his shoulders. "A pity.”

Wei Wuxian gave him a dourful look, pouting his lips and making his ears drop, like a cat. Like Suibian.

Wei Wuxian's cat was a whole other matter for Lan Wangji. The cat was infinitely obsessed with him, and whenever she got the chance, would come to him and claim his lap as her own. It made Wei Wuxian envious, stating that Suibian never did that with him.

It only served to make Lan Wangji smug.

The rest of the day, and the days after that, passed by in precious peace. There were no more midnight meetings, no more news of unconfirmed sounds in the basements, no more sightings of Wen Qing. Wen Ning joined them from time to time, but apart from the boy's twitch nature, Lan Wangji could find no fault in anything.

Most of his days were now full of classes.

Especially Defence Against the Dark Arts.

Professor Lan Yi was still the same: smiling, calm and skilled, but there was an edge to everything she did now. It had been nearly four months since they were doing her class, but Lan Yi had never appeared so….nervous before.

Lan Wangji said this to Wei Wuxian one day.

“Don't you think Professor Lan is being odd?" he asked, watching Wen Chao struggle with the Body-Bind Curse as Song Lan got the better of him.

Wei Wuxian leaned against him. He pressed his legs to Lan Wangji's and put his mouth over his ear. “Lan Zhan, stop staring at Professor Yi. She's mine, you know."

Lan Wangji shot him a glare. Wei Wuxian was becoming increasingly infatuated with the ex-Lan Clan Leader. Lan Wangji did not get the attraction. Sure, Professor Lan looked younger than most of their professors and had an easy-going air around her, but was that enough reason to fall in love with her?

Lan Wangji was still not over the fact that Professor Yi skipped most of their theories, telling them to read it themselves. She taught them spells in a hurry, as if she had a train to catch. She had completed more than half of their syllabus before Christmas, something which no other professor had ever done.

“I am serious," said Lan Wangji, scooting away to put space between them. Why was Wei Wuxian sitting beside him again?

Wei Wuxian smiled. “You are always serious." Then his smile dropped as he concentrated upon Professor Yi. “Why do you think she's being odd?"

"She's hurrying,” said Lan Wangji. "I don't know why, but she is. Why do you think she's doing that?"

“Because she wants to finish the syllabus?" asked Wei Wuxian.

Lan Wangji shook his head.

“Then what is she hurrying for, Lan Zhan?"

Lan Wangji did not answer. To anyone, it would seem that Professor Lan was hurrying out of obligation to finish the course. But she was such a carefree person. She did not follow much of the Hogwarts etiquette. She never wore robes. She seldom joined the Teacher's Table at the Great Hall. She was unconventional, as she always had been.

Why would such a professor be so eager to complete syllabuses?

Lan Wangji knew there was something going on.

He just didn't know what.

Chapter Text

1962, HOGWARTS

AS HOGWARTS WAS slowly consumed by the first brittle winter ice and light snow, Wei Wuxian cooked up a brilliant idea in his head.

“I propose we all stay together in the castle this year," he said, during breakfast one day. “This Christmas, nobody goes home. We stay here, eat and laugh to our heart’s content, maybe sneak around a little. Who's up for it?" He raised his own hand first, for good measure.

Ever since last year, Wei Wuxian had wanted to experience the Hogwarts Christmas. Moreover, his Shijie would be staying back this year to study for her O.W.L.s, as most other Fifth Years did. He wanted to keep her company, and he wanted to see just how beautiful Hogwarts could get under the white Scottish snow.

Meng Yao shook his head at once. “I can't."

Nie Huiasang nodded. “I can't either," he said, shoving bread down his throat. “Christmas is the only time of the year when I actually get to see my brother."

Wei Wuxian frowned. Since when was Huiasang so attached to Nie Mingjue? “I'm sure you won't miss your brother for once."

Huiasang, it seemed, could be pretty stubborn when the time called for it. “No, Wei bro. I really can't. Sorry."

Wei Wuxian threw his hands up in the air. “And what about you, Dimples?"

Meng Yao smiled. “Same here. I have to meet my mother."

“Then come down to Qinghe," supplied Huiasang.

“You will spend Christmas together again?" asked Xiao Xingchen. “Good. I can stay, Wei Wuxian. Song Lan, what about you?"

Song Lan nodded his assent, his mouth too heavy with pumpkin pie to speak.

Jiang Cheng scratched his head. “Mother would be expecting us…” he began, his face changing into a grimace. "You know her, Wei Ying.”

Wei Wuxian knew Madame Yu all too well. It was part of the reason why he wanted to spend Christmas at Hogwarts. He did not want to go to Yunmeng, not after the disastrous Christmas of last year. He wanted to stay here, in his dorm, where he could sleep and eat according to his heart’s content, with no one breathing down his neck.

Wen Chao wouldn't be there either, and the prospect of having the entire dorm to himself was rather…enticing.

Wei Wuxian plopped down on a chair. “Well, can't you explain things to Madame Yu?"

“She will expect us," repeated Jiang Cheng. “Jiejie is already going to be here. How do you think she will feel if the both of us stay here too? Think about Father."

Ah.

Uncle Jiang.

Christmas was Uncle Jiang's holiday. It was his time of the year. He made all the preparations himself, including decorating the Christmas tree, deciding their activities and preparing the gifts. The Annual Winter Fest of Yunmeng was a renowned carnival throughout the Wizarding World solely due to Uncle Jiang's contributions.

But still, even the thought of Uncle Jiang could not deter Wei Wuxian.

He wanted to spend Christmas in Hogwarts.

And so he would.

Alone, if necessary.

His eyes, however, turned to the one person who he knew was not going to stay.

Lan Zhan was sipping on hot tea. He was looking at them all as if they were circus animals, his golden eyes travelling languidly. The smoke from the tea obscured half of his face.

Wei Wuxian raised an eyebrow. “I suppose you won't stay?"

Lan Zhan did not answer him immediately. He sipped some more, then set the cup down elegantly and closed his eyes.

“I think I can," he said, after five minutes of pure mental concentration and meditation. “Yeah, I can stay."

Wei Wuxian clutched the arm-rest of the chair. “You are joking." Lan Zhan would stay? Here, at Hogwarts? Wei Wuxian had assumed that the Lans had strict orders to go to Cloud Recesses during every holiday, and he had never expected Lan Zhan to stay.

He had never considered him in the equation.

But here was Lan Zhan, telling him that he could stay.

Wei Wuxian suddenly felt something light in his entire body, floating from his toes to his head. It made him feel like a feather, flying along the gentle wintry breeze.

~~~

JUST AS THE flurry of the holidays appeared, so did the first whispers of the upcoming series of Quidditch matches.

Jiang Cheng was the first one to point it out. “First match of the season is Gryffindor versus Hufflepuff," he said, slamming a notice down on their breakfast table. By now, nobody paid the seven of them any mind as they ate and talked in the corner of the Hufflepuff table.

Wei Wuxian looked at the notice. The first match would be held the day before school closed for Christmas.

Without his permission, his mind went to Wen Xu and his offer.

Things with Slytherin had not progressed at all. They still treated Wei Wuxian as an outcast, an anomaly, who did not deserve to be in their House. Wen Chao was just as insufferable, with his alarm clock making no delay in waking Wei Wuxian up rudely.

The superiority they inflicted upon Wei Wuxian was stifling. Wei Wuxian knew that he was a muggle with a very weak Golden Core and no rich heritage, but he was still a wizard, and he was still a Slytherin. He was a disciple of the Jiang Clan, a part of the Five Great Pureblood Families, and yet, Catherine Greengrass shot him looks that said: ‘You are a stray dog.’

Wei Wuxian did not like dogs.

Nor did he like being treated as the dust under their boots.

What appalled him more was that apparent lack of remorse everyone had. One would look at Desmond Nott and never guess that he had tried to incriminate Wei Wuxian just last year. Nobody ever apologised, and none had the decency to at least look ashamed.

As the winter thickened, Wei Wuxian did, too.

Everything was going fine, on the surface. Classes were progressing smoothly, his circle of friends was stable. Professor Lan Yi now paid more and more attention to him, drawn by his affinity for the subject and the curious way how nobody could ever disarm him.

His wand always clung to him, like his shadow.

Shijie was stressed out half of the time, now that the O.W.L.s were knocking upon the door. But she always smiled whenever she saw Wei Wuxian.

That was all he needed from her.

But the lingering tension with his own house-mates continued.

Wei Wuxian did not know why he was growing increasingly irritated by their behaviour. At first, he did not care when nobody talked to him.

But now, after four months of Second Year, it was growing almost unbearable.

His annoyance was first noticed by Meng Yao.

“Are you okay?" he asked one day in Herbology, writing down notes being recited by Professor Sprouts.

Wei Wuxian looked up. “Why such a question?"

Meng Yao scanned his face. “Well, you seem a bit…angry, is all,” he said. "Angry all the time at some invisible irritant. What is bothering you?”

Wei Wuxian blinked. Had his vexation really been that noticeable?

Meng Yao continued. "I mean, you are not your usual funny, joking self, you know. You tend to be silent for long moments nowadays while we are talking. You are always glaring at the ceiling. You are always frowning. You are clearly angry at someone.” He leaned in and stood on his toes. "Are you angry with me?”

"Merlin, no,” said Wei Wuxian. He pressed Meng Yao's shoulder. "I'm not angry with you, Dimples. I'm just…irritated.”

"At?”

"At these people,” hissed Wei Wuxian, turning his head to look at Wang LingJiao and Wen Chao.

Meng Yao nodded. "Understandable. But why?”

Wei Wuxian opened his mouth to speak, but found that he had no suitable answer. Sure, they were irritating, but none of them had done anything drastic to him this year. There was no reason for him to be abruptly angry at them, yet he was.

He was angry at the way they dismissed him.

He was angry at the way they looked at him.

He was angry at the way they would not speak to him.

He was angry at—

"I cannot take this anonymity,” confessed Wei Wuxian, arriving at the undeniable conclusion. "I do not like the way they treat me as if I were invisible. I am not invisible, am I?”

Meng Yao sighed. "Wei Wuxian, you were perfectly fine with them not talking to you. You said that it was a good thing, because you did not want to talk to such snobs.”

He had indeed said so. Wei Wuxian had said that during the early weeks of November. At that time, the dismissals had not bothered him. But now they did.

And now, Wei Wuxian wasn't sure that he did not want their attention on him.

He did not say anything to Meng Yao, but the thought nagged him day and night. It was an awful realization, but it was also a true one.

All his life, Wei Wuxian had lived on attention. Back in Yunmeng, he was the star of the Jiang Clan, the most adored person in the entire city. Everyone loved him. He was better at things than kids his age were.

Wei Wuxian was not invisible.

Even in Hogwarts, he had made a name for himself. He was consistently good at studies, bested only by Lan Zhan. He was top of class in Potions, Charms and Defence Against the Dark Arts. He had a wand that obeyed him, even though it was a bit strange.

Wei Wuxian was not invisible.

Wei Wuxian was very much visible. Like a star.

As his turmoil grew, Quidditch news shook up the entire school. Everyone was scrambling for try-outs. The air became charged with a different sort of rivalry.

The Gryffindors and Hufflepuffs began to make rude gestures at each other in the Great Hall a week before the match.

“This is insane," laughed Huiasang. “I have never seen Quidditch being played in such snowfall."

“That makes it more exciting, don't you think?" gushed Xiao Xingchen. “A heavenly sight, for sure."

Wei Wuxian looked at Song Lan. “Hey, aren't you going to join the Gryffindor team?"

“I am," said Song Lan, eliciting cheers from Jiang Cheng and Xiao Xingchen. “I was thinking of trying out as a Chaser."

“You are a wonderful player," said Jiang Cheng, jumping on Song Lan’s shoulders. “You are going to make the team! I just know it!"

Lan Zhan opened his mouth for the first time that day. "The Gryffindor try-outs are tomorrow.”

"Yes,” nodded Song Lan. "I can't tell you guys how nervous I feel. Why don't you try out too, Lan Wangji?”

Wei Wuxian choked on water. A great snort of laughter made its way through his nose. "Lan Zhan, playing Quidditch?”

Lan Zhan looked equally horrified, if his wide eyes were any indication.

Huiasang cleared his throat. “What about you, Wei bro? Will you play?"

Wei Wuxian paused.

The chatter at the table paused too, in an effort to hear his answer. No one but Meng Yao knew of Wei Wuxian's decision to leave the Quidditch team of Slytherin, but he knew that the others had already assumed that he would leave.

Lan Zhan answered for him. “No, of course not."

Wei Wuxian balled his hands into fists. Lan Zhan was staring at him without blinking, as if challenging him to refute his statement. There was a certain surety in his voice, like Wei Wuxian would never dare to be in the Slytherin team.

It lit his nerves on fire.

Song Lan said, “Oh, you won't be playing anymore? Shame. You were a good player."

“But after the incident last year, it's only obvious that he won't play," said Xiao Xingchen.

Jiang Cheng nodded. “Of course. Those snakes ought to—"

“I don't know," said Wei Wuxian. He leaned back in his chair and tore his gaze away from the cold glare of Lan Zhan. “It all depends on my mood. I could play." He looked at Jiang Cheng, who was staring at him. “Nobody will have any problems with that, right?"

Xiao Xingchen, ever the pacifier, laughed. “What's there to mind if you play? The game will only get more interesting with you as the Beater.”

Meng Yao shot Wei Wuxian an incredulous look, but Wei Wuxian did not grace him with a look. He returned to his breakfast, too aware of Lan Zhan's eyes on his neck, boring holes into his bones.

~~~

AS LUCK WOULD HAVE IT, Wen Xu caught Wei Wuxian that same day.

Wei Wuxian was coming out of Potions class, utterly oblivious to the boy standing right behind him. He jumped a foot in the air when Wen Xu’s hand landed on his shoulder.

"Who the hell— oh, it's you,” yelped Wei Wuxian, placing a hand upon his beating heart. "What do you want?”

Wen Xu raised an eyebrow. The action was intimidating. "I want to hear your final decision. People are saying that you announced you'd play for Slytherin in the Great Hall. I need to know whatever it is you are thinking.”

Wei Wuxian groaned. Oh Merlin…

Some part of him had known that Wen Xu would confront him again sooner or later. The match season had started, and Wen Xu would be eager to assemble the Quidditch team. He just hadn't anticipated today would be the day.

“Well?" probed Wen Xu.

Wei Wuxian clutched his wand to his chest. Wen Xu's gaze fell on the wand for a split second, before returning to Wei Wuxian.

"If you do not want to join, then say so,” said Wen Xu. He gave a sudden chuckle. "You know, if you are absolutely sure you don't want to join us, you wouldn't be taking so much time to answer.”

Wei Wuxian exhaled sharply. Damn Wen Xu to the eternal depths of hell. How dare he say something so correct?

In all honesty, Wei Wuxian was seriously starting to consider the offer. The prospect of being on the team after such a harrowing incident was bad, but it was also going to be memorable. He could just imagine the expressions of shock on everyone's faces.

Most of all, he wanted to see it on Desmond and Catherine’s faces.

Would they be angry at being kicked out of the team because of him? Of course they would be. They would be livid, and Wei Wuxian would finally get some semblance of revenge upon them.

Why should Malfoy be the only one to face punishment?

Wei Wuxian knew it was now or never. Quidditch players were revered. He would be too, if he joined the team, and then, finally, the Averys and Wens and Lestranges would stop looking at him like mud.

“I have conditions," said Wei Wuxian at last, crossing his arms.

Wen Xu licked his lips. “Let's hear them."

“If I join," began Wei Wuxian, though both he and Wen Xu knew he was already going to, “if I join, I will not play alongside Catherine Greengrass and Desmond Nott."

“Done."

The reply came so fast that Wei Wuxian couldn't believe his ears for a moment.

Wen Xu shrugged. “Next?"

The next condition was going to be absolutely crazy. There was no way that Wen Xu would agree to it, but Wei Wuxian knew this was too good of an opportunity to let go.

“If I join the team, you will have to make sure that Wen Chao and Wen Zhuliu never do."

There. He had said it.

Wei Wuxian moved towards the window of the corridor. He could jump out if Wen Xu decided to kill him, right?

Wen Xu, to his credit, stood rooted to his spot. He brought a hand up and rubbed his neck slowly, looking at the ground, as if analysing the cement underneath. He looked at Wei Wuxian with a faint frown, then scoffed and shook his head.

Wei Wuxian's heart turned to lead. "It's a no, then. Great.” He turned on his heel and began to walk away, but was stopped by Wen Xu calling his name.

"Conditions accepted, Wei Wuxian. Practice is at six in the morning tomorrow.”

~~~

“WHAT?"

Wei Wuxian raised both his hands in a placating gesture. “Calm down, calm down."

"I literally cannot be calm,” snapped Huiasang, fanning himself rapidly with a ridiculously large fan. "You are telling me that Wen Xu agreed to never letting his brother join the team, just because he wants you to play? Wei bro, that sounds mad!”

"It is mad,” insisted Meng Yao. "I don't like this at all. Do you remember how Malfoy was acting when he wanted you to join the team? He was kissing the ground you were walking on. Wen Xu is doing the same.”

Wei Wuxian smiled. "Dimples, what makes you think I don't know that?”

"If you know that, then why are you agreeing?” asked Jiang Cheng. He was sprawled on two chairs, dabbing his forehead with a cloth. "Oh Merlin. I almost don't want you to stay alone for twelve days in the castle with Wen Xu now.”

Wei Wuxian glanced at the packed suitcases at the corner of the Gryffindor dorm room. They were in Jiang Cheng's dorm, sitting on beds and munching on stale biscuits. Lan Zhan was perched at the writing table, diligently doing homework, while Song Lan and Xiao Xingchen were trying to make out Wei Wuxian's situation.

Wei Wuxian felt a sudden pang of separation. Tomorrow, Meng Yao, Huiasang and A-Cheng would be gone, along with Song Lan, who had been called home urgently because his grandfather had died (“There goes my Christmas," he muttered ruefully).

But, Lan Zhan would be there.

Lan Zhan, who appeared angrily silent after hearing of his decision to join the team.

God, was this Christmas going to be like last year's too?

Xiao Xingchen was the only one who had a positive word to put in. “Well, now that you are getting another chance, you should make the most of this. Wen Xu doesn't seem to be like Malfoy. He's much smarter. He knows he cannot harm you again."

That made the others relax a little.

“True. But still, it is risky," murmured Jiang Cheng. Then he smirked, flipping his hair to one side. “Looks like me and you will face each other again, huh? Mother is going to have a fit."

Wei Wuxian refrained from telling him that he could care less about Madame Yu at this point.

“You really love Quidditch, don't you?" asked Song Lan, who had been selected as the newest Gryffindor Chaser. His eyes were shining with something akin to admiration. “You are going to risk your life for the game."

"Uh, yes,” laughed Wei Wuxian. He couldn't possibly tell them the real reasons for joining the team.

"At least you are getting benefits,” said Huiasang, stretching on the bed. "Take full advantage.”

"Yeah. Make us proud,” snickered Xiao Xingchen.

Wei Wuxian turned to look at Lan Zhan. The earlier exhilaration vanished when Lan Zhan did not look at him. He did not acknowledge Wei Wuxian, instead writing away on the parchment.

As if Wei Wuxian was invisible to him now.

Maybe he was bound to be invisible to someone at all times, thought Wei Wuxian. First to the Slytherins, now Lan Zhan. Who was next? Dimples?

Meng Yao was certainly on the "I don't approve” boat, just like Lan Zhan. He was still trying to coax him out of the arrangement.

"This is dangerous,” he said. "So dangerous.”

Wei Wuxian did not answer him. He resumed looking at the Gryffindor dorm, which was like a blast to the eyes after the cool colours of the Slytherin Common Room. Everything was red, gold and loud here, along with a humid warmth and the smell of sweat, whiskey and music in the air.

It was truly the Lion's Den — raw and powerful and visceral.

Chapter Text

1962, HOGWARTS

“BYE, BYE. See you soon," yelled Nie Huiasang, as he climbed aboard the carriages pulled by the invisible Thestrals. “Try not to burn down the castle, Wei bro."

Wei Wuxian scowled, even as he laughed. “Why don't you shut up and go?" he asked, sticking out his tongue. Huiasang laughed and shut the door, and their carriage picked up speed as it trotted away towards the station where the Hogwarts Express would take them back to their homes.

Jiang Cheng clamped a sudden hand upon Wei Wuxian's shoulders. “Be good," he warned, in much the same tone as Huiasang. He smiled, but Wei Wuxian could see the sadness in his eyes. His heart gave a pang of guilt; he was really leaving A-Cheng alone to handle Madame Yu, wasn't he?

Shijie hugged Jiang Cheng from behind. “Have a good holiday," she said. “I can't believe you will be enjoying the Yunmeng Christmas while I have to stay here to study.”

"Well, Wei Ying will be here,” said Jiang Cheng. "He will be some company.”

"Oh, please,” said Shijie, rolling her eyes in an exaggerated fashion. "He will be too occupied with Lan Wangji to take any notice of me.”

Wei Wuxian bristled. "Absolutely not,” he protested, earning a smirk from Shijie. "I will support you while you study, Shijie. I am here for you.”

"Of course,” nodded Shijie. She did not sound convinced at the least.

Wei Wuxian crossed his arms. He brushed the snow from his hair, revelling in the bite of the morning air. The courtyard was packed with students trundling away in carriages. Farewells and promises of letters echoed in the air. Hogwarts was already decked out in fairy lights that were on even in the morning, and there was a curious smell of buttered biscuits in the air at all times.

One look at the decorations made Wei Wuxian happy again. He was right to have made the decision to stay back in the castle.

Uncle Jiang had been highly disappointed to learn about his decision, at first. He wrote Wei Wuxian two letters, asking him if he was certain he wanted to stay. He even tried to bribe the boy with promises of a good gift, but Wei Wuxian had stayed stubborn.

In the end, Uncle Jiang relented.

“This won't happen next year," he warned in a letter. “Christmas is the time of family gatherings. You are coming home next year."

Wei Wuxian had agreed, but he had already planned on staying back next year too.

He would handle Uncle Jiang when the time came.

Now, he had a Christmas to enjoy and a Lan Zhan to handle.

As Jiang Cheng and Meng Yao bade their last goodbyes, Wei Wuxian caught sight of Lan Zhan talking to his brother. Lan Xichen was wrapped up in a hundred sweaters, it seemed, in contrast to Lan Zhan, who was comfortable in a thin shawl.

Lan Xichen was about to stay back too. All the Fifth Years were, including Jin Zixuan and Wen Xu.

Wei Wuxian knew he had to steer clear of all of them.

Once the courtyard emptied, Wei Wuxian was surprised to find that only he, Lan Zhan and a Fourth Year had stayed back. The others were all Fifth and Seventh Years, who were already going to their dorms to study.

“I'll meet you at dinner," said Shijie. She adjusted her heavy book bag. “I have to go to the library, A-Xian."

“Right," nodded Wei Wuxian. “You go."

Shijie left. Wei Wuxian buried his hands inside his pockets. He turned a lazy circle in the courtyard, and that was when he caught sight of Desmond Nott and Catherine Greengrass.

Nott was a Fifth Year student, who had stayed back. He was sitting on a low wall and reading a book, but the usual mirth the boy had vanished. Catherine, a Seventh Year, was scowling up at the sky.

The two seemed dejected.

Wei Wuxian knew he was the reason.

He would never forget the evening after he agreed to rejoin the Slytherin Quidditch team. Around dinner-time, Wen Xu had walked in the Common Room and clapped his hands to gather everyone's attention.

“I'm pleased to announce that Wei Wuxian has decided to join our team again," he began. Wei Wuxian nearly fell off the couch he was sitting on in surprise.

Wen Xu continued. “In order to accommodate him, we have to make some new adjustments. Catherine Greengrass and Desmond Nott, I am sorry to declare that you two are no longer a part of the team. Anyone who is interested in playing as the Keeper and Chaser may apply. The spots stand empty.”

Dead silence followed this.

"Excuse me?” asked Greengrass, her eyes narrowing to slits. "Wen Xu, what are you saying?”

"Wait a minute,” laughed Nott. "You are kicking us out because of that brat?”

Wei Wuxian squeezed his wand in controlled anger.

Wen Xu nodded.

And that was how it happened. Nott and Greengrass did not say anything else. They clearly understood that Wen Xu was not going to change his decision, and they stalked out of the Common Room together, fuming under their breath.

Wei Wuxian would never forget the looks everyone gave him. The seniors looked pretty angry, but their rage was suddenly exhilarating to Wei Wuxian. He could see their frustration, could feel their defeat and taste their rage, and he grew slowly satisfied, as if someone had poured cold water over his burns.

That emotion terrified him.

Wei Wuxian did not know why he felt so singularly powerful during that moment. It was rather confusing. Were you supposed to feel satisfied at other people's anger? Wei Wuxian was sure you were not, but he was feeling contentment.

He felt further gratified when Wen Xu smiled at him. “Happy?" he asked, cocking his head to one side. “You better ramp up your game, you know."

“Oh, I will," said Wei Wuxian. He knew he would. His wand would help him, that was for sure.

He only had to handle things delicately, in an effort to not get caught.

Slytherins had their first game against Ravenclaw after the Christmas holidays, and Wen Xu had promised rigorous practice once the holidays ended.

Wei Wuxian was looking forward to it.

~~~

ALL HOPES OF a nice Christmas were dashed against the rocks as soon as Wei Wuxian smiled at Lan Zhan and the latter turned away.

Wei Wuxian pinched the bridge of his nose. He had hoped that Lan Zhan wouldn't be too angry with him, but it looked like he really was angry. How were the both of them supposed to enjoy if Lan Zhan was not going to talk to him?

Wei Wuxian had planned so many things for the both of them. When Lan Zhan agreed to stay, he had decided that the both of them would sneak out into the kitchen one night, go to the Astronomy Tower and talk amongst the silent telescopes.

Well, Wei Wuxian would talk.

Lan Zhan would listen.

But they would be together.

Ever since Second Year started, classes and Wei Wuxian's own underlying tensions with the Slytherins had prevented the both of them from talking. Wei Wuxian wanted to spend time with Lan Zhan. He was one of his bestest friends, and after last year, Wei Wuxian had hoped they would become close.

But Lan Zhan was angry.

Wei Wuxian trudged up the castle. He entered the Great Hall and forgot about Lan Zhan for a moment.

Professors Filtwick and Slughorn were standing in the middle of the room, their heads turned up to look at the ceiling.

“What are you doing?" asked Wei Wuxian, coming to stand beside them.

Professor Filtwick smiled. “Ah, Wei Wuxian, my boy. Are you staying back?"

“I am."

“We are trying to decide what decorations to put up," said Slughorn. “I was thinking of a combination of roses and mistletoe…”

"But, Horace, Christmas calls for hollies and laurels,” argued Filtwick.

The two professors stared at each other.

Wei Wuxian stifled a laugh. It was endearing to see the adults getting fussy over some Christmas decor. “I think the best combination would be mistletoe and laurels," he said. "The decision is yours, of course.”

Filtwick regarded him with consideration. "Hmm. This could work.”

"I agree,” said Slughorn, and swept his wand over the enchanted ceiling.

Large blooms of mistletoes and wreaths of laurels came to life, their bright colours offering stunning visuals. Professor Filtwick created mimosas, hollies and roses at the side of the walls, and a huge Christmas tree was conjured out of nowhere in front of the Teacher's Table.

Professor McGonagall came into view, holding her own wand.

"Did you make the tree?” asked Wei Wuxian, hopping over to the green tree. The leaves were perfect.

McGonagall nodded. “I did, Mr Wei. What are you doing here all alone?"

“I didn't go home," grinned Wei Wuxian. “I wanted to experience the Hogwarts Christmas."

To his great delight, McGonagall cracked a rare smile. “I hope you find it to your liking," she said, then glided away to produce more Christmas trees. “The Christmas feast is going to be held tomorrow morning. Do not be late."

Wei Wuxian skipped along to the Slytherin Common Room, thinking of the feast already.

Wen Xu looked up from a book. He was perched upon a sofa, looking like the king of the world. He did not bother looking up from it as Wei Wuxian passed him by.

The dorm room seemed massive without the suffocating presence of Wen Chao. Suibian was sitting on Wen Chao's bed, licking herself. Wei Wuxian found the sight comical. He knew Wen Chao did not like cats (or any animals, for that matter) and to think he would be rolling in cat hair when he came back was funny.

What was not funny was the issue with Lan Zhan.

Wei Wuxian sat down on his bed. What could he do to get Lan Zhan's favour back? The guy did not like anything, so giving him gifts was out of the equation. It wasn't as if Wei Wuxian had a lot of money with himself either.

After hours of debating with himself, Wei Wuxian found that the best possible measure was to talk to Lan Zhan.

An honest, face-to-face talk.

~~~

HE FOUND HIM in the library.

“I knew you were going to be here," smiled Wei Wuxian, pulling a chair and sitting opposite Lan Zhan.

Lan Zhan glared at him. “What is it?"

Wei Wuxian pouted. “Come on, man. I'm sure you don't want to spend twelve days in Hogwarts without talking to me."

“I am perfectly fine without talking to you."

“That's not true. You stayed back for me, didn't you? You obviously want to talk to me."

“Listen, I stayed back because of Xiongzhang."

“And me."

“Not you."

Wei Wuxian leaned across the table. “Lan Zhan, why are you angry?"

Lan Zhan turned a page. “I am not angry," he stated simply.

Wei Wuxian scoffed. “You are. But I don't understand why." Then he lowered his voice, taking care not to let the Fifth Years hear them. “Is it because of my decision to rejoin the team?"

That got him looking up.

Wei Wuxian deflated like a balloon. Of course that was the issue.

Golden eyes stared daggers at him. “Your decision was stupid," he said, leaning forward too. “You are making a big mistake."

Wei Wuxian shook his head. “Trust me, Lan Zhan. I am not. I know you worry, but Wen Xu is not Edmund Malfoy."

“Exactly," said Lan Zhan. “Wen Xu is intelligent, unlike Malfoy. He's far more dangerous."

“You talk as if I don't know that," snapped Wei Wuxian. “I know that. I know Wen Xu isn't an angel. But he really wants me in the team. He kicked out Greengrass and Nott, didn't he? He promised me he would never admit Wen Chao and Wen Zhuliu into the team."

Lan Zhan put his books inside his bag. He stood up, and so did Wei Wuxian.

“Lan Zhan, just—"

Lan Zhan suddenly turned in a sharp angle, catching Wei Wuxian's arm. He pinned Wei Wuxian against the desk, his nails digging into the elbow of the other, painfully.

Wei Wuxian yelped. "What—”

"If something happens to you again,” gritted Lan Zhan, using his taller frame to his full advantage, "I am not helping you.”

Wei Wuxian stilled. Was that genuine worry in Lan Zhan's voice? He let out a soft laugh. "My dear Lan Zhan, I won't be in danger. Not this year, at least. Trust me.”

Lan Zhan looked at him for sonic seconds.

Then, he let him go.

Lan Zhan wiper sweat off his brow. "Why do you even want to join the team?” he asked. "You are not a Quidditch enthusiast like Jiang Cheng.”

Oh Merlin.

If only Lan Zhan knew about Wei Wuxian's true reasons.

Wei Wuxian decided he would tell him. If there was one person who would listen to him, it would be Lan Zhan. "That conversation is best had while eating.”

~~~

SNEAKING INTO THE kitchen was not a hard task at all. Wei Wuxian found himself in an enormous room, full of food and love. There were several interconnected kitchens down here, but he and Lan Zhan stood in the biggest of them all.

The house-elves pattered by.

“What do you want?" asked a little elf, wearing a warm sweater and knitted cap.

The creature had big grey eyes and ears, and the fact that it looked healthy made Wei Wuxian happy too. "Can we get some biscuits, please?” he asked, crouching down. "One for me and one for my friend?”

Lan Zhan grunted. "I don't need—”

But the elf had already gone. Wei Wuxian looked around. Tall shelves, stocked full of jars, surrounded them, while big cauldrons and ovens lined the walls. There were two massive tables at the centre, bulging with covered dishes and a thing which looked suspiciously like…

“Cake!" laughed Wei Wuxian. “This is for tomorrow's feast, isn't it?"

The house-elves nodded.

Biscuits in hand, Lan Zhan and Wei Wuxian perched themselves upon a slab of granite.

“I want recognition, Lan Zhan," began Wei Wuxian. He nibbled on the biscuit, not daring to look at the other, who was so close that their knees pressed together.

Lan Zhan nodded. “Of course. Figured that much."

Wei Wuxian looked at him then. “Oh?"

Lan Zhan rolled his eyes. “Well, yes. You want the fame that comes with being a Quidditch player. That is why you joined again. My question is: do you value fame or your safety more?"

Wei Wuxian faced the rocky ceiling. “I don't know," he admitted, tasting the cinnamon running down his throat. “More than the fame is the need to see the Slytherins taking me seriously. I–I do not want to be invisible to them. All my life, I have never been invisible. I am mostly always the centre of things.”

His hands formed subconscious fists, noticed by Lan Wangji.

"But here, in my own House, I feel like a nobody. You don't know how that feels—”

"I know,” interrupted Lan Zhan.

Wei Wuxian gazed at him before returning his eyes to the ceiling. "Okay then. You know how that feels. Then you understand my compulsion to be recognised, don't you?"

Lan Zhan shook his head. His voice dropped. “On the contrary, I don't want to be seen much. I am fine with being in the background."

“Nonsense," said Wei Wuxian. Lan Zhan was lying through his teeth. “I have seen how competitive you get. You want to come first all the time in everything you do."

Lan Zhan made a choked noise. “That is not because I want fame," he said.

Wei Wuxian laughed. “Then what do you want?"

“I have to be first," hissed Lan Zhan, bringing his face down towards Wei Wuxian. There was a charge in his eyes, something akin to Jiang Cheng's expression that morning.

In a start, Wei Wuxian realised it was sadness.

Lan Zhan sat back again. “My matter is different," he said, wiping his hands on his shirt. “Yours is different. You are actively risking life because you want to—"

They heard it at that moment.

A low, mournful wail broke out from somewhere beneath the ground. It increased in intensity under seconds, then suddenly erupted into a full-blown howl.

Both of them jumped up.

"Holy hell,” swore Wei Wuxian, the sound ringing in his ears. He looked down at the floor, trying to see through the cracks. “This is exactly what Shijie said the howl sounded like."

“I thought there was nothing in the basement," said Lan Zhan. “The search party declared there is nothing down there."

“Well, I'm not the one making that noise right now."

The howl cut off abruptly, before it could reach any sort of climax. Wei Wuxian turned to the house-elves. They walked around unconcerned, as if they had not even heard anything.

“Did you not hear that noise?" he asked, stopping a house-elf passing by with a pot of soup.

The house-elf blinked. “Noise? You mean, the boy and his sister?"

"What boy? What sister?” asked Wei Wuxian, a horrible thought forming in his mind. The house-elf told him it knew no more.

Lan Zhan's face was as white as the snow falling outside. "Boy and his sister?” he repeated. "So there is someone down there.”

"That's it,” said Wei Wuxian. He went towards a door at the far end, which led down to the basement beneath. "I am going to investigate.”

"Absolutely not,” barked Lan Zhan. "We have to get an adult.”

"Who?”

Lan Zhan thought for a while, before he screwed up his face and said, "Professor Lan Yi.”

Chapter Text

1962, HOGWARTS

PROFESSOR LAN YI was not pleased with them knocking at her door.

“What is it?" she asked, opening the door and peering at them through sleep-riddled eyes. “Do you two realise what time it is? Why are you both out of bed anyways? It's curfew."

“Do you care?" asked Wei Wuxian, bouncing on his feet. “I don't think you do."

Professor Yi shot him a glare. Then her eyes fell upon Lan Wangji, who was standing to the side and keeping an eye out for signs of Argus Filch.

Lan Wangji did not look at her. He listened as Wei Wuxian told her what they had heard in the kitchen. He knew that Lan Yi was the best choice they had — not only was she a strong sorcerer, but she also seemed like the type who would not shy away from a midnight foray into the kitchen’s basement.

Even though he would never admit it, but Lan Wangji was equally intrigued by the mysterious howls and moans emanating from the basement. He was there when the news was first broken by Wei Wuxian's Shijie, and now, he had heard it himself, as clear as the moon.

There was something under there.

The search party, and Xiongzhang, were wrong.

The house-elf had said it was a boy and his sister. The only boys with sisters that Lan Wangji knew of were Wei Wuxian and Jiang Yanli, and Wen Ning and Wen Qing.

He stopped himself from pondering further. There was no use in jumping to conclusions. That was something the Lans never did.

“Are you coming?" asked Wei Wuxian, though it sounded more like an order.

Lan Yi sighed. “Give me a second, boy."

She shut the door on their face.

Wei Wuxian turned to him. “Well, I guess she's helping. Finally, we will see what has been happening since the start of the year."

Lan Wangji swallowed spit. He had been having biscuits in the kitchen just five minutes ago, hearing Wei Wuxian tell him why he had joined the Quidditch team.

“I want recognition," Wei Wuxian had said, with a glimmer in his dark eyes that Lan Wangji had never seen before.

It made his eyes burn.

Lan Wangji could understand that. He himself did not desire fame, but the urge to be known for something you were good at was not completely alien to him. He too, wanted recognition, but if the fame was at the expense of himself, he stopped.

Wei Wuxian, it seemed, didn't.

Professor Yi emerged from her room minutes later. She had pulled on a casual shirt and pants. Her wand was clutched in her hands. “Let's go and see what monster you are talking about."

Wei Wuxian flew down the stairs.

Professor Yi followed him at a leisurely pace. “He's very excited about this, isn't he?" she asked, and Lan Wangji was surprised to find she was talking to him.

“Oh, uh, yes," he said, cursing himself for stammering.

Lan Yi smiled. “What were you two doing in the kitchen?"

Lan Wangji scratched his neck. Merlin, it sounded stupid even as he said it. "We were talking.”

"About?”

Lan Wangji longed to say that it was none of her business, but the Lan politeness forbade him from saying so. "About…Quidditch."

Lan Yi raised an eyebrow. “That is not true, but I will let it slide."

Lan Wangji's heart skipped a beat. How did she—

“Describe the noise to me again," she asked.

Lan Wangji felt like he was giving a very bad, unprepared test. “It started off low, then gradually grew into a wail. It was as if a thousand dogs were crying together." The sound reverberated in his bones. “It was awful."

“I suspect it is a wolf," said the professor.

Lan Wangji stopped in his tracks. What did she just say? “A wolf?"

“Yes." Lan Yi was beginning to look serious. “Or something like that."

Lan Wangji rubbed his face. He was getting himself into something he would never be able to get out of, he was sure of that. Why was it that whenever he met Wei Wuxian, nothing but trouble followed him?

~~~

WHEN THEY REACHED the kitchen again, Wei Wuxian threw open the door. They marched straight towards the door that led to the basement.

Lan Yi looked around. “The last time I was here was when I was in Seventh Year."

“Were you a Ravenclaw?" asked Wei Wuxian. It was a stupid question to ask.

“I was," nodded Lan Yi.

“But you are such a wonderful fighter," said Wei Wuxian, his eyes glazing over with admiration and — was that love? Lan Wangji did not want to know. The fact that he had a crush on their professor was gross enough.

“Ravenclaws can be fighters too," said Lan Yi. “I have known many brave Ravenclaws. Lan Xichen is already a fighter in the making. We fight with our brains.”

At the mention of his brother, Lan Wangji looked up.

Wei Wuxian asked, "What about my sister, Jiang Yanli?”

"Yanli, I think, is more suited for the delicate arts of healing,” said Lan Yi. She opened the door and strained her ears to listen. "I hear no sounds.”

"We heard it!” exclaimed Wei Wuxian. "There is something down there and—”

"Calm down,” said Lan Yi. "I'll go. You two, stay here.”

Ah. Thank Merlin.

Lan Wangji took a step back. Let her handle the monster, if there was one. He and Wei Wuxian had to stay safe up here.

Wei Wuxian, as usual, formed trouble. "No way,” he scoffed, bringing his wand out and muttering ‘Lumos.’ "I am coming too.”

Under the yellow glow of lights, Wei Wuxian's wand looked strangely sinister. The polished dark wood looked more severe than usual, while the pale handle glinted like the bones of some dead animal.

The temperature around them dropped a little.

Lan Yi cast an amused glance. "Sure,” she said, then took the steps.

Wei Wuxian looked at Lan Wangji. "Are you coming?” he asked, his voice hopeful.

Lan Wangji almost nodded, before he stopped himself. He shook his head, but did not miss the light go out of Wei Wuxian's eyes as he turned and stepped into the basement.

The door shut behind them.

Lan Wangji stood alone, with only the tinkering house-elves for company. There was no other sound, save for the fire crackling in the great ovens.

The scent of came hit him in full force.

Oh Merlin.

Lan Wangji knew that if he stood there for another moment longer, he would die of curiosity rather than whatever beast lay beneath.

Besides, Wei Wuxian was probably quivering in fear by now. Lan Wangji would protect him.

~~~

AS IT TURNED OUT, Wei Wuxian was not, in fact, quivering in fear.

Lan Wangji, however, was close to.

The basement was damp and dark. The only source of light were their wands, but the pale yellow glow was not doing much in terms of visibility. There was a coldness in the room, unlike the kitchen, which was as warm as summer.

Professor Yi muttered, “There is nothing here. Just boxes and crates."

“But we heard the howls," said Wei Wuxian. He was the one walking forward, his head held high, his wand clutched tightly to his chest. “Tell her, Lan Zhan."

“The both of you can be wrong," said Professor Yi. She suddenly sounded very tired. “Maybe you two had a little too much to drink and—"

Wei Wuxian let out a laugh just as Lan Wangji choked. Him? Drink? With Wei Wuxian? At this age? The situation was so absurd it was comical.

“He's a Lan. He doesn't drink," giggled Wei Wuxian.

Professor Yi fell silent.

They carried on walking. Lan Wangji bumped into boxes and chests. Out of curiosity, he opened one of them and found, to his delight, a stack of books, moth-eaten but otherwise intact. He picked one up. It was written in a foreign language, but the script was flowy and beautiful. He put it inside his pocket, promising himself he would check it out later.

Other boxes contained year old sheets, exam papers, unused wands, broken cauldrons and the occasional Bludger or Quaffle.

It was like a normal basement.

Lan Wangji blinked rapidly. Had they really heard wrong? Was there something in the biscuit they had eaten, that had caused them to hallucinate? Or did the danger lay ahead, waiting for them to be caught unawares an—

“Stop."

Professor Yi’s short command made shivers run down Lan Wangji's spine. He stopped, straining his ears to listen.

And then they heard it.

Someone breathing.

It was not Wei Wuxian's quick exhalation, or Lan Wangji's panicked one, nor Lan Yi’s measured inhales.

This was something raw and wet, something animalistic and instinctual. Lan Wangji could feel it. Dogs and wolves emitted sounds such as this, not humans.

It was a werewolf, then, just as Lan Yi had predicted.

Lan Wangji took a step forward and clutched Wei Wuxian's robes. “We are getting out of here right now," he said, and did not flinch when Wei Wuxian jerked away from him in a show of defiance. “We are getting out. Professor Yi will handle this."

“I can handle it too," came the reply.

Lan Wangji felt like he was chewing glass. “Wei Wuxian, your arrogance will kill you."

Wei Wuxian's eyes really burned this time. “Lan Wang— Lan Zhan, please, don't be such a coward. You are a Gryffindor. Act like it.”

Lan Wangji did not miss the way he had almost called him by his formal name, something Wei Wuxian had never done. Somehow, the fact hurt him somewhere behind his ribs, as if he had had too many ice-creams at once.

"Boys,” snapped Lan Yi. "Behind me. Now.”

Lan Wangji shook his head. If Wei Wuxian wanted to die, he could. He had to live. "No need. I'm out of here.”

"Lan Zhan—”

If Wei Wuxian hadn't been there that day, then Lan Wangji would have probably died.

As soon as Lan Wangji walked towards the door, something flashed by the corner of his eyes. He barely had time to turn his head before a heavy force pushed him backwards and he fell on his back, hitting his head hard on the stony floor.

Lan Wangji saw black.

His heart was thundering inside his chest as a choir of noises erupted around him.

A massive force landed on the middle of his stomach, as if someone had jumped upon him. Lan Wangji snapped his eyes open and buckled upwards, the pain tearing through his solar plexus and lungs.

It was a boy on top of him.

Dark hair and eyes.

Wei Wuxian?

No.

It was Wen Ning.

Every limit of surprise was crossed as Lan Wangji found himself staring into unfathomable depths of Wen Ning’s eyes. His eyes had gone black, his face pale and full of crawling vines underneath the skin. There was a thin trickle of blood on his lips.

Wen Ning, that innocent Hufflepuff who stumbled against pillars and apologised to plants, was sitting on top of him, bleeding and howling.

Howling.

Lan Wangji let out a pained groan as the realization hit him like a bucket of water.

All those howls and moans had been Wen Ning’s.

Wen Ning howled again, then ducked his head and opened his mouth.

It took Lan Wangji a moment to realise that the boy was aiming to sink his teeth into his neck.

Lan Wangji scrambled for his wand. He tried to push up, but Wen Ning had acquired strength that far surpassed him, and he remained pinned under him.

“Wen Ning! Wen Ning! Move, you bastard!"

The red ribbon of Wei Wuxian appeared in view as he shoved Wen Ning off Lan Wangji. He pulled Lan Wangji up and held him by the waist.

Lan Wangji's head was spinning. A horrible headache was coming over him, more from the confusion than the pain that was inflaming inside him. Was this the Wen Ning they had known? This was some monster, disfigured and bloody, out for their lives. This was a beast, not a boy.

Also, what was Wei Wuxian doing?

His hands were everywhere.

Lan Wangji swatted Wei Wuxian's hand away from his face. “I'm fine," he lied, then promptly coughed up a glob of blood.

The both of them stared at the liquid for a while, fascinated.

Wei Wuxian hauled him up tightly, gripping his arms as if he were afraid Lan Wangji would slip away. “Oh, Merlin! Are you okay? Are you hurt? Of course you are hurt, you are coughing up blood—"

“Where is Professor Yi?" rasped Lan Wangji.

“I don't know. I saw you getting attacked by Wen Ning and jumped towards you. She must be here!" Wei Wuxian pressed his hands to Lan Wangji's chest and propped him up against the wall.

Lan Wangji could feel hot liquid burning through his chest. The thick smell of blood clogged his nose as he coughed up more of the fluid. Where was Professor Yi? And what on Earth was the matter with Wen Ning?

Was he a werewolf?

Lan Wangji saw the crumpled form of Wen Ning stand up again. The boy was shaking, but his eyes were as black as ever, and now he was growling.

"He's a werewolf,” said Wei Wuxian, pointing his wand at him. His hands were shaking. "How do you defeat a werewolf?”

Vaguely, Lan Wangji recalled the chapter he had read. Chapter 21. Werewolves.

"Silver,” he said, clawing at the elaborate headset he wore. He snatched it out of his hair and stared at the thing. It was made of silver, with pearls and sapphires encrusted on it. His hair fell like a flood over him. "Take this. Silver repels them.”

"How do you kno—oh, never mind.” Wei Wuxian took the headset. "Lan Zhan, you—”

He could not complete what he was about to say, for Wen Ning jumped at them right then.

Lan Wangji screwed his eyes shut, just as Wei Wuxian shouted, “Protego!"

A shimmering, pulsing shield of black shadows engulfed them both, forming a dome above their heads. Wen Ning crashed against the barrier. Cracks webbed out, but the magic held.

“Holy Merlin," choked out Lan Wangji. The shadows were wriggling like snakes, twisting like smoke, in and out of sight. It was the same tendrils that had visited him in his dreams once, choking the life out of him.

He almost smiled at the irony.

Those tendrils were protecting him now.

He had always known Wei Wuxian's magic wouldn't choke him like that.

“Are you boys alive?"

Like an angel from heaven, the slender figure of Professor Yi materialised before their barrier. She cast a shocked look at the shield, which was steadily growing enormous, then locked eyes with Wei Wuxian.

“Where were you?" asked Wei Wuxian.

“Wen Qing appeared out of nowhere," said Lan Yi, looking over her shoulder as if she expected the girl to appear any time. “I saw something black jump on Lan Wangji. You ran towards him. I was about to follow you, but someone fired a Disarming Spell at me."

“Wen Qing?" asked Lan Wangji. Things were suddenly starting to make sense, but he was not sure if he liked the implications. “What is wrong with the Wen siblings? Wen Ning is a werewolf."

“He's not!"

Professor Yi and Wei Wuxian pointed their wands at the figure of Wen Qing.

Lan Wangji blinked. There she was, the Fifth Year Ravenclaw, with her hair askew and eyes wild. She was holding her wand and was trembling all over. There was a nasty gash on her cheek, and her face and arms were scraped with cuts.

She looked like she had fought with a demon.

Professor Yi narrowed her eyes. The temperature gave a sudden spike, and Wei Wuxian's barrier began to sizzle like a hot-pot.

“Wen Qing, you will explain things right now," she said, her voice unlike anything Lan Wangji had ever heard. “What is going on with Wen Ning?"

Wen Qing’s head snapped to the side. “Stop," she said, and Wen Ning — who had been targeting Professor Yi — sat down on the floor like an obedient dog.

Wei Wuxian muttered a curse.

Wen Qing shot the barrier a glare. It was the most dangerous glare Lan Wangji had ever seen. Then her eyes suddenly fell silent, as she lowered her wand and sank to the floor.

“Promise me you will not hurt him," she mumbled, all the fire gone, as if extinguished with cold water.

Professor Yi relaxed her stance as well. “Wen Ning is a werewolf."

“He isn't," said Wen Qing. “He is…he is cursed.”

"Cursed?” chimed up Wei Wuxian. "With what?”

Wen Qing avoided his gaze. She looked at Professor Yi, her eyes pleading. "Please, you cannot hurt him. You have to understand the situation. He is not a werewolf. He is not causing any harm to anybody.”

Professor Yi crossed her arms. "I don't know, Wen Qing,” she admitted. "You have to give me details. What is he cursed with? I do not know of any curse that causes one to become such a monster. How did he even get it?”

"It's a long story,” said Wen Qing.

"We have time,” said Professor Yi, sitting down on the floor. "Speak, girl."

Wen Qing looked like she wanted to do anything but sit here and give them all a bedtime story. She glanced at Wen Ning, who was crouching beside her. She reached out her hand and touched his cheek with a softness that startled Lan Wangji.

Wen Ning did not bite her hand off.

He leaned against the touch, looking like a child.

Wen Qing shook her head. Her lips wobbled. “I can't tell you," she said, her words coming out wet. “I can't. Please."

Professor Yi leaned against the barrier. “Then I can do nothing but capture Wen Ning."

“You will do nothing of the sort," snapped Wen Qing.

“Won't I?" Lan Yi raised an eyebrow. “Both of us know you cannot win against me. Your Disarming Spell did not work on me, neither did all your hexes. You are very talented, Wen Qing, but can you stop me?"

Wen Ning growled.

Wen Qing scooted towards him. “I will not let you take away my brother."

“The love is admirable," said Professor Yi. “But I'm afraid this is a matter for the authorities."

Wen Qing stood up, Wen Ning springing up too. “Why? Why are you being like this? He has not done any harm! You people came here of your own accord!"

“Wen Qing—"

“Alright, alright," clapped Wei Wuxian. He let go off the wand, and the barrier collapsed around them, disappearing into thin air. “Professor Yi, please, let us not take action now. Wen Ning cannot be given up to the Aurors."

Lan Yi replied in a strained voice. “Wei Wuxian, take Lan Wangji to the infirmary."

“No."

There it was again, that stubbornness. Lan Wangji felt it in his bones. Wei Wuxian was staring down Lan Yi as if she were not one of the most powerful witches to exist.

The temperature dropped again.

Lan Wangji saw the tendrils coming out of walls like snakes. They were joining into a large pool and coursing towards Wei Wuxian's feet.

Professor Yi had noticed them too, it seemed, for instead of blasting away Wei Wuxian for his insolence, she began to talk to him in a relaxed tone.

“Wei Wuxian, do you want Lan Wangji to bleed out?"

“I am fine," said Lan Wangji, realising that he did not want to see the siblings get packed off to Azkaban either.

“Professor Yi, can't we hear them out?" asked Wei Wuxian.

“We did. Wen Qing has made it clear that she won't tell us anything."

“But—"

Lan Wangji gave a shout just as Wen Ning jumped upon Professor Yi. “Watch out—!"

Wen Qing and Wei Wuxian screamed at once.

Lan Wangji staggered back. There was no saving Professor Yi now. She was certainly going to—

Professor Yi turned around calmly and said something under her breath. Wen Ning fell down like a leaf. His eyes twitched, then shut completely as he fell to the floor and curled up to sleep.

“Oh Merlin! I thought you were done for!" said Wei Wuxian, wiping sweat from his brow.

Professor Yi looked at Wen Qing. She was breathing hard and trying very hard not to burst into tears. “Tomorrow, you are telling me everything."

Chapter Text

1962, HOGWARTS

LAN ZHAN HAD to be treated by Professor Lan Yi. Taking him to the infirmary would have roused the suspicions of Madame Pompfrey, and judging by how much of a secret Wen Qing wanted this to be, Wei Wuxian doubted she would like arousing suspicions.

Things were still wrapping around his mind. After the initial shock, the situation had come to light in Wei Wuxian's brain, and he knew that the matter was dire.

Wen Ning had suddenly fallen asleep after all that growling and attacking. Wen Qing had said his “episode" was over, though Wei Wuxian had no idea what an episode meant.

All he knew were two things.

One: Wen Ning was not human.

Two: Lan Zhan was hurt.

The second problem worried him the most. Professor Yi had healed him, but he was still paler than usual, and he had a cough that battered at his chest like a drum whenever he sneezed.

“You need rest," said Lan Yi. “I am not a Healer. My magic is fundamental, at best. Lots of rest and plenty of water will do you good."

And that was it.

The next week after the incident was spent in Lan Zhan's room while he slept, drowsy under the spells of Lan Yi. She did not let him stay awake for a moment.

Wei Wuxian was having a hard time accommodating everything.

He was completely in the dark. Lan Yi would not reveal whatever talk she had had with Wen Qing. Wei Wuxian had asked her, but she had told him it was no matter for kids. As if Wei Wuxian hadn't brought her into this matter. As if Wei Wuxian was not a wizard.

As if Wei Wuxian was weak.

The one thing that Wei Wuxian had discovered in this entire ordeal was that his magic was strong. It was not as skillful as the professors or as effortless as Uncle Jiang's, but there was something in him that enabled him to perform magic so quickly. Maybe it was his wand. He certainly had no Golden Core to rely upon.

When Wen Ning had attacked Lan Zhan, the magic had come to him naturally. He made no effort; he simply pointed his wand and yelled “Protego" and wished to all the gods that they would be saved.

And it worked.

His wand had worked.

Wei Wuxian had never been prouder.

His shield was different from Lan Zhan’s, he had noticed that. Others formed blue or purple shields. His was a black mass of shadows, writhing in the air as if alive. Of course, he did not mind it. He thought it looked rather cool.

He had to get Lan Zhan's opinion on it.

But Lan Zhan was fast asleep.

~~~

HOPES OF A HAPPY Christmas quickly vanished. Wei Wuxian roamed the castle alone. The only good thing was the silence and the grand food that was being laid out every meal.

The worst were the questions.

Shijie took one look at him over breakfast the morning after the incident and asked him how he was doing.

“Are you alright?" she asked, checking his temperature.

Wei Wuxian swatted her hand away. “You ought to be studying," he joked, but Shijie’s worried gaze made him squirm in his seat. He never lied to Shijie. Whatever it was, he always told her, and after the misunderstandings of last year, he had sworn to always be truthful to her. Lying to her left a bitter taste in his mouth.

Thankfully, Lan Zhan's brother, Lan Xichen, was not in Hogwarts.

“He said he got an urgent call from Cloud Recesses," said Shijie, when Wei Wuxian asked her about his whereabouts. “I wonder what made him leave his studies and go there. Oh well, he will top anyways."

Christmas Day dawned cold and cloudy. The castle had been decorated as beautifully as a newly-wed bride in Yunmeng was, but Wei Wuxian was unable to appreciate anything. He was too upset over several things — Lan Yi’s refusal to tell him details, Wen Ning's apparent beastly identity, the absence of his friends and the sleeping Lan Zhan.

Xiao Xingchen, though, was a welcome distraction.

The boy was like Lan Zhan in many ways, but they were distinctly different too. Xiao Xingchen was too wrapped up in his own world of dreams to notice anything amiss, but when he asked of Lan Zhan's continuous sleeping, Wei Wuxian told him that he was sick.

Xiao Xingchen had accepted the conclusion.

Wei Wuxian had never thought a guy could be so oblivious. Xiao Xingchen, while friendly and kind, was blind to the most obvious of things. His only saving grace were his consistent good marks and nice personality.

Otherwise, the boy was really stupid.

But Wei Wuxian liked him. Being with Xiao Xingchen was simple. It was relaxing.

But he wasn't Lan Zhan.

Nobody was Lan Zhan.

He walked around the castle sometimes, looking at all the portraits of long-dead wizards and witches. He ran into professors often, who each gave him a confused look.

Professor Slughorn downright asked. “Is there anything wrong, Wei Wuxian?"

“Oh, no, no," smiled Wei Wuxian.

“Hmm." Professor Slughorn nodded. “You seem rather dejected."

Oh, he was dejected alright.

Wei Wuxian was confused. It was a very bad thing, to be confused. No explanations were coming his way, nothing was happening in his life. Everything seemed too slow after that explosive night of fighting and revelations. He could not share anything with anyone, Lan Zhan was knocked out cold, Lan Yi had shut herself in her room.

The Wen siblings had completely disappeared.

After spending a week in this haze of confusion, boredom and restlessness, right before New Year's Day, Lan Zhan woke up.

It was nothing magical. Wei Wuxian was dozing off beside Lan Zhan's bed with his Potions book in hand when a cough woke him up from his nap.

Lan Zhan was sitting on the bed.

“Dear Merlin!" swore Wei Wuxian, grabbing a glass of water and giving it to Lan Zhan. “You are finally awake. God, you were sleeping for a week straight. You missed Christmas. You missed Xiao Xingchen falling flat on his back in the bathroom. You missed that food-fight between two Fifth Years over Arithmancy and why it should be banned. You missed—"

“What happened?" coughed Lan Zhan. “With Wen Qing and Wen Ning? What happened?"

“Oh. I don't know."

“What do you mean by you don't know?"

“Professor Yi won't tell us anything. Says it's a matter for adults."

“Damn it."

“Yeah."

The both of them stayed silent for some time.

“I am hungry," confessed Lan Zhan.

Wei Wuxian smiled. Finally, someone with whom he could talk as easily as breathing. “Good. Dinner is about to be served in the Great Hall. Everyone knows you are sick. Oh, your brother is in Gusu, by the way."

Lan Zhan massaged his forehead. "Why?”

"I don't know.”

Lan Zhan glared at him, and Wei Wuxian never knew he could miss a glare that much.

The next few days were spent in contemplation. Lan Zhan was feeling fine and fit after sleeping for a week straight, as was natural, and the boy got down to the mystery at hand with full gusto.

“Wen Ning is not a werewolf," he said, writing it down in a notebook. Wei Wuxian did not know where it had come from. “He is not a vampire or ghoul either."

“He's a zombie," supplied Wei Wuxian.

Lan Zhan wrote down ‘zombie.’ “That seems to be the most suitable classification," he said, tapping his quill against his arm. “But why? Wen Qing said he was cursed. Cursed by whom? And what kind of curses make people turn into zombies?"

Wei Wuxian shook his head. “We have to force Professor Yi to tell us everything. We cannot figure it out."

“Force her? Wei Wuxian, she can kill you in under a second."

Wei Wuxian hated it when Lan Zhan stated facts.

New Year's Day came and went. Everything passed by — the food, Dumbledore's merry speech, the singing candles Professor Filtwick had conjured, another food-fight between two Seventh Years, the suspicious glances of Shijie — before the daunting task of unfurling Wen Ning’s mystery.

Lan Zhan was truly passionate about it.

"I don't like this,” he scowled one evening. The holidays were about to end in two days, but the two of them were no closer to cracking the case. "There are no verbal curses that make people turn into zombies.”

Wei Wuxian was too tired of things at this point. He knew only Professor Yi or Wen Qing could help them, but none of them would speak. What mattered the most was that they were alive, safe and in one piece.

Besides, Wen Qing was right. Wen Ning wasn't hurting anyone. All he did was make some sounds. He was harmless enough as a person, and he kept his zombie persona under wraps pretty well.

Wei Wuxian knew he would not like it if something bad happened to Wen Ning. The poor guy did not deserve punishment for something he had no control over.

Wei Wuxian diverted the topic. “When is your birthday, Lan Zhan?"

Lan Zhan froze. “Why do you want to know?"

“So that I can kill you on that day," snapped Wei Wuxian. “Can't I know my best friend's birthday?”

"I'm not your best friend, Meng Yao is.”

"Meng Yao isn't. Any prick who doesn't write me a single letter over Christmas isn't.”

Lan Zhan’s lips lifted a little at that. "He is busy enjoying.”

Wei Wuxian crossed his arms. Neither Meng Yao nor Nie Huiasang had written him a single letter. Jiang Cheng had sent him a letter on New Year's Day, but that was the only correspondence.

“When is your birthday?"

“Why should I tell you?"

Lan Zhan was being too stubborn about nothing. Wei Wuxian shook his head. “I'll find out anyway."

Lan Zhan did not answer right away.

After a while, he said, “January 23."

~~~

“HOW WAS YOUR Hogwarts Christmas?" shouted Nie Huiasang, jumping down from the carriage with Meng Yao in tow. “Hello there, Lan Wangji!"

Wei Wuxian slapped him on the head. “Bastard. How dare you write me no letters?"

“You didn't either!" yelled Huiasang.

Hogwarts was abuzz once again. Students were coming back to fill its halls and corridors, bringing their holiday cheer with them. The Fifth Year students were not at all happy with this development, as they thought that it only disturbed their studies.

Wei Wuxian refrained from telling Jiang Cheng, Song Lan, Meng Yao and Nie Huiasang about the adventures they’d had.

That night, in the Slytherin Common Room, Wen Xu called for a meeting.

“I have news," he said, gathering all the players. “The match season is about to start in a week. First match is Hufflepuff versus Ravenclaw. Next will be Gryffindor versus Hufflepuff. Third will be Ravenclaw versus Slytherin. I want steady practice from now on."

“Not the morning sessions," groaned Yaxley.

Wen Xu gave him a devious smirk. “Exactly that."

As everyone began to complain, Wen Xu looked at Wei Wuxian. Later, as the group dispersed, he pulled him aside to whisper in his ear, “You better play with all strength.”

It sounded so much like a command that Wei Wuxian was instantly irked. "Don't worry. I will.”

Wen Xu smiled. "I'm sure you won't disappoint. After all, I kicked Greengrass and Nott out for you to make our team win.”

Wei Wuxian swallowed thickly. Many words were welling up his throat, and they were out before he could stop them. "You kicked them out to make me a member, not to compel me to win.”

He jerked Wen Xu’s hand off his shoulder and went upstairs to meet the unpleasant face of Wen Chao again.

~~~

AS SOON AS the match season began, so did the Quidditch mania that gripped Hogwarts every year. Suddenly, everyone was everyone's enemy. Friendships were broken, dusty House flags were cleaned, chants sounded from every table and food-fights broke out once again.

Wei Wuxian almost got caught up in such a fight. A flying pancake hit him square on the head as the entire Slytherin table hissed to life and began to throw whatever they could find at the offending Ravenclaws.

Wei Wuxian picked up a jelly tart. He threw it at a random Ravenclaw and would have continued if Meng Yao had not intervened.

“I like this," smiled Wei Wuxian. “It's very exciting."

“It's dangerous," said Meng Yao. “Have you seen the way those Gryffindors crouch in corridors, waiting for unsuspecting Hufflepuffs to pass by so that they can trip them? It's dangerous, I'm telling you."

Wei Wuxian disagreed.

His re-entry into the Slytherin Quidditch team had caught the attention of many. Professor Slughorn was particularly ecstatic about his entry.

“You will do the team good," he said, before clapping him on the shoulder.

The Quidditch fever had Jiang Cheng too.

"We are going to kick your ass,” he said over breakfast one day, while Lan Zhan sputtered at the crude word.

Wei Wuxian stuck out his tongue. "We will see, idiot.”

Unlike last year, this year's rivalry was good. It felt nice. The arrival of the entire group had managed to take Wei Wuxian's mind off the Wen Ning situation, and he genuinely forgot about it for a while. Only Lan Zhan was still searching for answers, but with the exams drawing near, he was more often studying Herbology than trying to solve that puzzle.

Professor Lan Yi gave no indication of anything in her classes.

As for Wen Ning, he was still ignoring Wei Wuxian. In every class they shared, Wei Wuxian would try to catch his eye, but Wen Ning simply did not look.

Did he know that Wei Wuxian knew his secret?

There was no way of knowing.

January 23 was coming closer. Wei Wuxian, triumphant in the feeling that he at last knew of Lan Zhan’s birthday, had no idea what to give him. He could have asked Lan Xichen, but he was still in Gusu for reasons unknown, much to the worry of Lan Zhan.

What did Lan Zhan like? Books? That seemed like the only plausible option, so Wei Wuxian began to pester Madame Pince all the time.

“What is the best book of all time?" he asked, swinging by the library.

Madame Pince shot him a glare. Her golden spectacles reflected the sunlight. “That is a broad question, isn't it, young man?"

Wei Wuxian deflated before her intense gaze. “Well, what would be a good book idea for a friend?"

“Depends." Madame Pince pushed her glasses up her nose. “What kind of a person is your friend?"

“He loves books."

Madame Pince scowled. “That is obvious. Who is he?"

“Lan Zh— Wangji."

“Ah. A Lan. Any Lan worth his salt would appreciate deep, meaningful books."

Wei Wuxian had no idea what a meaningful book implied, but he scampered off to find a book that looked important enough. Lan Zhan was still icy towards him about the Quidditch decision. Wei Wuxian wanted the old camaraderie back.

A book was the best way to go about it.

He wouldn't give him any school books. Lan Zhan studied enough. Maybe….he could gift him a Muggle book? Wei Wuxian was struck by how little he knew of Muggle books despite being a Muggle himself, so he went to Dimples for advice.

“You know I don't like books," said Meng Yao. “But I have heard of this book that is very famous. It's called The Hobbit, written by a man with a very long name. I know his surname, though. Tolkien, I think."

Wei Wuxian nodded.

The Hogwarts library did have a Muggles book section, and one could place an order and buy a book there. Wei Wuxian, after careful searching, finally found the book he had been looking for. He handed it to Madame Pince, who bit back a smile at the choice and quickly placed an order for a new copy.

There.

Lan Zhan's gift was settled.

What was not settled, however, was the upcoming Quidditch match.

~~~

EVERYTHING WOULD have gone fine.

Everything should have gone fine, but like most things in Wei Wuxian's life, it didn't.

The morning of the match against the Ravenclaws was a good one. Wei Wuxian had enough practice to climb his broom confidently. His wand was already inside his Beater bat. He swung the bat around, feeling that familiar heaviness in his hands. The bat glinted under the sunlight, menacing and beautiful at once.

Wei Wuxian had nearly forgotten what a match day was like.

Wen Xu proved to be a far stricter Captain than Edmund Malfoy had been. He gathered the team in the locker rooms and made them go through their attacking strategy again.

“Play hard. Play fast. Play dirty. Don't give me that look, Wei Wuxian. Do as you are told."

Wei Wuxian snapped his jaws shut in an effort to not say anything stupid.

Jiang Cheng, Shijie and Uncle Jiang were going to attend the match. Madame Yu had made an appearance in A-Cheng’s match. The Gryffindors had won, but this match was against the Ravenclaws, and those guys had some good players this time.

Wei Wuxian's teeth chattered. He was surprised at his own excitement, mixed with anxiety. Unlike everyone here, who played on raw talent, he knew he had no talent of his own. If his wand failed him…

But it wouldn't.

His wand wouldn't do that.

If there was one thing Wei Wuxian knew about his wand, it was that it was loyal to him.

Bells tolled, crowds shouted and the players walked out into the field.

The pitch was awash in green and blue. People were screaming their lungs off, professors were taking sides. Albus Dumbledore was present and welcoming the teams on the ground, and it was such a lively, sunny day that Wei Wuxian was certain nothing would go wrong.

His eyes searched out his family.

There they were, with Shijie screaming, Jiang Cheng jumping and Uncle Jiang clapping. They looked so happy. Wei Wuxian felt his heart swell when he saw all three were wearing some semblance of green on them, signifying their support for his House.

He himself had wrapped a Gryffindor scarf around his neck (snatched from Lan Zhan) at Jiang Cheng's match, but to wear the Slytherin colours was no easy feat.

And then, he saw Lan Zhan.

Wei Wuxian was fearful that Lan Zhan would not attend the match, but there he was, right beside Shijie, wearing an….oh Merlin, was that a silver scarf?

Madam Hooch blew on her whistle.

Wei Wuxian zoomed up in the air at top speed. His fingers were slowly growing cold as he gripped the Beater bat, but he could tolerate the numbness as long as the magic operated.

The Ravenclaws were on a true roll. The match began fast and quick, with both sides closing in savagely. Wei Wuxian and Wen Xu seldom encountered Bludgers during the first minutes, but this time, the Bludgers attacked them fiercely.

Wen Xu took care of them, but Wei Wuxian knew he would have to face the next one. He was already sweating. The scent of new grass filled his nostrils as he took a deep breath. Finally, he was in the sky again, representing his House and commanding everyone's eyes upon him.

This was a feeling no one would ever understand.

Wei Wuxian flew up higher. The players were flying around in a frenzy. Within the first ten minutes, a goal was scored by Ravenclaw, much to the chagrin of the Slytherins.

“Watch out!"

Wei Wuxian turned his head. A Bludger was wheezing towards Yaxley, who was chasing a Quaffle. The audience had shouted in warning, and Wei Wuxian knew he had to get on his attacking position.

He flew towards the Bludger as the crowd roared in anticipation. His own blood was rushing in his veins, tearing through his skull in an energetic dance of nerves. He held his bat, the Bludger in plain sight, and before he could think anymore, his hand shot out.

The sound of wood splitting echoed around the pitch.

“Slytherin’s youngest Beater has done it again!" screamed the commentator, as the Bludger fell down. “Wei Wuxian, who met with a nasty fall last year and was deliberately framed by Edmund Malfoy, is once again back in the action! His heroic save has enabled Yaxley to score their first goal against the Ravenclaws! The score stands 1-1."

Wei Wuxian heard Professor McGonagall grab the microphone from him as the commentator yelled obscene comments about Edmund Malfoy.

The crowd, however, picked up the chant of his name for the first time ever.

"Wei Wuxian! Wei Wuxian! Wei Wuxian!”

Wei Wuxian laughed. He did not care how he looked to the others, but he laughed and laughed and laughed, until it felt like it was him at the top of the world, nobody else.

The match progressed.

Wei Wuxian blocked two more Bludgers, which made Selwyn score another goal. They were gaining over the Ravenclaws steadily, and they would probably have won the match had Wei Wuxian's eyes not fallen on a particular pair of siblings.

It was Wen Qing and Wen Ning. They were huddled in the Ravenclaw stands, watching the match calmly. Wen Qing even looked a little excited, with a ruby tint to her haggard expression.

However, when Wei Wuxian swooped low enough to see them more completely, he saw why she had a rosy tint.

It was not excitement.

It was fear.

There was something wrong with Wen Ning. He was shaking uncontrollably. His eyes were dilating and shrinking like some weird circus performance, and he was turning black in the face. Wen Qing was trying to push her way through the crowd, but it was almost impossible to push through that thick mass of people with her brother behind her.

Wei Wuxian had never seen Wen Ning turn, but somehow, he understood what was happening.

He searched out Lan Zhan. He was fixated on the match, as was everyone else. Nobody had seen Wen Ning till now, but if the boy turned, there would be no saving him.

Wen Ning would be damned for the rest of his life.

Wei Wuxian shifted on the broom. He had to do something. Wen Qing was trying, but her fear was making her lose direction. Twice she collided with people who yelled at her.

Oh Merlin.

Professor Yi was nowhere to be seen. She was not attending the match, realised Wei Wuxian, with a sinking feeling. There was no one to help those two out…except for him.

Wei Wuxian had to do something.

At that moment, the fact that Wen Ning was turning into the beast that had attacked Lan Zhan did not come to mind. Only his smile came to mind — the quiet way in which he talked, the little jokes he used to crack, the absolute fear he always faced, the look he had given Wei Wuxian when he clapped for him during the Sorting Ceremony — those things were what made Wen Ning his friend.

Wei Wuxian did the first thing that came to his mind.

He hurtled towards the Ravenclaw stands, aiming directly at the area where Wen Qing was stuck. Nobody took notice of it at first, but when it became clear that he was going to crash into them, the students started screaming and clearing the stands.

“Wei Wuxian? What is happening?" screamed Wen Xu and several others, but Wei Wuxian knew what he had to do.

Wen Qing looked struck by lightning as she gazed at the empty path before her. She hurried away with Wen Ning, and they were the last people he saw before his shoulder made contact with the wooden railing….

No, it was not a wooden railing.

It was a barrier.

A shield, pulsing with blue energy.

Lan Zhan's words reached him a second later. “Protego!"

Wei Wuxian turned his head to look at Lan Zhan standing tall amongst the crowd, his wand pointed at him, his eyes wide with panic. Shijie and A-Cheng were frozen in mid-scream, whereas Uncle Jiang was already hurrying towards him.

Lan Zhan had saved him.

Wei Wuxian did not know what to do with that information.

~~~

"I LOST CONTROL,” he said, for what felt like the hundredth time.

Professor Filtwick, Slughorn and McGonagall did not look convinced. "But it was fine just a minute ago.”

"Accidents happen,” said Lan Yi, pushing herself off the wall she was leaning against. She came to stand beside Wei Wuxian, who was seated on a chair in Slughorn's ostentatious office. "He merely lost control of his broom. Happens to the best of us, I’d say.”

Wei Wuxian sighed.

After his near-crash, he had recovered quickly to continue the match. Within the next half-an-hour, with the help of another save by him, Slytherin won the match, beating Ravenclaw fair and square.

But, instead of getting to celebrate, he had been hauled straight to Slughorn's office to meet the complaint of the nearly-made-into-pulp Ravenclaws.

“He did it on purpose," they said, pointing accusatory fingers at him. “He only flew towards us! He could have gone towards the Slytherins too."

“When I lost control, I wasn't really in the capacity to be able to steer my broom," said Wei Wuxian. These people were starting to piss him off. “I couldn't control my broom. I couldn't control whom I flew at. You guys are supposed to be smart."

“Wei Wuxian," warned McGonagall.

“Maybe the boy really did lose control, Professor McGonagall," said Professor Slughorn. “Congratulations on such a fine performance, my boy."

Wei Wuxian beamed. “Thank you Sir."

“That save you did was amazing."

“Oh?"

“And the way you knocked that Bludger right away."

“I tried to do my best."

“You—"

Professor Yi cleared her throat. “Don't you think the boy should be allowed to join his friends in the celebration?”

At last, all the professors assented, and Wei Wuxian skipped out of the office to join the celebrations.

“You did not lose control."

He stopped as Wen Qing came out of the shadows. “You did not lose control. Your crash was too measured to be uncontrollable."

Wei Wuxian pinched the bridge of his nose. “Listen, I—"

“Why did you do it?" she asked, stepping closer until she was looking down into Wei Wuxian's eyes. “Why did you?"

Wei Wuxian stepped back. “Because I saw Wen Ning," he said, looking down the deserted corridor. “I saw that he was….changing. He needed to get inside the castle but you weren't able to push through the crowd, so I just thought that I…I—”

"You thought crashing into the stands and harming yourself was the best idea?”

Wei Wuxian frowned. It did sound rather stupid when said in such terms. "Well, I—”

"Merlin.” Wen Qing pressed her hands to her temple. "You are insane.”

Wei Wuxian did not know what to say, so he simply nodded and began to walk away.

"Why did you help Wen Ning?”

Wei Wuxian let out a laugh. After all this time, was she seriously asking that? "He is my friend, Miss Qing.”

Wen Qing narrowed her eyes. "Why?”

"Why not?”

Wen Qing shook her head. "You have seen it yourself. He is a monster. He is cursed. He is no better than a beast. He attacked you and your friend. He—”

"He is my friend,” said Wei Wuxian firmly, giving her no space to say anything else.

"But why?” Wen Qing was openly curious. She was looking at him like he was a riddle she could not solve, despite being a Ravenclaw.

Wei Wuxian paused. Why was Wen Ning his friend? Why did he like the boy? Why had he clapped for him when no one else would?

“I was seen as a monster simply because I was sorted into Slytherin," he said, realising the main reason for his pity towards Wen Ning. “My brother did not talk to me. I felt like garbage, you know? I was neglected due to no fault of mine. I felt like I had been cursed.

"Wen Ning is actually cursed. But it's not his fault. He's like me, a monster due to no fault of his own. I had no one to comfort me, so I wanted to be his friend to comfort him. I—” Wei Wuxian paused, the words getting stuck in his throat. "I want to be like Lan Zhan for Wen Ning. A constant support. No matter what happens.”

Wen Qing remained silent.

For a long time, neither spoke. Wei Wuxian almost considered running away before she nodded and walked away.

He caught her wrist.

“I need to know," he said, tightening his grip on her. Wen Qing did not try to struggle. “I need to know what the matter is with him. I will try to protect him."

Wen Qing pursed her lips. She looked like she wanted to run away, but then she took a deep breath and said, “I cannot tell you certain things for your own safety, Wei Wuxian. However, I will tell you this. No spell had cursed Wen Ning."

Wei Wuxian felt a sudden rush of cold air in his gut as he asked, “Then what cursed him?"

Wen Qing's eyes shone with unshed tears.

Then, she leaned down to whisper, not knowing that she was about to throw the young boy before her into a whirlwind of madness and suffering by revealing the name.

“The Yin Iron did."

Then she turned away and walked off, leaving Wei Wuxian with the beginnings of his darkness.

Chapter Text

1963, PLATFORM 9¾

LAN XICHEN looked at the book clutched against Wangji's chest. “What is that?"

Wangji jumped like a kitten doused in cold water. "What? Oh, this? Nothing.”

Lan Xichen raised an eyebrow. There was something skittish about his brother today. They were about to board the Hogwarts Express in ten minutes to go back home, friends were bidding each other goodbye, gossip was flying around like nobody's business and a general air of chaos enveloped the station.

Only Wangji was acting weird.

Lan Xichen peered at the book. It was a leather-bound volume of something called ‘The Hobbit.’ He frowned as he tried to recollect if he had ever heard of such a name.

He hadn't.

"Who gave you this?” he asked. Wangji glared at him, but he was used to his brother's glares by now and was not intimidated in the slightest.

"See you next year!”

Lan Xichen smiled as Wei Wuxian bounded towards them. He threw an arm around Wangji's shoulder and blasted him with a dazzling smile. "Hello, brother Xichen! How did your O.W.L.s go?”

"Please don't ask,” said Xichen, trying not to shudder at the thought of those dreaded exams. There has been a time when he was sure he would fail, but he had somehow got through it all. Those sleepless nights, exhausted mumblings and library hallucinations were not something he was proud of.

Wei Wuxian laughed.

Lan Xichen thought Wei Wuxian laughed a bit too much. He was very free with his smiles and laugh, and he was an openly affectionate person. He seemed so unlike a Slytherin, yet he was one.

Lan Xichen was never one to hold biases. He knew the Hogwarts Houses had their own merits and demerits, and judging someone based on House was plain nonsensical.

Wei Wuxian getting sorted into Slytherin was a surprise, but it was no reason to hate him.

Besides, the boy was nice. Lan Xichen could see it in the way his eyes sparkled. There was not a shred of malice in him. Even after he had been framed by Edmund Malfoy, had suffered silence from his brother, and had felt like an outsider in Slytherin, Wei Wuxian was still kind.

That was something.

Lan Xichen remembered what his Uncle had told him that day in Ollivander's, when Wei Wuxian got a Horned Serpent Horns wand.

“That boy is dangerous," he had said.

Lan Xichen disagreed now.

Maybe his wand was a little uncommon. Maybe it had associations with Dark Magic. Maybe it was dangerous.

But Wei Wuxian wasn't.

He smiled as Wangji began to talk to Wei Wuxian. Never in his life had Xichen ever thought that Wei Wuxian would befriend his brother, but here they were, talking and laughing (Wei Wuxian did the laughing).

Lan Wangji liked Wei Wuxian. He had saved him from breaking his bones during the recent matches by casting a Shield Charm that was honestly impressive. Lan Xichen had never thought his brother could have friends.

Slowly, Meng Yao, Nie Huiasang, Jiang Cheng, Song Lan and Xiao Xingchen joined them. They formed a tight huddle as they chatted, promising to write each other letters.

Lan Xichen gazed at them. They seemed so happy, with no worries on their heads. Everyone seemed so happy, including his fellow Fifth Year sufferers.

They were all unaware of things, of course.

Ignorance was truly a bliss.

~~•~~

LAN XICHEN WOULD NEVER forget what he had heard from Uncle Qiren during the winter holidays.

He had been called to Cloud Recesses urgently by his Uncle, imploring him to come fast. He knew the matter was a serious one, because no Lan would ever dare disturb a student’s O.W.L. studies.

“Sit, sit," said Uncle Qiren. His usual impassive face was deep-set with wrinkles. He was frowning, his brows drawn close together in worry. Lan Xichen couldn't enjoy the snowfall outside. Instead, he sat down and forgot about the magical winter altogether.

“What is it, Uncle?"

Lan Qiren walked up and down the room. He always sat down during conversations, because that was the polite thing to do and listed as #Rule 43 in the Lan Clan Testament. But today, he was ignoring his own rules.

“Xichen, how is Lan Yi?"

Lan Xichen blinked. “Professor Lan Yi?" Seeing her had been the biggest shock of his life. Xichen knew the rumours about her. She was the greatest witch of Lan Clan, inventor of the Chord Assassination Technique, the sole female Clan Leader. She was a legend, but she was also feared.

Lan Yi had done something drastically wrong and immoral. She defected from their Clan and never returned. There was no news of her whereabouts since then.

That had happened 13 years ago.

“She is skilled," admitted Xichen, sipping on tea. “Very talented, I mean. She taught us about the Imperius Curse."

Lan Qiren turned sharply. “Is she taking Second Year classes too?”

"She is.”

Uncle scoffed, a gesture very unlike him. Lan Xichen looked at him in wonder. If he had done that, he would have gotten a scolding.

"That woman is trouble,” said Lan Qiren.

“Why?" asked Xichen.

“You don't know, Xichen. You don't know who she is or what she is capable of."

Lan Xichen thought Uncle was being unfair. He couldn't see anything wrong with Lan Yi. Maybe she had committed some mistake in the past, but she was a relaxed and knowledgeable teacher who actually taught them how to fight. Students liked her. Wei Wuxian even had a crush on her (it was common knowledge at this point).

But he did not interrupt Lan Qiren’s ramblings.

The soft breeze fanned the blue curtains apart. Cloud Recesses was beautiful this time of the year, with snow and mist covering every surface. The disciples walked by, chatting under their breaths, while the Etiquette Classes of their Beginners school were being held some distance away.

The tranquility was shattered by Lan Qiren’s next revelation.

“Intruders attacked Cloud Recesses," he said.

“What?" said Lan Xichen, sitting up on his heels. “Is anyone injured? Why did they attack? Who attacked us?"

“They did not attack us," said Lan Qiren. “They attacked the barriers around Blue Ash Mountain. Unknown forces of magic tried to break through, but the barrier held. Do you know who crafted that barrier?"

Lan Xichen said no.

“Lan Yi."

Xichen shook his head. “Why would anyone attack Blue Ash Mountain? It is a sacred site of the Lans, nothing else."

Lan Qiren looked at him in a way that Xichen could not explain. He only experienced a sinking feeling in his gut, like something cold had washed over his body and was pulling him down with it.

“Blue Ash Mountain isn't just a temple, Lan Xichen," said Uncle. “It is one of four sites where the Yin Shards are kept."

Yin Shards? Whatever was that?

Lan Xichen opened his mouth to ask, but Uncle silenced him with a hand. “You will take this letter and deliver it to Lan Yi. As much as I hate to talk to her, she has to know this." He handed him a letter. “See that it is delivered only to her, got it?"

Xichen nodded. “But what are the Yin Shards?"

Lan Qiren gripped the table. "It is not for you to know,” he said, his eyes wide. "However, know this. If the Yin Shards fall into the wrong hands, our world as we know it will come to a disastrous end.”

~~•~~

LAN XICHEN BID farewell to his friends as he boarded the Hogwarts Express. The memory left a bad taste in his mouth. He had delivered the letter to Professor Yi as ordered, but he had not heard back from her. Professor Yi never told him anything about it.

Sometimes, he hated being treated like a kid.

Whatever these Yin Shards were, they were kept tightly wrapped, for no amount of research in the extensive Hogwarts library had yielded any results. If these Yin Shards were under attack, then the matter was a serious one.

Lan Xichen had no idea what was happening.

Since his childhood, he had only known two places: Cloud Recesses and Hogwarts. That was the limit of his knowledge and world.

But the world was so much bigger, and people like Lan Qiren and Lan Yi were the real players. He might be the most brilliant student to ever grace the halls of Hogwarts, but he was just a student.

Just a child.

Lan Xichen looked at Wangji. His brother — for all his serious looks and glares — was a child too. Most people did not like him, but Xichen knew how compassionate and gentle Wangji was.

Then he saw Wei Wuxian nearly knock him to the ground, and he let out a laugh of his own.

Whatever was coming — the end of the world, the Yin Shards, some kind of war — whatever was coming could be faced. Maybe he would perish, but Wangji wouldn't.

Wei Wuxian was there with his brother, wasn't he?

Chapter Text

1963, CLOUD RECESSES

LAN WANGJI WAS in a state of extreme agitation.

The cause for this agitation was three-fold. The first cause was the book Wei Wuxian had forcibly handed him on the last day of Second Year, when their results came out. He stood first, as was expected, and Wei Wuxian retained his second position.

Wei Wuxian had told him the book was a Muggle one suggested by Meng Yao (“Blame him if it turns out bad") but there was where the problem lay.

The Hobbit was a masterpiece.

Lan Wangji had never read such an immersive book before. It transported him into an unknown, fantastical world of hobbits and dwarves and dragons, and the language was so lyrical that Lan Wangji found himself swooning at the writing.

It was brilliant.

Lan Wangji wanted to thank Wei Wuxian (and Meng Yao) at once, but he was forbidden to write letters to Wei Wuxian, so he settled by writing a small thank you letter to Meng Yao.

But he wanted to tell Wei Wuxian too, and he was getting restless. They were due to be back in Hogwarts in two days, but his patience was at its limit.

The second cause for this agitation was much more serious.

Lan Wangji stared at the list of Elective Subjects in front of him. Every Third Year student was required to study at least two Elective Subjects of their choice, but he was having a hard time selecting.

Lan Wangji did not feel particularly inclined towards Divination or Ancient Runes. They sounded too boring, and even though Xiongzhang had taken four Electives, Lan Wangji wanted to take two.

Three, if Uncle Qiren forced him.

That left Care of Magical Creatures, Muggle Studies and Arithmancy.

Muggle Studies was out of the question. No respectable sorcerer took it. It was a useless subject for them. Lan Qiren was strictly against it.

As he crossed out Muggle Studies from the list, the door to his room burst open.

Lan Wangji sighed. There was his third cause for agitation.

Lan Xichen marched inside the room, looking close to bawling. He held a white envelope in his hand, but he was waving it around like a sword.

“My results have arrived!" he announced, then threw the envelope to the floor. “Oh Merlin, my results have arrived."

Lan Wangji picked up the letter. Xiongzhang had been driving the entire household crazy with his anxiety for his results. It was unbecoming of a Lan to be so nervous, but Xiongzhang had momentarily forsaken family values over his O.W.L.s result.

"I'm sure you have passed,” said Lan Wangji.

The door opened again as Lan Qiren and several disciples walked in. "Ah, the results,” said Uncle. "Open it, Xichen. Why are you crying?”

"I cannot open it,” declared Lan Xichen. He crouched on the floor. "Do not give me that look, Uncle. I don't care how bad this looks. Wangji, open it.”

Lan Wangji did not like being put on the spot. However, when his Uncle leaned forward in interest, he had no choice but to open the letter.

A sheet of parchment fell out.

Lan Wangji began to read out, his voice getting progressively louder as he did. "Charms, Outstanding. Transfiguration, Outstanding. Potions, Outstanding….every subject is Outstanding, except for Divination and Arithmancy with Exceeds Expectations.”

Lan Xichen snatched the parchment away. “Let me see— oh Merlin!"

“Xichen," chided Uncle, but there was a lilt of humour in his voice, signifying that he was happy and content.

Lan Wangji gave his brother a pat. “Congratulations," he said. Xiongzhang had worked hard for many months. He deserved his good result.

“Come now," said Uncle, guiding Lan Xichen away. “It is time to tell everyone the news." They walked out, leaving Lan Wangji alone with his ponderings again.

As if on cue, there was the flapping of wings against the window. He looked to see a barn owl outside, clutching a purple envelope in its beak.

It was a letter from the Jiang Clan.

He opened the window and let the owl in, his heart thudding against his ribs. Wei Wuxian couldn't exchange letters with anyone. Was this from Jiang Cheng then?

Lan Wangji knew he and Jiang Cheng weren't particularly close. Yes, they were part of the same group, but he couldn't remember ever having a direct conversation with the boy. He thought Jiang Cheng was rather stupid, and he couldn't quite forget his behaviour towards Wei Wuxian in the First Year.

But the letter was from Jiang Cheng. It ran:

“Dear Lan Wangji,

I hope this letter finds you well. How do you do? Is everything fine at hom—”

There was a massive scribbling after that part, then Wei Wuxian's signature scrawl took over the rest of the letter.

"Hello, Lan Zhan! I have confiscated the quill from Jiang Cheng. It's me, Wei Wuxian! How are you, my dear friend? Listen, I'm going to give you some news. I'm taking Divination and Muggle Studies as my Electives. Huiasang and Jiang Cheng are opting for the same. Dimples is opting for Care of Magical Creatures and Muggle Studies.

What will you do? I suggest you take the same as I am. Then we can have classes together.

How are you liking the book? I hope it's to your liking. If not, beat Meng Yao.

I'll see you soon. Bye bye!

P.S. Shijie scored Outstanding in Astronomy, Transfiguration and Herbology! We are all super happy! What about your brother? I hear that Jin Zixuan has passed too, that peacock. I hate him.

P.P.S. Hello, Lan Wangji. This is Jiang Cheng again. My quill and paper were kidnapped by Wei Ying, the smug bastard. Anyways, we will see you soon, okay? Bye.

Yours lovingly,
Jiang Cheng (and Wei Wuxian)”

Lan Wangji folded the letter close. He had never read such a chaotic letter before, and it was so trademark of Wei Wuxian that he smiled.

This year was going to be good.

~~•~~

WHEN THEY ARRIVED at Platform 9¾ after two days, Lan Wangji was exhausted.

He did not want to think about the argument he had had with Uncle over his choice of Electives. When Lan Qiren heard that his own nephew was opting for Divination and Muggle Studies, he had straight away scolded him.

“Muggle Studies is not a real subject," he said, narrowing his eyes. "I do not approve much of Divination either, but it will do. But you cannot study Muggle Studies, Lan Wangji.”

"Why not?” asked Lan Wangji. "It is not a bad subject.”

The glare he had received in return had been enough.

In the end, he chose Arithmancy and Divination, along with Ancient Runes. The two subjects he had never wanted to take. Sometimes, he hated his life. He hated himself.

Lan Wangji knew that Wei Wuxian, Meng Yao, Huiasang and Jiang Cheng had chosen their subjects of their own accord. If not the others, then Wei Wuxian must have. Wei Wuxian was brave and strong, and he seldom followed orders.

Sometimes, Lan Wangji wanted to be Wei Wuxian.

“Where are your friends?" asked Lan Xichen, catching up with his own mates.

He should not have said that, for it summoned Nie Huiasang and Nie Mingjue by magic.

“Lan Wangji, my buddy," cheered Huiasang, as he clapped a hand over his shoulder. He was still the same old Huiasang, scrawny and pale, but he had grown a bit taller. He was still shorter than Lan Wangji and held a huge folding-fan.

Lan Wangji bowed to Nie Mingjue. “Clan Leader."

Nie Mingjue looked like he wanted to be anywhere but here. “The young Lan," he greeted, nodding at him. “I hear you and Huiasang are great friends."

They were not, but Lan Wangji nodded.

“That's good," beamed Nie Mingjue. “This year, all of you should come to Qinghe to celebrate Christmas."

“Oh, what a fantastic idea, Big Brother!" said Huiasang. He shoved himself against the burly body of Nie Mingjue. “This is why I like you! Jiang Cheng, Song Lan and Xiao Xingchen are invited too! And Wei bro is a must!"

It was almost comical to see those two like this, thought Lan Wangji. Nie Mingjue was a fabled sorcerer and an expert Auror, but Huiasang treated him like a mere guard dog. There was clearly a lot of love between them.

"Huiasang, my man!”

"And Lan Wangji too!”

Lan Wangji would recognise the loud voices of his dorm-mates anywhere. He gave a slight smile as Song Lan and Xiao Xingchen barrelled into him, a tangle of limbs and laughter enveloping them. They had grown in height as well as acne, and Nie Huiasang pointed it out.

“Fight me," growled Song Lan, insecure about his face.

Huiasang cackled.

Xiao Xingchen, ever the pacifist, tried to calm them down.

Lan Wangji felt his heart grow warm at the sight. It was nice to see them after two months, their jokes and laughter filling his ears. Behind him, the scarlet Hogwarts Express whistled and waited, while the station itself was milling with students and parents.

The smell of magic and marmalade was in the air.

“Forgot about me?"

The four of them turned around to see Meng Yao standing beside Jiang Cheng.

A beat of silence passed.

Then, they rushed inside their circle and hollered and chuckled, while Lan Wangji tried to save himself from getting hit in the face. But it was too late to escape from the group-hug he found himself stuck in.

Xiongzhang ruffled his hair. “I'll see you later," he said, then left him for his friends and boarded the train.

What a traitor.

Lan Wangji looked over the mass of heads. Wei Wuxian was nowhere to be seen. He almost thought of asking Jiang Cheng about it, but before he could do so, there was a tap on his shoulder.

When Lan Wangji turned around, he was met with someone's chest.

His eyes travelled upwards to land on the face of….was that Wei Wuxian?

Lan Wangji staggered back. The Wei Wuxian he knew had been a slender, smiling boy, certainly shorter than him. This Wei Wuxian was a swaggering, smirking figure, definitely taller than him.

Him.

Lan Wangji.

This was too much of an injustice.

Wei Wuxian opened his arms. “Missed me?" he asked and smiled, his teeth reflecting the morning sun.

Lan Wangji opened his mouth, but he could not articulate his words. Was it possible to grow so much under two months? Wei Wuxian's entire physique had changed — he was taller and bulkier — and his robes finally fit him, instead of hanging loosely off his frame.

His hair was in a flowing ponytail, held by that red ribbon.

He looked nice.

Lan Wangji's cheeks heated up. He formed fists by his side and gave a stiff nod of acknowledgement to Wei Wuxian, then looked away pointedly.

He saw Wei Wuxian's smile drop, but he was too wrapped up in his own mind to care about that now.

~~•~~

ONCE AGAIN, the most difficult part was grabbing an empty compartment.

“We want a compartment bereft of any Slytherins or Gryffindors," said Nie Huiasang. “The Slytherins won't let us sit and the Gryffindors will talk too much."

“To the back we go," said Wei Wuxian, and grabbed Lan Wangji's shoulder. “Come on people, move."

The seven of them began shoving people aside to get through. Lan Wangji was led by Wei Wuxian, who was chattering nineteen to the dozen about everything — the summer, the vacations, the letter, the Elective Subjects — without stopping.

“What did you choose?" he asked Lan Wangji, as they slid open a compartment and were chased away by Sixth Year Ravenclaws.

“Divination, Arithmancy and Ancient Runes."

Wei Wuxian winced. “Merlin. Three? However will you manage?"

“Xiongzhang took four."

“But you are not Lan Xichen, are you?"

Lan Wangji refrained from scowling. Wei Wuxian's words weren't helping his state of mind.

“Guys, here," said Jiang Cheng, as they finally found a compartment at the very back of the train. “Let's grab this one."

They filed inside the compartment and shut the door.

Then, they collapsed.

Nie Huiasang and Meng Yao fell on a seat together with a squeal. Jiang Cheng decided to dive on top of Meng Yao, who kicked him in the head.

Song Lan and Xiao Xingchen grabbed Wei Wuxian and tumbled on the other seat, leaving Lan Wangji standing in the middle.

“What are you guys doing?" he asked them, looking at them in disgust. They were jumping and punching with no care in the world. “You will get hurt."

“Stop being such a worry-wart," laughed Wei Wuxian. “Lan Zhan, kick Xiao Xingchen right now. Otherwise— fuck!"

Wei Wuxian groaned as Xiao Xingchen shed his pacifism to land a kick to his gut.

Nie Huiasang froze. “What did you say? Did you just curse?"

Wei Wuxian frowned. Then he brightened up, smiling as if he had been waiting for someone to ask the question. “My dear friends, I have learned a new word over the summer."

Jiang Cheng slapped him. "You idiot! Father forbade us from ever using it!”

"But Uncle Jiang said it first.”

"Accidentally.”

"Doesn't matter.”

"What does it mean?” asked Meng Yao, sitting on the floor like he was a disciple. "Tell me, tell me.”

Lan Wangji was sure it was going to be something bad, but he couldn't help feeling curious.

Wei Wuxian attained the position of someone with great knowledge. "The word is fuck. Now I don't know the exact meaning, but Uncle Jiang said that it's the worst curse word out there and that we shouldn't ever use it. So naturally, I am going to use it.”

Lan Wangji rolled his eyes. "Why?”

"Why not?”

Meng Yao took out a notebook. "How do you say it? What is the spelling?”

"Meng Yao,” chided Xiao Xingchen, but Song Lan was already saying it repeatedly.

"Fuck, fuck, fuck…this has a nice ring to it, Wei Wuxian.”

"I know.” Wei Wuxian's smile was so smug that Lan Wangji nearly laughed. He looked like he had discovered a great spell of charm,
and he was clearly pleased with himself.

“It is the father of all curses," declared Wei Wuxian. “I like it."

“Hail!" cheered and saluted Nie Huiasang, as Song Lan and Meng Yao joined in. “Hail, hail!"

“This is ridiculous," snapped Jiang Cheng. “I beg you, don't say this in front of any professor."

Wei Wuxian shook his head.

But Lan Wangji knew he would. Wei Wuxian would absolutely say it, mostly because he did not pay attention to rules, and partly because it would come out of him naturally.

And no one would hate him for it.

Lan Wangji sighed.

Sometimes, he truly wanted to be Wei Wuxian.

Chapter Text

1963, HOGWARTS

NOTHING COULD RIVAL the absolute satisfaction Wei Wuxian felt when he saw Lan Zhan in King’s Cross Station and realised he was taller than him.

Wei Wuxian knew he had grown. Everyone was commenting on his newfound height, acquired over the summer, with the help of rigorous Quidditch practice with Jiang Cheng in the backyard of Lotus Pier.

But none of the comments held a candle to the sheer shock on Lan Zhan's face when he saw Wei Wuxian.

Lan Zhan, for his part, had become thinner. He was still the same old Lan Zhan — the one who liked sweets and stayed in the library all the time — and his eyes were the same shade of molten gold, beautiful and rare. Wei Wuxian loved his eyes.

Lan Zhan had always been pretty. Wei Wuxian always attested to that.

But Lan Zhan wasn't the only one he was meeting. Meng Yao, Nie Huiasang, Xiao Xingchen and Song Lan were there too, missed over the sticky summer of Yunmeng. They talked and laughed and hugged, and when they boarded the Hogwarts Express, Wei Wuxian felt like he was finally home.

He taught them the word ‘fuck,’ a new thing he had learned (more like, overheard) from Uncle Jiang's mouth one day. He had just come back from a meeting of the minor clans around Yunmeng. They were evidently causing problems over water resources, and Uncle Jiang was frustrated enough to yell at no one in particular when he came back home.

When Madame Yu was talking to him, he said that word.

Then immediately realised he was sitting in a family dinner.

Shijie stifled her laugh by stuffing her mouth with potatoes.

Jiang Cheng was intrigued. He knew that the word uttered was a bad one, but he was not going to let it go. “What did you say, Dad?"

“Ahem, nothing," said Uncle Jiang sheepishly, just as Wei Wuxian said, “He said fuck. Can't you hear?"

“Oh Lord," said Madame Yu and scowled.

"You mustn't ever say that word, Wei Ying,” sputtered Uncle Jiang, but he must have known none of them would obey him.

The next morning, while flying around on their brooms, both Wei Wuxian and Jiang Cheng said it at the slightest possible inconvenience. Shijie heard them, but far from reproaching them, she left them to their own devices. At that moment, she was too anxious about her O.W.L.s results to care.

Wei Wuxian smiled at the memory. He looked around the compartment. After hours of talking and eating from the Trolley Witch (paid for by Lan Zhan, as usual), they were nodding their heads off. Huiasang and Song Lan were actively snoring.

Only Lan Zhan was awake, reading a book.

“How was your summer?” asked Wei Wuxian, nudging him with his foot. "What are you reading?”

Lan Zhan skimmed a few more lines before closing the book and replying. "It's the book you gave me.” Then, as if remembering, he said, "Thank you.”

Wei Wuxian smiled. The compartment was dark, with the twilight being the only light source. Slanted, purple rays of the sun illuminated the space. Only Lan Zhan's eyes shimmered.

"I never thanked you properly for saving me,” he said, and Lan Zhan frowned. "You know, that Quidditch match. When I was going to break my neck but you saved me. That shield was perfect.”

"Oh,” said Lan Zhan. He lowered his head, then said, "You lost control so suddenly. You were flying fine, but then you just rammed against the Ravenclaws. Many of them were angry at you.”

Wei Wuxian glanced at his sleeping friends. He dropped his voice and decided to come clean to the one person who'd understand. "I did not lose control.”

Lan Zhan blinked. "Then?”

Wei Wuxian relayed the whole incident.

Lan Zhan was silent for a while. “So you were ready to get injured because of Wen Ning?" he asked, in the same tone as Wen Qing had. “Do you realise how ridiculous it was?"

“I know," said Wei Wuxian. “But it was the only feasible idea—"

“You are stupid."

The declaration hung between them like fine mist.

Wei Wuxian might have been angry at that, but Lan Zhan was so rarely passionate about his emotions that he laughed. Lan Zhan was genuinely worried, and that made him feel good.

It made him feel like Lan Zhan cared for him.

They sat like that, both wallowing in silence and thoughts, and Wei Wuxian suddenly knew that he had to tell Lan Zhan about the Yin Iron.

~~•~~

WEI WUXIAN KNEW nothing about the Yin Iron. He wasn't even sure of its spelling.

Searching around in the Hogwarts library had yielded no clue. Besides, the exams were near and Wei Wuxian simply did not have the luxury to go around poking at things that did not form part of his syllabus. There were the Quidditch matches to play, training to be done, homework to be completed, courses to be studied.

By the end of February, it all but slipped from his mind.

Thoughts of the mysterious Yin Iron attacked him in Yunmeng.

Wei Wuxian was spending most of his time eating, lazing, playing and talking to Suibian. He was having a good time, but the ‘good’ time never became ‘great,’ all due to Madame Yu's hostility.

Madame Yu was a permanent thorn in Wei Wuxian's side. She was always ready with a jab and a bite, eager to remind Wei Wuxian of his good fortunes and how he did not deserve them.

There was no happiness in her about Wei Wuxian's successes.

The biggest crime of all was that Wei Wuxian was a Slytherin.

Madame Yu made it a personal victory. “See? I always told you he is up to no good," she'd tell Uncle Jiang. "A nobody's son, disgraced.”

All the people of Yunmeng too, held much the same opinion. They did not behave rudely with him, but that was mostly due to respect for Uncle Jiang. But Wei Wuxian knew they regarded him as a snake, and snakes were always stoned to death.

When these memories rushed up, Wei Wuxian found himself gritting his teeth, his wand growing cold as ice against his leg.

So he kept them locked in a box and shoved them down.

Now, he was in Hogwarts. He was in the House of Magic where there were no boundaries, no rules and certainly no Madame Yu. Here, he was Wei Wuxian of Slytherin, Beater of the Quidditch team, star-pupil and Slughorn's favourite.

Here, he was a person. A Muggle, yes, but still a person.

Not nobody's son.

Wei Wuxian entered the Great Hall with a refreshed mind.

The dazzle of lights, music, students, professors, rushes of crimson, blue, yellow and silver blinded him. Hogwarts was teeming. It was thriving.

“Catch you guys tomorrow," said Nie Huiasang, as he made his way to the Ravenclaw table. Jiang Cheng, Lan Zhan, Song Lan and Xiao Xingchen made to go to the Gryffindor table, but Wei Wuxian stopped Lan Zhan in time.

“Meet me in the library," he whispered, then let him go.

Lan Zhan gave him a confused look, but nodded and went his way.

Wei Wuxian slung an arm around Meng Yao. “Ready to enter the dungeons?”

Dimples shook his head. "Not at all.”

Wei Wuxian laughed and pulled the boy with him. They approached the Slytherin table, which was in a state of controlled chaos. People were laughing, but none of them were howling like the Gryffindors. The older Slytherins peered at the younger ones with a mixture of condescension and pride.

"Well, well, if it isn't Wei Wuxian,” said a surprisingly familiar voice.

Wei Wuxian turned around with a tight-lipped smile. There was Wen Xu, looking like he ruled the world, sitting with his brother at his side. He beckoned Wei Wuxian over, and as much as he hated it, Wei Wuxian obeyed.

"How was your summer?” asked Wen Xu, drinking something from a golden goblet. "You have grown taller.”

Wei Wuxian shrugged. "Guess this is what happens when one plays too much Quidditch.”

"You have been practicing?” asked Wen Xu, sounding happy about it. "Good, good. That's what I call dedication.”

Wei Wuxian smiled. "Yes, well, I had nothing else to do.”

Wen Xu kept on smiling, but his eyes glinted.

Beside him, Wen Chao said, "I will try out for the team this year.”

Meng Yao heard the comment and coughed into his sleeve.

Wei Wuxian raised an eyebrow. He looked at Wen Xu, wondering if he had broken their agreement. Hadn't he agreed to the condition that neither Wen Chao nor Wen Zhuliu could ever join the team? That was a primary condition for Wei Wuxian playing for the team. Was he going to break it?

Or had he never told Wen Chao about the agreement?

Wen Xu was not nervous in the slightest. “You cannot play, Wen Chao," he said.

Wen Chao yelled immediately. “Why not?"

Wen Xu turned to give his brother a deadly glare. Lan Zhan had some serious competition.

Wen Chao shut up, but he looked at Wei Wuxian's face and something clicked inside his walnut brain. He scowled and bared his teeth, then went back to scribbling on the table with his pocket knife.

“Why don't you sit down?" asked Wen Xu, pointing to the empty seats down the table. Wei Wuxian and Meng Yao dropped down just as the Sorting Ceremony started.

There was an appalling lack of students this year. There were fourteen new students, most of whom were sorted into Hufflepuff. The Hufflepuff table screamed themselves hoarse by the end of the night.

“Is no one interested in Hogwarts?" joked Yaxley, eyeing the nervous First Years who had been sorted into Slytherin.

“Probably not, given the situation outside," said Carrow, eliciting chuckles from all Seventh and Sixth Years.

Wei Wuxian had no idea what the conversation meant. Situation outside? Was something happening?

Sometimes, Wei Wuxian felt like a kid.

Albus Dumbledore came and gave his speech. The food appeared, steaming and delectable. But Wei Wuxian took it all in a sense of unease. Snippets of the Slytherin’s conversations rang in his ears. They talked of many things, especially those belonging to the Sacred Twenty-Eight.

They talked of darkness on the rise.

Whispers of some new sort of magic.

Some kind of a rebellion, which most of them thought was good.

Then someone said that Dumbledore deserved it.

Wei Wuxian turned to hear more, but it was drowned in the general cacophony of the students.

~~•~~

“I HAVE IMPORTANT news," said Wei Wuxian, sitting down in a carrel at the library with Lan Zhan.

He grunted. “Figured that much."

“Listen carefully," said Wei Wuxian, jumping straight into the topic. The words were itching to crawl out of his skin. “Do you know anything about Yin Iron?"

“No. What is that?"

“I don't know."

Lan Zhan glared. “If you don't know, how am I supposed to know?"

Wei Wuxian deflated in disappointment. Some part of him had hoped that Lan Zhan would know something about it. He studied so much. But even Lan Zhan had no knowledge about it. “I don't know. Wen Qing told me that this Yin Iron thing is the one responsible for cursing Wen Ning."

“Really?" asked Lan Zhan, leaning forward. “I didn't spot those two today. Did you?"

Wei Wuxian hadn't.

“The Yin Iron is a spell, then," said Lan Zhan. “A charm. A hex."

“It doesn't sound like one," insisted Wei Wuxian. “It is an object, Lan Zhan. Some kind of a metal, probably iron. It is a cursed object."

“Cursed artifacts."

“Exactly."

Lan Zhan leaned back. “Have you found nothing on it?"

“No amount of research resulted in anything," said Wei Wuxian. “The Hogwarts library failed. There are no more reliable places other than the library."

Lan Zhan was already in deep thought. “Maybe….the Lan library could have something. Why didn't you tell me this sooner? I could have checked in our library.”

Wei Wuxian said, "I did not want to risk saying it in a letter. Plus, I cannot write or receive letters, remember? Madame Yu would kill me.”

Lan Zhan scowled. The expression was so spontaneous that Wei Wuxian was taken aback.

"Madame Yu is still troubling you?” he asked, his voice bordering on sympathy.

Wei Wuxian did not want to have such a talk now. It would just drain him off his good mood. "Yes, you know how she is. Still thinks I'm the root cause of all evil, I'm corrupting her son, I do not deserve an education in Hogwarts because I am a slave’s son. The usual.”

Lan Zhan did not take it casually. "Does she ever…you know…hit you?" he asked after careful mincing of his words.

Wei Wuxian's breath hitched.

Oh Merlin.

The box was opening.

Wei Wuxian did not want the box to open. There were so many unpleasant memories stuffed in there, memories that would make him bitter and leave him feeling angry and vengeful. The worst part was that he couldn't do anything about it. All the injustices he had suffered could not be avenged. There was no way he could fight Madame Yu. He was not that powerful, nor did he have the independence to do so.

Opening the box would result in aimless fury. It left him feeling cavernous.

The box had to be locked shut.

“Well, she—uh," fumbled Wei Wuxian, playing with his fingers. “She slapped me sometimes (what a lie) but that was a long time ago (what a fucking lie)."

Lan Zhan took a deep breath. “Alright."

Wei Wuxian could tell he was far from convinced.

Lan Zhan took another breath, but this time, his eyes held purpose. “What are you proposing we do? Research about the Yin Iron?"

Wei Wuxian nodded. "I have thought a lot over the summer. I think, if we can know what the Yin Iron is, perhaps we can find a cure to Wen Ning's curse. We can save him from a life of misery.”

Lan Zhan said, "Why don't we just ask Wen Qing?”

"She won't say anything more. Besides, she cannot know that I told you this. She swore me to secrecy.”

Lan Zhan narrowed his eyes. "You are breaking promises.”

Wei Wuxian chuckled. "Do you care?”

Lan Zhan looked at him for a second. Then he said, "Not really.”

"Good.”

Lan Zhan looked at the towering shelves of books around them. "I bet she told Professor Yi everything,” he said.

"Wen Qing? I think so too. But we cannot ask Professor Yi anything. Wen Qing will feel betrayed.”

Lan Zhan rubbed his forehead. "There is no use searching in the Hogwarts library if you have already done it and found nothing. We need another source of information.”

Wei Wuxian fell into deep thought. "What other sources of information can there be besides books? We cannot go around asking professors. Wen Qing will kill me.”

Lan Zhan gave an abrupt smile. It was not really a smile in the ordinary sense, it was a mere upward curve of his lips, like smiling was a sin. But it happened nevertheless.

"The newspaper,” said Lan Zhan. "Tomorrow, we have to get a newspaper.”

Chapter Text

1963, HOGWARTS

WEI WUXIAN WAS feeling satisfied after his talk with Lan Zhan. They hadn't made any breakthroughs yet, but it seemed like the start of something new and concrete, which was just as good. They had a plan now. They would find out a cure for Wen Ning.

He was lost in these thoughts when he entered his dorm room and could not anticipate the storm brewing inside.

“What have you done to my brother?"

Wei Wuxian stopped short. He looked up and saw Wen Chao standing by his bed, his eyes shining with rage. His face had turned a sickly share of purple. “What have you said to him?"

Wei Wuxian frowned. “What?"

“Oh, don't play innocent," scoffed Wen Chao. “You made my brother agree to your outrageous agreement. You made my brother agree to never admit me into the Slytherin team. What spell of obedience did you put upon him?"

Oh. That.

Wei Wuxian probably shouldn't have laughed at that moment, but he did, which only worsened the purple colour on Wen Chao's cheeks.

“I have not charmed him," said Wei Wuxian, after chuckling long and deep. "Honestly, your brother is a talented wizard. I am not that powerful.”

This was apparently the worst thing he could have said to Wen Chao, for his eyes suddenly swam with unshed tears of anger. Wei Wuxian took a step back, his back against the door. If Wen Chao had been holding onto the hope of Wen Xu being bewitched, then he was wrong.

Something cold poured over Wei Wuxian's heart. It was satisfaction of the immense level, to see the boy who had always tormented him being tormented in return. Wen Chao had never injured him or shouted at him, but it was the minor things he did that irked Wei Wuxian.

It was the way he would hog the bathroom every morning.

It was the way he would always push him while walking by him.

It was the way he always tried to kick Suibian.

It was the way he would keep the lights on at ungodly hours of the night, right in front of Wei Wuxian's eyes.

It was the way he would scowl at him, break his quills "accidentally,” empty his stock of ink.

It was the way Wen Chao knew Wei Wuxian couldn't do anything to him.

And for all these reasons, Wei Wuxian felt no sympathy for the boy who had been betrayed by his elder brother. He simply leaned forward and said, “A perk of being the best, Wen Chao, is that people will always listen to you. Obey you. Guess you wouldn't know.”

~~•~~

“WE HAVE DIVINATION and Defence Against the Dark Arts with you Slytherins," said Song Lan over breakfast the next day. They sat at their old spot again — at the end of the Hufflepuff table — with plates of omelettes, buns, bread and fruits.

“Which of you guys have taken Divination?" asked Jiang Cheng, raising his own hand.

Wei Wuxian, Lan Zhan, Xiao Xingchen and Nie Huiasang imitated him.

“You guys are missing out on an easy class," said Wei Wuxian, buttering his toast. The only reason why he had taken Divination was because it was insanely easy to pass the class. You simply had to make up the visions you saw and the dreams you dreamed. Bonus points were given if the omens and visions were of death.

This was common knowledge. Professor Imago loved hearing of death.

Muggle Studies too, was easy. Or at least Wei Wuxian hoped it would be. It was a sparsely populated class, and was disapproved of by many purebloods, but learning about electricity ought to be easier than deciphering runes.

“Divination is a fickle branch of magic," said Meng Yao, with a tone that indicated that he was looking down on the subject. “It has no consistency or clarity. It is all a jumble of predictions that people like you will exploit."

Song Lan whistled. “I don't know the meaning of half of the words you just said."

“Me neither," said Jiang Cheng, and they burst out laughing.

Wei Wuxian laughed. “Saint Dimples," he said, trying not to sneer. “Forgive us sinners."

"Don't any of you have Arithmancy or Ancient Runes?” asked Lan Zhan. Wei Wuxian felt bad for the boy. He was clearly stuck with those subjects because of his uncle’s pressure.

Xiao Xingchen nodded. “I have Ancient Runes. Song Lan has Arithmancy."

The relief was evident on Lan Zhan's face.

“I don't know about you guys, but I think we are getting late for Transfiguration," said Nie Huiasang, gobbling an apple and picking up his bag. “Got this class with the Huffepuffs. Let me see if I can catch Wen Ning."

Ah.

Wei Wuxian had almost forgotten about the boy.

“Have you seen Wen Qing around?" he asked him, since they shared the same House.

Nie Huiasang shook his head. Then he was off, nearly falling over his feet as he did.

“We have Defence Against the Dark Arts,” said Jiang Cheng. "Come on, you guys. Let's go and meet Wei Wuxian's wife.”

~~•~~

“YOU ARE AS lovely as ever, Professor," said Wei Wuxian. He had thought that he wouldn't find her beautiful after the summer, that he would get over the strong admiration he felt towards her. But he was wrong. The very sight of Lan Yi — leaning against the desk with an easy smile — made him want to get her attention.

Beside him, Lan Zhan stalked off to find a bench.

“Good morning, Wei Wuxian," she said, looking at him coolly.

Wei Wuxian stood there, waiting for some other sort of acknowledgement. A secretive smile, maybe, or a look. A look that would indicate their shared experience of Wen Ning last year, that would tell him that she remembered it.

That she had been a part of it.

But Lan Yi did not do so.

She made them all sit, take out their wands, then pointed their attention towards a wardrobe.

“Third Year curriculum is going to be difficult," she began, tapping her wand against her arm. "You have learned about several shielding and disarming spells last year. This year, the focus is on battling various magical creatures, foremost among them being the Boggart.”

A ripple went through the classroom.

Wei Wuxian leaned against Lan Zhan. "What is a Boggart?”

Lan Zhan supplied him with a stream of information mugged straight from the book. "A Boggart is a non-being that assumes the shape of the observer’s worst fear. If you fear a cockroach, it will turn into a giant cockroach. If you fear fire, it will turn into flames."

Wei Wuxian raised his eyebrows. “This sounds terrifying."

“It is terrifying."

Professor Yi explained the same. “What repels a Boggart is laughter," she said, adopting a kinder tone when she saw the unease on everyone's faces. “The spell to counter it is Riddikulus. You have to imagine the thing which makes you laugh, and the scary Boggart will vanish, replaced by a clown or a kitten."

"What if we can't imagine funny things?” asked Wang LingJiao.

Lan Yi smiled. "Well then, the Boggart eats you.”

That was clearly not true, but it did cause many people to gasp.

"This sounds easy,” said Jiang Cheng, puffing his chest. "It is just a vision, right?"

Lan Yi nodded. “That is the right attitude. Come here, Jiang Cheng. You shall demonstrate the spell first."

Jiang Cheng skipped to the front with great pride. He stood in front of the wardrobe and pointed his wand at it.

Everyone leaned forward.

Lan Yi opened the wardrobe.

There was a rush of cold air in the room. Lan Zhan shivered and Wei Wuxian folded in on himself in an effort to warm himself. Something incorporeal, something living yet dead, stepped out of the wardrobe and entered their world.

Jiang Cheng staggered back.

The space before him had suddenly changed. Now, to Wei Wuxian's shock, stood the regal figure of Madame Yu.

But this was not the Madame Yu he knew. This one was a colder, rougher version, all sharp angles and cruel smiles. She stepped towards Jiang Cheng, who stood like a statue, petrified.

“Is he scared of his own mom that much?" asked Lan Zhan.

Wei Wuxian shook his head. “He is, but right now he is more shocked than scared. He probably never realised the extent of his fear about his mother.”

He shouted, "A-Cheng, it's just a vision.”

Jiang Cheng snapped back to reality. He raised his wand and closed his eyes, as Lan Yi told him to concentrate and counter.

"Conquer your fear,” she said, keeping an eye on the Boggart. "This is your fear. You have to master it.”

"Riddikulus!” said Jiang Cheng. A jet of blue light shot from his wand and smoke filled the air. When it cleared, Wei Wuxian cracked a smile.

Madame Yu was gone. What stood before then was a large dog with golden fur and big eyes. It barked and ran at Jiang Cheng, then promptly vanished as soon as it touched his hand.

The class remained silent, enthralled.

“Good work," said Lan Yi, patting Jiang Cheng's shoulder. “In a controlled environment such as this class, a Boggart may be won over with the help of friends. But in real life, Boggarts are strong. Most people falter when faced with their darkest fears, and conjuring laughter becomes the most difficult thing to do. Immense concentration is needed for this spell. You can learn—"

“I want to try," said Wei Wuxian.

Lan Yi looked at him. “Sure," she said, moving to open the wardrobe again. “Come up."

Wei Wuxian did not know why he did it. Lan Zhan and Meng Yao shot him with doubtful glances, but Wei Wuxian wanted to experience it himself. Besides, he really wanted to know his fear.

Wei Wuxian did get scared. He was scared of earthworms, of beetles, of sudden noises and suspicious shapes in the dark. But he knew these were only momentary scares. These weren't permanent. These weren't his true fears.

Lan Yi opened the wardrobe.

What came out was not an earthworm or beetle.

Actually, nothing came out at all.

Then, a mirror stepped out.

Wei Wuxian frowned. Why was a mirror coming out of the wardrobe? He sure as hell wasn't afraid of mirrors—

Oh Merlin. It wasn't a mirror at all.

It took him many seconds to realise that the Boggart stepping out was his exact carbon copy. The same face, hair and eyes stared back at him, unsmiling and cold. This was another Wei Wuxian, but he was clearly not human.

Boggart-Wei Wuxian looked down at himself. Then he looked at the real one, standing before him, and suddenly, his hands vanished.

The class gasped.

Wei Wuxian was highly confused. How was this his fear? And why were his limbs vanishing? The Boggart looked scared of his vanishing body parts, swatting at his arms frantically, trying to make his arms stay, but they flew up in smoke.

“You fear getting forgotten," whispered Lan Yi into his ear. “You fear that you will vanish one day and no one will remember who you were. No one will be there to immortalise you. You will not leave a mark upon this world. You will just vanish."

Wei Wuxian looked up at her, his heart hammering.

Lan Yi said, “That will never happen, you know. You have family and friends to remember you."

The Boggart was slowly going up in smoke, and Wei Wuxian knew that was his true fear. The class was getting worked up at this strange display. Only Lan Zhan seemed to be trying to understand what was going on.

“Riddikulus!" shouted Wei Wuxian, pointing his wand at the Boggart.

Nothing happened.

Wei Wuxian felt his mouth run dry. What if he were truly forgotten one day? Left to die in obscurity? He couldn't do that. Wei Wuxian needed fame and glory, he needed everyone to know his name and remember him as the greatest wizard to ever live. He wanted to be up there, with the likes of Albus Dumbledore, Merlin, Godric Gryffindor, Rowena Ravenclaw, Professor McGonagall, Professor Slughorn and Professor Yi.

“Wei Wuxian, concentrate," chided Lan Yi. “You have to focus on a singular happy memory. You have to know that you have people to remember you."

Wei Wuxian scrounged his brain. Happy memories? All his happy memories were here, at Hogwarts, with his friends.

He recalled a scene. The seven of them, over breakfast. Meng Yao trying to balance a dumpling on his nose. He had laughed a lot on that day.

“Riddikulus!"

A jet of blue light streamed out, hitting the Boggart square on the chest. It fell back and vanished, then turned into the phantom image of Meng Yao balancing a dumpling on his nose.

The class erupted into screams of laughter.

“Hey!" shouted Meng Yao, red in the face.

~~•~~

THREE MORE students demonstrated after Wei Wuxian, but all of them consisted of ordinary fears: a cockroach, a basket of snakes, a flood of water. Two of them failed to defeat the Boggart and were quickly taken care of by Lan Yi, who turned the Boggarts into a handful of kittens.

They trooped out of class, and his friends crowded around him.

“What was your fear?" asked Song Lan. “You vanishing?"

“I couldn't understand," confessed Jiang Cheng. “You will never vanish, Wei Wuxian. That is plain absurd."

Wei Wuxian laughed and did not clarify them.

He was sure that Lan Zhan already knew the real meaning, though. The looks he was giving him, as if trying to dissect Wei Wuxian, sent shivers down his spine. Why was Lan Zhan so intelligent?

The rest of the day passed by in a flurry of classes. After all was over and done, Wei Wuxian leaned against the wall outside their History of Magic classroom. He had to seek out Lan Zhan. They were to begin searching in newspapers today, and probably dig out old ones, to know something about the Yin Iron, seeing as no books were providing them any information.

Wei Wuxian wanted to go to the Restricted Section of the library, but they had to acquire a special permission from one of their professors for that, and there was no way Wei Wuxian was going to reveal things to a professor.

He walked towards the greenhouse, where the Slytherins were having Herbology with the Huffepuffs.

Sure enough, their class was over and they were trickling out in groups of two’s and three’s.

Lan Zhan came out last, with Wen Ning.

Wei Wuxian's eyes fell out of their sockets. Wen Ning looked the same as ever, but had grown a little taller. He wore that sweet smile of his and trekked after Lan Zhan like a puppy.

He caught sight of Wei Wuxian first.

“Wei Wuxian," he said and smiled, then hurried over to him. “Hello!"

Wei Wuxian found himself smiling automatically. “Where have you been?" he asked, pulling Wen Ning into a hug. The boy stiffened, but relaxed and put his arms around the other's waist. “How are you?"

“Fine," he said. Then he dropped his tone and said, “Thank you for everything you did for me, Wei Wuxian. My sister told me everything. That night, in the basement—"

Wei Wuxian patted him. “Don't worry," he said, pity swelling his heart when Wen Ning bowed his head. The boy was ashamed of the creature he was, but it was no fault of his, and Wei Wuxian wanted him to know that.

“You are going to be fine," he said, and squeezed Wen Ning's hand. “You are safe in the basement. Professor Yi will make sure nothing happens to you anymore."

“That is the problem,” winced Wen Ning. "Anyone who comes into the kitchen at night can hear my howls. Your Shijie did. You did.”

"The basement is a risky place,” said Lan Zhan, joining the conversation. "You need to find some other place. Somewhere away from Hogwarts. Does this thing happen every night?”

"No,” said Wen Ning. "Once every three or four nights.”

Wei Wuxian pinched his nose. Wen Ning had countless problems. He had to solve every one of them.

After some casual talking, Wen Ning took his leave, and Wei Wuxian found himself alone with Lan Zhan.

“So," he began, hoisting his bag up his shoulder. “Do we go to the library for newspapers?"

Lan Zhan nodded. They went to the library without trouble, and Lan Zhan asked Madame Pince about newspapers.

“Newspapers?" asked Madame Pince, looking at them through her glasses. “Why, Hogwarts doesn't have a single newspaper."

Wei Wuxian blinked. "What?”

"Hogwarts has no newspapers.”

Lan Zhan leaned forward, his golden eyes penetrating. “What about The Daily Prophet? Or the Wizarding Herald? Or the Gusu Times?"

“Young Lan, no newspapers are allowed in Hogwarts. Haven't you noticed? Have you ever seen any student study a newspaper here?"

“Why doesn't Hogwarts supply its students with newspapers?” asked Wei Wuxian. The whole situation was unexpected. They had assumed they would find tons of newspapers in the library, but to hear that Hogwarts did not welcome newspapers was just nonsensical.

“You'll have to ask Headmaster Dumbledore about that," said Madame Pince. She went back to her work, leaving them stewing in hopelessness.

Chapter Text

1963, HOGWARTS

LAN WANGJI KNEW all the 3,000 rules of the Lan Clan by heart. Hence, he knew what the 33rd rule was: Never run in institutional settings.

He had followed that rule all his life, but today, he was beyond caring. The rules faded to the background of his mind the moment the heinous news reached his ears, that Hogwarts did not supply students with newspapers.

This time, it was Wei Wuxian trying to calm him down. “There, there, Lan Zhan, don't grow angry. We will surely find someone who gets newspapers. The professors—"

“We are going to Professor Filtwick," declared Lan Wangji. He went off on a hurried run towards the office of the Charms teacher, who would give them honest answers instead of rebukes. Wei Wuxian followed him, his steps shaking the ground.

Lan Wangji hammered on Professor Filtwick’s door.

“Lan Zhan—"

Lan Wangji did not wait any further. He opened the door and rushed inside, eager for answers and clarity. He had to know this wasn't a major joke that Madam Pince was playing on them. Hogwarts was the greatest school on Earth. It had to have newspapers.

“Lan Wangji," said Professor Filtwick, standing up from his chair. His blue eyes were shining under the afternoon sunlight. “What is the matter, child? Oh, and Wei Wuxian too."

“Extremely sorry to barge in like this," sighed Wei Wuxian, placing a hand on Lan Wangji's shoulder. “My friend has gone mad."

Lan Wangji took a step forward. “Professor, why doesn't Hogwarts have newspapers?"

Filtwick blinked. “There are reasons."

Lan Wangji threw his hands in the air. It was the most emotion he had ever shown in his life, he thought. “Reasons? Newspapers are important. How are we supposed to know what is going on in the world if we do not have newspapers? What about all the extra information? What about—”

"We just learned from Madam Pince that we do not have newspapers,” said Wei Wuxian, removing his hand from his shoulder. The spot felt weirdly empty as he did so. "Why?”

Filtwick looked like he was struggling with the answer. He shuffled on his feet and looked at the floor like it was the most interesting thing he’d ever seen.

Lan Wangji broke yet another rule — Never raise your voice to your elders — by demanding, “Well? What is it?"

“Why do you two need newspapers?" asked the professor. “I cannot think of a reason why you would."

He didn't know. Of course he didn't. No one other than Wei Wuxian and himself knew the absolute urgency of their needs. They had to know what the Yin Iron was. They had to find a cure for Wen Ning. They had to set things right.

Wei Wuxian finally regained his usual fierce flair of words. “It just occurred to us that we haven't seen newspapers around. Ever. Then we went to the library to find out more, but we were told that newspapers don't exist here. Professor, why is it that such an important source of information is withheld from us?”

There. He couldn't have explained it better himself.

Professor Filtwick shook his head. “Wei Wuxian, Lan Wangji, the supply of newspapers has always been absent in Hogwarts. This norm was set in place by the first Headmaster of Hogwarts. We cannot change it.”

Beside him, Wei Wuxian formed fists by his side. "But, Professor—”

"If you want to talk further, I suggest you go to Dumbledore.”

Lan Wangji deflated. How could they ever go and talk to Albus Dumbledore? He wouldn't even know what to say to the most powerful wizard alive. Perhaps this was a norm that the usually flexible settings of Hogwarts would not allow to be broken. They had to find out information all on their own, maybe by sneaking into the Restricted Section of the library.

“Alright," said Wei Wuxian, his dark hair gleaming blacker than ever. “I will go and talk to Headmaster Dumbledore."

~~•~~

ONCE AGAIN, LAN WANGJI was in his element: trying to stop Wei Wuxian from killing himself with sheer stupidity.

"What are you, crazy?” he glared at him, as they made their way out of Professor Filtwick’s office and climbed the stairs to the third floor, where the Headmaster’s office was located. "Wei Wuxian, this is Albus Dumbledore we are talking about.”

"Exactly," said Wei Wuxian. Lan Wangji was having a somewhat hard time trying to keep up with his stride. Why did Wei Wuxian grow so tall? It was utterly unfair for him to have that advantage over them all. “We have to sort things out with the man who runs this place.”

"From where have you learned such a threatening way of speaking?”

Wei Wuxian turned to give him a sudden smile. It was always disorienting to be faced with one of his infamous grins, but this one was particularly shocking, as he had been scowling just a second ago. "Don't be scared, Lan Zhan. I will never threaten you.”

Lan Wangji scowled. "You—”

"Here we are,” announced Wei Wuxian, coming to a stop in front of a massive door. It was decorated with wooden engravings of phoenixes and lions, with eagles flying at the top. The doors looked so thick that Lan Wangji was sure they could crush someone to death.

They stood staring.

"What do we do?” he asked, looking at the portraits on the wall. "Do we push open the door?”

Wei Wuxian swallowed. “I'm pretty sure Dumbledore's door won't open with a simple push."

“A password, then."

“Yeah. Do you know what?"

If Lan Wangji wasn't angry before, he definitely was now. A thin film of irritation seeped into his skin. “Of course I don't. This was your idea. How come you don't know the password?"

“Well, Dumbledore sure doesn't give out passwords like candy," retorted Wei Wuxian, his lips twisting. “Fuck. We are stuck here."

“Don't say that," snapped Lan Wangji. The word annoyed him to no end. The boys all used it like crazy ever since Wei Wuxian taught them, and now he always heard it in varying tones. Lan Qiren would have a heart attack if he ever heard such things. Hell, his Xiongzhang would follow close after.

“Okay, wait," said Wei Wuxian, leaning against the door. “What possible password could it be?"

“If you sit here to ruminate, I'm off."

“Wait a minute, Lan Zhan. What—"

It seemed that the Heavens were on their side, for as soon as Wei Wuxian leaned against the door, it clicked open.

Out strode Professor Slughorn, with a bundle of books under his arm. He stopped short when he saw them, his face turning to a smile, no doubt at the sight of Wei Wuxian.

"Boys! What are you doing here?” he asked.

Wei Wuxian instantly smiled dazzlingly. “Professor, we want to talk with Headmaster Dumbledore."

Slughorn cast a confused look around. “Whatever for?"

Wei Wuxian grabbed Lan Wangji's arm. “Thank you for opening the door, Professor."

Lan Wangji tried to take his arm away, but Wei Wuxian's grip was that of iron. Had he become stronger as well? Maybe it was all the Quidditch. He bowed slightly to Slughorn as they passed him by and kept foot inside Dumbledore's office for the first time in their life.

Of course, back then, Lan Wangji hadn't known he would practically be living here in the future, when everything would become much darker to deal with.

So, he gawked.

“Damn," swore Wei Wuxian, under his breath.

They were standing in a lobby. There was a spiral staircase that led to the second floor in front of them. All around the lobby were shelves and wardrobes of books. It resembled the library, except that these books were all bound in gold and smelled of it too.

There were a horde of trinkets on the walls and shelves, starting from precious vases embedded with emeralds to porcelain cups straight from China.

Lan Wangji recognised a vase. It was kept behind a glass, but there was no mistaking its familiar blue and white, flowery pattern. It was a custom-made vase from Gusu, presented only to respectable people. The vases were imbued with a charm that enabled them to break into a thousand pieces in case of a fire, thus acting as a system of fire-alarm.

Wei Wuxian was already climbing up the stairs. Lan Wangji joined him, and they reached the second floor and faced another set of doors.

Wei Wuxian knocked.

There was a beat of silence, during which Lan Wangji thought of turning back. He would go to his dorm and do his homework. He would forget about this. Newspapers could go to Hell.

Then, a voice emanated from inside. “Come in, Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji."

Oh Merlin.

Wei Wuxian backed away a step. “How did he know it is us?"

“He's Albus Dumbledore," said Lan Wangji, because that was the only explanation he had. He pushed open the door and shoved Wei Wuxian inside.

The office of Albus Dumbledore, Headmaster of Hogwarts and the strongest wizard alive, was….rather ordinary. It was certainly a lot lackluster after the expensive lobby and the Gusu vase he had seen.

Apart from a large desk and shelves of books, there was nothing in the office. A set of windows that looked out to the Forbidden Forest and Black Lake was behind the desk.

And their Headmaster sat behind it, in a glittering suit of soft blues and greens. His half-moon spectacles peered at them with a smile that proclaimed he knew everything there was to know.

“Good evening, Headmaster," said Wei Wuxian. He seemed to have gotten out of his momentary wonder and was back to his confident self. “Can we talk to you about something?"

"Of course, Mister Wei,” said Dumbledore. His smile was as amiable as ever.

Wei Wuxian looked at Lan Wangji for moral support, but he was too busy thinking about the birdcage beside Dumbledore to care. Why was there a birdcage here? Did Dumbledore like birds? Where was the bird?

“It is about why we don't have newspapers here," began Wei Wuxian, in a tone that was unnaturally polite. He relayed the incident from the library and the talk with Filtwick. “He told us to come to you. What is the matter with the newspapers?"

Dumbledore listened to everything patiently. He still had his smile on, but his eyes were more serious now. Somehow, the smile unnerved Lan Wangji more than the edge. It was impossible for a man like Dumbledore to be so friendly, right?

He had expected the wizard to not bother him with such trivialities and go to their classes, but he surprised them by doing neither.

"You have brought a fine topic to discuss, Mister Wei,” he said, sounding genuinely pleased. There was not a shred of anger. "I still remember that the only people to bring this to my notice were Fleamont Potter in 1953 and Jiang Cheng-Li in 1947, who was one of your Clan’s finest leaders.

“You are all children, but you two seem mature enough to understand this." Dumbledore leaned forward. “Newspapers were banned from Hogwarts. They contain news that cannot be filtered out. There is no need for students to fill their minds with useless gossip columns and news they cannot handle.”

Lan Wangji shook his head. What ridiculous kind of thinking was this? "But we need to know the news,” he said, trying to keep his voice stable. "How can you blind the students from the news?”

Dumbledore sighed. “That was what the older generation of wizards and witches thought,” he said. He stood up abruptly, in a way that said this was the end of the conversation. "Rules are rules, Lan Wangji. You, out of all the people, should understand this.”

Chapter Text

1963, HOGWARTS

THE WALK BACK from Dumbledore's office to their dorms was full of an angry silence.

After five minutes of clambering past portraits and climbing stairs, Wei Wuxian could take it no longer. He gritted his teeth and felt the sharp edges of his canines press into his tongue. “He shoved us out," he said. “He shoved us out like a couple of rats."

Lan Zhan let out his trademark sigh. “No, he didn't. He offered us tea, but you refused and began to go towards the door. The Headmaster even greeted us good night."

Wei Wuxian whirled around, stopping Lan Zhan in his tracks. They were standing before a high window, and the moon looked like a piece of white paper.

His hair slapped his cheeks. “He literally put a stop to the conversation, Lan Zhan! He said that this was the norm and that it cannot be changed. This is a ridiculous rule, and yet — and yet—” Wei Wuxian stopped short to catch his breath. "And yet, he's not ready to give it even a thought!”

Lan Zhan formed a thin line with his lips. "Well, rules are hard to change. They are the foundations of every institution. They—”

Wei Wuxian's vision was suddenly filled with a film of red rage. He descended on Lan Zhan with all his frustration, even though he would later realise that this was a big mistake.

"Ah, yes,of course. You'd support the rules!”

Lan Zhan reared back like someone who had been punched. "That's not it.”

Wei Wuxian shook his head. The ban on the newspapers did not bother him as much as the casual dismissal did. Dumbledore had listened to them like a man listening to mosquitoes singing in his ear before killing them. This was the first time he had met the Headmaster on such a personal front, and he had expected to make an impression, not to be treated like a kid who knew nothing.

He bet Dumbledore didn't even know of the Yin Iron.

Lan Zhan retorted in a tone that reminded Wei Wuxian of their First Year, back when Lan Zhan was distant and cold. “Maybe he would have listened if you carried the conversation diplomatically."

Wei Wuxian frowned. “What the fuck does that mean?"

“Don't curse in front of me."

“Why? You aren't some kind of saint, Lan Zhan!"

"It bothers me.”

"Well, I don't see any reason as to why this bothers you.”

"It is not a nice thing to say.”

Wei Wuxian pinched the bridge of his nose. His hands were shaking. "Listen, Lan Zhan, do not teach me how to talk. I don't need to be taught by a guy who barely speaks.”

Lan Zhan's eyes flashed. "At least I speak sensibly. You rush things.”

"And what has your patience ever achieved?”

Lan Zhan opened his mouth for more argument, and they might have stood there arguing all evening, had Shijie not chanced upon them.

“Now, now, what is this all about?" she asked, floating up from behind Lan Zhan and coming straight towards Wei Wuxian. “A-Xian, why are you screaming at Lan Wangji?"

It was as if her entrance doused cold water on his fraying nerves. He relaxed immediately, then leaned into her hand that touched his shoulder.

Lan Zhan stared.

“What is the matter?" she asked cheerfully, blessing them with one of her sweetest smiles.

Wei Wuxian suddenly knew that if anyone could help them with advice at this moment, it was Shijie. “It is about the newspaper, Shijie."

~~•~~

WEI WUXIAN TOLD her everything in short, omitting the part about the Yin Iron and the case of Wen Ning. He told her that it had occurred to them that Hogwarts had no newspapers, then they went to Dumbledore to talk about it.

Shijie’s eyes widened. "You spoke with the Headmaster?” she asked, sipping soup. They were seated in her dorm room in Hufflepuff's basement, which was decorated with curtains of jute, wooden writing desks and little yellow chairs. The Common Room through which they had passed was another version of the dorm rooms, with a cluster of music boxes that rivalled those at the Lotus Pier.

Soft music fanned them.

Shijie, who loved cooking, had conjured up three bowls of spinach and potato soup in less than thirty minutes. She served it to them with a sprinkling of Yunmeng’s peppers.

Lan Zhan was stirring his bowl skeptically. He finally took a small sip, which made him blink in surprise.

Wei Wuxian scoffed internally. He had probably doubted Shijie's cooking ability. She was the best damn cook around town.

“We did," he nodded, chewing on lumps of potato. “But he just showed us out. Said he couldn't change the rules."

Shijie twisted a lock of hair around her fingers. “Well, I have always observed the lack of newspapers, but I have never given it much thought because newspapers don't come under our syllabus. It was not necessary reading, so it completely slipped my mind."

Lan Zhan shoved two great spoonfuls of soup. “But newspapers are important."

“That they are," admitted Shijie. “We have papers in Yunmeng. Three regional and two local. The largest circulation of newspapers happens in Cloud Recesses, I think."

Lan Zhan nodded.

Wei Wuxian licked his bowl clean and leaned against Shijie's lap. Her hands moved to his head automatically, unravelling his ribbon and snaking her fingers through his locks.

The massage soothed him.

Lan Zhan gave him an impenetrable stare. He resumed eating, then kept his bowl down and bowed dramatically.

Shijie laughed. “Oh, shush, Lan Wangji. You don't have to thank me so much."

“Shijie, what do we do? I want newspapers in Hogwarts," groaned Wei Wuxian.

Shijie cocked an eyebrow. “What makes you think your desire would change a centuries-old rule?"

Wei Wuxian craned his neck to look at her. "Why not? It is just not my desire. It's Lan Zhan's as well.”

Shijie hummed in thought. "Why have you both taken such an interest in newspapers suddenly?”

Wei Wuxian glanced at Lan Zhan. Honestly, what was he supposed to say to that without revealing the Yin Iron?

Lan Zhan took the cue. "I hear whisperings,” he began, in a tone that indicated he had thought about this often. "The seniors in Gryffindor often speak of some dark wizard on the rise, who is fomenting a rebellion. That is all I know, but the news is an important one that should be known by everyone.”

Shijie stiffened. “News like this would cause mass panic for nothing."

“Mass panic is better than catching people unawares," chimed Wei Wuxian. "Imagine not knowing anything about the Wizarding World’s outside happenings. We are living in a boundary called Hogwarts. We have to break that boundary.”

"I get what you are saying,” said Shijie. "But newspapers contain useless speculation too. It will only distract students. Just think what the gossip columns will do to your friend Nie Huiasang.”

Wei Wuxian snorted.

Merlin, Huiasang would love those columns.

Lan Zhan swiped his tongue across his lips. "Students will be distracted with or without newspapers. Nie Huiasang has plenty of stories to share even without the gossip columns. At least the gossip columns sometimes provide information.”

"You can also write to the papers,” added Wei Wuxian. That was how he intended to get information about the Yin Iron. He would write an anonymous letter to the editor on myths about the Yin Iron and get some answers, even if the answers were in the form of mythical fables.

Shijie lifted her hands. “Okay, okay," she acquiesced. "You guys want newspapers. For that, you'd have to convince Dumbledore. How do you plan on doing that?”

Wei Wuxian hadn't thought so far. By the silence that followed, it seemed neither had Lan Zhan.

Shijie seemed pleased at their stupefaction. “What you two need is support. Mass support from your friends."

Ah. That made sense.

Wei Wuxian got up from her lap to squeeze her shoulder. He had been right to share things with her. Shijie always knew what to do.

They were chased away by her soon after that. Wei Wuxian parted with Lan Zhan at the foot of the Gryffindor Tower. Lan Zhan glanced at his hair and handed him his red ribbon back to tie his loose hair, looking oddly red in the face as he did so. Lan Zhan resembled his ribbon.

~~•~~

“FRANKLY, I DON'T give a damn about newspapers," said Song Lan, shoving a whole apple inside his mouth. “I mean, who cares about them?"

“They are good for wrapping things," said Jiang Cheng. He then burst out laughing.

“Or wiping stains," added Nie Huiasang.

Only Dimples and Xiao Xingchen supported them.

“I think newspapers are important," said Meng Yao. “We don't get a regular supply of newspapers at home, but I know that they contain information about the world."

Wei Wuxian wondered where Meng Yao stayed that he didn't get newspapers.

Xiao Xingchen, on the other hand, proved to be an enthusiastic reader. “I read it every morning back home," he said, grinning. “You know Song Lan’s family and mine stay close by, so I always try to get him to read the news, but he never does.”

"You once forced me to read a paper by shoving it in my eyes,” accused Song Lan.

Jiang Cheng spoke. "Why are you two so hell-bent on bringing papers to Hogwarts? What's with this sudden fascination?”

"It is good to know the news and not be stupid like you,” said Wei Wuxian. Jiang Cheng threw a grape at him.

Lan Zhan tried to rally them. "We can all go and file some requests to Dumbledore. We can write to him. We can involve the professors. With effort, we can bring newspapers to Hogwarts.”

"But why?” moaned Nie Huiasang.

Wei Wuxian leaned towards him. "Think of the gossip columns, Nie Huiasang. Entire columns dedicated to the freshest stories of the Wizarding World. Ever wondered which witch is up to what? Now, you will know.”

Nie Huiasang's eyes went as big as saucers. “Qinghe doesn't have many newspapers," he said. “But columns like this exist?"

“They do," said Lan Zhan.

“Then maybe it's not a bad thing at all."

Wei Wuxian turned to Song Lan and Jiang Cheng. “Every newspaper has a sports page. Columns dedicated entirely to Quidditch. Don't you two want to know the training routine of Henry Weasley? Or the diet of Debra Rosier, who's the first female pureblood to play the sport?"

Lan Zhan added, “You'd also get to know the recent invention of brooms and playing tactics."

As Jiang Cheng and Song Lan dreamed of Quidditch tactics, Wei Wuxian and Lan Zhan concocted their own tactics to bring them around on the topic. Newspapers appealed to everyone's hobbies, and very soon, each of them was keen on the matter.

That night, Wei Wuxian and Jiang Cheng caught hold of Shijie. “You have to involve Lan Xichen,” they said, pinning her in place with her shirt sleeves.

Shijie scowled, which was a foreign expression on her face. "Lan Xichen? Come on, he won't be roped into such an unbelievable rebellion.”

"But this is the rebellion of knowledge!” insisted Wei Wuxian. Nie Huiasang had come up with that name and declared it like a grand scheme. "Surely, the brightest wizard of our generation would agree.”

"Why doesn't Lan Wangji talk to him?” she asked, trying to step past them.

"Lan Wangji cannot speak with his brother for another ten days,” said Jiang Cheng, scoffing as he relayed the stupid bet of the Lan brothers. "They are under an idiotic bet as to who can go the longest without talking to the other. Lan Wangji obviously intends to win.”

Wei Wuxian had laughed till a stitch opened up in his side when he heard of the ‘bet.’ It was so dumb that he could never guess the Lan brothers would take it so seriously.

In the end, Shijie agreed to bring Lan Xichen into the plot.

Wen Ning was clearly confused about the ruckus. “What is so special about newspapers?" he asked.

Wei Wuxian refrained from telling him he was the entire reason for everything.

Word spread quickly. It captured the attention of the Ravenclaws first, through the whispers of Nie Huiasang. The Ravenclaws — pioneers of knowledge — were rather eager to break this rule and had been for many years. They only lacked the Gryffindor courage and the Slytherin ambition to do so.

The Gryffindors, as convinced by Jiang Cheng, were starting to think of supporting them. Andrew Weasley was heard as saying that he would do anything in his power to bring papers into the school.

Two days passed by.

Wei Wuxian was beginning to think that things would go well. The Slytherins were scoffing in mockery when they heard of this, but he had never cared about their opinion much anyways.

Wen Xu asked him, “Why does everyone wants a newspaper?"

“Everyone wants knowledge," said Wei Wuxian and slipped away.

~~•~~

IT WAS AMAZING to see how fast a news could spread without a newspaper. Things had turned heated so quickly that none knew who were the original thinkers of the ‘Paper Parade,’ as it had been dubbed by some Hufflepuffs.

Everyone thought they had come up with the plan themselves.

Wei Wuxian had half a mind to yell he was the progenitor of the Paper Parade, but Lan Zhan stopped him.

When the third night came and the Paper Parade reached a startling number, Lan Zhan pulled him aside as they came out of their Defence Against the Dark Arts class.

“I'm not a worshipper of rules," he said, fixing Wei Wuxian with a cold glare. Wei Wuxian took several seconds to understand what he was referring to: their quarrel that night by the window.

The fact that Lan Zhan was clarifying things now made him melt a little. Wei Wuxian hadn't really wanted to say all those things to him; the words had just poured out without stopping. He placed a hand on Lan Zhan's shoulders, who gazed up at him steadily.

“I am sorry,” he said, smiling bashfully. Wei Wuxian did not want things to sour between them like last year. “I shouldn't have said that. I know you are not an uptight stickler. You wouldn't be my best friend if you were.”

"Meng Yao is your best friend.”

"You are too.”

"You can't have two best friends.”

Wei Wuxian laughed. "And we are arguing again.”

Lan Zhan stopped. Then, his lips curved up, just for a miniscule moment.

Wei Wuxian felt an onslaught of warmth in his heart.

Lan Zhan cleared his throat. "I'm not a worshipper of rules,” he repeated, more to himself than to Wei Wuxian. "I am not.”

"I told you that alre—”

"This is why I have come up with a plan,” continued Lan Zhan. "This…Paper Parade thing is slowing us down. Sure, we need the support, but we need things to move fast. Today is Thursday. Tomorrow is Friday. One week has already passed, and we are no closer to knowing the Yin Iron than we were on Monday. At this rate, we will never find the cure to Wen Ning's condition.”

"That's true,” said Wei Wuxian. "But the newspaper is our only source of—”

Lan Zhan interrupted him again. "It is not the only source of information, Wei Wuxian. There's another source.”

Now, what the hell was Lan Zhan going on about? “What are you saying?"

For the first time in his life, Wei Wuxian detected a hint of rash bravery in Lan Zhan. It wouldn't be the last time he would see that unusual spark in his golden eyes, that way in which his breathing would quicken.

It made Wei Wuxian feel brave too.

“The Restricted Section," said Lan Zhan. “The Restricted Section of the library has to have information."

Chapter Text

1963, HOGWARTS

WHEN FRIDAY DAWNED, Wei Wuxian found himself in another bout of excitement, not for the Paper Parade, but for something else entirely.

“The first class of Divination for us Gryffindors is today," declared Jiang Cheng, over breakfast that morning. “You guys too."

Meng Yao let out a smug grin. “I can tell this is about to become Wei Wuxian's favourite class."

Wei Wuxian rolled his eyes. He had not forgotten the slight altercation he had had with Meng Yao over the class, which the other considered trivial. He was not wrong. The class was trivial and resulted in nothing concrete, but it was so comically easy that Wei Wuxian thought everyone should take it.

Wen Ning put in a rare two bits. “I do not have Divination, but I heard from Huiasang that it is a very sleepy class."

Nie Huiasang snapped his fingers in approval at that. He stuffed his mouth with buns. “It will bore you to death. Professor Imago is such a silent sod. If the class weren't so easy, I would have left it by now. Joined Arithmancy, for all I care."

“You'd fail Arithmancy," said Xiao Xingchen. “Badly."

Everyone laughed at that.

Lan Zhan caught his eyes, his passive face morphing into one of inquiry. He raised his eyebrows at Wei Wuxian, asking him if he had spared a thought to his proposal.

Wei Wuxian looked away. Lan Zhan's proposal — sneaking into the Restricted Section of the library — was as dangerous as putting your head inside a pond of piranhas. Everyone knew the Restricted Section was out of bounds for students, especially two pesky Third Years.

“We should get going," said Jiang Cheng. “I want front row seats in this class."

“You are suspiciously excited," added Meng Yao.

Jiang Cheng skipped away without paying any attention to him, his bag bouncing along his shoulder.

~~•~~

EVERY STUDENT was wound up with anticipation in the Divination class. Class seemed like an inappropriate word for it, thought Wei Wuxian, glancing around himself. This area was more like a loft.

They had climbed up a ladder to the ceiling to get to the classroom, situated on the fourth floor. They clambered inside the door set in the ceiling, expecting to meet stone and earth, and getting pleasantly surprised when they came out in a room.

Divination did not have the normal class settings. There were no boards and benches. The room, low and long, was lit with yellow candles and the natural light of the azure sky above them. There were little circular windows, though most of them were closed. Velvet curtains and pillows dominated the room.

“How do we sit?" asked Xiao Xingchen, looking at the array of pillows all around. They were not arranged in any particular fashion, but had been thrown around randomly.

People began to sit together with their friends, so Wei Wuxian did the same. He grabbed Lan Zhan, who glared at him but did not remove his hand, and pulled him along to where Jiang Cheng was.

His brother was sitting cross-legged on a brown pillow at the front. His books and quills were out.

“Merlin, you really are excited," laughed Xiao Xingchen. “Why?"

“I want to see whether futures can really be told by Professor Imago," said Jiang Cheng. “I want to find out my future, if possible. Will I become a Clan Leader like my father, or will I become a fearless Auror? Will I be a famous Quidditch player? Will I roam around like the free Professor Lan Yi? I want to know.”

His tone was so earnest that Wei Wuxian couldn't even laugh. He had never imagined A-Cheng was so eager to know his future, or that he had so many alternatives planned.

As soon as they settled down, a hush fell over them. The candles flickered and the curtains parted, revealing shelves of jars, books and artifacts on the wall.

“Are we celebrating Halloween already?" sneered Wen Chao, but he was looking around uncomfortably.

“Welcome to Divination, Gryffindors and Slytherins," said a voice, as hollow as a cave and as heavy as falling water. It seemed to come from behind the walls, echoing in their bones.

Wei Wuxian clamped his lips between his teeth. He was going to let out a squeak of alarm if he didn't do so.

“Is that him?" whispered Jiang Cheng, pointing at the western side of the room. “Is that Professor Imago?"

The biggest mystery about Divination was the fact that none of them had ever seen Professor Imago before. He did not attend the feasts on the Teacher's Table, and he wasn't present during the Sorting Ceremony either. He was known only to those who took his classes, which lend an air of extra anxiety.

Wei Wuxian had somehow imagined Professor Imago to be as tall as a monster, but he was not so. As the tottering professor made his way to the front of the class, wearing clothes fit for a funeral, he found that Imago was short and thin and blond.

“Good morning," he greeted, coughing into his hand. His eyes were closed. “Today marks the day you children shall be wandering into the unknown realms of Divination. This sacred study of the stars and sand is known for its mystical powers and clairvoyance, including foretellings of the path of your life and the way the world shall advance. This—"

A cold sleep stole over Wei Wuxian's eyes as the professor droned on. He had never heard such a voice from anyone. How could it be so soothing and powerful at the same time? Beside him, no one was faring any better. Everyone was looking at the professor with unfocused eyes.

Including Lan Zhan, who was always as awake as a cricket.

“Wow. This is boring," said Wei Wuxian, leaning into Lan Zhan. “Do you feel sleepy?"

“A lot," said Lan Zhan, sleep making his voice thick.

It sent an involuntary shiver down Wei Wuxian's spine, though he did not know why.

Professor Imago finished his introductory speech and snapped his fingers. All of a sudden, the sleep vanished from their eyes, replaced with a crackling sort of awareness. The cloying incense smells vanished, replaced with sneeze-inducing blasts of tea leaves and pepper.

They sat awake, rustling and wondering what the hell just happened.

Wei Wuxian voiced his opinions. “What the hell just happened?"

Professor Imago looked at him like Professor McGonagall did when he talked too much. Then his frown was replaced with a smile, a big toothy smile.

“That, young Wei, is the power of hypnotism through smells. It is one of the rarest yet powerful forms of hypnotism, a major branch of Divination." He reared himself to his full height, which was shorter than Lan Zhan. “As you just saw, this is the power of Divination.”

Wei Wuxian nodded, impressed.

Beside him, Lan Zhan asked, “How did he know your name?"

~~•~~

THEY WERE SO AMAZED by the small performance that they spend the entire class discussing nothing but that.

Professor Imago let them go with kind pats on the shoulder, telling them that they would start with something called ‘Reading Tea Leaves’ the next day.

They trooped out of the class into the September sunshine. Wei Wuxian knew both the Gryffindors and the Slytherins did not have class till the afternoon, and he took this moment to discuss things with Lan Zhan.

“Have you given it a thought?" asked Lan Zhan, leaning against a door behind the Potions classroom.

Wei Wuxian shook his head. He really hadn't thought much about going to the Restricted Section, because he knew how futile it would be. “There's no going there, Lan Zhan. We have to get special permission notes from a professor if we want to enter. And even if we enter, we will be accompanied by Madam Pince. How will we research about the Yin Iron, much less obtain a permission slip?"

"Surely you can obtain one from Professor Slughorn,” said Lan Zhan. "He will give it to you.”

"For what?” Wei Wuxian was growing exasperated. "What will I tell Slughorn? I want to look up an ancient, cursed artifact. Please give me permission?”

"Well, no.”

"Then?”

Lan Zhan thought for a while, drumming his fingers on his thighs. Wei Wuxian was momentarily distracted by his fingers. He had never noticed how long and thin they were.

"We have to sneak in.”

Wei Wuxian kneaded his eyes with his fists. "What is happening to you lately? You are not the Lan Wangji I know. Who are you?”

Lan Zhan scowled. "What do you mean?”

"You are becoming more Gryffindor day by day,” smiled Wei Wuxian. "As for sneaking in, pray tell me, how will we do that?”

Lan Zhan gave him a self-satisfied shrug. "I have a plan.”

"What?”

~~•~~

WEI WUXIAN WAS sure he was going to get killed, along with Lan Zhan to keep him company. They were currently standing near the entrance to the Hogwarts library. Classes were over for the day, and dinner was being served in the Great Hall right about now. Yet here they were, snooping around like two thieves.

“I feel like a thief," he said, glancing at Lan Zhan, who was crouched behind him.

Lan Zhan nodded. “We are thieves."

God. He really did not know how to provide comfort to anyone.

Wei Wuxian settled down on the cold floor and faced Lan Zhan. They were waiting for curfew to begin and for most students to go back to their dorms. Only then could their plan be put into motion.

“How did you learn where the keys are kept to the Restricted Section?" asked Wei Wuxian, peering at Lan Zhan. He would have never imagined Lan Zhan to become such a troublemaking student, but here he was, taking pride in his rule-breaking.

“I talked to Xiongzhang," said Lan Zhan.

“What about your bet?"

“I had to break it in the grander scheme of things."

Wei Wuxian put his hand over his heart. “Oh my. My soldier."

“Shut up," glowered Lan Zhan. Then he said, “Xiongzhang was so happy that I lost the bet that he started to make fun of me. Don't look at me like that; Xiongzhang can be very childish sometimes. It's a chronic problem.

“Anyways, after I suffered through his ridiculous declarations, we began to talk about the…uh…Paper Parade. He said he was very much in support of it and that he would bring this protest to Dumbledore's door. Amid all this, I managed to sneak in questions about the Restricted Section. Xiongzhang has been there once.”

Wei Wuxian's eyes widened. "Damn.”

"Yes. So Xiongzhang told me things we already know. But then he let slip that the keys to the Restricted Section are kept in Madam Pince’s drawer. So there you go,” finished Lan Zhan, stretching his legs.

Wei Wuxian let out a deep breath.

The task was not going to be easy. Stealing the key and entering the Restricted Section was risky enough, but what was riskier was getting out of it unnoticed. Wei Wuxian was pretty sure they would get caught and expelled.

Lan Zhan would stay. The Lan Clan had influence.

But he? He wasn't even a pureblood or a Clan member.

After another 30 minutes, the stream of students thinned and gradually dried up. Lan Zhan got up and signalled Wei Wuxian to follow him.

They went inside the library, which was just emptying up. Madam Pince was wiping dust off the counter. They strode towards her, and Lan Zhan cleared his throat.

Wei Wuxian braced himself. The adventure (or robbery) had begun.

“Excuse me,” said Lan Zhan, in the voice he used for professors. It sounded so natural to him: the pretty picture of a topper. "Can you please guide me towards Advanced Arithmancy by Yizhi Lan?”

Madam Pince stared at them through her glasses. "Yizhi Lan? That's a rare book, deep in the shelves.”

"Please, I need it immediately,” insisted Lan Zhan. He bowed his head. "I have to consult it for a problem. I understand this is a problem, but if you would be so kind—”

Wei Wuxian stared at his friend, at the lies spouting out of his lips easily. Wasn't lying forbidden in his Clan? Holy fuck, he was one skilled liar, innocent at face and skilled with words.

Madam Pince held up her hands. "Okay, okay. Calm down young Lan. Come with me. What are you here for?” she asked Wei Wuxian.

Wei Wuxian smiled, praying that it wasn't wobbly. "I'm here to take out a copy of Decoding Dreams in Divination.”

Madam Pince left him standing before the counter. Lan Zhan shot him a glance and went away.

The next step of the plan rested on Wei Wuxian's shoulders. He took a quick scan of his surroundings, decided there was no one to watch him, then started to open drawers and ruffle them.

The first chest yielded nothing. The second too. Wei Wuxian stooped down to wrench open the last one. It was locked.

His heart thundered, both in revelation and despair. This had to be the drawer that housed the key to the Restricted Section, but it was locked. The other drawers had no keys that would open this up.

A cold feeling passed over him.

Of course.

His wand.

Wei Wuxian took it out, its black wood gleaming in the soft light. He pointed it at the drawer and chanted ‘Alohomora.’

The drawer flew out, rattling noisily.

Wei Wuxian held it stable, then dug in. Pieces of long-forgotten candies and paper appeared, but he continued swatting them away, until his fingers gripped the iron of the key.

He shut the drawer and stood up, his hands going clammy. He had just committed a theft. A crime. People were punished for such crimes in Yunmeng.

Lan Zhan re-entered the room, holding a thick tome in his hands.

Madam Pince looked at Wei Wuxian. “Don't tell me you haven't found your book."

Wei Wuxian had the lie prepared. “Well, on second thought I decided I don't need it right now. I'm going to sleep, not do homework." He grinned.

Madam Pince did not say anything else. She shooed them away.

Lan Zhan thanked her again and pushed Wei Wuxian towards the door slightly. As soon as Madam Pince turned to the counter, Lan Zhan quickly shoved him behind a shelf.

Wei Wuxian found himself in the uncomfortable position of being sandwiched between the shelf and Lan Zhan. The other’s nose was touching his chest. “What are we doing?"

“Hiding," said Lan Zhan, like they did it everyday.

Wei Wuxian fought a whine. “For how long?"

“Till the library is all shut—"

The lights clicked off.

Lan Zhan tilted his head. "—down.”

They kept standing there for a few more minutes, even as they heard the lock in the door turn. They were now the only ones in the library.

“Come on," said Wei Wuxian, pushing off the shelf. They hurried towards the far end of the library, where a little door stood marked with all kinds of foreboding warnings. This was the entrance to the Restricted Section, the place of all forbidden knowledge.

Wei Wuxian felt a thrumming in his feet. He was going to enter the place most people never saw, and whoever saw did with a permission slip. Not by manipulating their librarian and stealing keys.

“Unlock it," said Lan Zhan, holding his alit wand in front of the huge lock.

Wei Wuxian wedged the key inside the lock. A sudden fear made his heart spike: what if the door didn't open? They had risked so much because of this…

The lock clicked.

“Yes!" he whispered loudly, turning to Lan Zhan with a triumphant smile. “We did it! We fucking did it!"

Lan Zhan took no offense to the curse. “We did," he agreed. "Go in, go in.”

They pushed inside and found themselves standing inside a miniature version of the library, with a lot less books and a whole lot of dark curtains. There were no windows inside the alcove, and there was no source of natural light inside. Wei Wuxian wondered how the books didn't go damp.

Lan Zhan let out a shuddering breath. "I can't believe we are here,” he said, his eyes shining. "So much knowledge is contained here. The oldest books and the greatest spells are hidden here. This is the pinnacle of wizarding education.”

"Don't forget these are all Dark Arts,” reminded Wei Wuxian lightly. He began to take down books, most of which were written in unrecognisable languages and covered with dust. Pages were yellowed and falling apart, the books themselves didn't hold up good. It seemed Hogwarts hated them.

"Pick up books about cursed artifacts,” said Lan Zhan, coming out of his stupor. "I doubt we will find anything relating to the Yin Iron directly, so just look for cursed objects books.”

They began to read the titles of the books from the spines. Most of the books here were about spells. Powerful spells. Wei Wuxian had to resist hiding those books in his pockets several times. No, they weren't here to learn about such things.

They were here to help Wen Ning.

The memory of Wen Ning made him renew his efforts. His beating heart relaxed a little. They would safely escape with the required book in their hands. Nobody would catch them. They would find a cure, they would help him—

A thin, blue book caught his eyes.

Cursed Metals.

The author’s name was smudged out.

Wei Wuxian pried the book out. It was a really thin volume, with moth-eaten pages and the smell of mildew. He showed it to Lan Zhan, who nodded. “Take that one. I can't find anything else."

“We are taking this one, then," said Wei Wuxian. He pocketed the book. It fit like a glove.

They stared at the collection for a few minutes, trying to absorb the books simply from sight. Wei Wuxian knew Lan Zhan was as taken in by this as he was. They might have different approaches to life and studying, but they weren't that different from each other.

If Lan Zhan was the designated topper, he was the one who came after.

They shuffled out of the room, locked it behind them, and hurried towards the main doors. Wei Wuxian kept the key inside Madam Pince’s drawers. They opened the doors quietly, got out and shut it too.

Wei Wuxian faced the door of the library. “That was awesome," he said, letting out a laugh. He was having a hard time believing what he had just done. “We should do it again."

Lan Zhan graced him with his once-in-a-blue moon smile. His lips curved, his cheeks dimpled, his eyes softened. Under the moonlight, he looked like a picture from a dream. “Yes."

Wei Wuxian turned around.

He shouldn't have.

Lan Xichen stood in the corridor, looking at them and shaking his head in the universal expression of parental disappointment.

Chapter Text

1963, HOGWARTS

LAN WANGJI WISHED for a hole to appear on the Earth so that he could drop inside it and stay there, like a mole.

Unfortunately, nothing of that sort happened. The ground stayed where it was, no holes appeared on the marble floor, he did not disappear. He just stood there, in front of the library door, with Wei Wuxian panting beside him in barely suppressed panic.

Xiongzhang shook his head. “I did not expect to see you here."

Lan Wangji felt it was only a matter of time when his heart shattered. He could face everyone's rejection in the world, because he cared for no one. But he could not face his brother's disappointment. That hurt too much, like he had let Xiongzhang down.

Damn it. This mission had always been suicide.

He should have never concocted such a plan. What did Wen Ning mean to him? Sure, they were friends, but the only friend he had some semblance of care about was the boy standing beside him. Why was he so eager to help out a guy who had nearly killed him?

Since when was he this brave?

Wei Wuxian took a step forward. “We—"

Xiongzhang, however, took no notice of him. He only said, “Alicia, I seriously do not know what you were thinking.”

Alicia? Who was Alicia?

And that was when Lan Wangji spotted a girl standing before them, at some distance. She was standing right before a window that allowed the moonlight to cast her fully in light. Xiongzhang had seen the girl.

They were cast in the dark, invisible to Lan Xichen.

Relief like none other flooded Lan Wangji’s heart. He gripped Wei Wuxian's arm, steered him quietly down the corridor in a shuffle while his brother gave Alicia a lesson on following curfew rules and not steal into the kitchen all the time.

Wei Wuxian, for the first time in his life, shut his mouth and followed his directions.

~~•~~

WEI WUXIAN TOOK the book with him.

It had given rise to quite the argument in front of the Slytherin dungeons.

"You don't even read,” said Lan Wangji, attempting to snatch the thin volume from his hands. "Give it to me so that I can read and tell you what I found out.”

"I literally found this book,” said Wei Wuxian. The Slytherin dungeons stretched behind him, gloomy and dark, with a sheen of green moss over the damp walls. A faint green light shone from the moss, colouring everything in a ghastly way, but it only served to accentuate Wei Wuxian's high cheekbones and coal eyes.

Lan Wangji fluttered his eyes away from his face.

In the end, Wei Wuxian simply ran down the dungeon with the book, saying he would never be able to win an argument against Lan Zhan.

Lan Wangji obviously could not follow him.

So he had to head back to the Gryffindor Tower on his own. He entered their dorm quietly and hoped that Xiao Xingchen was sleeping. That boy was a nocturnal creature, and had given Jiang Cheng some heart attacks when the latter got out of bed for the bathroom.

Luckily, Xiao Xingchen was fast asleep, wrapped in his crimson bed.

Lan Wangji flopped down on his own and wiped his forehead. He decided to forego the nightly routine of brushing his teeth and hair this time. He threw open his shirt and pants, climbed into his pair of pajaymas and crawled inside the blanket.

Since coming to Gryffindor, Lan Wangji had transformed his bed a little. Most of the things were still a garish red, but he had traded the scarlet covers for starch white ones and brushed his wardrobe free of the red lines around its edges, infusing them with blue instead. He could not tear away the blood-red curtains around his bed, so he attached little pieces of white fabric on them, cut out of his own white shirt.

It looked a little like Cloud Recesses when he was done with his changes.

Very soon, thanks to Song Lan, his corner of the dorm came to be known as the “Mini Gusu." It was a ridiculous moniker, but he couldn't say he hated it.

Yes, it was a little corner of Gusu.

Yes, it was a little like Lan.

Yes, it was his.

He touched the white coverlet he lay upon and thought how this fact — that he was a Lan — had been so quickly wiped out from the minds of all the Gryffindors. True, it had been an exhausting First Year, when everyone stared at him like he was an escaped gorilla, but ever since Second Year, people gradually started to forget.

No one mentioned his headband now.

No one tried to ask him about Lan customs.

No one insisted on him reciting the Lan Testament.

In truth, everyone stayed clear of him.

Lan Wangji was not stupid, not by a long degree. He was a child, but he had always been perceptive about the people around him. He knew what went on in people's minds about him. To every Gryffindor, he was still kind of an alien, but the sort of alien you didn't mess with.

The sort of alien who was strong.

Quite unconsciously, his consistent good marks and skilled duels in the Defence Against the Dark Arts class had lent him a formidable air. He was the sophisticated and serious Lan Wangji, who would break your heart with a glare if you so much as smiled at him.

He was Lan Wangji the Serious.

No one messed with him.

Lan Wangji wasn't sure if he liked that image or not.

In a way, that image protected him from many things. The Gryffindors were a nice bunch, but they could be an unbearable bunch too. They were fun, but they liked to mock too. They were brave, but they were reckless too.

Gryffindors were an extremity.

Lan Wangji knew that some of his peers had suffered mockery and bullying at the hands of the senior Gryffindors. Jiang Cheng hadn't, since he was destined to be the future Clan Leader of the Jiang Clan, but the seniors hadn't spared Song Lan and Xiao Xingchen.

Song Lan and Xiao Xingchen came from middle-class families on the outskirts of London. They were half-bloods and did not descend from any great heritage. They had country dialects and broad smiles, and that was enough to make them easy targets for bullying.

Lan Wangji would never forget the fierce way in which Jiang Cheng and Wei Wuxian protected them.

Jiang Cheng acted as their personal bodyguard, while Wei Wuxian would just glare at anyone who came to disturb the two in classes.

For someone so happy and cheerful, Wei Wuxian had a terrific glare.

Lan Wangji would never admit it, but he hoped he wouldn't be at the receiving end of that glare one day. He probably wouldn't. Wei Wuxian had an ‘obsession’ with him, as termed by Song Lan. He had befriended Lan Wangji against his will during that chaotic First Year, then refused to leave his side.

They argued frequently, but no argument was big enough to tear Wei Wuxian away from him.

Xiongzhang thought that was a good thing.

Uncle Qiren thought that was a bad thing.

Lan Wangji thought that was a dangerous thing.

~~•~~

LAN WANGJI HAD THOUGHT that after finding such an invaluable book, they would find a cure for Wen Ning in another week. They would be the heroes of his life and be happy ever after.

Of course, nothing like that happened.

Wei Wuxian whispered to him the next day during breakfast. They had no classes for the day and the others were sleeping in.

“Let's read the book now," he said, bringing it out and flipping it open. “I didn't read it last night."

Lan Wangji wanted to box his ears sometimes. “Why not? You could have read and found out some things. That would have saved us a lot of time."

Wei Wuxian scratched his head. Two spots of colour appeared on his cheeks. “Ah, the thing is, Lan Zhan, this book contains many runic symbols. I couldn't understand half of the text. You can decipher them, right? Ancient Runes and all."

“This is why I told you to give me the book," said Lan Wangji. He snatched the book away and began to flip through the pages. The book contained some thirty pages, all written in a dense scrawl. Sure, there were a lot of runic symbols.

Symbols which were way outside his course in Ancient Runes.

“We have to find a good book on Ancient Runes now," he said, slapping the book in frustration. They had already committed a robbery. Did they have to commit another?

“Oh, great," clapped Wei Wuxian. “So we have to find another book. God, asking Professor Lan Yi about the Yin Iron would have been better."

“She won't tell us anything."

“I know."

“Wei Wuxian! Lan Wangji!"

They startled, and Wei Wuxian slipped the book inside his pocket.

Lan Wangji's eyes nearly fell out of his sockets. A great crowd of students were advancing upon them, students from all years and all Houses. He spied Jiang Yanli at the front.

“What?" asked Wei Wuxian, standing up. “What are you all trying to do? Attack somebody?"

“This is the day we go to Dumbledore with a written petition," announced Jin Zixun, a cousin of Jin Zixuan. “This will mark a new beginning for the Paper Parade. We realise that the more people we recruit, the better. So, join us."

The fact that this guy was telling them to join their own revolution was amusing.

Predictably, it sent Wei Wuxian giggling in delight. "Sir Jin Zixun, this Paper Parade is ours. We went to the Headmaster and failed to get a response.” He abruptly dropped his smile, throwing the room into a colder temperature. "You do not have to tell us when to join and what to do.”

This was the problem with Wei Wuxian. He couldn't handle authority.

Jin Zixun made the major mistake of scoffing. "You didn't start this,” he said, sweeping an arm at the crowd. "Jin Zixuan did.”

The crowd echoed his name. "Jin Zixuan! Jin Zixuan!”

Oh Merlin.

Lan Wangji knew the extent of Wei Wuxian's hatred for the Jin guy. He also knew what happened when people ticked Wei Wuxian off. There was always a scandal and fight.

"No, no. A-Xian and his friend were the first—” began Jiang Yanli.

“Master Jin was the first to realise how important papers are to students," said Jin Zixun. “Of course this revolution was started by him. You expect me to believe that you went to Dumbledore?"

“He did." Lan Wangji shouldn't have opened his mouth. Now, all eyes were drawn towards him. But he, like a fool, had played into a fight.

Damn it.

Jin Zixun was beginning to tick him off, too.

Lan Wangji drew himself up, channeling his image of the Serious. “I went with him." He stared at the crowd as he did so.

Would anyone throw away the words of a Lan?

None did.

Lan Wangji was so pleased by this that he snatched away the letter from Jin Zixun’s hands. He was getting quite adept at snatching things away. “Thank you. Now, if you would please lend us your cooperation, we will go to the Headmaster's office and deliver our petition."

From the corner of his eyes, Lan Wangji caught his Xiongzhang in the crowd, smiling.

~~•~~

THE PAPER PARADE garnered significant attention after their petition. Now, the professors were talking about it, albeit in various ways.

Professors like Slughorn, Filtwick and Sprouts thought it would do no good. Professor Slughorn told them how misleading newspapers were and how distracting, things which Dumbledore and Filtwick had said. These professors were keen on making sure newspapers did not enter Hogwarts.

Professors such as McGonagall, Imago, Sinistra, Vector, Moonstone and Madam Pomprey were in clear support. This was a welcome thing, for it proved that they had more support on their side. Professor McGonagall became so spirited about it that she made them write out the benefits of newspapers in a parchment, in case they needed points to impress upon Dumbledore.

Professor Lan Yi and Kettleburn did not care.

Kettleburn, who taught Care of Magical Creatures, was too absorbed with his pets to care much about the ongoing protest.

Professor Yi told them she was here to teach them Boggarts, not newspapers.

But the Paper Parade did not concern Lan Wangji much. They had the book now, so gleaning information from newspapers wasn't as important as before. After delivering the petition to Dumbledore, who told them he would present the matter to higher-ups, there was nothing more they could do.

What did concern him was how much of a failure they were in deciphering the book.

“The name of this book should have been Cursed Words instead of Cursed Metals," grumbled Wei Wuxian, at every pause they hit. “What are these runes? Why can't you decipher them?"

“Because they are rare," said Lan Wangji. His eyes were burning with the strain. The print was so small that he had to squint his eyes. “These runes are no longer in use, Wei Wuxian. I have only found this document on old runes from the library, but this is incomplete and faded. Most of the symbols used in Cursed Metals are banned."

“Why are they banned?"

“For their difficulty, of course."

Lan Wangji's only point of reference was the dusty sheaf of papers he had found in the library after two days of extensive searching. The document translated some of the runes, but it was incomplete and very, very old.

Since they could not read the book properly, they had no idea which page contained information about the Yin Iron (or whether there was any information at all) and hence, they had to translate each page.

The first page contained information about the Scarlet Silver — a piece of silver that was an unusual red colour and was cursed. It had belonged to a 15th century Japanese king, who killed several thousand people to obtain the metal that was promised to grant great riches. However, once he had it, the blood of his fresh kills fell on the silver and turned the grey metal red.

Since then, the metal only guaranteed war to its bearer.

Nobody knew where it was now. Legends said it was still somewhere around the Asian countries, lost to time.

They deciphered the Scarlet Silver in a week.

The days passed. September bled into October, October into Wei Wuxian's birthday. It was a grand celebration, or as grand as seven people (eight, if you count Jiang Yanli) could make it, but it was full of food and gifts and laughter.

Lan Wangji, determined to outdo Wei Wuxian's gift of The Hobbit, spent quite a lot of pocket money to buy a customized bracelet, decorated with silver beads and a single jade at the centre.

“Merlin, this is extravagant," said Wei Wuxian, when he received it. He was flush with happiness, his grin so big that it was falling out of his face. “Lan Zhan, why did you spend so much?"

The bracelet was fawned over by the others. “Is this real jade?"

“Holy shit, this is expensive."

“Where did you get it from?"

“How much did you spend?"

“I hope you have some pocket money left."

“Lan Wangji, you are crazy." That was said by Jiang Yanli, with a soft smile on her face.

Lan Wangji felt good that Wei Wuxian wore it everyday from then on.

November passed, and they made little progress. They were now two metals in — the Broken Bronze and Black Brass, two twin cursed metals — but no closer to the Yin Iron. With their exams around the corner and classes, they rarely got time to sit down with the book.

In the meantime, Wen Ning was worsening. He was often absent from classes now, and had acquired a haggard look that bore no good news. His sister, who looked like a pale ghost nowadays, was none the better.

Their plight only spurred Wei Wuxian on.

Lan Wangji did not know the extent of Wei Wuxian's kindness, but it was becoming apparent. Sometimes, Wei Wuxian would try to decipher the book by himself after classes, even though he himself was tired. He so desperately wanted to help that it made him strive on and on.

They entered the festive month of December in this manner.

The winter and the snow did not fill Wei Wuxian with joy as it usually did. He was too absorbed in his translating and too frustrated to smile nowadays. The change in his temperament was shocking. His friends were looking at him doubtfully now.

Lan Wangji felt the days had turned into one endless soup of annoyance and hopelessness. None of their endeavours was working: the Paper Parade was losing its passion after Dumbledore’s prolonged silence, their work of translation wasn't going anywhere, their classes were now full of increased homeworks.

Nothing was going well.

Even the Hogwarts food tasted bland.

It was in these trying times when, four days before the school was scheduled to close for Christmas, Nie Huiasang arrived with the biggest piece of news ever.

Chapter Text

1963, QINGHE

AS HE STOOD at the entrance to the city of Qinghe, Wei Wuxian thanked the Heavens for his luck.

The entire trip seemed lucky. When Nie Huiasang had burst into their breakfast huddle four days before holidays and announced that Nie Mingjue had invited them all over for Christmas at Qinghe, the news had been too good to be true.

All of them let out whoops of joy, except Lan Zhan, who graced them all with a soft smile.

“I love your brother!" hooted Song Lan, nearly upsetting the glass of water on the table.

“I've heard it snows a lot in Qinghe," said Jiang Cheng, his mind wandering to far-off places. “We will have to pack a lot of warm clothes. Scarves and gloves are a must. Father says it's one of the coldest places on Earth. Snowstorms are quite common too…”

Xiao Xingchen was so happy that he picked up Nie Huiasang in a flurry. "This is the greatest news ever!” he laughed, his breath coming out in short huffs. "I rarely get the opportunity to travel.”

Meng Yao took everything in a tempered manner, and did not waste the chance. "I know all about Qinghe by now,” he said, acting as if two years of going there on Christmas had somehow made him the navigator of the state. "I will take you all to the best of places. Places with less snow,” he added, much to Jiang Cheng's relief.

Wei Wuxian, who had been squeezing Nie Huiasang all this while, let out a pained cry. "I want to see the snow! It snows so little in Yunmeng! Shut up, Dimples! You will take us to the coldest places.”

The joy was unfiltered that morning.

Once the holidays officially started, and students began to empty the halls of Hogwarts, Jiang Cheng wrote a letter to his parents to inform them of the new arrangement. Uncle Jiang expressed sadness, while Madame Yu wrote that she couldn't understand the necessity of Wei Wuxian going too.

“Qinghe is a place of refinement," she said, her handwriting like an angry scar over the white paper of the letter. “Why is Wei Wuxian going? He will only embarrass us. Besides, the Nies are a family of Gryffindors. Won't Wei Wuxian be a cause for unease?"

Jiang Cheng had promptly told his mother to shut off her worries.

Wei Wuxian had been amazed at that. "You just retaliated against your mother.”

"I know,” he snapped. Then, with a giddy smile that lit his features with warmth, he said, "You are obviously coming to Qinghe. Nie Huiasang likes you the most.”

These small hurdles, therefore, had not stopped his coming. Another hurdle had been the tiring luggage-packing. Coats, sweaters, gloves, scarves, hats, boots, blankets and a bunch of other apparel rested inside his bag. He had an arsenal of wool in his bag now.

They had come to Platform 9¾, then boarded a carriage of the Nie Clan.

Wei Wuxian would never forget that carriage ride.

Firstly, the carriage was big. Like, enormous. It was designed to carry ten excited teenage boys over a course of three nights into the rocky heartland of Qinghe. It was spacious and divided into ten cubicles, with broad curtains and amenities of all sorts. The only problem was about the washroom, but with the weather getting colder, none had major intentions of bathing every day.

It sounded disgusting, but at that moment, it had seemed like the only plausible option.

Lan Zhan had tried to maintain civility. He bathed the first day, caught a cold that would not leave his nose, then refrained from further recklessness.

Lan Zhan had obtained permission for the trip in an easy manner. His uncle, the Clan Leader, told him that rejecting invitations from other Clans was not “polite behaviour," so Lan Zhan had to go.

For the first time, Wei Wuxian liked the rigid Lan rules.

The trip would have been incomplete without Lan Zhan.

They had spent many an hour sitting side-by-side in the jostling carriage, after the others fell asleep. They would try to decipher the Cursed Metals book by the feeble light of the candle.

Wei Wuxian had lost all sleep over that book. Prior to coming to Qinghe, he felt like he was swimming through a haze of runes and meanings and hopelessness. His body gave up, his eyes burned and his fingers cramped from the continuous translating.

Yet, he continued.

He would have continued till his death if this trip hadn't come up.

Lan Zhan had told him to take a few days off from translating, but Wei Wuxian knew the more he delayed, the more Wen Ning would suffer. The boy was in the worst of conditions. He was deteriorating — physically and mentally — and when he learned of the Qinghe trip and faced the fact that he wouldn't be able to go, he had looked at Wei Wuxian in a way that was like pleading.

Begging.

Crying.

Wei Wuxian could not see that.

He had to cure Wen Ning, because only he could do it. He was Wei Wuxian, star Quidditch Beater and Slytherin's finest. Only he could do it.

However, as he stood at the gates of Qinghe, he forgot about the book and the grim truth.

He only saw the utter magnificence of it all.

Qinghe was as rocky as Yunmeng was watery and Cloud Recesses cloudy. It was situated at the foothills of the Blue Ash Mountain ranges, a gargantuan chain of mountains that stretched from the upper reaches of Cloud Recesses, wound its way to the west of Lanling and ended at Qinghe.

Qinghe was situated right at the bottom of these mountains. Its terrain was full of knotted hills and treacherous cliffs, not to mention the boulders and valleys strewn about like fine china.

It was not a place for the weak-footed.

Everything about the place was severe. Wei Wuxian could see no delicacy in the decorations either. The city of Qinghe stood like a fortress before them, made from unforgiving stone and wood and protected on all sides by the Blue Ash. Its colour scheme — a harsh silver — glowed everywhere.

And then there was the snow.

Qinghe was truly, bone-chillingly cold. Wei Wuxian felt the cold inside him, seeping through the many layers of sweaters and attacking his muscles. It made an old pain flare up — his wounded shoulder from last year, when he had crashed against the Ravenclaw stand in a Quidditch match.

Snow covered every inch of everything. They were trekking through a width of snow.

It slept upon the entire region like a loving mother.

Nie Huiasang clambered down from the carriage last. Guards stood at attention before the gate. They snapped their heels together when they saw their heir, and quickly blew a whistle.

The doors to the fortress opened.

Wei Wuxian glanced at Lan Zhan. He was looking around, drinking in every sight and sound. He looked almost blended with his surroundings. Even though he wore no white, Lan Zhan's serene expression was like the snow itself, and his glare was just as cutting as ice.

Wei Wuxian had a feeling Lan Zhan was going to like it here, whether he admitted it or not.

~~•~~

IF A BEAR fought Nie Mingjue, Nie Mingjue would win.

There was no doubt about that.

The doors opened and the massive man strode out in nothing but a ceremonial robe and his saber-sword. His face was square, lean and hard, but his lips had formed a huge smile that seemed almost boyish in its delight.

“Welcome, welcome," he said, sweeping his arms. “I have been waiting for you. I hope the journey was comfortable?"

“Comfortable?" echoed Jiang Cheng. “That was the best damn carriage I have ever seen."

Nie Mingjue looked pleased at the statement. “The carriage was specifically crafted while keeping you lot in mind. I know how prone to breakages you boys are at your age. You need sturdy things.”

"It was more than sturdy,” said Xiao Xingchen. He was shivering a little, so Wei Wuxian wrapped a scarf around him. He stopped shivering. "I really must know the mechanism of it, Lord Nie. How do you construct a carriage at this scale? Normally, it would not hold, yet it did, and I could not see any external gears or any levers that might have—” He plunged into a complicated speech.

Nie Mingjue laughed. "You can have a talk with the Chief Engineer. But before everything, come inside and eat.”

The prospect of food cheered up everyone ten-fold.

Wei Wuxian bounded behind Nie Mingjue. "Thank you for having us over,” he said, grinning so wide that his teeth hurt. "I really like this.”

"You should come over every year,” said Nie Mingjue. "Just look at Meng Yao. He has become extremely comfortable now. Look, he's talking to the public. I bet you have never seen him so confident.”

He was right. In all these three years, Wei Wuxian had never thought Meng Yao could talk without fumbling.

But here he was, talking to random vegetable sellers and asking them how they've been. He was skipping around, as if the village belonged to him. He was so absorbed in this that he paid them no mind.

He was, for all intents and purposes, a citizen of Qinghe.

Probably a relative of the Nie Clan.

Wei Wuxian smiled. It was nice to see everyone enjoying themselves so openly. They walked down the entire length of the market, which was overflowing with people and shops. Most shops here sold meat and trinkets and steel, so they held a lot of interest for them.

Lan Zhan put in a word. “There is an abundance of steel."

Nie Mingjue nodded. "Well, Qinghe is the only place where steel factories are located. We trade in steel and silver, like how the Jin Clan trades in gold and rubies and the Jiangs trade in fish and salt.”

"Is that why Qinghe is famous for its array of weaponry?” asked Song Lan, who had somehow acquired an apple.

"Yes, actually. Our weapons are premium stuff,” said Nie Huiasang, butting in the conversation. He looked like he was on cloud nine. "You will find that Qinghe is an extraordinary place. Just wait till you see our food.”

Matters of food spurred Wei Wuxian. "Please. Yunmeng's cuisine is the superior one.”

"Oh, really?” sneered Nie Huiasang. "What does Yunmeng offer except for fish? In Qinghe, you get meat.”

"Yunmeng has the tastiest coconuts.”

"Qinghe has the juiciest apples."

“Yunmeng has prawns."

That elicited a gasp, which was quickly covered by, “Qinghe has mutton."

“Guys, concentrate," scolded Jiang Cheng, slapping them in the heads. “Look at the palace first."

Wei Wuxian looked ahead.

Atop a rolling mass of hills stood the grandest palace he had ever seen. Yunmeng did have a palace, but it was so airy and full of open courtyard that it seemed more like an overgrown garden.

Qinghe’s palace was an ultimate palace.

It was heavily fortified, with a drawbridge forming the entrance and cannons stationed at the turrets of the walls. It was painted in shades of silver, with the flag flying at the top. Soldiers, heavily armed and looking like they ate lions for lunch, strolled up and down the parapets.

They came to the basement of the hill and went through a tunnel.

When they emerged into the sunshine again, they saw they were standing in front of a huge moat and the drawbridge.

“Careful now," said Nie Mingjue. “The moat has crocodiles. Pull down the drawbridge!"

Song Lan and Jiang Cheng began to look at the moat with renewed fascination. Lan Zhan leaned towards it. Xiao Xingchen and Nie Huiasang, even Meng Yao, stepped back a little.

When the drawbridge was lowered amidst great shouting and clanking of pulleys, they went inside the palace.

Wei Wuxian caught the glimpse of a shiny crocodile’s tail as he hurried through, jutting out of the black water like a spear of warning.

The palace threw them into a massive courtyard.

However, instead of the usual gardens one would expect at such a place, the area was a training ground for soldiers. All around them, dust flew as soldiers clashed against one another with wooden swords. Some were practicing archery, while others were engaged in brutal hand combat. Some of them saluted the approaching party, but most were too taken up in their work to notice.

The courtyard gave way to another door. Sentries pushed the door open and they walked inside the interior. The first room they saw was a dining hall.

High ceilings and narrow windows lined the walls. The windows had no curtains, allowing the winter sun to stream through the room. A massive table sat in the middle, with twenty chairs on either side, and a crystal chandelier hanging above.

It was decidedly a grand affair, fit for kings, not students.

Yet, Nie Mingjue ushered them to the table. “Sit, sit. Have breakfast first. Then you can go to your rooms and refresh."

“Where do we sit?" asked Xiao Xingchen, which was a valid question given the amount of chairs.

Nie Mingjue sat at the head of the table. Servants materialised from nowhere behind him. He laughed at Xiao Xingchen. “Sit wherever.”

Wei Wuxian sat down to the immediate right of Nie Mingjue. He smiled at the man and patted his stomach. "I am hungry.”

In other Clans, such a blatant admission of one’s bodily needs was considered as impolite, but Wei Wuxian knew the Nies were far above the usual pureblood formalities. They were genuine people, strong and kind, with an affinity for jokes and cheer. Nie Mingjue looked like he would actually die at a formal Clan meeting.

He could totally see why Meng Yao liked coming here.

The atmosphere was so frank. Honesty was seldom found in pureblood societies. Even in Slytherin, one had to navigate carefully. A carelessly told joke could transform into impropriety, and a loud laugh could turn into a disgusting thing.

But here, at Qinghe, there was nothing like that to worry about.

"Of course you are,” said Nie Mingjue. "Set the plates.”

As Jiang Cheng and Xiao Xingchen settled beside Nie Huiasang on the other side, Song Lan, Lan Zhan and Meng Yao sat beside him. The servants began to fill the table with silver dishes and cups. The aroma was tantalizing.

“Yes! Steamed soup!" cheered Nie Huiasang, grabbing a bowl. “How I have missed thee!" He kissed his bowl with exaggerated dramatics.

His brother scowled at him. “Don't you think the guests should eat before you do?"

But Huiasang was already piling things on his plate.

Wei Wuxian peered at the dishes. So, this was the Qinghe cuisine. There were a lot of steamed dishes, and each one contained some form of meat. There was a tendency of apples in the desserts too — apple pie, apple custard, apple cakes.

It was a charming spread.

Nobody needed to be told twice to dig in. They piled their plates with food, talking nineteen to the dozen, ignoring all formality for the pure joy of talking through mouthfuls of food.

Lan Zhan too, ignored a few rules of the Lan Testament and gorged on the cakes.

His sweet tooth was really acting up, it seemed.

Wei Wuxian could not remember the last time he had had such a fulfilling meal. Their breakfasts at Hogwarts were nice, but it lacked the comfort of home.

In Yunmeng, the dinners were too strained with Madame Yu's presence. Every talk was a jab directed at him, every dish tasted like sand in his mouth. Every pitiful glance Shijie threw at him tasted bitter.

He blinked his eyes to forget that memory.

After breakfast, as they sat nursing full stomachs, Nie Mingjue began to plan their itinerary for the day. “All of you, bathe and nap now. At noon, after lunch, we shall go for a tour of the market.”

"Lunch?” questioned Jiang Cheng. He was close to lying on the floor and sleeping right there. "Oh no, my stomach is full. How will I have lunch?”

“Trust me, the mountain air will have you digest everything," said Meng Yao. “You will be empty for lunch."

They were shown to their rooms soon after. They had the entire fifth floor to themselves, with seven private rooms and a common room where they could converge together.

Wei Wuxian marvelled at his bedroom. It was furnished in grey, with specks of purple here and there. Apart from the four-poster bed in the middle, there was a writing desk at the corner, a wardrobe at the far end and another door that led to the bathroom.

A wintry breeze flew in through the bay windows.

Nie Mingjue was speaking. “...we have multiple areas," he was saying to Jiang Cheng's questions. “There is also a library, but it is seldom used and is—"

“There's a library?" said Lan Zhan, his face brightening like a furnace.

“Yes. But it is rather small. I have heard the Lan Clan has splendid libraries."

Lan Zhan was advancing towards the direction where the library supposedly was. His eyes had acquired a feverish glow. "You wouldn't mind if I saw the library, would you, Lord Nie?”

Nie Mingjue frowned. "Well, no. But shouldn't you rather rest first?”

"Lan Wangji liked reading more than sleeping,” said Song Lan. He stretched on Wei Wuxian's bed. "I, for my part, like sleeping more.”

It was no use stopping Lan Zhan. He took a quick jog towards the library, promising to come back soon, once he had seen the collection of the Nies.

~~•~~

WEI WUXIAN slipped into a deep slumber the moment he bathed and laid his head on the soft pillow. He had kicked Song Lan out, who was now in his own room, snoring through the walls.

He woke up in a disoriented fashion sometimes around noon. He glanced around, sweating through his sweater, eager to find out on which planet he was.

Then he saw Lan Zhan's face and relaxed.

“What are you doing?" he asked, sitting up properly. Lan Zhan was the one to shake him awake. His gold eyes were wide with urgency.

“You will never guess what I found in the library," he whispered, his breath hitting Wei Wuxian in the face. He shook an arm. “You will never believe it!"

Lan Zhan was seldom so excited, so Wei Wuxian shook himself awake and said, “Why? What's happened? There is a mermaid in the library?"

Lan Zhan fished out a book from his pocket. It was an old, faded book, its leather bindings already coming undone. The title was unclear, but the book was written in their language. “This book," said Lan Zhan, “contains all the runic symbols we see in our book."

“Our book?"

“Cursed Metals, you dumb idiot!"

Oh.

Oh.

Merlin.

Wei Wuxian shot up from bed. He jumped down to lock the door for secrecy, found Lan Zhan had already done so and was back in bed in a flash. He held the book gingerly, feeling the cracks in the spine.

He opened it and found it littered with the meanings and translations of foreign runes, runes that were there in Cursed Metals. It looked like a dictionary of those foreign runes, which would make their decoding mission a whole lot easier.

With this book, they could translate everything in under an hour.

“You are the best, Lan Zhan!" cheered Wei Wuxian, surging forward to hug the boy tightly. Lan Zhan stiffened, but he did not throw him across the room. “Where exactly was this book?"

“Stuffed in a corner," said Lan Zhan. “Nobody noticed me taking it out. I'm pretty sure no one in this palace knows of the existence of this book."

“Or think of it as important," finished Wei Wuxian.

Lan Zhan nodded. “So, do we get to work?"

“Absolut—"

A knock sounded at the door. “Master Wei Wuxian, Lord Nie requests your presence for lunch."

Oh, there was lunch scheduled now.

“No problem," said Wei Wuxian. This holiday was going exceptionally well. “We will have a fulfilling lunch, then roam the market a little, then sit down with the translating. Hide the book somewhere.”

Lan Zhan stuffed it inside his coat, and the both of them went down to lunch, feeling the golden butterfly of hope alight on their shoulders and staying there.

Chapter Text

1963, QINGHE

LUNCH WAS MAGNIFICENT.

Wei Wuxian seldom saw so many varieties of beef in one place, but here they were, floating in soups, sitting in curries, diced and ready to eat. Hot rice and beans looked like side dishes, because the main attraction of the table was the huge roasted duck in the middle.

“Holy Merlin," swore Song Lan, gazing at the duck. “What is this?"

“A Qinghe speciality," smiled Nie Huiasang, settling down and jumping in excitement. “Come on, sit down and dig in!"

And dig in they had.

By the time lunch ended, all everyone wanted to do was lay on the floor and go to a meat-fuelled sleep. But Nie Mingjue ushered them outside with all the command of a military captain, telling them that a walk in the market would help them digest and be prepared for dinner.

“If dinner is going to be like lunch, I am going to burst,” lamented Xiao Xingchen.

"At least you'll die after eating good food,” consoled Jiang Cheng.

"Are you enjoying this?” asked Wei Wuxian, nudging Lan Zhan. The boy looked like he was close to falling asleep. He had spent the free time after breakfast snooping around the library, and even though he had made a wonderful discovery, he must be tired.

Lan Zhan nodded. He looked surprised at himself. “I do, actually. This place is not bad. It is so much different than Cloud Recesses. You don't have to follow any rules."

Wei Wuxian smiled. “Seems like you find the ‘No Rules’ part best."

Lan Zhan did not answer, but he did not deny the fact either.

The market, as it turned out, was a huge place below the palace. It was a grand gathering of people from every corner of the city, coming to trade and buy. Every commodity was found here.

Song Lan, Xiao Xingchen, Jiang Cheng, Meng Yao and Nie Huiasang ran towards a shop that was selling necklaces.

Wei Wuxian frowned. Why were they going there? What were they going to buy?

Meng Yao beckoned him forward.

“What?" asked Wei Wuxian, as they entered the shadow of the shop.

“Look at these," said Xiao Xingchen, holding up two thin strings. There were colourful beads on them, carved from wood. Each string had two distinct colour combinations.

Nie Huiasang was inquiring about the price. “We will take seven of these," he said, pointing to themselves. “One for each of us."

The shopkeeper nodded. “Please choose them."

The seven of them (six, because Lan Zhan behaved like a civil person) descended upon the shop like mad crows.

Meng Yao and Song Lan began to fight over a necklace.

Wei Wuxian tried to pick out one. His choice came down to two: a silver and green one and a blue and gold one. Both the necklaces were pretty, their beads shining with paint. He turned to Lan Zhan, who was the only one not occupied in choosing a necklace.

“Which one should I wear?" he asked.

Lan Zhan replied instantly. “The green and silver one, of course. Matches your House and the bracelet I gave you."

Wei Wuxian glanced at his wrist, where the bracelet rested 24x7. Of course. The set had to be matching. He took it, then spied another green and silver one and got an idea.

“You have to wear this," he said, picking up the replica. “We will match! How cool would that be?"

Lan Zhan cast a look of extreme doubt at him. “This one?"

“Yes."

“But—" Words stuck in Lan Zhan's throat. He swiveled his eyes fast, looking everywhere but at Wei Wuxian. The gears turned in his mind, reflected in his golden eyes. Then, after a lot of swallowing and thought, he took the necklace without question.

Wei Wuxian thought that was the only highlight of the trip.

After a while of squabbling, everyone decided on their necklaces. When they turned to go, happy with their new purchases, Wei Wuxian suddenly berated himself for forgetting all about poor Wen Ning.

“Wen Ning needs a necklace too," he said to Nie Huiasang, picking out the gold and blue one he had liked. “He deserves one too.”

"Sure," said Nie Huiasang. “It's not like I'm paying for it. Big Brother is.”

"You are a bastard.”

Nie Huiasang laughed.

By the time they walked out of the shop, Jiang Cheng had a black and red necklace ("It makes me look cool”), Xiao Xingchen had a white and gold one ("It is so pretty), Song Lan sported a yellow and red piece (“Matches my fiery style of living”) and Meng Yao a gold and purple one ("I like the purple. Very mysterious”).

Nie Huiasang had the most vibrant piece.

Wei Wuxian scowled at it. "This is a colour disaster.”

The necklace was a light green and pink colour, but the green was too eye-catching and the pink looked like it would straight-up devour you at any moment. It was a blight to look at.

"I doubt anyone can look at you if you wear that necklace,” said Jiang Cheng.

"Shut up. You don't understand fashion,” declared Nie Huiasang.

Even Lan Zhan was so repulsed by the thing that he quipped, "Thank Merlin I don't.”

~~•~~

WHEN THEY returned to the palace, the sun was setting.

Nie Mingjue promised a tour of the palace the next day and left them to their devices. The seven of them took one look at each other and decided it was time for another round of naps.

Lan Zhan nearly stumbled off to his bedroom, eyes thick with sleep.

Wei Wuxian came back and lay upon his bed. The necklace rested around his throat like a hug. His thoughts drifted to Suibian, his beloved cat. Suibian had been left behind with Mian-Mian, a Jin Clan disciple and a cheerful girl from Gryffindor. She was Wei Wuxian's friend, and she loved cats and volunteered to take care of Suibian as he couldn't travel with the furry.

He had to write Mian-Mian a letter of thanks.

But first, he would just take a little nap….

~~•~~

THE LITTLE NAP lasted till they were woken up by the sentry’s knocking. “Lord Nie requests your presence for dinner, Master Wei."

They came scrambling down for dinner after hurriedly combing their hair. All of them had completely lost track of time.

“You were supposed to wake us up!" snapped Meng Yao, pointing a finger at Lan Zhan.

Lan Zhan hung his head. He had pillow marks on one side of his face. “I fell asleep." He spoke with the graveness of a man who had caused another man to die.

Dinner was just as grand — if not grander — than lunch. Instead of the array of meats, this time they were introduced to the finest of Qinghe's mountainous cuisine, a sort of spicy roast of green vegetables. How could they have known vegetables could taste so good?

The spice corroded their tongues, made them sneeze and tear up, but it was too good to be left. Soon, with watery eyes and running noses, everyone wiped off their plates.

Nie Mingjue laughed.

Lan Zhan wiped his red lips with his stained fingers, then immediately lapsed into frantically drinking water. “I think I just burned my lips."

“You kids should turn in for the night," said Nie Mingjue. “Tomorrow, you wake up at dawn."

“Whatever for?" groaned Nie Huiasang.

The Clan Leader smiled. “To see the sunrise from the Gohin Peak, of course."

The Gohin Peak was one of the highest peaks in Qinghe. It was a beautiful tourist spot, renowned for its natural beauty and the vantage point it afforded to see the sun rise in all its glory.

Except Nie Huiasang and Song Lan, who wanted to sleep in, everyone cheered at the prospect.

They bounded up the stairs to reach their bedrooms. Plans were made about what they would eat for breakfast over yells between rooms.

Then, all was silent.

But sleep evaded Wei Wuxian.

Maybe it was because of the extensive napping he had done, but the sleep refused to come to him now. He knew he ought to have slept, but it was difficult to. He tossed and turned in bed, hearing the hours tick away in the clock.

Eleven at night.

Midnight.

One in the morning.

That was it.

Wei Wuxian pushed himself off the bed. He had to go outside and get some fresh air. It was the simplest solution for a sleepless night, and he did it often in Yunmeng, where Madame Yu’s haunting presence did not allow him the luxury of a good sleep.

He padded outside to the balcony. The night was dark. The sentries posted outside their suite were snoring.

He was surprised to find Meng Yao standing at the balcony. His hair was half-open. He was staring at the quiet gardens, a wistful, yearning look in his eyes.

“Dimples?"

He jumped, but smiled when he saw who it was. “Oh, you. What are you doing, idiot? It's not morning yet."

Wei Wuxian pulled a face. "I know. I couldn't sleep.” He leaned against the railing. Together, they stared at the dark city.

Wei Wuxian looked at Meng Yao. Ever since Third Year began, he had been too wrapped up in looking for the Yin Iron and starting a revolution for newspapers that he had not spent much time with his first friend. Meng Yao was his best friend. With him, he could be his true self and never fear judgement.

He was his first support system.

Slytherin would have been extra troublesome if Meng Yao hadn't been there with his wit and his wisdom. And he had been ignoring him like a stupid oaf.

Wei Wuxian felt a pang of guilt.

“You really love being here," he said, taking in the faint smile on his face. His dimples were showing. “You love Qinghe and the Nies."

Meng Yao nodded. “I do. This is the only place where I feel like home. At first, that place used to be Hogwarts. But ever since all the hostilities with Wen Chao and everyone started, I have begun to dislike the school."

Well, that was a surprising revelation.

But Wei Wuxian could not blame Meng Yao for his resentment.

“In Qinghe, you feel at home," he stated. “That's good. Everyone needs a home."

"It is a good place.”

"Of course,” said Wei Wuxian. All the praise that he had for the place came pouring out. "You don't have to pretend here. You can be your own self and never worry about the expectations.”

"It is not a crowded place and values its natural beauty,” said Meng Yao.

"Plus, the people are good-natured and honest. Brutally so.”

"And the Nies are great.”

"Especially Nie Mingjue.”

"Absolutely. He's strict yet loving, funny yet serious. He adjusts to the situation.”

"He's a skilled warrior and wizard.”

Having exhausted their reserve of praise, they turned to laughing.

They stood in silence again.

Then Meng Yao said something he had never shared with anyone. He told Wei Wuxian about his family, though in scant details.

“Mother works everyday, so I rarely get her when I go home," he said, his voice taking on a raw note. “It has been like this since the day I was born. I…don't feel like home there.”

Wei Wuxian gripped the railing.

He had always suspected something like this. Meng Yao hailed from a labouring family. It was apparent in the scruffy ways of his clothes and the patched book-bag he carried. But he had always overlooked them, because it didn't matter.

People did not need wealth to be friends with Wei Wuxian.

Since Meng Yao seemed to be in a mood of spilling secrets, Wei Wuxian got the courage to ask him, “What about your father?"

Meng Yao gave a bitter laugh. “Father? I haven't seen my father since the day I was born. He died before I was born."

Well, that was just tragedy after tragedy.

Wei Wuxian felt a wave of pity for his friend. “Was your father a wizard?"

“No, no," said Meng Yao. “None of my parents are. They are normal people."

“What was your mother's reaction when you received the Hogwarts letter?"

“She nearly died from shock. Once she saw things were legitimate, she had no choice but to let me come, because our house was attacked by owls everyday until my mother agreed."

Wei Wuxian laughed.

They resumed staring at the night, this time with a camaraderie none of them had had before.

~~•~~

THE NEXT FEW DAYS flew by in a whirl of laughter.

They set out for the Gohin Peak early in the morning, after hauling Song Lan out of bed with great difficulty. They witnessed a magnificent sunrise, ate crackers and fries from a stall nearby, called it breakfast and returned to the palace. In the afternoon, they got their promised tour of the palace, which turned out to be a hardy fortress made of stones and full of secret corridors.

Christmas was celebrated with the usual mirth.

The palace was decorated with holly and laurel. They weren't as grand as Hogwarts, but each held a homely quality to them. The palace doors were thrown open for normal citizens, who celebrated with them. The huge Christmas tree was carried into the hall by Nie Mingjue himself.

It was a wonder the poor tree survived their attempts to decorate it.

“It has to be decorated with ribbons," declared Meng Yao.

“What about little stars?" countered Jiang Cheng.

“The colour theme will be in red and silver," decided Nie Huiasang.

“We need to attach those glittering balls," added Xiao Xingchen.

Wei Wuxian, who was already climbing the trees after making Lan Zhan support him up, cackled. “I'm way ahead than all of you," he said, then stuck a great star at the top of the tree.

Amidst such merry-making, both of them forgot about their translation.

When the last day dawned and each of them began packing their suitcases to get back to Hogwarts, the book suddenly glared at them.

"Oh no,” said Wei Wuxian, holding up the book. "Lan Zhan, we forgot about this one.”

Lan Zhan bit his lips. "We did,” he said, in a disappointed voice. "What do we do now? Can we take this book out of Qinghe?”

"I don't think Nie Mingjue would miss it.”

Lan Zhan took the book and flipped open Cursed Metals. "You pack,” he ordered, settling upon Wei Wuxian's bed. "Let me see what I can do.”

Wei Wuxian stuffed his sweaters down his suitcase. He occasionally leaned towards Lan Zhan, who was muttering under his breath and writing things down with pencil.

"Yes, yes, yes, correct, right, yes, yes, oh no, okay yes, got it.”

"What are you mumbling?” asked Wei Wuxian, throwing away his packing efforts and sitting down. "What have you got?"

Lan Zhan did not answer him. “Damn. What is this?" His eyes widened in disbelief.

He quickly tore a page off the book and wrote in it.

When he finished, the manuscript looked like this:

YIN IRON

— found in the 13th century
— looks like a disc of pure iron with engravings
— contains the most exceptional powers of the Dark Arts
— last seen in the Wen Clan of Qishan
— capable of mass destruction and genocide
— “Under no circumstances should any sane wizard or witch
ever touch it. It corrupts, like rot."

Wei Wuxian stared at Lan Wangji and cried, "This is woefully inadequate information!”

Chapter Text

1964, HOGWARTS

THEY BADE A tearful goodbye to Qinghe.

By ‘tearful,’ Lan Wangji meant that Nie Huiasang bawled his eyes out.

“No, I don't want to go without you, Big Brother," he wailed, clinging to Nie Mingjue’s robes. “I want to stay with you!”

Nie Mingjue all but shoved him away.

Meng Yao gave a bored yawn. "This happens each time. Hey, you idiot, we are going to leave you and go to the station.”

At last, Wei Wuxian had to physically drag him away.

All of them were sad at having to return to school. Lan Wangji had never thought he would like the place so much. It was not as civilised as Cloud Recesses or as beautiful as Lanling, but it was a place where one could breathe freely, and that made up for its rocky terrains and cold weather.

Their return to Hogwarts was followed by two events in rapid succession.

Firstly, after what seemed like an eternity, Albus Dumbledore announced one January morning that newspapers — specifically The Daily Prophet — were ready to enter the halls of the institution for the first time in the history of the school. He made sure to make the school know why he had done so.

“This rule, which I once ruled out as being stony in its immobility, was changed solely because of the efforts of a few students. Students such as Lan Xichen of Ravenclaw, Andrew Weasley of Gryffindor, Shreya Patel of Hufflepuff, Jiang Yanli of Hufflepuff, Jin Zixuan of Gryffindor and Charles Abbott of Slytherin.” He held a twinkle in his eyes and said, "Not to mention the first ones to bring this inadequacy to me, Wei Wuxian of Slytherin and Lan Wangji of Gryffindor.”

The Great Hall sat stunned at the revelation.

Dumbledore continued. "If not for the petitions and arguments presented, this would not have been successful. But, what I think was the most successful was the incessant insistence of Wei Wuxian. He would make sure to drop by my office daily and ask me — and I quote — ‘Make the decision fast, old man.’”

Everyone gasped in mortification.

Lan Wangji turned to his friend, who sat as if he were the king of the world. "When did you do that?"

“You called our Headmaster an old man?" screeched Jiang Cheng, Meng Yao and Xiao Xingchen.

Wei Wuxian cackled. “Hey, I only called him old man once. I knew that would make him listen to me instead of just nodding at me."

“And you are still alive?" asked Song Lan, peering at him.

Wei Wuxian shrugged. “Dumbledore is kinder than you might think."

Lan Wangji stared at him. Stared at this impossible beast of a boy, who had the guts to complain about the Slytherins on his first day, had the gall to argue with professors, had the stupidity to jump headlong into danger and had the absolute idiocy to call Dumbledore an old man.

How could someone as kind as him be so fierce?

Lan Wangji's head spun.

The second event that occurred was the announcement that set everyone's hearts burning. Two days before his birthday, Lan Wangji woke up to find that the Quidditch matches had been announced, and the first match of the season was between Gryffindor and Slytherin.

Last year, Jiang Cheng and Wei Wuxian did not face each other on the field. Gryffindor lost the league early on, and Ravenclaw won the House Cup.

This year, it was clear that the two brothers were going to clash.

They were very comfortable about it.

“I am obviously going to hand your ass to you," said Jiang Cheng, breathing down their neck during Divination. They were trying to read tea leaves floating at the bottom of their drained cups, and Lan Wangji was writing down whatever came to his mind, copying Wei Wuxian's outrageously fake visions.

Wei Wuxian, who was writing something about dead rats and how it foretold someone’s drowning, stuck out his tongue. “Sure, little brother."

“You are only five days older!”

The Quidditch fever gripped everyone once again.

The rivalry and petty trickery ran so high that Lan Wangji was scrubbed clean of his meager aspirations to join Quidditch. He had grown a leaning towards the sport during the summer, but after watching a little Ravenclaw girl hex two burly Gryffindors, he had no wish to participate.

Only people like Wei Wuxian could tolerate such madness.

Food fights began to break out again, and he got involved in one himself when a flying stack of butter slapped him on the shoulder.

Wei Wuxian rose with a roar. "Nie Huiasang, you absolute fucker!” He then threw a jam at him, which hit someone from the Jin Clan.

There was no salvaging the food fight from that point on.

Only Lan Wangji knew how he had escaped from that sticky warzone.

However, amidst all this Quidditch frenzy and exam all-nighters, Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji tried to keep up their search for facts about the elusive Yin Iron.

The information they gleaned from the book was enlightening, but it did not contain anything related to a curse or how to break it. It was childish of him, but Lan Wangji had expected they would be handed the recipe for a healing potion in the book and would cure Wen Ning.

But that did not happen.

Instead, the only interesting thing they got was the connection with the Wen Clan.

“The Wen Clan has always been highly suspicious," said Wei Wuxian. They were sitting in a library carrel, with the book opened between them. “They live on top of that volcanic mountain and associate with none. Their leader is practically hidden away. The people are not pleasant, if they can be judged by Wen Chao and Wen Xu.”

"How are things going with Wen Xu?” asked Lan Wangji.

"Eh, he's fine. He is a good Quidditch captain, but he's making us do early morning drills,” he said, and scowled. "Wen Chao has become more aggressive. He has become quiet, but I can sense he's just waiting to pounce.”

~~•~~

THE DAY FINALLY arrived for the Gryffindor versus Slytherin match. Lan Wangji joined the stands early, with Xiao Xingchen for company. This year, Song Lan made the team. He was the newest Chaser, determined to set a record or two in his first match itself.

The Gryffindors walked out first in all their golden glory. Lan Wangji spied Jiang Cheng, holding his Beater bat high, looking around with a smile. He was practically glowing with the winter sunlight on his skin. Song Lan looked as excited as if someone had told him he'd cracked a lottery.

Whistles went up.

Then came the Slytherins, gliding like snakes on the grass. There was Wen Xu, looking like the perfect calm storm that he was. Bringing up the rear was Wei Wuxian.

Lan Wangji's hand clenched around the bracelet he had received from the boy just yesterday as a birthday present.

“Now we will truly match," laughed Wei Wuxian, tying the bracelet on his wrist. His fingers were deathly cold. “I have the necklace and your bracelet," he said, referring to the jewellery he had purchased in Qinghe. “You have the necklace, and now this bracelet."

The bracelet was made with red seeds and yellow petals. Wei Wuxian explained the seeds would never fall and the petals never wither. “It is a neat little spell I learned from Shijie," he chuckled. His eyes momentarily darkened. "I—uh— do not really have the amount of pocket money to buy you a ruby bracelet, so I…I thought—”

Lan Wangji patted Wei Wuxian's shoulder. "This is beautiful.”

Like you, his mind whispered.

Lan Wangji slapped himself and came back to the present day. The teams were assembling, until they flew up in the air with Madam Hooch’s whistle.

Lan Wangji always had a hard time following the players. They were blurs of red and green in the air, ducking, flying, throwing and shouting over Bludgers and Quaffles. The Golden Snitch kept flying around, as the Seekers gave a wild goose chase after it. The stadium was erupting with cheers and applause.

The commentor, who turned out to be a Fifth Year Hufflepuff, was shouting. “Slytherin has possession of the Quaffle! Carrow chases after one of the goals, but he's intercepted by Weasley and Henrietta! Go, Henrietta, go! I love you! Argh, Professor, I'm sorry!”

"Focus on the match,” rebuked Professor McGonagall.

"The match resumes with Gryffindor’s Song Lan taking command of the Quaffle! Oh, he's flying towards the goal! He's going to score!”

Lan Wangji leaned out. Yeah, Song Lan was moving at astonishing speeds. They were about to score the first goal of the match, but what was on the horizon?

"It looks like Wei Wuxian — Slytherin's talented Beater — has made his first attack, with the Bludger now flying towards Song Lan! Song Lan is about to get hit, but oh, what is that?”

Lan Wangji watched as Jiang Cheng appeared between the Bludger and Song Lan. He hit the Bludger with a crack and sent it flying towards Wei Wuxian.

Lan Wangji felt his heart stop.

Wei Wuxian was about to get smashed to certain death—

His friend let out a guttural scream and swung his bat at the Bludger. The Bludger flew away, out of the pitch and towards the direction of the Black Lake.

A tremendous splash was heard a moment later.

Lan Wangji was a tad ashamed to admit that he was one of the first people to scream in delight at the move. The entire stadium jumped up and down, some condemning Wei Wuxian, but most of them hooting in appreciation. He calmed down after screaming, back to his usual calm veneer, but Meng Yao had spotted him and gave a smug thumbs-up.

Lan Wangji glared at him.

He had lost his composure only a little bit. That happened a lot when he was with Wei Wuxian.

~~•~~

SLYTHERIN WON THE MATCH.

Jiang Cheng was so upset by this that he tried to drown himself in the shower. Song Lan and Lan Wangji had to break the door down to get him out of there.

For a horrific moment, Lan Wangji thought that Jiang Cheng and Wei Wuxian would fall into their enmity again, like in the First Year. Their group would be shattered and Wei Wuxian would become that angry, grief-ridden mess he was in First Year.

But thankfully, that did not happen.

Both brothers teased each other and threw angry words, but none was really angry. In fact, Jiang Cheng later admitted to Lan Wangji that Wei Wuxian was more talented than he was.

“You are good too, Jiang Cheng," said Lan Wangji, not looking up from his book.

“Please," frowned Jiang Cheng. “Wei Wuxian is always the best. Don't you see how people almost always like him, even though he's such an idiot?"

Well, that part was true.

Wei Wuxian, no matter what he did or how he did it, was always the talk of everything. He did so many things on his own, such as going to Dumbledore every day and never informing Lan Wangji about it. His thoughts were always something bright, something burning, that forced people to listen to him.

And like him.

Lan Wangji closed his Astronomy chart. Didn't he like Wei Wuxian too? He did, and valued him too. Wei Wuxian was probably the only one who would ever tolerate his difficult self.

January, February and March flew by.

When April arrived, nobody cared for Spring.

“First exam is Divination," groaned Xiao Xingchen.

“Fun," quipped Wei Wuxian. Even when exams knocked on the door, there was not a book to be seen in his hands. “I'll just lie my way through."

“Second is Charms," cried Meng Yao.

“Good," chirped Wei Wuxian, balancing Lan Wangji's books on his head. “I have them ready by heart."

“Transfiguration is next," sobbed Song Lan.

“Nice," giggled Wei Wuxian. “I'll transform my bench into the most beautiful flower McGonagall has ever seen."

“Can no exam intimidate you?" snapped Lan Wangji. He was running high on nerves and only two hours of sleep. “How come you know everything by heart? You never study."

Wei Wuxian whispered in his ear, “Of course I don't know everything by heart. I barely remember the spells. I will pull all-nighters with you tomorrow."

In their panic for the exams, none of them paid any mind to the Yin Iron. Wei Wuxian declared they would see things through after this year ended. They would correspond through letters and codes (with Lan Wangji writing the letters) and would find out a way.

They definitely would find a way.

It was with renewed vigour that Lan Wangji sat for his exams. They would help Wen Ning and satisfy their own curiosity about the cursed object. For now, it was better to focus on Boggarts and tea leaves.

As the Third Year drew to an end, Lan Wangji thought things would settle down quietly this year.

Of course, nothing of that sort happened.

Chapter Text

1964, HOGWARTS

WEI WUXIAN CAME out of the exam hall and felt that he would not fail.

When he told this to Xiao Xingchen, he scowled. “You always top in History of Magic. You will obviously not fail."

Wei Wuxian laughed. If Lan Zhan hadn't helped him with the subject last night, he would have been able to answer only six out of the twelve questions on the paper. He had to give Lan Zhan a hug as a present for helping him, even though he knew Lan Zhan would not like it.

He liked to annoy him.

The end of the year was upon them, and Wei Wuxian felt that tug in his heart that he always did during these times. It was sadness mixed with longing. For the next three months, he would be stuck in Yunmeng and Madame Yu, with nothing to do except play around with Jiang Cheng and listen to carefully placed taunts from Madame Yu. Shijie tried to help, but she would be busy this year with her upcoming N.E.W.Ts and thus, would not be as free.

Hogwarts provided him with everything he needed. His friends were here. His classes were here. His Quidditch was here. As much as he still disliked Slytherin, he missed the Common Room, with its view of the Black Lake and the emerald interiors.

Lan Zhan was here.

Wei Wuxian's mouth turned down. He did not know why his brain placed Lan Zhan in a different category altogether, but there was no doubt that the silent boy was his closest companion.

They had promised to find out more about the Yin Iron. Lan Zhan had said he would sneak around in the vast libraries of the Lan Clan, and if he found anything, he would write to Jiang Yanli and tell her to pass the letter on to Wei Wuxian.

Wei Wuxian was sure they would do something. If they could bring newspapers to Hogwarts, whose circulation would start from next year, then they could very well find out a cure for Wen Ning too.

~~•~~

MERCIFULLY, they had a two day gap for their last exam, Herbology. It was all Wei Wuxian needed to brush up on the topics and revise. He wasn't really good at the subject, but he was sure he would pass.

When night fell, Wen Chao switched off the lamps, shrouding the room in darkness.

Wei Wuxian clicked his tongue. “I'm studying."

“What makes you think I care about that?"

“Don't you have to study? Or are you all set?"

Wen Chao told him to fuck off.

Wei Wuxian scowled. He wished he could punch Wen Chao and throw him out of the room, but that was an impossible dream. So, he picked up his books and bags and went to the Great Hall.

The Great Hall, awash in light and the lingering smell of food, was the best place to sit down and revise. Wei Wuxian sat at his table and began to read again.

After what seemed like an hour, the calm shattered.

Someone was coming down the stairs, running hard. Wei Wuxian looked up and felt his jaw dropping. There was Nie Huiasang, tripping down the stairs and wheeling his arms around. His face was trembling and pale, while the fan he always held was nearly broken at the force he held it with.

His mouth was open in a scream that was yet to come.

Wei Wuxian stood up, his heart hammering. “Nie Huiasang! What's the matter? Are you hurt?"

Nie Huiasang skidded to a stop in front of him. He was sweating and shivering. His words failed him for once. “Wei bro! Oh Merlin! Thank God!" He swayed and fell upon Wei Wuxian's outstretched arms. “Oh, thank you for being here."

Wei Wuxian held up the boy in alarm. What on Earth was happening? “Huiasang, what happened?"

Nie Huiasang pointed to the stairs. “I saw…I saw…oh god, I saw Wen Ning in the Ravenclaw Tower!” Once he started speaking, he did not stop. "I was passing by the Common Room when I saw Wen Qing drag someone up to the girls’ dorms. She was carrying her brother. But Wen Ning was—he was— Wei bro, that boy wasn't Wen Ning! He was some kind of monster!”

Wei Wuxian staggered back. “What?" A hot shiver ran down his spine. Nie Huiasang had seen Wen Ning’s beastly form.

“Yes! Don't disbelieve me, please," cried Nie Huiasang. "I saw Wen Ning trying to get out of Wen Qing’s grasp. He was thrashing around wildly, like Suibian does when you hold her down to kiss her. His eyes…oh, Wei bro, his eyes were all black!”

There was no doubt left. Nie Huiasang had seen Wen Ning.

“I am going to Professor Filtwick," said Nie Huiasang. He peeled himself off Wei Wuxian and wiped the tears that threatened to spill out. “Come on, let's go together." He tried to pull Wei Wuxian along, but he stood his ground and held on tightly to the boy.

Wei Wuxian swallowed. “Look, you need to calm down. I know you are afraid—"

“There's a monster in the Ravenclaw Tower!" snapped Huiasang. “We need to inform the professors and Dumbledore! Why should I calm down?"

“Because I said so!" spat out Wei Wuxian. There was no way he could let Nie Huiasang complain to the professors, so he dragged him to the corner and made him sit down. Huiasang tried to slip free, but he was never one for physical fighting.

“Merlin, fuck you, Wei bro! What the hell are you—!"

“Listen, listen, Nie Huiasang. Please," pleaded Wei Wuxian, and knelt in front of him. “Look, I know about Wen Ning. Lan Zhan does too."

If he had told him he was a dog in disguise, Nie Huiasang would have been less surprised. He yelped. “Excuse me?!"

“It's true," said Wei Wuxian. He had no idea how to handle such a situation, and he desperately wished that Lan Zhan were here. He tried to imitate Lan Zhan and spoke in a calm, steady voice. “Yes. We know. We have known about it since last year. Remember those howls coming from the kitchen basement? Those were Wen Ning's."

"We have been housing a monster?" asked Nie Huiasang. He looked close to fainting. "Oh Lord.”

Wei Wuxian closed his eyes to anchor himself and not clock Nie Huiasang across the face. “He is not a monster, Nie Huiasang. He's just a boy who's stuck under a curse. Please, you cannot tell on him. Wen Ning is an entity unlike anything we know, but he deserves to live."

Nie Huiasang stared at him.

Wei Wuxian sat down beside him and brought his arms around his shoulder. “He's our friend. Do you remember how happy he was when he got the necklace from Qinghe? He thanked you so much.”

Nie Huiasang squirmed. "Well, yes. He is our friend. But…but this is something else. Why was Wen Qing dragging him to her room?"

“Does she sleep alone? Doesn't she have dorm mates?" asked Wei Wuxian.

“Nope. The Wens paid more for her to have a separate room, all to her."

Wei Wuxian considered that. Did the Wen Clan know about Wen Ning's condition? They must have, for why book a separate room for Wen Qing when they didn't even do it for Wen Xu or Wen Chao?

“Wen Ning doesn't cause any harm," said Wei Wuxian. “He's not a vampire or werewolf. He will not drink your blood, if you are worried about that. Look, if you complain now, then his life will be destroyed. Nie Huiasang, for my sake, please go and sleep. Don't tell anyone anything."

Nie Huiasang frowned. “Wei bro."

“Please." Wei Wuxian had never begged like this to anyone. The thought stung him badly, but he had to beg now. He was ready to lick Nie Huiasang's boots if he had to. “Please. Just forget what you saw. I promise, I'll take care of this. Please."

Nie Huiasang looked away. "Okay, okay.” He motioned for Wei Wuxian to get up from his crouching position at his feet. "Please get up. I won't tell anyone. But what are you going to do?”

Wei Wuxian knew what he had to do.

It was time to take matters into his own hands and methods.

~~•~~

LAN ZHAN'S HEAD was in his hands after Wei Wuxian told him about Nie Huiasang.

They were sitting in their library carrel by the window. The late afternoon sunlight fell upon Lan Zhan, making his golden eyes burn like two jewellery pieces.

“You handled it pretty well," he said, nodding at Wei Wuxian as if he had never expected he could manage to solve things peacefully. “Did he go to sleep after that?”

"Yeah.”

"Good.”

Wei Wuxian gritted his teeth together. It sounded like mashing sandpaper together. Lan Zhan looked at him in alarm.

He leaned forward. Wei Wuxian was all prepared, and he was not going to back down. If Lan Zhan did not go along with his plan, he would do it alone. "I'm going to Professor Lan Yi.”

Lan Zhan, predictably, was shocked. "To ask about the Yin Iron? But Wen Qing will be in trouble if you do that.”

“I don't care," said Wei Wuxian. He kicked at the legs of the table. “This cannot go on anymore, Lan Zhan. How much time is left until someone else sees Wen Ning? His howls have already been discovered. Wen Qing will run out of places to hide her brother."

Lan Zhan shifted in his chair. “I know. But what if Professor Yi just kicks us out?"

“She won't."

“How do you know that?"

“Because she won't kick me out."

Lan Zhan made a sound somewhere between grunting and scoffing. “So? Are you sure of your goodwill?"

"Of course,” shrugged Wei Wuxian. He knew for a fact that even if Lan Yi decided not to tell them anything, he would not let her live in peace until he had his answers. There was no stepping back now. Wasn't he a stubborn guy? Madame Yu always said that. Maybe he would prove her right today.

Lan Zhan shook his head. “This is a bad idea."

Wei Wuxian sighed. He did not waste time any longer. He had his Herbology exam to study for. He stood up and walked out of the library, aiming for Professor Yi’s office.

A minute later, he heard heavy footsteps behind him in the corridor. He turned around to face Lan Zhan, with a glare on his face.

Wei Wuxian continued walking, but there was no way he could ignore the swelling of his heart at the unspoken support.

He knocked on her door. As usual, Professor Yi opened the door after a whole minute of knocking. “Who— oh, it's you two." She did not invite them in. “Kids. What are you doing here? Don't you have an exam tomorrow?"

“We want to talk to you," said Wei Wuxian.

Lan Yi heaved an exhale. “It is always you two who want to talk. What is it?"

Lan Zhan poked his head in. “Can we come inside?" He added after some delay, “Professor."

Lan Yi looked like she wanted to do anything other than that, but she moved aside nonetheless. They entered her sparse room, furnished with only a chair, desk and a wardrobe. Her wand was on the table, a sleek brown thing of great power.

Wei Wuxian planted his feet on the ground. Even if she threatened him with her wand, he was not going to go away. “Professor, please tell us all you know about the Yin Iron."

Lan Zhan crossed his arms. “It is very important for us to know everything about it."

Lan Yi stared at them.

Then, she laughed.

Wei Wuxian nearly jumped out of his skin at the sound. Never in his life had he thought he would get to see her laughing. She was always so detached. Beside him, Lan Zhan gawked.

Lan Yi had a nice laugh. It rang out like the clear air of spring, fresh and vital. “You two are so serious," she said, when she stopped laughing. “Don't worry. I will tell you everything. Truth be told, I had a sneaking suspicion you would come to me today. Looks like I was right."

Wait.

What?

“Oh yes," nodded Lan Yi. Wei Wuxian had apparently said that out loud. “I knew about it. I know all about what you have been doing this entire year. Robbing the Restricted Section of the library was honestly not expected, nor was your Paper Parade. But yes, I know about your quest for the Yin Iron."

“How?" asked Lan Zhan. “Have you been spying on us?"

“Who do you think told Wen Qing to tell Wei Wuxian about the Yin Iron? I did," said Lan Yi.

Wei Wuxian felt like someone had ripped open a blindfold from his eyes. “What?"

“I wanted you to know about the Yin Iron," she said. She gestured for them to sit, but neither was in the condition to. “When I came to know about Wen Ning in that basement, I forced Wen Qing to tell me what had cursed her brother. She revealed everything to me. I did not want to drag you kids into this, but a letter arrived at that moment from Lan Qiren.”

"Uncle?” blurted out Lan Zhan.

"Yes. Your brother delivered it to me. You two might want to sit down for this.”

And then, she poured out everything as if it were a lesson.

She told them of the attack on the barrier around Blue Ash Mountain. She told them that she had placed that barrier when she was Clan Leader, and that they were mostly unbreakable. She told them about similar attacks taking place in Lanling.

"But why?” asked Wei Wuxian. This sounded like the prelude to a war.

"Because these places house shards of the Yin Iron.”

"Shards?” echoed Lan Zhan.

Professor Yi nodded. She conjured a teapot and cups from nothing and poured them cups. "Drink.”

In a daze, they did, and found themselves calming down a little. Wei Wuxian's heartbeat slowed.

Lan Yi continued. "Centuries ago, the progenitor of the Wen Clan, Wen Mao, created the Yin Iron, a powerful object that held all the Dark Arts of the world. He did it to conquer the world. When the other pureblood Families and Clans came to know about this, they banded together to stop him.

“After a five year long siege, Wen Mao was finally brought to his knees. The Yin Iron was split into four shards, distributed among the Jin, Jiang, Lan and Nie Clan, for safe-keeping. The Wen Clan was allowed to live, but with stern warnings that they should never try to recreate the Yin Iron.

“The Jin Clan placed one of the shards in their treasury. The Nie Clan handed it over to the Temple of the Dancing Girl. The Jiangs handed it over to the Nara family, who are a renowned priestly clan."

“I know about the Nara family," said Wei Wuxian.

“I see. Well, we Lans secured the last shard into a cavern at the bottom of the Blue Ash Mountain. I placed the strongest protective barrier there to protect the Yin Iron Shard."

Wei Wuxian and Lan Zhan felt like they had been dragged through a road full of glass.

Wei Wuxian tried to look at the story as a historical event, like the Goblin Uprisings and the Jin–Carrow War of 1876.

“So, what is the problem now?" asked Lan Zhan. He was draining his tea cup at a rapid rate. "Who is attacking these barriers? And why has Wen Ning been cursed by the Yin Iron if it doesn't exist anymore?”

Lan Yi smiled ruefully. "The Wens are making the Yin Iron again.”

Wei Wuxian could not keep on sitting after hearing that. He stood up with such force that the chair fell down. "What the fuck did you say?”

Lan Yi did not react to the curse. She kept her impassive face on. “Yes. They are trying to create the Yin Iron again. Why do you think Wen Ruohan, the current Clan Leader, isolated the clan so much? He's creating the Yin Iron again. The base is already done after multiple experiments. All that's left is for him to collect the four shards.

“Wen Qing says that it was during one such experiment when Wen Ning accidentally wandered in. He got hit by a force of dark magic, got himself cursed and turned into a mindless monster. You have seen him."

"He's not a monster,” hissed Wei Wuxian.

"He is,” insisted Lan Yi. "You cannot deny facts, Wei Wuxian. The creature he turns into at night is a monster.”

Lan Zhan interjected. “So Wen Ruohan wants to create the Yin Iron again and he's now attacking the four sites. Do the Pureblood Clans know about this?"

“The Lans and Jins do. I'm sure Lan Qiren has issued warnings to the Jiangs and Nies too.”

"The Nara family is in danger,” said Wei Wuxian. He had seen them, a minor clan who was never involved in any argument. They lived on the outskirts of Yunmeng and wore a distinctive yellow and blue garb.

Lan Yi nodded. “When I came to know about all this, I decided upon a thing." She suddenly surged forward and placed her hand upon Wei Wuxian's shoulder. “I realised that you needed to know about the Yin Iron."

Lan Zhan narrowed his eyes. “Why?"

“Because I knew he would tell you too."

Once, Wei Wuxian would have revelled in the attention Lan Yi was heaping upon him, but now, he was too confused and troubled to appreciate it. He slunk back from her and fixed his eyes upon Lan Zhan, who seemed to be the only fixture in the world.

Lan Yi said, “There is no doubt that you two are the strongest wizards of your age. Your skills are commendable. Wei Wuxian, Lan Wangji. A great war is coming."

She walked over to a window and opened it.

The purple twilight hit the room.

She looked at the sky as she said, “Days of peace are about to be over. I hate that you two have to bear this burden, but I—" For the first time, she fumbled with her words and clutched at her chest. “Kids shouldn't have to face such things, but I need people. Dumbledore is not ready to face the prospect of a war on the horizon. But I know how these things work.”

Vaguely, Wei Wuxian recalled a conversation he had heard her having with Professor McGonagall last year, while he was sneaking around with Lan Zhan and had been caught by Filch. "Is that why you want to train students?”

Lan Yi turned around with amazement flickering in her face. "How did you— ah, never mind. Yes, that is why I want you to…be trained.”

Lan Zhan, who had been vibrating in a corner, now burst into a tirade of words. "Professor Yi, you are saying that you want to train students, but don't you think you are just dragging us into a war that we are not sure will ever happen? Even if it happens, shouldn't adults fight in it instead of children? Are you going to sacrifice me and Wei Wuxian for it?”

Lan Yi reacted as if slapped across the face. "War affects everyone.”

Wei Wuxian stomped his feet. They were getting off-topic. So what if they were being recruited by Lan Yi for a war? She was right; when war came, everyone would be affected. They were lucky enough to know the ins and outs of it before anyone else.

"Professor, what do you want us to do? And how can we cure Wen Ning?”

"Wen Ning can only be cured if you break the Yin Iron,” said Lan Yi. "There is no other way to cure him. As for what I want you to do, it's a single task. It is not going to be easy, but only you can do it, Wei Wuxian.”

Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji leaned forward.

"You have to spy upon the Slytherins, particularly Wen Xu and Wen Chao, and try to know what they are planning with the Yin Iron.”

Chapter Text

1943, HOGWARTS

LAN YI SPED DOWN THE STAIRS, not paying any attention to what Professor Dumbledore was saying. He was probably laughing at her excitement, so she was safe.

Beside her, Baoshan Canren, her best friend of seven years, laughed. “Slow down, Yi. Nobody's going anywhere."

“Oh, shut up," said Lan Yi. “Aren't you excited, Bao? We are graduating! Finally graduating!"

“To be honest, I'm just sad," said Bao, looking at the floor. Lan Yi skidded to a stop. “We are leaving this place for good, you know. We are never coming back. There will be no more riding the Hogwarts Express, no more classes, no more exams, no more midnight snacks, no more Gryffindor parties, no more snogging in broom cupboards. There will be no more fun and games. It's all gone.”

Lan Yi leaned against the railing of the ever-moving stairs. "Well, that's true,” she admitted, holding Bao’s hand. "But we are going to be starting a new chapter of our lives. I'm about to be the Clan Leader, Bao. The first ever female Clan Leader.” She laughed as she said it, feeling the victory surge up in her.

"I know,” smiled Bao. "You will be a wonderful Clan Leader. You achieved it with your outstanding results and skills."

“You are obviously going to be there on my Ascension Day, right?"

“Wouldn't miss it for the world."

They laughed and sped down the stairs again, bumping into a young Slytherin boy on the way. Lan Yi vaguely recalled that the boy’s name was Tom Riddle, but she was too excited and happy to spare him a second glance.

~~•~~

BAO NEVER came to her Ascension Day.

Lan Yi spent the entire day looking for her best friend, but she was nowhere to be found. Later, Lan Yi would come to know that Bao was already building plans to set up a secluded institution at the top of a mountain, never to mingle with pureblood societies again. Bao had always been an outcast due to her half-blood status, but 17-year-old Lan Yi thought that they would conquer the world together once she became the Lan Clan Leader.

Nothing of that sort happened.

Bao was too far gone by that time, disillusioned by the world.

Lan Yi would never forgive herself for not understanding her own best friend.

She would meet her one day, after three years.

Lan Yi was stalking up the Blue Ash Mountain, determined to purify the shard of Yin Iron trapped in the cave. Bao suddenly turned up, her wand out.

“Yi, don't commit such a mistake," she pleaded.

Lan Yi stared at her. Bao had grown taller and thinner. Her cheeks were sunken in and her eyes had lost the light.

She could not stop herself from shouting. “How dare you come back after abandoning me?"

Bao winced. “Yi, I'm sorry for doing that to you. I tried to have that conversation with you, but you were always so besotted with your dreams of becoming the Clan Leader that you never asked after mine.”

"I was your best friend! How could you just…leave?” Her voice cracked.

“I had to! I had to, Yi! Please, understand my situation! I never got the respect or admiration that I deserved. All I wanted was to escape!"

“You could have included me in it!"

“Would you have come with me and left your dreams?"

Lan Yi could not answer that.

Bao nodded. “See?"

They had drawn swords that day. But neither made the move.

Bao only begged. “You cannot purify it. You will only put yourself in danger."

“I am sick and tired of letting people tell me what I can do."

“Yi, don't do this just to prove you are brave."

Lan Yi hated how Bao always got her right. She hated how Bao could come back and act as if nothing was the matter. She hated how much she wanted to hit Bao.

She hated how much she wanted to kiss Bao.

At the end, Bao went away after Lan Yi told her that she wouldn't miss her if she died. The argument had escalated beyond measure.

There was nothing to do.

Bao left her.

And she blamed it all on society.

~~•~~

WHEN HER ATTEMPT to purify the Yin Iron didn't work and nearly resulted in the death of hundreds of men, Lan Yi stepped down from her position. She was so, so tired of being the female, the weak and the damsel that she just let it all go.

Bao had been right.

Bao had been fucking right.

So Lan Yi left, adopting the image of the necessary villain. She roamed the forests and the hills, the rivers and the deserts. She killed monsters. Hunted werewolfs. Staked vampires through the heart. Caught people practicing Dark Arts.

She did everything.

But she never got to Bao’s mountain.

She wanted to go there. She wanted Bao. Her Bao.

But she never met her.

She heard rumours. As the years went by, Baoshan Canren adopted the moniker of being the most powerful witch alive. Getting an invitation to her mountainous school meant that you were chosen by the Gods.

Lan Yi wondered if she was capable of getting called to such a mountain.

Lan Yi walked the Earth in shadow. She had no one to call her own, except her anger. She was angry all the time, which resulted in her brutal killings. People feared her. Branded her as terrifying. But she did not care about any of that.

The Lan Clan had always strangled her with their rigidity.

Under the open air, she felt free, for the first time in her life.

Lan Yi’s life progresses like this. By the time she was 37, she had gone to the most remote areas of the world, ranging from Britain to America to India to Russia. She helped the people by getting rid of supernatural threats.

She helped herself by venting out her anger in the form of killing.

That was when Albus Dumbledore's letter reached her.

She had no permanent address, but somehow, Dumbledore had found her. She was not surprised to see he was the Headmaster now.

He wanted her to come back and teach Defence Against the Dark Arts to snot-faced students.

Lan Yi laughed when she read the letter and drank a tankard of beer.

But the letters kept coming.

Lan Yi got them everywhere. Be it on a mission, a hunt, a pub, or in some girl’s bedroom who had decided Lan Yi was pretty enough to fuck her.

The letters used to appear suddenly and scared those girls pretty good.

After a year, Lan Yi understood that Dumbledore would not leave her in peace. So she came to Hogwarts one sultry summer evening and banged upon his office door.

“Ah, welcome to Hogwarts once again," smiled Dumbledore.

“I'm not teaching here."

“Why not?"

“Because I don't teach. I kill."

“I know all about what you do."

Lan Yi threw up her hands. “Well, you should realise that I'm not fit enough to be a nurturing teacher. I will literally curse in front of the kids, Headmaster."

“Frankly, Lan Yi, I need you." Dumbledore smiled at her kindly. His kindness was always too much, like looking at the sun. “You are the greatest witch to teach Defence Against the Dark Arts. You are the strongest sorceress alive."

“That title goes to Baoshan."

“Baoshan won't come to teach here, would she? She heads a different school."

“I am not available."

Dumbledore gazed at her. “For how long will you run, Lan Yi? Your skills will die with you if you continue like this. Don't you want to help the future generations?"

“No."

“You were always the brightest and the most difficult student I've ever had," said Dumbledore. “Lan Yi, the world needs you. Hogwarts needs you. There is a war coming on the horizon. Maybe you have heard of it."

“I have. Rogue wizards are always fomenting rebellions."

“This isn't a rogue wizard. This is a former Hogwarts student. Tom Marvolo Riddle."

Lan Yi suddenly remembered the boy, even though he hadn't entered her mind once in 20 years. She recalled that he was a brilliant student in Slytherin, two classes her junior. Hadn't she once ran into him on the stairs?

"He's dangerous. We need all the support we can get against him.”

Lan Yi shook her head. "War is always brewing. Look at the Wen Clan, for example. I always think they are up to some shit. They are isolated from the rest of the Wizarding World.”

Dumbledore looked at her and said, "No, I don't think so. What will the Wen Clan do?”

In the end, he had somehow persuaded her to join Hogwarts as a teacher. Perhaps it was because of his persuasion, or perhaps it was the fact that she wanted to taste the Hogwarts life again.

Whatever the reason, she entered as a teacher.

But now, given the circumstances, Lan Yi felt that she was about to exit as a dead body, felled by some Wen.

She looked at Wei Wuxian, who was still scowling, and Lan Wangji, deep in thought. The two were brilliant, and if anyone could be the soldiers she needed, it was those two.

But Lan Wangji was stubborn.

And Wei Wuxian was ambitious.

They could either stop the war — or begin a new one.

Chapter Text

1964, LOTUS PIER, YUNMENG

THE ONLY THING which one needed to spy effectively was silence.

Being silent was a foreign concept for Wei Wuxian, whose very existence rang like a bell at midnight. He was known for being loud and chaotic, with no restraint to himself. He wasn't made for silence. He wasn't made for slinking in the shadows like a snake.

But Lan Yi told him that he needed to be exactly that.

Silent.

Sly.

Sneaky.

Wei Wuxian leaned against the wall, panting hard. He hoped Jiang Cheng could not hear him. His brother was inside his room, happily babbling with Geno — a village boy of Yunmeng — about the wonders of Quidditch.

“.....and then you throw the Quaffle at the goals," he was explaining, his hands flying in an animated gesture. Geno only nodded, and Wei Wuxian was sure he didn't understand anything. The boy was only 10 years old.

Any sane person who chanced upon Wei Wuxian now would be shocked to see him eavesdropping on his brother, standing outside his door. But for Wei Wuxian, this was simply practice. Lan Yi had told him that he would need to spy.

He recalled the conversation that revealed everything.

The Yin Iron’s past.

The upcoming possibility of a war amidst the Five Great Pureblood Clans.

Lan Zhan's staunch argument against involving them.

They had walked out of the room in total silence. They gave the Herbology exam, got their results before the term ended and went on their ways. Wei Wuxian hadn't had any conversation with Lan Zhan about the new order of things. Lan Zhan actively avoided him after that day, not even looking at Wei Wuxian in classes and dinners.

Wei Wuxian didn't know what had gotten in the boy.

He had tried to grab his attention, of course. But Lan Zhan was stubborn as hell, and Wei Wuxian was not strong enough to break through his walls.

Now, there was only a week left before they left for Hogwarts to start their Fourth Year, and not a single letter from Lan Zhan had arrived.

Meng Yao wrote him one. He addressed the letter to Shijie, but his words were for Wei Wuxian. Shijie gave him the letter with a secretive smile.

Song Lan and Xiao Xingchen followed the same strategy.

Another person who had gone silent was Nie Huiasang, though this was justified. His scrawny friend had received the shock of his life when he saw Wen Ning's beastly form just a few months ago. Wei Wuxian had begged him not to complain to anyone about it, but he did not know how long his begging would last.

Nie Huiasang could tell the matter to Nie Mingjue anytime.

Then Wen Ning's bad life would turn purely insufferable.

It was as if he was perfecting the art of silence in more ways than one.

Sneaking around the floating corridors and purple halls of Lotus Pier was not on his agenda, but Wei Wuxian wanted to enter Hogwarts with full training as a spy.

Professor Yi hadn't told him to do any of this. Frankly, she told him not to make matters dramatic on their last day. She had specifically assured him that he wouldn't be putting himself in any trouble, he would just be keeping his ears open a bit more than he already did.

“You do not have to be the kind of spy you read about in novels," said Lan Yi. “You only have to be silent and sneaky."

“So I can roam around at night and spy?" asked Wei Wuxian.

“No. So you can eavesdrop a little during the daytime and go to bed at night. I'm not letting you break your curfew."

That was a real dampener.

But nothing, not even Lan Yi’s insistence that this was only going to be a little awareness on his part, could stop Wei Wuxian from still painting it as the spies depicted in novels.

He started roaming around Lotus Pier one June night, when the air was sticky with the scent of lotuses. He tried to make himself melt with the shadows, ducking around corners when he saw a servant approaching. He was caught by Shijie that night, who was going to sleep and noticed him crouching beside a chair.

“A-Xian, what are you doing?"

Wei Wuxian jumped up. “N-nothing!"

Thankfully, she did not pay him much mind and went her way.

Wei Wuxian understood that the task needed immense concentration. Besides eavesdropping, he had to make sure that no one saw him. He had to be the shadow itself. He had to wrap himself in the covers of night, and had to disappear completely from mortal view.

That was how the greatest spy in all of China — Sir Haoyu Muyang — worked in the novel “Adventures in the Shadow."

He had to be like Haoyu Muyang.

Jiang Cheng was still going on about Quidditch. Wei Wuxian decided it was high time he walked in and saved Geno from going insane.

“A-Cheng, can't you leave the boy in peace?” he asked, strolling in with his hands inside his pocket. "You are boring him.”

"I am not!” snapped Jiang Cheng. His long hair was half open, leaving him looking like a weary monster. "Am I boring you, Geno?”

Geno swallowed. "Of course not.”

Wei Wuxian scoffed. "Geno, would you rather come with me on a stroll by the riverside or sit here and listen to Jiang Cheng?”

Geno sprang up from his seat. "I would love to accompany you,” he gushed, then realised his host was going purple in the face. "I need to buy some things from the market, actually.”

Jiang Cheng turned up his nose ruefully. "Go, go. Wei Wuxian always gets you guys.”

Wei Wuxian nicked him in the ear. He ran away from the room before Jiang Cheng could swat at him, laughing, with Geno at his heels.

~~•~~

WEI WUXIAN spent the entirety of his remaining holiday in this manner. During the day, he would catch up a little on his studies and wandwork and train with Jiang Cheng in the courtyard, playing Quidditch or simply hitting each other in mock-fights. Now that they were both teenagers, Uncle Jiang wanted them to learn the ancient art of swordfight, but when he took one look at their gangly, thin bodies, he decided they needed some muscles first.

So morning practice was on.

The afternoons were spent exchanging letters with his friends. It took Wei Wuxian a minimum of three days to reply back to each letter. He usually wrote only when inspiration caught him, detailing some exciting event that occurred or how exactly he had thrashed Jiang Cheng to the ground.

It was always fun to gloat.

The evenings were spent trying to evade Madame Yu. Madame Yu descended upon the manor like a swarm of flies in the evening, looking at the dinner that was cooked and whether the servants were scrubbing the floors properly. She glided around like silk, her eyes out to hunt Wei Wuxian and give him lectures about some crime he had committed.

Crimes such as breathing.

Simply existing.

Wei Wuxian never went down the paths she took in the evening. He did not dare come out of his room. He stayed there, cooped up until desperation or boredom or both nudged him out.

Sometimes, he escaped from her clutches, like that wonderful evening he enjoyed with Geno.

Other times, he wasn't successful.

Three days before they were to leave, Wei Wuxian walked out to the western parlours.

He shouldn't have done that.

Madame Yu was there, sitting on a velvet cushion, reading some papers. She was sitting on the floor of a balcony that overlooked the Violet Pond. The evening breeze made her dark hair fly and her silver silks rustle.

She would have made the perfect subject for a romantic painting, had that scowl not been on her face.

Wei Wuxian glimpsed her and immediately started to run away.

But she was faster.

“Wei Wuxian," she said, her voice itself a warning. He stopped and turned around,giving her a deep bow, even as his spine protested against the gesture.

Madame Yu narrowed her eyes. “Slytherin won the House Cup this year.”

Wei Wuxian looked up and made the mistake of smiling. "Yes.”

That had been the highlight of his life. The winner of the House Cup was announced at the last feast they had before the term ended. When Dumbledore announced that Slytherin had won the House Cup that year after four years, banners of silver and green erupted all over them. Sprinkles of silver confetti rained down as the Great Hall was drowned by the deafening applause of the Slytherins.

Students hugged each other in joy, not caring about blood status and family feuds for one brief second.

Wei Wuxian was swept up in a hug that included Meng Yao, Alexander Avery, Wang LingJiao and Wen Xu.

He did not complain, even though Wang LingJiao was stuck against him.

Madame Yu's voice broke through the memory. "You know, Wei Wuxian, you are one of the most ungrateful brats I've ever met.”

Wei Wuxian stilled.

Madame Yu continued, sneering. "We fed you, clothed you and gave you shelter. We provided you with an education. We provided you with every amenity that a student could ever want, including a familiar and a wand from Ollivander's. And yet, you—” she paused, leaning forward. "—you have the audacity to play against your martial brother.”

What in the absolute fuck?

Wei Wuxian bowed his head further. If this had been anyone else, he would have argued, but this was Madame Yu, who was fully capable of slapping him like she used to once, before he went away to Hogwarts.

Slapping him.

Tying his hands with Zidian when he struggled or tried to break free.

Then making him swear never to tell this to anyone.

Madame Yu was the one person he had no power over. She was one of the strongest witches in existence. Her magical whip, Zidian, only obeyed her commands and neutralised most charms and spells. She was an unbreakable warrior, a force of nature and could kill him if she wanted.

She looked at the papers in her hand. “I'm not giving you permission to go to Hogsmeade, Wei Wuxian. Do not try to bring your Uncle Jiang into this."

Oh.

Oh Merlin.

Nothing could control the shudder of rage that passed through Wei Wuxian at those words. “Why not?" he asked, raising his head and looking at her. “Why can't I go to Hogsmeade? Every Fourth Year student and above goes. It's just a magical village."

Madame Yu was stunned. She could not formulate a response for several seconds, before recovering and standing up with a flourish. She was a head taller than Wei Wuxian.

“You are a nuisance, Wei Wuxian. Surely, you know that. You are the worst omen in the world. You killed your parents after birth, got yourself sorted into Slytherin, made a fool of us in front of society—”

"I killed my parents?” asked Wei Wuxian, his voice cracking. He hated his voice cracking. "How can you say that?”

"How dare you speak back to me!”

Madame Yu raised her hand. Within a blink, she delivered a stinging slap on his cheek, splitting the skin open. He stumbled back, caught his toes at the edge of a carpet and fell down.

Wei Wuxian landed on his back, holding his cheek. Tears were springing to his eyes — hot, wet tears of the most potent form of rage there was. He had never been humiliated like this in Hogwarts. He never backed down, not even when Edmund Malfoy nearly killed him, not when all the Slytherins banded against him.

Wen Xu termed him as an inherently strong person.

He would laugh so hard if he saw him now, sniffing and beaten, a mess on the floor.

Madame Yu straightened up. She looked so satisfied, so damn satisfied that she still had the strength in her to slap him and he still had the fear in him to not oppose her.

She was so sure of him never opposing her.

Wei Wuxian hated how right she was.

She did not look back as she left. “Hogsmeade is a respectable village. You do not deserve going there. You do not deserve all the facilities, Wei Wuxian. You are not one of our own."

Wei Wuxian clamped down on his lips, stopping the barrage of curses he had stored just for her. Instead, he kept kneeling, nursing his cheek, thinking how best to hide it from Shijie and A-Cheng and Uncle Jiang.

He kept silent.

After all, that was what Haoyu Muyang did, right? And he somehow always won at the end.

Chapter Text

1964, PLATFORM 9¾

THE INCIDENT WITH Madame Yu embittered the summer vacation Wei Wuxian had been having. He had been having a good time, really, but the day he packed his bags and left for Hogwarts, he felt a relief like no other descend upon his shoulders.

In Hogwarts, no one would dare to slap him.

Wei Wuxian knew he had built a reputation for himself in the school. His name was on everyone's lips, ever since that entire thing that went down with Edmund Malfoy back in First Year. Everybody knew who he was, and most people thought he was either brave or arrogant.

Sometimes, Wei Wuxian himself could not tell what he was.

But as he appeared on Platform 9¾ and spied the Hogwarts Express whistling on the tracks, he felt the warmth come upon him almost immediately. Finally, he was in his element, where he could perform magic and eat unhealthy snacks with his friends till late at night.

The only place in the world where he and Lan Zhan could talk, laugh, argue and cause problems like nobody's business (Wei Wuxian did most of the above, but Lan Zhan was becoming rather argumentative these days).

He had yet to hear anything from the Lan boy.

Hence, it was a pleasure to see him again, after three months, looking like he had just strolled out of a fantasy tale.

As Wei Wuxian jogged towards Lan Zhan, who was standing by the train with Lan Xichen babbling about something close to his ears, he felt a distinct rush of blood. It covered his neck, crawled up his ears and nearly fried his brain with one simple revelation: Lan Zhan was taller than him.

It was as if the universe had turned in on itself.

Just a few months ago, Wei Wuxian had been towering over him. Now, in the span of a single summer, how was he the taller one? That was so utterly unfair. Lan Zhan couldn't be both prettier than him and taller than him. Where did that leave Wei Wuxian?

God, it seemed like he was always going to be second to Lan Zhan, in studies as well as appearance.

This was not done.

Wei Wuxian made his displeasure felt by smacking him on the arm. He had the satisfaction of seeing Lan Zhan jump and whirl around, a hot anger in his golden eyes.

It shimmered down instantly as he saw who it was. “Wei Wuxian?"

Lan Xichen chimed up. “Good morning! How was your term-break? My, my, you have grown some muscles, huh?" He nicked his brother's ear. “See? This is why I tell you to get some physical exercise done. Look at your best friend. He's looking like a proper teenage boy."

Lan Zhan glared at everyone. “Stop it."

Lan Xichen assumed an entirely innocent face. “You wound me."

Wei Wuxian laughed. He liked Lan Xichen. He wasn't like the typical, reserved Lans often found in Ravenclaw, and he was great to talk to. Shijie once had a crush on him, way back in her Second Year, and she used to wax lyrical about him when she went to the Lan Beginners School. She grew out of it, but it served to cement Lan Xichen’s position as a good person.

Lan Xichen whispered something in his brother's ear. Lan Zhan flushed red and shooed his brother away.

Lan Xichen cackled and skipped over to his friends.

And suddenly, in the midst of that crowded platform, with screaming First Years, hollering Second Years, cheering Third Years, scandalous Fourth Years, depressed Fifth Years, tired Sixth Years and dead Seventh Years, Wei Wuxian had the sudden urge to hug Lan Zhan.

Tightly.

Since he was a boy of impulses, he gave in to the urge and wrapped his arms around Lan Zhan, even as the boy tried to stagger back.

“What are you do—"

“I'm hugging you."

“Why?"

“Because I want to."

Wei Wuxian's nose met Lan Zhan's shoulder. He felt his bony chest poke him in the stomach, felt Lan Zhan wriggle in his arms, but he held on right, not caring about any stares they were attracting.

He didn't know why he did it. Maybe it was because he was too happy to see Lan Zhan. Maybe it was because he was relieved to see the boy alive. Maybe he was just looking for support — the special kind of support only Lan Zhan could provide him, because they were the only ones who knew about everything.

The Yin Iron.

Wen Ning's condition.

The war.

The darkness looming above them.

But most of all, he had just missed his quiet, calm and stubborn friend.

Lan Zhan patted Wei Wuxian on the shoulder. “You are crushing me."

“Oh, sorry," smiled Wei Wuxian, letting him go. He dusted Lan Zhan's ironed shirt, but the wrinkles caused by the hug did not go away. Lan Zhan did not seem to mind it, though.

Lan Zhan shot him a look of pure doubt. “What was that?"

“It was a hug, Lan Zhan. It's what friends do when they see each other after a long time."

"We saw each other just three months ago.”

"That's a long amount of time, you dumb fucker.”

Lan Zhan sucked in a breath. "Well, don't hug me again.”

Wei Wuxian grinned. "You cannot stop me even if you tried.”

~~•~~

WHEN THE OTHERS joined them, it was like chaos coming alive.

Meng Yao, Song Lan and Xiao Xingchen rammed into them like bulls. They were immediately forming group hugs, getting drowned in laughter, nonsensical laughter and a barrage of questions. Nie Huiasang came in last, holding an extravagant owl in his arms and looking like he finally had some muscles.

Wei Wuxian shot him a wink. "Hello, Mister Muscles.”

Nie Huiasang laughed. "Please, Wei bro. You are the one with muscles here. Look at your arms! Jiang Cheng's too! What have the two of you been doing?”

"Training,” said Jiang Cheng, holding up his arm for Xiao Xingchen to admire. "Dad trained us. We fought each other with sticks and wrestled on the ground.”

"We were preparing to learn the art of swordfights,” supplied Wei Wuxian.

Nie Huiasang seemed normal enough. When they boarded the train and hogged an empty compartment, he was talking and laughing heavily, while Suibian hissed at his owl. If he was still bothered about the Wen Ning incident, he didn't show it.

Wei Wuxian and Lan Zhan exchanged a nervous look.

Somehow, Nie Huiasang's indifference was inducing anxiety.

The train ride to Hogwarts was always the best. Wei Wuxian liked it very much. The experience was only second to the Welcoming Feast they would have that night.

The train rumbled on, puffing steam and whistling. Inside, the occupants laughed, excited to enter the magical school again. The Trolley Witch arrived and supplied them with Chocolate Frogs, Bertie Botts’ Every Flavoured Beans, Canary Creams and Honeydukes. They bought so much that the Trolley Witch had to intervene.

“Boys, do you even have that much money with you?" she asked, in a husky yet tender voice.

“Of course we do!" said Wei Wuxian, holding up a box of Bertie Botts'. He loved the unpredictable sweets. “We have our rich friends. Nie Huiasang, A-Cheng, Lan Zhan — pay up!"

“Shut up," growled Jiang Cheng, popping a Chocolate Frog in his mouth and paying for everyone's Chocolate Frogs.

Nie Huiasang, whose purse was nimbly stolen by Meng Yao, emptied by half as he (reluctantly) paid for the Honeydukes and Canary Creams.

Lan Zhan held up his bag of gold galleons and paid for the Bertie Botts'. Wei Wuxian alone had bought them, since no one else liked the taste of mud or rotten eggs or something disgusting like that in their mouths.

As the rolling hills became sparse and day shifted to night, the Hogwarts Express finally grinded to a stop.

They leaped down from the train, ignoring the weeping Seventh Years at the front. Every year, the Seventh Years cried when they reached the station, since it was going to be their last time. They cried during the Welcoming Feast, their classes, exams and Quidditch matches too.

They became too emotional.

Wei Wuxian saw Shijie looking crestfallen in the middle of the crowd. Her days in Yunmeng had been marked by a great depression, since she was always sad about having to leave school after seven years. He shot her a reassuring smile, but she was too engrossed in her grief to look at him.

Oh well.

Wei Wuxian clambered down, where they all squeezed inside a carriage and shouted all the way to the school.

Hogwarts was the same as ever: impossibly beautiful and grand.

Wei Wuxian did not stop to appreciate it, however. He was quickly pushed inside the courtyard and the Great Hall by his friends, where the Sorting Ceremony was to begin shortly.

“Hello, hello," he greeted, catching Professor Slughorn, who was hurrying past. Professor Slughorn loved him, and Wei Wuxian often took full advantage of that. “How do you do, Professor?"

“Ah, Wei Wuxian," smiled Slughorn. “I hope you enjoyed the term-break." He was called to the Teachers Table by Professor Sprouts, and he quickly added before leaving, “I will call on you soon. I have some news for you. Expect a letter from me."

A letter?

Wei Wuxian did not have time to dwell on that. Meng Yao pulled him to the Slytherin table, and the Sorting Ceremony started.

The Slytherin table worked wonders in dampening his mood instantly. Wei Wuxian knew this was his fourth year in the House, and yet he was unable to familiarise himself with the people. Most of the students hated him for two reasons — his mudblood status and the favouritism he enjoyed despite being a mudblood.

Wei Wuxian wasn't a fan of them, either. They had tormented him and Dimples enough. The purebloods were too haughty for their own good, thinking that the world would always kiss their feet, then getting angry when one boy didn't. Some of them had actively tried to incriminate him in injuring his own family — Wen Chao, Wen Zhuliu and Wang LingJiao involved.

The House suffocated him.

Wei Wuxian turned away from them and focused on the Sorting Ceremony.

Professor Lan Yi, as was her habit, did not appear perturbed in the slightest. She was the only person in the room who had any idea about the coming war, but she gazed at them as if this was another Tuesday.

Her eyes landed on Wei Wuxian and twinkled, before going back to their undecipherable self.

Albus Dumbledore was on the podium. He said, “Lastly, I would like to announce this year's Head Boy and Head Girl."

Wei Wuxian perked up. “Hush, Dimples," he said, leaning forward with interest. He had never paid any attention to the Head Boys and Girls before, but since Shijie was in Seventh Year, she had a chance to be selected, no matter how slim that chance was. She herself did not believe that she could be selected, saying that there were people far more talented than her. She was merely average in whatever she did, she said, and did not deserve to be Head Girl.

Wei Wuxian thought that was just a lie.

If there was anyone with true integrity, it was Shijie. It was obviously going to be her.

“From House Ravenclaw, Lan Xichen has been selected as the Head Boy."

A deafening applause took over, echoing in the Great Hall. Wei Wuxian found himself clapping too.

Lan Xichen truly deserved to be Head Boy. There was no suitable candidate other than him.

“From House Hufflepuff, Jiang Yanli has been selected as Head Girl."

“Hell yes!" cheered Wei Wuxian, jumping up from his chair and joining in the applause enthusiastically. “I knew it! I knew it!"

Shijie looked shaken as her friends clapped her on the back. Her eyes were misty, but the smile on her face rivalled anything beautiful that Wei Wuxian had ever seen.

~~•~~

THE NEXT MORNING was a Sunday, so they had the day off. Their time-tables had already arrived.

Everyone had complaints about it.

“What are they thinking? Why are they putting Slytherins with Gryffindors in Care of Magical Creatures?” snapped Meng Yao. "The Gryffindors don't know how to handle the animals, no offense to you.”

"None taken,” smiled Song Lan. "What you are saying is true.”

Wei Wuxian was dismayed by the time-table too. "This is so bad,” he groaned, shoving it at the table. They were in Jiang Cheng's dorm room. It was still early in the morning, but most of the Gryffindors had already swarmed the Quidditch pitch to begin practicing. After Slytherin won the House Cup, they were determined to win this year.

"We have no classes with you Slytherins except Herbology and Care of Magical Creatures,” said Lan Zhan. He sounded a little bothered by it, as if he had been expecting some more classes with Slytherin.

"Seems like Dumbledore has finally decided to separate the Gryffindors and Slytherins,” joked Xiao Xingchen.

Wei Wuxian frowned. He did not have Care of Magical Creatures, nor did Lan Zhan. They shared only one class, but Herbology was held only on Wednesdays. That meant he was going to see Lan Zhan only once a week during class.

Oh, that was bad.

“We have Defence Against the Dark Arts with Ravenclaw," said Meng Yao.

“Looks like I'll be joining you guys," grinned Nie Huiasang. “Finally, a reprieve from the Hufflepuffs."

They grumbled and started to bite into hardy biscuits when the letter arrived.

It popped into existence and fell on Jiang Cheng's bed. Most of them yelped in surprise and scrambled back, but Lan Zhan peered at it with extreme interest. “What is this?"

Wei Wuxian suddenly recalled Slughorn's words. He picked up the jade envelope, fine to the touch. His name was written in a flourishing hand with silver ink: To Mr Wei Wuxian.

“It's from Slughorn," he said, flicking open the envelope and shaking out the letter. Instead of parchment, a card landed on his hands. It was a cream-white colour, with the Slytherin snake mascot printed at the top. The card was handwritten, and it was very short.

Wei Wuxian read it out loud, and as he did so, his heart rate picked up.

“Dear Wei Wuxian,

It is my honour and pleasure to invite you to The Slug Club, a gathering of the brightest wizards and witches of our age, who share a singularly magnificent talent of magic. I would love the pleasure of your company on October the 30th, 1964, in my office on the third floor, at 6:00 p.m. sharp.

Do make sure to wear formal attire and bring a date to the gathering. Let us feast and share our knowledge, making the evening enlightening and enjoyable.

Looking forward to your presence.

Horace Slughorn.”

Everyone was silent.

Then, everyone burst into conversation.

“Holy hell, holy hell!" hyperventilated Nie Huiasang, fanning himself with his folding fan. “I cannot believe this! You got an invite to the Slug Club!”

Song Lan snatched away the letter to read it himself.

Xiao Xingchen was distraught. "From where will you get formal attire? What does that even mean?”

Meng Yao was on the bed, laughing in joy. "I always knew you would be a member of that club one day. Oh, Wei Wuxian, aren't you happy? The Slug Club is great. It's the greatest place to make connections and know about the outside world! I can't believe you'll be joining them!”

Lan Zhan pursed his lips. "Who names a club after themselves?”

Only Jiang Cheng voiced the correct concern. "You guys,” he yelled, "who is to be Wei Wuxian's date?

Wei Wuxian ignored them all. He only looked at the letter, which seemed more valuable than diamond at the moment.

He was invited to The Slug Club.

He was already being considered as one of the brightest wizards of his age.

Chapter Text

1964, HOGWARTS

AS SOON AS THE initial shock wore off, a happiness he had never experienced before flooded Wei Wuxian's body.

He was a member of The Slug Club.

This was beyond his wildest imaginations.

Wei Wuxian had heard of The Slug Club before. It was a famous thing to speculate about in Hogwarts. Only the best wizards and witches got a chance to join in, curated by Slughorn himself, and they would gather in parties to discuss whatever caught their fancy.

Uncle Jiang had once said it was a hub for making connections.

The best people from the richest families joined in, after all.

“What will you do now?" asked Jiang Cheng, admiring the letter.

“I am going to tell everyone about this," announced Wei Wuxian. His friends gave him a weird look. “What? Shijie needs to know.”

Wei Wuxian hopped out of the Gryffindor Tower, left its warm Common Room and plush armchairs, and wound his way towards the Hufflepuff basement.

He was just about to tickle the pear on the door when it flew open and out came Shijie herself. Her eyes widened when she saw him. “A-Xian, what are you doing here?"

“I got into The Slug Club!"

Shijie looked confused for a moment, as if trying to remember what that was. Then it dawned upon her and she squealed, clasping Wei Wuxian's hands in her own. “No way! Really?"

Wei Wuxian laughed and nodded.

Shijie's excitement was what sealed the deal for him. He would go to this meeting, even though he was yet to find a date or the meaning of formal attire. He was going to this party, meet new people, socialise with them and see where his future led him.

Wei Wuxian was always going to be the brightest of them all.

After Shijie, the next stop was Wen Ning. Wei Wuxian found the boy in the Great Hall, sitting at the Hufflepuff table and eating his breakfast. He sprang up when he saw Wei Wuxian.

“Wen Ning," said Wei Wuxian, hooking his arm around his shoulders, “I have got into The Slug Club."

Wen Ning smiled. “What is that?"

Wei Wuxian's excitement was snuffed out. He looked at Wen Ning and tried to decide whether the boy was joking, but Wen Ning had a sincere smile on his face. The boy couldn't lie to save his life.

A throat cleared behind them. “It is an elite club, Ning," said Wen Qing, coming into view after many months. Wei Wuxian rarely saw her around Hogwarts anymore. She was always shut off in her room, according to Nie Huiasang.

Wen Qing sat down with a plate of scones. Her long hair was swept aside, her eyes a glassy black. “Only the best wizards get a place in the club. It is headed by Professor Slughorn."

“Oh," said Wen Ning. Then, he smiled. “Good for you, Wei Wuxian! You are the most intelligent guy in our class."

“Honestly, that's Lan Zhan," said Wei Wuxian. “But I'm incredibly happy at this opportunity."

Wen Qing flashed him an inscrutable look.

Wei Wuxian had no idea how to feel about her. When he had heard that Wen Qing was acting on Lan Yi’s orders, he had been angry, but after a moment’s reflection, he couldn't be angry anymore. She was only trying to save her brother. She would go to any lengths.

Heaven knew the lengths he would go to save Shijie or Jiang Cheng.

Even his friends, at this point.

He settled for feeling a kind of camaraderie with her. He could understand her desperation, but it didn't mean that he had to love her either. She was an intelligent, capable witch, who did not need Wei Wuxian's uncalled-for sympathy.

After roaming around Hogwarts for the entire morning, he suddenly bumped into Lan Xichen at the southern corridors. He was coming out of the Arithmancy classroom.

“Why do you have classes on Sunday?" asked Wei Wuxian, before he could stop himself.

Lan Xichen looked at him in surprise. He recovered quickly and said, “Ah, I do not have classes. I was simply asking Professor Vector about a problem."

Wei Wuxian tilted his head. Lan Xichen was really the perfect student, wasn't he? His big, ‘Head Boy’ badge was shining. He wondered how much of that perfect nature had been instilled in him by the Lan Clan and how much was his own creation.

Lan Xichen took one look at his bubbly demeanour and asked, “You seem very happy. Did you finally get my brother to hug you first?"

Wei Wuxian felt his blood rush to his cheeks and neck. He rubbed at his cheeks, trying to smile, but failing miserably. “No, no. I didn't—I mean, I just got an invitation to The Slug Club, so I—"

“The Slug Club?" asked Lan Xichen, leaning forward. He was a foot taller than Wei Wuxian, which made him tower over him. “Professor Slughorn invited you?"

Wei Wuxian revelled in the shock in his voice. Had Lan Xichen never considered he could be talented enough to catch the eye of Slughorn? If so, then he was in for a big surprise.

Lan Xichen hummed in thought. “Well, that's good. You will get to meet a lot of personalities in those parties. I personally never liked them, but you might. You can talk with people.”

Oh.

Lan Xichen had been a part of The Slug Club.

Of course.

That was expected. Why wouldn't Slughorn recruit the most intelligent student in Hogwarts?

“So I'll get to see you?" asked Wei Wuxian. Maybe he would not be absolutely alone.

“Oh, no. I don't attend those parties anymore."

Wei Wuxian blinked. “Why not?"

Lan Xichen leaned against the wall. “I never did like the way those parties happened. Just a bunch of kids with rich families and pureblood heritage, talking about their galas and enjoying Slughorn's praises. There was no real talk happening, no real discussion. If you are going there to make connections, it's a good place. But if you want meaningful conversation, then I'd suggest you don't go. You, out of all the people in Hogwarts, cannot tolerate them."

~~•~~

AFTER A FEW minutes of troubled thinking, Wei Wuxian decided Lan Xichen was probably right.

After that illuminating talk with the older Lan, Wei Wuxian slipped inside the library. A few harried Fifth Years were there, poring over books with tired eyes. Madam Pince was reading a book. Seeing her made Wei Wuxian recall their adventure in the Restricted Section last year.

He wasn't about to forget that anytime soon.

They were yet to return the book they had stolen from the Section. It was an unspoken decision between them to keep the book for themselves. Sneaking out was one thing, but sneaking back to return the book was another.

One risk was enough.

Wei Wuxian went up to the front desk. "Good morning, Madam Pince.”

"Wei Wuxian,” she said coolly, surveying him with her spectacles. "What do you want?”

"Say, do you have any book relating to The Slug Club?” he asked, throwing her a dazzling smile that always got Professor Sprouts laughing.

Madam Pince frowned. “The Slug Club? There is no direct book about it, but there has been mentions of it in the annals of Hogwarts. I mean, that club has been around for more than thirty years now.”

Wei Wuxian staggered against the counter. "Thirty years?” That meant a long history that he wasn't aware of.

"Professor Slughorn is older than he looks,” she said, her voice clipped. "He has been around for forty years now, I think. He started The Slug Club with some students, and it has grown in size hence. I don't know why he insists on hosting that stupid club. Who names a club after themselves?”

Wei Wuxian did not know what to think of the club now. To some people, it was the best thing that could happen to a student, but for others, it was just a pretentious gathering of petty people.

Lan Xichen was right. It would contain pureblood kids, who would all look at him and sneer, much like his House. He was probably going to be the first mudblood to join them, and they would not like it.

“Lan Wangji is here too," said Madam Pince. “Bought a book about The Slug Club, just like you. You are friends, aren't you? Go and join him."

Now, why was Lan Zhan reading about The Slug Club?

Before he could think any further, Madam Pince said, “He is going to The Slug Club, isn't he?"

“Who?"

“Lan Wangji. He's going there, isn't he? That's why he came scouting for information."

Wei Wuxian shook his head. "He isn't. I'm going.”

Madam Pince was instantly dismayed. Her frown appeared again. “Are you sure he isn't invited? He's the perfect candidate for The Slug Club. His brother was a part of it."

Wei Wuxian shuffled on his feet. “He hasn't been invited yet."

“He will be," said Madam Pince. “The Slug Club belongs to people like Lan Wangji. No one other than him is qualified."

She did not say it clearly, but the implication was clear enough. Wei Wuxian knew what she was thinking. Lan Zhan was the deserving candidate. He wasn't.

He made his way to their carrel by the window. As expected, Lan Zhan was there, reading a book with immense concentration. His brows were furrowed and his lips had formed a pout, a habit of his which happened when he was deep in a novel.

The bracelet Wei Wuxian had given him was upon his wrist, the red seeds clashing against the pale of his skin.

Wei Wuxian fingered his own bracelet, the one with the jade at the centre. Madame Yu had nearly lost her head when she saw it on his wrist, asking him from where he had stolen it. She was still unable to believe Lan Wangji had gifted her worthless scum of a disciple such an expensive item.

“Lan Zhan," he whispered, sitting across from him. “What are you reading?"

Lan Zhan did not look up. “A book."

“I know that. What book is it?" Wei Wuxian extended his hand and grabbed the book. He intended to drag it across to him — a move he had pulled countless times when Lan Zhan needed a break — but when he did so, Lan Zhan landed a slap on his hand.

Wei Wuxian jumped in his chair. “Ow! What was that for?"

"Don't disturb me.”

An uneasy laugh bubbled up Wei Wuxian's throat. Lan Zhan was often irritated at him, but his irritation had never felt so true as it did now. "Sorry, sorry. I was just fooling around—"

“You always fool around," snapped Lan Zhan. His harsh tone went straight through Wei Wuxian's chest. “Everything is a big joke to you."

Wei Wuxian could tolerate rudeness only to a limited extent. “What's the matter with you?" he asked, crossing his arms. “Why are you getting so angry?"

That made Lan Zhan look up at last. His eyes were gleaming in barely concealed rage. It made the gold of his irises burn. “Because you are disturbing me."

“I always disturb you," said Wei Wuxian, his voice rising in pitch. He hated how squeaky it came out. “You never get so angry. Is something bothering you? Did you have a fight with your brother or someth—”

Lan Zhan slammed his hands on the book. The table shook and made the window frame rattle. Someone shouted to keep it quiet.

Wei Wuxian looked at the dust particles swirling in the air after Lan Zhan slammed the old book. The Lan leaned forward and said, "Please go away.”

To say Wei Wuxian was confused would be an understatement. He was beyond shocked, having never seen or expected such a look on Lan Zhan's face. Lan Zhan prided himself on controlling his emotions. Why was he so angry now?

There had to be some kind of problem he was facing. Lan Zhan had helped him multiple times. Couldn't Wei Wuxian help him too? “Lan Zhan, we are friends. You can tell me if you are facing any problem. I will help you."

Lan Zhan stared at him for a while. Then, frustration twisted his elegant features into a sneer and he rushed out of the library, muttering about how much of a nuisance this was.

Wei Wuxian followed him.

“Why are you trailing after me?" asked Lan Zhan, as they walked down stairs and got closer and closer to the Slytherin dungeons. There were no students around since it was a Sunday and most were still sleeping, but one or two people trickled by and cast looks at them.

“You are not yourself, Lan Zhan," said Wei Wuxian, fighting with his body to keep his voice calm. Lan Zhan always held his cool while dealing with problems. He would too.

Lan Zhan uttered a solid groan, something that he had most probably learned from Meng Yao. “Go away."

“No. You are clearly in some kind of trouble. I want to help."

"Wei Wuxian—”

"Lan Zhan, you can tell me, you know. This is me. Wei Wuxian. The guy who almost pees when he sees bugs.”

Wei Wuxian tried to coax a laugh out of his rapidly walking friend. "Seriously. Tell me what it is. I can help—”

That was when Lan Zhan whirled around and put a stop to everything by saying, “How can you help when you are the problem?"

“I am the problem?" asked Wei Wuxian, putting his hand on his chest. “Why? What did I do?"

“It's not something you did," snapped Lan Zhan. “It's just something that—that happened to you."

“You are not making a whole lot of sense, Lan Zhan."

Lan Zhan took a deep breath and turned around again. “Leave it. It's stupid to argue about this."

But Wei Wuxian was not ready to let things go. How was he the problem? He hadn't even done anything yet. Lan Zhan couldn't stay angry with him due to something Wei Wuxian didn't even know about. “No, no. You need to clarify things."

“I won't. This will only give rise to an ugly scene."

Wei Wuxian suddenly understood what Lan Zhan meant. The pure, holy, saint-like image that Lan Zhan carried on his head was going to shatter if he began to argue with Wei Wuxian. He was planning to go, leaving him stewing in misery, all to save his own image.

That wouldn't do.

“We don't have to argue," he said, stepping forward. “We can just have a talk."

“A talk will devolve into an argument."

"Why are you so scared of arguments? What's wrong with a little cursing and shouting?”

"If I start arguing, there's no going back.”

Wei Wuxian scoffed. "That is the biggest load of crap ever. Do you even have anything against me, or are you just meting out someone else's rage upon me?"

Lan Zhan gave a bitter laugh. It was more of a breath, leaving his body in a plume of dark smoke. “Why are you always like this?" he asked, not bothering to hide his displeasure any longer. “Why do you always insist on being so dominating?"

The words hit Wei Wuxian like a whip. “Dominating?"

“Yes! You want the world to go according to your views. You want everyone to look up to you and worship you."

“What—"

“You never know when to let go, do you?"

Wei Wuxian growled. “That's enough, Lan Zhan. Stop being so cryptic. What the hell is your problem?"

“Why did you get an invitation to The Slug Club?"

They were lucky that no one was around, for Lan Zhan practically screamed those words. In a single second, all the puzzle pieces clicked.

Wei Wuxian fell back. That damned invite was the problem.

Lan Zhan, true to his promise, did not stop once he had started. “Why did Slughorn choose you and not me? What is it that you have? How do you make every teacher fall at your feet? You are not even as good as me!"

“No teacher falls to my feet," said Wei Wuxian. “Everyone only likes me. They like you too, Lan Zhan."

“No, no, there's a difference," said Lan Zhan. “They love me because I'm a good student and can never commit a crime. They love you because you commit mischief and are a general ruckus to deal with. They like you in spite of your bad manners.”

“Bad manners?" Wei Wuxian did not like this criticism. Sure, he was not the goody-two shoes that Lan Zhan was, nor was he the topper. But he was the second ranker, and the number of classes he topped were more than Lan Zhan's.

From his childhood, Wei Wuxian had a knack for talking to people. Just like some people could draw since childhood and some sing, Wei Wuxian could talk. He was quick at catching what sort of a person anyone was, and he sorted them into different categories. His ready smile and humility made him a hero amongst the Yunmeng villagers.

The same thing happened with the professors.

“I do not have bad manners, Lan Zhan," he replied, in a steady voice. “I am simply not a quiet and shy person like you. That doesn't make me or anyone like me bad."

Lan Zhan nodded. "Right. You are right. You are not bad. You are the kindest person I know, but you are also the most arrogant person that I know.” He slumped against a door. "You are dominating and controlling. Whenever things don't go your way, you villanise everyone. Take Wen Xu's case. As long as he did not bow to you, he was bad, but as soon as he started to lick your boots, you joined the Quidditch team. Again.”

Wei Wuxian sputtered. A hot flush of embarrassment came over him, but he clamped it down and said, “If I'm arrogant, then you are too. You pride yourself on being a saint, but you are not one. Whose idea was it to break into the Restricted Section? Yours. If that isn't bad manners, then I don't know what it is."

“See?" said Lan Zhan, throwing his hands in the air. “As long as my plans were to your benefit, you praised me. But now, you are turning that against me."

“You attacked me first! All over a fucking invitation!"

"It's not just a fucking invitation! It's the biggest recognition of talent in Hogwarts!”

Wei Wuxian was breathing hard. Too hard. The blood was rushing in his ears and his wand was getting colder. He wanted to whip it out and blast Lan Zhan with a spell, but he couldn't do it.

Why was the person he trusted the most in this world laying open all his faults? He felt naked, quivering under the cold autumn air, all his flaws laid bare. Lan Zhan knew why he had accepted to join the Quidditch team again. He knew all about Wei Wuxian's need for recognition, to feel like he belonged somewhere. How could he turn that against him?

He wasn't dominating. He simply wanted people to listen to him, because so few did.

“You will get an invitation," he said, his hands on his waist. “I will tell Slughorn to—"

“To what? Send me an invite?" choked out Lan Zhan. “Thank you for the charity, but I don't need it. Wen Ning does, though."

“From where is Wen Ning coming into this?"

“Wen Ning, Lan Yi…they are the people whom you live for, aren't they? You want Lan Yi’s approval so badly that it's pathetic! You are willing to go to war for it! Spy for her!"

Wei Wuxian stomped his feet. "I swear upon Merlin, Lan Zhan! I'll actually punch you if you say anything more!”

“That's the only thing you know!" hissed Lan Zhan, his next words venom-like in their acidity. "Violence is what you understand.”

Then he walked off, leaving Wei Wuxian with nothing but a burning ache in his heart.